Ottawa Senators Prepare for 2026 NHL Draft

Ottawa Senators are gearing up for the 2026 NHL Draft, having finished the season with a 44-27-11 record and 99 points. The team's draft outlook is tied to their own finish and any prior trades that could affect their total number of picks. Logan Hensler, the defenseman selected by the Senators in the first round of the 2025 draft, highlights the organization's focus on building through the draft. The Senators are positioned to make selections across multiple rounds, pending the finalized draft order following the lottery. And with the NHL Draft Lottery set for May 5, the team's fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome. But the Senators' overall pick structure will depend on the finalized order and any previously completed transactions. So far, the team has made some key selections, including Hensler, Blake Vanek, Lucas Beckman, Dmitry Isayev, Bruno Idzan, and Andrei Trofimov in the 2025 draft. The Senators are affiliated with the Belleville Senators in the American Hockey League and the Allen Americans in the ECHL. The NHL Draft will take place on June 26-27 in Buffalo, New York at KeyBank Center. The Senators finished fifth in the Atlantic Division, behind the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, and Boston Bruins. The team's playoff performance will determine their final NHL Draft position. With the Carolina Hurricanes up next in the playoffs, the Senators are looking to make a deep run and improve their draft position. The Senators' minor league affiliates have been performing well, with the Belleville Senators and Allen Americans developing key players for the future. The team's draft strategy will be crucial in building a strong foundation for the future.