Drake Batherson, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Logan Brown, Alex Formenton, Josh Norris
Key Graduates/Subtractions: Erik Brannstrom, Marcus Hogberg
Key Additions: N/A
The Senators are one year into their rebuild, and the prospect cupboard has been completely restocked. Yes, they traded star players Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Matt Duchene away to do it, but the future
could be looking very bright in the Canadian capital. Despite having Brady Tkachuk, Erik Brannstrom, Colin White, Rudolfs Balcers, and Christian Wolanin graduate, the club is still worthy of the top three.
Starting up front, the Senators have a potential star in Drake Batherson. He broke out this season, becoming an AHL All-Star in his rookie season while getting a taste of the NHL. He has elite hockey sense and can both dish out the puck or finish it himself.
Drake Batherson, Ottawa Senators (
Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Logan Brown also broke out last season with Batherson, becoming one of the top players in the AHL. It’s taken him a little bit longer, but it’s important to remember that every prospect is different. He’s a big player (6-foot-6) and a great playmaker who might be a graduate of this list very soon.
Josh Norris was acquired in the Karlsson trade. He’s a fast centreman with great offensive ability. Speaking of speed, Alex Formenton is an absolute rocket, who can be used in any situation. He’ll be keeping NHL defenders on their heels very soon. Jonathan Davidsson, Vitali Abramov, Shane Pinto, and Jonathan Gruden are a few more stellar forward for the club.
Related: Ottawa Senators’ Prospect Pyramid
The Senators are just as deep on the blue line with a pair of right-handed defenders Lassi Thomson and Jacob Bernard-Docker. Thomson has a cannon of a shot and is a great passer, while Bernard-Docker is a two-way defender that is very good in his own end. Maxence Guénette is having a big year in the QMJHL and Jonny Tychonick has shown flashes of being a solid NHLer one day.
The Senators may not have one of the best goaltending prospects in the league, but they have three with a ton of potential. Filip Gustavsson and Mads Sogaard have the best chance to be the next starting goaltender, while Joey Daccord is right there too. It will be an interesting storyline to watch these goalies battle in out over the next few years.