Fifty-two players (five goaltenders, 17 defenseman, 30 forwards) are set to attend Ottawa Senators training camp. Camp opens on Wednesday with medicals and fitness testing.
Veteran blueline Nick Jensen is unlikely to fully participate in camp. He is still recovering from offseason hip surgery. Senators general manager Steve Staios will likely add clarity to Jensen’s injury status when he meets local media at 2 p.m. Meanwhile, there remains one notable non-injury absence.
Guenette still unsigned by Senators
Restricted free agent d-man Max Guenette remains unsigned. A late-bloomer, Guenette was selected 187th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Upon being drafted by the Senators, the native of L’Ancienne-Lorette, QC played one and half seasons with Val D’or in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League where he registered 16 goals, 46 assists in 98 regular seasoon games, adding seven points (three goals, four assists) in 15 playoff games.
At six-foot-one, 210 pounds, Guenette adpated well to the pro style of play during his first two campaigns toiling for the American League Belleville Senators, garnering 40 points (five goals, 35 assists) in his sophomore year with the club.
Guenette’s 2022-23 success earned him a one-game callup as a reward for a successful season. Guenette appeared in seven NHL games the following year. While it appeared the 24-year-old was poised to receive NHL action in 2023-24, things went sideways for Guenette. Recalled January 7, the rearguard did not dress for any games and was returned to Belleville a week later.He regressed offensively, producing 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in only 58 games played.
Based on his previous three seasons with Bellevile, signing a one-year, two-way contract generally should be a simple process.
So why the stalled negotiations?
Right side overload
Cameron Crotty, Lassi Thomson, Carter Yakemchuk all play the right side of the blue line. So does Guenette.
It’s foreseeable all three d-men rank ahead of Guenette on the Senators organization current depth chart.
Recently signed to a two-year, two-way deal, Crotty donned the ‘C’ last season with the AHL Iowa Wild. Thomson returns for technically his third go-round with the club after originally being selected 19th overall in 2019 by the Senators, claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks October 1, 2023 and reclaimed by Ottawa off waivers seven days later.
A native of Finland, Thomson left North America to play in the Sweden Hockey League where he led all defensemen in goals (17) in 2024-25 playing for the Malmo Redhawks.
For Carter Yakemchuk, his play in camp will dictate where he opens the the 2025-26 campaign. Will it be in Ottawa or Belleville?
The status of Jensen may make this decison easier. If Jensen is available to open the season, there’s little doubt Yakemchuk will start in Belleville. The addition of Jordan Spence from the Los Angeles Kings and last season’s emergence of Nik Matinpalo pushes Yakemchuk down the depth chart.
Moving parts
Conversely, if Jensen is ultimately placed on injured reserve, chances are Yakemchuk opens in Belleville regardless. This is mainly due to his non-waiver eligibility.
The native of Fort McMurray is the lone member of the perceived top eight-nine D who doesn’t require waivers to head to the BSens. Donovan Sebrango who plays the left side is waiver-eligible. Additionally, if Yakemchuk isn’t going to receive 15 minutes per game at the NHL level, he’s best served playing 20-plus minutes in the ‘A’ to get acclimated to the pro game.
As for Guenette, the expectation is he’ll be dealt soon enough. A source tells Hockey HotStove, he’s currently being shopped around the league. Meanwhile, he’s the subject of rampant rumours with various clubs.
