A sign of a successful rebuild done right is the organization stockpiling a big number of draft picks and prospects. The Senators have done a great job with both so far.
The Senators have one of the best prospect pools in the league, and its growing fast. With the deadline not too far off, and likely more picks and prospects coming in. The Senators are moving at a fast pace through this not-too-pleasant rebuild.
So this begs the question, who is the Senators best prospect, by his skill now and his potential at the NHL level?
There are three main contenders for this:
Alex Formenton:
Drafted in the second round a few years ago, Formenton is most known for his blinding speed and pin-point accuracy shooting. He went straight from junior with the London Knights to the NHL with the Senators.
That didn’t work out too well as he clearly wasn’t ready for professional hockey yet. He only got one point in nine games, a goal.
Erik Brannstrom:
Maybe the most hyped sens prospect after the deadline last year, with the GM Pierre Dorion stating it was the best day of his life, acquiring Brannstrom.
The organization has high hopes for the 20-year old defenceman. They slotted him right into the starting lineup on game one of the season.
It didn’t work in the NHL just yet, as he only posted two assists in 23 games. He was sent down to Belleville of the AHL, and has four points in four games there. This is a great move for his confidence.
Drake Batherson:
I believe Batherson is the best prospect in the Senators system. He was a finalist for the rookie of the year honours in the AHL, and was overall a very dominant player for the B-Sens.
After a poor performance in the NHL for the first two games of the season, he was sent to the minors and has flourished there since.
He is first place in the AHL in points with eleven goals and 23 assists for 34 in only 25 games remarkably.
That’s why I believe he is the best prospect in the Senators system.