Ottawa Senators Draft Preview
It's that time of the year. Yes, the NHL Entry Draft! The next set of millionaires are about to arrive.
The Ottawa Senators this year have the 18th pick in the entry draft. What are they looking for, I'm going to go out on a limb and say a forward that can step up. Let's face it, the defense that have been drafted the last couple of drafts are looking to be turned into full-time NHL defensemen. But with the likes of Daniel Alfredsson, the corner stone of this team, finally coming to a slow end in a few years, we need somebody to contribute soon. Of these five players that I have looked into, I believe they will fit in great with this organization. So without further ado, here they are.
AUSTIN WATSON
ISS Rank: No.8
My NHL Translation: Two-Way Forward
Watson was faced with a difficult choice this year in junior. Get the chance at another Memorial Cup with Windsor, or make a name for himself somewhere else? Watson chose his own path waiving his no-trade clause in Windsor and getting shipped out to Peterborough. In 10 games with Peterborough, Austin averaged 2 points a game! Finishing with 20 points. " He is a bit of a gem," another scout said. " He isn't going to be the biggest scorer in the world, but he does good things in all three zones."
EMERSON ETEM
ISS Rank: No.23
My NHL Translation: Offensive Forward
Etem has been compared to the number one ranked player in this years draft, Taylor Hall, for his explosive speed and skating ability. Last season as a rookie in the WHL for the Medicine Hat Tigers, Emerson scored 37 goals while adding 28 assist for 65 points in 72 games. " Usually he comes off the wing where he holds the puck wide, gets around the defensemen and cuts to the net," a scout said. " You can just sense when he's on the ice that something is going to happen offensively."
JOHN MCFARLAND
ISS Rank: No. 30
My NHL Translation: Power Forward
John Mcfarland's talent has been compared to both Taylor Hall, and Tyler Seguin, but a bad year with the Sudbury Wolves has seen his stock drop. In his rookie season with the Wolves, John had 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points in 58 games. Some scouts have compared him to the Islanders Rob Scremp, with the skill Mcfarland has. I believe Mcfarland, with the right people at his side could definitely make a huge impact on an NHL team.
CALLE JARNKROK
ISS Rank: No. 72
My NHL Translation: Offensive Forward
From what I have read about this 5-11' 156 pounder from Sweden, he could be our next Daniel Alfredsson. With the NHL gotten to be a smaller faster game, guys like Jarnkrok can make a huge impact while only being a little guy. Mind you maybe Jarnkrok just caught some fire late in the season when scouts really took a good look at him. He started with Brynas Junior, 41 games played 8 goals 18 assists for 26 points, and finished with the big boys for Brynas. Jarnkrok put up solid numbers for Brynas for a young small player, finishing with 10 points in 33 games.
LUDVIG RENSFELDT
ISS Rank: No.47
My NHL Translation: Two-Way Forward
With an outside chance of cracking even the top 30 in the draft, he is Swedish, and the Senators have had great success with late picked Sweds. 50 points in 39 games for Brynas Junior this year, Rensfeldt has played a good year, but some scouts just didn't seem convinced. Some scouts wanted more consistency out of him while others thought he was going to make a great impact early and often. Even though both those are not bad things about his play, Rensfeldt just needs to gear up for a full season.
There it is folks, my top 5 players the Senators might be after in this years entry draft. Remember I'm not an expert, so don't shoot me if I'm wrong!
