Ottawa Senators: Mock Draft Based on Pierre Dorion’s Draft Trends

33rd Overall: John-Jason Peterka (RW), München (DEL)

This would be an interesting pick for Dorion and company, Peterka is a part of a strong trio of German prospects in this year’s draft which includes Tim Stützle and Lukas Reichel. Ottawa has shown its hand a bit in acquiring players who have connections with players on the current roster. Dorion selected Jacob Bernard-Docker and Jonny Tychonick who grew up close in their childhood and both committed to North Dakota, as well as trading for Josh Norris who is one of Brady Tkachuk’s “best friends”.

While there haven’t been reports on whether Peterka or Stützle are close, they have represented Germany in multiple international tournaments and have chemistry together.

Peterka is an aggressive player who showcased great speed while playing against men in Germany. He wasn’t tremendous offensively with 11 points in 42 games but he held his own against men. The duo of Stützle and Peterka could blossom with the Senators as they did at last years world juniors:

49th Overall: Jake Neighbours (LW), Edmonton (WHL)

At just 5’11” most wouldn’t think of a player as a “power forward” but Neighbours is a rare case with a strong base and already has NHL weight at 201 pounds. A nightmare to play against, Neighbours would fit right into what Pierre Dorion and the Senators are trying to build.

Thehockeywriters.com described Neighbours physical play:

"Despite his smaller 5-foot-11 frame, he has a bullish presence on the ice, throwing big hits and often choosing to go through opponents instead of around them. His strength makes him a puck-possession master, often taking two or three guys to knock him off the puck, and making him especially dangerous right in front of the net. He also is not afraid to get into the corners and battle for the puck, which he wins more often than not."

Neighbours is a player who will never cheat you on effort, he won’t be caught floating on the ice and you can almost guarantee he will be a coach’s favourite. Coach D.J. Smith praises his teams ability to be hard to play against and adding Neighbours to the fold will just add to how opposing teams will dread playing Ottawa.

Outsiders have taken notice of how hard the Senators were to play against last season even with scarce talent.
The Edmonton Oil King captain can also provide offence along with his other intangibles, producing an impressive 70 points in 64 games this past season.

52nd Overall: Ridly Greig (LW), Brandon (WHL)

Yet another player who brings some bite to his game, Greig brings a ton of intensity despite his small 5’11”, 159-pound frame, with an NHL workout regiment he could become a beast on the ice.

Much like Neighbours in terms of physicality, Greig might even be more reckless in the way he launches himself at opposing players, the energy he plays with would be sure to fit right in along this young Senators squad.

While his physicality stands out, his great offensive skills shouldn’t be overlooked either, he totalled 60 points in 56 games this past season and had some flashy highlights along the way. He has possesses traits similar to Brad Marchand as he will consistently get under the opposing team’s skin and make you pay by putting the puck in the net.

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While Greig can’t be expected to produce like Marchand, he does have the tools to be an offensive threat in the NHL.

The Senators and Pierre Dorion are trying to build a perennial playoff contender, and after accumulating elite skill with their first two selections, they can find players to play important roles during their hopeful playoff runs, Greig would be an ideal pest to annoy the other teams to no end.

55th Overall: Helge Grans (RD), Malmö (SHL/SuperElit)

A large defenceman at 6’3″, Grans has the tools to become a solid NHL defenceman, but getting all of those tools in the toolbox will be the big task for the raw defenceman.

Grans played in 27 SuperElit games where he stood at exactly a point/game, he has the capabilities to produce from the offensive end. The Malmö defenceman looked out of place in the SHL, where he played 21 games, Grans struggles on the defensive side of the puck and that showed against the top men in Sweden. Ottawa hasn’t been afraid to take flyers on defenceman with the Jonny Tychonick selection and many believed at the time of the Lassi Thomson selection that it was a reach. While this pick could be considered “risky” because Grans is one of the biggest boom or bust players in the draft, it is rare that Grans falls all the way to 55. At this point in the draft, Ottawa can afford to take a risk on a talented player with their abundance of draft capital.