Development Camp Wraps Up, Prospects Impress

The Ottawa Senators concluded their week-long prospect development camp yesterday with the annual 3-on 3 tournament.  The fun day wrapped up an intense camp where players were put through their paces on and off the ice.  During his final day presser, Senators GM Bryan Murray was pleased with the camp and expressed his excitement that there would be 4 or maybe even 5 players battling in camp for a job this season.

• David Runblad was expected to come in and compete for a job, and his display of skill and puck moving ability confirmed that expectation.
• Jared Cowen is the second player expected to man the blue line as a rookie.  He impressed with his size and strength
• Jakob Silfverberg is perhaps the most surprising candidate to make the team.  By his own admission, he thinks he needs another year in the Swedish Elite league, and that is what he is focusing on.  Bryan Murray, however,  was extremely pleased with his performance, even going so far as to say that the 20 year old is NHL ready now.
• Mika Zibanejad showed very well in his first development camp.  Murray indicated that for an 18 year old he shows the signs of developing into a very powerful player.
• Nikita Filatov is probably the biggest lock to make the club out of camp, and will likely compete for a top line spot.  The man with the checkered past has shown very well in camp with his skill and attitude to come in and compete for a spot on the team.

Another player who impressed and may get a longer look in September is former QMJHL scoring champ Mike Hoffman.  His team, that also included 2011 1st rd pick Stefan Noesen, Mark Stone, Ben Blood and Kirill Lyamin ened up the winner of the 3-on-3 tournament.

Defenseman Mark Borowiecki won the “Hardest Worker” award for the entire camp, as given out by the Senators staff.  He joins good company as previous winners include Mike Fisher, Chris Neil, Jesse Winchester and Robin Lehner.

All in all, the level of skill at the camp bodes well for the future of the Senators, and it is nice to see the faces to go with the names that we have heard about, some for a few years and others for only a week or so.  Judging by the attendance from the public, interest is at an all time high as well.

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