Ottawa Senators rookies blown away by Kasper Halttunen's release: 'He's got a bomb'

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeOttawa SenatorsSportsHockeyNHL Ottawa Senators rookies blown away by Kasper Halttunen's release: 'He's got a bomb' In his first game wearing a Sens uniform, the 21-year-old scored an impressive goal during the Prospect Challenge in Gatineau. Author of the article: By Callum Fraser Published Sep 13, 2026 3 minute read Join the conversation Kasper Halttunen was acquired by the Ottawa Senators from the San Jose Sharks in June. The Sharks had drafted him 36th overall in 2023. PHOTO BY TONY CALDWELL /Postmedia Article content Among the array of visceral emotions Brady Tkachuk’s abandonment made Ottawa Senators fans feel this summer was panic. Article content With only picks — no roster players — coming back in a franchise-altering trade with the Florida Panthers, who would fill the goal-scoring void left by the former captain? Article content Article content Scoring wingers are hard to come by in the National Hockey League — teams typically hold onto those players. Article content Article content In the past decade, only two Ottawa wingers have notched 30-plus goals in a season. Drake Batherson accomplished the feat in 2025-26. And if he hadn’t torn a ligament in his thumb in the home opener, Tkachuk surely would’ve had his fourth 30-goal season. Article content Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Forty-eight hours following Tkachuk’s departure, the William Eklund acquisition helped calmed the faithful. The 23-year-old Swede wasn’t exactly known for sizzling snipes from the slot — he has a career high of 17 goals — but perhaps another player involved in the deal could soon be of some assistance in that department. Article content Shortly after being acquired from the San Jose Sharks, Kasper Halttunen became aware of the franchise’s scoring demand. Article content “I got the message,” Halttunen told the Ottawa Citizenat rookie camp on Friday. “I think it’s a good opportunity for me. It’s kind of a good thing to know that that’s what I’m working for. I want to be that guy. Just trying to give my everything every day, just trying to get better and be that guy one day for the Sens.” Article content Across the two seasons he played with the Ontario Hockey…