Ugh... I guess they're trying to pull another "Batherson" move with the Sokolov pick... going after an overage player in Cape Breton... though in this case they're using a 2nd round pick in a strong draft, instead of a 4th round pick in a weak draft.

Draft Profile (notably, from 2018)
https://www.allabouttheje...profile-cape-breton-qmjhl

Again... is there any particular reason to be making a pick like this at #59? I find it very hard to believe there was any buzz whatsoever around this guy being picked sometime before their 3rd round pick, at the very least.

He’s 20

Probably play in Belleville to start season
- Trilla

Interesting to take an over-ager. Maybe Tanner Pearson type of situation.

He’s 20

Probably play in Belleville to start season
- Trilla

he's the kind of player we should be taking.....high probability he flops, but if he doesn't, he has mad skill and goal scoring ability

Interesting to take an over-ager. Maybe Tanner Pearson type of situation.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

according to what I've read, was passed over previously because he's not a strong skater and had questionable conditioning (although improved this season after dropping about 15lbs).

I don't mind taking a chance on a guy who has lots of highend skills, but needs to work on his skating.......worked out pretty well with Stone.

Kleven is 6' 4" and 200 lbs.

He is at North Dakota along with JBD, Pinto and Jake Sanderson. He and Sanderson are roommates.
- spatso

but why another left d !!!!!!! especially with the talent still in the top of the 2nd round

No Grans! No Wallinder!

according to what I've read, was passed over previously because he's not a strong skater and had questionable conditioning (although improved this season after dropping about 15lbs).

I don't mind taking a chance on a guy who has lots of highend skills, but needs to work on his skating.......worked out pretty well with Stone.
- sensarmy_11

Ya. I don't mind the pick. I'm less of a fan of the Klevan pick (considering the trade for the pick) after reviewing the 2nd round. Would have been nice to take a chance on a centre. Just further disappoints me they didn't use one the 2nd rounders to move up to grab Lapierre or another 1st rounder.

but why another left d !!!!!!! especially with the talent still in the top of the 2nd round
No Grans! No Wallinder!
- AlfieisKing

In fairness to Dorion, Wallinder was off the board at #31, and Grans went shortly after Jarventie. I've also been repeatedly assured that Brannstrom prefers playing the RHD position even though he shoots L, which could make a natural fit alongside Kleven down the road.

Sens take a Finn with an unpronounceable name (Robby yxxxxx). Big kid, rugged winger. Most noticeable, another younger player (August birthday). 3 out of the Sens first 4 picks are kids who are on the younger side of the draft board.

Love this. Most of the younger kids never don't begin to crawl up the draft board until the last third and post season.
- spatso

Projects as a third line player - Sens building up a team of grinders and seem to be afraid of skill.

Ya. I don't mind the pick. I'm less of a fan of the Klevan pick (considering the trade for the pick) after reviewing the 2nd round. Would have been nice to take a chance on a centre. Just further disappoints me they didn't use one the 2nd rounders to move up to grab Lapierre or another 1st rounder.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Well, and that's just it... you see Mukhamadullin and Chinakhov go back-to-back at 20/21, where at least one of New Jersey and Carolina being very open to a trade-down scenario, and you really have to wonder about the thought process. Factor in the lack of any pure C being drafted so far, and the fact that Lapierre is from Gatineau, and it's just a huge miss all-round.

Now, watching a guy like Lukas Cormier get picked only a few spots AFTER Yegor Sokolov is making me want to yell at my screen.

Leevi Merilainen. A Goalie. Dorian drunk?

Leevi Merilainen. A Goalie. Dorian drunk?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

FFS, this guy isn't even one of the top-10 ranked goalies in the draft.
https://www.eliteprospect...r/499423/leevi-merilainen

Once again, why does this have to be a 3rd round pick? Jeremie Poirier got picked next... even if you don't like him all that much, would he not have at least been worth quite a bit more in trade currency than a random Finnish goaltender who's now 6th in the depth chart?

