With the Prospects Showdown concluding earlier this week, the Ottawa Senators are four days away from starting up the 2025 preseason against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre.
Preseason always offers a chance for young prospects to try and make the team. With the roster they have, the Senators have talented prospects on their roster.
For the 2025 preseason schedule, the Senators will have six games. Four of which are in September and the other two are in October. As preseason is days away, arguably the biggest question for the Senators may surround a former first-round draft pick whose potential is high.
Could Yakemchuk make opening night roster for Senators?
Arguably the best prospect on the Senators roster is 19-year-old defenseman Carter Yakemchuk. The Senators selected Yakemchuk with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Last preseason, Yakemchuk stood out with his offensive abilities and skating. Some thought Yakemchuk may have deserved a chance to make the opening night roster last year, but he didn't. Yakemchuk wasn't called up for one NHL game last season.
Yakemchuk spent the entire 2024-25 season in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen. Yakemchuk recorded 49 points in 56 games played. Yakemchuk then recorded seven points in 11 playoff games for Calgary.
With the preseason upon, the question of could Yakemchuk make the opening night roster might be the biggest one for fans. Yakemchuk mentioned back in late-July that making the Senators' opening night roster is a goal of his.
Yakemchuk stood out phenomenal in the Senators' first Prospects Showdown game against the Maple Leafs four days ago. Yakemchuk scored two goals, including the game-winning goal to help the Senators earn a 4-3 win.
Yakemchuk showed improvement and that his potential is high in the win against the Maple Leafs' top prospects. With showing his talents in the Prospects Showdown, there's reason to believe Yakemchuk is destined for bigger things in 2025-26, and making the opening night roster is a goal.
The Senators' defense could face uncertainty outside of their core of Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson, Artem Zub and Tyler Kleven. Jordan Spence was aquired in a trade at the 2025 NHL Draft with the Los Angeles Kings, and is coming off of a career year.
Outside of those five defensemen, the rest of the defense could have queastion marks. Nikolas Matinpalo played in 41 games last season. While Nick Jensen had the highest +/- rating last season, him having off-season hip surgery could put some concern on the Senators defense.
If Yakemchuk stands out above Matinpalo, it could open the door for potentially making the opening night roster, and if injury concerns around Jensen rise again as well.
Sunday is the first test for the Senators with the preseason starting, but it also raises the question of whether or not Yakemchuk can make the opening night roster. The Senators begin their 2025-26 season on Oct. 9 on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning.