Things have been pretty quiet around the National Hockey League the last few days but you can expect the rumours to kick into high gear this week.
The Entry Draft goes in Buffalo at the end of this week and perhaps more than any other year, there seems to be a ton of speculation of player movement leading up to Friday night.
The Sens hold the 12th pick in the first round and based on everything Dorion has said and what I’ve heard, it really does seem like they’ll stand pat. While they’ve had talks with teams above them in the Draft, including as high as 4th overall, the prices are high.
Add in the fact that the Senators are quiet confident they’ll land an excellent player at 12 and it makes sense that they’d be reluctant to make a move.
So with that in mind, let’s look at four forwards and four defenceman that might be available by the time the Senators are on the clock later this week.
DEFENCEMAN
Jakob Chyrchun– If there’s a run on forwards early in the first round, Chyrchun is a guy that could slide a bit and may be an interesting option for the Senators. He’s considered the “complete” package- good in his own end of the rink and strong offensively. If he’s there at 12, you have to take him.
Jake Bean– A good skater with strong offensive instincts, Bean seems like a perfect fit for today’s game. He scored 24 times for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. Depending on who you ask, there are may be some concern about his play in his own end of the rink but plenty to be excited about in his offensive game.
Charlie McAvoy– The interesting thing about some of the defenceman in the first round is there seems to be very little consensus on ranking. I’ve seen McAvoy ranked as high as 12th and as low as 23rd. Another intriguing offensive defenceman. Had 25 points in 37 games with Boston University this past season.
Dante Fabbro– Described as a “dependable two-way defenseman with high offensive upside”, Fabbro might be a bit of a reach at twelve. He had 67 points in 45 games in the BCHL last season and is committed to Boston University next season.
FORWARDS
Tyson Jost– A Canadian-born centre/left winger that put up big numbers in the BCHL last year. Put on a show at the under-18 tournament too with 15 points in 7 games.
Logan Brown– Of all the first round candidates, Brown’s size certainly jumps off the page. A 6’6 centre who skates well and while he’s not overly physical, he apparently uses his size well at both ends of the ice. This is one of the few names that has leaked as someone the Senators would have legitimate interest in if he’s still on the board.
Clayton Keller– Incredibly talented American born forward that has dominated offensively everywhere he’s played. Probably has some of the best hands in the first round of the Draft. In any of the pre-Draft poling I’ve done, he seems to be the guy Sens fans are most excited about. Pretty easy to see why.
Michael McLeod– Another offensively-gifted centre that put up 61 points in 57 games with Mississauga in the OHL last year. At times looked like he could end up as a Top 10 pick but his stock has fallen a bit over the course of the season.
Going to do a little bit of digging this week to find out if any of these eight guys were in town for pre-Draft visits. In the past, those visits have given an interesting look at who the Senators might be considering on Draft Day.
Who do you like at 12th overall?
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Pierre Dorion spoke to the media ahead of this Friday’s Draft and covered a number of topics. The video is available below, courtesy of SensTV.
