The Ottawa Senators prospects are going to be crucial for the team’s success in the 2024-25 season. The young core of top-flite NHLers are ready. Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot, and Drake Batherson could all very well hit career highs through their NHL career progression. For example, Stutzle if he follows Jack Hughes age versus improvement correlation, it is quite possible. In contrast, this article is to be about the next class of Sens prospects. The ones ready for the City of Ottawa in October 2024. It ranges from newcomer Zack Ostpachuk to Tyler Kleven.
The 2024-25 NHL Ready Prospects for the Ottawa Senators
It’s tough to pinpoint it, but the new kids on the block for the Ottawa Senators have arrived. Hence, this is one reason why General Manager Steve Staios didn’t feel pressured to do much at the trade deadline. The Sens got themselves into this mess, and maybe, just maybe, they are the best ones to get them out of it. Sometimes the best way to improve a weakness in the lineup is from within the organization. With the Sens young core, all they need out of their prospects is to be depth guys. And maybe that is exactly what they have. Let’s take a look at the Senators new Sheriffs in town, how they have performed, and what they mean for the team’s future.
Zack Ostapchuk
Coming off his NHL debut Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Zack Ostapchuk looked every bit the part. He played around 13 minutes and registered two shots on goal. His follow-up in Columbus left some to be desired. However, what was impressive was his confidence on the ice, and his desire to drive offence. He’s a big body and uses it to get where he wants to on the ice. Moreover, Ostapchuk isn’t exactly tearing it up in the AHL ahead of his call-up. He has 13 goals and 22 points through 56 games. But this is his first year playing professionally. In 2022-23, playing in the WHL, Ostapchuk did find a scoring touch with 31 in 55 games. The fact that he warranted the callup, despite the lower production, shows he’s doing a lot of the little things right. These are exactly the type of qualities that Staios has talked about, being a professional. You don’t have to have played 10 years in the NHL to play the right way. This is just something Ostapchuk builds into his game, even at this young stage of his development. Furthermore, he brings the size and toughness this lineup needs. Especially to take some of the weight off Captain Brady Tkachuk’s shoulders.
Max Guenette
Another of the Senators inexperienced players who has put himself on the map this season is Max Guenette. Guenette came into this season as a relative unknown by NHL standards with only one game of NHL action under his belt. As a result of his lack of popularity, he turned some heads in training camp, as he was a very late cut to actually make Ottawa. Now followers of the organization as a whole, namely the Belleville Senators know him well. In just three seasons with the club, he has 169 games played. Furthermore, he has 16 goals to his credit and 72 assists, for a solid PPG over 0.5. He is a hard-nosed defender, and interestingly enough a right-shot. There’s a spot in the top six for him if he can beat out his competition and prove he deserves to be there. Right now, his competition is Jacob Bernard-Docker and Travis Hamonic for the 2024-25. Now depending on how the offseason goes, and Staios’ management of the salary cap, the team will hopefully have more flexibility in roster spots. More flexibility than they currently have this season. This would allow the team to sit a player like Hamonic in the press box, and not be penalized with not being able to fill his roster spot. As a pending RFA, Guenette will continue to fight hard for a roster spot in 2024-25. Thus far in his small sample size of seven career games, he does have some work to do. But the toughness he brings, with his six hits and six blocked shots, is again what the lineup needs. As he gains confidence that he can compete at this level, he will see his ice time will go up.
Boris Katchouk
From the 2024 NHL trade deadline, there was only one player the Senators added in the form of Boris Katchouk. At the time of the trade, his 155 career NHL games, make him still young in terms of NHL experience. He is 25, so that isn’t very experienced for his age. Will he be a regular contributor in 2024-25? It is tough to know at this point. Last season in a full year with the Chicago Blackhawks, he played 58 games. That season he lost the first month due to an ankle injury. In addition, he ended up with five goals and 16 points, and threw 85 hits, while playing 12:05 a night. at 6’2″ and 206 lbs, he brings some size and toughness this forward group could use.
Final Notes on the 2024 NHL Ottawa Senators Prospects
As for the rest of the Senators young players, there are three more potentially very important players. First of all, Tyler Kleven would add some much-desired physicality to the backend. You need guys to clear out the defensive zone, insert Tyler Kleven. He has 16 points in 40 games with Belleville this year, along with 35 PIMs. Also, what if it is goaltender Mads Sogaard‘s year to make the leap? Sogaard has done incredibly in Belleville this year, with a .920 SV% in 25 games played. Maybe even Shane Pinto supplants himself with top-six minutes for 82 games. In any sense, the Ottawa Senators NHL prospects will play a huge role in 2024-25.
Main photo: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
