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Draft Day Scenarios For The Ottawa Senators

By Derek Lee

OSHAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Quinton Byfield #55 of the Sudbury Wolves skates during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on February 7, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
OSHAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Quinton Byfield #55 of the Sudbury Wolves skates during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on February 7, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /
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PLYMOUTH, MI – DECEMBER 11: Jake Sanderson #48 of the U.S. Nationals follows the play against the Slovakia Nationals during game two of day one of the 2018 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on December 11, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Slovakia 7-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
PLYMOUTH, MI – DECEMBER 11: Jake Sanderson #48 of the U.S. Nationals follows the play against the Slovakia Nationals during game two of day one of the 2018 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on December 11, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Slovakia 7-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Scenario 4: #3 Quinton Byfield #5 Jake Sanderson

Grade: B+

Ok, so Ottawa has landed Byfield in this scenario, presented the fanbase with the rebranded OFFICIAL 2D jerseys and the dream is only going to get better right? Well…hold that thought a minute. Here comes the “let down” you were all waiting for. The truth is, this is the scenario that I personally see as the most likely outcome of the 2, top picks. We’ve covered Byfield enough but what about Jake Sanderson at #5. Is this going to be the most accepted pick among Sens fans? Obviously not but we can’t forget the reaction that many fans had to selecting Brady Tkachuk not long ago, after Dorion passed on the “more skilled” Filip Zadina, only to prove us all wrong basically immediately. I would offer the same patient reaction that I wish I would have had after the Tkachuk pick. Sanderson is arguably a better fit for Ottawa over Drysdale.

If Ottawa feels they must have one forward, one defenseman from these 2 top picks, this could in fact be the best-case scenario. Despite being left-handed and not an ideal fit to pair with Thomas Chabot, Sanderson could eventually slot into the second pairing alongside Senators’ top prospect, Erik Brannstrom. Brannstrom, also left-handed, has a history of playing his weak side and might actually be more suited to do so at the NHL level. Sanderson will not bring a major offensive contribution to the lineup, although he’s closer to the offensive ceiling that Drysdale possesses than many think. I would suggest his ceiling ranges from the 30-40 point mark, depending on how he’s used and what roles he’s given with the team. He is great at transitional play and one of the best at skating the puck through the neutral zone, creating clean zone entries. This is an area of struggle for Ottawa as currently, only Chabot has the ability to make these plays. Sanderson would surely make the blueline a point of emphasis in the Sens rebuild plan. The argument to be made against this scenario is less about Sanderson’s abilities and more about the quality players that Ottawa left on the table for other teams at #5. For that reason, this scenario enters the “B zone” but overall it’s still potentially a great scenario and one that will grow on people over time.

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