Ottawa Senators: Deep prospect pool includes promising goaltenders

The Ottawa Senators are building a deep pool of prospects for their rebuild and it already includes two truly promising goaltenders.

Craig Anderson‘s future with the Ottawa Senators might be over after next season and the team may have some goalie prospects ready to make the jump in the near future.

Marcus Hogberg has just completed his first full season as the starter for the Senators’ AHL affiliates in Belleville – splitting time with his fellow countryman Filip Gustavsson.

Hogberg, a third round (78th overall) pick by the Senators in 2013, performed exceptionally during his spell in the AHL this season, registering an impressive 21-11-6 record.

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He averaged 2.32 goals against and had a save percentage of .917 – earning two shutouts across the season as the B-Sens fell just short of reaching the post-season.

For his efforts, Hogberg was named Belleville’s MVP of the 2018/19 season at the team’s in-house end of season awards.

His strong showing even earned him a brief stint in the NHL with Ottawa, where he struggled through four consecutive losses – though he did have a 41-save game against the Vancouver Canucks that saw the team claim a point in overtime.

Hogberg will likely start next season as Belleville’s starter again, giving him a few more opportunities in the AHL before the Ottawa Senators consider bringing him in to compete as an NHL backup.

Gustavsson, meanwhile, also has a bright future within the Senators organisation, despite struggling more than Hogberg in his first full season in North America.

Four years young than Hogberg, Gustavsson was a second round (55th overall) pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and was a key piece that Senators acquired in the three-way Derick Brassard trade.

In 31 games with Belleville, Gustavsson had a 3.38 goals against average and a save percentage of just .887 – registering a 12-18-1 record.

These are not good stats at first glance, but Gustavsson is bound to grow and is far younger than Hogberg – who is already starting to look ready to make the step up into the big leagues.

If Hogberg steps up to the NHL next season, it would open up the starting role in Belleville for Gustavsson – giving him a real shot to take further control of his development in the minors.

With Anderson turning 38 next month, it’s unlikely that he will still be playing in another season or two, meaning that the Senators need to find a guy that can seamlessly take over the mantle of starter.

Whether it is a year or two years, the Ottawa Senators look like they have two goalies that could become a solid tandem in the NHL in the very near future – and for a long time, considering both their respective ages.

The Senators will need to lock up Hogberg long-term this summer, with the 24-year-old being a restricted free agent this summer.

Gustavsson, meanwhile still has another two seasons left on his entry-level contract and will not need a new deal until after the 2020/21 season.

The future looks bright with the Ottawa Senators having so many interesting prospects, and their goaltending situation is one that the team should feel fairly confident in moving forward.

What do you think though Sens fans? Are you pleased to see Hogberg and Gustavsson taking the next steps in their respective developments? How soon will it be before Hogberg is called up to be the backup in Ottawa? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!