The 2021 NHL Draft was an important one for the Ottawa Senators. The Senators were in need of selecting core pieces in the draft to help build the franchise for the future.
In the 2020 NHL Draft, the Senators were able to hit on their first two first-round selections with drafting Tim Stutzle third overall and Jake Sanderson fifth overall. Today, both Stutzle and Sanderson are important players on the Senators roster.
Looking back at the 2021 NHL Draft, the Senators had hoped their first two selections were going to be core pieces just like Stutzle and Sanderson. Tyler Boucher was taken 10th overall and has disappointed. Zack Ostapchuk was taken with the 39th overall pick, and hasn't had much NHL experience.
How Senators missed the mark big at the 2021 NHL Draft in back-to-back rounds
Looking back at the 2021 NHL Draft, the Senators had the ability to have two of the biggest steals in the draft, but fumbled big time. Today, both of these players are key pieces of the future for the Dallas Stars.
Wyatt Johnston
At the 2021 NHL Draft, one player that kept falling in the first round was Wyatt Johnston. When Johnston kept falling, the Stars saw the opportunity and selected Johnston with the 23rd overall pick.
In the 2022-23 season, Johnston made an impact immediately by scoring 24 goals as a rookie, which was tied for the most among rookies for the season. Johnston scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the second round of the 2023 playoffs against the Seattle Kraken to make his mark in the NHL.
In the following 2023-24 season, Johnston was tied for third for the most points on the Stars with 65, and led the Stars in goals with 32. Johnston was able to lead the Stars in goals at just 20 years old, and was a big part to the Stars having the best record in the Western Conference last season.
Today, Johnston continues to be a major part of the Stars roster. Johnston has 17 points this season so far, with 11 of his points being assists, making him a complete all-around team player on the Stars.
Unlike Johnston, who is thriving in the NHL, Boucher is struggling heavily in the AHL with the Belleville Senators. Boucher didn't record an AHL point this season until the 16th game of Belleville's season.
When considering Boucher has yet to play an NHL game and is struggling in Belleville today, passing on Johnston will be a major fumble at the 2021 NHL Draft for the Senators. However, another player the Senators could've had in the second-round in the same draft was in their hands, and they passed on him as well.
Logan Stankoven
Second-round selections can be tricky for NHL teams. With the 47th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Stars selected Logan Stankoven.
Stankoven immediately became one of the top prospects in hockey after recording 201 points in 107 games played in the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers. In the 2023-24 season in the AHL, Stankoven recorded 57 points.
Stankoven was called up to the NHL in February 2024 and finished with 14 points in 24 games with the Stars last season. Stankoven recorded eight points in all 19 Stars playoff games from 2024 as well.
Today, Stankoven is a big part of the Stars' success this season, and will be part of the future long-term for the Stars. Stankoven has 16 points in 25 games this season.
Eight picks prior to the Stars selecting Stankoven, the Senators selected Ostapchuk. While potential still could be there for Ostapchuk, he hasn't gotten much NHL experience unlike Stankoven.
Ostapchuk has only played in 20 career NHL games. This season, Ostapchuk has only played in 13 games for the Senators and has only recorded just one assist.
The first two draft picks in the 2021 NHL Draft haven't panned out as the Senators would've liked. Johnston and Stankoven have been stellar for the Stars since the draft, and Boucher and Ostapchuk haven't lived up to expectations for the Senators.