Sens top draft pick had good first impression but must continue to impress

The Ottawa Senators were looking to find another piece for the future when the team entered the 2024 NHL Draft. The team took a chance on defenseman Carter Yakemchuk with the seventh overall pick.

The Senators needed to bring in a defenseman who works hard all around the ice. Yakemchuk brings in hope to be a defenseman for the Senators for years alongside Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. Defense has been an issue for the Senators for years.

In the preseason opener on Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the Senators were hoping that their seventh overall pick would make a good first impression. When the time came, Yakemchuk came through when needed the most.

Carter Yakemchuk must continue to impress to make the opening night roster

Head coach Travis Green wasted no time in playing Yakemchuk in the preseason opener against the Maple Leafs. Yakemchuk played just over 23 minutes in the game, playing over two minutes each on the powerplay and penalty kill. Green making Yakemchuk play on both sides of the special teams is a good thing to make him more of a two-way defenseman.

Along with playing offense on the powerplay, Yakemchuk wasn't afraid to shoot the puck, recording five shots on goal, but it was his fifth shot on goal that was the one to make his first impression memorable.

With the game tied at five in overtime, Yakemchuk was able to skate past Jake McCabe and Mitch Marner and shoot a puck past Matt Murray to give the Senators the 6-5 win in overtime. Sealing the game is the perfect way to end the preseason opener for a top draft pick.

After the game, Yakemchuk said he was "definitely nervous" coming into the game, but got settled in after his first couple of shifts. Green reacted with a "wow" to the overtime winner and continued to speak highly of Yakemchuk.

"I've been impressed with him from day one," Green said. "And, the impressive part hasn't been the offense, it's been his attention to detail, his willingness to learn."

Making the opening night roster would be bring excitement for Yakemchuk, the team and the fans. If Yakemchuk continues to play big minutes in the preseason, and comes through with being clutch, Yakemchuk will be hard not to crack the opening night roster.

The Senators' "breakthrough" at some point has to come with the young roster the team has. Yakemchuk will turn 19 years old in less than a week, but Yakemchuk can contribute with his young excitement and energy to help the Senators win at a young age.