Ottawa Senators Prospect Update - October 25th

With the Ottawa Senators already winning their fourth game of the season yesterday (a feat that took them 14 games to do last season), it would seem the good vibes have rubbed off on some of the prospects. Let’s see who stood out this week:

Forwards:

Zack Ostapchuk

Ever since he turned his 2021-22 season around with a monster playoff performance, Ostapchuk has been on a tear. This past week, the 2021 second-round pick and captain of the Vancouver Giants contributed four goals and three assists in three games, for a total of 8 points in 5 games. He was especially dominant in Vancouver’s 6-5 win over Victoria on Saturday, with two assists and the overtime winner.

Stephen Halliday

Having been passed on twice in the NHL Draft, Halliday is starting his NCAA career two years later than most. His age compared to other freshmen is something to consider when looking at his production, but for a fourth-rounder, 9 points in 8 games with Ohio State, including a goal and two assists in two games this week, is a great start.

Tyler Boucher

Looking to rebound after one of the toughest seasons imaginable, Tyler Boucher is getting into a rhythm with the Ottawa 67s. The 10th-overall pick from 2021 scored at a point-per-game pace this week, and like Ostapchuk, scored a game-winning goal, this one coming in a 5-3 victory over Sudbury on Sunday.

While his 8 points in 7 games might not be quite living up to his draft position, that doesn't stop him from being a good prospect in Ottawa’s system, who’s looking like he has an NHL future regardless of what his offensive ceiling is. It’s also just plain encouraging to get any kind of good news with regards to Boucher. It doesn’t hurt that the 67s are 9-0-0 to start the year.

Defence:

Jake Sanderson

He’s played only six games in his NHL career, but Jake Sanderson is already looking like a seasoned pro. Not too much of a surprise considering he was widely regarded as the best left-handed defenseman of the 2020 NHL Draft, played two seasons with the University of North Dakota, and has since been recognized for his offensive game previously thought to be non-existent by some scouts. Take a look at this stretch pass, one of his two assists against Arizona, to Brady Tkachuk:

Sanderson currently has 3 assists in 6 games and is still looking for his first NHL goal but it’s easy to see that his all-around game is having a huge impact whenever he’s on the ice. NaturalStatTrick lists him as Ottawa’s best defenceman in terms of expected goals share at 5-on-5, with an eye-popping 64.75%.

Jonny Tychonick

With two points in two games, Tychonick, a second-rounder from 2018, was the most productive defence prospect this week. Still, at this stage he’s not expected to get an entry-level deal by the end of what’s currently his fifth season in the NCAA.

Goaltending:

Leevi Meriläinen

After struggling quite a bit in the OHL last year, 2020 third-rounder Meriläinen has taken well to his return to Finland. Now with Karpat’s main squad, he’s assumed the starter’s job from fellow 2020 draftee and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Joel Blomqvist, going 1-0-2 in three games this week while stopping 75 of 81 shots. He’s posted a 5-1-2 record and a .923 save percentage this year.

Silver Linings:

• Another forward who had a strong week was recent seventh-round pick Tyson Dyck. His first collegiate goal along with an assist in two games brings him up to 3 points in 5 games with UMass.

Stats: