SENSNEWS

A lot has changed since our last look at the Ottawa Senators’ prospect pipeline. Some names have risen up the depth chart, while others have turned ineligible as they have aged out, or moved to the NHL level. So as we enter the new year, we are diving back into the depth chart to rank the Top 10 Ottawa Senators Prospects.

For these rankings, all players must be 23 years old or younger and have played fewer than 25 career NHL games. Additionally, there are three honourable mentions who narrowly missed out on cracking the list which includes Luke Ellinas, Bruno Idzan, and Oskar Pettersson.

Ranking The Top 10 Ottawa Senators Prospects

10. Kevin Reidler (G)

Team: Penn State (NCAA) 2025 Ranking: Unranked 2026 Ranking: 10th

At 6’6″ and 203 lbs, Kevin Reidler is the definition of a modern goaltender. A 2022 fifth-round selection, Reidler has seen his stock rise significantly as he transitions from a strong NCAA freshman campaign into a solid sophomore year at Penn State. This season, he has posted an 8-3-0 record with a .911 save percentage and a 2.91 GAA through 11 games.

His game is built on his massive frame and good positioning. He stays calm under pressure and uses his size to take away the angle from shooters. Playing in the Big Ten, Reidler has shown the ability to handle heavy workloads against great competition. His trajectory suggests he could be a potential answer for the Senators’ goaltending depth one day.

9. Owen Beckner (C)

Team: Colorado College (NCAA) 2025 Ranking: Unranked 2026 Ranking: 9th

Making his debut on our list at number nine is Owen Beckner, a player who has quietly become one of the more intriguing prospects in the system. Standing 6’2″ and 190 lbs, the 2023 seventh-round pick is finding his stride in the NCAA with Colorado College. Through 16 games this season, Beckner has put up 6 goals and 10 assists, taking another step offensively compared to his freshman year.

Beckner’s appeal lies in his projection as a reliable two-way center. He plays a responsible game that coaches love, being reliable in defensive situations while still finding ways to chip in on the scoresheet.

He excels at scanning the ice, and tracking his opponents. He may not be the flashiest name in the pipeline, but he is looking like a high-floor prospect who understands exactly what he needs to be to make it to the next level.

8. Xavier Bourgault (RW/C)

Team: Belleville Senators (AHL) 2025 Ranking: Unranked 2026 Ranking: 8th

At number eight, we have Xavier Bourgault, a former 2021 first-round pick who has revitalized his status since joining the organization. After being left off the rankings last year, the 5’11”, 179-pound forward has risen into the top ten on the strength of a tremendous season in the AHL. Through 38 games with Belleville, Bourgault has tallied 12 goals and 21 assists, proving he can be a point producer at the professional level.

Bourgault is a creative, quick offensive driver who excels at playing the game at a high tempo. His ability to read the play a step ahead of defenders allows him to exploit gaps in coverage and distribute the puck effectively.

His jump up the rankings this year is a testament to his development into a key offensive driver with the B-Sens. If he continues this trajectory, Bourgault could be a versatile bottom-six forward capable of injecting skill and speed into the Senators’ NHL lineup.

7. Jorian Donovan (D)

Team: Belleville Senators (AHL) 2025 Ranking: 7th 2026 Ranking: 7th

Holding steady at number seven is Jorian Donovan, a 2022 fifth-round find who is quickly proving his worth in his second full pro season. Standing 6’2″ and 201 lbs, Donovan has transitioned seamlessly to the AHL, where this season he has recorded 3 goals and 11 assists in 39 games. While those numbers might not jump off the page, they represent a significant step forward in his offensive development compared to his rookie season.

Donovan’s calling card remains his shutdown style game. He is a mobile defender who excels at gapping up on attackers and using his reach to disrupt plays. He plays a “pro” style for a young defenseman and is physically willing to play in the dirty areas of the ice.

6. Javon Moore (LW)

Team: University of Minnesota (NCAA) 2025 Ranking: Unranked 2026 Ranking: 6th

A huge riser in this year’s rankings, Javon Moore has quickly become one of the most exciting prospects in the system. Standing 6’4″ and 209 lbs, the 2024 fourth-round pick has made an immediate impact as a freshman for the Golden Gophers. Through 21 games, he has recorded 5 goals and 8 assists, but the stats only tell half the story of his potential.

Moore is the quintessential modern power forward. Despite his frame, he possesses a great skating ability and surprisingly soft hands, allowing him to weave through traffic and protect the puck in high-danger areas.

