Senators draft another prospect at a 'premium' position with Logan Hensler pick

OTTAWA If youre building toward being a contending team in the NHL, you will need a high-end right-shot defenceman at some point.

Theres a reason theyre coveted every offseason or trade deadline.

Many teams seek a capable defenceman who can seamlessly play on the right, knowing they can rely on them for one-timers, easier passes and natural puck retrievals.

Advertisement So, when it was the Ottawa Senators turn to pick at this years decentralized NHL Draft in Los Angeles, they didnt hesitate.

You never have enough defencemen.

Right-handed defencemen are a premium, Senators head scout Don Boyd said.

The Senators made a quick trade with the Nashville Predators from 21st overall to 23rd, also obtaining a third-round draft choice in the process.

The selection? Logan Hensler, an 18-year-old, 6-foot-2, right-shot defenceman from Minnesota, who projects to be a top-four defenceman at the NHL level.

He was the youngest player on the 2025 United States World Juniors squad that won gold in Ottawa earlier this year.

(Im) super pumped up, Hensler said from Los Angeles.

Its a great organization, great atmosphere, great people, and Im super excited to get started.

The Wisconsin product was projected to go 20th to the Columbus Blue Jackets in Corey Pronmans final mock draft , and he was high on the Sens internal board.

But they made the trade down believing they could still get him.

We moved back and got another asset, Boyd said.

We dont have, as of now, a second-round pick.

We would go from (21st overall) to our next pick being (96th overall).

Hensler impressed the Sens with his ability to close in on players and stifle oncoming rushes thanks to his skating.

His mobility also helps with his puck-moving attributes.

The Athletic s prospect expert Scott Wheeler compared Hensler to Columbus Blue Jackets right-shot Damon Severson.

But Hensler says he likens his game to current Sens No.

1 defenceman Jake Sanderson, whos only four years older than him.

I think we have very good skating, Hensler said.

A big piece Im trying to take (from him) is how simple and efficient he is.

Hes overall an elite defenceman and thats a goal Im chasing, and I think I can reach it.

Advertisement The fact that he can play the position while right-handed Hensler says hes the only right-handed person in his family proved tantalizing for the Senators.

Theres a lot more left-handed defencemen in the league, or in the world, Boyd said.

So, to get a right-handed defenseman that moves like that, has that kind of size, closes on people.

We felt we were on the right track.

Boyd isnt just using platitudes when describing right-shot defencemen.

The Florida Panthers just won another Stanley Cup with Aaron Ekblad and trade deadline acquisition Seth Jones logging major minutes and producing when needed.

Both are right-shot defencemen.

Very recently, two other Atlantic Division foes made significant trades with such players in mind.

The Montreal Canadiens landed Noah Dobson from the Islanders in exchange for Emil Heineman and two first-round picks before signing him to an eight-year extension.

The Buffalo Sabres drew skepticism for trading away JJ Peterka in exchange for Josh Doan and right-shot defenceman Michael Kesselring.

But there arent many right-shot defencemen with Kesselrings size and frame who also have his mobility and offensive output.

He scored seven goals and 29 points for Utah last season.

The Senators now have two right-shot defencemen at the top of their prospect pool in Hensler and last years 6-foot-5 first-round pick, Carter Yakemchuk.

Yakemchuks offensive side has shown more prominently than Henslers, and the Senators are seemingly giving him a chance to compete for a roster spot this fall.

If nothing else, hell get his chance to play pro hockey with the Belleville Senators in the AHL.

Hensler says hes a two-way defenceman, but his offensive numbers arent eye-popping.

Hensler only registered one assist in all seven games he played at the 2025 World Juniors.

Hensler scored two goals and 12 points in 32 games with the University of Wisconsin at the collegiate level.

He insists his offensive game will be unlocked and the Sens see that upside, too.

Penalty killing will also be a priority for him.

Advertisement I think theres more offence in his game than if you look at the numbers this year, Boyd said.

I think this next year will be huge for me, just confidence-wise, Hensler said.

I think weve got a lot of skill coming in this year for Wisconsin.

Hensler should have had his moment to say hello to his new team moments after being drafted, but technical difficulties ruined the moment.

This years draft was decentralized, with teams operating from war rooms at home .

Boyd, Sens GM Steve Staios, owner Michael Andlauer and scout Dan Boeser were supposed to greet Hensler from the Canadian Tire Centre while on camera.

But Hensler couldnt hear them.

Granted, it was all a blur for the teenager anyway.

He eventually connected with management over the phone.

Got to see them face-to-face, sort of, Hensler said.

The Sens will have more face time with Hensler once development camp comes around, and when it comes time to check on Hensler during his sophomore season at Wisconsin this fall.

Between Hensler and Yakemchuk, the Senators are building up their defensive group as a position of strength in their prospect pool.

Its a necessary choice considering how valuable their skills have become.

(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images).

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