Draft Day could see Ottawa Senators make some moves
Today is the first day of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and the Ottawa Senators could be primed to make some moves.
The Ottawa Senators head into the first day of the 2019 Draft with the 19th overall selection in the first round, the first time the team has held this pick in their 27-year history.
While they hold the 19th pick to start the day, that isn’t to say the team will stand pat and pick a player at that point – with the opportunity to move up in the draft something that could become a reality.
In the lead-up to the draft, there has been plenty of discussions reported for the Senators’ second-round picks – of which the team has eight over the next three drafts (including this weekend’s).
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With so many high-value picks at their disposal, the Senators have a real opportunity to move up in the draft or even receive a package that nets them a veteran capable of having a positive impact on their rebuild.
Pierre Dorion himself has mentioned the 32nd and 44th overall picks in this year’s draft as assets that teams around the league have enquired about.
This doesn’t mean the picks are available, and Dorion could land a couple of legitimate future NHL players if the team sticks with them, but it is clear that teams are giving the Sens GM plenty to consider heading into the first of three important drafts for the organisation.
With the Ottawa Senators having a tonne of cap space, plenty of teams around the NHL could be calling to offload cumbersome contracts that are handicapping their own development.
This could work in Ottawa’s favour as it could see them also land a solid piece as a sweetener in the deal, with a player such as Colin Miller being a legitimate top four player the Senators could acquire if they were also willing to take on David Clarkson‘s insured contract – freeing up around $9 million in cap space for the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Senators could realistically also package their seconds along with their mid-range first-round pick in order to jump up into the top ten if the team truly desires a prospect that isn’t likely to be available at 19.
Today will be truly intriguing for all involved with the organisation, watching it all unfold and seeing whether or not Dorion can pull something out of the bag or if he decides to stick with the 19th pick and take a player that can have a big impact down the line.
With the Ottawa Senators having the first pick of the second round, it won’t be too much longer for fans to wait for the team to make their second selection of the draft either.
Having so many picks in the first couple of rounds in itself is excited and today could realistically be considered the first official day of the new rebuilding era.
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What do you think Sens fans? Are you excited for the draft? Who do you hope the team selects in the first round? Will they move up or stand pat? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!