Ranking The Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects: #15-11
This is a continuation of the top 20 Senators prospects. If you missed the first, check out the players ranked 20 – 16. here. The last one includes Alex Guptill, Marcus Hogberg, Francis Perron, and Chris Driedger.
Kicking off part two at number 15…
15. Cole Schneider
Forward – Binghamton Senators — UFA Signing (AHA)
AHL 6foot1 199lbs
Schneider is a forward who doesn’t seem to be talked about a lot amongst other Senators forwards.
However, since breaking into the AHL Schneider has been a consistent point getter for the Binghamton Senators. He’s entering his 24-year-old season and the last season eligible for “prospect status”, going by Hockeysfuture.com’s criteria. After finishing second in scoring among Binghamton forwards, Schneider still garners attention when talking Sens prospects.
The scouting reports seem to favour Schneider as his scoring ability has never been questioned. How that translates into NHL success could be a different story as Scheneider may find himself moving on from the organization as early as next season if he is unable to find NHL time.
Schneider should get a shot at training camp this year and as a 24-year-old, he may find himself being a callup but certainly isn’t a part of Ottawa’s long-term plans moving forward. One can expect another good AHL year, where Schneider will find himself a UFA in 2016, when a move could occur.
14. Miles Gendron
Defenceman – University Of Connecticut — 2014 3rd round pick
NCAA 6foot3 183lbs
Gendron was drafted out of high school in the third round by the Senators last season. Ottawa drafted three other defenders in 2014 (Englund, Gendron, Summers). While all three are considered long-term projects, Gendron is a highlight of the group as he is headed to the NCAA next season.
Gendron is heralded as being an elite skater. The above interview is worth a watch as amateur scout Scott Mongelluzzo talks Gendron’s game, commenting on his skating ability and hockey intelligence.
Other lists have had Gendron ranked much higher, but until Ottawa has seen his NCAA (or beyond) game, he remains at 14 on this list.
Moving forward, Gendron is of course a long-term project. It’s likely he plays in the NCAA for a few seasons, until age 21 or 22 when a move to the AHL is in his cards. At that point, it’s about assessing his game at the pro level, but one thing that remains extremely valuable is skating ability, something that Gendron possesses as a tool moving forward.
Next: NHL Not Far Off, Top 20 Prospect #13
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13. Buddy Robinson
Forward – Binghamton Senators — UFA Signing (NCAA)
AHL 6foot5 236lbs
At 23-years-old, Buddy Robinson, a college UFA signee has shown his game at the AHL level. While he’s not an offensive weapon, the transition to the NHL is in near sight for Robinson. He is heralded as being a very reliable defensive forward and one who is big and mobile, something that is valuable at the NHL level.
Bryan Murray commented on Robinson’s game towards the end of the season this year, citing him specifically as the next call-up to the NHL. He, along with B-Sens defender Chris Wideman are the two closest to NHL playing time.
The Senators do have a log-jam at forward, and one could argue that there are a few players who should be close to getting a shot at the NHL. UFA forward Derek Grant, Buddy Robinson, and Cole Schneider would be included in that list.
It’s likely we see Robinson at the NHL level at some point this year. While he doesn’t hold the offensive potential to play in a top 6, Robinson does hold the potential to be a steady NHL player. He isn’t ranked high on this list despite being close to the NHL, but that is due to his relatively low ceiling. That said, Robinson is a big and mobile forward, one who could be a useful piece at the NHL level relatively soon.
12. Ben Harpur
Defenceman – Barrie Colts — 2014 4th round pick
AHL 6foot5 236lbs
Perhaps Ben Harpur is ranked a little high on this list, especially considering he is ahead of players like Buddy Robinson, Cole Schneider, and Miles Gendron. While that is certainly a possibility, Harpur remains a legitimate defensive prospect who should play in the AHL next season.
At 20-years-old, Harpur’s career is likely over, meaning he’ll be headed to Binghamton (AHL) or possibly Evansville (ECHL) if Ottawa determines that to be best for his development.
The hype surrounding Harpur is his sheer size. At 6foot6, Harpur is a big man and one who isn’t pushed around easily. He was part of Team Canada’s orientation camp before last season’s world junior championship and played a big part in Guelph’s memorial cup run in 2014.
Moving forward, Harpur has a shot to play in Binghamton next year. With just Michael Sdao, Frederik Claesson, and Guillaume Lepine under contract and expected to play in Binghamton, there is room for Harpur if he is ready to make the jump.
Next: A Speedy Bottom 6 Forward at #11
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11. Max McCormick
Forward – Binghamton Senators — UFA Signing (NCAA)
AHL 5foot11 192lbs
Max McCormick is in a similar situation to Buddy Robinson. While Robinson has been in the AHL for three seasons and McCormick just completed his first, Robinson and McCormick have similar ceilings, with McCormick having the slight edge.
McCormick gets the edge due to his skating ability and tenacity on the ice. On numerous occasions last season McCormick was one of the Binghamton Senators’ most useful players in all situations. He’s not big like Robinson but he plays a physical game and isn’t afraid to drop the gloves.
A post from Jeff in December quoted Luke Richardson on what McCormick does well.
“His energy, his physicality, his speed, we saw all of that when he was on the ice.. He created chances around the next. Max can shoot the puck, he skates, he brings energy and intensity and that gravitates around the dressing room”
While the point totals weren’t awfully impressive, McCormick played on a poor Binghamton team and is primed for a big step up next year. In 2015-16, McCormick will have an increased role and should continue to play in all situations for the B-Sens.
At the next level, McCormick projects as a 3rd/4th line player, but a useful, speedy, and intense one. His NHL arrival could be a few seasons away, but could come as early as 2016-17 as Senators fans should expect a big year from McCormick.
Next: Updates On Trade Rumous: Lehner, Adding A First, Anderson