Ottawa Senators’ Targets for 25th Overall in the 2026 NHL Draft

The Ottawa Senators are exploring all their options when it comes to their first-round picks acquired in the Brady Tkachuk deal. At a press conference on Monday, Steve Staios said, “I have no intention of this team taking a step back. My intention is to be active in the market, continue to add to already a very strong group, a committed group, a team that continues to move in the right direction.” Teams are interested, too; as the press conference got underway, Staios’ phone went off, and although he didn’t reveal the caller, he noted that interest has been robust following the trade.

It took less than 24 hours for a trade involving one of those picks, with the ninth overall selection going to the San Jose Sharks for William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen, and Brandon Svoboda. Already, the Tkachuk deal looks like a win, as the Senators now have a developing top-six winger who can keep up to Tim Stutzle’s speed and work ethic, and it’s expected that Staios moves the 25th overall pick before or at the draft for another roster player.

However, they could also choose to keep the pick, which could help them add another top prospect to their system. While a 25th overall pick doesn’t carry the glitz and glamour of a top-10 selection, there are still plenty of names worth keeping an eye on as options for the Senators at the 2026 NHL Draft.

Xavier Villeneuve

Yes, the Senators have a strong group of defencemen led by Carter Yakemchuk and Logan Hensler, but both of those players play on the right side. Ottawa’s left side depth is far weaker, and while the Senators have used their first pick on a defenceman two years in a row, it still would be worth it if the right one was available.

Luckily, Xavier Villeneuve looks like he might be right in the middle of the Senators’ range. He may be undersized at 5-foot-11 and needs to put on quite a bit of muscle before he’s ready for the NHL, but his skill and creativity are almost incomparable, at least in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Since debuting with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada at 16 years old, he’s put up nearly a point-per-game over his three seasons, finishing with 38 points in 37 games in 2025-26. An injury caused him to miss half the regular season, but he returned for the playoffs and didn’t skip a beat with another 14 points over 17 games.

Villeneuve blends high-end offensive skill with excellent skating and creativity, which has earned him more than a few comparisons to some other undersized defencemen in the NHL – brother Cole and Lane Hutson. “He reminds me a lot of guys we’ve had here the last couple of years, one being in Montreal and one now in Washington,” said Jay Pandolfo, head coach of Boston University, where both Hutson’s played. “He’s got a lot of offensive tools. He can really skate. He’s creative. His hockey IQ is very high. His competitiveness is very high. He’s got quite the package.” (from ‘Can 2026 NHL Draft prospect Xavier Villeneuve be the next Lane Hutson?’ The Athletic – 21/06/2026).

While there are still valid concerns over Villenveuve’s size, NHL teams need to learn from the example of the Hutsons and not let players like them fall so low. If the Senators may have a chance to add one of the most dynamic defencemen in the draft, they need to jump on that opportunity, or watch as their rivals reap the rewards.

Ilia Morozov

The Senators may decide that adding another defenceman with a top pick isn’t necessary at this time. In that case, Ilia Morozov makes a lot of sense for them. As one of the youngest players in the NCAA this season, he put up 20 points in 36 games with Miami (Ohio) University while demonstrating a surprisingly well-rounded two-way game. He logged nearly 20 minutes a night as a freshman, the third-highest average on the team, and played on both the power play and penalty kill.

Morozov didn’t blow anyone away with his offensive production, which has caused him to fall somewhere in the latter half of the first round. However, he’s a tireless worker who skates well for his 6-foot-3 frame and consistently makes high-IQ plays with and without the puck. He projects as a middle-six two-way centre and is rarely ranked lower than 25th. He’d be a great addition to any team, but the Senators could really use someone with his skillset.

Liam Ruck

With the 25th and 32nd picks, the Senators are in a favourable position at the end of the draft to make some coordinated picks, so why not try to grab the best duo in the 2026 Draft class? Liam and Markus Ruck tore up the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season, with both surpassing 100 points to lead the league in scoring. While both brothers are highly regarded, Liam established himself as the more attractive option due to his finishing ability. Only Cameron Schmidt scored more goals than Liam’s 45, and goalies regularly found it hard to predict where the skilled sniper was going to put the puck when he had it locked and loaded on his stick.

Selecting Liam Ruck is arguably the riskiest pick of the three listed here, as he’s been excellent when paired with his brother, but not quite as good apart. Markus, more of a playmaker, has struggled more without his brother on his line, leading to a lower projected draft position. But the twins have said again and again that they’d like to stay together in the NHL, and if there’s a chance they can recapture the magic they showed this season, then the Senators could have most of a second line locked up for years to come.

A Trade Is Likely on the Way

All three of these players would give the Senators’ farm system a significant boost, which it desperately needs after years of missed picks and lower returns on high-cost prospects. But Staios has stood true to his word of trying to improve his team after trading away his captain, and there’s no indication that he’s going to rest on his laurels after dealing with San Jose. The Senators still need more skill up front, and some teams are willing to pay a premium for draft picks this year. That’s a win-win for Ottawa; either they move their pick for a player they need, or they keep it and get a highly skilled player. Whatever happens, things are surprisingly optimistic ahead of the NHL Draft.