Crooklyn's Top 20 Ottawa Prospects

by Alexander Calloway on Mar 8, 2011 7:00 AM EST in Ottawa Senators prospects

Well here it is, my list of the top 20 prospects in the Ottawa farm system. The prospects are ranked from who has the higher ceiling (which is why number 4 is ranked higher than number 7). The list isn't set in stone, players on the bottom of the list can easily rise to the top in a few seasons, but this list is as of right now. So without further adieu, let's start with number 20 on my list of the top Ottawa Senators prospects!

20. C, Mike Hoffman - Binghamton Senators (American Hockey League)
DOB: Nov. 24/89 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 175lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 57GP 7G 14A 21P 8PIM
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The former QMJHL MVP has had an alright rookie season. He's going to need some add some size to his frame, but like many of the other rookies in Binghamton, expect a better second season. He might have the skills to be a top-six forward in the NHL, but Hoffman still needs more time, conditioning, and a lot of commitment to put it all together.

19. LW, David Dziurzynski - Binghamton Senators (American Hockey League)
DOB: Oct. 6/89 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 205lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 58GP 6G 11A 17P 36PIM
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After his coming out year with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Dziurzynski has gone from fourth-line grinder to coach favorite to the player who some feel could be the Binghamton Senators' rookie of the year (sorry, Robin Lehner). Dziurzynski is known for his impressive face-off abilities, but he also comes with a package of speed, soft hands, hockey sense, and size. Expect him to be on Ottawa's radar next season, as he's pretty much a shoo-in to get called up at some point next season.

18. C, Colin Greening - Ottawa Senators (National Hockey League)
DOB: Mar. 9/86 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 210lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 9GP 1G 2A 3P 4PIM
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Another seventh-round pick, Greening was the tough guy on the first line in Binghamton with Bobby Butler and Corey Locke, showcasing his good skating and a hard shot. Greening shown in his seasons at Cornell University, that can be put up points, but his most valued skill to Ottawa will be play on the boards and other rough parts of the ice. He's farther ahead in his development than a lot of other players on this list because of his age, but appears to be a potentially solid bottom-six player on an NHL roster.

17. C, Jakub Culek - Rimouski Oceanic (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
DOB: Sep. 7/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 195lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 49GP 6G 14A 20P 35PIM
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Ottawa's "first" draft selection of the 2010 NHL Draft, has had a very disappointing season. Culek is a playmaker, who's offense will be a huge work in progress over the next few seasons. His size makes him a great two-way option, and if he is able to put it all together, he can be a very dangerous player in both zones on the ice. His next season with Rimouski should tell us a lot about his future.

16. RW, Markus Sörensen - Djurgårdens IF Hockey (Elitserien)
DOB: Apr. 7/92 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 161lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 7GP 1G 1A 2P 0PIM
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A project player, Sörensen is likely to be on prospect lists for a while. The young Swedish forward has fast hands, is great skater, and is a very flashy player. Like Andre Petterson, he hasn't been playing hockey for over a month due to a back injury.

15. LW, Kaspars Daugavins - Binghamton Senators (American Hockey League)
DOB: May. 18/88 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 205lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 57GP 15G 28A 43P 26PIM
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Kaspars Daugavins has turned on the jets in his second full season in Binghamton. In the final year of his entry-level deal, Daugavins had a very slow and rough start to the season. But as Binghamton started winning more games, Daugavins started to play harder. There have been rumours Daugavins could join Dinamo Riga of the KHL in his hometown, but if he's retained by Ottawa next season, he should get a long look in training camp.

14. LW, Andre Petersson - HV71 (Elitserien)
DOB: Sep. 11/90 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.09 | Weight: 169lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 31GP 8G 4A 12P 18PIM
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Plagued with back injuries and inconsistency, Andre Petersson's stock has fallen. Thanks to the HV71 veteran core, Petersson has mostly played fourth line minutes this season, limiting any success he might have had if not for the injury. Petersson is a one-dimensional offensive winger, who can play offense well enough to make up for his lack of defense. However he doesn't have the consistency to be a huge offensive threat, and he hasn't played any hockey in over a month thanks to a back injury. Petersson has potential to be Ottawa's best offensive prospect, and he's only 20 years old, but he has a long road ahead of him.

13. D, Eric Gryba - Binghamton Senators (American Hockey League)
DOB: Apr. 14/88 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 215lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 54GP 2G 3A 5P 110PIM
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Where most of Ottawa's prospects need to get tougher, Gryba already is. Gryba's stick isn't completely useless, however, he has an accurate shot, and he can make some quick and effective passes. He already has over 100 PIMs and ranks second in Binghamton. If Francis Lessard stays with Ottawa for the rest of the season, expect Gryba to pass him.

