Prospect Info: Senators Rookie Camp / Prospect Challenge gets underway this week

[GermanSpitfire]

Interesting.

I respect your views so now I am more curious about Toure. He has a lot of attributes we like and need to round out our team.

Hopefully he gets invited to main camp and can show well there, then maybe add to our depth in Belleville.

That’s the thing, Ottawa didn’t have too many selections in the 2023 draft and we’re rather weak on the right side of our defensive pool. Toure makes a ton of sense to sign to an NHL deal if possible.

Toure is 20 years old too, so you have the option of sending him back to the OHL for his overage season hoping to see his offensive numbers improve, or you can sign him for the AHL team, although I think Toure should continue to refine his game in the OHL as an overager Similar to Arber Xhekaj. Such a good story, passed over in the QMJHL draft, didn’t make the OHL until a 19 year old walk On that only earned an invite as a favour to the Assistant Coach, only for him to make the team and genuinely turn heads last season.

Ottawa only has 43 contracts signed, and even if you include Sokolov and Pinto that gives the team 5 contract lee way, we’re in the ripe position to pick this hard working kid for free. I would not at all be surprised if he is a bottom pairing defender in a few seasons. I think he is a classic late bloomer.

 

[Ouroboros]

Here are my thoughts having watched all 3 games

Leevi Merilainen
-the best player in an Ottawa jersey. His athleticism is just off the charts. Only reason today's game was competitive at all

Ridly Greig
-really strong in his one game. Physical, made plays, good details in all three zones. The best positional player for the Sens by far
-really like how he attacks the middle of the ice
-based on what I've seen from him at the AHL/NHL I think he has more offensive upside than Pinto, certainly on the playmaking side
-still a little concerned he's too reckless for his frame.

Tyler Kleven
-his combination of mobility and reach is going to make him a valuable defender
-skills are decent, but I don't think he's suited to a PP role as a pro like they experimented with here
-a little surprised the hitting hasn't shown up yet, both here and in his NHL stint last season. That was his calling card in college

Zack Ostapchuk
-coaches are going to love him for his details
-there was one shift late in the NJ game during garbage time when he tracked back to break up what would have been an easy tap-in
-will need to see him in some AHL games to get a better read on his skills
-kinda reminds me of Derek Grant

Roby Jarventie
-given that he's played 2 years in the AHL, I'd imagine he was sent to this in hopes he would dominate. Didn't happen
-he's a PP specialist at the AHL level, he was a PP specialist at the WJC, and it was no different here
-he stands out for having no motor whatsoever, which is really against type for how the Sens have drafted lately
-only gets engaged when he has the chance to launch one-timers from the right side on the PP
-scored a goal coming out the box after serving 2 minutes for a lazy stick infraction
-passable against NJ, but really struggled in the Pens game when he didn't have Greig with him anymore

Tarun Fizer
-he loves to launch it from everywhere, and to his credit he gets it away quick and hard
-did a decent job on the PK
-was disruptive on the forecheck forcing some turnovers
-had some issues with in-zone defensive positioning and ended up taking a few stick penalties because of it
-worth giving him a shot on an AHL deal and seeing where it goes

Tomas Hamara
-i just don't get it with this guy
-to me he's nowhere near talented enough to be as turnover prone and as poor defensively as he is
-he's ok in transition when he has time and space to skate
-loses lots of battles on the walls and sends lots of pizzas up the middle

Matthew Andonovski
-not bad actually, considering he was a late round pick in the 2023 draft
-has good defensive instincts and some snarl to go with it
-skating looked ok, but probably could work on his pivots so he can defend the rush better
-easy to see why he took minutes from Hamara last year in Kitchener
-has some promise

Jorian Donovan
-was used a lot and was mostly good
-thought he was forcing things offensively, and didn't really generate much
-like his athleticism, size and skill combo

Invites
-I thought Bourash, Huchette, Rolofs, Walinski, Mancini and Ride stood out in a bad way. All looked way out of their depth here.
-Thomas Stewart and Simon Motew each played one game and were used pretty sparingly sparingly so not much to say
-Schenkel struggled in net against the Pens, but he didn't get much help
-MacKenzie didn't play at all
-Clattenburg has a motor and is physical but not much else going on
-Thorpe is huge and sniped a nice goal against the Pens. Looks a little awkward but wasn't terrible
-Mitch Martin had ups and downs. Good on the PK, scored a goal. Puck handling and distribution not great. Could have potential.
-Jackson Stewart was mixing it up, but he's really small to be a fighter/agitator as a pro. Not much ability here either.

