Ranking The Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects: #5 – #1
By Jack Leiper
3. Matt Puempel
Forward – Binghamton Senators — 2011 1st round pick (Ottawa Senators)
AHL 6foot1 185lbs
Puempel was lucky enough to get some time in the NHL this season. While his offensive game isn’t quite developed at the NHL level and he took a step back in terms of AHL production, Puempel remains one of the Senators’ best prospects.
His junior numbers were quite impressive and as a rookie in the AHL, Puempel managed to score 30 goals. He managed to show he can play at the NHL level as he didn’t seem out of place and played well on a Senators energy line. Puempel is very close to playing in the NHL full-time, but he’ll require waivers after next season and should start this season in the AHL.
Binghamton had a setback year along with Puempel and with new faces (O’Connor, Paul, Lindberg, Lazar?, Harpur) joining the squad, they’ll look to take the next step. If they do take that next step, expect sniper Puempel to be a big part of that team’s success.
The scouting reports don’t hold any surprises for Puempel. He’s an offensive minded player with great offensive instincts. He’s just an average sized body and projects to be a second line goal scoring winger in the NHL. That could come as early as this season if Puempel gets a call up, but what remains the fact is that players like Zack Smith, David Legwand, Chris Neil, and Colin Greening don’t allow the Senators to have a player like Puempel on the roster.
Next: A 3rd year pro, ready for the NHL