Ottawa Senators Players Ranked By Importance: #21-30

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Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA;

Colin White

poses for a photo with team executives after being selected as the number twenty-one 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

I’ve seen a lot of lists out there that rank the importance of all the players on Team X, and I thought I could do the same thing for the Ottawa Senators. The concept is pretty simple, as all I’m doing is ranking the top 30 players in the Senators organization. Obviously that means that some players aren’t on the NHL team just yet, but there are still some prospects that are important for Ottawa.

Today I am doing part one of three, going from #21-30. I’ll start from the bottom of the list and make my way up. I wanted to include players outside of the NHL as well, hence the top 30 instead of top 20.

So here is the bottom third of the master list:

30. Colin White

Most people have read quite a bit on White recently as he was just picked two weeks ago by the Senators. He ranks at the end of my list, as he’s in the second tier of Senators prospects. He has a long way to go in order to be considered an important part of the NHL team, but he has the pedigree. As a first round pick, people have high expectations for him and he’ll be given every chance to succeed.

He won’t make an impact right away, but perhaps in a couple of seasons we will be seeing him up in Canada.

Next: Speedy Defender From The 1st Round

29. Thomas Chabot

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Thomas Chabot puts on a team jersey 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

Chabot is the other Senators first round pick from this season, and he might be able to make a quicker impact. Ottawa’s team needs are on defense, and perhaps Chabot could make the team after playing just one extra season in the QMJHL. He’s a good prospect, and one that could really change the team.

Much like White, he can’t do anything right now to make an impact but he deserves a spot on the list as he could be making his way to Ottawa in the fall of 2016 or 2017.

Next: Big College Free Agent Signing

28. Matt O’Connor

Everybody knows about O’Connor, as his decision to sign with Ottawa was a huge deal in the media. Most teams in the league were interested in him, and it was really nice to see him pick Ottawa of all places. At the age of 23, he doesn’t have too much development left, and he may need only one season in the minors.

However, if he wants to prove he can play in the NHL he will need to play very well in his first pro season. He had a couple fantastic seasons at Boston University, but he needs to carry that over into a much harder league. He’s an important prospect, as if Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond stumble, he’s next in line.

Next: Finally Coming To North America

27. Mikael Wikstrand

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Wikstrand is another late round pick that could become a real gem. He has played very well in the SHL the past few seasons, and after much speculation, he has finally decided to come over to North America to play in Binghamton next year. He’ll bring a big boost to the Baby Sens lineup, and fans will finally be able to see his development up close.

As a 21-year-old, he has some room to grow and could turn into a solid defenseman for years to come.

Next: Saviour For The Bishop Trade

26. Tobias Lindberg

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Senators fans are desperately hoping Lindberg can become a full-time NHLer, mostly because he was Ottawa’s 4th round pick that they acquired along with Cory Conacher in the Ben Bishop deal, so he’s the only thing Ottawa has left to salvage in that trade. It’s not like fans are grasping at straws either, as Lindberg was very impressive for the Memorial Cup champion Oshawa Generals. He had 78 points in 67 games, and was one of Oshawa’s best players in their playoff run.

He’s one of Ottawa’s better prospects and the next step he has to take is succeed in the AHL. If he can put up around 40-50 points next year in Binghamton then that’ll be major progress for his career. He’s an important prospect as he’s a big winger that the organization loves.

Next: A Pure Sniper

25. Matt Puempel

Mar 17, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Ottawa Senators forward Matt Puempel (26) skates with puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Puempel played just 13 games with Ottawa this past season, although he would have suited up for more if not for his ankle injury. He clearly impressed the Senators down the stretch, and I’m sure he will get plenty of opportunities to succeed next season. Despite having a plethora of forward contracts, I think he’ll end up playing 40-50 games if he can force his way into the lineup.

He’s an intriguing player as he’s labeled as a pure sniper, but the downside to that is if he isn’t scoring he isn’t that valuable of a winger. He has scored 30 goals in the AHL though, so I like his upside. He definitely has a potential future with the big club.

Next: Big Steady Defenseman

24. Fredrik Claesson

Sept 25, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Fredrik Claesson (49) controls the puck in the first period against the Montreal Canadiens in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Claesson has yet to play his first NHL game, but he is well overdue. He has been in the AHL for the past three seasons, and his play has gotten better and better. He doesn’t have a high ceiling, as he’s a defensive defenseman but he would be better than many options on Ottawa’s current roster.

The only reason he hasn’t gotten called up is because of how many bad contracts Ottawa has. The team seems to really like him, but there really isn’t room. Chris Wideman will get the first shot to make the team, but if there’s a spot after that, Claesson will most likely be the man.

Next: Best Forward For Binghamton

23. Shane Prince

Feb 16, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Shane Prince (10) during warmup prior to game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Despite being Binghamton’s best forward, Ottawa doesn’t seem to be too high on Prince. I am though, and he has some real value as a future NHLer. He played two games in the NHL last season, but he didn’t look out of place. He also had 65 points in 72 games in the AHL, so he doesn’t have anything left to prove in the minors. He’s a better prospect than Puempel, and he should be in Ottawa this season.

He isn’t signed to a contract just yet but I would be shocked if he somehow wasn’t retained. It would be a shame if he was let go and became a very good player somewhere else.

Next: A Career-Long Senator

22. Chris Neil

Feb 10, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Chris Neil (25) brings the puck into the Buffalo Sabres zone during the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

I almost put Neil off this list entirely, and it’s hard to justify putting him either at 22nd or off the list. Now he’s at a stage in his career where he’s just…there. For some reason he has a contract with this team despite not really bringing anything to the table. From what everyone says, he seems to be a good character guy that is a leader, and if so that’s great for the dressing room.

But on the ice, he’s a sub-par player. I don’t think he’s a better player than prospects like Prince, Puempel, Lindberg, etc., but if I hadn’t included him on this list then I’m sure I would have received some hate from many passionate fans. I have to include him at #22 just as a tribute to the player that has been with the organization for so long.

Next: A Frustrating Defenseman

21. Jared Cowen

Dec 29, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen (2) fights with Buffalo Sabres right wing

Patrick Kaleta

(36) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t like putting Cowen ahead of prospects who clearly have more potential, but I can’t just not include him on this list (like I did with two players currently on the roster). He’s not a big part of the team at all, but there’s the tiniest of chances that he can be a capable defender. He certainly has the pedigree and he has been good at points in his career in junior and as a rookie.

As much as I want Ottawa to trade him, he still has some value. As of now, he’s ahead of most prospects on this list but that may not last very long. He needs to show that he can be a competent NHLer or else I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on waivers and/or a different team.

Summary:

So that’s part one of three on my list of the most important Senators players. It’s hard deciding which player has more value, especially when it comes to prospects and lower-level caliber players. For instance, Mikael Wikstrand has some real potential to be a top-four defenseman, but he ranks 27th because he still needs a season in the AHL and will have to learn how to play in the NHL.

Right now he’s not that important to the NHL team, but he’s an important prospect to keep an eye on. Tell me what you think so far, it’s interesting to see how others value Ottawa’s players.

Next: Ottawa Senators: Top 20 Prospects After The Draft

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