Jordan Spence — The Unsung Defenseman Driving the Senators’ Push
Jordan Spence is a 25-year-old right-shot defenceman who arrived in Ottawa via trade from the Los Angeles Kings on June 28, 2025. He isn’t a well-known name yet, but he’s the kind of player fans notice only when he stops noticing them—steady, available, and increasingly dangerous. This season, he’s set NHL career highs in goals (5), even-strength points (24) and shots (90) while stepping into heavy minutes amid injuries to Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot.
Why Spence matters to the Senators.
Spence has done more than plug holes; he’s expanded the team’s options. Playing on the second pair alongside rookie Carter Yakemchuk and getting time on the second power play with Shane Pinto and Claude Giroux, Spence provides a rare blend. He’s reliable, defends minutes, has a meaningful offensive zone presence, and a willingness to drive play. Per NHL EDGE, he ranks third among defensemen in offensive-zone time percentage (47.7%) and sits in the 91st percentile for offensive-zone start percentage. Those are not the numbers of a squeaky-boot depth option; they’re the marks of a defenseman trusted to tilt the ice toward the opponent’s net.
Spence’s recent surge has come at a key time for the Senators.
Spence’s production has come at a crucial moment. He’s posted seven points in his last eight games (one goal, six assists) and registered a season-high five shots vs. Toronto and a 27:48 TOI outing against Pittsburgh. In several games, he’s shown a knack for finding rebounds and finishing in traffic. His goal against Tampa Bay was textbook. He was aggressive in front, ready to pounce on a spilled save. He’s also contributing in the dirty areas: blocked shots and hits are ticking up, evidence that he’s willing to do the heavy lifting.
Spence’s playing style and upside.
Spence isn’t a top-pairing puck wizard, but he’s a modern complementary defender: buys offence with intelligent positioning, moves the puck cleanly to transition, and sustains offensive zone pressure. His high-danger goals and offensive-zone usage suggest that coaches trust him in key sequences. With more seasoning and stable deployment, there’s legitimate upside for Spence to become a reliable top-four piece who can eat tough minutes and chip in 30–40 points over a full healthy season.
What to watch next with Spence?
Here are some things to watch with Spence. First, what’s his deployment vs. elite lines? Can he sustain minutes against top competition without bleeding chances? Second, will he continue to have power-play chemistry with Claude Giroux and Shane Pinto? If so, will his role there continue to generate secondary assists?
Finally, can he stay healthy and effective? As Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot return, will Spence keep meaningful minutes or be nudged back to depth status? If he can, he’ll be a strong player for the Senators for a long time.