Ottawa Senators: Post NHL Draft Top 20 Prospects #20-#11

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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.

Next: Prospects #17-#15

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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

17. Filip Ahl

Much like the player who preceeds him, Ahl is a big bodied forward. He holds a little more offensive potential than Buddy Robinson, which puts him higher on the list.

That said, he sounds like a highly inconsistent player. One scouting report ripped Ahl for being a lazy player, but that’s certainly what development will hope to turn around. The Senators always take a swede in the draft, this year, Ahl was it. Look for him to play a few more years in Sweden then perhaps North America is in the cards.

16. Ben Harpur

There seems to be a theme in amongst the last few players, and Harpur leads them all. At 6foot6, Harpur is a big defenceman. He just completed his CHL career and is expected to play in the Senators organization this upcoming season.

His game certainly projected well at the CHL level, and his big size makes him an intriguing prospect. Depending on how his first AHL season goes, his NHL projections will become more clear. For now, he remains a long shot as a former 4th round pick, but has the physical tools to make the NHL.

15. Max McCormick

Along with former Ohia State teammate Ryan Dzingel, McCormick is ready to take a step up in terms of production at the AHL level. He’s a bruising forward who works hard and isn’t afraid to drop the gloves.

That hard work was recognized this off-season as McCormick took home the Senators’ Hardest Working player award at development camp. He projects as a bottom 6 forward and could make his NHL debut over the next few seasons. For now, McCormick will be an important piece in Binghamton as they look to have a big year.

Next: A 2015, 2nd Rounder Highlights The Next Group

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Sep 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators forward Ryan Dzingel (43) celebrates his tying goal as Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) and forward James van Riemsdyk (21) react during the third period at the Air Canada Centre. Ottawa defeated Toronto 4-3 in an overtime shoot-out. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

14. Mikael Wikstrand

Wikstrand could play in Binghamton as early as this season. That’s an intriguing idea for the Senators franchise, who holds Wikstrand in very high regard. Sens AGM, Pierre Dorion has stated before how he feels Wikstrand is a high level prospect, who could play in the NHL soon.

He’s signed in Sweden, but is eligible to play in Binghamton due to transfer/opt-out clauses. If Wikstrand is able to play in Binghamton this upcoming year, perhaps his Ottawa Senators debut isn’t far off.

13. Ryan Dzingel

Dzingel seems steady. He’s incredibly fast and like McCormick, a very hard worker. The two play vastly different styles and Dzingel holds more offensive upside.

The numbers last season weren’t incredible, but rather steady for a rookie coming out of the NCAA. He posted 34 points in 66 games, for a greater than .50 ppg pace. Look for Dzingel to line up in the Binghamton Senators’ top 6 this season as he aims to play in the NHL fairly soon.

12. Frederik Claesson

Following a year on a successful team, Claesson took a step back this year. He still projects to be able to play in the NHL, but at 23 years-old, he’s not getting younger. Claesson will be Binghamton’s best defender if Chris Wideman is in the NHL and with Wideman’s flashy game gone, the Senators will find a different style defender leading the team.

Claesson is a simple, stay-at-home defender who projects to be just that at the NHL level. He’s smart, and the organization acknowledges that due to his pre-season play with Erik Karlsson.

If Binghamton has a big year, so will Claesson. Look for just that to occur and if not, at least a good year for Claesson’s development.

11. Gabriel Gagné

35 goals in the QMJHL as an 18-year-old and he’s ranked outside the top 10? Crazy, right?

Gagné was an off the board pick that the Senators traded up to select as the organization clearly assessed Gagné as a target. He projects to be a scorer, and it won’t be known if he can play at the NHL level for a few more seasons, but he’s trending that way.

He’s big, and at 6foot5, he has the frame. He’ll need to add more weight, but could be a very good, big winger in the NHL in just a few seasons.

Next: Assessing The Ottawa Senators' Cap Situation

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