Ottawa Senators Prospect Update - March 2nd

With no AHL action to report and a lighter NCAA schedule, Senators prospect highlights skewed more quality than quantity this week with the usual suspects in Ottawa doing most of the damage (one of our favourite European imports also found his way back into the mix!) Before we get to the prospect team of the week, I just have to ask: when was the last time you were more stoked about the Ottawa Senators than their prospects? We’ve waited a minute for this.

Forwards

For those of you who got worried about Roby Järventie after his modest showing at the world juniors and his slower rate of production after the international tournament, rest assured. Ottawa’s next great super pest seem to have found his groove again.

🚨Roby Järventie pots his 10th of the season on the PP

Järventie also has an assist so far in the game, giving him an even 20 points this season in 34GP #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/mdBlFBtf0Y

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) February 26, 2021

Despite some divisive nerd stats and occasional growing pains, Tim Stützle continues to make some absolutely brilliant plays no matter who coach Smith lines him up with. No one expected Timmy to have fully rounded out his game at the NHL level already and his latest point-streak should serve as a reminder that the sky remains the limit for Ottawa’s most hyped prospect of the past 20 years.

Pretty nice work by Tim Stützle to set up Austin Watson for the goal pic.twitter.com/atuyQmdIoK

— SB Nation NHL (@SBNationNHL) March 2, 2021

If you thought I’d pass on the opportunity to gush once again about Drake Batherson then I have only one thing to say. We haven’t seen an individual achievement like Drake’s current goal-streak from an Ottawa Senator in years and I’d say the wait has been worth it. Even the most optimistic of us had some questions as to whether Batherson could replicate his QMJHL and AHL success in the NHL, and here we are. Just embrace it in all its glory, folks.

🗣️"Not one, not two, not three, not four ... "

LBJ or Drake Batherson? #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/F2fqasZLX1

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 2, 2021

Defence

This is partially at jab at Ottawa’s coaches for scratching Erik Brännström from Monday night’s game but mostly giving credit where it’s due to one of the Senators best young defenders. Without a doubt, luck played a huge factor in Bonestorm’s first two NHL goals but given his dynamic offensive skillset, he was due for a bounce or two either way. As frustrated as I feel waiting for Brännström to get his fulltime NHL opportunity, I know we’ll reap the rewards of our patience.

Clapper from the neutral zone... and it worked! pic.twitter.com/guqVrFmYrp

— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2021

While I don’t have any fancy highlights from Jacob Bernard-Docker this week, I feel the need to emphasize that JBD leads the Fighting Hawks defence-corps and UND has once again climbed to the top of the Division-1 rankings in NCAA hockey. And while the point totals don’t quite reflect it, JBD continues to pile up shots while playing solid defence for this juggernaut team. He quietly remains a foundational piece of Ottawa’s future blueline.

Goaltending

After begging for a start for Joey Daccord for weeks, Sens fans should feel somewhat vindicated even if we only got one period of relief on Saturday. Any time you get a clean performance from a young netminder, you take it to the bank regardless of the stakes. Joey looked steady albeit mostly untested and it may have only further whetted our appetites to see Daccord get a full 60 this season.

Silver Linings

• Jake Sanderson has had a modest season in terms of point production punctuated with occasional nights when he makes the highlight reel. Expect the point-totals to improve as his role with the Fighting Hawks grows assuming JBD goes pro after this season:/

A dandy of a move from Jake Sanderson and he BURIES it! 🚨👀#UNDproud | @UNDmhockey pic.twitter.com/MGxmfgX5ee

— UND Insider (@UNDinsider) February 27, 2021

• Viktor Lodin keeps compelling me to include him in these lists after I so often questioned his selection in the 2019 draft. Better late than never for the Swedish winger:/

🇸🇪🚨Viktor Lodin scored the OT-winner on Sunday to cap off a 3-point game (2G,1A)

Lodin, who recently served a 4-game suspension, has put together a strong season in a middle-six role with league-leading Timrå IK. He's got 12 goals and 34 points in 41GP.#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/aYUVuTWgnj

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) March 1, 2021

• Todd Burgess continues to make good on his transfer from RPI to Minnesota State and I would hope for an AHL contract with Belleville at the very least after this season.
• While Stützle  and Batherson stole the spotlight this week in Ottawa, Josh Norris remains in the top-three on rookie scoring in the NHL. NaturalStatTrick also has Norris third in individual expected goals so Norris has come by his ranking honestly. I feel spoiled with all this young NHL talent, folks./

Stats

NHL/AHL

NCAA

Europe

CHL

Goalies