The Senators officially kick off their preseason on Friday, when 23 prospects will travel to Toronto to take part in a round-robin tournament at Ricoh Coliseum this weekend.
The Senators prospects will be joined by rookies from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. The tournament will showcase top Sens prospects who may get a chance to play in Ottawa this season.
Players to Watch
Most anticipated among the Sens rookies are 2015 first-round picks Thomas Chabot and Colin White.
Chabot, who had 45 points in 34 games in Saint John last season, faces high expectations from Sens management. The 20-year-old defenseman is one of the most likely players to make the big club out of camp.
White, who signed an entry-level contract with the Senators in April, also faces high expectations. Although he only played two games with Ottawa last season, he may become the team’s regular fourth-line center this year.
Fans might also want to keep an eye on 2016 first-round pick Logan Brown. As Ottawa’s most recent first-rounder, Brown will likely challenge for a full-time position on the Senators roster in the future.
Andreas Englund could also see playing time in Ottawa. The 21-year-old Swedish blue liner played five games in Ottawa last season and is likely to be among the club’s first defensive call ups.
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Honorable Mention
Something of a dark horse among the Senators prospects, it is possible that Filip Chlapik may soon make his NHL debut. Drafted 48th overall in 2015, the 20-year-old Czech forward has quietly made his way up the depth chart.
Chlapik went on a tear last season with the Charlottetown Islanders, posting a whopping 91 points in 57 games.
While it is not yet known whether Chlapik is in Sens management’s immediate plans, this playmaker is still exciting to watch. Due to his ability to effectively generate offense, it may not be long before his name is on the roster in Ottawa.