Over the next few weeks leading up to the 2012 NHL Entry Draft on June 23rd in Pittsburgh, I'll be covering some of the potential first-round selections for the Ottawa Senators. After their first-round elimination at the hands of the New York Rangers, Ottawa was locked into the fifteenth-overall draft pick -- a beautiful landing spot for a playoff-caliber club.
Since Ottawa could essentially go in either direction be it forward or defenseman, I'll be touching on a variety of talented prospects expected to step towards the podium in the middle of the first-round. Up next? Matt Finn.
Production: Although no element of Finn's overall game has any marked deficiencies, it's probably safe to call him one of the more well-rounded defensemen expected to be drafted in the first-round. Offensively, Finn's really developed his game, and it's shown on the stat sheet -- he's fresh off of a forty-seven point season(10G/37A) in his second-season with the Guelph Storm, doubling up his 2010-2011 campaign (3G/18A -- 21 PTS) with ease. Prior to his run with the Guelph Storm, Matt Finn skated big minutes with the Toronto Marlboros Midget AAA, tallying twenty-two goals and thirty-five assists in 2009-2010. Defensively. Finn's not a freakish physical specimen that's looking to line up that glorified kill shot over the middle, but he does play an incredibly aggressive and relentless game, while still maintaining the sound positional hockey that one likes to see in an NHL prospect. It's over the past six months -- and specifically, the 2011-2012 season -- Finn's draft stock has really shot up, jumping from 98th overall in the Consensus 100 back in October to 16th overall, presently.
Interesting Quote: Via Guelph's second-year GM and former Carolina Hurricanes scout, Mike Kelly:
“Matt Finn is 17 (turned 18 on February 24) going on 27,” said Guelph second-year general manager Mike Kelly, formerly a professional scout with the Carolina Hurricanes. “He is well above the maturity level of any kid that I have ever come across."
From Matt Finn (h/t IslandersPointBlank):
“As far as my game is concerned, I play a quiet game. I lead the rush offensively, and I shut down big lines defensively. I’m a pretty versatile defenseman, who likes to keep things simple.”
“Ever since I’ve watched the NHL, the game has changed immensely,” said an observant Finn. “The defensemen are more versatile. They use speed and skill, but are also aware of the huge and speedy players in front of them.
Trouble Areas: First-round talent is more often flashy than not, but that's not really the case with Matt Finn as a hockey player. He's not overly strong; he's not incredibly agile; he's not offensively dynamic, nor is he a true shutdown defender. As mentioned above, Finn may not have any real flaws in his game, but one has to wonder if his lack of star-power or NHL upside could curtail his stock on draft day. And, Finn's still at least a year -- if not longer -- away from hitting the NHL ranks, in need of some more developmental time at the OHL level.
Said The Scouting Report's Scott Campbell on what's holding him back, via CopperAndBlue:
Probably a combination of size and a lack of dynamic skating ability. I feel like he competes well and brings a lot of good things to the table, but those two areas probably are holding him back from being in the group with the elite defense in this draft.
Why Ottawa?: Unlike a couple of the other defensemen already reviewed, Finn is likely to be available when Ottawa heads to the podium at fifteenth overall. The Senators would prefer to get a ready or near-ready NHL defenseman in the first-round, but considering their position and how the first fourteen picks play out, Bryan Murray may look at the long-term option in Matt Finn. Although he may not have an impact in Ottawa immediately, Finn's offensive abilities -- specifically puck movement -- and general aggressiveness as a defensive defenseman could attract the Ottawa GM.
If Not Ottawa -- Where?: The Calgary Flames could be the first team to take a serious look at fourteenth overall, but I'm more inclined to believe -- should he also fall past the Ottawa Senators at fifteen -- that the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks at seventeen and eighteen, respectively, are ideal fits. Right now, San Jose's top-tier prospects on the blue line include Taylor Doherty and Nick Petrecki; Chicago's top-tier rearguards in the system include Dylan Olsen and Adam Clendening.
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