The Ultimate Ottawa Senators Draft Primer

Ideal Pick: Lucas Raymond (RW)

This is a preferred choice among many Senators fans as Raymond is viewed by many as the 4th best prospect in the draft. It’s looking increasingly likely that Detroit goes with Cole Perfetti at 4th overall, leaving Ottawa a choice between Raymond and realistically the rest of the players in the top-10.

Raymond would be my choice, he’s a dynamic winger with great speed and two-way ability who would bolster the Senators depleted right-wing. A decent season with Frolunda in his draft year, Raymond produced 10 points in 33 games but his lack of production was more due to his lack of playing time as he was a regular on the fourth-line. With this year’s season in the SHL now underway, Raymond already has an increased role on the team and it’s shown in his play, registering 2 points in his first 4 games.

Adding Raymond to the fray would give the Senators a potential stud duo at right-wing between Raymond and Drake Batherson, an exciting possibility.

Other Options: Jake Sanderson (LHD), Jamie Drysdale (RHD), Yaroslav Askarov (G), Jack Quinn (RW)

After Raymond, the draft really evens out, with not much separating the next 8 players, the Senators will have an interesting choice if they go a different way than Raymond.

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While there’s been no definitive proof of the Senators’ interest in Sanderson there are plenty of connections, the imposing defenceman is heading to North Dakota for his freshman season and will join Sens prospects Jacob Bernard-Docker and Shane Pinto. The organization has a lot of faith in the program at North Dakota. Ottawa already has their franchise defenceman with Thomas Chabot and have an up and coming star in Erik Brannstrom but the team is missing a steady defensive presence that can thrive in all situations and that is Sanderson. The pick would make plenty of sense.

As for Drysdale, I think it’s quite unlikely, the Senators already have dynamic offensive threats with the aforementioned Chabot and Brannstrom, it’s tough to think Dorion takes Drysdale but it’s always a possibility.

Jeff Marek dropped some information that could tell what direction the team decides to go:

If true, don’t rule out Askarov and Quinn. If the Senators view Askarov as a future franchise-altering goaltender then they will take him at 5, as for Quinn, he’s a homegrown prospect who has great goal-scoring ability that the Senators are missing in their lineup.