 

[Big Muddy]

Didn't see a lot to get excited about in the 3rd game from a Senator perspective.

 

[Bubba Pilks]

I'm with the majority here. No way I let Toure go back to Sudbury without a ELC in hand.

6'7 RHD that skates that well, is physical with good stick work in front of the net and he can chuck em. Sign me the f*** up.

He already looks like he belongs at this level, just 15 months out of playing CCHL Playoff games for Hawkesbury and not playing at all the year prior due to Covid.

I think there's some serious, serious untapped potential with the kid.

 

[SpezDispenser]

There's zero downside to signing toure and fizer. Ahl fodder, but we need that too

 

[mianjo]

For a 21 year old that is pretty good stats in the ECHL last season

Tarun Fizer

Utah Grizzlies

ECHL

62

27

23

50

20

-27

 

[Ouroboros]

Didn't see a lot to get excited about in the 3rd game from a Senator perspective.

Just Merilainen, really. With 6 or 7 minutes left in the 3rd period, shots were 33-9 for the Habs which is about what you'd expect given the disparity in talent between the rosters.

At 5-on-5 the Senators could hardly touch the puck.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

I think Brannstrom would be relatively easy to trade but the return would not be very good.

Young player, 2M only, under team control and showing growth. He's the type of player the Hawks could be interested in. Grab him, play him a ton and then flip him for assets.

I also think this is the most likely solution, and the easiest. It could be that management is playing the waiting game on Pinto, and want to see how camp goes, and if there is an internal replacement (Kleven) for Brannstrom. I could be him being “showcased” during the pre season and the beginning of the season, all while keeping an eye on Kelvin in Belleville, assuming that is where he starts the season.
At some point, when they explore all possible trade scenarios to get a contract off the books, trading Brannstrom may be the move to make, if Kleven or someone else can fill in at the bottom of the DMen depth pool at the NHL level

 

[Big Muddy]

Just Merilainen, really. With 6 or 7 minutes left in the 3rd period, shots were 33-9 for the Habs which is about what you'd expect given the disparity in talent between the rosters.

At 5-on-5 the Senators could hardly touch the puck.

Just to expand on this a bit, I didn't see a whole lot to get excited about in the 2nd game against the Penguins either, or in the first period in the 1st game against the Devils.

You have the obvious standouts like Grieg, Ostapchuk & Merilainen, and then Fizer, but after those guys, I didn't see all that much to get excited about. I know we have some big guys in these prospects games (NON drafted prospects), but they weren't flashing NHL level skills in my opinion. Maybe they get a chance on our Belleville AHL squad and develop from there, but I'd guess they'd need a lot of development and improvement to reach the NHL. Hope I am wrong.

 

[aragorn]

Just to expand on this a bit, I didn't see a whole lot to get excited about in the 2nd game against the Penguins either, or in the first period in the 1st game against the Devils.

You have the obvious standouts like Grieg, Ostapchuk & Merilainen, and then Fizer, but after those guys, I didn't see all that much to get excited about. I know we have some big guys in these prospects games (NON drafted prospects), but they weren't flashing NHL level skills in my opinion. Maybe they get a chance on our Belleville AHL squad and develop from there, but I'd guess they'd need a lot of development and improvement to reach the NHL. Hope I am wrong.

Agree & more likely could be potential fillers in the ECHL and/or someone like Fizer getting a PTO in Belleville in role positions. Most of these guys will play somewhere this season & maybe the Sens keep an eye on one or two of them for future considerations or there was no one they liked. Still, 4 guys already in the org Greig, Kleven, Ostapchuk & Merilainen is something to get excited about given Greig & Kleven are already knocking on the NHL door & Ostapchuk could as soon as next season & Merilainen after that.

