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NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the Ottawa Senators.

In the past 12 months, the Ottawa Senators have seen significant changes in their team leadership. Billionaire Michael Andlauer has taken over as the new owner, former NHL defenseman Steve Staios has stepped in as the general manager, and ex-NHL forward Travis Green has been appointed as the new coach.

But it’s goalie Linus Ullmark, acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins for goalie Joonas Korpisalo, defenseman Mark Kastelic and a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on June 24, who could be the biggest key in getting them back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.

Since the Senators last made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2017, the list of prominent goalies who have tried and failed to get them back to the postseason includes Craig Anderson, Filip Gustavsson, Matt Murray, Anton Forsberg, Cam Talbot and Korpisalo.

It’s now Ullmark’s opportunity to take a shot. Considering his achievement of winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie with the Bruins in the 2022-2023 season, the 31-year-old certainly has the necessary qualifications. He is excited to see what this young and skilled Senators team is capable of.

“Ullmark described the team as being extremely dangerous and fast. He also mentioned that they could be quite formidable, with their captain, Brady Tkachuk, being the driving force. He emphasized that Tkachuk is a versatile player who can handle any situation on the field,” Ullmark said.

Consistency is key, it’s about securing daily victories to attain new achievements and constantly improving as a player. It’s not about being satisfied with a streak of two or three wins, but about maintaining that winning streak. Winning three or four games, only to lose the next few, won’t get you far. What will get you into the playoffs is the consistent success in winning.

In 2023-2024, the Senators significantly lacked this trait, indicating goaltending as the team’s primary requirement this offseason.

Take this into account: Last season, Ottawa had the NHL’s worst team save percentage (.884), largely due to the efforts of Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg. This was a major factor in Ottawa’s third-to-last finish in the Eastern Conference, which makes the acquisition of Ullmark all the more important.

Ullmark was 22-10-7 with a 2.57 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and two shutouts in 40 regular-season games (39 starts) for the Bruins last season. He was 0-1 with a 3.90 GAA and .886 save percentage in two Stanley Cup Playoff games (one start). With Jeremy Swayman emerging as the No. 1 goalie in Boston, Ullmark became expendable, and the Senators pounced.

“He expressed optimism about the upcoming season, stating, “With the introduction of new coaching staff and other changes, we hope to kick-start our performance. Once we achieve that, our team will pose a significant threat going forward.”

Staios is optimistic that Ullmark has the ability to assist the Senators in doing exactly that.

“He said, ‘Acquiring a player of such caliber is not a common occurrence. We are extremely pleased to have him on board. Our interest in him dates back to the NHL trade deadline, he’s a player we’ve been interested in for a long time.”

Ullmark, currently in the last season of his four-year contract worth $20 million (with an average annual value of $5 million), mentioned that there’s no urgency to discuss an extension.

Ullmark fills a significant void in the Senators team that is not lacking in talent. Although Ottawa allowed the 13th fewest shots on goal per game (29.7) this past season, it was tied for the fifth highest in goals allowed per game (3.43) in the NHL, ranking seventh highest overall in the league.

The Senators made their largest and possibly most crucial player move under Staios, who initially assumed the interim GM role on Nov. 1, and later secured the full-time position on Dec. 31.

The CEO of Andlauer Healthcare Group, Andlauer, acquired majority ownership of the team on September 21, promptly involving Staios. Staios had formerly been employed by the Hamilton Bulldogs, a team owned by Andlauer in the Ontario Hockey League.

On May 8, the no-nonsense Green was employed with the shared vision of ending Ottawa’s playoff drought. He replaced interim coach Jacques Martin who had stepped in after D.J. Smith was dismissed on December 18. The hiring of Green was fueled by the mutual goal of the two men to finally achieve this.

The 53-year-old has an NHL coaching record of 141-159-35 with the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils. Green, who helped lead Vancouver to the second round of the playoffs in 2019-20, is known for helping develop young players. That should play well with some of Ottawa’s young stars like forward Tim Stutzle, 22, whose 70 points last season (18 goals, 52 assists) were 20 fewer than the 90 (39 goals, 51 assists) he had in 2022-2023.

“All I see in this team is youth, excitement, and a promising future,” expressed Green. “My goal is to steer this team towards becoming a winner with a winning attitude. Being a skilled group is one thing, but being a skilled group that forms a winning team is another.”

The Senators enlisted veteran depth to assist in that respect.

Forward David Perron signed to a two-year, $8 million contract July 1 after having 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in 76 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season. The 36-year-old helped the St. Louis Blues win a Stanley Cup in 2019 and augments a leadership group that also includes captain Tkachuk and veteran forward Claude Giroux.

Another veteran, Nick Jensen, should help the penalty kill and bring stability to the defense. The 33-year-old, acquired with a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in a trade with the Washington Capitals for defenseman Jakob Chychrun on July 1, had 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) last season and is known for his efficient play in the defensive zone.

The Senators already had a talented core in forwards Tkachuk, Stutzle, Giroux, Drake Batherson, and defensemen Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. Now it’s time to see if Ullmark is the ignitor who can give Ottawa that extra push and motivation it needs.

“He said, “I’m hoping this year will be a great one.””