Sens Writer: Senators Prospect Rankings & Draft Needs

Great write up. There will be no shortage of D but Parekh is getting TOO much hype imo. I've heard him speak and he reminds of a guy that is great outside the NHL but once he steps in, can't match the hype.

My Top 5 Forwards

1. Macklin Celebrini (C) - nothing more to say.
2. Ivan Demidov (RW) - offensive skills + drive off the charts
3. Cayden Lindstrom (C) - injuries are concern but high ceiling
4. Tiji Iginla (C) - Easily could be ahead of Lindstrom
5. Berkly Catton (C) - Sane as above

My Top 5 D-men

1. Artyom Levshunov (RD) - best all around + safe pick R-shot
2. Anton Silayev (LD) - huge potential, needs excellent D coach
3. Sam Richardinson (LD) - safe, solid Top 4 D-man, top 2?
4. Zeev Buium (LD) - very underrated. High riser like Sanderson was
5. Zayne Parekh (RD) - nice kid, but see a Dumba 2.0

Nice write up KHawk.

Doubled down on my bet with the Stupid Habs Fan (aka my brother) on Saturdays game...bottle of rye for the winner.

My thinking was...if they win, bottle of rye. If they lose, higher draft pick for the Sens.

I'll take the rye. Looks like they are drafting 7th. I can't see them winning against NYR and BOS, both better teams, both playing for position. And I can't see MTL winning both their last games.

Great job on the blog.

With Montreal having taken Kotkaniemi instead of Tkachuk, would they also pass on Tij Iginla?

I'm fine with taking a forward even though RD is the greatest need.

Beat the Rangers.

Great job on the blog.

With Montreal having taken Kotkaniemi instead of Tkachuk, would they also pass on Tij Iginla?

I'm fine with taking a forward even though RD is the greatest need.
- SensFan25

Best player available. Any D will not be available as an NHL player for at LEAST a year.

I like taking a chance on a playmaker. So long as they are not small.

Great job on the blog.

With Montreal having taken Kotkaniemi instead of Tkachuk, would they also pass on Tij Iginla?

I'm fine with taking a forward even though RD is the greatest need.
- SensFan25

There's a lot to like about Iginla, but for Montreal they just always seem to have too many under-sized forwards (e.g. Suzuki, Caufield, Newhook, Gallagher). And while players like Dach and Slafkovsky have got size, they're lacking in terms of physical intimidation. That's why I have trouble seeing the Canadiens pass on a guy like Lindstrom... who could either become a big #2C to complement Suzuki, or a #2LW power forward. Some pundits have him as high as #2 overall in the draft rankings, but I have trouble seeing teams like CHI, SJS, CLB, and ANA not taking the higher-end F/D talent ahead of him... especially given the extent to which those teams have core roster needs.

Nice write up KHawk.

Doubled down on my bet with the Stupid Habs Fan (aka my brother) on Saturdays game...bottle of rye for the winner.

My thinking was...if they win, bottle of rye. If they lose, higher draft pick for the Sens.

I'll take the rye. Looks like they are drafting 7th. I can't see them winning against NYR and BOS, both better teams, both playing for position. And I can't see MTL winning both their last games.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Arizona may be motivated to win their last game, its at home and can let the go out with a bang so to speak. That would be great to help Ottawa move down a spot, and give Coyote fans one last hurrah. I do feel bad for them.

There's a lot to like about Iginla, but for Montreal they just always seem to have too many under-sized forwards (e.g. Suzuki, Caufield, Newhook, Gallagher). And while players like Dach and Slafkovsky have got size, they're lacking in terms of physical intimidation. That's why I have trouble seeing the Canadiens pass on a guy like Lindstrom... who could either become a big #2C to complement Suzuki, or a #2LW power forward. Some pundits have him as high as #2 overall in the draft rankings, but I have trouble seeing teams like CHI, SJS, CLB, and ANA not taking the higher-end F/D talent ahead of him... especially given the extent to which those teams have core roster needs.
- khawk

Is it too soon to look at where Boston's pick ends up? Wishful thinking to have them lose out I guess, particularly since they will be angry following last season. And those type of things rarely happen to benefit the Sens.

But if there's one team that could do it, it's Tampa.

Is it too soon to look at where Boston's pick ends up? Wishful thinking to have them lose out I guess, particularly since they will be angry following last season. And those type of things rarely happen to benefit the Sens.

But if there's one team that could do it, it's Tampa.
- david22

Don't want Detroit to make the playoffs. And in a perfect world, Boston loses in the first round.

In a perfect world we would have traded that pick back when Boston was floundering just before the trade deadline. Playing .500 hockey since before Christmas that Bruins pick had much more value. Now? Much less.

