Ottawa’s Final Camp Decisions: Roster Battles, Special Teams, and Injury Watch
Ottawa is entering the last week of camp with roster spots still undecided, especially among forwards and the third defense pair. Prospects Stephen Halliday and Carter Yakemchuk have made the coaching staff weigh NHL minutes against minor-league development. The team also lost Leevi Meriläinen on waivers to Vancouver and acquired Jonas Johansson from Tampa Bay, while practices focus on power-play puck movement and an aggressive penalty kill.
Ottawa’s camp enters its last stretch before the Oct. 3 opener in Toronto. Forward and third-pair defense jobs remain open, with Stephen Halliday and Carter Yakemchuk forcing a choice between NHL usage and larger minor-league roles. Leevi Meriläinen left via Vancouver’s waiver claim after going 8-10-1, while Jonas Johansson arrived from Tampa Bay.
Practices have stressed cleaner point-to-shot power-play movement and an aggressive penalty kill that challenges entries. Artem Zub’s knee may keep him out opening night; Shane Pinto is held out precautionarily but should play. Warren Foegele and Kurtis MacDermid are near return, Jake Sanderson is day-to-day, and Adam Nemec is monitored after an upper-body hit versus Montreal.
Ottawa’s roster and health choices could shape how competitive the Senators look early, affecting players fighting for jobs, established veterans, and fans who invest emotionally in the season. Prospect assignments may influence minor-league clubs and development paths. Waiver and injury outcomes may also alter local media attention and community mood around the team, though the on-ice impact remains uncertain until games begin.