How Close Are Sens Prospects Prince, Robinson To The NHL?

The Senators may not have many elite prospects in their system, in fact the prospect pool has become rather depleted in recent years. The Binghamton Senators have been a heavy feeder for the team as recent graduates include Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Mark Borowiecki.

However, the Senators do find themselves with an organizational strength in depth. While the following two prospects won’t likely reach high-impact player status, the Senators have two good, young prospects who could be playing in the NHL fairly soon.

Shane Prince

With a rocky start to his pro career as a 19-year-old, Prince proved this season that he is a scoring force to be reckoned with. He led the Binghamton Senators in scoring all the way through as a near point-per-game player. His game did lead to his first NHL call-up in February, however Prince was demoted after a short 2 game stint in the NHL.

Prince will likely start the season in Binghamton but has shown he can play at the NHL level. With Prince, the Senators find themselves having a top 6 at best style of player and if he can come anywhere close to his AHL level production, the Sens have a useful player in Prince.

Currently, his use at the NHL roster is nothing more than a fill-in player, perhaps if the Senators hit the injury bug. However, he has shown he has speed and intelligence aspects to his game, meaning the Senators could perhaps see him as a 3rd/4th line energy guy relatively soon. Either way, at 22-years-old, Prince’s game is close to hitting the NHL level.

Look for Prince to take a big step in training camp. He could get another rookie camp invite, but will also have a shot at the big club. If the Senators can find the room, Prince could fight his way onto the team as early as this season.

Best Case Role: Top 6 NHL Forward

Expected Arrival: Late 2015-16 season or 2016-17 season.

Buddy Robinson

Buddy Robinson doesn’t have a fantastic offensive component to his game. The intrigue on Robinson’s game comes from an evaluator based on size and defensive capability.

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Robinson had a good season on a poor AHL team, but didn’t take an offensive step in his 2nd full professional season. Bryan Murray commented on Robinson’s game late this season, even going as far as citing Robinson as the next call-up to the NHL. Of course, the Senators then hit a hot spot and the time to call up Robinson didn’t happen.

Robinson won’t be a top 6 guy in the NHL. He doesn’t fight, but his size and mix of skating ability would make him an ideal bottom 6 forward for the Senators in the future. At 23-years-old, the Senators have themselves a future depth NHLer. Robinson likely won’t have a spot come training camp, just due to numbers, but he could compete for a spot soon if he has another good developing year in Binghamton.

Best Case Role: Bottom 6 NHL Forward

Expected Arrival: 2016-17 season.

As stated before, the Senators do not have any high-end prospects in their current system. Shane Prince and Buddy Robinson are likely the closest among forwards to competing for a full-time NHL roster spot.

Each need good development years, likely in Binghamton and if room is made in Ottawa, the Senators find themselves at a strength with two quality forwards who are close to the NHL.

Next: Vincent Dunn: A Fallen Prospect

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