OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators head into this year’s NHL Entry Draft as a team on the brink of becoming a playoff team but must obtain some quality talent in order to do so. The Senators are not that far away but the stats show the team must improve on both ends of the ice before doing so.
The Sens were ranked 15th in offense, 18th on defense, 18th in face-offs, 21st on the power play and 8th on the penalty kill. As was the case in 2009, the Sens are strong down the middle, but week on the wings. They need help on D but the teams top three prospects are defenseman so heading into this years draft you can bet Ottawa will look to add depth on either wing. Some help could come in the form or a trade that could involve Jason Spezza but those rumors have been long in the making and none in results. This could be the year it happens but until it does the Sens will look at the draft and free agency for help in that department.
In our mock draft, Ottawa could be looking at a couple of right wingers that could step into the lineup within the next two years. Emerson Etem and Vladamir Tarasenko are both on the board. Tarasenko is probably the more talented player but as with most Russian prospects the lack of a transfer agreement will cause those players to fall in the draft. This year is no exception. The Sens however are not afraid to take players from overseas but Etems talent could be too much to pass up. If they wanted to go for help on left wing John McFarland and Ludvig Rensfeldt are talents that could be tough to pass up as well, especially Rensfeldt given the Sens love for Swedish players. The Sens could go for a goaltender but Calvin Pickard is the top rated goalie left on the board and it doesn’t seem likely the Sens would take a goaltender this high in the draft.
It should come down to Tarasenko and Rensfeldt if it comes down to it but since Tarasenko has fallen into the Sens lap it should be too tempting for them to pass on him. With that said, expect to hear the following words come draft day.
“With the 16th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Ottawa Senators are proud to select, from Novosibirsk of the KHL, right winger Vladamir Tarasenko.“
To learn more about Vladamir Tarasenko click on his name.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
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