The Ottawa Senators management are gearing up for what will be an eventful summer.
With the announcement that the Senators will have the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft, Ottawa’s scouts and personnel will be analyzing every top prospect available. Couple that with free agency and Erik Karlsson’s contract negotiation, the men in suits controlling the Senators are going to be busy in the upcoming months.
While hockey may be done in Ottawa for the time being, the Senators will still have some of their current roster and prospects participating in the upcoming IIHF World Championships in Denmark. The World Championships take place every year around the first week of May. NHL teams who failed to qualify for the playoffs often send their players, and in Ottawa’s case, it’s another way for their young and talented prospect pool to mature before their next professional season.
Thomas Chabot will don the red and white at Worlds. Chabot is barely 21, but the defenseman from Quebec has played 63 games for Ottawa, racking up 25 points. The young defender is still working out kinks as a pro defenseman, but it’s safe to say the Senators organization is happy with where Chabot currently is at this moment in his career. Chabot has represented Canada at the World Juniors and U18s, so Chabot has some experience on the international stage.
21-year-old Colin White will represent USA during the tournament. White has been highly touted in the prospect pool for Ottawa. White has spent some time in the NHL, but has mostly played in the AHL during his young professional career. White is no stranger to representing the USA on the international stage. White has won Gold at the World Juniors, which is the premier tournament for U20 hockey players at the world level. Although he is rather young, White should be an impactful player for the Americans during the World Championships, if his success at the international level is any indicator.
Acquired through trade earlier in 2018, netminder Filip Gustavsson will be one to watch during Worlds. Gustavsson has yet to play at the NHL level but has extensive experience representing Sweden. Gustavsson was the tournament’s best goaltender and had the best GAA during the 2018 World Juniors and has won Silver and Bronze medals on the international stage. It seems like he’ll mostly be used as a third goalie in this tournament.
Christian Jaros will once again represent Slovakia at the international level. Jaros is a solid defenseman with good defensive instincts, both playing the puck and playing the body. Jaros is 22-years-old and has had a brief stint of two games at the NHL level. During his time with Belleville, Jaros racked up 16 points in 44 games played. Jaros captained Slovakia at the World Juniors in 2015-16. This will be his second time representing Slovakia at the World Championships.
Finnish defenceman Ville Pokka wasn’t drafted by Ottawa, but the Senators clearly saw something in the young defender as he was acquired via trade. Pokka is a talented defender that should eventually find his way to the NHL as a depth defender. Pokka is no stranger representing Finland, as he has done so at every stage of his career. Pokka won Gold during the 2013-2014 World Juniors and has represented Finland at the World Championships in 2016, where Finland finished with Silver. There are rumours Pokkka will bolt for the KHL this summer.
The Senators will also be sending some veterans to the World Championships. J.G Pageau will represent Canada and Magnus Pääjärvi will represent Sweden.
J.G. Pageau is a fan favourite in Ottawa and now he gets to put those skills on display in the red and white. This will be Pageau’s first time representing his country on the international stage. He was a part of the QMJHL All-Stars that played against Russia during the CHL Super Series.
Pääjärvi has had a solid NHL career of over 385 games played. He has represented Finland as a Junior and as a professional, so expect Pääjärvi to be comfortable when Finland heads into the World Championships. He’s set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Betway.com (as of April 30th), gives Canada the best odds to win the entire tournament at 2.30/1. This is interesting as Sweden (4.00/1) are the defending champions and Russia (4.75/1) has some solid professional talent on their roster as well. Canada dropped their tournament opener yesterday against the Americans while both the Russians and Swedes cruised to opening game victories.
You can find the full tournament schedule here. Which player do you think will have the biggest impact in this tournament?
