Senators bet on upside in Lagerberg Hoen and Cover - NHL.com
Senators Draft Selections
The Ottawa Senators made two selections in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft on Friday, focusing on players with significant potential. The team used their 25th overall pick to select Swedish right winger Jonas Lagerberg Hoen. This pick was acquired as part of the return for Brady Tkachuk. Less than an hour later, the Senators utilized the 32nd overall pick to draft Jaxon Cover, a native of the Cayman Islands who began playing ice hockey at the age of 13.
Don Boyd, the Senators’ head scout, indicated that the team’s strategy for the draft was to acquire skilled players. He expressed satisfaction that their plan materialized as intended. European scout Anders Östberg noted that Lagerberg Hoen does not fit the typical profile of a Swedish prospect, highlighting his ability to toe drag and shoot, and his tendency to position himself effectively for scoring opportunities. Östberg also described Lagerberg Hoen as a goal-scorer who can skate well and score from various positions, emphasizing his competitive nature and strong interviews.
Boyd mentioned that the organization had concerns about Lagerberg Hoen still being available by the 32nd overall pick, suggesting they were pleased to secure him earlier. The Leksands program, where Lagerberg Hoen developed, has produced several NHL players over the past two decades, including Filip Forsberg, Oliver Ekman Larsson, Victor Rask, and Emil Heineman.
Player Profiles and Development
Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, an 18-year-old forward, played in nine games this past season with Leksands IF in Sweden. During these games, the 6-foot-2 forward scored nine goals and accumulated 16 points. His season was cut short in October due to a knee injury. However, Östberg confirmed that Lagerberg Hoen has fully recovered from the injury and is expected to travel to Ottawa for a development camp in the coming days. Östberg praised Lagerberg Hoen’s professional approach to rehabilitation, noting his careful progression and adherence to his physical rehab coach’s advice.
Lagerberg Hoen’s previous season with the U-20 Leksands IF squad saw him score 27 goals in 38 games, placing him second on the team. The Leksands team was demoted from the top tier of Swedish hockey after the most recent season and will compete in the second-tier Allsvenskan in the 2026–27 season. Östberg believes this will provide a good developmental environment for Lagerberg Hoen, who has a professional contract with the team and is expected to have a significant role.
Jaxon Cover’s path to the draft has been less conventional. He grew up in the Cayman Islands, where he played roller hockey, before transitioning to ice hockey at 13 when he began attending St. Andrew’s College near Toronto. Area scout Beau Moyer has been tracking Cover’s progress for three years, observing his steady ascent from U-16 hockey to prep school and then to his first year in the OHL. Moyer highlighted Cover’s high skill set and significant potential, noting that he had only played one year of AAA hockey before moving to prep school.
Boyd stated that the scouting staff was looking for scorers and potential in their draft picks, and they found these qualities in Cover. Cover was second on the London Knights with 20 goals and 52 points. Boyd emphasized that Cover was drafted for his ability and skill, with the belief that he can become an offensive player. Moyer described Cover as a player who makes impactful plays unexpectedly and is not afraid to challenge opponents one-on-one to create offensive opportunities. He also noted Cover’s consistent improvement throughout the season, particularly after the trade deadline when he became a crucial player for his team.
Cover’s selection marks a historic moment, as he is the first player ever drafted into the NHL from the Cayman Islands. He expressed his surprise at being drafted, stating he had no prior indication that the Senators would select him. Cover acknowledged that if he had been told at the beginning of the year that he would be in this situation, he would not have believed it.
Senators’ Draft Strategy
The Senators entered the draft with multiple first-round picks, including the 25th and 32nd overall selections. The 32nd overall pick was regained in early March, while the 25th pick came via Florida, Seattle, and originally Tampa Bay. The team also held several later-round picks, including three in the third round. These included the 72nd pick via Florida, the 87th pick, and the 91st pick via Los Angeles, Carolina, Calgary, and originally Dallas.
The draft itself was held at KeyBank Centre in Buffalo, NY, with the first round commencing at 7:00 PM ET on Friday. Rounds 2 through 7 were scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM ET on Saturday morning. Similar to the 2025 draft, this year’s event featured a decentralized format, with prospects, their families, and select media present in Buffalo, while the 32 teams operated from their respective home cities.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had previously indicated that the league considered fan feedback on the new format, aiming to streamline the process while still incorporating innovative elements. The Senators’ selections of Lagerberg Hoen and Cover reflect a strategic focus on acquiring players with significant offensive upside and long-term potential for the team.
Source: nhl.com
