Senators' Carter Yakemchuk: Shoot-first defender now with Sens

By RotoWire Staff

Jun 28, 2024 at 8:02 pm ET • 1 min read

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Yakemchuk was the seventh overall pick by the Senators at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft on Friday.

Yakemchuk is a big, shoot-first, right-shot defender with star upside. Some scouts knock his skating, but his athleticism, physicality and ability to attack with creativity make him a tantalizing package, especially as a right-shot defender. Yakemchuk's game is full of risk - how many NHL defenders drive the net? But in Ottawa's system, he'll gain a bit more discipline and poise. Some people see Brent Burns in him, but he might be more of a top-four Brandon Montour type. Either way, there's big fantasy upside in Yakemchuk's game.