It goes without saying that NHL franchises often find their future stars in the early rounds of the draft. That includes the Ottawa Senators, whose best three players, Jake Sanderson, Tim Stutzle, and Brady Tkachuk, were all top five overall selections.
But several popular and productive players were drafted after the third round, well after a lot of the NHL media had left the draft and gone home.
Here’s a look at the top 10 Senators draft picks (along with a few links from our archives) who were selected in the fourth round or later, yet went on to make a lasting impact with Sens fans. We steered away from excellent late Sens picks like Pavol Demitra or Brooks Laich, who made their names elsewhere.
1. Daniel Alfredsson – 133rd Overall (6th Round, 1994)
No surprise here. Alfredsson remains the greatest player in franchise history. Drafted in the sixth round, Alfie racked up 1,108 points in 1,246 games and served as team captain for 13 seasons. He won the Calder Trophy in 1996, led the team to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, and went from sixth-rounder to Hall of Famer.
2. Mark Stone – 178th Overall (6th Round, 2010)
The Senators had only four draft picks in 2010 and had they known Stone would turn out so well, they probably wouldn't have chosen Jakub Culek and Marcus Sorensen before taking Stone in round six with their third pick. Stone became one of the best wingers in franchise history before being traded to Vegas in 2019.
Gotta See It: Former Senator Mark Stone Leads Vegas to the Stanley CupSenators fans weigh in on their emotions Tuesday night after Vegas captain Mark Stone was presented with the Stanley Cup.
3. Chris Neil – 161st Overall (6th Round, 1998)
Chris Neil was the heartbeat of the Senators for over a decade. A physical force and enforcer, Neil played 1,026 NHL games, all with Ottawa, and became a fan favourite. He provided grit, leadership, and was always ready to defend teammates.
4. Drake Batherson – 121st Overall (4th Round, 2017)
Drafted in the fourth round as a bit of a project, Batherson has blossomed into a top-six forward. With great vision, hands, and offensive instincts, he's quickly become a key piece of Ottawa’s current group. He’s already cracked the 20-goal mark three times and continues to develop.
5. Jean-Gabriel Pageau – 96th Overall (4th Round, 2011)
Born in Ottawa and drafted by his hometown team, Pageau made his name with strong two-way play and timely goals. None more memorable than his four-goal playoff game against the Rangers in 2017. A solid playoff performer and dependable center, Pageau was a late-round steal.
6. Mike Hoffman – 130th Overall (5th Round, 2009)
Hoffman was one of Ottawa’s most consistent offensive threats in the 2010s. Known for his deadly shot and skating, he scored six straight 20+ goal seasons and was a mainstay on the power play. Though his time in Ottawa ended amid controversy, his on-ice production made him one of their best late-round finds.
Has Former Ottawa Senator Mike Hoffman Played His Last NHL Game?In just five years, the 34-year-old winger went from being a 70-point NHL scorer to not being able to find a contract.
7. Ryan Dzingel – 204th Overall (7th Round, 2011)
Dzingel turned heads with his speed and energy, cracking Ottawa’s top six after being a seventh-round pick. He scored 20+ goals in back-to-back seasons before being traded in 2019. He later returned for a second stint, but it was his early impact that showed off his draft-day value.
8. Magnus Arvedson – 119th Overall (7th Round, 1997)
Nicknamed "The Machine" by Jacques Martin, Arvedson was a reliable two-way forward who brought consistency and smarts to Ottawa’s lineup in the late ’90s and early 2000s. He scored 47 points in his second season and even received Selke Trophy votes that year, finishing second for the award in 1999.
9. Mark Borowiecki – 139th Overall (5th Round, 1989)
Borowiecki played nine seasons with the Senators. Over his 12-season NHL career, he appeared in 458 regular-season games, recording 15 goals, 41 assists, and 848 penalty minutes. He became a fan favourite for his tireless work ethic, leadership, and willingness to take on anyone. Boro came back and settled in Ottawa with his family and works in player development with the Nashville Predators.
Former Senator Mark Borowiecki: "My Career as a Pro Hockey Player Has Come to an End"The man they call "Borocop" in Ottawa has announced his retirement and, after a fine hockey career, he's now looking to "pay it forward."
10. Ray Emery – 99th Overall (4th Round, 2001)
Emery’s fiery personality and style made him a fan favorite. Drafted in the fourth round, he was the Senators’ starting goalie during their run to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. Though his time in Ottawa was relatively brief, his postseason heroics left a lasting legacy.
Looking Back on the Life and Career of Former Ottawa Senators Goalie Ray EmeryJust a month before the fiery Ray Emery backstopped the Senators' run to their only Cup Final, The Hockey News profiled Emery's extremely interesting life and career to that point.
Drafting is a mix of smart scouting and luck, but Ottawa’s past success with players outside the top three rounds drives home how crucial scouting and development are. From a franchise icon like Alfredsson to players like Stone and Batherson, the Senators have unearthed more than their fair share of late-round gold.
Fans are hoping they have a few more solid sleepers in mind at this year's draft June 27-28.
Banner image credit: Imagn Images
Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa