Ottawa Senators Select Big Right Shot Defenceman Carter Yakemchuk Seventh Overall
carter-yakemchuk-at-the-nhl-scouting-combine-image-credit-michael-augello-the-hockey-news
On Friday night at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas, the Ottawa Senators hope they've hit the jackpot with their 7th overall pick.
Senators GM Steve Staios stepped up to an NHL Draft microphone for the first time and selected big right-shot defenceman Carter Yakemchuk from the Calgary Hitmen.
In a defenceman-rich draft, Yakemchuk was the second D taken and probably went a little early if you listen to the draft pundits. For example, TSN's Bob McKenzie ranked him 13th overall and the 6th best defenceman. That had some people wondering if the Sens had tried to draft down or not.
In the debate over selecting the best player available versus drafting for need, Yakemchuk would look fine in both columns. He's the much-needed right shot D, and the shot is a cannon. He had an incredible 30 goals and 71 points. And he's not only got size (6-foot-3, 202 pounds), but his penalty minute total (120 penalty minutes) suggests he's got some snarl, which is always welcome.
Frankly, Yakemchuk's numbers look a bit like Brady Tkachuk's. This sets up some fascinating tongue-twisting potential for play-by-play man Dean Brown. Tkachuk to Yakemchuk to Ostpachuk to Katchouk.
On the Sportsnet broadcast, Yakemchuk was asked to self-evaluate what the Senators are getting.
“They’re getting a two-way defenceman that can produce offensively and also play physical and be reliable as well,” Yakemchuk told Sportsnet.
That's music to the ears of Sens fans, who are already picturing him riding shotgun on the right side with Jake Sanderson within 2-3 years.
It was the first time in three years Ottawa made a first-round selection, and Yakemchuk may prove to be worth the wait.