Patience or potential? Senators must choose the right path for Carter Yakemchuk

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeOttawa SenatorsSportsHockeyNHLSenators Extra Patience or potential? Senators must choose the right path for Carter Yakemchuk Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green must decide whether defenceman is ready to be a full-time NHL player. Author of the article: By Bruce Garrioch Published Sep 24, 2026 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 Will Carter Yakemchuk stay or will he go? Article content That’s what fans of the Ottawa Senators want to know as training camp enters its final phase, with two split-squad games against the Montreal Canadiens left on Saturday night at the Canadian Tire Centre and the Bell Centre in Montreal. Article content Article content The 20-year-old defenceman, selected No. 7 overall by the Senators in the 2024 National Hockey League draft, is one of a handful of players the club must make a decision on when it sets the opening-night roster by Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline. Article content Article content Steve Staios — the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager — head coach Travis Green and his staff must decide whether Yakemchuk is ready to be a full-time NHL player. 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 After spending last season with the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville, there is no question that Yakemchuk’s offensive game is at the point where he could be a contributor in the NHL, but his defensive play still leaves a lot to be desired. Article content He spent part of his summer working with the Senators’ skating coach, Shelley Kettles, but Yakemchuk’s movement around the ice remains an issue. Article content “I don’t think his feet or mobility are good enough yet,” a league executive said on Thursday. “Especially when he has to transition quickly from forward to backward skating.” Article content Injuries open roster spots Article content The decisions on defence shouldn’t be difficult for the Senators, but the one surrounding Yakemchuk presents a…