Ranking The Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects: #5 – #1

5. Matt O’Connor

Goaltender – Boston University — Free Agent Signing (Ottawa Senators)

NCAA 6foot5 204lbs

O’Connor was one of the NCAA’s premier free agents available and the Senators were able to snag him by extending hima 2-year entry level deal this summer. O’Connor is a big man at 6foot5 and holds promise to one day play in the NHL. He’s got some things to work on and is expected to play in Binghamton to compete for the starting role there along with Chris Driedger.

For the Senators, the O’Connor signing makes the NHL goaltending situation even more complicated. With three NHL level goalies in Andrew Hammond, Craig Anderson, and Robin Lehner, you can expect the Senators to move at least one this off-season. O’Connor, who is the same age as Lehner could be a few years from the NHL and could make the situation tricky once again if Ottawa sees him in their crease in the near future.

The reports on O’Connor talk a lot about his size, which is a nice benefit in today’s NHL, but they also talk movement and mobility. From HockeysFuture.com:

One of the attributes that makes O’Connor so attractive to NHL teams is his 6’5” and 204-pound frame. He possesses great athleticism and moves remarkably well for such a big netminder. O’Connor has blossomed into one of the nation’s most reliable goaltenders, demonstrating that he can not only keep his teams in games but also help win them. O’Connor is a goaltender who gets better with the more shots that he faces.

O’Connor will certainly get a shot in the NHL at some point. The most prominent comparison to O’Connor’s game is that of current Tampa goaltender and former Senator, Ben Bishop. Both for their stature and career path to the NHL, O’Connor has a shot to be a reliable starter in the NHL in the near future.

Next: Move Over, Jason Spezza. Nick Paul is Here

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4. Nick Paul

Forward – Brampton Battalion — 2013 4th round pick (Dallas Stars)

OHL 6foot4 196lbs

Perhaps the most intriguing piece from the Jason Spezza trade, Nick Paul is ready to make the step to the AHL. As an OHLer, Paul was a late bloomer who was not selected in his first year of OHL draft eligibility. It was after he shot up in height that he garnered attention, leading to a Battalion selection in 2012 and an NHL selection the year after in Dallas.

Paul was a world-junior this past year and played a big role on a Battalion team who went far in the OHL playoffs for the second straight year. While Paul was able to mix offence into his game this past season, it was his defensive game that also gained him attention. In the OHL’s coaches Poll, Paul received nods for “best defensive forward” and “best on face-offs” in the OHL’s eastern conference.

While he hasn’t been a dynamic offensive player, Paul projects as a third line center or winger at the NHL level. He is bound to be a useful piece and could put up 35-45 points at the NHL level. The scouting reports on Paul are somewhat all over the place, but many of them use a few important evaluators in determining future NHL success. Smarts and size. From McKeen’s Hockey:

Extremely versatile as he can adapt to any situation while making subtle contributions .. not a flashy type yet always manages to stay involved by getting his big body in the way and by effectively shielding pucks down low in the offensive end Brings a steady compete level and tenacity .. sticks with plays and shows a strong appetite for the puck .. a self-driven type who strives to be a difference maker with his work level … can read and evaluate plays and complements others with his hockey sense.’

The big test for Paul comes at the AHL level next season. While we have seen how top prospects can struggle when the game takes a step up, Paul and Senators fans hope that isn’t the case. If Paul is able to show his value at the AHL level, perhaps it isn’t too far away we see Nick Paul is a Senators uniform.

Next: The Former Kitchener Ranger, and 1st round pick

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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

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1. Curtis Lazar

Forward – Ottawa Senators — 2013 1st round pick (Ottawa Senators)

NHL 6foot1 205lbs

Going off of what HockeysFuture.com considers a prospect, and Curtis Lazar, despite having played 67 NHL games is still considered a prospect. And quite the prospect for the Ottawa Senators.

Take a look at what Curtis Lazar has accomplished at the junior level and his resume is quite impressive. He captained a world junior team to the gold medal, won 2 WHL titles, an Ivan Hlinka gold medal, and of course a memorial cup. Going off of that, and it’s clear that Curtis Lazar is a pretty important piece for the Senators moving forward.

The last season was a growing year for Lazar. Early on, he couldn’t keep up physically with other NHLers, but as the year progressed, he grew. Lazar was often found playing wing, but as a natural center the Senators find themselves with a player who is flexible as to where he fits in on the team.

The scouting reports all discuss Lazar’s high upside. He’s an intelligent player who plays the game the right way and the way in which teams need. (via THN)

Has excellent two-way ability and a tremendous work rate. Owns plenty of character and usually plays much bigger than his below-average frame suggests. Can score goals, too .. Needs to become a more consistent point producer. Also needs to get stronger in order to play his abrasive style effectively at the highest level .. Needs to also improve his setup skills. Quality two-way center with upside.

A good comparison that I have seen for Lazar is that of Brendan Morrow, a player who once excelled in two-way play while putting up 50-60 points a year.

Lazar is eligible to play in the AHL this season, and perhaps that is where he starts the season. The Senators went through a similar routine with Mika Zibanejad, who was cut back in 2013. Perhaps even a full season in the AHL is best for Lazar’s development. He’d have a chance to go down their to continue his development in hopes he’ll become the player Senators fans think he will.

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