The 20-year-old defenseman prospect, the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, was unable to take part in on-ice sessions during Ottawa's development camp, which was held July 11-14.
"I want to be out there, but I've learned to be patient throughout this process," Sanderson said. "Obviously I'm kicking myself and wish I could be out there with the guys and be able to skate with them, but I know my time will come and I've got to be patient."
Sanderson has had surgery on his hand twice in 2022, once after it was stepped on during a late-season game playing with the University of North Dakota, and a second time after a "freak accident" in the gym.
Other injuries and a trip to the 2022 Beijing Olympics to play for the United States meant Sanderson was limited to 23 games for North Dakota last season, but he was able to put up good numbers. He was one of two players on his team to average more than 1.00 points per game (26 points; eight goals, 18 assists). The other was forward Riese Gaber (37 points; 15 goals, 22 assists in 34 games).
Expectations are high anticipating Sanderson's eventual NHL debut. Senators general manager Pierre Dorion has said Sanderson has a chance to be perhaps the best defensemen Ottawa ever has drafted.
"I was part of a group that drafted Erik Karlsson and Thomas Chabot," Dorion told TSN 1200 in May. "And I feel that we have someone ... that the impact can be as good or better than those two guys.
"We have something special in Jake Sanderson."
All that said, Sanderson said his priority is being ready to play in September, not necessarily comparing himself to Ottawa's all-time greats.
The Senators said Sanderson's rehab should be completed by mid-August, but the defenseman doesn't want to put a timeline on it.
"I don't want to disappoint myself if I'm not ready for [camp]," Sanderson said. "I'm pretty happy with how things are going with my hand. I'm progressing every single day and I'm feeling more comfortable with it. There will be a time when I know I'm 100 percent, but right now I'm just focused on the day-to-day stuff."
Before camp, Sanderson will make a trip home to see family in Montana, then return to Ottawa for more treatment and workouts. He's not getting ahead of himself, but the idea of making his NHL debut with a team fresh off several major offseason moves is more motivation to get healthy.
Among the Senators' new faces this season will be forward Claude Giroux, who signed a three-year contract July 13, forward Alex DeBrincat, acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 7. and goalie Cam Talbot, acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild on July 13.
"There's some big names and some pretty cool guys coming in," Sanderson said. "I think the Ottawa Senators are going to be an exciting team to watch this next year."
