It was worth the wait for the Ottawa Senators and Logan Hensler.

Steve Staios did a little wheeling and dealing before making the club’s first-round pick on Friday night.

Scheduled to select No. 21 in the first round of the National Hockey League draft, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager delivered on the possibility of moving the selection to get another asset in return.

Minutes after the Senators were put on the clock, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman pressed the big red “Trade Alert” button to confirm Ottawa had traded its pick to the Nashville Predators for the No. 23 overall selection and the No. 67 pick in the third round.

Staios had indicated he was willing to move back if he was able to get another selection, and it was clear the club felt it could get Hensler, a right-shot defenceman who attends Wisconsin University.

Hensler, 18, a 6-foot-2 blueliner, had two goals and 32 points last season at Wisconsin. His responsibilities grew over the year. He is strong at both ends of the ice.

“It’s a dream come true,” Hensler said. “I’m happy to go to a great organization. I’m really happy with where I landed, and I’m super excited to get started.”

It just so happens that Hensler is a big fan of a player who pulls on No. 85 for the Senators on the blueline on a nightly basis.

“Funny enough, Jake Sanderson,” said Hensler when he was asked who he likes to model his game after.

“I think we have very good skating. I’m trying to take in just how simple and efficient he is. Overall, he’s an elite defenceman. That’s a goal I’m chasing. I think I can reach it.”

If Hensler turns into Sanderson, then this will be another home run selection by the highly respected Ottawa scouting staff.

Comedian and actor Tom Green, an Ottawa native, made the selection on behalf of the Senators. He was in the bowels of the rink to make the pick, and Green will host the Canadian Country Music Awards in September.

The league opted to go with a decentralized draft this year. The Senators had their draft table set up in the club’s dressing room. That’s where Staios was surrounded by his closest advisors to make the pick.

Chief scout Don Boyd was confident heading into this night that the Senators would get a strong prospect who would play in the league down the road. Hensler is a Minnesota native.

“You never have enough defencemen, and right-handed (shots) are at a premium,” Boyd said. “He’s got so much room to grow, and so much potential. There is more offence in his game than if you look at the numbers this year.”

The club also drafted right-shot blueliner Carter Yakemchuk last year. TSN’s Bob McKenzie had Hensler ranked No. 15 on the list of the top 80 prospects he released on Tuesday.

“Defensively, he can meet the rush and stop it. He can get a puck. He can go back and get pucks very quickly, turn and move it up the ice very quickly,” Boyd said.

Unfortunately, technical difficulties didn’t allow Hensler to speak with Staios, Boyd, owner Michael Andlauer or scout Dan Boeser after the selection was made.

Hensler did speak to the crew by phone, and he’ll be in town for the development camp next week. He’s at Wisconsin right now for an eight-week training program that started in early June.

“It’s a great organization and I’m pumped to get started with them,” Hensler said. “I’m excited it’s them. To be drafted by Ottawa is amazing. I’m grateful for the chance.”

Hensler is familiar with Ottawa because he won gold here in January with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF world junior championship. He knows how electric the Canadian Tire Centre can be.

“That gold medal is something I’ll never forget, and hopefully keep that rolling when I get in that building,” Hensler said

This was supposed to be the fourth time in franchise history that the Senators have had the 21st selection.

The club chose defenceman Anton Volchenkov in 2000, forward Stefan Noesen in 2011, and forward Colin White in 2015.

“We believed we could get (Hensler at No. 23), and we moved back and we were able to get another asset,” said Boyd. “He’s changed his game a little, and he’s continued to grow. He’s a really good skater, and he can move pucks.”

Boyd also noted that if you have a chance to get another right shot, you need to take it because those are at a premium. Every team is looking for one.

“It always comes into play when you’re talking about a right-handed defenceman,” said Boyd. “There are a lot more left-handed defencemen than right-shot (blueliners) in the world.”

Andlauer told season ticket holders that Staios was offered the opportunity to move up before the draft got started. Staios had stated heading into the draft that he doubted he would move up.

bgarrioch@postmedia.com