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Senators May Have Found Something Real in Yakemchuk

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Mar 30, 2026 5:20 PM ET

Some guys make their debut, and you barely notice. Carter Yakemchuk wasn’t one of those guys. He showed up in Detroit and just played well. There was no hesitation, no “just keep it simple” energy. A goal, an assist, power-play time with the first unit. That’s not easing into the league; that’s jumping right into the deep end and looking pretty comfortable there.

Yakemchuk Looked Like He’s Done This All Before

What sticks with you is how natural it looked. The shot is the first thing; it’s heavy. Not just hard for the sake of it, but the kind that makes goalies uncomfortable and penalty killers cheat a little. You could see it already changing how Ottawa’s power play looked. He wasn’t just feeding pucks around the perimeter. He was a threat. And when a defenseman becomes a threat like that, everything else starts to open up.

But it wasn’t just the shot. He picked his spots well, jumped into the play without getting burned, and didn’t look like the pace was too much for him. That’s usually the giveaway with young guys — things look a little rushed. With Yakemchuk, it didn’t. He looked like he belonged, which is probably the highest compliment you can give a 20-year-old in his first game.

The Senators Could Use a Player Like Yakemchuk Right Now

And honestly, Ottawa kind of needs this right now. They’ve been looking for something from the back end — a bit more life, a bit more push. Yakemchuk gives them that. Even if he’s new to this level, his skill helps the team add a different look. Another option on the power play, another guy who can actually make something happen from the blue line instead of just keeping things moving.

Looking ahead, this is where it gets interesting. If this is even close to what he is, the Senators might have something real here. A young defenseman who can shoot like that, think the game well enough, and not get overwhelmed? Those guys usually don’t stay under the radar very long.

It’s a small sample size, and a young player doesn’t build a career off one night. But sometimes you can tell when something’s there. And he feels like one of those players who just gives you a sense he’s going to have an impact.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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