Speculation: Ottawa Senators Cap Projections 25/26 and 26/27

[GCK]

I'm starting this thread for use as a location to post proposed Cap situations. I'll start with currently signed player for the next two years including the two buried 1 way contracts next year. I'm using conservative Upper Limit numbers of 95M and 100M.

Player	2025/26	2026/27
Stutzle	8,350,000	8,350,000
Tkachuk	8,205,714	8,205,714
Norris	7,950,000	7,950,000
Batherson	4,975,000	4,975,000
Perron	4,000,000	0
Pinto	3,750,000	0
Amadio	2,600,000	2,600,000
Greig	3,250,000	3,250,000
Ostapchuk	825,000	0
Sanderson	8,050,000	8,050,000
Chabot	8,000,000	8,000,000
Zub	4,600,000	4,600,000
Jensen	4,050,000	4,050,000
Ullmark	8,250,000	8,250,000
Korpisalo	1,000,000	1,000,000
White	875,000	875,000
Total	78,730,714	70,155,714
Projected Cap	95,000,000	100,000,000
Projected Space	16,269,286	29,844,286
MacEwen	775,000	0
Sogaard	775,000	0

Click to read more...

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

92.5 or 95 the cap in 2025/26

Hamonic replacement	1000000
Kleven	2000000
Matinpalo/JBD	1000000
Giroux	4000000
Gregor	1000000
Cousins	1000000
Highmore	1000000
Merilainen	1000000
Total	12000000

78,730,714 + 12,000,000 = 90,730,714

1,769,286 Cap space at 92.5; add 2.5 million or 4,269,286 at 95

I used round numbers just to make it easier.. Those names can change somewhat but there is not a large amount of wiggle room at a 92.5 cap
2-3 could go a little higher some a little lower; at 95 there looks like there would be room to add

 

[Micklebot]

I think I fixed the table for you....

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Not expecting a big increase. Probably 4 mil or something again.

 

[PlayOn]

Not expecting a big increase. Probably 4 mil or something again.

97 million is the number that’s been reported on.

One thing to consider though is Staios’ comments when he did his mid-season round of interviews. He was asked about adding a player and whether they had space, and he said they have some, then mentioned last year’s debacle where we could barely call people up. He then went on to stay they are going to further work on their cap flexibility this summer so they have more to work with.

So basically - I don’t think we will spend 97 million even if that’s the cap. They will probably look to get a cushion of a few million in case they need to make moves in-season. We really don’t have a ton of space to work with without either a) not re-signing Giroux or b) moving someone out.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

97 million is the number that’s been reported on.

One thing to consider though is Staios’ comments when he did his mid-season round of interviews. He was asked about adding a player and whether they had space, and he said they have some, then mentioned last year’s debacle where we could barely call people up. He then went on to stay they are going to further work on their cap flexibility this summer so they have more to work with.

So basically - I don’t think we will spend 97 million even if that’s the cap. They will probably look to get a cushion of a few million in case they need to make moves in-season. We really don’t have a ton of space to work with without either a) not re-signing Giroux or b) moving someone out.

Keeping Giroux and adding something of significance in the offseason will require another Joseph-like deal with Perron with a rebuilding team. He only has one year left so I don't think it will be difficult.

 

[GCK]

I think I fixed the table for you....

Lol, it looked good on my end.

 

[GCK]

Keeping Giroux and adding something of significance in the offseason will require another Joseph-like deal with Perron with a rebuilding team. He only has one year left so I don't think it will be difficult.

Giroux at 4M and Kleven at 1.5M leaves 10.7M for a backup goalie, 3 forwards and 2 D. Guys like Mantipola, JBD/Guenette and Leevi are coming in around 1M so 7.7M for 3 forwards.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Isn't 97 mil projected for 2026-2027?

 

[DrEasy]

Giroux at 4M and Kleven at 1.5M leaves 10.7M for a backup goalie, 3 forwards and 2 D. Guys like Mantipola, JBD/Guenette and Leevi are coming in around 1M so 7.7M for 3 forwards.

So if we decided to just rely on our own depth for next year (Matinpalo and JBD on RD, Leevi as backup, a bunch of minimum salary forwards for our 4th line the likes of Crook and MacEwen), we could use up to $8M to replace Giroux?

What are some UFA options at that price point for a 2nd line winger for Stutzle?

 

[PlayOn]

Isn't 97 mil projected for 2026-2027?

No, it’s at least being discussed for next year but no guarantee:

Report: NHL salary cap could increase up to $9M for 2025-26

The NHL and NHLPA will discuss the possibility of increasing the salary cap by between $7 million and $9 million for the 2025-26 season, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night in Canada's "Saturday Headlines."The salary cap can rise a maximum of 5% each year under current CBA...

www.thescore.com

Also, just to add, Friedman has been talking a lot about how we are likely going to start seeing more teams with internal budgets and how some lower revenue teams don’t think they’re going to be able to spend to the cap. So this might impact us because we’re both a Canadian team and low revenue.

Maybe Andlauer will spend every year, maybe we’ll only spend to the cap during our contention window, who knows. Just food for thought.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

If Perron retires, we have enough for Ehlers.

So if we decided to just rely on our own depth for next year (Matinpalo and JBD on RD, Leevi as backup, a bunch of minimum salary forwards for our 4th line the likes of Crook and MacEwen), we could use up to $8M to replace Giroux?

What are some UFA options at that price point for a 2nd line winger for Stutzle?

I'd like to sign Mantha to an injury bonus contract, ala low cap hit with lots of signing bonuses.

 

[Golden_Jet]

97 million is the number that’s been reported on.

One thing to consider though is Staios’ comments when he did his mid-season round of interviews. He was asked about adding a player and whether they had space, and he said they have some, then mentioned last year’s debacle where we could barely call people up. He then went on to stay they are going to further work on their cap flexibility this summer so they have more to work with.

So basically - I don’t think we will spend 97 million even if that’s the cap. They will probably look to get a cushion of a few million in case they need to make moves in-season. We really don’t have a ton of space to work with without either a) not re-signing Giroux or b) moving someone out.

Also 92.5 mentioned, since that is the 5% max, without approvals, 95 is a likely a smoothing number they may go for. Not seeing 97 next year.

Plus I’d love to see about 2-3 million below cap, so can be some wiggle room in season, needs to be a slush fund for injuries.