Belleville Senators Prospect Update - March 26th

The bulk of the Belleville Senators' production in this update came in back-to-back impressive 6-1 victories over the Bridgeport Islanders. Overall, a 3-2-0 record allowed them to keep pace with their divisional rivals and stay in the play-off hunt. The dream lives on. A 29-23-8 record has them 2 points back of the Syracuse Crunch for a playoff spot, with 60 games played each. Feel the play-off fever, Sens and B-Sens fans!

Standouts from the last couple of weeks are in bold:

Of the 12 goals scored by Belleville against the Islanders, Jan Jenik factored in to 8 of them. Jenik exploded for 5(!) assists in the first match-up, followed by a goal and 2 assists, and then another goal against the Marlies. To say his season totals were improved significantly would be an understatement. Still, 24 points in 41 games isn't what I'd consider standout production for a former top prospect with NHL potential – especially at 24 years of age. But that's a conversation for another day. With the Sens currently in a playoff push, it's unlikely Jenik will be called up until perhaps after the hypothetical day they clinch a spot.

Xavier Bourgault missed some time on the injured reserve, but he's been solid since his return, notching 2 goals and 3 assists in his last 5 games. He's been a useful bottom-six player all year for Belleville, averaging over 2 shots per game with only 8 PIMs in 50 games, but with 19 points, it's not likely to translate into an NHL career for the 2021 1st-rounder. I'd look at bringing him back for next season, but on an AHL-only deal. The Sens seem committed to fielding a competitive AHL squad, and a player like Bourgault has a role in that environment. If you were hoping for more, this year might seem like a disapointment.

Alongside veteran Jeremy Davies, Maxence Guenette has been leading the way on the blueline – he added 2 goals and an assist to bring his total to 23 points in 54 games. As for rookie Jorian Donovan, he's starting to put together a nice stretch after 40+ games of struggling to adapt to the AHL. The 5th-round selection from the 2022 draft contributed a goal and assist in 5 games, and now has a modest 11 points in 54 games – standard fare for the third pair, but a positive development considering his early season struggles. There's now hope he can take on a bigger role with the club next season, in a Top-4 ideally including a pair of capable veterans (Davies, Guenette and Donovan Sebrango are candidates) and the Yak (if he spends meaningful time in the A).

Stephen Halliday and Angus Crookshank (Belleville's new all-time leading goal scorer) each racked up 3 points in 5 games, and the former earned a well-deserved call-up to the NHL on Monday – but only as an insurance policy for a banged-up Brady Tkachuk and isn't expected to play barring injuries. Still, even practice time with potential future NHL teammates and coaches is valuable experience.

Lastly, Ottawa's newest prospect in Tristen Robins, part of the Fabian Zetterlund deadline deal, has gotten off to a decent start with his new team, with 3 assists in his first 6 games, while Leevi Merilainen posted a 2-1-0 record with a .934 save percentage. The Finnish goalie's strong play remains one of the highlights for this Belleville squad.