On Mar 12th, it was announced that the Ottawa Senators were able to regain their 1st round pick back after several years of potentially losing it due to not filing the paperwork for Evgeni Dadonov's no-trade clause. Thus propelling the Senators into major decisions when it comes to who to select at 32. In years past, Ottawa has bolstered their blue-line cupboards by selecting right-shot defencemen Carter Yakemchuk (2024) and Logan Hensler (2025). This year, however, pivoting for a forward would be the best decision, as the Senators have a notable lack of talent at forward in their pipeline. So when the clock rings out for pick #32, who should the Senators select? Dependent on who is available, here are some names.
Five potential draft targets for the Senators at pick 32
Simas Ignatavicius:
The 6'3 Lithuanian winger currently plays in the top Swiss league and hasn't had any issues playing at that level. Though his stats don't jump off the page at you, his skill set does. One of his best attributes is his hockey IQ and how he reads the game. He may not be one of the flashiest players; however, he is extremely projectable when it comes to his overall skill set with his passing and shot, and he's a great skater. Ignatavicius is already a member of the Lithuanian national team program as a teenager, he's got a lot of room to grow. The Senators have a bit of a type recently, and a player like Ignatavicius would definitely fit the mould of who they've wanted.
Jack Hextall:
The undersized centre plays out of the USHL for the Youngstown Phantoms. Let's not look at the undersized word as a problem; the Senators have quite a few of them and will take one, especially if they're a player like Hextall. Hextall is considered one of the smartest players in this year's draft because he does everything very well. He was a catalyst for the United States at the Ivan Hlinka, quarterbacking the top line and power play. He's got a tenacity that teams love to see and hope translates to the NHL. His ability to see the ice in every situation makes him a very good player to have in the lineup. He's committed to Michigan State next year, and hopefully his game is able to translate at that level.
Liam Ruck:
After a massive season totaling 45 goals and 104 points, Liam Ruck would be a big swing for the Senators to take. At only 6'0, he is considered undersized in today's NHL, but that's one of the only drawbacks of Ruck's game. he is an incredibly intelligent player on the ice who uses his hockey sense to create time and space for himself or his twin brother Markus (who also could be an option for the Senators). The Senators haven't had a prospect with that type of offensive output in some time, so banking on the current production and overall hockey sense of Ruck's game would be a good bet for Staios and Co. to make.
Ryan Roobroeck:
The biggest shine about Roobroeck is his ability to score goals. In 2025-26 he scored 30 goals in 49 games and 41 goals in 2024-25. At 6'4", he has the size and frame to play as a prototypical power forward who is hard to get off of the puck. Once thought a lock to go within the top 10, his stock has fallen after his draft year with a common question with him being his compete levels, which may turn some teams away from taking him. With that said, Roobroeck's goal-scoring resume speaks for itself; 71 goals over two seasons is the type of goal scoring the Senators desperately need. If Ottawa is able to have Roobroeck break some of his lack of engagement habits, you could be unlocking some serious potential.
Marcus Nordmark:
According to Scott Wheeler of the Athletic, he is "one of the 15 most talented players in this draft," and that should pique just about anyone's interest, but he also has consistency and dedication issues. His skill levels are truly elite, but whether he wants to try is the problem with Nordmark. This is the type of player you go after if he's slipping and you show that you believe in him, and that may change his tune. Nordmark's profile doesn't exactly align with what the Senators culture is, but if you want the type of boom or bust selection with a pick you didn't even think you'd have, Nordmark would be the guy if available.
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