When the Ottawa Senators got eliminated in six games by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, the off-season began immediately. General manager Steve Staios got to work by extending defensemen Nikolas Matinpalo and Tyler Kleven each to a two-year extension.
Then, another Senator wasn't going anywhere. Fabian Zetterlund then signed a three-year extension to remain a Senator after being traded over this past March. After re-signing three players, it was then time for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Heading into the draft, the Senators owned six draft picks. The Senators had one draft pick in the first round at 21st overall pick, but traded back when the selection came.
The Senators traded their 21st overall pick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for the 23rd overall pick and 67th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. With the 23rd selection, the Senators selected 18-year-old defenseman Logan Hensler from the University of Wisconsin.
Got our guy!
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) June 28, 2025
With the 23rd overall pick in the #NHLDraft the #Sens have selected Logan Hensler from the University of Wisconsin.
Avec le 23e choix du repêchage de la LNH, nous avons sélectionné Logan Hensler des University of Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/XsbSWJLrdU
Hensler is listed at 6-foot-3, 198 lbs. In 32 games during the 2024-25 season, Hensler recorded 12 points. Hensler was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Hockey analyst Kevin Weekes gave Hensler high praise when his name was announced.
"He looked like a veteran in college hockey," Kevin Weekes on Hensler
— Jake Ferraro (@18Jxxx18) June 28, 2025
For the second consecutive season, the Senators selected a defenseman in the first round. Last year, the Senators selected Carter Yakemchuk with the seventh overall pick. This year, the Senators selected Hensler.
Hensler was rated the 16th best player in the 2025 NHL Draft by ESPN's Rachel Doerrie on June 24. However, Hensler fell to the 23rd overall selection.
Hensler will now get ready for the 2025-26 season. Hensler had comparison's to Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Being compared to a solid offensive defenseman is a good comparison for a defenseman, and Hensler has the comparison.
Day two of the 2025 NHL Draft will be tomorrow at noon ET. The Senators don't own a second-round draft pick, but currently have six draft picks for the remainder of the draft. The Senators have two third-round picks and one draft pick from rounds 4-7.