Senators’ Jake Sanderson leaves game against Leafs

The injury appeared to occur in the first period, when Sanderson awkwardly fell to a knee after engaging with Leafs forward Nick Paul along the boards.

Sanderson, 24, had 14 goals and 40 assists for 54 points in 67 games last season, and finished 10th in voting for the Norris Trophy. He then contributed two assists in three games played during Ottawa’s sweep at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs.

Initially selected fifth overall by the Senators out of the Unites States National Development Program in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Sanderson spent two years playing collegiately for the University of North Dakota before debuting for Ottawa in the 2022-23 season. That year, he put up four goals and 28 assists for 32 points in 77 games, finishing sixth in voting for the Calder Trophy.

After a similarly productive second year in the NHL, in which he notched 10 goals and 28 assists for 38 points 79 games, the Whitefish, Montana native broke out in the 2024-25 season with 11 goals and 46 assists for 57 points in 80 games, helping the Senators get to the postseason for the first time since 2017.

Sanderson is in the third season of an eight-year, $64.4 million contract with Ottawa.

This is an important year for Sanderson and the Senantors, as they look to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season despite the departure of captain Brady Tkachuk.

Ottawa will visit the Boston Bruins on Monday for their second game of the season.