Ottawa Senators: Most Likely Belleville Graduates of 2019/2020

The Ottawa Senators have built one of the strongest prospect pipelines in the NHL over the last few seasons. Many of the Senators’ most exciting prospects currently play in the AHL with the Belleville Senators. Upon the Cancellation of the 2019/2020 AHL season, many of these prospects are poised to make the jump to the Ottawa Senators as soon as next season.

The Belleville Senators were playing fantastic hockey prior to the cancellation of the AHL season. The team sat first place in the North Division with a record of 38-20-4. Leading the way in scoring for the young Belleville Senators were forwards Josh Norris, Drake Batherson, and Alex Formenton. The oldest of the three forwards being Drake Batherson at 22 years of age. With forward spots likely to open up in Ottawa next season, look for these forwards to make a push to be full-time members of the Ottawa Senators next season.

After assessing how the prospects performed over the course of the season, how much prior NHL experience they have, and potential spaces in the Ottawa Senators’ lineup going forward, I have compiled a list of prospects I believe to have the best chance of graduating to the NHL next season. For this list, I have excluded Christian Wolanin as he was hurt for the majority of the season and I believe he would be considered a full-time NHL player already.

#1 Drake Batherson

Drake Batherson is a top candidate to make the jump from the Belleville Senators to the Ottawa Senators next season. Not only did he already make the team out of camp once before, but he appears to have almost outgrown AHL competition altogether. In 44 games with Belleville this season, Batherson had 16 goals and 38 assists for 54 points. That is 1.23 points per game.

Batherson is a 6’3, 206lbs winger who played 23 games with the Ottawa Senators this season, scoring 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points. This level of production may not scream top-six forward at the moment, but Batherson showed flashes of carrying his elite skills over to the NHL level throughout the course of the season. Once he becomes more consistent, I believe he will be a lock in the top-six.

I believe Batherson could make the jump next season due to his readiness as a player and based on the uncertainty of the position for the Ottawa Senators. With Connor Brown and Anthony Duclair on expiring contracts, Batherson could step into a hole in the top-six easily, should one open up. Batherson would also need to compete with the likes of Rudolfs Balcers for a roster spot, which will not be an easy task. If the only space available for him is in the bottom of the lineup, Batherson could see more AHL time next season so he can play more top-line minutes.

#2 Erik Brannstrom

The Ottawa Senators received Erik Brannstrom from the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Mark Stone out of Ottawa. It was on a day that Pierre Dorion later called his proudest day as General Manager of the Ottawa Senators. Since that day, Brannstrom has been one of the Senators’ prized assets, touted as the future of the Senators’ blueline alongside Thomas Chabot.

This past season, the 20 year-old defenseman played 27 games with the Belleville Senators. In the AHL, his offensive prowess was evident as he had 3 goals and 20 assists for 23 points in 27 games.

Brannstrom also played 31 games with the Ottawa Senators this season. Despite showing flashes of his skill and puck-moving ability, he also struggled to find consistency at the NHL level. Brannstrom ended the season with 4 assists and a minus 9 goal differential.

I have selected Brannstrom as a top candidate to graduate from the Belleville Senators going into next season because I believe he can win a roster spot over Mike Rielly and Christian Jaros going forward. I also believe Olle Alsing will be better suited with the Belleville Senators next season to become accustomed to North American ice. Leaving Brannstrom one less competitor.

Brannstrom’s ice-time also steadily increased during his time with the Ottawa Senators this season, twice clocking almost 22 minutes. This pattern seems to be trending towards garnering an increased role going forward as both of these games were at the end of his time in the NHL this season.

#3 Marcus Hogberg

Some might already consider Marcus Hogberg to be “graduated” from the Belleville Senators. This will certainly depend on the futures of Craig Anderson and Anders Nilsson in Ottawa going forward. The one certainty is that Hogberg played fantastically for the struggling Senators squad down the stretch.

After starting the season in Belleville, Hogberg was called up to the Ottawa Senators in relief of Anders Nilsson, who suffered a concussion. In 24 games with the Senators, the 25 year-old goaltender had a record of 5-8-8 with a .904 save percentage.

These may not be scorching numbers, but expectations need to be calmed when considering he was playing behind the 2019/2020 Ottawa Senators defense.

Marcus Hogberg gaining a full-time role with the Ottawa Senators will likely come as a result of Craig Anderson retiring from the NHL, whenever that may be. I selected Hogberg as a top candidate to graduate from the AHL because he has already shown the capability of being competent at the NHL level. Also, Craig Anderson is on an expiring contract, so his future with the Ottawa Senators is undecided.

#4 Logan Brown

Finally, it is the time for Logan brown to prove himself as a full-time Ottawa Senator. This might be considered more of a long-shot as I see a lot of fans and analysts alike are down on Brown.

After being selected 11th overall in the 2016 NHL draft, Brown has struggled to reach his potential as a top-six center. He has been riddled with injuries and has struggled with consistency and effort level. However, the departure of Jean-Gabriel Pageau at the trade deadline could mean a top-six role is up for grabs in training camp.

Brown is a 6’6, 220 lbs center. In 25 games with Belleville this season, he scored 7 goals and 21 assists for 28 points. While with the Ottawa Senators, he scored 1 goal and 7 assists for 8 points in 23 games.

I selected Logan Brown as a top candidate to graduate to the Ottawa Senators next season because he has the talent and skill level to play in the NHL. Another year of maturity and growth as a player will hopefully be enough for him to realize his potential. It is by no means a lock, however. He will have to compete against the likes of Josh Norris, Chris Tierney, Colin White, and whoever the Senators pick at #3 in the NHL draft. It is safe to say the pressure is on for him to perform.

If Logan Brown cannot take that next step in training camp, his time may be running out as an Ottawa Senator. His agent has already expressed frustration at Brown’s lack of opportunity at the NHL level. Tensions could rise further if Brown is on the outside looking in once again.

#5 Rudolfs Balcers

Another player that might be considered already “graduated” by some, but has been forced into lengthily conditioning stints with Belleville due to injury. Balcers had seemingly already graduated from Belleville heading into this season before being injured in September. Balcers had 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points in 33 games with Belleville this season.

Balcers has already played 51 career NHL games with the Ottawa Senators. He also finished the season on the NHL roster after playing his way back into the lineup, scoring 3 points in 15 games.

I see Balcers being competitive in training camp next season and he has already shown he can land a bottom-six role with the Ottawa Senators. This is where he was slotted down the stretch at the NHL level.