The Ottawa Senators Nick Jensen and the Rest of the Squad of Blueliners

Where do the Ottawa Senators find themselves right now? The one question lingering on the minds of many fans, is the idea of Nick Jensen‘s deployment discussion. That’s not to mention that fans don’t even know when the timetable for his return is exactly. All we keep hearing is that he is really close, but no comments on opening night 2025-26. So, let’s discuss the trickle-down-effect, and how the Sens compare to this point last season. A team that made the playoffs, let’s not forget. So, let’s get it.

Nick Jensen and the Ottawa Senators Blueliners

Last season, despite playing injured for a bulk of it, Jensen was very strong. He was partnered with Thomas Chabot, on a Sens second pairing, that had a lot of poise, given the strong, right-shot defender that was paired with the more offensively geared Chabot. We were initially thinking that the second pair was on lock for 2025-26. However, with the addition of Jordan Spence, combined with Jensen’s unavailability through training camp, that has opened the window for a new plan.

In preseason, Spence has shown his skills, and his attributes in being a competitor, who can fire a hard and controlled cross-ice pass. That is exactly the type of partner that Chabot would thrive with over the course of a long, NHL season. So, even though it brings some uncertainty as to Jensen’s future, it is a win for the bigger picture in Ottawa.

There is another element to this as well. One player’s early seaqson performance that has been quietly disappointing has been Nikolas Matinpalo. It seems he is just slightly a step slower than he was last year. That was when he was included on the Team Finland for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Moreover, it ultimately has opened the door to the discussion on who the Sens seventh d is currently.

Carter Yakemchuk is an interesting discussion piece. We knew him to have the offensive ability to make a difference at the NHL level. However, he spent last season refining his defensive side. So, naturally, as a young, offensively-minded defenceman, it might take some time. The other positive in this scenario, is he will have an excellent defenceman on his right side, whoever it ends up being.

In any sense, there will be players pushing for jobs. Donovan Sebrango is the next man up, and is not currently waivers exempt. The Sens need to make their moves, smartly. There’s others pushing from the farm, too. Belleville Senator defenceman Lassi Thomson is likely the front-runner, if the call does become needed.

So, what we are talking about is the Sens opening night defence. How will the Jensen injury shift things around? What will the defensive alignment look like upon his return (assuming complete team health, otherwise)?

Sens Defence Can Put It All Together in 2025-26

The locks for opening night, not only on paper, but also from their work throughout head coach Travis Green‘s training camp, are as follows, Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Jordan Spence, Artem Zub, Tyler Kleven, and well, they need a sixth. Any takers?

Let’s not forget, this is defence that featured Travis Hamonic a lot last year. Much to the chagrin of a particular set of Ottawa Senators fans. He’s now with the Detroit Red Wings, but it gives the Sens an opportunity to put an above-average replacement, at least compared to Hamonic, if not overall as well. So it is currently looking like either of Sebrango or Matinpalo slides in there for opening night.

However, upon Jensen’s coming availability, it’s likely he gets the assignment. It seems the fact that Yakemchuk has to leap two (possibly three) guys for an NHL spot, means he starts on the farm in Belleville. Keep in mind, it’s a long season. Injuries will pop up and opportunity will occur naturally. It is reasonable to anticipate 10-20% man-games lost to injury. A back of the napkin calculation of 82 × 6 × 15% is around 74 games. Then, we begin to understand why Hamonic got so much ice time last season. The added accountability for the Sens, allows for more options. It may make for tough decisions, between people in the press box, or having to put a waiver-eligible player on the wire to go down to the AHL. But Sens fan can find some relief that a smart hockey decision will be made.