Over the next ten days, SenShot will release our Top 40 Ottawa Senators Prospects.
Today, we will bring to you four of Ottawa’s prospects in their system. In our Top 40 Prospects ranking, these four prospects are ranked 37th to 40th.
(To be considered a prospect in our rankings, the prospect must be on a entry level contract or a two-way contract and be under 25 yrs old. Our rankings are also based on who will make it to the NHL, who has proven thus far to be able to handle the North American style of the NHL, who has the most upside, and their projected impact in the NHL.)
So without further ado,
SenShot presents our list of the top prospects in the Sens organization
37. Bryce Aneloski
Position: Defenceman
Shoots: Right
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 204 lbs
Date of Birth: April 27, 1990 (Age 21)
Birthplace: Peoria, IL, USA
Contract: Unsigned
Drafted: 2010 (7/196) by OTT
Last Yrs Stats: GP ~ 39 Goals ~ 2 Assists ~ 17 Total Points ~ 19
Potential: Depth defenceman with an offensive upside
2011-2012 Team: University of Nebraska (WCHA)
How Far Away From The NHL: 4 – 5 yrs
- Aneloski is an offensive defenseman with a great frame and is a good skater. With 19 points last year in Nebraska, he was their highest scoring defenseman. With a plus 15 rating, Aneloski can also takes care of his end. As a power play quarterback, he has good hockey sense and can jump into the rush.
- Drafted as a project, Aneloski will play out his college career at Nebraska and will then go to the AHL. If all goes to plan, Aneloski could provide offense from the back end in the NHL someday. However, with a few blue chip prospects on the blue line in the system way ahead of him on the depth chart, Aneloski will need to establish himself as a prospect in the next few years if he hopes to get a shot in Ottawa.
- Check out this video of Sens scouts speaking about Aneloski.
38. Jordan Fransoo
Position: Defenceman
Shoots: Right
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 178 lbs
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993 (Age 18)
Birthplace: North Battleford, Sask, Canada
Contract: Unsigned
Drafted: 2011 (7/186) by OTT
Last Yrs Stats: GP ~ 63 Goals ~ 6 Assists ~ 12 Total Points ~ 18
Potential: Depth defensive defenceman
2011-2012 Team: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
How Far Away From The NHL: 5 – 6 yrs
- In his first year in the WHL, Fransoo handled himself pretty well. Putting up a respectable 18 points as a rookie, Fransoo’s game is built on the defensive side of the puck. With good size, Fransoo needs to fill out a little bit to establish his presence more in his end. Helping a very young Brandon D-corps get into the playoffs, Fransoo has a high compete level with a strong work ethic.
- Drafted as a project, Fransoo will be a long-term prospect and will not be rushed. Still a little raw, this upcoming season will help to define Fransoo as to what kind of player he can be. Former Ottawa head coach, Cory Clouston will be taking the role behind the Brandon bench this season, so it’ll be interesting to see if there are any effects from that.
- Check out this video of Sens scout, Bob Lowes speaking about Fransoo.
39. Michael Sdao
Position: Defenceman
Shoots: Left
Ht: 6’4″ Wt: 225 lbs
Date of Birth: July 03, 1989 (Age 22)
Birthplace: Bloomington, MN, USA
Contract: Unsigned
Drafted: 2009 (7/191) by OTT
Last Yrs Stats: GP ~ 27 Goals ~ 3 Assists ~ 7 Total Points ~ 10
Potential: Depth shutdown defenceman that can also be an enforcer
2011-2012 Team: Princeton (ECAC)
How Far Away From The NHL: 5 yrs
- Sdao is a big, physical defensive defenseman that has played the last two years at Princeton. With 18 points in 57 games, Sdao is expected to make his presence felt in his own end rather then the oppositions. The American blue liner also knows how to drop the mitts and can be compared to current Sen Matt Carkner.
- Sdao is a project and could develop into a sixth or seventh defenseman in the NHL. With not much offense to his game, Sdao should work on perfecting his defensive game and become a hard-nosed defensive defenseman that can shutdown opponents.
- Check out Sdao’s Fight Page for a few of his fight videos.
40. Darren Kramer
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 202 lbs
Date of Birth: November 19, 1991 (Age 19)
Birthplace: Peace River, Alta, Canada
Contract: Unsigned
Drafted: 2011 (6/156) by OTT
Last Yrs Stats: GP ~ 68 Goals ~ 7 Assists ~ 7 Total Points ~ 14
Potential: Fourth line enforcer
2011-2012 Team: Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
How Far Away From The NHL: 5 – 6 yrs
- Drafted in his second year of his draft eligibility after his first year in the WHL, Kramer was drafted for his hands. However, its more what he can do with his fists rather than with the puck. With an amazing 46 fights last season, Kramer is your prototypical enforcer. As a team first guy, though he is not the biggest guy, Kramer knows how to handle himself in a tussle and is one of the best fighters in junior hockey.
- With the enforcer a dying breed in the NHL, Kramer will need to round his game if he ever plans to play in the NHL. Chris Neil is the perfect player for Kramer to model himself after. Still a long ways away from the NHL, Ottawa hopes Kramer will develop into a energy forward that can be a middle-to-heavy weight fighter in the NHL. It’ll be up to Kramer to work on his game and bring more to the table.
- Check out Kramer’s Fight Page for video of all his 46 fights.
All four of these prospects are projects and are long-term prospects that may, or may not ever play for the Senators. It will be a battle for any of these prospects to make it to the NHL as they will not only have play out-of-this-world to get noticed, but also out play prospects ahead of them on the depth chart.
Check back tomorrow when we release out 33rd to 36th ranked Ottawa Senators Prospects.
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