12. D, Chris Wideman - Miami University (Ohio) (Central Collegiate Hockey Association)
DOB: Jan. 7/90 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 170lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 34GP 2G 18A 20P 30PIM
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A fine offensive-minded defense prospect, Wideman's defense doesn't get the credit it deserves. Leading all Miami defensemen in points, Wideman is expected to put up career high numbers to finish the season. He's amazing on the power-play, with all but two of his 18 points coming while on the man advantage. But since he's in his junior year, so don't expect to see him in Binghamton next season.

11. RW, Erik Condra - Ottawa Senators (National Hockey League)
DOB: Aug. 6/86 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 195lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 9GP 2G 2A 4P 6PIM
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Erik Condra went from seventh-round afterthought to one of the more promising forwards Ottawa has. After leading all rookies in Binghamton in points last season, Condra found chemistry with Jim O'Brien and the two took over the offense when Butler was called-up to Ottawa. Players like Condra are the reason why all seven rounds of the draft matter.

10. C, Zack Smith - Ottawa Senators (National Hockey League)
DOB: Apr. 5/88 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 199lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 38GP 4G 2A 6P 61PIM
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Well I'm sure everyone is familiar with Z. Smith. Number 15 is a very physical and versatile forward who's expected to finish the season with Ottawa. The most impressive things about Smith are his face-offs, where he's won over 50 per cent of, his fantastic work ethic, and play in front the net. He may not put the flashy numbers, but Zack Smith will get the job done as a solid fourth-liner once he gets more ice time.

9. C, Jim O'Brien - Binghamton Senators (American Hockey League)
DOB: Jan. 29/89 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 200lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 56GP 16G 26A 42P 61PIM
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Don't look now, but Jim O'Brien has a future again. After three mediocre seasons, two with the Seattle Thunderbirds and last year in Binghamton, Jim O'Brien is Ottawa's most improved prospect. As much as his offense has come together, his defense is the real story. He's blocking shots, checking forwards, forechecking, and he's using his size the way Mike Fisher used to for Ottawa. Expect to see him called-up a few more times and fight for one of the many open forward positions next season, probably in the bottom-six to start with, but he could work his way to the second line if his improvement continues.

8. RW, Roman Wick - Binghamton Senators (American Hockey League)
DOB: Dec. 30/85 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 187lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 56GP 13G 16A 29P 16PIM
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As the oldest prospect, Wick's window is closing fast. He started off slow in the AHL, but since going scoreless in his first ten games, Wick has become a solid forward for Binghamton's second and third lines. Right now he doesn't look like an NHLer, but Ottawa is going to have to make a decision quick as Wick was signed to a one-year deal and might return to Swiss-A if his NHL future is in doubt.

7. RW, Bobby Butler - Ottawa Senators (National Hockey League)
DOB: Apr. 26/87 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 180lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 19GP 6G 3A 9P 2PIM
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The AHL All-Star game MVP began his pro career with a bang in the AHL. Corey Locke was the perfect centre for him, and Butler quickly used his unpredictable shot to become one of the AHL's most dangerous young forwards. In Ottawa, his offense has gotten started after scoring his first point, but his minus-12 leaves us waiting for his very underrated two-way defense to show up.

6. C, Louie Caporusso - University of Michigan (Central Collegiate Hockey Association)
DOB: Jun. 21/89 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.10 | Weight: 188lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 35GP 9G 17A 26P 20PIM
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His numbers may not be as good as years past, but Caporusso is known for his strong second-half finishes. The love expert doesn't have the size of most forwards in the NHL, but he is a very skilled player and has excellent speed to make up for it, especially on the powerplay. Watch out for him on Binghamton next year.

5. LW, Jakob Silfverberg - Brynäs IF (Elitserien)
DOB: Oct. 13/90 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 187lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 53GP 18G 16A 34P 16PIM
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Like the other Swedish prospects, Silfverberg has an impressive two-way game. His offense have improved as his numbers are nearly doubled in every category, but his defense has come along way as well. He still isn't as physical as Ottawa would want him to be, but Sens head scout Pierre Dorion has said he expects Silfverberg to be in the Ottawa lineup next season, competing for a top-six spot. Silfverberg still remains Ottawa's best hope (until the draft) for offense.

4. D, Patrick Wiercioch - Binghamton Senators (American Hockey League)
DOB: Sep. 12/90 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 185lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 55GP 4G 8A 12P 19PIM
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The 20-year-old defensemen is going through his adjustment period in the AHL right now. The team has noticed his improvement in his play lately, and have rewarded him with more time on the powerplay, which has gone a long way in his continued improvement in the defensive zone. Expect a strong second season from two-way defensemen.

