The National Hockey League unveiled its 2025‑26 All‑Rookie Team this week, and the reaction was immediate. Montreal’s recent drafts have begun to pay dividends, with three of its newest faces earning votes that placed them among the league’s most promising first‑year players.
Montreal’s Rookie Impact
Ivan Demidov, the Canadiens’ highly touted forward, finished first among all rookies at his position with 195 voting points, a testament to his offensive dynamism and ice time. Oliver Kapanen, another Montreal prospect, collected six votes that highlighted his two‑way versatility, while goaltender Jakub Dobes topped the netminder category with 151 points, outpacing every other first‑year goalie.
Ottawa’s Persistent Struggles
In stark contrast, the Ottawa Senators failed to secure a single vote for the third consecutive season, a drought that stretches back to the 2022‑23 campaign when Jake Sanderson finished second among defencemen behind Owen Power with 179 points. Shane Pinto managed a solitary vote the following year, but the team’s overall absence from the list reflects a deeper issue within its development pipeline.
General manager Steve Staios has been praised for attempting to reshape the franchise’s asset strategy, even after the club traded Detroit’s first‑round pick to acquire Linus Ullmark. The Senators’ prospect pool, now reduced to Carter Yakemchuk, Logan Hensler, and Stephen Halliday after recent drafts, appears thin, raising questions about the effectiveness of their scouting and drafting decisions over the past five years.
Looking Forward
While the Canadiens celebrate a promising influx of talent, the Senators must confront a reality that their recent drafts have not translated into impact players. The organization’s future competitiveness may hinge on whether it can reverse this trend and cultivate prospects capable of earning votes in upcoming seasons.