In the mean time there will be more drafts with potential star players & they are still developing other guys like Sokolov, Jarventie, Boucher, Petersson, Thompson, Guennette, Donovan & Stanley. They are obviously not all going to make it but some will & they are not the elite talent people are always clamouring for but they have NHL potential & if they don't make it here could be used as assets to acquire an upgrade. Our elite young talent are already on the roster & over the next few yrs, I imagine they will add to that if they can get lucky at the draft.

 

[Alf Silfversson]

Fizer seems like an AHL stud, NHL callup at best. Could prove me wrong, but I wouldn't be rushing to sign him to an NHL deal.

No way do you sign Fizer to an NHL deal, IMO. He'd be nice to have for Belleville though.

 

[Big Muddy]

Agree & more likely could be potential fillers in the ECHL and/or someone like Fizer getting a PTO in Belleville in role positions. Most of these guys will play somewhere this season & maybe the Sens keep an eye on one or two of them for future considerations or there was no one they liked. Still, 4 guys already in the org Greig, Kleven, Ostapchuk & Merilainen is something to get excited about given Greig & Kleven are already knocking on the NHL door & Ostapchuk could as soon as next season & Merilainen after that.

In the mean time there will be more drafts with potential star players & they are still developing other guys like Sokolov, Jarventie, Boucher, Petersson, Thompson, Guennette, Donovan & Stanley. They are obviously not all going to make it but some will & they are the elite talent people are always clamouring for but they have NHL potential & if they don't make it here could be used as assets to acquire an upgrade. Our elite young talent are already on the roster & over the next few yrs, I imagine they will add to that if they can get lucky at the draft.

I knew I had forgotten someone, and it was Kleven.

On the other guys (bolded), although my viewing sample has been modest with at least some of them, I'm not seeing top 6 forwards or top 4 defenders in that mix, at least so far. I could see some getting some NHL time, but I haven't see signs that there are ringers in that mix as far as being difference makers. I hope I am wrong! I guess I/we just need to keep tabs on them to see if things look different in the future and if there's some more significant positive development.

 

[Alf Silfversson]

That’s the thing, Ottawa didn’t have too many selections in the 2023 draft and we’re rather weak on the right side of our defensive pool. Toure makes a ton of sense to sign to an NHL deal if possible.

Toure is 20 years old too, so you have the option of sending him back to the OHL for his overage season hoping to see his offensive numbers improve, or you can sign him for the AHL team, although I think Toure should continue to refine his game in the OHL as an overager Similar to Arber Xhekaj. Such a good story, passed over in the QMJHL draft, didn’t make the OHL until a 19 year old walk On that only earned an invite as a favour to the Assistant Coach, only for him to make the team and genuinely turn heads last season.

Ottawa only has 43 contracts signed, and even if you include Sokolov and Pinto that gives the team 5 contract lee way, we’re in the ripe position to pick this hard working kid for free. I would not at all be surprised if he is a bottom pairing defender in a few seasons. I think he is a classic late bloomer.

I'd give Toure a contract as well. I think there is some upside there.

 

[aragorn]

I knew I had forgotten someone, and it was Kleven.

On the other guys (bolded), although my viewing sample has been modest with at least some of them, I'm not seeing top 6 forwards or top 4 defenders in that mix, at least so far. I could see some getting some NHL time, but I haven't see signs that there are ringers in that mix as far as being difference makers. I hope I am wrong! I guess I/we just need to keep tabs on them to see if things look different in the future and if there's some more significant positive development.

You're right regarding the rest they are not at least at this time top 6 forwards or top 4 D but a number of them will be NHL players. It's doubtful, unless through trade, that anyone else in the org suddenly becomes a top player however, given our team is so young over the next few yrs there will be several drafts where they could get lucky & add a player who becomes elite, it's not out of the question, but they would need some draft luck. For example, I would love for them to find another Batherson, or Norris, or Tkachuk in the draft, how much would that help this team? Guys who can elevate the 3rd line to challenge the 2nd line, anything is possible.

