Mock Draft: Ottawa Senators Fans Select the First Round

3rd Overall: Quinton Byfield (C), Sudbury (OHL)

H: 6’4″ W: 214 lbs

In what was a lopsided poll since Tim Stützle went 2nd overall to the L.A. Kings, Senators fans seem as though they would be quite enthused with Quinton Byfield at number 3:

Most regard Byfield as the 2nd best prospect in the draft and he offers a ton down the middle for the Ottawa Senators.

Byfield enjoyed a stellar draft year in the OHL, where he scored 32 goals and 82 points in 45 games, doing everything he could in this crucial season. If it wasn’t for a crazy rise from Tim Stützle, the talented center would of been the 2nd overall pick with no questions asked.

The big-bodied center possesses eye popping skill which is evident whenever he is on the ice. For such a big frame, Byfield has rare elite skating which is uncommon for many players his size. Partnered with his great hockey IQ, playmaking and goal scoring ability, Byfield is an all around prospect who would be one of/if not the most talented Senator draft picks ever.

The Senators have depth down the middle with Josh Norris, Logan Brown, Colin White and Chris Tierney but don’t have a bonafide, elite center prospect that Byfield is. One of the players that would benefit greatly from an infusion of talent would be Brady Tkachuk, who would form an intimidating duo with Byfield.

Inserting the skilled centerman into the lineup whether next year, or the year after would create a ton of excitement both on and off the ice for Senators fans.

5th Overall: Lucas Raymond (RW), Frölunda (SHL)

H: 5’10” W: 183 lbs

With Marco Rossi going 4th overall to the Detroit Red Wings, The Ottawa Senators get a chance to find Quinton Byfield’s running mate:

The vote was won by a landslide again, it seems as though Senators fans want to invest heavily in the forward group, the Sens lack high end talent up front so the infusion of talent up front would be wise.

The super-talented winger out of Sweden has been on scouts radars for years and for good reason. Despite being smaller at 5’10”, Raymond is relentless, constantly pressing opposing defenceman on the forecheck using his great motor.

Raymond struggled to produce with Frölunda in the top mens league in Sweden, finishing the season with just 10 points in 33 games. The minimal production is directly correlated to his lack of ice time, that’s why fellow Swedish prospects Alexander Holtz and Noel Gunler all had similar production.

Only playing 10:16 a game it was tough to find consistency for the talented forward and when he would play he would be stuck on the fourth line at most points. Looking into the production is the wrong way to assess Raymond, watching him play more minutes against players his age, you see how dominant he can be. This years World Juniors was a great example, as at just 17-years of age he was one of Sweden’s best players.

Whenever Raymond touches the puck he’s a danger to score, on the power play below versus Finland he takes the puck end to end for the great chance on net:

Going 1 on 3, Raymond makes a quick toe drag which results in something out of nothing. The young Swede would finish the tournament with 4 points in 7 games and showed to the world why he’s thought so highly of by most scouting services.

21st Overall: Seth Jarvis (RW), Portland (WHL)

H: 5’10” W: 172 lbs

The pick I was most excited of was the selection of Jarvis, the highly skilled forward lit up the WHL this past season.

In another lopsided poll, Senators fans want to bring even more talent to the forward group, at 21 Jarvis was far and away the best player remaining and a better option than reaching for a defenceman.

Enjoying an outstanding draft year, Jarvis scored 42 times while adding 56 assists to almost surpass the century mark in just 58 games. Even more impressive is the fact Jarvis finished the season with 64 points in his final 26 games, after January 1st, the shifty forward was unstoppable.

Jarvis oozes skill, even with his miniature frame at just over 170 pounds, the Portland forward can skate circles around defenders and his offensive talent can make the opposition look silly at times. Ranked in the mid-teens by most scouting services, the Senators will be hard pressed to find a better option at 21.

The highly-skilled forward can use his frame to his advantage at points, he can slip off checks and use elusive maneuvers for chances on net:

In the clip above, Jarvis makes what seems like the whole Try-City team miss and ends doing all the work to get the assist on the play.

Jarvis also possesses a sneaky good shot, he has a quick release with his wrister and call also rip one-timers from his off side on the power play:

A scary combination of goal scoring, playmaking and speed should make Jarvis a can’t miss prospect in the upcoming draft.

Jarvis would be an ideal compliment to Byfield and Tkachuk atop the lineup for the Senators, while the two big bodies can create space for the diminutive forward to use all of his talent to wreak havoc on opposing goaltenders.