Ottawa Senators Strengthen Defense
In a strategic move following the NHL trade deadline, the Ottawa Senators have bolstered their defensive roster with three new acquisitions just as the AHL’s trade deadline passed on Friday. Among the latest additions are two defensemen, essential for enhancing the team’s blue line depth at a time when injuries have put a strain on their defensive lineup.
Injury Updates
Jake Sanderson is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury and is labeled as week-to-week, while Nick Jensen is out for the weekend due to a lower body injury, with further updates on his condition yet to be determined.
To address this issue, the Senators have called up Dennis Gilbert and Lassi Thomson from their AHL affiliate. Gilbert is expected to take a spot on the team’s bottom pairing in an upcoming game, and Nik Matinpalo may be shifted to his preferred right side position, providing additional depth.
New Acquisitions
One of the highlights of these recent transactions is the acquisition of 23-year-old defenseman Ryan O’Rourke from the Minnesota Wild for future considerations. O’Rourke, a left-shot defenseman drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, has fluctuated between the AHL and ECHL this season and has spent the majority of his career in the AHL with Iowa. His experience includes playing alongside Ottawa locals Graeme Clarke and Cameron Crotty last season, both of whom now suit up for the Belleville Senators. Notably, Clarke was picked up from Washington just last week, indicating a continuous effort to strengthen the Senators’ farm system.
Moreover, the Senators made a notable trade earlier Thursday, sending forward Jan Jeník to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Samuel Bolduc. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds, Bolduc was initially selected in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders. Over the course of 52 NHL games with the Islanders, he accumulated four goals and four assists. This season, he has showcased his skills in the AHL, scoring five goals and tallying 21 points through 56 games.
Jeník, who joined Belleville this season and recorded 17 points in 41 games, was obtained by the Senators in the summer of 2024 as part of a previous transaction involving Egor Sokolov. The Senators also welcomed 22-year-old forward Riley Kidney, who was traded for goaltender Hunter Shepard and forward Jake Chiasson. Kidney, originally drafted 63rd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2021, has experienced ups and downs in his career. He was a former standout in the QMJHL, achieving over 100 points in two seasons, and represented Canada in the 2022 World Junior Championship. Having spent time in Laval’s AHL team before an ECHL assignment, he is now looking to establish himself as a professional player.
Future Focus
The movement of these players reflects the Senators’ focus on nurturing young talent with potential for future contributions to the NHL roster. All three recent additions carry the background of being once-promising NHL prospects, aligning with Ottawa’s strategy to reinforce their pipeline ahead of the upcoming seasons. This flurry of activity demonstrates the Senators’ commitment to building a competitive team, even amid current challenges with injuries within their lineup.
