As the calendar rolls over into August, a new NHL season is starting to come into view.
The start of training camp is a little over a month away. The first preseason game is just 43 days away. And in just 60 days, the Ottawa Senators will open up their regular season against Robin Lehner and the Buffalo Sabres. We have officially entered the quietest part of the NHL off season but fans can take comfort in the fact that a new season is not that far off.
And as we do our best to pass the time until then, I thought we’d take a closer look a some of the player’s in the Senators’ system. Not necessarily the top prospects but rather the five players closest to making the jump to the NHL.
For the purposes of this list, I’ve left off Matt Puempel, Shane Prince and Chris Wideman. Those three are clearly all ready to take the next step and the organization has indicated as much by giving two of them a look and speaking quite highly about the other.
But there are still other quality call up options expected to spend time in Binghamton this season. And should injuries become an issue, any one of these guys could be ready to play games at the NHL level. So here goes, the top five call up options for next season.
5. Nick Paul– Acquired in the Jason Spezza trade last summer, Nick Paul has quickly become one of the more intriguing prospects in the Senators’ system. Coming off a 37 goal, 68 point season, Paul has seen his game take significant strides over the last couple seasons. More than just a good hockey player, Paul is an even better person. This past season he was recognized with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the OHL’s Humanitarian of the Year. The transition to pro hockey is always tough for a young player but if Paul can excel in the American Hockey League, he’ll be pushing for NHL time as early as next season.
4. Buddy Robinson– This will be the third straight off season where I proclaim, keep an eye on Buddy Robinson. He’s not the most talented player on the Binghamton roster but he has the size, speed and strength to play a regular shift in the bottom six. He’s not going to blow anyone away with his offensive ability but if the Senators are banged up at the bottom of their line up, Robinson could be a guy they turn to. The 23 year old had 34 points in the American Hockey League last season and will be counted on to be a key part of the BSens again this year. The organization has mentioned it on a couple of occasions that Robinson is a guy they’d like to see get some games at the NHL level so we know he’s close.
3. Fredrik Claesson– Claesson is pretty much NHL ready at this point. I’ve heard from people around the organization the last couple years too. Senators’ Management loves this guy and at some point real soon, he’s going to get a chance to show what he can do with the big club. Luke Richardson and the Coaching Staff in Binghamton have done a great job with Claesson over the last couple seasons, developing his game to the point where he’s probably deserving of an NHL look. The blueline is obviously pretty crowded right now but Claesson, along with Chris Wideman, are right at the top of the list of possible defensive call ups.
2. Matt O’Connor– With Robin Lehner shipped off to Buffalo in the off season, Matt O’Connor has quickly become the goalie of the future for the Ottawa Senators. He’s coming off a breakout year at Boston University that was enough to place him on the radar of most NHL teams. The Senators were lucky enough to land him and now will give him every chance to show what he can do in the American Hockey League. O’Connor, who turned heads at this summer’s rookie camp, is expected to start the majority of the games in Binghamton this coming season and should an injury hit at the NHL level, O’Connor will be the guy they call up.
1. Eric O’Dell– The free agency period was a quiet one for the Senators so you would be forgiven if you completely missed the under the radar signing of local product, Eric O’Dell. The 25 year old has 41 games of NHL experience over the last couple seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. Dorion and Lee spoke about O’Dell following the signing and explained that at this point, O’Dell is an NHL player. The Senators may not have room for him on the roster out of training camp but if injuries become an issue, O’Dell will be one of the first guys to get a call. He’s a defensively responsible centre that skates well and has some underrated offensive abilities. He’ll be a key piece in the offence in Binghamton and may even get some games at the NHL level this season.
Honourable mention- Tobias Lindberg, Ryan Dzingel, Mikael Wikstrand
Who did I miss? Who will you be keeping an eye on in Binghamton this season?
