Drafting Ottawa Senators Players to Playoff Teams

By Jack Baines | May 21, 2021

Mar 1, 2021; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (left) and defenseman Thomas Chabot (72) celebrate after a second goal by right wing Drake Batherson (middle) against the Calgary Flames in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

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Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson (19) Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /

With our last pick of the draft, I’m honestly surprised Batherson fell this far. Realistically, the third piece of the Sens’ first line probably should’ve gone to Edmonton, but the all-German line was too good to pass up. There’s a good case to be made that Boston should’ve just ignored their positional needs and taken him at seven too. But every draft needs a faller and Minnesota will happily scoop him up here.

The Wild are one of the best teams in the league but have the misfortune of having to go through Vegas and then, in all likelihood, Colorado to even get to the semi-finals. Batherson and Ryan Dzingel are the only available forwards with at least 20 games played this season to finish with a positive 5v5 xGF%, so there’s no need to overthink things here. Batherson’s 17 goals would also provide a much-needed boost to a team that’s only scored one goal in six regulation periods so far in the playoffs.

As an added bonus, Batherson will also be able to move up to the first line when Kirill Kaprizov misses Game 5 to pick up his social security check.

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8th: Minnesota Wild – Drake Batherson