Good write up.
I don't care about this draft.
I'm ready to trade both picks for experience on the back end and potential up front.
First and foremost. The right coach must be signed.

Beat the Rangers.
- BINGO!

No

Nice write up KHawk.

Doubled down on my bet with the Stupid Habs Fan (aka my brother) on Saturdays game...bottle of rye for the winner.

My thinking was...if they win, bottle of rye. If they lose, higher draft pick for the Sens.

I'll take the rye. Looks like they are drafting 7th. I can't see them winning against NYR and BOS, both better teams, both playing for position. And I can't see MTL winning both their last games.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Keep the faith! Lots of pressure on DET. Go Habs Go

No
- AlfieisKing

delete your account

Thanks for the write up and keeping things alive in here.

I think only 3 players might be full time NHLers one day:

- Klevan – Would love to see him become a guy like Methot. Has the tools to do it.
- Ostapchuk – I like his style of play. Will be interesting to see another year of development.
- Merialinen – There is something about him telling me he is the goalie this team has been looking for. Has great raw tools.

The rest of the pool I am not very high on and would like to see a firm change of the prospect pool under the new regime.

In terms of prospects from the draft, I do not have a preference but like Lidstrom. Iginla is an interesting idea as well. I hadn’t considered him really. I also think, with the 2 first rounders, the Sens will be very tempted to move up in the draft in the right situation. Whether it’s moving their own pick or the Boston pick. With that said, with the majority of this core entering their prime, the focus should be on improving the team itself. Improving the prospect pool is gravy.

If you asked me a month ago which teams were cup contenders - easily my top 3 was NYR, CAR, and DAL. All the top 3 teams right now. One of them will be in the cup finals, and I think it will be 2 of the 3. I don't see a team beating DAL in the west, but if there is one - who has a better chance and why?

How tf do you let a 4-1 lead go, f'ing habs

F'ing garbage MTL.....

F'ing garbage MTL.....
- AlfieisKing

Well, a win alone wouldn't have done it anyway. Raymond is a real special player.

Well, at least we will draft around 7th and no higher. We should be able to get someone decent at that spot.

Lots of building still needs to be done in this organization. Even Belleville sucked and couldn't make the playoffs.

Playoff success can be very different than the regular season play. Stanley Cups are won by veteran teams. Bigger teams that play a solid defensive and physical style of hockey, especially in their own end, are hard to get past in a 7 game series.

I know it goes against the grain and even my own hockey beliefs. But this may be the year that the Sens need to add a veteran quality goaltender, a physical Dman who can make guys pay a price in front of our own net. And, a defensive forward is able to play shut down hockey against the other teams top forward line.

Multiple teams are tough against the cap. Sens are in good cap shape and should be able to do at least one blockbuster deal. Put a team on the ice that can win it all next year. I would approve if the Sens need to deal picks. They either succeed this coming year or we are into full rebuild.

Well, at least we will draft around 7th and no higher. We should be able to get someone decent at that spot.

Lots of building still needs to be done in this organization. Even Belleville sucked and couldn't make the playoffs.
- OttawaB

So...sens lose tonight. Mtl wins. Arizona wins. We get 5th pick?

So you're telling me there is a chance I can have rye and get a higher draft pick?

So...sens lose tonight. Mtl wins. Arizona wins. We get 5th pick?

So you're telling me there is a chance I can have rye and get a higher draft pick?
- GrimmdaGoalie

Yes. Assuming no teams including ottawa move up in the lottery.

Thanks for the write up and keeping things alive in here.

I think only 3 players might be full time NHLers one day:

- Klevan – Would love to see him become a guy like Methot. Has the tools to do it.
- Ostapchuk – I like his style of play. Will be interesting to see another year of development.
- Merialinen – There is something about him telling me he is the goalie this team has been looking for. Has great raw tools.

The rest of the pool I am not very high on and would like to see a firm change of the prospect pool under the new regime.

In terms of prospects from the draft, I do not have a preference but like Lidstrom. Iginla is an interesting idea as well. I hadn’t considered him really. I also think, with the 2 first rounders, the Sens will be very tempted to move up in the draft in the right situation. Whether it’s moving their own pick or the Boston pick. With that said, with the majority of this core entering their prime, the focus should be on improving the team itself. Improving the prospect pool is gravy.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Agreed on Kleven and Ostapchuk being the skaters likely to be impact roster players going forward.

Agreed on Kleven and Ostapchuk being the skaters likely to be impact roster players going forward.
- SensFan25

I beginning to like Kleven more and more. I'm warming to the idea of Guenette over JBD.

But Kleven doesn't have a roster spot (shoots L) unless they move someone or if he is willing to play on off wing.