Senators hope to score at No. 4
‘We know we’re getting a really good player’ in NHL draft, GM Dorion says
The Ottawa Senators will DALLAS have to see what happens in front of them Friday night before settling on the No. 4 pick in the first round of the NHL draft at American Airlines Center.
At this point, what happens after the Buffalo Sabres take Rasmus Dahlin of Sweden with the No. 1 pick and, as expected, the Carolina Hurricanes select the Barrie Colts’ Andrei Svechnikov with No. 2, is anybody’s guess.
The Senators have done a lot of homework. Not only have chief scout Trent Mann and the staff spent hours poring over their lists, but general manager Pierre Dorion, who learned his trade as a scout, has also played a major role.
The Senators have two picks in the first round because they acquired the No. 22 selection in the deal that sent Derick Brassard to the Pittsburgh Penguins in February, but the focus going into Friday will be on what happens at No. 4.
This has been a difficult year for the Senators and they could use some good news.
“The guy we’re to take at No. 4 will have the chance to play for our team next year,” Dorion said Thursday. “We’re not going to take the best player that can play for us next year, we’re going to take the best player that can help us, whether it’s two or three years down the road.
“We know those players in the draft have a better chance of having a higher impact right away.”
The Senators have a list of 10-12 potential candidates for that No. 4 pick. Of course, that will be finalized by the time they get to the table Friday night.
There has been talk the Montreal Canadiens may either trade back from the No. 3 position or select Finnish centre Jesperi Kotkanemi.
“We went through scenarios this morning and it was one of the best meetings I’ve had in 20 years, talking about what we’re doing, what we plan on doing at No. 4 and the possibilities of No. 22 and how these players will impact our organization,” Dorion said. “We’re just excited. We suffered this year. There’s no doubt we suffered as a team, with the number of losses, but the one good thing is we know we’re getting a really good player here.”
The waiting game ends Friday night.
POTENTIAL PICKS IN FIRST ROUND
Here are some possible candidates from Grant McCagg and his 2018 Recrutes.ca draft guide, which is available online. Here are the players he had rated to go between No. 4 and No. 7:
Filip Zadina, right winger, Halifax Mooseheads: This is the player McCagg has tabbed for Ottawa in his mock draft. The Senators have seen a lot of Zadina and they like him because he can score goals. TSN director of scouting Craig Button says he can possibly play in the NHL next season.
Brady Tkachuk, left winger, Boston University: The Senators brought Tkachuk to town last week and they definitely have interest. McCagg says he could be a power forward. Many believe he needs another year at Boston University, with time to get stronger and develop. It doesn’t hurt that his father, Keith, was a longtime NHL player and brother Matthew is with the Calgary Flames. He’d be a good fit.
Evan Bouchard, defenceman, London Knights: If the Senators decide to make a deal involving captain Erik Karlsson and want an offensive defenceman, this might be the guy. He wouldn’t step into the lineup right away, but could be good down the road.
Noah Dobson, defenceman, AcadieBathurst Titan: McCagg says Dobson may the “most touted” blueliner from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League since Hall of Famer Ray Bourque. That’s high praise, but McCagg says Dobson has done nothing but progress in his four years in the QMJHL.