It is quick two-game NHL rookie tournament, but it is great to prepare players for quickly approaching AHL or NHL exhibition games. The Winnipeg Jets, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Ottawa Senators, in a series of games hosted by the Montreal Canadiens, each had to play two games. There was lots of potential NHL prospects on hand, and we are here to break it down from the Ottawa Senators perspective. In our analysis, we will discuss Stephen Halliday, Carter Yakemchuk, and Oskar Pettersson.

The Current Ottawa Senators Top 2025-26 NHL Propsects

We should’ve known, given the histories between the organizations here, there would be intensity. It just seemed, especially in the Leaf and Sen game, everyone was delivering the extra shot. Like they were trying to send a message, as much to their own team’s brass, than it was intended to be directed at the opponent. They want to show their organization they will do the extra-curricular activities, the little things, that make it easier to get NHL jobs.

The Leaf game saw an early fight between Landon Sim and Matthew Andonovski. In the second game, Gabriel Eliasson with the fist-a-cuffs against the Winnipeg Jets, showing he plays with a bee-in-his-bonnet, and at 6’7″ it is a big bonnet, to be sure. So that was the tone expected in these games. Now, let’s get into our breakdown of the three Sen prospects we wish to analyze.

For starters, both Halliday and Yakemchuk were scoring against the Leafs, exactly as the Sens would’ve planned. If we are throwing Pettersson in the mix, they all spent time wearing an ‘A’ on their uniform in this tournament.

Stephen Halliday is an Offensive Threat

Halliday has been developing, and for a fourth-round draft pick, back in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the 23-year-old is on the right trajectory. He scored his last year in junior, in the USHL. He put up big assist numbers, in particular, at Ohio State University for two seasons, and then turned professional. So far, he has scored there as well. Last year he led Belleville in scoring, when he had 19 goals, 32 assists, for 51 points in 71 games. It seems like he is trending to a callup, as was even mentioned on the Sens NHL.com coverage.

In terms of his skillset, Halliday has a knack for showing great patience in the offensive zone. Overall, he does a good job of playing above the puck. It allows him to be ready to go on the attack. Furthermore, he is able to do so, and it enables him to help dictate play. This can help to back the defence off, setting up an attack.

One specific example, is on the Jorian Donovan late-second period goal to tie the game at 2-2. That was a result of Halliday creating space a the top of the circle, finding the open man, allowing him to walk in.

Also, he does have good size to be an effective NHL, middle-six type guy. He could probably use some muscle, but it does seem like he is relatively strong on the puck, for a 6’4″ offensively-minded player. However, the middle six is a grind in the NHL, and you need to be able to sustain physical play throughout a long NHL season. These are parts of the reasons why he would benefit from another season developing in the AHL.

Could he succeed in the NHL in 2025-26, possibly. Would he benefit more from rounding out his overall game in the AHL, that does seem more likely. Plus, the factor that roster spot availability isn’t really there right now for Ottawa. In contrast, that is as easy as an injury, and perhaps you need a second power play guy. In any case, given the Belleville Senators roster, Halliday will be one of the first callups.

What About Oskar Pettersson’s Positioning In the Depth Charts

Another player who is looking improved, is Oskar Pettersson. We thought he reminded us a bit like Ridly Greig. Playing with a low centre of gravity, always on the puck, like a centreman should be of course, and responsibly defensively. That is to say, Petterson is strong at being on the puck. His quickness further helps in this aspect.

Pettersson does seem to lack size somewhat. However, part of what it takes to be an NHL is working on everything. Pettersson’s strong determination, the fact that he is physically fit, culminates in being the type of correction to become a professional being very much within his reach.

Him being strong on the puck, does negate that potential weakness. You saw it on his goal, too. When you are a player that is always around the puck, you are going to develop quick hands, and improve your finishing skills on pucks at the net. That would be the key, if Pettersson can earn a callup to Ottawa at some point. If he is getting points, in a more so, depth role as he would be given, it is hard to get sent back down. That would have to be his mentality.

Last Up D-Man Carter Yakemchuk

We will start with Yakemchuk by saying his offence has never really been questioned. He only played in the one game, but in that game against the Leafs, you saw his offence early. He was able to walk in and rip one upstairs on the Leafs goaltender Russian prospect Artur Akhtyamov.

You still see some of the defensive weaknesses, but he was staying in pretty good position. However, his ability to engage and close gaps might need some work.

Also, you do notice Yakemchuk’s size. Furthermore, Yakemchuk is very strong with the puck. His puck control ability does seem to be NHL ready. There’s no grenades coming off his stick.

We think that one way to describe Yakemchuk’s play is like the development for someone like Tyler Kleven. You need to remember to remain patient, until they can develop confidence at the speed of the NHL game. The main observation from his defensive play, is that he is in good position. Conversely, he doesn’t necessarily know when he needs to be aggressive. It’s not that he can’t be aggressive, he has the size and the skating. He’s able to close gaps and play strong one-on-one play when he needs to play that style.

However, and again not unlike Kleven earlier in his development to a full-time NHLer, the timing of when to do that needs to be better. It isn’t always about being in good position, there’s explosive forwards out there. Are you going to be the determining factor in stopping plays at your net. Sometimes it isn’t about being just sound defensively, like when you are collapsing on your own goal in the defensive zone to keep the puck out.

There was our update on the three main rookies, trying to make some noise as we switch to the main event. They aren’t fighting for a lot of starting NHL roster spots, because those spots don’t currently exist. However, they are definitely fighting for callups. Any leg up this early in the season, will get you recognized.

Main Photo: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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