Ottawa needs to focus on rebuilding at the draft

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — With two selections (6^th, 21^st) overall in the NHL 2010-11 NHL entry draft, the Ottawa Senators will get chance to add two good prospects in their system. Instead of trying to use their draft picks as trade assets and go for the quick fix, the Senators G.M. Brian Murray should decide to fully embrace a rebuilding plan knowing he needs to do something to reclaim their perch as one of the top performers in hockey in terms of developing young players in the system.
 
Rebuilding by the draft necessitate two big qualities as an organization: Believing in the plan and patience. Patience is important because young prospects need time to develop, and the team must live with the kind of mistakes prospects will do in the learning process of the NHL. Now, let’s have a look at what Ottawa’s short, mid, and long term needs are.
 
Goaltending : In goal, before the arrival of Craig Anderson via trade with the Colorado Avalanche, the main guy in net was Darren Elliot, Pascal Leclaire (who was injured most of the year) and Curtis Mcelhinney. In the Sens AHL farm team (Binghamton Senators) Robin Lehner and Barry Brust are the two main guys Ottawa can count on in a pinch. The organization will have to address that position but not with their first pick sixth overall.
 
With Anderson as the main guy to protect the Ottawa cage, that will give other goaltenders times to develop. As number one netminder in Binghamton, Brust, saw action in 52 games ending the regular season with a 2.53 goals against average and a .925 save percentage. Lehner played 22 games ending the 2010-11 season with a 2.70 G.A.A. and a .912 save percentage. It could be good idea to address the situation with a later pick.
 
In mid and long term needs Ottawa needs reinforcement at forwards position. At 39, Daniel Alfredssson has been the main guy representing the franchise but the organization needs to think about replacing him one day.   As far as Jason Spezza is concerned, he was supposed to be the main guy offensively with whom the team wanted to build the Senators offensive around but he never assumed the role.
 
Defense: Swedish defenseman David Rumblad has already played against men in the Swedish Elite League and is already considered being one of the best if not the best prospects on defense. The organization will give him every chance to stay in the big leagues.   Patrick Wiercioch (6-2, 192) is another 20 year old defenseman playing in the AHL with Binghamton and appears to be close to making the NHL. Will he be able to take a spot on the Senators blueline? That answer will have to wait at the next Ottawa training camp in September.
 
Another player who will get a good look is the Sens 2009 first round selection (9^th overall) Jared Cohen. The 6-5, 228 pounder ended this year with the Spokane Chiefs in the Western Hockey League with 36 points (14g-22a). Needing to add offensive defenseman, both 20 year old prospects might be a great addition to the NHL team. Eric Gryba is another defenseman worth the attention of the organization, not as one of top four defensemen, but could earn a spot as a fifth defenseman on Ottawa’s defensive unit. Considering what the team already has in the NHL as well as the prospects already knocking at the door, Ottawa won’t spend their first pick in round one on another defenseman.    
 
On Offense: In terms of forwards prospects in the organization, the Sens will take a long look at Swedish right winger Jakob Silfverberg. The 6-1, 187 pounder played for Brynas in the Sweden Hockey League and ended the season with 28 points (14g-14a) in 45 games. Bobby Butler, a 23 year old right winger who signed as free agent (March 29, 2010) played last year with Binghamton and had 33 points (22g-11a).
 

When looking for a physical forward who can play on a third or fourth line who can drop the gloves occasionally when needed, the Senators will take a closer look at Colin Greening, a 6’ 3” 211 pound center who played in Binghamton and recorded 36 points (13g-23a) in 53 games.
 
The quality of player the Ottawa Senators might look for should be a player with good playmaking ability combined with a very dynamic offensive talent with good leadership. So without further ado, expect to hear the following announcement come draft day.
 
  “With the sixth pick overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Ottawa Senators are proud to select from the Ontario Hockey League, Niagara IceDogs center, Ryan Strome.”
 
To learn more about Ryan Strome click here.
 
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com