Evaluating 13 potential Senators picks for 2025 NHL Draft: Blake Fiddler? Malcolm Spence?

New York Times

6 hours ago

With a wide selection of players available to them with the 21st pick in the upcoming NHL Draft and a limited prospect pool, it is no surprise that the Ottawa Senators are approaching their first selection with a 'best-player-available' mentality.
Underscoring the team's need to get talent wherever it can: Since the 2021 draft class, just one Senators draft pick has suited up in NHL games, with Zack Ostapchuk playing 50 for Ottawa before he was traded to the Sharks in March. Whichever player the Senators take, he will instantly become either the team's top prospect or its second, behind Carter Yakemchuk.
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This year's pick carries even more importance as the Sens forfeited their first-round pick in 2026 due to the team's role in a nullified trade involving forward Evgenii Dadonov in March of 2022.
Based on recent mock drafts, draft rankings, projections and consultations with The Athletic draft experts Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler, here's a list of players who could be available to the Senators when they are on the clock in the first round later this month.
Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie (OHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 24
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 22
Spence is a high-compete winger with some size and offensive ability, while also being frustrating to play against. The Senators have a few younger players who fit that bill at the NHL level already, and the postseason has shown why those players are of value. Ottawa wouldn't complain if Spence turned into a solid, middle-of-the-lineup contributor if they chose him. Recent mock drafts at The Athletic have projected Spence being taken in the early 20s in this month's draft, so he could very well be in Ottawa's sights.
Blake Fiddler, RHD, Edmonton (WHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 22
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 29
A big, imposing right-shot defenceman with mobility, Fiddler doesn't have the same offensive ability as a player like Yakemchuk. Fiddler's play has drawn comparisons to Los Angeles Kings defenceman Joel Edmundson. If that means he can be a minute-munching, middle-pair defenceman who can play solid defense and take away space from opposing players, the Sens would benefit from having him in their prospect pool.
Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor (OHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 15
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 32
Despite the wide range in opinion from our prospect gurus, Nesbitt's size, physicality, ability to play centre and play on the puck make him an enticing option for the Senators at No. 21. His skating doesn't appear to be a plus in his game. But there is still top-six forward potential in his future, and draft evaluators liked his puck skills compared to those of other top prospects from this class.
Sascha Boumedienne, LHD, Boston (NCAA)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 21
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 33
Another prospect with some divide in the rankings between Pronman and Wheeler. But Boumedienne stands out thanks to his skating and defensive ability while playing for one of the best college programs in the sport. There are questions about his offensive ability and decision-making at the next level. But there's still room for him to grow at the collegiate level.
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Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 19
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 28
Ravensbergen is the best goaltender in this year's draft. If he's available, it shouldn't be considered a surprise to see the Senators draft the 6-foot-5, right-catching netminder. Ottawa's goaltending depth chart isn't the strongest, and it could take a hit if they let Anton Forsberg go in the summer. Leevi Meriläinen has shown he's worthy of being a No. 2 goalie behind Linus Ullmark. But the shine has worn off fellow prospect Mads Sogaard, and fellow prospects Vladimir Nikitin and Kevin Reidler aren't the surest bets. Ottawa's contingency plans in goal could be better. As a result, Ravensbergen would immediately become the Senators' goalie of the future and could prove to be a worthwhile investment as he's given time to develop.
Logan Hensler, RHD, Wisconsin (NCAA)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 26
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 20
There are some questions about whether Hensler is more of an offensive or defensive defenceman, but he at least has some proficiency at both ends of the ice. Hensler's size isn't as tantalizing as Fiddler's, but it remains an asset for the Wisconsin product. Our recent mock drafts have suggested that Hensler could even be gone just before the Sens pick at No. 21, but he's mainly projected as a mid-20s pick in this year's draft.
Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 18
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 12
Carbonneau's offensive abilities make him an ideal candidate to go in the middle of the first round, so I don't expect him to be available for the Sens. The Quebecois-born forward falling out of the Montreal Canadiens' grasp (they have two first-round picks at 16 and 17) would certainly raise some eyebrows. But if he's available, Ottawa would do well to take a flyer on a goalscoring winger who can generate shots, skate well and has a decent frame.
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Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 14
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 23
An all-around forward who will entice teams despite being under six feet and not having eye-popping offensive statistics, Cootes was taken with the 12th pick by the Rangers in our recent staff mock draft. Cootes's skill, speed, competitiveness and shot are among his biggest assets, in addition to being a two-way player. Cootes would bolster the Sens' centre depth in their prospect pool if he fell to Ottawa.
Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 23
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 18
I've been told a few times not to expect Lakovic to fall to the Senators at No. 21, but if he's available, the Senators should have him high on their list. A big forward who can skate and produce offence with a 'high-end' shot will be top of mind for a handful of teams, possibly out of the Sens' range. Wheeler says Lakovic is of interest to the Columbus Blue Jackets, while the Canadiens nabbed him in our recent staff mock draft.
Cameron Reid, LHD, Kitchener (OHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 20
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 19
Reid is a candidate to be off the board once it's the Sens' turn. The Kitchener left shot is projected as a second-pair defender who stands out thanks to his skating and vision, drawing comparisons to Flyers defenceman Jamie Drysdale. Considering the importance of puck-moving defencemen in recent years, Reid could be snatched up rather quickly, even if he's hovering around 5-11 or 6 feet tall.
William Horcoff, C, Michigan (NCAA)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 28
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 50
Horcoff intrigues with his size and shot, among other offensive capabilities, but he doesn't appear to be a strong skater. Even with the wide range in appeal between Pronman and Wheeler's rankings, Horcoff should be considered a late first-round pick at best. The Sens don't have a second-round pick this year to trade up into the first round. But if the Sens (who say they're open to anything) end up trading down in the draft, Horcoff becomes a candidate.
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Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 30
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 56
Prokhorov is a big winger at 6-foot-5 who can score goals and get to the dirty areas, particularly the net-front. While he won't wow as many people with his hockey sense, playmaking or skating, he could be a late first-round pick for some team who'd want him. Even Wheeler, who has him as his 56th-best prospect on his board, acknowledged the possibility. Same with Horcoff, Prokhorov is a pick the Sens should only consider grabbing if they somehow trade down in the first round or obtain a second-rounder for this year's draft.
Haoxi 'Simon' Wang, LHD, Oshawa (OHL)
Pronman's latest prospect ranking: No. 44
Wheeler's latest prospect ranking: No. 44
The only prospect in our exercise where our draft experts were in lock-step on their ranking. The Beijing-born Wang is a mountain at 6-foot-6 who surprised many with his skating, which makes him one of the more fascinating prospects in the draft. But he's still projected as a second-round pick. Wheeler recently identified Wang as a trade-down candidate for the Senators in his latest mock draft.
(Top photo of Blake Fiddler: Dennis Pajot / Getty Images)