Ottawa Senators: Post NHL Draft Top 20 Prospects #20-#11
By Jack Leiper
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.
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