It’s over. It’s finally over.
After days, weeks and months of counting down to the NHL Draft Lottery, we finally have a result. No more wondering what might happen. No more percentages, no more lottery balls and no more lottery simulator.
3rd overall (courtesy of the San Jose Sharks) and 5th overall.
Certainly not the result some of us were dreaming of leading up to last night but also not the doomsday scenario some of us were dreading.
Fine. It’s…fine.
While landing the first overall pick would have been nice, securing at least one top three selection was everything for the Senators.
Alexis Lafreniere is obviously in a class of his own but there seems to be a pretty clear second tier that includes Quinton Byfield and Tim Stützle. Dorion acknowledges as much in his interview below.
So barring a draft day surprise, the Ottawa Senators are getting one of those two guys. It goes without saying but that’s massive for this rebuild.
At the same time, the Senators will have sorts of options at the number five spot. Jamie Drysdale? Lucas Raymond? Marco Rossi? Cole Perfetti? Alexander Holtz? Jake Sanderson?
One of those guys is going to be an Ottawa Senator at 5th overall. Plus, one million other draft picks.
Last night stung though. I’m not going to lie. I may have put on a brave (and drunken) face on Twitter but the fact is, I was disappointed. Like I said yesterday, they didn’t lose the Draft Lottery. But they definitely didn’t win it.
Over the couple decades, I’ve become pretty good at managing my expectations when it comes to the Ottawa Senators. But for some reason, I just thought we were going to get a break this time. I really did. And the result was that much more disappointing because Lafreniere could land in the lap of some undeserving first round loser.
I won’t say it’s not fair it’s just…silly is all.
Onward and upward though. 3rd overall is a good spot to be in.
It certainly makes Pierre Dorion’s job a bit easier. Lafreniere goes to the mystery team of doom, Byfield or Stutzle to the Kings and then the Senators take whoever’s left of those two. It should be automatic.
Adding Lafreniere would have been amazing but I don’t think there’s much doubt that a legit top line centre is a bigger need for the Senators right now. And a more important position in general. A blessing in disguise maybe? Well no not really but it does make me feel a bit better.
Byfield certainly has all the tools to fill that 1C spot and Stützle might too, although there seems to be some uncertainly whether he’s a winger or a centre at the NHL level.
Loading …So now, a new countdown begins.
Only this time, we’re not really sure how long the wait will be. The NHL has yet to announce plans for the Entry Draft other than to say it will take place after the 24-team tournament wraps up.
September? October?
Settle in folks. We’re going to be here awhile.
