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Ottawa Senators: Early 2020 Entry Draft Predictions

By James Reeve

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 21: A general view of the draft floor prior to the Ottawa Senators pick during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 21: A general view of the draft floor prior to the Ottawa Senators pick during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Ottawa Senators
OSHAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 22: Jamie Drysdale #4 of the Erie Otters skates with the puck during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on November 22, 2019 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /

First Round, Pick One

Pick Analysis. 6. Defenceman. Erie Otters, OHL. Jamie Drysdale. player. 91. Scouting Report

Balance is the key to any rebuild, with the Ottawa Senators needing to ensure that both offence and defence are addressed in this deep draft class.

With the second pick of the first round, a pick acquired from the San Jose Sharks in the trade that sent star defenceman Erik Karlsson the other way, the Senators should choose arguably the most impressive defensive prospect in the draft, Jamie Drysdale.

Drysdale is ranked by many as the top defenceman in the 2020 Draft, largely due to his strong two-way game that has seen him rack up an impressive seven goals and 38 total points in just 34 regular-season appearances for the Otters in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Otters’ alternate captain helped guide Team Canada to a gold medal at the World Junior Championships, with Drysdale scoring a goal and having a further two assists in the seven games played at the coveted tournament.

His slight 5-foot-11, 170lbs frame conjures up images of a young Karlsson and he is likely to need to work on putting on the pounds once he is drafted into the NHL.

Defencemen also typically require further seasoning before being ready to step up into the NHL, with Drysdale likely needing to return to juniors due to him being ineligible to play in the AHL.

This does not mean the Sens should pass on him, or any defenceman, in the early stage of the first round as his ceiling could see him become a top-pairing blueliner in the future.

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