Ranking The Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects: #20-16
By Jack Leiper
In recent years, the Senators development system has been a very important piece to the team’s success. With players like Robin Lehner, Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Mika Zibanejad all recently graduating from prospect status, the pool may have become depleted.
While the Senators don’t have a great prospect pool, the team will get a shot to replenish some of the system with 3 top 50 picks in this season’s upcoming draft. In terms of where the Sens stand today, here’s the start to a small series which ranks the Senators’ top 20 prospects, before the 2015 NHL entry draft.
20. Alex Guptill
Forward – Binghamton Senators — 2010 3rd round pick (Dallas Stars)
AHL 6foot3 192lbs
Senators fans can only hope for more from Guptill who had a poor season during his first full professional year. Guptill was a big, but sometimes inconsistent scoring forward in the NCAA. Since joining Binghamton as a rookie at age 22 he’s been in consistent and big, but the scoring hasn’t been there.
18 points in 61 games while missing any hopeful flair to his game didn’t cut it and Guptill’s playing time and production suffered. While the promise coming out of College was there, if Guptill doesn’t have a good year in Binghamton, it’s unlikely you’ll see him back with the organization.
If for whatever reason he does indeed play up to his ceiling, here’s what Guptill is said to be able to bring to the table.
From HockeysFuture.com
"A big body that quickly impressed Michigan coach Red Berenson with his offensive ability. A terrific goal scorer that exudes offensive potential. He thinks on a high-level and can keep up with talented offensive minds. He goes to the front of the net well and can score on the rush with a quality wrister. A good skater that protects the puck well. Still learning the game and his defensive responsibilities. He has a very projectable frame and could grow into a rather powerful forward down the line."
Of course, the take from Binghamton this past season wasn’t so nice. Guptill received a D in Silver Seven Sens’ Jeff Ulmer’s grades and wasn’t always a fan favourite this past year.
Next: A Big, Swedish Goaltender