3. G, Robin Lehner - Binghamton Senators (American Hockey League)
DOB: Jul. 24/91 | Glove: R | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 224lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 7-6-2, .912Sv% 2.67GAA 2SO
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What a year it has been (and it's not even over) for the Swedish butterfly-style goaltender. He's been playing without a home for most of the season, but despite Barry Brust's performance in the AHL, Lehner has put up nice numbers for a 19-year-old backup goaltender. He's on the right track development wise, and we should see a huge improvement in his numbers next season in the AHL. Assuming Ottawa's goaltending situation isn't bad enough that he'll need to be called up.

2. D, Jared Cowen - Spokane Chiefs (Western Hockey League)
DOB: Jan. 25/91 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.05 | Weight: 220lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 52GP 18G 28A 46P 87PIM
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As expected, Cowen is destroying his opponents in the WHL. And his performance in the WJC in Buffalo was just what Ottawa Senators fans wanted to see. He seems to have recovered from the leg injury that had him drop to Ottawa in the 2009 draft, and his leadership and work ethic have done a great deal in turning the Spokane Chiefs into Ed Chynoweth and Memorial Cup contenders. Don't expect the offense to stick in the NHL, as he's probably going to be more Adam Foote than Zdeno Chara, but he'll compete for a job in Ottawa's lineup next season.

1. D, David Rundblad - Skellefteå AIK (Elitserien)
DOB: Oct. 8/90 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 189lbs
Season Statistics (Mar 7th): 55GP 11G 39A 50P 14PIM
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The leader of all defensemen in the Elitserien in points, David Rundblad has been the most exciting prospect for the Ottawa Senators this season. Expected to start in the NHL next season, Rundblad is already offensively talented. He can get points off his own shot, and find open line-mates with his fantastic vision. Rundblad will have to improve his defensive play if he wishes to be an elite two-way defensemen, but he should be a joy to watch in Ottawa next season.

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Comments

I am salivating at the thought of Karlsson and Mecha Karlsson running a power play very soon

From the limited time I was able to watch Cowen live (one game, but a hell of a game for him), I’m confident that he could at least provide spot duty on a second power play unit. I wouldn’t put him there every night, but in spurts and covering for injuries, I think he could be a pretty solid choice in a few years. I do think the comparison of being more Adam Foote than Zdeno Chara is accurate, but I’d say Cowen has a tad more offensive upside. Foote had the benefit of playing alongside some very talented offensive defencemen and even more talented forwards during his prime years in Colorado. Cowen may not have that opportunity.

This is all a subjective personal opinion, however.

I also have some tempered excitement in seeing Jakob Silvferberg in the North American pro ranks somewhere down the line.

La Femme Snakeita - Silver Seven - The Classic Blog

by Ryan Classic on Mar 8, 2011 7:12 AM EST reply actions

This is awesome Alex!

I am a little surprised seeing Caporusso with a higher ceiling than Butler. I haven’t heard of this guy, but what do you think his ceiling is?

Trying to be Erik Karlsson's agent since October, 2010.

by Adnan on Mar 8, 2011 7:46 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I was also surprised by this

I’ll let Alex explain his rationale.

An Ottawa Senators fan blogging at www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Mar 8, 2011 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

Okay, here we go

Caporusso is younger, and has better numbers in college than Butler (expect for Caporusso’s senior year, where Butler has more points). Caporusso is expected to be playing for Binghamton next season, and has a shot at being call-up at the mid point of the year.

Mariners, Senators, Trail Blazers, Seahawks fan that also covers the Ottawa Senators prospects for Silver Seven. All from Sunrise, FL. And I do for you guys! Silver Seven

by Alexander Calloway on Mar 8, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks for this

Great rundown of the prospects. It seems like Ottawa has tons of guys coming down the pipe to fill out the 3rd and 4th lines. Now what the Sens need is a few first and second liners!

by DW19 on Mar 8, 2011 8:10 AM EST reply actions

-12

Butler is -12 because he is playing a ton of minutes on a terrible defensive team. Look at the other Minus’s. Spezza is -11 Kuba is -28 and Karlson -34.

You watch his game, he is always in the right position (which is where 50% of his goals are going to come from, the other 50% from his shot and hands). I think butler is Top 3 forward and is going to continue to roll the rest of this season and take the momentum in to the summer and be scary good next year. He’s 24 in april and is only going to get bigger and stronger and get used to playing 82 games. He played less than 40 games last year and the 4 years before that and is already up around 70 (66 actually) between bingo and ottawa and he is just turning it on now. The upside is ridiculous for this kid.

More cheers, more beers, thats it thats all.

by BrianBellows on Mar 8, 2011 8:24 AM EST reply actions

I wouldn't say its ridiculous

He’s a great offensive talent, but I wouldn’t say top 3 talent.

