Ranking The Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects: #5 – #1
By Jack Leiper
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.