It is rare to find a player with his combination of pro-ready size and high-end puck-handling skills. While he was unranked last year, his transition to the collegiate level has highlighted a toolkit that is beginning to be put together. Moore projects as a top-nine winger who can create space for and complement skill players.

5. Lucas Beckman (G)

Team: Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) 2025 Ranking: 6th 2026 Ranking: 5th

Climbing one spot into the top five is Lucas Beckman, a 2025 fourth-round pick who continues to be one of the more technically sound goaltenders in the CHL. Standing 6’2″ and 194 lbs, Beckman’s surface-level stats—a .905 save percentage and a 3.29 GAA with a 4-14-3 record—don’t quite do justice to his performance. For much of the first half, he was the lone bright spot on a struggling, last-place Baie-Comeau squad.

A recent trade to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens looks to be a turning point for his season. Beckman is a great skater for a netminder; his lateral agility and instincts allow him to track plays effectively. He uses his quickness to stay square to shooters, and scouts remain high on his athleticism. Now on a contender, expect Beckman’s numbers to improve.

4. Blake Montgomery (LW)

Team: University of Wisconsin (NCAA) 2025 Ranking: 4th 2026 Ranking: 4th

Maintaining his spot in the top four of the rankings is Blake Montgomery, the former 2024 fourth-round pick. Now 20 years old and playing for the Wisconsin Badgers, the 6’4″, 196-pound winger has made a smooth transition to the NCAA. Through 20 games this season, he has notched 8 goals and 4 assists, continuing to prove that his offensive production can carry across different levels of competition.

Montgomery is a rare breed of prospect who combines massive pro-ready size with excellent skating mechanics, similarly to Javon Moore. He uses a powerful stride to drive play and push defenders onto their heels.

Additionally, his edge work allows him to maneuver in the offensive zone. He also has a solid ability to handle the puck in high-traffic areas around the crease, often using his frame to shield defenders. Montgomery projects as a middle-six power winger who can combine size, skating, and skill.

3. Stephen Halliday (C)

Team: Belleville Senators (AHL) 2025 Ranking: 5th 2026 Ranking: 3rd

Taking the bronze medal in our rankings is Stephen Halliday, who has successfully established himself as a legitimate NHL-ready prospect. At 23 years old and standing 6’4″ and 212 lbs, Halliday is a unique offensive engine. In 20 games with the Belleville Senators this season, he has racked up 2 goals and 21 assists, earning his nickname as “The Disher”.

Halliday’s game is defined by elite vision and NHL-level puck-handling ability. Despite his size, he doesn’t play a heavy game; he uses his reach and high hockey IQ to manipulate lanes and find teammates in spots other players simply don’t see.

His performance was rewarded earlier this season with a stint in the NHL with Ottawa, where he proved he could keep up with the pace of the NHL. He projects as a high-end playmaking center who can provide value on a second or third line while quarterbacking a power play unit.

2. Logan Hensler (D)

Team: University of Wisconsin (NCAA) 2025 Ranking: 3rd 2026 Ranking: 2nd

Moving up to number two is Logan Hensler, the Senators’ 2025 first-round selection. The 19-year-old defenseman stands 6’3″ and 198 lbs, providing a prototypical NHL frame on the blue line. Currently with the Wisconsin Badgers, Hensler has recorded 3 goals and 6 assists through 17 games this season.

Hensler is a smooth-skating, two-way defender whose primary asset is his mobility and gap control. While he faced some scrutiny following a disappointing World Junior Championship performance earlier this month, his overall body of work this season has been solid.

He has shown an improvement with the puck, looking more confident leading the rush and making high-percentage plays under pressure. Despite the minor setback on the international stage, his ceiling remains quite high. Hensler projects as a top-four defender who can eat big minutes, kill penalties, and provide a steadying presence while chipping in offensively.

1. Carter Yakemchuk (D)

Team: Belleville Senators (AHL) 2025 Ranking: 1st 2026 Ranking: 1st

Retaining the title of top prospect in the system is Carter Yakemchuk. The 2024 seventh-overall pick continues to be the most dynamic and high-ceiling player in the pipeline. Now 20 years old and standing 6’4″ and 207 lbs, Yakemchuk has spent the first half of the season with the Belleville Senators, where he has recorded 3 goals and 15 assists in 27 games.

Yakemchuk possesses an elite shot and a physical edge that make him a nightmare to play against. While his offensive toolkit is NHL-ready, the organization has been patient with his development, keeping him in the AHL to focus on his defensive zone coverage and gap control.

He still needs to refine his decision-making when the puck isn’t on his stick, but his progress has been steady. Yakemchuk projects as a top-four defender who can dictate the flow of a game and anchor a top power-play unit for the next decade.