Latest news with #JakeSanderson
New York Times
27-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NHL Draft grades, analysis for every 2025 first-round pick by Corey Pronman
The Athletic has live coverage of the 2025 NHL Draft. The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft is here, and, as expected, Matthew Schaefer was selected by the New York Islanders with the first pick. Follow along here as every pick is announced tonight to see scouting reports of every player and analysis of their selection. The pick grade reflects my thoughts on perceived value gained from the pick relative to the draft slot, plus any secondary variables a team may have had to deal with. See what scouts really have to say about the best prospects in Corey Pronman's NHL Draft Confidential and Scott Wheeler's NHL scouts survey. 1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie Otters (OHL) September 5, 2007 | 6′ 2″ | 185 pounds Tier: NHL Star Player comparable: Jake Sanderson Analysis: Schaefer was tremendous, when healthy, this season. The No. 1 pick in his OHL Draft, Schaefer was arguably the best player at the Hlinka Gretzky and the CHL/U.S. NTDP series. He was also Canada's best player at the World Juniors up until he broke his clavicle. Schaefer missed time at the start of the season due to mono as well. His main asset is his skating. He's a powerful, effortless skater who will be able to close gaps and transition up ice at a clear NHL level. He uses his feet to attack often, leading and supporting rushes very well. Schaefer is a very intelligent defenseman with legit offensive skills. He creates a lot of chances due to his skating, but he can also break down opponents one-on-one with his hands, and finds a lot of seams to make plays. He closes on checks at a high level due to his athleticism, but Schaefer is also a great competitor. He uses his size to make stops, gives a great effort every shift and projects to be able to stop top players in the NHL. He's a great talent, who has already overcome tremendous personal adversity in his life. He projects as a star No. 1 defenseman in the NHL. Advertisement Pick grade: A- Thoughts on the pick: For most teams, this would have been a routine decision to pick Schaefer as the top selection, but there was an unusual amount of pressure on the Islanders to go off the board to select James Hagens, who's from Long Island. Schaefer is the clear best prospect in the draft. He's a dynamic two-way defenseman who dominated routinely this season when healthy, and he's on the fringe of being eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. He projects as a star No. 1 defenseman for them. (Photo of Matthew Schaefer: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
New York Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Should the Senators be interested in Aaron Ekblad if he hits free agency? Mailbag, Part 2
Part 2 of the latest Ottawa Senators mailbag features a few questions on some potential targets worth considering, according to the fan base. You can review Part 1 here. If recent history is any indicator, we do not take trade proposals and player inquiries lightly around here. You never know if they'll become reality. Note: Questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity. Realistically, what does a seven-year deal for Aaron Ekblad look like for Ottawa? I assume it needs to overpay to get him. Is it worth it? How does he fit (by the numbers, style, etc.)? Sanderson/Ekblad, Zub/Chabot, Jensen/Kleven is solid. — Patrick S. Honestly, I'd be pretty surprised if the Panthers let Ekblad walk. We know he doesn't want to leave. It seems possible Florida could find a way to keep Sam Bennett and Ekblad while letting Brad Marchand (who wants the bag this offseason) walk. But let's consider it. First, the fit. On paper, I like Ekblad as a top-pairing defenceman with Jake Sanderson — at least in theory. You get two defencemen who prioritize both offence and defence while playing with mobility. Ekblad would also bring a physical element the Senators sorely need to get by in the playoffs. It allows Nick Jensen to drop down to the third pair, and you can even have Nikolas Matinpalo play in his spot until Jensen's healthy. Considering how much the Senators are craving more playoff experience after getting their first taste this spring, I can see the Senators looking into Ekblad if he tests the free-agent market. Now, about that contract. Let's look through some contract projections from AFP Analytics and Evolving-Hockey. Those figures are not cheap, and that contract could sour badly depending on how Ekblad's health and play dip as he enters his 30s. You also don't have to rush Carter Yakemchuk into a roster spot, but his path to a roster spot becomes a bit tougher with Ekblad on the roster. But if you're the Sens and you'd like to make some kind of splash to excite your fan base and let them know how serious you are about jumping to the next level, I understand why they'd be interested. Advertisement It's all going to depend on how much cap space they'll have available come July 1. They have over $15 million to spend, but let's see what they do with Claude Giroux, Fabian Zetterlund and potentially Adam Gaudette. And, again, if the Panthers let Ekblad leave. In free agency, if the Sens had to decide between a top-nine scoring forward or a top-six defenceman (as insurance for Jensen and depth), what do you think the front office would choose? I'm assuming most of their cap space is taken up by Giroux, Zetterlund and Kleven in this exercise. — Rob M. Great question, Rob! Cap space and player availability on the market dictate that, as you've already anticipated. Both scoring and defence could be improved for the Senators. We've detailed Ottawa's scoring issues at length through this past year, and