Jake Sanderson’s rise has moved beyond promise and into the kind of recognition that turns heads around the league.
The Ottawa Senators already knew what they had in him. NHL Network just put it in writing.
In its latest ranking of defensemen, Sanderson landed eighth, slotting ahead of Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings. For a 24-year-old blueliner, that’s a serious stamp of approval.
The list itself was stacked with hardware and pedigree. NHL Network’s Top 20 Defensemen Right Now included 21 total All-Star Game appearances, 11 All-Rookie team honors, seven Norris Trophies, seven Olympic Gold Medals, four Calder Trophies, two Conn Smythe Trophies, and six Stanley Cups.
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- NHL Media (@NHLMedia) August 10, 2026
For Senators fans, Sanderson being in the top 10 probably feels overdue. There’s even a case to be made that he belongs above Matthew Schaefer at No. 7 and Lane Hutson at No.
- But for people who don’t watch Ottawa every night, the ranking may come as a bit of a surprise simply because Sanderson doesn’t get the same visibility as some of the bigger names on the list.
What he brings is the full package. He can move the puck, defend his end, and run a power play. That’s the profile of a true No. 1 defenseman, and Sanderson already checks those boxes.
The next step is the one that usually changes perception across the league: offense.
Sanderson’s defensive game is already there, but the numbers have to climb before he can push into the very top tier. NHL Network’s ranking made that pretty clear, especially when Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers came in at No. 10 despite being a 90-point defenseman.
Bouchard’s defensive shortcomings drag him down. Sanderson’s situation is different - the defense is strong, and the offensive production is what still needs to catch up.
Last season, a shoulder injury limited Sanderson to 67 games. Even with that setback, he still produced 14 goals and 54 points. Without the injury, he would have sailed past his previous career best of 57 points.
If he can get into the 70- or 80-point range while maintaining the same defensive standard, the Norris Trophy conversation starts to get real. A season with 20 goals and 70 points would put him squarely in the mix.
The road to actually winning a Norris won’t be simple. Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski, and Rasmus Dahlin are all sitting in the prime of their careers, and Sanderson will also have to hold off younger challengers like Schaefer and Hutson. That’s a crowded field.
Still, the path is there. If Sanderson puts up big offensive numbers, keeps his defensive game sharp, and continues to look like the centerpiece of the Senators’ blue line, he has a chance to force his way into the league’s most serious defenseman conversation.
Given where his career is headed, a Norris finalist appearance next season wouldn’t be a shock at all, especially if he stays healthy.
There’s no reason why he shouldn’t get increasing recognition.
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