 

[Big Muddy]

You're right regarding the rest they are not at least at this time top 6 forwards or top 4 D but a number of them will be NHL players. It's doubtful, unless through trade, that anyone else in the org suddenly becomes a top player however, given our team is so young over the next few yrs there will be several drafts where they could get lucky & add a player who becomes elite, it's not out of the question, but they would need some draft luck. For example, I would love for them to find another Batherson, or Norris, or Tkachuk in the draft, how much would that help this team? Guys who can elevate the 3rd line to challenge the 2nd line, anything is possible.

Yes, we have (at least at this point right now) a couple of first rounders in the next draft. It's a start.

 

[Ouroboros]

Toure, Fizer, Clattenburg and Jackson Stewart only rookie camp guys to receive main camp invites. Sokolov attending even though he isn't signed, Pinto not.

Boucher and Ostapchuk injured.

 

[Big Muddy]

Toure, Fizer, Clattenburg and Jackson Stewart only rookie camp guys to receive main camp invites. Sokolov attending even though he isn't signed, Pinto not.

Boucher and Ostapchuk injured.

Clattenburg, from Arnprior led the prospects in scraps.

 

[Flamingo]

Toure, Fizer, Clattenburg and Jackson Stewart only rookie camp guys to receive main camp invites. Sokolov attending even though he isn't signed, Pinto not.

Boucher and Ostapchuk injured.

Man, I thought Bouchy was going to be ready.

 

[Bileur]

Toure, Fizer, Clattenburg and Jackson Stewart only rookie camp guys to receive main camp invites. Sokolov attending even though he isn't signed, Pinto not.

Boucher and Ostapchuk injured.

Awesome for the camp invites. Keep those arrows pointing up kids.

Nice to see Sokolov keep his hat in the ring despite contract dispute. Hopefully he forces their hand and makes someone else expendable.

 

[OD99]

Awesome for the camp invites. Keep those arrows pointing up kids.

Nice to see Sokolov keep his hat in the ring despite contract dispute. Hopefully he forces their hand and makes someone else expendable.

It's a risky move but it certainly shows the team he is fully committed and that he believes in himself.

I hope he blows the doors off.

 

[Alf Silfversson]

Toure, Fizer, Clattenburg and Jackson Stewart only rookie camp guys to receive main camp invites. Sokolov attending even though he isn't signed, Pinto not.

Boucher and Ostapchuk injured.

I expected Boucher to be out but Ostapchuk was a guy I was looking forward to watching in pre-season. Hopefully he recovers quickly.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

One more step for Toure to be signed. ‘C’mon, don’t let this kid go back to juniors without a contract.

 

[Cosmix]

Just to expand on this a bit, I didn't see a whole lot to get excited about in the 2nd game against the Penguins either, or in the first period in the 1st game against the Devils.

You have the obvious standouts like Grieg, Ostapchuk & Merilainen, and then Fizer, but after those guys, I didn't see all that much to get excited about. I know we have some big guys in these prospects games (NON drafted prospects), but they weren't flashing NHL level skills in my opinion. Maybe they get a chance on our Belleville AHL squad and develop from there, but I'd guess they'd need a lot of development and improvement to reach the NHL. Hope I am wrong.

I hope you are wrong too!

 

[RAFI BOMB]

Mitchell Martin didn't get an invite to main camp. I thought he was impressive in his first game, there was a slight decline in his 2nd game in terms of intensity and physicality and then a noticeable decline in the 3rd game. I think that played a big role in him not getting an invite to main camp, he still likely has junior level conditioning. A lot of young players struggle with the adjustment to how frequent and intense the games are at the pro level. He still might be a player worth keeping an eye on.

The main camp invites include Djibril Toure, Tarun Fizer, Connor Clattenburg and Jackson Stewart.

Toure was impressive in the rookie tournament and I thought he looked more impressive in his 2nd game than his first. He has a very good chance to earn an ELC.

Fizer really had a standout performance in this tournament. I think he is a pretty sure lock for an AHL contract and the question will be whether he does enough at main camp to get consideration for an ELC.

I kind of thought that Clattenburg and Stewart were going to get main camp invites. Looking at how they were deployed in the games, how much the coaches trusted them and how physical they were it seemed like a good chance that they could get an extended look. Clattenburg has the makings of a superpest and Stewart is a pretty tough and physical presence.

