Fine, I’ll write about something other than Brady Tkachuk but I really don’t expect this post to be the lead story for long.
On Saturday afternoon, in front of a small collection of season ticket holders, the Ottawa Senators will host the Montreal Canadiens.
Or something close to it anyway. Rookie Camp is in full swing in the Nation’s Capital and after a few days of high-tempo on-ice sessions, the rookies will have a chance to take out their frustrations on the lowly rookies from a couple hours East of here.
Live hockey in front of real fans. It may not be the real thing just yet but after four long months without Sens hockey, it will have to do.
This year’s Rookie Camp features a total of 24 players, including four goalies, seven defenceman and 13 forwards. And while some of the most intriguing names in the team’s prospect pool are missing out, there’s still a ton of talent on display.
It’s a group headlined by Shane Pinto, Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ridly Greig. All three guys are expected to be key pieces in the rebuild here in Ottawa.
And while those three are probably the most well-known in the bunch, there is a second tier of guys that will really be looking to make an impression in these two games against the Montreal Canadiens. Guys like Lassi Thomson, Angus Crookshank and Roby Jarventie are all Belleville bound to start but they’ll be looking to hit the ground running in these rookie games.
At the top of that so-called second tier is a sudden fan favourite in Egor Sokolov. The now 21-year old Russian forward is one of those players you just can’t help but root for. He has been on every podcast but one and basically from the moment the Senators called out his name in the 2nd round of the 2020 Draft, he has done everything in his power to become an Ottawa Senator. Based on the early reviews, it’s clear that he’s got the attention of the team’s front office. With an opening on the right side heading into next week’s Main Camp, don’t be surprised if Sokolov forces his way into the conversation for a spot in the Ottawa line up when things start up next month.
Although it’s worth pointing out that Belleville Senators Head Coach Trent Mann thinks Sokolov should start in the AHL. Here’s a quote from a recent interview with Ian Mendes at The Athletic.
“We’re expecting a huge camp from Egor and I think he’s going to make a really good impression on everybody. But I think that for his own development in the long term, he should be back in Belleville.“
The rest of the roster includes a collection of 2021 picks, including Ben Roger, Chandler Romeo, Carson Latimer and Zack Ostapchuk. Ostapchuk has to be the most intriguing of that bunch. A unique combination of size and skills, Ostapchuk will spend this coming season with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League.
Goaltending is a big part of the story heading into this weekend too. Mads Søgaard got off to an incredible 7-0-0 start to his AHL career at the end of last season and now heads into Camp battling for starts down in Belleville. Leevi Meriläinen, a once terrible pick, is suddenly one of the fastest rising prospects in the Ottawa system. He’s headed to the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League when things wrap up here in Ottawa but he’s certainly someone to keep an eye on in the coming months.
The rookies are back on the ice at 12:30 PM today. Puck drop on Saturday is set for 4:00 PM and rumour has it, the Senators will be carrying the game on their YouTube channel.
Live Sens hockey! Tomorrow!
Which players will you be keeping an eye on in these two games against Montreal? Is anyone headed to the game on Saturday? Will Brady Tkachuk sign today?
Much to discuss.
