Ottawa Senators Prospect Update: Europe

While the depth in Europe isn’t as strong as it has been in the past for the Senators, they still house some intriguing prospects within the system

The Senators have five prospects playing across the pond, the majority of whom are mid-to-late round draft picks, it’s not the most talented group the Senators have had, but one that could have some NHL potential.

LW Vitaly Abramov – Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)

Drafted: 2016 3rd Round (65th Overall) by CBJ

2021-22 Season Stats: 30GP, 4G-8A-12P, +3

Abramov decided to make the move back to his home country after his position within the Ottawa Senators organization stalled. The 23-year-old winger was becoming too good for the AHL (60pts in last 74gp) but was still not being given opportunities at the NHL level, Abramov only appeared in 4 NHL games from 2019-2021. This was supposed to be a breakout year for Abramov, however, the Russian forward hasn’t yet found his desired level of play yet, averaging less than half a point-per-game.

As the season has worn on, Abramov has carved out a larger role for himself and is starting to look more like the player who dominated the AHL the last two seasons. In Traktor’s last 7 games, Abramov has added 2 goals and 6 points while averaging season highs in ice-time. Here is an example of the Senators prospects skill and vision:

LW Eric Engstrand – Malmö Redhawks (SHL), IF Troja-Ljungby (Hockey Allsvenskan)

Drafted: 2020 5th Round (155th Overall) by OTT

2021-22 Season Stats

Malmö:11GP, 2G-1A-3P, -1

IF Troja-Ljungby: 8GP, 0G-1A-1P, +1

Standing at 6’4″ and upwards of 200 pounds, Engstrand has an enticing frame to go along with some sneaky skill. Engstrand played 45 games with Malmö last season, totaling 1 goal and 5 points at the season’s conclusion. It seems as though Engstrand has settled into a groove over the last 5 games, the 21-year-old forward has 2 goals and 3 points during that stretch.

There’s no doubt that Engstrand has some raw offensive ability, in his draft year the power forward was able to produce 58 points in 37 games with the Malmö Redhawks J20. The Senators 5th rounder pulled off the “Michigan” in the offseason:

C Oliver Johansson – Timrå IK J20 (J20 Nationell), Timrå IK (SHL)

Drafted: 2021 3rd Round (74th Overall) by OTT

2021-22 Season Stats

Timrå IK J20: 13GP, 5G-9A-14P, -7

Timrå IK: 6GP, 0G-0A-0P, -3

Johansson is an exciting, young centreman who is already seeing games at the top level in Sweden. The Senators 3rd round pick has been one of the better players on Timrå’s U20 team, he is one of only two players producing at over a point-per-game. Johansson has played 10+ minutes in each of his last two games in the SHL, expect the young forward to push for continued minutes in the top league.

The 18-year-old has very exciting traits and skill, something that Ottawa is already seeing post draft:

C Viktor Lodin – Timrå (SHL)

Drafted: 2019 4th Round (94th Overall) by OTT

2021-22 Season Stats: 12GP, 2G-6A-8P, -4

Lodin helped carry Timrå to a promotion to the SHL last season alongside former Senator prospect Jonathan Dahlen, now with Dahlen gone Lodin will be one of the teams most relied upon forwards. Lodin’s 8 points rank him 4th on Timrå IK and after a tiny slump following his draft year, Lodin looks more and more likely to earn an NHL contract after this season.

The 22-year-old forward is averaging 17:21 minutes of ice-time per game this season and has been one of the more reliable and effective forwards for a team in the SHL, this seemed like a long shot for Lodin just a couple of years ago. With all the ice-time and opportunity Lodin will surely get for the remainder of the season there’s no reason Lodin can’t finish the season with 25+ points, a very solid mark in one of the best leagues in the world.