Senators on the bubble: Yakemchuk with disaster performance, Meriläinen gets lit up

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeOttawa SenatorsSportsHockeyNHL Senators on the bubble: Yakemchuk with disaster performance, Meriläinen gets lit up Despite two losses, the coaching staff has plenty of tape to look over on depth players Author of the article: By Callum Fraser Published Sep 23, 2026 Last updated 58 minutes ago 4 minute read Join the conversation Ottawa Senators defenceman Carter Yakemchuk takes part in the team's training camp at the Bell Sensplex in Ottawa on Sept. 17, 2026. PHOTO BY TONY CALDWELL /Postmedia Network Article content With each of their top four defencemen out for various reasons, split-squad games with the Toronto Maple Leafs went about how you would expect for the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. Article content In Toronto, it was a 6-1 drubbing. The Maple Leafs stars had their way all night long. Article content Article content In Ottawa, the Leafs’ B Squad — only a handful of NHL-calibre players were sent to the nation’s capital — eked out a 4-2 victory. Article content Article content Despite the losses, the Senators coaching staff got to see all of the organization’s depth in action, making roster decisions that much easier in a week’s time. Article content Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Playing in Toronto Article content Carter Yakemchuk Article content There was a roster spot with his name on it when training camp started, but Carter Yakemchuk hasn’t done much to convince the Senators that he’s ready to graduate to the NHL. Article content He had a dreadful night, offering up a ton of room to opposing forwards on the rush, seemingly afraid to get beat due to slow foot speed. And when he did attempt to gap up, he was beaten wide. Yakemchuk was caught looking around for someone to cover in the defensive zone all game, rarely anticipating the Maple Leafs’ attack. Ahead of Jake McCabe’s 1-0 goal, Yakemchuk was unable to intercept McCabe’s initial pass or clear John Tavares during an ensuing scramble in front. Article content Perhaps the 20-year-old’s worst moment of the night came midway through the second period when he was totally fooled by a set play executed by Toronto. After a D-zone face-off win, Jack Roslovic made a beeline for the far…