OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators aren’t quite in “draft, schmaft” territory, but they are getting there.
It was Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher who uttered that phrase while trading away draft picks like poker chips in the late 1990s.
Ottawa enters this draft looking a bit like those old Toronto teams as far as selections go, having no picks through the first three rounds and just six picks in total — subject to change between now and June 28, of course.
This is the second consecutive year the Senators do not have a first-round pick, a sign of their shift out of the rebuilding phase. The Sens traded their 2023 first-round selection to Arizona (plus two second-round picks, in 2024 and ‘26) for defenceman Jakob Chychrun.
The last time Ottawa drafted a player in the opening round was in 2021, when it went off the board to take winger Tyler Boucher 10th overall.
It’s a far cry from their massive 2020 draft, when the Sens had six picks in the first two rounds and two in the top five — selecting franchise cornerstones Tim Stützle (third overall) and Jake Sanderson (fifth overall).
This year, the Senators will continue to be looking for pieces that can help them in the here and now, with one major chip to play in Alex DeBrincat.
2023 DRAFT PICKS
PLAN OF ATTACK, WITH NO EARLY PICK
Interestingly, Sens GM Pierre Dorion is looking to trade winger DeBrincat before this draft, the same player that Ottawa acquired ahead of the 2022 draft for three picks, including the Senators’ first- and second-round picks last year.
DeBrincat, a pending restricted free agent, has let it be known he doesn’t want to sign long-term in Ottawa, and the organization’s move to try to reduce his arbitration salary of $9 million could help expedite a trade.
The question becomes: Do the Senators try to replace the scoring winger with a reasonable facsimile or aim for more of a two-way player who can step into a top-six role? Would a trade include a pick or prospect? Any likely landing spot for DeBrincat will be a team that knows it can sign him to a lengthy contract.
Following the Chychrun acquisition, the Senators seem pretty set on the blueline, so a trade for a defenceman would have to be something that knocks their socks off, and not just a depth addition.
A more obvious need is at the forward position. There is a need in goal as well — not necessarily another goalie prospect but a proven veteran the team could acquire via trade at this draft or afterward via free agency.
There is always the chance that Ottawa acquires a first-round pick as part of a trade package, and the most likely scenario is one that involves DeBrincat. That is, the Sens could pick up a player and a high pick for the 25-year-old sniper.
LAST YEAR’S FIRST PICK
Without a 2022 first-round pick, the Senators had to wait until the 64th selection to grab defenceman Filip Nordberg 64th overall.
Considering that pick was somewhat off the board and Nordberg is a big, raw prospect, at six-foot-four, 207 pounds, it is no surprise that Ottawa is taking its time with Nordberg’s development.
Still just 19, Nordberg played 25 games with Sodertalje in Swe-1 (two goals, four points and six penalty minutes) after starting the year with Sodertalje’s junior team, appearing in 18 games and producing three goals, eight assists and 14 PIM.
He also appeared in nine games late in the season for Vaxjo of the SHL and eight for Tingsryds of the Swe-1 league.
The Sens have a longer view of Nordberg. They like his NHL frame and believe he can be a physical player with offensive upside, but there are decisions to make in the short term. Nordberg could remain in Sweden next season but does have a USHL option because he was drafted by the Youngstown Phantoms (43rd overall).
If the organization and player opted for that route next season, Nordberg could consider a year in the USHL and a potential NCAA career to polish his development.
A BOLD PREDICTION
Dorion has a history of swinging for the fences at the draft, and will likely do so again. Look for the Sens GM to complete at least one blockbuster deal, probably involving DeBrincat, but perhaps a move for a goaltender as well. This is a team in playoffs-or-bust mode.
