The busiest man in the National Hockey League took a break from slinging out Entry-Level Contracts long enough to meet with the local media earlier today.
Ottawa General Manager Pierre Dorion hosted a video conference and in the process, provided an update on where things stand with the organization right now and where their priorities are in the weeks and months to come.
With so much uncertainty in terms of what’s left of the NHL season, it sounds like Dorion and his staff are focusing on the things they can control.
Draft preparation. Off-season planning. And crossing some easy items of the organization’s To Do list.
No big surprises in Dorion’s comments today but it was interesting to hear Dorion carefully answer a question about the league’s approach to the Draft Lottery. He mentioned that the Senators have submitted three separate proposals to the league on how things could play out.
Each of those scenarios outlined different timelines and different scenarios for resumption of play, playoff formats, arbitration process and of course, the draft lottery.
And while it’s nice to know they are being proactive, this suggests there is a behind-the-scenes lobbying effort underway and the Senators want to make sure their voice is being heard.
You can be sure playoff-bound teams, including those that traded away picks and prospects for a shot at the Cup, will be pushing the league hard for some sort of compensation via the Entry Draft. Two lotteries, one for playoff teams and one for non-playoff teams, seems to make the most sense but who knows what kind of wacky proposals the league is considering.
Either way, Pierre Dorion sounds pretty confident about where his group stands heading into the Entry Draft.
Whatever that is. Whenever that is. However that is.
Speaking of the Draft, Dorion mentioned that in the eyes of his staff- the top 5-7 players could be elite, there are 15-20 potential NHL stars in the first round and there are legitimate NHL prospects as deep as the third round.
Hell of a year to have nine picks in the first three rounds.
The zoom teleconference and the subsequent appearance on TSN 1200 are both worth a listen…because what the hell else are you going to do?
Guys…I miss the Sens.
