Silver Nuggets: Drafted Players at Spot 15

I wrote yesterday about prom and free agency. A strange combination for sure, but today I'll keep it a little more straight to the point. While it is unclear whether the Senators will be big players on July 1 (due to some Euge comments), one thing that can be sure is that the Senators will be picking 15th in the NHL's entry draft in June.

Now, the draft is a bit of a crapshoot, especially once you move out of the top ten. Last season, with the 6th overall pick, the Senators were assured a top prospect, and snagged Mika Zibanejad. This season, picking 15th, there is less certainty, but by no means is it unlikely that the Senators get an impact player.

For example, the last time the Senators picked 15th, they selected this semi-unknown defenseman named Erik Karlsson. Have you heard of him? I think he's doing pretty well. The time before that, they picked Matthew Chouinard, for either the first or second time, I can't remember. Needless to say, that pick didn't pan out.

For every Alexander Radulov, there's a Jesse Niinimaki. For every Alex Kovalev, there is a Jason Bowen. For every Joe Sakic, there is a Mark Pederson. For every Al MacInnis, there's a Jerry Dupont. My point is, there are some excellent players chosen at 15, and there are many I have never heard of.

Last year, the Rangers chose J.T Miller with their 15th overall pick, and he had a solid year playing for the Whalers of the OHL with Senators prospect Stefan Noesen. Miller was a point per game, two-way centre in the O this season.

Are there any players you hope the Sens grab at 15? Let us know in the comments below!

(for full list of players drafted at pick 15 since 1980, go here!)

Sens Links

• Nice reflection article by the Senators website with Colin Greening on his first year. Should be interesting to see what his sophomore season holds. I know I'm hoping for more consistent offensive production. [Sens]
• Really amazing in depth look at the Senators penalty killing this past year by Nichols. He makes a good point that many regulars on the PK may not be back next season, including impending UFA Filip Kuba, who by the numbers was the best PK guy on the team last year. [6thSens]
• Cool/different story-- the University of Ottawa will be looking at the impact the Ottawa Senators have had on Ottawa in the past 20 years, with results coming out next year. [uOttawa]
• Couple articles ago I linked to a story in which Chris Neil was cheering for the Rangers, today I give you the newest New Jersey Devils fan: Jesse Winchester. [SunSports]
• Lastly, biggest news in Senatorland, Luke Richardson will be named the Baby Sens' next head coach at a press conference this afternoon, according to reports. While I'm happy for a good team guy who recently has faced personal tragedy, I only hope Luke, who has next to no coaching experience, will be up to the task. Bingo will be a very important place in the next few years as prospects come together, and it will need to be a well oiled machine. [WBNG]

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