the Sens could use another defenceman to shore up their depth. The latter has been an issue even before the start of the 2024-25 year. That's what makes this question so tough. But if they've got Giroux and Zetterlund on the books already, that affects their potential targets. For example, trying to sign Ekblad doesn't give them much breathing room under the cap unless they make a corresponding move to accommodate him. Unless the Senators trade away Zetterlund and don't sign any of their pending UFAs, don't expect them to be competitive for Mitch Marner. The Sens also need sufficient cap space to be competitive for a pending UFA like Nikolaj Ehlers. The cop-out answer: We'll see how much money Ottawa has come July 1 and who's out there. We tried to ask GM Steve Staios about his free-agency plans last week, and he did his best to make himself seem available for anything and everything. If it were up to me, since scoring is a pressing issue, I'd prioritize a forward. This year's free-agent class also looks more loaded with forward talent compared to defensive talent. I'll even expand your question and say that I'd sooner try to acquire a forward via trade over a defenceman. Advertisement Julian, Sens NEED another top-four option at right defence. Artem Zub does well enough, but is injured too often. What are your thoughts on Ristolainen in Philly? $5.1 million AAV for the next two years. Could complement Sanderson really well. What do you think? And what do you think it would take? — Ryan H. A player of Rasmus Ristolainen's profile and size makes sense. As a defensive defenceman, he could help a team in the playoffs with his style. He's improved in recent seasons in his own end, which made him a trade candidate at this year's trade deadline. I think his improved capabilities on defence make him a more intriguing piece to consider than I initially thought when I took this question on. But I am not crazy about having Ristolainen's $5.1 million on the books if I'm the Senators. (I'd somehow feel easier about Ekblad's salary, but he'd provide more to the team than adding Ristolainen on the defence.) The asking price would have to come down significantly to consider it. Back in February, my colleague Kevin Kurz reported the Flyers were hoping to get a first-round pick or a prospect in exchange. The Flyers didn't seem that enthused about retaining salary on his $5.1 million AAV either. I don't blame them. A hulking right-shot defenceman doesn't grow on trees. So, using that asking price as a base, let's say the Senators trade their first-round pick this year and throw in a lesser prospect to make this happen. I'm not crazy about that asking price, especially if I have to take on $5.1 million a year. Where's my darn LeBreton arena?! — Anonymous What's the latest on the new arena? We need playoff hockey downtown ASAP. — Ryan M. Still waiting over here, Ryan and Anonymous. But if you want a glimmer of hope, we've heard owner Michael Andlauer and team president Cyril Leeder say there's progress in recent days. Advertisement 'I can tell you that we're working hard with the NCC on an agreement,' Leeder said this week during an event for Senators season ticket holders at the Canadian Tire Centre. 'It's complicated. We are making progress. In fact, we had a very productive meeting (Tuesday). A couple hour meeting that went really well. It's a big project with a long timeline and a big lead time for this type of project. I can tell the fans that we're absolutely committed to helping revitalize downtown. And we think a major event centre is a big part of that solution, and we want to be a part of that.' I've since reached out to Leeder for further comment. Do you think Spartacat has to hang out in the CTC all offseason, or does each player take turns petsitting him? — Brian M. I believe he stays at the CTC, Brian. Save if they need him for charity events, like the golf tournament they held last week. He keeps his Sens jersey on the whole time, too.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL Draft Watch: Ottawa Senators Hope To Deal Themselves Another Winner At 21
So far, here in the roaring 20s, the Ottawa Senators' first-round picks at the NHL Draft have been all or nothing. They've either landed in the top 10 or haven't had a first-round pick at all. In 2020, the Senators had three first-rounders, including two in the top five, where they landed franchise pillars, Tim Stützle and Jake Sanderson. The following year, they picked 10th overall and selected Tyler Boucher, who had 10 points in 47 AHL games this season. Sens Headlines: Carter Yakemchuk Ranked 26th Overall In Magazine's New NHL Prospect RankingsOttawa Senators Make More Front Office ChangesOttawa Senators Prospect Parts Ways With Organization And Signs Back Home In Sweden Bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa and never miss the latest Senators news, interviews, columns, features and more. In 2022 and 2023, Ottawa didn't have a first-rounder, having traded those picks in separate deals to acquire Alex DeBrincat and Jakob Chychrun. Then in 2024, they returned to the top 10, drafting defenseman Carter Yakemchuk at 7th overall. This year, it's a happy medium, with the Senators holding the 21st pick. It won't be the first time Ottawa has picked at No. 21. This will actually be the fourth time, and in each previous instance, the Senators ended up with an NHL player. Anton Volchenkov – 2000 We're nearing the 25th anniversary of the Senators drafting Russian defenseman Anton Volchenkov at No. 21 in 2000. Known for his fearless shot-blocking and physical play, Volchenkov debuted with Ottawa two years later and spent seven seasons with the team in its glory years. In 2010, he signed a six-year, $25 million deal with the New Jersey Devils. But with a lot of wear and tear on his