As the Ottawa Senators work to improve their performance, defenseman Jake Sanderson is on a personal mission to elevate his game.
Sanderson’s talent is undeniable—his composure and skillset stand out among his peers. However, at just 22 years old and in his fourth NHL season, he may be putting too much pressure on himself to carry the team.
Despite logging significant ice time and playing on the Senators’ top power-play unit, Sanderson has one goal, 13 assists, and a challenging minus-15 rating on his stat sheet. This mixed performance prompted head coach Travis Green to describe Sanderson’s season as “OK,” acknowledging it hasn’t been his best.
Green sees potential in Sanderson but admits it’s still too early to gauge his ceiling. “He’s too young in the league to know what he’s truly capable of,” Green said.
Sanderson is equally critical of himself, admitting he hasn’t played to his full potential. “I can be a lot better,” Sanderson said. “Sometimes I get frustrated, but I’m always focused on improving. Mentally, I need to move on from mistakes quicker and stay focused on the next play.”
The young defenseman is committed to growth, regularly reviewing game footage and studying other teams. However, simplifying his approach could be key to more consistent success. Instead of forcing plays, Sanderson aims to let the game unfold naturally.
While he doesn’t yet consider himself an elite player, Sanderson is optimistic about his development. “I’m still young and learning,” he said. “I know I’ll get better.”
Green acknowledges that Sanderson has occasionally tried to do too much, a common tendency among young defensemen. Balancing ambition with patience is part of his learning curve. “It’s about figuring out when to take risks and when to stick to simple plays,” Green explained.
Despite these growing pains, Sanderson’s contributions are significant. “He plays big minutes for us and, even on an off night, he’s still very effective,” Green said.
Home Advantage
The Senators kick off a four-game homestand on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, a night that also celebrates the reunion of the legendary Pizza Line trio: Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and Dany Heatley.
Upcoming matchups include Nashville on Saturday, the New York Islanders on Sunday (a 5 p.m. start), and Anaheim on December 11.
Green is urging the team to stay focused on one game at a time, especially after a mixed performance on their recent west-coast trip, which included a win against San Jose, a loss to Los Angeles, and an overtime defeat to Anaheim.
Forward Drake Batherson emphasized the importance of the homestand. “We love playing in our rink,” he said. “It’s four big games, and we’re ready to make the most of them.”
