Carter Yakemchuk Prospect Write-up

At 6’4” and 207 pounds, Carter Yakemchuk nearly cracked the NHL roster as an 18-year-old during last year’s preseason, leaving a strong impression on the Ottawa Senators’ coaching staff. While it’s wise to avoid overreacting to preseason performances, Yakemchuk’s combination of size, skill, and hockey IQ suggests he’s ready to take the next step. In recent prospect games, he turned heads with an electrifying two-goal performance, showcasing a level of dominance that sets him apart from his peers. Let’s break down what makes Yakemchuk a standout and why he’s poised to make waves in the NHL and in fantasy hockey circles.

Selected seventh overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2024 NHL Draft, Yakemchuk was a reach for some analysts, who projected him in the 15-20 range. However, Ottawa’s front office saw something special in the right-handed defenseman, a position of critical need for the franchise. The Senators have struggled to solidify their right-side defense, cycling through prospects like former first-rounder Jacob Bernard-Docker and veterans such as Travis Hamonic, Artem Zub, and newly acquired Jordan Spence. The presence of Artem Zub, a steady defensive presence with 25 points in 81 games during the 2023-24 season, and Jordan Spence, who posted 24 points in 71 games with the Los Angeles Kings in the same season, adds competition, but Yakemchuk’s potential could vault him past these competitors. In his final season with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen in 2023-24, he tallied an impressive 30 goals and 71 points in 66 games, leading all WHL defensemen in goals. His offensive flair, combined with his imposing physical presence, makes him a perfect fit for a Senators team desperate for a game-changer on the back end. Even if Yakemchuk develops into an average NHLer, his skill set and handedness could see him crack Ottawa’s current depth chart, which includes Nick Jensen, Artem Zub, and Jordan Spence.

For fantasy hockey managers, Yakemchuk is a name to watch. His high-skill toolset, paired with Ottawa’s weakness at right-handed defense, positions him as a potential breakout star. While he’s unlikely to usurp Thomas Chabot or Jake Sanderson for top power-play duties, his ability to quarterback the rush and log heavy minutes makes him a valuable asset. His rugged style, evidenced by 120 penalty minutes and consistent physical play in junior, adds appeal in hits and bangers leagues. In his 2023-24 WHL campaign, he also recorded 147 shots on goal, highlighting his knack for generating offense from the blue line.

https://youtu.be/w12H-fecDCI?si=Nv678nO32utZzodF

(Coast to coast goal in preseason)

Yakemchuk has a golden opportunity to secure a roster spot out of training camp. His draft pedigree, right-handed shot, and dynamic skill set could propel him into Ottawa’s top-four defense, potentially even a top-pairing role alongside a playmaker like Chabot or Sanderson, surpassing veterans like Artem Zub and Jordan Spence. His recent prospect game heroics—two goals in a single outing—only amplify the hype surrounding his NHL readiness. As the preseason unfolds, his performance will be under the microscope. If he continues to shine, he could cement himself as a mainstay in Ottawa’s lineup and a sleeper pick in redraft fantasy leagues. Keep an eye on this towering defenseman; his blend of size, skill, and opportunity could make him one of the 2025-26 season’s biggest surprises.

NHL Comparison 

Carter Yakemchuk, the 7th overall pick in 2024 by the Ottawa Senators, draws a compelling modern comparison to Aaron Ekblad, a towering right-shot defenseman who combines size, elite junior production, and rapid NHL ascent with the Florida Panthers. At 6'4" and 215 lbs, Ekblad's frame edges Yakemchuk's 6'3", 202-lb build while mirroring his offensive firepower (53 points, 23 goals in 55 OHL games at age 16) and early pro breakthrough (39 points as an 18-year-old rookie in 2014-15, earning Calder contention). Both thrive as puck-movers with booming point shots and rush activation, as seen in Yakemchuk's 2025 Prospects Showdown (2G/1A, ~4-5 SOG, 2-3 hits), blending high-event creativity (60%+ controlled entries) with physical edge (Ekblad's 1.2 hits/game, Yakemchuk's 1.2 PIM/GP). Yakemchuk's raw defense needs Ekblad-like refinement for gap control, but his WHL dominance (30G, 71P in 2023-24) projects a similar 40-50 point, top-pair ceiling by Year 2, positioning him as a high-upside anchor for Ottawa's rebuild.