body, the Devils bought him out four years in. He wrapped up his NHL career with the Nashville Predators in 2014–15. Stefan Noesen – 2011 Just like in 2020, the Senators had three first-round picks in 2011. They took Mika Zibanejad at No. 6, Matt Puempel at No. 24, and in between, they selected Plymouth Whalers forward Stefan Noesen at No. 21. Two years later, Noesen was part of a trade package sent to Anaheim—along with Jakob Silfverberg and a first-round pick—for Bobby Ryan. Noesen developed slowly, not becoming a full-time NHL player until 2017–18 with the New Jersey Devils, where he scored 27 points in 72 games. After bouncing around as a depth player for a few more years after that, he found his stride with the Carolina Hurricanes for two years, and just had a career-best season back with New Jersey at age 32, scoring 22 goals and 41 points in 78 games. Colin White – 2015 Three picks after selecting Thomas Chabot, the Senators drafted center Colin White at No. 21. The two quickly became close—roommates and friends—with identical birthdays (January 30, 1997). Seen as part of Ottawa's core, both signed long-term contracts in the offseason in 2019. While Chabot's deal is too pricey at $8 million, White's six-year, $28.5 million deal became a much bigger issue. Just three years into the deal, the Senators bought him out. Under the terms of the buyout, Ottawa will be paying him $875,000 annually for each of the next three seasons. In the meantime, he's a half-decent AHL scorer who wasn't able to crack the lineup of the San Jose Sharks, the NHL's worst team. White will be a UFA on July 1st. Sharks To Sign Former First-Round Pick To NHL Deal The San Jose Sharks are in the process of converting forward Colin White's contract to an NHL deal. The general managers of the past – the Twenty One Pilots – were Marshall Johnston (Volchenkov) and Bryan Murray (Noesen and White). This year, it's Steve Staios. Staios and the Senators still have work to do on the roster, both among their top-six forwards and on the blue line. Since so many teams tend to prioritize forwards early in the draft, and considering that Volchenkov remains their best historical pick at No. 21, perhaps it's a sign that it might be a good point in the draft to look to the blue line again. Steve WarneThe Hockey News/Ottawa Bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa and never miss the latest Senators news, interviews, columns, features and more.
National Post
23-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
HAVE YOUR SAY: Senators fans bullish on team's future in reader poll results
Fans of the Ottawa Senators have spoken. Article content For the first time in a long time, the vast majority of the poll's hundreds of respondents are confident in the direction the Senators are headed under Steve Staios, the club's president of hockey operations and general manager, after ending their eight-year playoff drought. More than 97% of respondents believe the Senators will return to the playoffs next season, with a majority even believing they'll take a step forward by claiming a top-three position in the Atlantic Division. Article content Article content While the Senators may have made a first-round against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first Battle of Ontario in 21 years, nobody was upset that the club wasn't able to extend its season. Article content Instead, the fans see better days ahead. Article content Fans also have warmed up to coach Travis Green as the man for the job, with some hesitancy still lingering. Article content There also was an overwhelming love for Jake Sanderson, who fans crowned as the team's best player this season. That comes as somewhat of a surprise given how the defenceman started the year with some growing pains before morphing into a dependable, workhorse No. 1 blueliner in 2025. Article content Sanderson easily beat out Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, players who were seen by many as the team's two best before this season. Article content The cat already is out of the bag with Ottawa's first-round draft pick, as Staios decided not to forfeit his 2025 selection, as expected. That aligns with the poll results, which seem to favour the wait-and-see approach that owner Michael Andlauer has advocated. Article content Article content In terms of changes to be made, fans largely concurred on who they didn't want back. Article content Article content Out of time and favour among the Senators faithful is backup goaltender Anton Forsberg, whose UFA status could see him replaced by 22-year-old Leevi Merilainen. Fans are high on the Finnish netminder, who posted a sparkling .925 save percentage and 1.99 goals-against average over 12 NHL starts. Article content Fans also liked the Dylan Cozens trade, although he was the top player respondents think needs to be better next season. Article content Dennis Gilbert — the other piece of the deal — along with Travis Hamonic, are popular defenders to let go of this summer in free agency. Both are unrestricted and likely won't be kept. Article content At forward, respondents felt generally favourable towards re-signing Adam Gaudette after his breakout goal-scoring performance this season, while Nick Cousins and especially Matthew Highmore were seen as more dispensable.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
League Issues Stern Warning to Canadiens and Capitals
Thomas Chabot: 'It's Going to Take Our Best Game' as Senators Look to Extend Series in Toronto After three straight overtime games, the mighty Battle of Ontario shifts back to Toronto on Tuesday night. The Ottawa Senators kept their season alive with a 4–3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday, as Jake Sanderson netted the game-winner with a floating wrist shot from the left point.
