Senators Should Have Bigger Expectations for Eskild Bakke Olsen

The signing of 24-year-old Norwegian centre Eskild Bakke Olsen last week might be seen as another depth option for the Ottawa Senators’ farm system on the surface. But when you take an in-depth look at his playing abilities, they show why he fits the mould of Sens hockey.

Bakke Olsen not only matches Ottawa’s current brand of hockey, but his underlying numbers showcase the advanced scouting that president and general manager Steve Staios and his staff have done on both this player and the plethora of others they have added to the Senators’ system over the last couple of years.

All things considered, the Sens should have higher expectations for their newest acquisition, and fans should also be more excited than they were when the news broke. Because of his style of play, Bakke Olsen has the potential to be yet another untapped acquisition for this Senators’ regime – if he is given the chance.

The Player: Who Is He?

In 51 games with Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) this season, Bakke Olsen tallied 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points. The two seasons prior in the Swedish Tier-2 League, he put together 37- and 53-point campaigns, including 44 assists last season.

Where Bakke Olsen really caught eyes was at the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Switzerland last month. He was one of Norway’s most flexible and reliable forwards, contributing five points in ten games en route to a bronze medal victory over Canada – the first top-division finish in the country’s history.

Standing at 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, Bakke Olsen is a very mobile and intelligent forward. He was better known for his two-way style this past season, but he also has excellent passing vision to set up teammates. As well, his crafty hands for deflections and determination in battles make him a great net-front presence. Even better is his defensive abilities, which he showcased on Linköping HC’s penalty kill this season.

Ultimately, Bakke Olsen is the player that every coach dreams of having on their team. He doesn’t turn the puck over much, plays maturely in his own end and uses his speed to get back in transition.

Why He Could Thrive on This Team

The most obvious reason for Bakke Olsen fitting into Ottawa’s plans is the fact that the Sens have been building this mould of hockey throughout their lineup ever since Staios took over as GM. A group that needs no pure skill to thrive – mainly grit, tenacity and those with a strong work ethic, like the Norwegian has.

But the Senators are also familiar with scouting and recruiting players that fit this mould. Michael Amadio, Nick Cousins and Tyler Kleven are a few modern-day names that come to mind. Amadio brings a “simple” game, chipping in with both depth scoring and defensive play while finishing as many checks as possible (from ‘Michael Amadio is a good fit for Ottawa Senators,’ Ottawa Citizen, Oct 4, 2024). Kleven is the physical and defensive-minded blueliner, and Cousins is the pesky, experienced and flexible fourth-line option that also puts up points. 

You could even look at some of the European players that have been brought in over the last five or so years. Artem Zub was considered a “smart defensive defenceman” when first signed out of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), and has only evolved his game with the Senators since. Brought in from Finland in 2023, Nikolas Mattinpalo has turned into a solid depth option on the blue line as well. Even Tim Stutzle, who was already a “very smart, patient player” before being drafted out of Germany, has grown into the club’s top-line centre. 

What does this all entail for Bakke Olsen? There is a purpose and fit for everyone the Senators find, no matter where they are from. While he could take inspiration from other Sens’ Euro legends like Daniel Alfredsson, who went from a sixth-rounder to the franchise’s greatest player of all-time, Bakke Olsen doesn’t even have to go that far to thrive on this team with his playing style. Just being himself is why Ottawa wanted him in the first place.

Where Does He Play Next Season?

On this team, Bakke Olsen could either thrive as a full-time bottom-six centre or contribute as a depth piece coming in and out of the lineup. The second option is more likely, considering Shane Pinto will be the 3C, and the 4C position is still up in the air. 

Could the role belong to Bakke Olsen? Possibly – but that all depends on the impressions he gives head coach Travis Green in preseason. While he has opened a lot of eyes this past year, the odds of someone with no NHL experience automatically being trusted for that job are pretty low. 

That is not to take away from his excellent on-ice awareness and penalty-killing abilities. Those could easily be utilized on the wings, but the Senators have to consider the likes of Amadio, Fabian Zetterlund and Warren Foegele too.

There will be a lot of competition for those bottom-six spots come September between either veterans, youngsters like Stephen Halliday, or newcomers like Bakke Olsen. No matter how that plays out, though, Ottawa’s newest acquisition should get plenty of looks in the American Hockey League with the Belleville Senators.

Bakke Olsen adds yet another element of depth to Ottawa’s 50-skater roster thanks to his maturity. While that is another compliment in the long list of positives this new regime of Senators’ scouting has done, it leaves another intriguing decision on how to utilize him next season in the only year of his entry-level deal.