The 101 On Ottawa Senators 18th Overall Pick, Thomas Chabot
By Jack Leiper
In a Senators system that has recently become depleted on defence, the assessment of the organization to select a defender is the correct choice.
The pick may not have been Travis Konecny or another intriguing forward, but rather a steady defender in Thomas Chabot whose skating ability pegs him as a prospect with high potential.
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Thomas Chabot poses for a photo with team executives after being selected as the number eighteen overall pick to the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 179 lbs
2014-15 Statline: 66 GP, 12 G, 29 A (41 pts)
Scout Rankings: 12 (Hockeyprospect.com), 16 (ISS Hockey), 22 (Future Considerations), 15 (McKeen’s Hockey)
Projects As A Steady NHLer
The Senators aren’t getting any younger on defence. With what was once seen as a promising, young d-core, the only three pieces who are considered a part of Ottawa’s long-term plans are Marc Methot, Erik Karlsson and potentially Patrick Wiercioch. Thomas Chabot looks to join that group following his selection at 18th overall.
In the NHL of today, the most important evaluators of defenders remain size, skating ability, and smarts. It looks as though Chabot has the potential to bring all of those to the Senators.
Chabot needs to fill out his frame, and as an 18-year-old, he’s got plenty of time to do so. At 6’2″, he isn’t undersized and it allows him to excel in an area the Senators clearly targeted, skating ability. He’s described as a two-way defender and the scouting reports are fairly consistent when talking about Chabot’s game.
From Elite Prospects:
"He is ultra-creative in his passing game and displays a confidence in moving the puck…On the breakout he reads the ice in front of him very well as he scopes out his options and hits his man with perfect, well-timed passes.Chabot’s skill and size will have NHL team’s salivating, but he will need to bear down defensively and round out his game in order to be successful at the next level…His game is soft, lacking a consistent physical element"
So, while the upside is seen, it’s clear Chabot has some work to do. Specifically, in the technical and physical aspects of his game. He should be a steady defender, and it certainly sounds like the Senators have high hopes for the player.
From Craig Button:
"His year-to-year development has been terrific. Plays a very assured game with and without the puck. He possesses excellent mobility and it allows him to be very effective defensively and to transition to offence quicklyHe showed glimpses of being in the group of top three defencemen of this draft, along with Hanifin, Provorov and Werenski.Grades: Skating 4/5, Smarts 4/5, Hands 3/5, Shot 3/5, Compete 4/5"
The consensus rankings, according to Bob McKenzie had Chabot ranked at number 25. McKenzie also cites Chabot’s comparable being that of Vancouver defender, Alexander Edler. If that’s the case, then Senators fans can be excited about the selection.
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Fellow QMJHLer, Jeremy Roy was expected to go to a spot similar to Chabot, but he would end up falling to the second round. Other notable defenders who were ranked ahead of Chabot in McKenzie’s list included Oliver Kylington and Brandon Carlo as they both fell to the second round as well.
The 1st round had a few surprises, particularly the Boston Bruins at picks number 13, 14, and 15 selecting three guys who were considered off the board picks. The Senators needed to address defence in this draft, and now they’ve got their shot at a high end defender with Chabot.
With rounds 2-7 set for tomorrow and plenty of other quality defenders still on the board (Dermott, Dunn, Kylington, Roy, etc.), look for the Senators to select a few more.