Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios says new captain Thomas Chabot doesn’t need to change anything.
Officially handed the ‘C’ for the Senators on Tuesday after previous captain Brady Tkachuk departed via trade in the summer, Chabot has seen all the highs and lows since making the NHL in 2017-18 and is the longest-tenured player on the roster.
Staios admitted during an interview on TSN 1200 Wednesday morning that he was a terrible captain for the first couple weeks when he wore the ‘C’ for the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2000-01 season because he tried to do too much.
“What he brings to the table every day for our team, the energy, the passion, the team first attitude, all of that, he doesn’t have to change anything he does,” said Staios of Chabot. “That’s why he was the clear-cut guy for us to become captain. Good captains put the team first.
“Thomas is an offensive defenceman, he makes great plays, he skates so well but there’s a toughness element to him as well and that’s sort of a mental toughness on how he can continue to play through tough situations.
“A lot of the adversity that he has faced, I think that builds up your ability to lead as well. We’re going to through times this season where it feels like the sky is falling on us and you need someone who has been through it.”
Chabot missed time dealing with injuries last season, which included an upper-body injury that cost him 12 games in November and December and had surgery for a broken forearm in March that kept him out for eight games.
The 29-year-old blueliner finished last season with seven goals and 31 points in 57 games while averaging 22:35 of ice time.
The Senators kick off the 2026-27 season on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the team’s blueline will have a bit of a different look to start the year.
Defencemen Jake Sanderson (undisclosed) and Artem Zub (knee) are both dealing with injuries. Sanderson has missed some practices since being pulled from Saturday’s preseason contest against Montreal but Staios said he expects the 24-year-old to be ready against the Maple Leafs.
He added that Zub will not miss a ton of time and continues to progress.
Ottawa will also start the season with a pair of rookie defencemen on the roster in Hoyt Stanley and Carter Yakemchuk.
While Yakemchuk has the lustre of being a former seventh-overall pick in the draft, Stanley was a fourth-round pick by Ottawa in 2023 and went pro at the end of last year after wrapping up his junior season at Cornell.
The 21-year-old had a goal in six appearances with the AHL’s Belleville Senators and remains on the roster ahead of Saturday’s season opener.
“He’s had a terrific camp,” said Staios of Stanley. “He came in, he won our fitness testing through rookie camp. Fully prepared, a mature kid for his age I think mentally. He’s really taken a step forward.”
As a rookie in the AHL last season, Yakemchuk scored 10 goals with 40 points in 54 games. He also made his NHL debut, notching a goal and an assist in four appearances with Ottawa.
Due to injuries, the 21-year-old also made his playoff debut in Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes, recording two assists as the Senators were swept in the opening round.
“He has attributes that you just can’t teach and full credit to him, he’s had a big summer,” said Staios of Yakemchuk. “He’s taken a big step forward physically and mentally as well. Don’t let his personality fool you. He’s a committed and hard guy. I know he’s a little soft spoken, but I think his defensive game has taken a good step forward.
“I’m very pleased with his progress and I’m obviously excited about having a player that has those dynamic abilities.”
The Senators have made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons after an eight-year drought and will hope to overcome the loss of Tkachuk to make the postseason once again this spring.
