As preseason begins, Senators focus on the fit rather than roster battles

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeOttawa SenatorsSportsGolfHockeyNHL As preseason begins, Senators focus on the fit rather than roster battles Training camp for the Ottawa Senators is about trying to determine where everybody will fit when the regular season gets underway on Oct. 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs Author of the article: By Bruce Garrioch Published Sep 20, 2026 3 minute read Join the conversation Tim Stutzle, seen at training camp on Sept. 18, 2026, Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto and Stephen Halliday will be in the middle for the Ottawa Senators when the season begins, but how will it look around them? That's to be determined, writes Bruce Garrioch. PHOTO BY TONY CALDWELL /Postmedia Article content The Ottawa Senators will begin putting the pieces of the puzzle together on Monday night. Article content Training camp isn’t about a battle for jobs for the Senators, it’s about trying to determine where everybody will fit when the regular season gets underway on Oct. 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Article content Article content The Senators will open the preseason against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night in the annual Kraft Hockeyville game, which will be held at the 4,300-seat Centre Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières. Article content Article content While alternate captain Thomas Chabot won’t make the trip because his wife, Marion, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child any day, judging by the 23 players and three goaltenders on the ice Sunday at the Canadian Tire Centre, this will be a strong lineup. 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 The three goalies on the ice were Linus Ullmark, Samuel Ersson and Leevi Merilainen. Article content “Tomorrow, we’ll have a majority of our group play,” coach Travis Green said before the club’s short flight to Trois-Rivières. Article content Ottawa Senator Thomas Chabot won’t play Monday because his wife is due to give birth to the couple’s first child any day. PHOTO BY TONY CALDWELL /Postmedia Article content The Senators have only five exhibition games before Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, Green and the rest of the group have to declare the club’s final 23-man…