Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Ottawa Senators’ new prospects and how they fit into the farm system.

2026 Draft Grade: C

Ottawa grabbed two highly talented wingers at the end of the first round. Jonas Lagerberg Hoen is a big, fast goal-scorer whereas Jaxon Cover is a good skater with size and skill. I like Lagerberg Hoen a lot, but while Cover is talented, I think he has a lot of work to do to become an NHL player. Adam Nemec was a solid bottom-six type to add on Day 2.

Draft Class

25. Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, RW, Leksands IF U20 (U20 Nationell)

October 24, 2007 | 6′ 2″ | 190 pounds

Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: High-end

Player comparable: Kevin Hayes

Analysis: Hoen missed most of the season due to a torn knee ligament, but when healthy, he’s been great at the Swedish junior level and got some SHL time. He’s a tall, fast winger with a great shot. His game lacks east-west playmaking, but he has good hands and can beat opponents with skill. He works hard enough, although he’s not overly physical. Lagerberg projects as a middle-six winger due to his great combination of traits, and if healthy, there’s intriguing upside to be a legit scorer at the next level.

Pick grade: B

Thoughts on the pick: He’s a really good skater for his size and has really good skill and a really good shot. I think if he’s healthy and consistent, you can see the top-six upside there. This is a reasonable gamble, and I think Senators fans are going to like that. A lot of their picks have been big, physical guys and two-way guys. If Lagerberg hits, he’s a 25-to-30 goal-scoring winger with size.

32. Jaxon Cover, LW, London Knights (OHL)

February 13, 2008 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds

Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Cover is a toolsy winger. He’s nearly 6-foot-2 with clear NHL-caliber foot speed and puck skills. On his best shifts, when he’s coming up the ice with pace and beating defenders clean, he looks like an NHL player. That player can be a little inconsistent, though. Cover is an average playmaker and competitor, who, despite his size, isn’t overly physical, although he will get to the net to create chances. He projects as a bottom-six winger.

Pick grade: D

Thoughts on the pick: The story is great. The tools are great. How he actually looked on the ice this season was very inconsistent.

72. Adam Nemec, F, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

October 18, 2007 | 6′ 1″ | 176 pounds

Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Nemec is a solid all-around forward. He’s a quality skater who can move with pros, although he doesn’t always play with a ton of pace. He has good hands and offensive IQ. He makes some difficult plays with the puck. He works hard and is a reliable off-puck player. He creates offense with a direct style and is at his best when he’s not trying to be flashy. He projects as a bottom-six winger.

87. Oscar Holmertz, C, Linköping HC U20 (U20 Nationell)

March 21, 2008 | 6′ 1″ | 194 pounds

Analysis: Holmertz is a strong skating center with good hands and vision. He’s not physical, but he’s a decent two-way player who can play in traffic. He’s not a natural scorer, and the overall amount of offense he will have versus men is a question.

91. Louis-Felix Bourque, RW, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)

July 15, 2008 | 6′ 2″ | 216 pounds

Analysis: Bourque is a good skating forward who is reasonably physical. The pure skill and IQ in his game doesn’t overly excite me though, and I wish he got to the net more consistently to score.

110. Elliot Lennon, G, Deerfield Academy (USHS-Prep)

March 5, 2008 | 6′ 6″ | 201 pounds

151. Harris Pangretitsch, RHD, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

March 29, 2008 | 6′ 4″ | 218 pounds

183. Alexander Grunin, LHD, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)

June 26, 2008 | 6′ 4″ | 185 pounds

Beat writer analysis

Since the Senators’ famed 2020 draft class that produced eight players who’ve gone on to play at least one NHL game, only four of their prospects have gone on to play at least one game. Ultimately, Ottawa made a habit of selecting low-ceiling prospects or hard-working players who could have NHL futures albeit in secondary roles.

This year, the Senators tried to prioritize skill and scoring by rolling the dice on two wingers, Jonas Lagerberg Hoen and Jaxon Cover, with their first-round picks. The Senators picked forwards with their first five picks of the draft, taking fliers on Adam Nemec, Oscar Holmertz and Louis Felix Bourque.

Rounding out Ottawa’s 2026 class are 6-foot-6 goaltending prospect Elliot Lennon, right-shot defenceman Harris Pangretitisch and Russian defenceman Alexander Grunin.

The Senators thought Lagerberg Hoen checked all the boxes for them despite suffering an ACL injury and requiring surgery. Ottawa scout Anders Ostberg said he’s “fully recovered,” but Lagerberg Hoen added that he still has to go through his rehab plan and hopes to be able to play in September. Something to keep in mind ahead of Monday’s development camp.

Meanwhile, Cover is one of the best stories of the NHL Draft purely off his background, with him being raised in the Cayman Islands and playing roller hockey before transitioning to the ice. Now, he’s contributing on the OHL’s London Knights with room to grow. Sens scout Beau Moyer said Cover “has that knack for making the big play when you least expect it.”

But ultimately, the bigger story around the Sens is that they kept their No. 25 pick and couldn’t move it in a trade for a prominent piece who could help them now. And the Senators are going to have to be creative in adding pieces either through trades or free agency. — Julian McKenzie