Senators Focus on Skill and Size in 2026 NHL Draft Strategy

Following a whirlwind Friday filled with trades and contract extensions, the Ottawa Senators took a more measured approach on Saturday during the NHL Draft. However, day two brought clarity regarding the team’s organizational needs. With their first five selections concentrated on skilled forwards, it’s evident that management is prioritizing offensive talent to bolster their roster.

The Senators entered the day with three picks in the third round, along with standard selections in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds. Continuing their strategy from the first round, where they selected Jonas Lagerberg Hoen and Jaxon Cover, the Sens focused exclusively on skilled forwards with their three third-round picks.

At pick 72, they selected Adam Nemec, a winger from the Sudbury Wolves. Coming from notable NHL lineage, Nemec’s older brother, Simon, was the second overall pick in the 2022 Draft and recently traded from New Jersey to Calgary. Adam started his draft year in Slovakia with HK Nitra but transitioned to the OHL mid-season, where he impressed with 35 points in just 31 games.

Next, at pick 87, the Senators drafted Oscar Holmertz, a center from Linkoping HC Jr. Standing 6-foot and weighing 187 pounds, Holmertz recorded 34 points in 36 games in the junior league and also made his mark with 11 appearances on Linkoping’s men’s team.

With their final third-round pick at 91, Ottawa chose Louis-Felix Bourque from Drummondville in the QMJHL. The 17-year-old forward notched 24 goals and 49 points in 54 games and already showcases impressive NHL size at 6-foot-2 and 214 pounds.

Shifting gears in the fourth round, the Senators added to their goaltending prospects by selecting Elliot Lennon, a towering 6-foot-6 high school player from Deerfield Academy. Lennon has posted outstanding statistics over his three years and is committed to play for Brown University starting in the 2027-28 season. He will spend the upcoming season with the USHL’s Madison Capitols.

At pick 151, the Senators focused on defense by selecting Harris Pangretitsch, a right-shot defenseman from Sault Ste. Marie. Standing 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, Pangretitsch is not expected to drive offensive play but has shown significant improvement throughout the season. He also boasts a strong academic record, reportedly maintaining a 95 average in school.

Finally, at pick 183, the Senators rounded out their draft class with Alexander Grunin, a 6-foot-4 defenseman from the Russian MHL team Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk. Grunin is regarded as a shutdown defenseman with good mobility, having recorded 15 points in 44 games. Despite a challenging end to his season, where he was stretchered off during the Russian U18 Finals, he returned to play shortly after.

The Senators’ 2026 draft class clearly reflects a commitment to enhancing offensive skill early on while also incorporating European talent and adding size to their defensive lineup. As is often the case with drafts, the true impact of these selections will unfold over the coming years, but the organization’s strategic blueprint is unmistakable.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.