The players the Senators might draft at sixth overall
After writing this morning's roundtable, it became apparent to me that although we've constantly mentioned the top picks in this year's NHL Entry Draft, we really haven't went into any depth on them. Therefore, Ryan and I decided to put together this short primer on the players that the Senators are most likely to take at sixth overall. Beside the player's name you'll find their SBNation Mock Draft Profile, and below you'll find a video from NHL.com as well as a couple of reasons why the Senators will or will not take this particular player.
For those wondering, we haven't bothered with Adam Larsson, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, or Gabriel Landeskog because we're pretty sure those kids will be gone in the top five.
Sean Couturier - SBNation Mock Draft Profile
Why he'll get picked: Strong, rangy, offensively-gifted centremen don't grow on trees (unless you count Staal family tree).
Why he won't get picked: Senators will panic when a guy who was pegged to go number one in this year's draft is available at six, decide to trust other scouts' opinion and also not pick him.
Dougie Hamilton - SBNation Mock Draft Profile
Why he'll get picked: He's a gifted offensive defenceman, which is catnip to Bryan Murray. His draft profile indicates that his favourite show is Two and a Half Men, meaning he'll get along with 2010-draftee Mark Stone.
Why he won't get picked: He's a gifted offensive defenceman. Murray has drafted enough of these and knows he needs to go forward.
Jonathan Huberdeau - SBNation Mock Draft Profile
Why he'll get picked: Because we picked him in the SBNation Mock Draft. Duh.
Why he won't get picked: Huberdeau had a good Memorial Cup run, which means that some other GM will look at him and get really excited, insisting he needs to find a way to trade up and get Huberdeau before someone else does.
Ryan Murphy - SBNation Mock Draft Profile
Why he'll get picked: His offensive skills are unrivaled by any other blueliner in the draft; Bryan Murray has high-school crush on defencemen (see: Dougie Hamilton).
Why he won't get picked: Senators have enough defencemen in the system; wasn't invited to Ottawa for second interview.
Ryan Strome - SBNation Mock Draft Profile
Why he'll get picked: He racked up 106 points in 65 games with Niagra in the OHL, and Ottawa needs offence. He's also one of the highest climbers in the draft rankings (#8 by Central Scouting, up 11 slots at midterm). He also really likes Two and a Half Men, meaning he's the forward version of Dougie Hamilton, also of Niagra. Is there something in the water there?
Why he won't get picked: Unless one of Landeskog, Huberdeau, and Nugent-Hopkins is available, there's no reason for Ottawa to not take Strome.
Mika Zibanejad - SBNation Mock Draft Profile
Why he'll get picked: He's Swedish, which gives him all kinds of street cred in Ottawa.
Why he won't get picked: the above video is the only video NHL.com has, preventing the Senators from scouting him; Bryan Murray gets stage fright when realizing if he drafts him, he has to pronounce "Mika Zibanejad".
