Ottawa Senators: Post NHL Draft Top 20 Prospects #20-#11
By Jack Leiper
Heading into the draft, Senshot posted rankings of the top 20 Ottawa Senators prospects in a compilation of blogs, going in-depth on each prospect. Those can all be found here.
Now, with the additions of 8 new prospects including two first round picks, the rankings have changed. I’m going to do another list all together—this time in a series of two blog posts.
Sep 24, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Cal Heeter (33) blocks a shot from Ottawa Senators right wing Buddy Robinson (55) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Who Missed The Cut?
With 5 new prospects added to the list, there were a few from last time who didn’t make it this time. Alex Guptill, Marcus Hogberg, Francis Perron, Chris Driedger, and Cole Schneider just missed the top 20.
Here’s the shiny new list:
20. Kelly Summers
Summers was a local product and 7th round selection in last years NHL draft. He just wrapped up his rookie season in the NCAA while playing for Clarkson University.
The NHL is certainly more than a few years away and if Summers ever gets that chance, it’s after a few years in the AHL. He’s a good skater and offensive producer, but has some work ahead if the NHL is in sight. Still, his game holds the potential and that’s why he gets a look on this list.
There’s a really great post up on Summers from The Hockey Writers, which I would reccommend. Here’s a link.
19. Miles Gendron
Gendron is a player who is heralded as being a very smooth skater. That’s certainly where the potential is held for Gendron as his offensive game has yet to take shape.
Gendron is off to the NCAA following a year in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees. The NCAA will be a big step up as Gendron will play with some of the best players in the states. At 19, he’s a few years off from the AHL where development for the NHL would then begin.
18. Buddy Robinson
He’s not far off from the NHL. He is 23 years old and the Senators organization seems incredibly high on him. Robinson is a big player who is also a good skater—usually a good combination for NHL success.
However, Robinson’s lack of offence at the AHL level has most projecting him to be nothing more than a 4th line player. That’s not an issue, as teams can always use support in a bottom 6 and on the penalty kill. For the Senators, they have a player who isn’t far off from doing just that in Buddy Robinson.