Ottawa Senators Prospect Update - March 23rd

You’d think that with three goalies injured, things would keep getting worse for the Senators in the crease. Strangely, the opposite has happened. The team’s prospects have not only outplayed those on one-way deals, but one was even responsible for stealing a win for the Senators for the first time this season. Before we talk about him, however, let’s take a look at one of the fastest-improving prospects in the system.

Forwards:

Philippe Daoust

One of two sixth-round picks from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Daoust had a fantastic week with Moncton, tallying one goal and six assists. Now with 22 points in 18 games, the level of improvement he’s shown with his numbers is a sign that there may be NHL potential there.

Philippe Daoust (@Senators) stole the puck for a nice partial breakaway goal in the third to cap off a 3-point night for the @monctonwildcats yesterday.#GoSensGo https://t.co/0snpDq13HS pic.twitter.com/pdBOyZw6lW

— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) March 18, 2021

Ridly Greig

After serving a three-game suspension, Greig returned to being a general nuisance everywhere on the ice, while racking up three assists in two games. Not just with skill, but with smarts, too, setting up a pick to help generate the odd-man rush leading to the overtime-winning goal in this clip:

🍎🍎Ridly Greig picked up his second assist of the night on Saturday’s OT winner for Brandon (& maybe ran a bit of a pick play to help open things up)

Greig was named first star. He has 3A in 2GP and his WHL point streak is now up tp 10 games#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/64QMa9XRKi

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) March 21, 2021

Roby Järventie

His production has slowed since the World Juniors, but Järventie continues to impress in a limited role with Ilves, scoring in back-to-back games. GM Pierre Dorion has reportedly looked at bringing Järventie to Belleville next season; even though he could use another year in the Liiga, it may be beneficial to bring him to North America sooner rather than later.

🚨Roby Järventie scored his 13th of the season on Saturday, giving him goals in back to back games - he’s up to 24 points in 45GP as a Liiga rookie#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/go2McBKFg4

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) March 20, 2021

Defensemen:

Erik Brännström

With three assists in two games with Belleville, Brännström definitely seems to be in the right league for the time being. We’d like him to be playing well with the big club, but it’s not a bad thing for Brännström to be in the AHL right now. He’s currently playing his D+4 season, his fourth season since his draft year. If you recall, Drake Batherson, who’s sort of good, is currently in his D+5 year, as his draft year was 2016 (he went undrafted that year). Next season will be do-or-die for Brännström.

🚨Matthew Peca gets a goal in his first period as a Belleville Senator

Erik Brannstrom won't get an assist on this one, but that's a nice play by him to create the initial chance#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/pbQUrZjwax

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) March 19, 2021

Jake Sanderson

The 2020 fifth-overall pick had one assist in the lone game against St. Cloud State this week, but he also threw seven pucks on net, while looking more confident with the puck than he’s ever been:

Jake Sanderson has been the best player on the ice tonight. Another example of his fantastic skating ability- this time, drawing a penalty.

Pinto won the draw to start this play. He's 12-7 in the circle this evening #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/iYWmLADqQh

— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) March 17, 2021

Offence has always been an underrated part of Sanderson’s game; he’s always been great at entering the offensive zone, and there’s enough creativity there for him to be a threat. Of course all that’s icing on the cake because his defensive game is what’ll make him a household name in the NHL. However, that will have to wait another year, as according to TSN’s Shawn Simpson, Sanderson will be heading back to UND for his sophomore year.

Goaltending:

Filip Gustavsson

Not only did he stop all eight shots after being thrown into action against the Canucks, but Gustavsson also followed that up with a nearly flawless performance against the Flames, earning his first NHL win in his first start. He stopped 43 shots in the two games he played, only conceding a goal to Johnny Gaudreau on a breakaway. We’ve only seen 80 minutes of play, but the standard for goaltending in Ottawa is impossible not to clear, so Gustavsson is the number-one guy in Ottawa as far as I’m concerned.

Silver Linings:

• Gus wasn’t the only goaltender to shine this week. Kevin Mandolese secured his first professional win with a 43-save performance against the Toronto Marlies on Friday, and Leevi Meriläinen came through with yet another shutout for Karpat’s U20 team. He’s clearly too good for that league.
• Six Senators prospects have qualified for the NCAA regionals. Luke Loheit and Minnesota-Duluth take on Michigan, while the North Dakota quartet will face off against American International. Both of these games take place this Friday, at 4:00 pm and 9:30 pm EST, respectively. The following day at 4:00 pm EST, Todd Burgess and Minnesota State play against Quinnipiac.
• 2019 6th-rounder Mark Kastelic had a nice week with Belleville, putting up a goal and an assist in two games. He’s now up to 4 points in 11 games./

Stats:

Pro (NHL, AHL)

NCAA

CHL

Europe

Goalies