Team: Ottawa Senators
GM: Bryan Murray
First-round pick: 15
Number of picks: Seven. Round 1 (15), 3 (76, 82), 4 (106), 7 (136), 6 (166), 7 (196)
Recent first-round picks: C- Mika Zibanejad (6th, 2011), RW- Stefan Noesen (21st, 2011), LW- Matt Puempel (24th, 2011), D- Jared Cowen (9th, 2009), D- Erik Karlsson (15th, 2008), C- Jim O’Brien (29th, 2007).
Team needs: The Senators seem likely to insulate Erik Karlsson on the back end in the 2012 draft. Ottawa already has Jared Cowen filling the role of the big, physical defenceman, but aside from him the Senators are fairly thin on young defencemen.
Centre Kyle Turris, (RW) Mark Stone, (C) Mika Zibanejad, (W) Jakob Silfverberg, (LW) Stefan Noesen, (RW) Matt Puempel and (LW) Shane Prince are all solid prospects at forward, and Robin Lehner and Ben Bishop appear to be the future in goal, so it seems that drafting a defender is the way to go.
With plenty of defensive options like London Knights standout Olli Maatta, Swedish Elite League up-and-comer Hampus Lindholm and Guelph Storm offensive threat Matt Finn, the Sens have plenty of options when their turn to take the podium rolls around.
Likely first-round target: Olli Maatta, D, London Knights
Other options: A big guy with a steady game at both ends of the ice, Hampus Lindholm of Rogle BK in the Swedish Elite League has been steadily on the rise since joining Sweden’s WJC under-18 squad. With the success the Senators have had in drafting Swedes, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them go back to the well one more time.
Great moments in draft history: At the 2001 draft the Senators traded Alexei Yashin to the New York Islanders for Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt and the second-overall selection. As we all know, Chara rose to dominance in the NHL as a Senator and the second-overall pick was used to select Jason Spezza.
Already second in all-time points for the Senators franchise (226 goals, 390 assists, 606 GP), and with captain Daniel Alfredsson in the twilight of his hockey career, Spezza seems poised to be the Senators’ offensive and emotional leader for many years to come.
A steal at No. 15: In 1987 the Quebec Nordiques nabbed one the greatest talents to ever play NHL hockey, Joe Sakic, with the 15th pick and he wasn’t even their first selection in the draft! The Nordiques selected Bryan Fogarty ninth overall that same year.
Sakic went on to earn 625 goals and 1016 assists in 1378 NHL games, all with the Quebec/Colorado franchise during his sure-to-be Hall of Fame career.
Sakic’s success wasn’t limited to the NHL, where he won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, but he also won gold medals at the Olympics, IIHF worlds and World Cup playing for Canada.
The Senators have also had some luck with No. 15 draft picks recently, as 2011-12 Norris Trophy candidate Erik Karlsson was taken with the 15th pick in the 2008 draft.
Ottawa benefitted from a deep draft pool in 2008, considering the other defencemen taken ahead of Karlsson are some of the best in the game today (Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, Zach Bogosian, Tyler Myers), and made a fantastic pick grabbing Karlsson at 15.
Sportsnet says: “The last time the Senators had the 15th pick in the draft, they selected Erik Karlsson. While they probably won’t get someone as talented as the Norris Trophy candidate in this year’s draft, the Senators scouting staff believes they can grab someone who can help them three years from now. After using their first five picks to draft forwards last year — including three in the first round — the betting here is that the Sens draft a defenceman with their first pick. The organization appears set in goal for the long term with both Ben Bishop and Robin Lehner, but don’t be surprised if they select a goalie with one of their early draft picks.” — Ian Mendes
