As the NHL Draft draws nearer, the Ottawa Senators are honing their strategy for the 32nd overall selection, a slot that could shape the next chapter of the franchise.
Scout Don Boyd has identified a compact tier of roughly eight players who might still be available when the Senators make their pick, a mix that blends offensive sparkle with defensive steadiness.
A tier of talent emerges
Among the names most frequently mentioned are Jaxon Cover, a forward praised for his puck‑handling brilliance and fearless net presence, and Markus Ruck, whose 108‑point WHL season revealed a rare combination of hockey IQ and production.
Cover's rapid snap shot and willingness to battle in front of the net contrast with Ruck's cerebral playmaking, yet both fit neatly into the Senators' broader scouting narrative.
The draft will take place in Buffalo on June 26, a cross‑border setting that adds extra excitement, while internal rankings also keep prospects slotted between 33 and 35 as a fallback option.
Beyond the draft board, the organization continues to cast a wide net, from the hockey‑rich streets of Medicine Hat to the historic rinks of Djurgården, ensuring a global perspective on talent identification.