The Senators attempted to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs after failing to qualify for the past four seasons.
On April 6, 2022, the Senators were eliminated from playoff contention when the Washington Capitals defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning.
[9] Local media speculated that the Senators were actively pursuing a bid, authorized by Melnyk shortly before his death.
[10] In June 2022, the NCC accepted the Senators' proposal for a new downtown arena and mixed-use development as part of the Lebreton Flats redevelopment.
The draft was held July 23–24, 2024 virtually via video conference call from the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey.