We have hit the halfway point of the hockey season, which makes for a good time to take a look at the world of prospects for the Ottawa Senators. Here’s the truth- this is a world that’s not looking very good right now. I suppose that’s what happens when you go without first round picks for two years, as the Senators did in 2022 and 2023. To make matters worse, the Sens have no first round pick this year, thanks to the Evgenii Dadonov silliness way back in 2021.
This is one of the weaker top tens of any NHL team. Very few Senators prospects have elevated their status since being drafted. To try to remain positive, not all progress is linear, and the prospects listed below still have time to prove their worth. Let’s dive into the details.
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10. Matthew Andonovski- LD
Andonovski is on this list for his two previous seasons in the OHL with Kitchener. The physical, 6’2″ d-man scored 13 goals and 53 points while racking up 256 PIMs in 130 games. In last year’s coaches poll, among Western Conference players, the coaches voted him the best defensive-defenseman, and the second best body-checker and penalty killer.
Unfortunately, this season hasn’t gone well. He played just three games in the AHL and battled injuries. The Senators recently made the decision to send him back to Kitchener for the rest of the season. Hopefully, he can stay healthy and dominate in the OHL.
9. Blake Vanek- RW
Vanek has the name recognition, with his dad Thomas playing over 1,000 games in the NHL. He also has the size, listed at 6’3″, 210 lbs. Now, it’s time for the production. In 36 WHL with the Wenatchee Wild this season, Vanek has scored just 8 goals and 17 points. In Vaneks defense, the Wild are a bad team, sitting last in the Western Conference and averaging just 2.7 goals per game. He’s also been better lately, scoring 8 goals and 14 points in the last 24 games.
8. Javon Moore- LW
When drafted in the fourth round in 2024, Moore was seen as a raw prospect who might take a few years to figure things out after being picked out of high school hockey in Minnesota. He’s 6’4″, 205 lbs, and has shown potential this season with the University of Minnesota as a freshman. He’s scored 4 goals and 12 points in 19 games.
7. Luke Ellinas- C/LW
Ellinas was one of the more exciting Senators prospects coming into the season. He is a hard working forward that can chip in at both ends of the rink. He scored 8 goals and 16 points in Kitchener’s 14 game playoff run a year ago. Unfortunately, he’s been limited to just 6 games this season due to injury, scoring 3 goals. Now, it appears that his shoulder injury will cause him to miss the rest of the season. A lost season is a brutal blow for a prospect. Hopefully Ellinas can bounce back next year.
6. Jorian Donovan- LD
Donovan is one Sens prospects that has shown solid growth every year since being drafted in the fifth round of 2022. He helped the Saginaw Spirit win the Memorial Cup to end his time in the OHL in 2024. He jumped into a regular, albeit depth role with Belleville last season. This season, he already surpassed his point total from last year, scoring 3 goals and 14 points in 35 games. He also offers plenty of toughness, with several fights over his season and a half in the AHL.
5. Lucas Beckman- G
In following Beckman’s play this season, I couldn’t help but feel bad for him. He was playing for a dreadful Baie-Comeau team in the QMJHL that offered him next to no help most nights. His .905 SV% was solid, but he ended up with a 4-14-3 record. The good news is that Beckman was facing plenty of shots, almost 35 per 60 minutes. Here’s even better news- Beckman was recently traded to Chicoutimi, the best team in the league.
4. Blake Montgomery- LW
A year ago, Blake Montgomery helped the London Knights win the Memorial Cup. This season, he seamlessly made the move the NCAA with the Wisconsin Badgers. He’s scored 8 goals and 12 points in 18 games for the team currently ranked second in the nation. There’s a lot to like about Montgomery. He’s 6’4″, skates well, plays hard, and his production for a freshman is impressive.
3. Stephen Halliday- C
Halliday is at the end of his time as a prospect. It’s time to prove that he belongs in the NHL. He led Belleville in scoring last year with 51 points in 71 games. He scored 19 points in 17 games this season before earning a call-up. At the NHL level, he scored 6 points, all assists, in 16 games. He’s done that while playing just over 8 minutes per game. He hasn’t looked out of place in the least. Now, it’s time to score some goals and prove to Travis Green that he can handle more ice-time.
2. Logan Hensler- RD
As one of two first round picks by the Senators over the last four seasons, Hensler is an easy choice for the number two spot on this list. Let’ start with the bad- Hensler had a rough World Junior Tournament. He played limited minutes and was held pointless in five games despite being a returning player for the United States. Now, onto the good. Hensler’s had a solid second season with Wisconsin. He’s scored 3 goals and 8 points in 15 games. He’s not known for his offense, but it’s nice to see some progression in that regard.
1. Carter Yakemchuk- RD
Yakemchuk’s had a solid start to his pro career, scoring 3 goals and 18 points in 27 games at the AHL level. An injury has kept him out of the lineup the last few games, but he still sits tied for 12th among AHL d-men in points. He has the size, he plays physical, and he produces. As for what he needs to work on? His even strength production is lacking, with just six of his points coming off of the power play. Additionally, he needs to progress on the defensive side of the ice. Nonetheless, don’t be surprised to see him earn some NHL action this season.
Other Prospects of Note
Owen Beckner is one of the more productive Sens prospects, scoring 16 points in 15 games with Colorado College. Xavier Bourgault has broken out this year, with 30 points in 34 AHL games. The problem is that he’s a fourth year AHL player. Gabriel Eliasson continues to be big and mean, but hasn’t done enough with the other parts of his game. Hoyt Stanley, coming off two solid college seasons with Cornell, has three assists in 13 games in his third year there. Dmitry Isayev, the undersized Russian taken in the fifth round last year, has scored 28 points in 20 games in the Russia Junior league. Oskar Pettersson doesn’t produce much at the AHL level, but his work ethic might garner him consideration for some NHL games at some point.
