Senators general manager Pierre Dorion had said for a couple of days that he was not close to a trade involving winger Alex DeBrincat.
Nor did Dorion expect to move up into the first round of this year’s draft, with DeBrincat as the most likely ticket to get there.
As a result, the Senators spent a pretty pedestrian couple of days in Nashville, hopeful that some seeds were planted that could lead to something happening this weekend as the free agency period kicks in.
“We’re not going to trade him (DeBrincat) for pennies on the dollar,” Dorion said on Wednesday, prior to Round 1 of the draft. “We feel he’s a good asset.”
Whether he returns to Ottawa on a club-elected arbitration deal, or as is more likely, gets traded before the season, DeBrincat is expected to bounce back from his 27-goal season with the Senators last year. DeBrincat had two 41-goal seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and has balked at the idea of signing long-term in Ottawa.
Without moving up in the draft, the Senators draft team worked with the picks they had – which meant waiting around until slot No. 108 of the fourth round, to take defenceman Hoyt Stanley of the BCHL.
Ottawa’s five picks at a glance with comments from assistant general manager Trent Mann. On the whole, Mann felt the organization filled some “needs” and found kids with upside.
Round 4, No. 108, D Hoyt Stanley, BCHL Victoria
A right-shot defenceman, the 6-2, 187-pound Stanley produced four goals and 38 points in just 53 games last season with Victoria. He is committed to Cornell University this fall. Central Scouting had Stanley ranked 85th among North American skaters.
A longtime pal of Connor Bedard, Stanley is considered an excellent skater with offensive skills and the ability to move the puck out of his zone.
“He’s a bigger kid, skates well and can move the puck to forwards,” Mann says. “We have some time with him. Physically, he will fill out.”
“I’m super excited to get to Ottawa and get started,” Stanley said, in a message to Senators fans from Nashville. He added that he grew up as a big fan of Senators superstars Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson.
Round 5, No. 140, D Matthew Andonovski, OHL Kitchener
Here’s a player that Senators head coach D.J. Smith would like. Andonovski is big, 6-2, 201 pounds, mean and loves to fight. He had zero goals, 16 assists and 85 penalty minutes in 67 games with the Rangers last season.
Andonovski was ranked 134th by Central Scouting among North American skaters.
Mann says Andonovski needs work, but could be groomed into a shutdown type of defenceman and solid penalty killer.
Round 7, No. 204, C Owen Beckner, BCHL Salmon Arm
At 6-2, 181 pounds, Beckner is going to grow into his big frame and has shown some offensive flair in the BCHL. Beckner scored 17 goals and added 33 assists for an even 50 points in 53 games for Salmon Arm. He is committed to Colorado College of the NCAA next season.
A scouting report from Elite Prospects noted that while Beckner needs to work on his consistency and ability to drive possession, he is already a good defensive centre.
“He’s a long, lanky kid with some skill, hockey sense and vision,” Mann says.
Having had a recent hernia surgery, Beckner may not be skating much at the Senators development camp.
Round 7, No. 207, G Vladimir Nikitin, Kazakhstan
The Senators have a habit of selecting goaltenders in most of their drafts and this 6-4, 192-pound goaltender from Kazakhstan looks like an intriguing pick. At the U18 world tournament he was 4-1-0 and pitched three shutouts while posting a 1.50 goals against average and .936 save percentage.
In 24 games with Barys Astana of the Kazakhstan U20 League, Nikitin appeared in 24 games and had an 18-6-0 record with a GAA of 2.07 and save percentage of .921.
“He’s raw, he needs some coaching,” Mann says of Nikitin. “But has size and athleticism.”
With several prospects already in the system, Ottaw can take the long road with Nikitin.
Next season, Nikitin is expected to come overseas and suit up with Chilliwack of the BCHL.
Round 7, No. 215, C Nicholas Vantassell USHL Green Bay
This New Jersey native is expected to play for the NCAA University of Massachusetts next season. Like so many of these second-day selections, a long development period is expected before they amount to serious prospects. As a re-entry, Vantassell is already 19.
A rangy centre at 6-4, 196 pounds, he can score, as evidenced by his 19 goals and 18 assists playing for Green Bay last season. One scouting report noted Vantassell’s great hands and ability to “dangle.”
Sons of Sens get drafted
Some of the coolest Senators moments in Nashville involved the sons of former players or current management getting selected.
First, Oliver Bonk, son of former third overall Sens pick Radek Bonk, was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers 22nd overall. Oliver Bonk, wearing his hair in a mullet as a tribute to his father, is a defenceman out of OHL London.
On Thursday, Brad Gardiner, a forward with the Ottawa 67’s was drafted by the Dallas Stars, 79th overall. Gardiner is the son of former Senators forward Bruce Gardiner.
And finally, in the late stages of the 7th round, Senators AGM Trent Mann saw his son, Matteo Mann, get picked by the Philadelphia Flyers. Mann went 199th overall. At 6-5, 222 pounds, Mann is a mammoth defenceman who was with Chicoutimi of the QMJHL last season.
He has come a long way from the days when he was fetching coffee for Senators management and scouts at the NHL draft several years ago.
Father Trent admitted that watching 198 players go before him meant two long days for Matteo, but all's well that ends with your name being called.