I'm starting to buy into your theory that there's literally no scouting going on any more. Outside of the truly obvious Byfield/Stutzle pick (which was essentialy made for them by the Kings), it's nothing but UND players, 2nd generation "name" players, and then a bunch of random $hit that's mindlessly off the board.

Projects as a third line player - Sens building up a team of grinders and seem to be afraid of skill.
- CaliNewf

Weve always known the sens prioritized "safe to way guys", but it looks especially pronounced tbis draft with how many picks they have .

FFS, this guy isn't even one of the top-10 ranked goalies in the draft.
https://www.eliteprospect...r/499423/leevi-merilainen

Once again, why does this have to be a 3rd round pick? Jeremie Poirier got picked next... even if you don't like him all that much, would he not have at least been worth quite a bit more in trade currency than a random Finnish goaltender who's now 6th in the depth chart?
- khawk

I was desperately trying to find out where this guy was ranked and couldn't find it. Some people on twitter are surprised he got drafted at all. This couldn't wait until round 6 because?

Dorion is walking thin ice with a couple of the picks today...

Weve always known the sens prioritized "safe to way guys", but it looks especially pronounced tbis draft with how many picks they have .
- david22

There are a couple of skilled guys but there is an obsession with "safe" players. Lazar, White, now Sanderson, Grieg, and Klevan.

Not sure what the fear is to take a chance on skilled guys. It's not like the "safe" picks have resulted in corner stones for this franchise.

Further investigation, Sens took 2 Finns who play very close to Euro scout Mikko Ruutu. Looks like they really only scouted a few areas.

Anything can happen, but jeezz.

Well, and that's just it... you see Mukhamadullin and Chinakhov go back-to-back at 20/21, where at least one of New Jersey and Carolina being very open to a trade-down scenario, and you really have to wonder about the thought process. Factor in the lack of any pure C being drafted so far, and the fact that Lapierre is from Gatineau, and it's just a huge miss all-round.

Now, watching a guy like Lukas Cormier get picked only a few spots AFTER Yegor Sokolov is making me want to yell at my screen.
- khawk

This draft as a whole for the Sens has been, overall underwhelming

I was desperately trying to find out where this guy was ranked and couldn't find it. Some people on twitter are surprised he got drafted at all. This couldn't wait until round 6 because?
Dorion is walking thin ice with a couple of the picks today...
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Exactly... were the scouts really going to walk out if the 5th-7th round picks didn't yield an overage Russian winger or unheard of Finnish goalie? That's what those G-D picks are meant for, taking random swings for the fences.

Seriously, these 2nd/3rd round picks were a major part of the return they got for players like Dzingel, Stone, and DeMelo. WTF is the point of collecting all of these picks, if you're just going to piss them away like this?

Exactly... were the scouts really going to walk out if the 5th-7th round picks didn't yield an overage Russian winger or unheard of Finnish goalie? That's what those G-D picks are meant for, taking random swings for the fences.

Seriously, these 2nd/3rd round picks were a major part of the return they got for players like Dzingel, Stone, and DeMelo. WTF is the point of collecting all of these picks, if you're just going to piss them away like this?
- khawk

The only player they’ve selected today I could get on board with is Jarventie. He could be a solid Pf down the road.

Every other player chosen was either a reach or potential depth moves. Lot of fringe players

Exactly... were the scouts really going to walk out if the 5th-7th round picks didn't yield an overage Russian winger or unheard of Finnish goalie? That's what those G-D picks are meant for, taking random swings for the fences.

Seriously, these 2nd/3rd round picks were a major part of the return they got for players like Dzingel, Stone, and DeMelo. WTF is the point of collecting all of these picks, if you're just going to piss them away like this?
- khawk

I share the frustration.

I don't mind the Sokolov and Jarventie picks but they were taken too early.

No sense in trading up for Klevan or even taking him.

No sense in taking an unranked Merilainen in the 3rd round.

The move for Murray in goal. Meh. Rather of used the assets to move up in the 1st round.

Really a waste of an impressive collection of picks.

But who knows, maybe we eat our words in 3 years.

I share the frustration.

I don't mind the Sokolov and Jarventie picks but they were taken too early.

