The Sens reluctant 2023 Draft review

Given the direction Ottawa has decided to go, a full blown tank job was needed. Apparently 1 of the key elements to a good tank job is drafting, or so I'm told. So for a GM that has as many finals appearances (1) as career draft picks (1 William Villeneuve) this is unknown territory. Without further ado, the 2023 Ottawa Senators draft review.

1 - 8 Marco Kasper: 200 foot Centre who’s already played in the NHL. He has all the tools to be a top line centre. Despite different reports of his height (6’1 or 5’9), the Sens are confident his size will play. A nice BPA pick here, Kasper is a great piece to help start the long rebuild ahead. Forgot to answer Dave's DMs about a trade up we agreed to for Cutter Gauthier. FML. GRADE: A+

1 - 20 TRADED to Buffalo for Jamie Drysdale. Boy that escalated quickly. The Sens were looking at drafting Danila Yurov, and then suddenly Jared slides in dangling Drysdale, a 21 year old dman with 3 seasons in the NHL under his belt. Had to pull the trigger there. Forgot to check and realize he missed  basically all of last season. GRADE: A+

1 - 28 Jagger Firkus: High upside human highlight reel. Undersized at 5’10, but flashy and plays bigger than his size. His path to the NHL is relatively smooth with Seattle being rather thin in the prospect pool. Has the ability to fill the net and is a leader on and off the ice. Has the best moustache in the draft. GRADE: A+

2 - 40 Jordan Dumais: Another undersized (5’9) dynamic forward, Dumais absolutely tore up the Q pre and post draft.  The Blue Jackets prospect was the 2nd highest CHL scorer behind some Bedard kid. Likely has 1 more full season in the Q where he figures to cement his status as a top prospect. Already rated top 50 prospect in NHL. New coach Babcock hates rookies, undersized forwards, and pure skilled players, so that's awesome. GRADE: A+

2 - 53 TRADED This pick (Jani Nyman) was dealt along with 35m to SJ for Florida’s 2024 1st. In 1 of the deeper drafts, the Sens choose to push the draft stock into 2024. A sign that this rebuild will be longer than some have predicted. Florida will likely go all in for the playoffs cuz he doesn't have his pick. GRADE: A+

3 - 80 Kirill Dolzhenkov: Giant 6’6 Russian is the literal opposite of every other pick. 1 of the largest forward prospects in the league, the Columbus pick has soft hands, great passing ability and a cannon of a shot. His biggest question mark is his skating and will it translate. Played in the KHL at 19. A Hail Mary pick but huge upside. May never come to North America. GRADE: A+