With the 2025 NHL Draft fast approaching, the Ottawa Senators are preparing to pick 21st overall in the first round, which will take place on June 27th at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. As draft rumors swirl, Blake Fiddler, a big right-shot defenseman from the WHL, frequently emerges as a strong candidate near Ottawa’s draft position.
Fiddler aligns well with the qualities valued by Senators’ GM Steve Staios and his scouting team. In Staios’ first year as GM, he used the team’s top pick on Carter Yakemchuk, a big, right-shot bruiser from Calgary. Later in the draft, he selected the towering 6-foot-7 Gabriel Eliason, further emphasizing the club’s preference for size and physicality on defense.
Fiddler fits that profile perfectly.
However, while Fiddler is a big right-shot defender like Yakemchuk, their playing styles contrast. Yakemchuk needs improvement in defense and skating, whereas these are Fiddler’s strengths. Fiddler has solid stats and power play experience but might require more development offensively.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 209 pounds, Fiddler boasts smooth skating skills that are uncommon for players his size. He played a crucial role in leading the Edmonton Oil Kings to the playoffs this season, catching the attention of NHL scouts.
Fiddler scored 10 goals and contributed 23 assists for 33 points in 64 WHL games. He is known for his willingness to join the offense, confidently moving up in the neutral zone and pinching in the offensive zone.
He also represented Team USA at the U18 World Championship in Frisco, Texas—his hometown—where he registered 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) in seven games. Additionally, he captained Team USA at the Flinka Gretzky Cup last summer.
Draft rankings place Fiddler around 21st overall, with TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy and Tony Ferrari all marking him at 21, while TSN’s Craig Button places him 39th. Some analysts argue that Fiddler’s offensive and defensive abilities warrant first-round consideration.
As you might say, if you like him, you like him.
Fiddler’s defensive reliability, size, and toughness make him well-suited to a top-four shutdown role in the NHL, especially in the playoffs where physical play intensifies, like containing players such as Sam Bennett. He could develop into a right-shot defender similar to Tyler Cleven.
Like Senators’ defenseman Jake Sanderson, Fiddler has a hockey lineage—his father, Vern Fiddler, played 877 NHL games before retiring in 2017—which could add appeal for Ottawa.
If the Senators continue their recent draft strategy focusing on big defensemen, Blake Fiddler could very well be their pick at 21.
Steve Warne
Hockey News Ottawa
Banner Image Credit: Western Hockey League
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Fan Take: This potential pick matters because solidifying the blue line with a skilled, physical defenseman like Blake Fiddler can significantly impact the Senators’ future competitiveness. For hockey fans, seeing young talent with NHL-ready attributes and strong hockey heritage enter the league brings excitement and hope for a deeper, tougher style of play in years to come.