No sense in trading up for Klevan or even taking him.

No sense in taking an unranked Merilainen in the 3rd round.

The move for Murray in goal. Meh. Rather of used the assets to move up in the 1st round.

Really a waste of an impressive collection of picks.

But who knows, maybe we eat our words in 3 years.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Stutzle is the only bright spot in what has been a disappointing draft.

That Sanderson pick has really made me bitter.

The good news is there’s still moves to be made. Sens still have a crap load of cap space. Hopefully we could see a move where everyone is happy.

The only player they’ve selected today I could get on board with is Jarventie. He could be a solid Pf down the road.
Every other player chosen was either a reach or potential depth moves. Lot of fringe players
- Trilla

Beyond Stutzle/Sanderson, I'm virtually stunned as to the lack of promising high-end talent they've managed to select from having 9 picks in the top-90 of an objectively deep draft. Honestly, just take a minute to consider the following 3 groups of prospects with roughly the same positional mix, and consider which sounds like the more promising group...

Group A. Brisson, Peterka, Mysak, Cormier, and Daws
Group B. Bourque, Gunler, Blomqvist, Simontaival, and Poirier
Group C. Greig, Jarventie, Kleven, Sokolov, and Merilainen

For reference, groups A and B were both 100% viable options they could have selected in lieu of the picks they made (i.e. all of those players were available within a few picks of the choices they actually made).

So yeah, that's not too f-ing good.

Stutzle is the only bright spot in what has been a disappointing draft.

That Sanderson pick has really made me bitter.

The good news is there’s still moves to be made. Sens still have a crap load of cap space. Hopefully we could see a move where everyone is happy.
- Trilla

I'm not sure about moves. Seems like this draft was the time to do any significant moves that involve picks/taking on salary/etc.

But you are right, they still have to put together a roster to actually ice next season, so a move or two could be in the works.

I don't think Dorion knocked it out of the park with this draft. As mentioned, wasted some picks, but I don't think it's a total fail either. However, even nabbing Stutzle, a monkey could have made that pick. The rest of the picks were a little overthought in my opinion. But maybe they pan out and this thread looks ridiculous in 3 years.

Beyond Stutzle/Sanderson, I'm virtually stunned as to the lack of promising high-end talent they've managed to select from having 9 picks in the top-90 of an objectively deep draft. Honestly, just take a minute to consider the following 3 groups of prospects with roughly the same positional mix, and consider which sounds like the more promising group...

Group A. Brisson, Peterka, Mysak, Cormier, and Daws
Group B. Bourque, Gunler, Blomqvist, Simontaival, and Poirier
Group C. Greig, Jarventie, Kleven, Sokolov, and Merilainen

For reference, groups A and B were both 100% viable options they could have selected in lieu of the picks they made (i.e. all of those players were available within a few picks of the choices they actually made).

So yeah, that's not too f-ing good.
- khawk

Definitely some overthinking and/or not willing to take a chance in this draft. Underwhelming to say the least. I don't think it's a total fail, but will not win a lot of fans over.

Definitely some overthinking and/or not willing to take a chance in this draft. Underwhelming to say the least. I don't think it's a total fail, but will not win a lot of fans over.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i disagree, i would say that 80-90% of fans have been ecstatic the last couple of days with the way things have gone.

a few negative nancy's on here, but on Twitter it's been so overwhelmingly postive.....it's refreshing.

you guys are nitpicking picks in rounds where there's less than a 5% chance the players will ever see an NHL game. Ottawa did well with the picks that really mattered, they acquired a #1 goalie for very little, released a kick ass new set of jersey's.......like (frank) people, take a win every now and then.

The rest of the picks were a little overthought in my opinion. But maybe they pan out and this thread looks ridiculous in 3 years.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

It's a fair bit more than just over-thought. Not to mention that I just realized the Kings used the pick they had at #60 right before Sokolov to trade for Lias Andersson? Is that not PRECISELY the kind of deal Dorion should have been making with those 2nd round picks, instead of wasting them on long-shots and overage players?