The Ottawa Senators have firmly set their sights on the future, making some bold moves during the NHL draft in Buffalo. The headline-grabbing decision was trading their captain, Brady Tkachuk, to the Florida Panthers. In return, the Senators secured the No. 9 and No. 25 picks in the first round, along with a second-rounder in 2027 and a first-round pick in 2028.
Although the Senators flipped the No. 9 pick to the San Jose Sharks for the talented forward William Eklund earlier in the week, they decided to hold onto the No. 25 pick acquired from the Panthers. With that selection, Ottawa chose winger Jonas Lagerberg Hoen from Leksand IF Jr.
Despite a challenging season that included a severe knee injury requiring ACL surgery, Lagerberg Hoen showed promise. Ranked No. 19 among European skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau, he managed to score nine goals and notch 16 points in just nine games with the Leksands IF under-20 team.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 178 pounds, Lagerberg Hoen is known for his goal-scoring ability and competitive nature. European scout Anders Ostberg praised him, highlighting his skating prowess and versatility on the ice. “He can really skate, he can score from everywhere, and he’s a competitive guy,” Ostberg noted, adding that Lagerberg Hoen impressed during interviews and physical assessments.
While some Senators fans might have hoped for a more immediate impact player, Lagerberg Hoen’s selection is a testament to the team's commitment to long-term growth. The Senators had explored using the No. 25 pick for an immediate asset and even engaged in discussions with the Anaheim Ducks about forward Mason McTavish.
However, those talks didn't materialize into a deal, as McTavish was ultimately traded to the St. Louis Blues.
This week, the Senators were active, making four trades. Beyond the Tkachuk deal and acquiring Eklund, they also secured the rights to goalie Samuel Ersson from Toronto and winger Andre Burakovsky from Chicago. While these moves might not have been the blockbuster trades some fans were hoping for, they reflect the team's strategy of building a solid foundation.
With the defense bolstered by the signing of Jordan Spence to a four-year deal, the Senators appear to have a plan in place. However, there's still a sense that they might be in the market for another top-six forward. The excitement isn't over yet, as Day 2 of the NHL draft and the opening of free agency on July 1 promise more opportunities for the Senators to shape their roster.
In Other News...
Senators Could Lose An RFA Forward For Almost Nothing
The Senators may have another roster issue simmering before the next round of contract business even gets fully underway. Elliotte Friedman reported that a restricted free agent forward is looking for a way out of Ottawa because the path to meaningful NHL minutes is not clear, and the club would still hold his rights if he decides to press the issue. For a team trying to manage its forward depth carefully, it is the kind of situation that can turn into a trade conversation quickly, especially when the player in question is still trying to translate strong minor-league production into a more stable NHL role.
There is also the wrinkle of an offer sheet, which would put Ottawa in a different kind of bind depending on how another club structures the deal. The compensation would hinge on the contract value, with the return changing significantly above or below the relevant threshold, so the Senators could be forced to decide whether to match, negotiate a trade, or risk losing the asset for very little. For a front office that already has to balance opportunity, depth and cap planning, it is one more negotiation thread worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Claude Giroux Suddenly Puts Ottawa In A Position Fans Feared
Claude Girouxs future in Ottawa has quietly become one of the more delicate roster questions of the summer. After four seasons with the Senators, he has given them the kind of reliable two-way presence they value, producing at both ends of the ice while fitting into a lineup that still leans on veteran poise. The problem is that what the Senators want from Giroux and what they can realistically fit into the roster are not quite the same thing right now.
Pierre LeBruns report only sharpened the uncertainty around a player Ottawa would clearly like to keep. The Senators remain interested in bringing him back, but depth on the forward group and salary-cap pressure are pushing the conversation into difficult territory. For a team that has already spent years trying to build the right supporting cast, Girouxs situation is a reminder that sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones involving the players who have helped stabilize the room. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Fans Finally Got A Key Prospect Sign They Needed
For a Senators development camp that has plenty of attention on the usual group of young skaters, the sight of Carter Hensler back on the ice carried a different kind of weight. The defense prospect had been sidelined after an injury in January and spent months working through rehab, so simply getting back into drills this week was an encouraging step for a player whose momentum had been interrupted just as he was trying to build it.
Henslers return also adds another layer to a camp that is already giving Ottawa a look at prospects with different kinds of upside, including Kasper Halttunen, who arrives with a scorers resume and a history of helping drive winning teams. For the Senators, the appeal is obvious: development camp is about talent, but it is also about seeing who can get back on the ice, settle in again and start turning promise into something more reliable. [Read more 🡒]