Ottawa’s system is propped up by three true building-block types of talents in Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson and Carter Yakemchuk. They all have star potential at premium positions. Stützle in particular is in the conversation for the best young player in the NHL. The drop-off after those three is significant to players who will round out the bottom half of a roster on a team trying to win.
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Key addition: Carter Yakemchuk
Key graduates: Shane Pinto, Mads Sogaard
2023 ranking: 7
Player Ranking
1. Tim Stützle, C
January 15, 2002 | 6 feet | 197 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 3 in 2020
Tier: Elite NHL player
Skating: High-end
Puck skills: High-end
Hockey sense: High-end
Compete: Above NHL average
Analysis: Stützle saw his scoring totals take a step back this season, but his shooting percentage also regressed and I think that should bounce back in future seasons. The toolkit he has is too dynamic. He’s an electric skater and puckhandler who can drive play at even strength like few others. He shows tremendous creativity and instincts with the puck, especially in small areas and in making plays on the move. He competes well and doesn’t show hesitancy to play in traffic. He has all the indications of a potential superstar and a player who can make regular appearances among the league’s top scorers. The only question I have is whether he’s for sure a center or not.
2. Carter Yakemchuk, D
September 29, 2005 | 6-foot-3 | 202 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 7 in 2024
Tier: NHL All-Star
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end
Analysis: Yakemchuk was a top defenseman in the WHL this season. He’s a 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman who has legit game-breaking skill. He constantly breaks down opponents one-on-one and can pull off a lot of highlight-reel moments. That he skates well and can attack with his skill makes him so difficult to stop; he often dances by checkers. His skating stride isn’t technically perfect. It can break down at times with his legs starting to flail at the end of shifts, but it’s a powerful stride and he often pulls away from pressure. Yakemchuk has a bullet shot from the point. He is more of a shot than a pass threat, and while he can see the ice, his vision isn’t at the same level as his shot or stickhandling. He can make stops due to his feet, length and strong physicality but his defensive play and consistency in that area can use work. Yakemchuk has star potential and projects to be a major minutes player in the NHL with a lot of offensive upside.
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3. Jake Sanderson, D
July 8, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 203 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 5 in 2020
Tier: NHL All-Star
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Sanderson is one of the very best young defensemen in the NHL currently. He’s a tremendous skater, especially for a man his size, showing tremendous edge work and escapability. He is so good defensively because of how quickly he gets back on pucks and can get them up ice with his vision or feet. He has good offensive touch, and that aspect of his game has continued to get better between his playmaking and goal scoring. He looks like a long-time NHL star who will play big minutes in all situations for the next decade.
4. Ridly Greig, C
August 8, 2002 | 6 feet | 184 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 28 in 2020
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Greig had a productive first full NHL season. He has good offensive skills, can beat opponents one-on-one and has a strong shot. The main value of Greig’s game, though, comes from his effort and physicality. He’s a relentless worker who attacks the middle of the offensive zone. He is very hard on pucks and tends to get under opponents’ skin. He has good talent, although, for his size, it’s not high-end, so he may end up a third center who his team loves and others hate.
5. Zack Ostapchuk, C
May 29, 2003 | 6-foot-3 | 205 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 39 in 2021
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Analysis: Ostapchuk was a productive player for Belleville and lined up on both special teams. He’s a big center who skates well, has some skill and has the aesthetic look of an NHL forward. He plays hard and can create offense around the net front. Ostapchuk may never be known as the most creative offensive player or natural scorer, but he has a clear path to becoming a bottom-six NHL forward, possibly down the middle.
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6. Jorian Donovan, D
April 5, 2004 | 6-foot-1 | 182 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 136 in 2022
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Donovan didn’t have a great world juniors, but his time in the OHL was quite strong and he was a key part of why Saginaw won the Memorial Cup. He’s a clear NHL-caliber skater. He has a powerful, fluid stride that easily picks up speed and he carries a lot of pucks up ice. Donovan isn’t very physical, but he closes on checks well and can retrieve pucks like a pro. He displays good enough offensive skills, but plays with his head down and I don’t think he sees the ice too well. His brain will concern coaches but his feet could make him a third-pair defenseman if his offensive output is even just OK as a pro.
7. Tyler Kleven, D
January 10, 2002 | 6-foot-4 | 200 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 44 in 2020
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Kleven played major minutes for Belleville in the AHL and earned nine games up with the Senators. If you’re expecting offense from Kleven in the NHL, he’s probably not going to supply that. He has a hard point shot and I’ve seen worse skill on a big guy, but it’s not his game. Rather, his athleticism and hardness will get him to the league. He moves well for a big man and closes on checks with force. He’s extremely physical and a pain to play against. He projects as a third-pair defenseman.
8. Leevi Merilainen, G
August 13, 2002 | 6-foot-2 | 158 pounds | Catches left
Drafted: No. 71 in 2020
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
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Analysis: Merilainen had a solid season between the ECHL and AHL. Usually playing in the ECHL is not a good sign for a prospect but it was more due to the depth Ottawa had in goal in the minors. When I watched Merilainen this season I thought he looked like a strong prospect. He reads the game exceptionally well and squares up a lot of pucks. He’s not the naturally quickest goalie, but he competes well on second chances and can make enough difficult saves. He projects as a backup NHL goalie.
Has a chance to play
Tyler Boucher is a talented and highly competitive player. He skates well, has some offensive skill and is super physical. His hockey sense is just OK though, and the 2021 No. 10 pick seems to always be injured. Stephen Halliday is a big man with the hands and vision to create pro offense. His skating is a concern for the NHL level though, and I worry he plays too much on the outside. Xavier Bourgault has been a difficult evaluation. He’s a skilled, offensive player who hasn’t scored a ton as a pro. He competes well enough, but it’s not a major asset in his game and he’s not very physically imposing. If he’s not creating a lot of offense, I’m not sure what his projected role would be in an NHL lineup.
Tyler Boucher, RW
January 16, 2003 | 6-foot-1 | 205 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 10 in 2021
Xavier Bourgault, C
October 22, 2002 | 6-feet | 172 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 22 in 2021
Stephen Halliday, C
July 2, 2002 | 6-foot-3 | 213 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 104 in 2022
Tomas Hamara, D
March 9, 2004 | 6-feet | 185 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 87 in 2022
Javon Moore, C
December 7, 2005 | 6-foot-3 | 203 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 112 in 2024
Oskar Pettersson, RW
February 4, 2004 | 6-foot-2 | 198 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 72 in 2022
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Kevin Reidler, G
September 2, 2004 | 6-foot-5 | 176 pounds | Catches left | Drafted: No. 151 in 2022
Theo Wallberg, D
December 4, 2003 | 6-foot-3 | 187 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 168 in 2022
* Listed in alphabetical order
Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2024, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.
Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.
Tier definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.
(Photo of Jake Sanderson: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
