The opening day of NHL free agency is always an exciting time for hockey fans, as teams retool their rosters with fresh talent and strategic additions. But obviously, with the standard roster, contract and cap limitations, they can't just stockpile talent, so every addition eventually requires a subtraction.
On July 1, the Ottawa Senators officially parted ways with six unrestricted free agents, all of whom saw varying levels of NHL time with the club in 2024-25.
As they scattered to the wind, here's where they signed on Tuesday:
Adam Gaudette
Gaudette was one of the best storylines of the Senators’ 2024–25 season. Out of the NHL for nearly two years, he signed a two-way deal with Ottawa, reuniting with his former Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green, who had just gotten the Sens job. Gaudette made the team out of camp and responded with a strong season, scoring 19 goals.
Never having had a serious NHL payday, Gaudette took full advantage of free agency, signing a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks worth $2 million annually. Ottawa seemed fully ready for his departure on Tuesday, bringing in veteran Lars Eller, who is expected to take over Gaudette’s spot as the fourth-line center.
Anton Forsberg
Goaltender Anton Forsberg signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings worth $2.2 million per season. He’ll reunite with former Senators head coach D.J. Smith, now an assistant in L.A., on a team that allowed the second-fewest goals in the league last season.
Forsberg’s best campaign in Ottawa came in 2021–22, when he posted a 2.82 GAA and a .917 save percentage over 46 games. Throughout the rebuild, he could sometimes be a stabilizing presence, despite a leaky defense in front of him. But there were nights of inconsistency as well. With the emergence of the less expensive Leevi Meriläinen, the Senators were ready to move on.
Ottawa Senators Clarify Their Goaltending Picture for Next SeasonOttawa Senators general manager Steve Staios officially provided some clarity on the organization’s 2025-26 goaltending depth chart on Tuesday afternoon. The dominoes started to fall on Monday with Leevi Meriläinen signing a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million for next season.
Matthew Highmore
Highmore played 41 NHL games last season with Ottawa, recording just six points. Though well-regarded for his work ethic, the 29-year-old didn’t do enough to earn a new deal. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders.
In his NHL career, Highmore has tallied 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 187 games. He’s also been productive at the AHL level, with 166 points (61G, 105A) in 231 games.
Angus Crookshank
Crookshank became a bit of a cult favorite in Ottawa—thanks in part to his memorable name and underdog appeal. After playing 13 NHL games at the end of the 2023–24 season, he seemed poised to break through.
But with new management prioritizing size and adding multiple free agent forwards last summer, Crookshank’s path became crowded. He lacked the high-end skill to crack the top six and didn’t have the size or physical edge for a bottom-six role.
Still, he found a new opportunity with the New Jersey Devils, signing a two-year deal worth $5 million. The first year is a two-way contract, but it becomes a one-way deal in 2026–27.
Dennis Gilbert
Gilbert arrived in Ottawa as part of a trade deadline deal with the Buffalo Sabres, a move that sent Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker to Buffalo in exchange for Dylan Cozens and Gilbert. While Cozens was the main piece for Ottawa, Gilbert appeared in just four games.
Gilbert has since signed a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, Bernard-Docker was not tendered a qualifying offer by Buffalo and has signed with the Detroit Red Wings.
Cole Reinhardt
A former teammate of Ridly Greig with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Reinhardt was drafted by the Senators as a 20-year-old and spent five seasons in the organization. Known as an excellent skater and hardworking winger, he recorded just two points in 17 games with Ottawa last season.
Now 25, Reinhardt qualified for Group 6 unrestricted free agency and signed a two-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. Terms of the contract have not been disclosed.
So there it is. The end of the line for half a dozen Ottawa Senators. With a tip of the cap, we wish them success in their next hockey chapters.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News/Ottawa
Image credit: Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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