After landing on Tim Stutzle with the third overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators selected Jake Sanderson two selections later.
Since being drafted in Ottawa, Sanderson has become a cornerstone player of the franchise, and one of the fastest rising players in the NHL.
This season, higher expectations are on the 24-year-old defenseman from Montana. In another new ranking, Sanderson's game got recognized once again.
Sanderson makes Bleacher Report's best NHL players
Earlier today, Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report wrote and article titled "B/R's Top 32 NHL Player Rankings for the Start of the 2025-26 Season." Gretz ranked Sanderson as the 32nd best player in the NHL.
"His production, combined with his all-around play, makes him an emerging star and one of the best defensemen in the league," Gretz said about Sanderson.
There's no denying that Sanderson's rise and career year last season showed that he will be a defensemen that can not only be in Norris Trophy conversations, but also having the potential to be one of the best Senators in franchise history
Last season, Sanderson thrived with a 57-point season. Sanderson was a complete player all-around with having the ability to play offense, defense and special teams.
Sanderson was one of three Senators last season to record 30 powerplay points. With Sanderson able to quarterback the powerplay, more powerplay responsibility and play could be a possibility this season.
Sanderson finished second on the Senators last season with 46 assists and third overall in points. On two big stages last season, Sanderson's game got huge recognition from two former elite defenseman.
At the 4 Nations Face-Off this past February, 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban said the Senators have a "great one" in Sanderson. During the 2025 playoffs, Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger gave Sanderson respect after his playoff overtime goal in Game 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
This season is bound to be an exciting one for the Senators and Sanderson. If Sanderson has another career year as he did last season, there's reason to believe the Senators can not only be a better team than last season, but Sanderson could get higher voting for the Norris Trophy consistently.
Sanderson and the Senators have their 2025-26 season opener scheduled for Thursday night on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7 p.m. ET.