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Senators prospect rankings top 25: Numbers 5-7

By Naftali Clinton

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 30: Alex Formenton #59 of the Ottawa Senators skates in with the puck past Jason Demers during the second period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on October 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 30: Alex Formenton #59 of the Ottawa Senators skates in with the puck past Jason Demers during the second period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on October 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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As we move into the upper echelons of the Senators prospect pool, here are the prospects ranked numbers 5-7.

Number 7: Vitaly Abramov

He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2016. In his first year pro split between the Erie Monsters and Belleville Senators, he posted 29 total points in 70 games.

That was a good rookie season but nowhere near his potential. He’s a potential top line winger on a lot of NHL teams. Still his rookie season was nothing to shake a stick at.

He had seven points in 18 games after the trade to the Senators, enough for him to play in his NHL debut that year.

This season however he is playing like a true star, with 22 points in 21 games. He played two games for the big club so far, notching his first NHL goal.

Estimated NHL arrival: 2020-21 season.

Number 6: Rudolfs Balcers

Another piece in the Karlsson trade, he was a fifth round pick in 2015, so initially there wasn’t much expectations from the Latvian native.

He played a season in the WHL to get familiarized with the North American game. Then next season he is a rookie for the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL. He stuns management with an amazing 48 point performance, leading the team offensively.

Then in 2018-19 he was traded to the Senators and split the season between the NHL and AHL. In the AHL he got 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points in 43 games. For the Ottawa Senators he played 36 games and put up modest number in five goals and nine assists for 14 points.

He was a lock on the Senators opening night lineup, except he got a bad injury, so for conditioning he was sent to the B-Sens for the start of the season.

He never looked back getting at least a point in his first 15 games, with six goals and 16 assists for a remarkable 22 points.

He should be in the NHL right after some of the veterans, who are taking up roster spots, get traded away.

Estimated NHL arrival: This season.

Number 5: Alex Formenton

Now we enter the top five prospects in the Senators organization. Formenton really deserves to be this high in the list mainly because of his blinding speed and goal scoring abilities.

He’s having a wonderful season in the AHL, with twelve goals and 20 points total in 27 games played.

One of the main concerns in his game before the season was his finishing chances. Well with his twelve goals this year he’s doing just fine in that department.

A second round pick by the Senators, he’s really living up to expectations and should be in a Senators uniform in no time at all.

Estimated NHL arrival: 2020-21 season.

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