Ottawa Senators Prospect Update - January 24th

Everything sucks right now. Here are a few exceptions.

Forwards:

Zack Ostapchuk

The Winnipeg Ice’s big trade deadline acquisition is settling into his new role, contributing a goal and three assists in his last three games, for a total of 6 points in 5 games. It’s not the dominance we saw back in Vancouver, but a few more games to adjust and he’ll be ready for another playoff run, this time with a much better team around him.

⭐️ Zack Ostapchuk had a 1G, 1A on Sunday and was named 2nd star. He’s riding a 4-game point streak.#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/NyLMLkCkbG

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) January 23, 2023

Angus Crookshank

While Belleville didn’t have the best week, Crookshank was one of their more productive forwards with a goal and assist in three games this week. With Ottawa lacking any semblance of a decent bottom-six outside of Mathieu Joseph and Derick Brassard, look for Crookshank to potentially push for a spot on the big club.

Angus Crookshank tips the puck past Erik Kallgren on the power play.#Marlies trail Belleville by one in the first period. pic.twitter.com/bwX8rqkhqL

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) January 19, 2023

Cole Reinhardt

Just read the last entry and replace “Crookshank” with “Reinhardt”.

Cole Reinhardt pretty much goes end-to-end and then beats Joseph Woll over the shoulder.#Marlies and Belleville tied 1-1. pic.twitter.com/jqgmTMYiji

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) January 21, 2023

Defencemen:

Jorian Donovan

With back-to-back two-point games against North Bay and Sudbury, the overachieving 5th-round left-shot defenseman from the most recent draft now has 33 points in 40 games with the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. Sitting 7th in the OHL’s Eastern Conference with a 19-19-4 record, they’re certainly a far cry from the squad that won the league last year, but a playoff spot is likely and if Donovan and a few others heat up at the right time, they could pull off an upset on a higher seed.

DONOVAN IN OVERTIME 🚨#GoSensGo prospect @DonovanJorian buries the feed from @NickLardis91 and the @BulldogsOHL steal the extra point in North Bay ✅ pic.twitter.com/IJjiiBlwJw

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) January 20, 2023

Chandler Romeo

While not considered a major addition, acquired for a mere 4th-round pick and a swap of 2nds, Romeo is off to a good start with the Guelph Storm nonetheless. The 2021 7th-rounder scored in back-to-back contests to triple his season goal total for the season.

🚨 Chandler Romeo isn’t known for his offence but he’s scored in two straight for Guelph #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/J4dTI9FTVx

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) January 22, 2023

Goalies:

Leevi Merilainen

Of the two goalies in the system who played this week, Merilainen stood out this week with a .957 save percentage in his two starts with Karpat. With Mads Sogaard and Kevin Mandolese struggling, it may come down to the unexpected 3rd-rounder from 2020 to determine if the Sens actually have a goaltender of the future.

Silver Linings:

• With Josh Norris done for the season, Ridly Greig has been called up. He’s had a modest first year in the AHL with 23 points in 28 games, including 12 goals.
• As for the prospects in Sweden, it’s good to see both Filip Nordberg and Oskar Pettersson playing in the SHL. Even with a lack of production, being able to hold down a role on the big club at a young age is a good first step for players drafted after the first round, as is so for 2022 2nd-rounder Nordberg and 2022 3rd-rounder Pettersson. Additionally, Nordberg will take part in the Five Nations tournament from February 6th-12th, representing Sweden./

🇸🇪 Filip Nordberg has been named to Sweden's U19 team that will compete in the 5-nations tournament from Feb 6-12#GoSensGo https://t.co/gPdyqWDJjn pic.twitter.com/aX3nisD6Gn

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) January 24, 2023

Stats:

Pro (NHL, AHL)

USA

CHL

Europe

Goalies