Interesting to note that three of the camp invites got into fights in the rookie tournament, and those three (Toure, Stewart, and Clattenburg) all ended up getting main camp invites. All three also won their fights which helps.

It will be interesting to see whether they earn contracts and what kinds of contracts they get. If I understand correctly Toure, Clattenburg and Stewart can all go back to juniors so if they get ELC and are sent back it won't count against the contract limit.

 

[chipsens]

Here are my thoughts having watched all 3 games

Leevi Merilainen
-the best player in an Ottawa jersey. His athleticism is just off the charts. Only reason today's game was competitive at all

Ridly Greig
-really strong in his one game. Physical, made plays, good details in all three zones. The best positional player for the Sens by far
-really like how he attacks the middle of the ice
-based on what I've seen from him at the AHL/NHL I think he has more offensive upside than Pinto, certainly on the playmaking side
-still a little concerned he's too reckless for his frame.

Tyler Kleven
-his combination of mobility and reach is going to make him a valuable defender
-skills are decent, but I don't think he's suited to a PP role as a pro like they experimented with here
-a little surprised the hitting hasn't shown up yet, both here and in his NHL stint last season. That was his calling card in college

Zack Ostapchuk
-coaches are going to love him for his details
-there was one shift late in the NJ game during garbage time when he tracked back to break up what would have been an easy tap-in
-will need to see him in some AHL games to get a better read on his skills
-kinda reminds me of Derek Grant

Roby Jarventie
-given that he's played 2 years in the AHL, I'd imagine he was sent to this in hopes he would dominate. Didn't happen
-he's a PP specialist at the AHL level, he was a PP specialist at the WJC, and it was no different here
-he stands out for having no motor whatsoever, which is really against type for how the Sens have drafted lately
-only gets engaged when he has the chance to launch one-timers from the right side on the PP
-scored a goal coming out the box after serving 2 minutes for a lazy stick infraction
-passable against NJ, but really struggled in the Pens game when he didn't have Greig with him anymore

Tarun Fizer
-he loves to launch it from everywhere, and to his credit he gets it away quick and hard
-did a decent job on the PK
-was disruptive on the forecheck forcing some turnovers
-had some issues with in-zone defensive positioning and ended up taking a few stick penalties because of it
-worth giving him a shot on an AHL deal and seeing where it goes

Tomas Hamara
-i just don't get it with this guy
-to me he's nowhere near talented enough to be as turnover prone and as poor defensively as he is
-he's ok in transition when he has time and space to skate
-loses lots of battles on the walls and sends lots of pizzas up the middle

Matthew Andonovski
-not bad actually, considering he was a late round pick in the 2023 draft
-has good defensive instincts and some snarl to go with it
-skating looked ok, but probably could work on his pivots so he can defend the rush better
-easy to see why he took minutes from Hamara last year in Kitchener
-has some promise

Jorian Donovan
-was used a lot and was mostly good
-thought he was forcing things offensively, and didn't really generate much
-like his athleticism, size and skill combo

Invites
-I thought Bourash, Huchette, Rolofs, Walinski, Mancini and Ride stood out in a bad way. All looked way out of their depth here.
-Thomas Stewart and Simon Motew each played one game and were used pretty sparingly sparingly so not much to say
-Schenkel struggled in net against the Pens, but he didn't get much help
-MacKenzie didn't play at all
-Clattenburg has a motor and is physical but not much else going on
-Thorpe is huge and sniped a nice goal against the Pens. Looks a little awkward but wasn't terrible
-Mitch Martin had ups and downs. Good on the PK, scored a goal. Puck handling and distribution not great. Could have potential.
-Jackson Stewart was mixing it up, but he's really small to be a fighter/agitator as a pro. Not much ability here either.

Agree on Greig, Leevi, Kleven = men among boys. Ostapchuk seems too slow to me, lacks a 2nd gear. The BIG SURPRISE was Fizer..who scored beauty goals in all 3 prospect games -- with hard accurate high shots from outside the dots. Also a lovely 1st assist on Greig goal. This kid can skate too. What's not to like?! He reminds me of a smallish Swedish kid, #11.