Ranking The Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects: #10 – #6

9. Ryan Dzingel

Forward – Binghamton Senators — 2011 7th round pick (Ottawa Senators)

AHL 6foot0 196lbs

Ryan Dzingel, like many other prospects on this list doesn’t hold a very high ceiling in terms of NHL production. He just completed a nice NCAA career which even earned him a nomination towards the league’s Hobey Baker Award.

In a best case scenario, Dzingel is a 3rd line NHL center but he ranks high on this list due to the good chance he has to play in the NHL. Binghamton fans had nothing but good things to say about Dzingel following his first pro season and heading into his second; Dzingel is primed for a big year.

Dzingel’s 34 points and 17 goals are near that of current Senator, Zack Smith’s early AHL numbers. While Smith has proven in the past that he can be a reliable 3rd line center, Dzingel projects as a similar type of player. The Senators do have tremendous depth at the Center position, making it hard to make room for players like Dzingel or Derek Grant, a pending UFA.

The path travelled could be similar for Dzingel to that of Derek Grant’s as the Sens will hold his rights for a few more years until he becomes a UFA. That said, a strong start to the year mixed with the Senators hitting an injury bug or needing a player and Dzingel may find his name near the top of the call up list.