The Ottawa Senators have taken another step in building their future, adding depth to their prospect pool during the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft. With picks No. 87 and No. 91, they brought in two promising players with distinctly different styles, showcasing the team's strategic approach to developing a well-rounded roster.
Oskar Holmertz: A Swedish Sensation
With the 87th pick, Ottawa opted for Swedish center Oskar Holmertz from Linköping HC. Holmertz has made a name for himself with a standout season, notching 36 points in 34 games in Sweden’s junior league and earning time in 11 SHL games. His game is built on an impressive hockey IQ-he's the kind of player who can read the play before it unfolds, using his skating to create opportunities and control the tempo.
A particularly striking stat is Holmertz's discipline on the ice; he only incurred one minor penalty throughout the season across all levels. This speaks volumes about his game management skills.
As he transitions to faster, more physical play, the question remains whether he'll need to incorporate a bit more grit into his game. Nonetheless, his foundational skills provide a solid starting point for his development.
Louis-Félix Bourque: A Force to be Reckoned With
Just four picks later, the Senators shifted gears with the selection of Louis-Félix Bourque from the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Standing tall at 6-foot-2 and weighing 216 pounds, Bourque is a player who fully utilizes his size.
In his rookie QMJHL season, he tallied 24 goals and 49 points over 54 games, thriving on straightforward, hard-nosed hockey. He’s the type of player who crashes the net, delivers bone-crunching checks, and makes life difficult for defenders.
Despite his physical style, Bourque maintained discipline, accruing only 16 penalty minutes. His ability to play a tough game without crossing the line is a testament to his maturity on the ice.
Complementary Styles for a Balanced Team
Holmertz and Bourque might seem like polar opposites on the ice, and that’s exactly the point. Holmertz brings finesse and strategic puck management, while Bourque adds size and pressure.
By selecting players with such diverse skill sets, the Senators are clearly aiming to create a balanced system where players can slot into specific roles, rather than adhering to a single style of play. This strategic diversity could prove pivotal as Ottawa continues to build a team capable of adapting to any situation on the ice.
In Other News...
Zach Werenski Trade Buzz Just Put Blue Jackets Fans On Edge
The latest round of trade chatter has put an old Ottawa headache back in the spotlight, even if the Senators are only watching from the sidelines. Brady Tkachuks future has been a topic before, and the recent reporting around his contract situation only adds another layer to a summer in which big names and big decisions keep colliding across the league.
There is also a familiar Eastern Conference edge to the noise, with Zach Werenskis name now part of the conversation as multiple teams circle and no-move clauses come into play. For Ottawa fans, it is the kind of league-wide drama that can still matter close to home, because every star who becomes available changes the market around them and raises the stakes for the Senators own long-term plans. [Read more 🡒]
Staios Just Put Ottawas Entire Rebuild On The Line
Kyle Staios has already put a very different stamp on Ottawas rebuild, reshaping the roster in a way that signals urgency as much as patience. The Senators president of hockey operations and general manager has added William Eklund, Samuel Ersson and Andre Burakovsky while talking up the teams defensive progress and the identity Travis has been trying to build behind the bench.
Burakovsky stands out as the kind of move Ottawa does not make lightly, a calculated swing on a player the club studied closely because of his experience and past success. Even with that work done and the roster clearly changed, the bigger question hanging over the Senators is how much the group has really shifted in the wake of losing Brady Tkachuk, and whether the next step forward still looks the same from here. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Face A Massive Artem Zub Decision This Offseason
Artem Zubs value to Ottawa showed up all season, from the steady minutes he logged to the way he and Jake Sanderson quietly formed one of the leagues most effective defensive pairs. Zub also delivered the most productive year of his career in 81 games, giving the Senators a right-shot defender who brought structure at even strength and enough offense to make his role even more important heading into the offseason.
Now comes the hard part for the Senators, who are expected to open talks on a new deal that could run four or five years. The number attached to that conversation is not small, with the sides likely circling a range in the neighborhood of $6 million to $6.5 million per season, a price that reflects both Zubs importance and the reality that Ottawa has to decide how much it wants to invest in keeping that pairing intact for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]