Mariners, Senators, Trail Blazers, Seahawks fan that also covers the Ottawa Senators prospects for Silver Seven. All from Sunrise, FL. And I do for you guys! Silver Seven

by Alexander Calloway on Mar 8, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Awesome Post... But....

No Love for Mark Stone? 6’3" 200lbs 98pts in 66 gp and leads his team in scoring? Another 6th round draft gem?

by TsnFan on Mar 8, 2011 8:57 AM EST reply actions

I too am surprised by him not being on the list

I don’t consider him a top prospect by any means, but thought with the season he is having, he might crack the top 20.

Regardless, really good job my friend

http://ottawasconsensus.blogspot.com/

by DaveYoung on Mar 8, 2011 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

He probably will eventually

Alex will be able to answer better since it’s his list, but maybe he’s just erring on the side of caution since Stone’s season is a) so unexpected, and b) still junior hockey.

An Ottawa Senators fan blogging at www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Mar 8, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

Stone is probably somewhere in the 21-30 range. He’s put up points, but he’s done it in junior. We don’t know anything about his all-around game(skating, checking, etc) and we don’t know what he will do at a higher level. He certainly has a chance to be on this list in the future.

by DW19 on Mar 8, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah pretty much

His skating is the one key factor that every scout believes he needs to work on, and he isn’t the fastest guy on the ice. His next season with Brandon should tell us more on his future.

Mariners, Senators, Trail Blazers, Seahawks fan that also covers the Ottawa Senators prospects for Silver Seven. All from Sunrise, FL. And I do for you guys! Silver Seven

by Alexander Calloway on Mar 8, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

Jim O'Brien looks good...

Hasn’t looked great in his call-ups, but I saw him play with bingo when they came to the bell centre to play the hamilton bulldogs. I don’t know if he had any points on the night, but he looked like the strongest player on the ice when he had the puck. one game is a pretty small sample size, granted, but he was noticeable and clearly gifted. hopefully keeps trending in the right direction

by bobbykelly on Mar 8, 2011 10:18 AM EST reply actions

i was at one of the games here in ottawa when JOB was up

i thought he looked absolutely fantastic. his skating looks incredibly awkward, but he can kick it pretty fast and keep up with the bunch, he backchecks reallllly hard, has a very active stick on defense, and as crooklyn said hes blocking shots. i forget who the sens were playing that night but i remember he had 3 takeaways, 2 or 3 blocked shots, a few good hits, good board work and put himself in good position to shoot (although he kinda whiffed it into the goalie on his 2 or 3 SOG). if he keeps working on his strength and maybe some more elegance in his stride (it can’t be that efficient to skate the way he skates) he will be a fantastic two way forward

by Caden on Mar 8, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

true on the skating

his skating looks a lot like spezza’s, really. only he doesn’t have a pinch of that kind of talent so he can’t get away with it as easily. I like crooklyn’s fisher comparison, but he’d be a perfect chris kelly replacement with some more time.

by bobbykelly on Mar 8, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

The Republican Senators

I can’t get over how many of our top 20 are right handed shots. 11/20.

Huh.

by Be_rad on Mar 8, 2011 11:42 AM EST reply actions

Stephen Harper is pleased

Mariners, Senators, Trail Blazers, Seahawks fan that also covers the Ottawa Senators prospects for Silver Seven. All from Sunrise, FL. And I do for you guys! Silver Seven

by Alexander Calloway on Mar 8, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

Bahahahahaha

I approve

Oh Captain, my Captain!

by AlfieGirl on Mar 8, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

"Tweener" Gang

Great job Crooklyn.

Caporusso, Peterssen and Shannon are part of the “Tweener” gang. These are guys who have some talent and are not good enough or big enough to be a top six forward. It is questionable whether you can make an undersized player like this part of the third or fourth line, where you rely on your guys to play a Chris Neil kind of energy role.

If two or three of these type of guys occupy a third or fourth line, then we become really easy to play against. The success of the Kelly, Ruutu and Neil line was because they were all physical and all great along the boards, so at least we’d have the puck the majority of the time they were on. If we replace this line with pint-sized players, we’ll be pushovers.

As has been pointed out, we have a plethora of third and fourth line players coming up. I believe that is why Kelly was (IMJ unfortunately) deemed expendable.

As far as Cowen goes, I’d rather just allow him to develop, rather than annointing him Zdeno #2, thus putting alot of pressure on him for nothing. There are precious few top line dmen who can manage both ends of the ice really well. I’m hoping that we will have two new dmen like that being added with Rundblad and Cowen; but let’s give them a little time before we annoint them “the next coming”.

by Marvellous on Mar 8, 2011 12:08 PM EST reply actions