SENSNEWS

The 2024 NHL draft is going to be an important time for the Ottawa Senators’ organization. The scouting team will be tasked with refilling the prospect cupboards moving forward. That said, there are still some good pieces in the Senators’ organization who could turn into NHLers in the future.

With that, I figured it would be a good time to look at the top 10 prospects in the Ottawa Senators’ organization. This list will certainly change following the draft, but it should provide some good insight into the team’s future moving forward.

For the purpose of this list, I am only looking at prospects aged 23 and younger. If you’re wondering where Angus Crookshank is, he is simply too old for this top 10 list.

Ottawa Senators Prospects Top 10 Ranking

10. Theo Wallberg – LD

Theo Wallberg starts off the list at the #10 position. Wallberg is certainly the biggest surprise among Senators prospects after catching fire in the NCAA with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

In 38 games with Ohio State, Wallberg recorded two goals and added 19 assists for 21 points. Nearly matching his 22 points from the season prior, however, that was in 60 games… in the USHL!

Wallberg would be higher on this list with a greater sample size, but if he is able to match/exceed this production next season, I will be fully sold. Hopefully, he is able to do so and can turn pro towards the end of the collegiate season.

9. Oskar Pettersson – RW

Oskar Pettersson was having a difficult season in the SHL, but he showed some solid promise in the AHL with Belleville. Unfortunately, he wasn’t given a full opportunity to show his skills off this season.

In 26 games with Rögle this season, Pettersson recorded just one assist. However, he was receiving extremely limited ice time and some nights only received a couple of shifts.

He took a step forward in a fourth-line role with Belleville. Pettersson scored three goals and added four assists in 29 games. He should hopefully be placed in a third-line role this upcoming season with Belleville, and it will be up to him to produce from there.

8. Hoyt Stanley – RD

The lone member of the 2023 draft class, Hoyt Stanley, finds himself at #8. Stanley finished his freshman season with Cornell, scoring two goals and adding eight assists in 35 games.

His role and comfort level at the NCAA level continued to rise as the season went on. And he was no defensive slouch either, recording an impressive +16 as an 18/19-year-old in college.

Next season, I will be looking for Stanley to take another step forward at the collegiate level. He should have an increased role with Cornell, and hopefully, he can make the most of it.

7. Leevi Merilainen – G

The only other goaltender on the list is, of course, Leevi Merilainen. The second half of the tandem in Belleville had a solid year overall but would like to manage the highs and lows a little bit better.

In 24 games with Belleville, Merilainen recorded a .906 SV% with a 2.87 GAA. The numbers are solid for a rookie AHL netminder, but they are anchored down by a few very tough performances from last season.

The plan is for Merilainen to spend all season with Belleville next season. Whether that will be as the team’s starter or backup is still undetermined. In either scenario, hopefully, Merilainen can put together a more consistent year with even better results.

6. Jorian Donovan – LD

Another defender who has seen his value rise over the past few seasons is Jorian Donovan. The 20-year-old defender had a rock-solid season in the OHL with both Brantford and Saginaw.

Donovan recorded 46 points in 66 games this season between the two franchises. His numbers took a hit after being moved to Saginaw, but that is not an indication that his capabilities changed, but rather that he had to play behind top prospect Zayne Parekh.

Donovan also helped bring the Memorial Cup to Saginaw, recording an assist on the game-winning goal. He finished with four points in five games during the tournament and was excellent defensively as well.

5. Mads Søgaard – G

The top goaltender in the Ottawa Senators’ system has to be Mads Søgaard. Leevi Merilainen isn’t far behind, but Søgaard is still the guy in Belleville.

Søgaard finished this season playing in 32 games with the Belleville Senators and nine with Ottawa. With Belleville, Søgaard recorded a .916 SV% and a 2.45 GAA. With Ottawa, Søgaard still showed some growing pains with a .859 SV% and a 4.05 GAA.

With the Ottawa Senators’ lack of consistent goaltending at the NHL level, there is a chance Søgaard could steal one of the two jobs. The Sens are actively searching for a starter, but the team didn’t rule out the possibility of a potential internal solution.

4. Zack Ostapchuk – C

Zack Ostapchuk has steadily progressed as a prospect in the Ottawa Senators’ prospect system. In his first pro season, Ostapchuk found his role progressively increase with the B-Sens.

The 6’4” 203 lb smooth-skating center put up 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points in 69 games with Belleville. He really showed high defensive ability as well, often being trusted to shut down opposing teams’ top players.

In seven games with Ottawa, Ostapchuk had some ups and downs. Early on, he looked great and up to game speed. But it showed eventually that he still needed some more time in the AHL. The hope for Ostapchuk is to build upon this past season, and become an even more effective two-way forward at the AHL level.

3. Stephen Halliday – C

Another high riser in the prospect pool is Stephen Halliday. Halliday split his season with the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Belleville Senators. His playoff performance with Belleville certainly opened up some eyes.

The 21-year-old led Ohio State with 36 points in 38 games last season. In Belleville, he recorded five assists in 10 games during the regular season. In the post-season, Halliday stepped up in a big way, scoring two goals and seven assists in seven games.

Stephen Halliday will have an outside shot at the NHL roster for this upcoming season. But most likely, he will start with the Belleville Senators. Hopefully, Halliday can grab a top-six center position in Belleville and put together a strong first full pro season.

2. Roby Järventie – LW/C

Arguably the most underrated prospect in the Senators’ system has to be Roby Järventie. Many forget that prior to his injury this season, Roby Järventie was absolutely lighting up the AHL.

The 21-year-old winger finished last season with 20 points in 22 games before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. His game took a big step forward after being moved to the center position in Belleville.

Järventie also suited up for seven games with Ottawa this season. He recorded just one assist before returning to Belleville, and still looked like he needed some more time to marinate.

This season, Järventie will once again try to crack the Ottawa roster. But after missing 8+ months of play, I would expect him to start the season in Belleville. At least for long enough to shake the rust off.

1. Tyler Kleven – LD

The top prospect in the system for the Ottawa Senators is none other than Tyler Kleven. Kleven is a physical, smooth-skating defender who really transitioned effectively to the pro level this season.

In his first full season with the Belleville Senators, Kleven finished with five goals and 16 assists for 21 points in 53 games. His defensive game was also excellent as the pairing of himself and Nikolas Matinpalo led the team in +-.

Kleven also got nine games in the NHL this season where he tallied an assist. The third pair left defender spot will be Kleven’s spot to lose at the Senators’ training camp this season. Hopefully, the K-train can ride into the season full steam ahead.