Carter Yakemchuk aiming to earn Senators roster spot at fall training camp
The 20-year-old defenceman prospect was told by coach Travis Green and GM Steve Staios to come to camp ready to make the team, with a realistic chance if Ottawa deploys seven blue liners.
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Carter Yakemchuk, the Senators' top defence prospect, is entering his third development camp with a clear goal: force his way onto the NHL roster come fall.
According to Yakemchuk, coach Travis Green and general manager Steve Staios delivered the message when the team cleaned out its locker room in late April: "Come to camp with the mindset to earn a job and make the team."
The 20-year-old, turning 21 on September 29, has reason to believe he can pull it off. Ottawa currently has six defencemen signed to one-way contracts. If the team takes seven blue liners into the regular season — which is likely — Yakemchuk has a solid chance to graduate from the prospect circuit.
Few defencemen his age and experience crack an NHL roster. In 2025-26, only a dozen full-time NHL defenders began the season at age 21 or younger, and just two of those played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Organizations are typically hesitant to promote young defencemen, wary that the pace and physicality of the NHL will shake their confidence.
Yakemchuk doesn't lack confidence. Selected seventh overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, he made his NHL debut last season with a goal and assist against Detroit, including a between-the-legs pass to Tim Stutzle on a power-play goal. His playoff debut was nearly as impressive — he held his own under pressure in Game 4 against Carolina despite playing just one playoff game.
In the American Hockey League, however, he posted respectable offensive numbers but a minus-31 rating — second-worst in the league across 54 games with Belleville.
"I thought it was a good learning year," Yakemchuk said. "I wasn't the best all the time, but I thought I improved throughout the year, so I was happy with it overall. I think I learned that I can play and I can play with NHLers if I'm at my best. So that's my goal, to try and belong there."
Director of player development Sam Gagier believes Yakemchuk had an "up-and-down year," but many parts of his game are already exceptional.
The facts
When was Carter Yakemchuk told to come to fall training camp ready to make the team?
In late April 2026, coach Travis Green and general manager Steve Staios told Carter Yakemchuk to come to camp with the mindset to earn a job and make the team.
What did Carter Yakemchuk accomplish in his NHL debut?
In his NHL debut last season against Detroit, Carter Yakemchuk recorded a goal and assist, including a between-the-legs pass to Tim Stutzle on a power-play goal.
