Ottawa’s pipeline was highly ranked for years, but as its top young players have aged out of prospect status, the situation has shifted drastically. The Senators have a couple of high-quality pro prospects, led by Carter Yakemchuk and Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, but after them the talent level drops off quite significantly.

2025 ranking: 27

2026 NHL Draft grade: C

Player Ranking1. Carter Yakemchuk, D

Sept. 29, 2005 | 6-foot-3 | 202 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 7 in 2024
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

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

Analysis: Yakemchuk was quite good as a rookie pro in Belleville. He’s an attack-first D-man who uses his great skill and good enough mobility to constantly break down opponents. Yakemchuk skates well enough, and while his first step or two may be heavy, he’s mobile for his size and often makes pressure miss. He has a bullet shot from the point and will be a one-timer threat in the NHL. He’s more of a shot than a pass threat, and while he can see the ice well and makes tough plays, his vision isn’t at the same level as his shot or stickhandling. Despite his length, Yakemchuk’s defense can be an issue due to average effort off the puck and trying too hard to score. He can be frustrating at times and dynamic at others. He projects as a top-four defenseman who can help a power play, but he may need to be sheltered defensively.

2. Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, RW

Oct. 24, 2007 | 6-foot-2 | 185 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 25 in 2026
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

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

Analysis: Lagerberg Hoen missed most of last 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 Hoen 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.

3. Kasper Halttunen, RW

June 7, 2005 | 6-foot-3 | 215 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 36 in 2023
Tier: NHL prospect

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

Analysis: Halttunen is a big, powerful winger with very good hands and a bullet shot that projects to beat NHL goalies from range. His skating and pace are not the best, though, and he can make questionable decisions with the puck. When he’s competing and knocking guys around with his body, he looks like a legit NHL player, but his compete can be inconsistent. He projects as a bottom-six winger.

4. Adam Nemec, LW

Oct. 18, 2007 | 6-foot-0 | 173 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 72 in 2026
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, 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.

5. Brandon Svoboda, C

Feb. 4, 2005 | 6-foot-3 | 209 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 71 in 2023
Tier: NHL prospect

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

Analysis: Svoboda’s offensive production will never inspire, but he’s a clear NHL athlete who has a lot of attributes. He’s big, fast and direct with good hands and provides value at both ends of the ice. Svoboda doesn’t make many plays, but he has enough touch to get a few points as a pro.

6. Logan Hensler, D

Oct. 14, 2006 | 6-foot-3 | 198 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 23 in 2025
Tier: NHL prospect

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

Analysis: Hensler is a talented but frustrating and inconsistent defenseman. He’s been fine on a top college team but didn’t take a big step this season as a mobile right-shot with strong offensive skills and playmaking ability. At his best, his offensive touch can stand out, and I’ve seen him break games open. That player has shown up inconsistently over the years, though. His defending is surprisingly average given his length and feet and he shies away from physical play. He has clear NHL traits but has work to do to become a full-time player.

7. Gabriel Eliasson, D

Sept. 9, 2006 | 6-foot-7 | 212 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 39 in 2024
Tier: NHL prospect

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

Analysis: Eliasson’s game isn’t pretty. He was a so-so junior player, but a 6-foot-7 defenseman who can skate OK, is very physical and is a pain in the rear for opponents will earn ice time from a coach as a pro. His puck play is quite poor, and he really lacks much hockey talent, but he’s an elite athlete and competitor, so despite his shortcomings, Eliasson has a real shot to make it.

8. Lucas Beckman, G

Aug. 23, 2007 | 6-foot-2 | 182 pounds | Catches left

Drafted: No. 97 in 2025
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average

Analysis: Beckman was a top goalie in the QMJHL last season. He’s an athletic and intelligent goalie who makes a lot of difficult lateral saves and steals goals with his lower-half quickness on top of a strong glove hand. Beckman stays with the play well and moves quickly without going out of position. Everything is great about his game except for his size. His frame could get exposed at higher levels, but he has a legit chance to play games.

Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2026, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.

Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.

Tier definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.