The Ottawa Senators recently released their 2025β26 regular season schedule, and with it comes a parade of familiar faces poised to make their returns to Canadian Tire Centre. Fans can look forward to equal doses of nostalgia and rivalry as several former Sens come back this season in different sweaters, some for the first time.
That includes Josh Norris, who'll roll into Ottawa for the holidays wearing white, blue and gold and the number 13 β possibly a number chosen to offset his bad luck in the injury department.
Here's a look at the notable dates and returning players, along with a brief snapshot of their time in Ottawa:
Thursday, October 16 vs Seattle Kraken β Joey Daccord
Daccord, drafted by Ottawa in 2015, played parts of two seasons before being claimed in the Seattle expansion draft. Now entering the first year of a 5-year, $25 million deal, heβs back where his NHL journey began. Not bad for a 7th-rounder.
Saturday, October 18 vs New York Islanders β J.G. Pageau, Anthony Duclair, Matthew Highmore
"Pageau! Pageau! Pageau! Pageau!" The fan-favourite and Ottawa native spent seven seasons with the team and was known for his playoff heroics and clutch goals. Duclair, who had a 23-goal season with Ottawa in 2019β20, and possibly Highmore (if on the roster), also join him in the return. Pageau is entering the final year of his contract.
Monday, October 27 vs Boston Bruins β Mark Kastelic, Joonas Korpisalo
Mark Kastelic, a rugged centerman drafted by the Senators in 2019, will face his old team for the first time since being traded. Meanwhile, goalie Joonas Korpisaloβwhose tenure in Ottawa didnβt go as plannedβwill be back in town on the Sens' dime. Theyβre still paying $1 million of his salary annually for the next three years.
Tuesday, November 11 vs Dallas Stars β Matt Duchene
Duchene returns once again to face the team that gave up a significant trade package to acquire him back in 2017. His time in Ottawa was brief and turbulent during the teamβs retooling years.
Thursday, December 4 vs New York Rangers β Mika Zibanejad
Drafted sixth overall by Ottawa in 2011, Zibanejad played parts of five seasons before being traded to New York, where he blossomed into a top-line NHL centre.
Saturday, December 6 vs St. Louis Blues β Mathieu Joseph
Joseph returns after being traded in the 2024 offseason. He spent parts of three seasons in Ottawa.
Tuesday, December 9 vs New Jersey Devils β Connor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, Stefan Noesen, Angus Crookshank (if rostered)
Brown, a key player during the rebuild; Dadonov, a high-priced signing who struggled in Ottawa; and possibly Crookshank, a former B-Sens standout, all come back under the Devils' banner. Noesen was a 2011 first-rounder who was dealt to Anaheim in the Bobby Ryan trade.
Thursday, December 18 vs Pittsburgh Penguins β Erik Karlsson
A marquee night as the two-time Norris Trophy winner with the Sens makes his return. Drafted in 2008, Karlsson served as captain and spent nine seasons in Ottawa before being traded in 2018.
Saturday, December 20 vs Chicago Blackhawks β Nick Foligno
At 37, Foligno is still rolling. A first-round pick by the Sens in 2006, he spent five seasons in Ottawa before being traded to Columbus for Marc Methot 13 years ago.
Tuesday, December 23 vs Buffalo Sabres β Josh Norris
The biggest homecoming of the season. Traded at last seasonβs deadline in a blockbuster that brought Dylan Cozens to Ottawa, Norrisβif healthyβwill face the team that gave him his NHL start and his current massive contract.
Monday, December 29 vs Columbus Blue Jackets β Erik Gudbranson
The Ottawa native played 36 games for the Senators during the shortened 2020β21 season. Now wearing an "A" in Columbus, heβll enjoy some home cooking with the family.
Thursday, January 1 vs Washington Capitals β Jakob Chychrun
Chychrun returns after an impressive first season in Washington. Heβs in year one of an eight-year, $72 million deal with the Caps.
Saturday, January 3 vs Winnipeg Jets β Vladislav Namestnikov, Dylan DeMelo
DeMelo was solid and a social media darling during his time in Ottawa. Namestnikov was here for a short cup of coffee in 2019β20.
Monday, January 5 vs Detroit Red Wings β Alex DeBrincat, Austin Watson, Cam Talbot, Jacob Bernard-Docker
A loaded return night. DeBrincat, once pegged as a long-term core player, didn't want to be here. So he was traded after just one season. The popular Watson brought grit and leadership during his three seasons. Talbot and Bernard-Docker round out the group of familiar faces.
Saturday, January 24 vs Carolina Hurricanes β Mike Reilly
The smooth-skating defenseman played 70 games with the Sens between 2019 and 2021. Reilly missed over four months with the Islanders after a heart procedure last seasonβso itβs good to see him playing anywhere.
Saturday, January 25 vs Vegas Golden Knights β Mark Stone
Stone, who spends his summers here, plays in Ottawa for the first time since 2022. The Sensβ 2010 sixth-round steal captained Vegas to a Cup two years ago.
Wednesday, January 28 vs Colorado Avalanche β Parker Kelly
Known for his relentless motor, Kelly was a locker room favourite during his tenure in Ottawa. He now grinds it out for the Avs.
Sunday, March 15 vs San Jose Sharks β Adam Gaudette, Zack Ostapchuk (if rostered)
Gaudette played a short stint with Ottawa, scoring a surprising 19 goals. Ostapchuk, a former Sens prospect, could face his former organization if he cracks the Sharksβ NHL lineup.
Saturday, April 4 vs Minnesota Wild β Filip Gustavsson, Vladimir Tarasenko
Gustavsson is no longer being pushed by veteran Marc-Andre Fleury, who's now retired. Now the internal competition comes from young Jesper Wallstedt. Tarasenko, whose brief stay in Ottawa helped out the top-six, comes back with the Wild after a tough season in Detroit.
Tuesday, April 7 vs Tampa Bay Lightning β Nick Paul, Boris Katchouk
Paul, a do-it-all forward in Ottawa, has been excellent for Tampa. Katchouk, once a Sens fourth-liner, also returns.
There it is β a season filled with emotional reunions, feel-good storylines, and, in the case of the well-liked Norris, whose exit is still so fresh, maybe a few tears.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
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