Ottawa Senators mock NHL entry draft via Tankathon

I tried my hand at the Tankathon Draft Lottery simulator to find out a potential possibility for their draft selections and who they should consider selecting. The Ottawa Senators would also hold pick #21 from the New York Islanders.

With the Ottawa Senators holding picks with the second and third-best odds, it’s safe to say the Senators have a good chance at acquiring a couple of franchise-changing prospects. Ottawa has a 13.5% chance of landing first overall with their own pick and an 11.5% chance with San Jose’s draft pick.

They have the best chance at selecting first overall at this year’s NHL Draft. With Ottawa potentially selecting as low as fifth and sixth nothing is guaranteed in the draft lottery.

We did a random lottery at Tankathon.com and these were the results:

Ottawa fell two places with each pick, this shows how anything can happen in the draft lottery. Even with picking at four and five Ottawa would still be able to acquire two outstanding talents in the top 5.

4th Overall

Lucas Raymond (RW) Frölunda

Ottawa just misses out on getting Tim Stützle by falling to fourth overall, but they end up snagging  highly skilled forward Lucas Raymond who is a tremendous talent. Playing alongside men last year in the SHL, Raymond showed that he belonged putting up 10 points in 33 games. This may looks like a lack of production but as an 18 year old playing under 10 minutes per game production is not a concern.

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Raymond has a smaller frame at just 5’10” and only 165 pounds but once he grows into his frame it should not be a problem. Raymond has a great hockey IQ which sets him apart from most prospects, his vision puts him as one of the best playmakers in the draft. Ottawa has been preaching speed and pace as their way of revamping their team and Raymond offers that exact skillset and is a great fit for the new NHL. Pair a playmaker like Raymond with Brady Tkachuk and you have a pairing that could dominate together for many years.

Here is a clip of Raymond from SHL action this year showing his breakaway speed vs Brynäs IF.

5th Overall

Cole Perfetti (C) Saginaw Spirit

Perfetti had a tremendous season in the OHL with Saginaw scoring 37 goals and putting up 111 points, leading his team by 31 points. Perfetti stands at only 5’10” but has a thicker more pro ready frame at 185 pounds. Ottawa has a need for a top flight centre and Perfetti would fit that role. While his skating is not a weakness, his speed can be improved upon, while his edge work and balance are more than okay.

He is a great playmaker and can also add goal scoring as well with 37 goals each of the past two seasons with Saginaw. He could form a very good centre group in Ottawa including names like Josh Norris, Logan Brown, Shane Pinto and Colin White. The Senators would be strong down the middle, which is key if this team wants to make a run at a Stanley Cup.

Last season Perfetti was a star on the U18 Canadian men’s team at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, adding 8 goals along with 12 points in just 5 games. He had a breakout game versus Sweden in the semi-final potting two goals and scoring three goals in the shootout to carry Canada to a win over the Swedes.

Perfetti showed his top level talent during the Hlkina-Gretzky Cup.

21st Overall

Jacob Perrault (C) Sarnia Sting

The Senators were looking for a right-shot defence man but there was none that were available at 21 who would be worth the selection. Justin Barron and Jeremie Poirier both left shots were available but they’re talent wasn’t enough to overtake Perrault. Perrault is a great goal scoring centre who scored 30 goals this year and ended this season with 39. Perrault played on a very poor Sarnia team this year and led them in goals.

At 21 you can’t go wrong with picking the best player on the board, and Perrault is exactly that. Perrault is 5’11” and is at 200 pounds so he has a very sturdy frame, which will make him great at protecting the puck. The Senators love selecting players with strong NHL bloodlines with Perrault’s father being long time NHL player Yanic Perrault, he is for sure to catch the Senators eye. I can see Perrault potentially projecting into a top 6 forward for Ottawa.