The Hockey Writers Rank 7 Senators Inside The Top 100 Prospects

Known for their deep prospect pool, Ottawa had plenty of representation on the list

With the Senators rebuild in full force, many scouting/mainstream sites are taking notice of their high-quality prospects. There are not many other teams/if any that have as strong of a prospect pool as the Senators and that showed in these rankings. The Hockey Writers just released their updated Top 100 Prospect Rankings for the Postseason.

93-Shane Pinto

Coming in at 93rd was Shane Pinto, the Senators second-round pick from the 2019 draft was great during his time with North Dakota and made a name for himself in the World Juniors. Pinto had moved up 5 spots from 98 at the midseason rankings and has been on an upwards trajectory since he was drafted.

81-Lassi Thomson

Another selection from the 2019 draft for Ottawa, Thomson was solid in his first season in professional hockey with Ilves of the Finnish SM-Liiga. Writer Josh Bell has loved the Senators’ picks despite what some critical fans had to say at the time of the draft:

"Yet another selection that Senators fans weren’t thrilled with, I think they will be one day"

Similar to Pinto fans were hesitant at the time of the pick, deeming it a “reach” but as of now it looks like a good pick, hence Thomson’s spot at 81 on the list.

63-Jacob Bernard-Docker

Bernard-Docker enjoyed a great year with one of the top teams in college, as well as being one of the key defencemen on Team Canada’s World Junior winning squad. Like Thomson, Bernard-Docker is a right-handed defenceman who offers a similar skill set. The Senators will be hoping that those two can patrol the right side for the foreseeable future. The top-rated Senators defenceman on the list since Erik Brannstrom had graduated due to his NHL experience from this season.

55-Josh Norris

The biggest riser out of all Senators’ prospects this season, Norris was exceptional in the AHL where he became a 30-goal scorer. Now one of the team’s best centre prospects, he keeps making the Erik Karlsson trade look better and better.

Norris plus the next three players on the list give you an idea as to why Belleville was so strong this past season.

44-Alex Formenton

I was a little surprised to find Formenton ahead of Josh Norris but I can see the reasoning behind it. Formenton possesses speed that might be the best out of all NHL prospects:

"When you think of Alex Formenton, you think of speed. He’s one of the fastest prospects in the league, already putting NHL defenders on their heels in his short stints with the team"

With the NHL being all about speed and pace in the modern era, Formenton should be a valuable asset for Ottawa in the years to come.

43-Logan Brown

Probably the most surprising Senator ranking would be Brown at 43. The 6’6″ pivot has been written off by many fans and mostly for lackadaisical reasons. He showed he was capable in the NHL last season and produced greatly in the AHL, next year will be crucial for Brown to establish himself as a full-time NHLer.

18-Drake Batherson

Now the least suprising ranking, Senators top prospect Drake Batherson. With Brannstrom now graduated from the list, Batherson would without a doubt be the next prospect to take the helm. The Belleville Senators best player over the last two seasons and just 22-years-old, Batherson should have a great future in the NHL as early as next season.