The prospects and youngsters within the organization may offer a glimmer of hope for Ottawa Senators fans.
After a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Ottawa Senators Senators fell to 21-30-5, the first team this season to hit 30 regulation losses.
It’s a difficult time to be a Senators fan. Questions are still swirling around the team’s best players and whether or not they are going to re-sign, the team can’t seem to catch a break on the ice and they have to deal with a puppet GM and double agent owner in the executive suite.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for a little bit of optimism. Contrary to popular belief, the Sens have some solid prospects in the AHL and other levels of the hockey world. Getting to know these youngsters will give Sens fans an idea of what the team will look like in a few years time.
Joshua Norris
A key prospect the Senators received in the Erik Karlsson trade, Norris is 19-years old and a center for the University of Michigan Wolverines. He was selected 19th overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2017, with scouts noting his “good patience” and that he is “agile on his skates“.
In 54 games at Michigan, Norris has 18 goals and 24 assists. He is currently out for the remainder of the 2018-19 season after a season-ending surgery. Before his injury he was second on the Wolverines in scoring with 19 points in 17 games. He also won a silver medal at the U-20 World Junior Championships with the United States in January this year.
Another note about Norris is that he is good friends with Senators LW Brady Tkachuk, so it is entirely possible to see the two of them team up when Norris finds his way to the NHL.
Drake Batherson
The most noteworthy story regarding the Belleville Senators this year has been Drake Batherson. The 20-year old rookie has been tearing it up in the AHL this year, racking up 16 goals and 28 assists in 37 games, tying him for 14th in the AHL scoring race. His play would earn him a spot in the AHL All-Star Classic, being named MVP of the Classic for his efforts.
Batherson is currently on a nine-game point streak where he has eight goals and 11 assists, helping Belleville get back into playoff contention. Give him a little more time to season and he should be a solid producer for the Ottawa Senators.
Logan Brown
Assisting Batherson and his offensive explosion has been Logan Brown, the 20-year old center who was taken 11th overall by the Senators in 2016.
This is also Brown’s rookie season in the AHL, and he has been making the most of his first impression. He has 12 goals and 21 assists, placing him second among active players in scoring on the Senators. Brown is putting together a nice eight-game point streak, along with seven goals and 14 assists in his last 15 games. Like Batherson he should have another year in Belleville to hone his skills before he is brought up to the NHL.
Joel Daccord
The goalie taking the NCAA by storm, Daccord was a seventh round pick of the Sens in 2015. At 22, he is in his junior year at Arizona State University and the primary reason the Sun Devils are contending for their first NCAA tournament appearance.
Daccord is 19-10-1 and boasts a spectacular 2.18 GAA and just as impressive .937 SV%. He leads the country with seven shutouts and his 19 wins have him tied with Jake Kelly (Clarkson University) for most wins this season.
Finding youth between the pipes is a problem a lot of teams have, but if Daccord is as good in the pros as he is in college, the Senators may have their starter for the future.
Parker Kelly
Lastly, we will look at Parker Kelly, the 19-year old forward currently playing for the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL.
Kelly is an alternate captain for the Raiders and has been a consistent offensive presence in his four seasons with the team. Through 262 games, Kelly has 173 points (83 goals, 90 assists), with 52 points (In 53 games) being scored this season.
The Sens could always use more offense, and Kelly gaining experience scoring in the WHL is a great way for him to build up his skills before he comes to the AHL and, hopefully, the NHL.
Look To The Future
There are still 26 games to go for the Ottawa Senators, which seems like an eternity for the fans, players, coaches and even the writers covering the team. We don’t know what the future holds for this franchise, but it’s always good to check out who could be the names and faces you see on the light posts outside Canadian Tire Centre in a few short years.