Ottawa Senators Prospect Update - October 22nd

Last week, Owen broke down every single prospect in the Ottawa Senators system, outside of those playing in the American Hockey League, and now I'm going to shamelessly rip off that format by running through those playing for the Belleville Senators. Owen referred to the latter group as "Prospects with a capital 'P'". So I guess we're calling the Belleville crew, "Brospects", then? I dunno about that one.

Like Ottawa, Belleville has had a decent start, going 2-1-1 in their first four games. They started out by beating the Rochester Americans 3-2 and followed with a 2-1 shootout loss to the Syracuse Crunch, a 5-4 win over the Utica Comets, and most recently on Sunday, a second loss to the Crunch by a 5-2 score. Here's how each of the prospects performed thus far:

Tyler Boucher (RW 10th Overall 2021)

He's got more shots on goal than Keean Washkurak.

Xavier Bourgault (RW Acquired via Trade)

Bourgault, like a lot of prospects, had a strong preseason opener against Toronto, and then was promptly sent down after that horrendous effort against Buffalo. He's got a goal and an assist in Belleville's 4 games.

Along with Jake Chiasson, the 2021 1st-rounder was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Roby Jarventie, who in hindsight took way too much flak for an unlucky string of injuries. Yeah, I'd rather have JJ Peterka, too. But I'd also rather have Jake Sanderson than Jamie Drysdale. Scouts aren't perfect, and I won't be discussing this further.

Angus Crookshank (LW 126th Overall 2018)

This was supposed to be Crookshank's year, but he was kind of flat in training camp. Ottawa's depth is better than last year, but the opportunity for a spot was still there for the taking – he couldn't outperform Adam Gaudette, Noah Gregor, and others. With just one goal in 4 games, Belleville's former MVP continues to take a back seat to Cole Reinhardt, which is something I don't think any of us expected heading into the campaign.

Philippe Daoust (LW 158th Overall 2020)

A 2023 Memorial Cup champion, Daoust continues to contribute on the scoresheet despite a lack of games played – he scored the game-winning goal on opening night against the Rochester Americans. For him, it's a matter of staying healthy, as there's still a small chance he can put together a breakout season

Jorian Donovan (LD 136th Overall 2022)

The battle for playing time will be tough for Donovan, despite a strong finish to his junior career, highlighted by a Memorial Cup ring. With veterans Filip Roos and Jeremy Davies, as well as a red-hot Donovan Sebrango occupying the left point, Jorian has played on the right side in his two appearances so far, pointless in each. I suppose a larger opportunity will come with injuries to both Ottawa and Belleville, so while a lack of playing time for a good prospect isn't ideal, it's balanced out by a relatively healthy group of players. Also, why don't we have an ECHL affiliate? Seems like it's an easy way to get some extra reps in the meantime.

Maxence Guenette (RD, 187th Overall, 2019)

Like Crookshank, Guenette was someone I thought had a good chance of making the opening night roster. I can't be disappointed, considering Travis Hamonic has been a non-issue early on. If one of Hamonic or Jacob Bernard-Docker struggles or becomes injured, look for Guenette to get the callup. He has an assist in 4 games so far.

Stephen Halliday (C, 104th Overall, 2022)

Belleville's top performer in the playoffs last season hasn't hit the ground running with quite the same intensity, but he's got apples in back-to-back games. Look for Halliday to approach a point-per-game pace in the AHL this season, a reasonable goal for a 22-year-old.

Jan Jenik (C, Acquired via Trade)

Even if he didn't make the big club out of camp, I'm sure Jenik feels he's closer to an NHL job than he ever was in the desert. With a goal and assist, look for him to be one of many to get a callup at some point. As I've said before, you've got options. Make use of them.

Leevi Merilainen (G, 71st Overall 2020)

After posting a .906 save percentage in 24 games for Belleville last season, Merilainen is 2-1-0 with an .852 save percentage, notably stopping 22 of 24 in the season opener against the Rochester Americans. With Mads Sogaard potentially being out for a while with an injury, it's an opportunity for Merilainen to get back on track after consecutive rough nights.

Zack Ostapchuk (39th Overall, 2021)

The lone bright spot of the 2021 NHL Draft for Ottawa, Ostapchuk's second professional season is off to a hot start, with 1 goal and 3 assists in 4 games. It's hard to say which of him or Jenik was closest to making the team out of camp, but at the moment, I'd wager that if an injury occurs, or if Gaudette struggles, Ostapchuk will be the next man up. He certainly fits the mold of a quality role player, having been relied upon to shut down opposing top lines and power-play units at the World Juniors.

Oskar Pettersson (RW, 72nd Overall, 2022)

Pointless in 4 games so far, Pettersson is looking to rediscover his scoring touch from his days in Sweden's top junior league. With Rogle BK in 2022-23, he scored 23 goals and 10 assists in just 24 games. Even if his offense doesn't translate to North America, he could find success in a checking role on an NHL club down the road.

Jamieson Rees (C, Acquired via Trade)

Rees was drafted using Ottawa's original 2019 second-round pick. The draft-day deal to move up to draft Mads Sogaard hasn't panned out for either club at this point, as Rees hasn't been able to produce at the AHL level since the 2022-23 season, in which he totaled 42 points in 65 games. Acquired for future considerations last season, he has an assist through four games so far.

Cole Reinhardt (LW, 181st Overall, 2020)

Well, this would be one final "screw you" to the naysayers of the Sens' class of 2020. Reinhardt was an afterthought in my mind leading up to training camp, but after a 4-point game against the Leafs in the preseason, and 5 points in 3 AHL games so far, it's easy to see why he's the first call-up. Time will tell if he gets into a game on the road trip, or if he's just an extra body, but when you go out of your way to airlift your best player out of the AHL, you expect to use him at some point. Reinhardt has always been a consistent third-liner for Belleville, but having found a new gear he may be another option for an NHL fourth line this go around.

Donovan Sebrango (LD, Acquired via Trade)

One of four assets acquired for a 28-goal scorer, Sebrango is entering his fifth AHL season despite being a 2020 draftee. This is because of the OHL's hiatus due to COVID-19, which forced several players to either find playing time overseas or play in the AHL earlier than expected under exception. After going 4 seasons without registering more than 7 points, he has 3 in his first 4 games.

Mads Søgaard (G, 37th Overall, 2019)

Talk about saving the best for las-wait, never mind, that doesn't work this time. Søgaard did manage to win his first NHL appearance this season, but it was by no means a clean one. He did stop 27 of 28 in that shootout loss to the Crunch, but suffered an injury in his following appearance. Jury's still out on how long he'll be sidelined.

Yet to play: Jake Chiasson, Tomas Hamara, Djibril Toure