What I find funny is that throughout the months of speculating who the sens will pick at #5 is anyone's guess. When I first heard about the deep draft and the top 10 players I did some research about each one of them. What I've heard was PD was heavy on Rossi and his style of play comparing him to crosby with his low center of gravity and a hard player to get the puck from.Then I heard raymond was the man at #5. Then it was perfetti then drysdale and now weeks ago craig button saying it was sanderson at #5 for sens. My take on it and my only picks are go with forwards. ITS MY FINAL ANSWER UNTIL THE DRAFT.🤔 I CAN SAY I WILL NOT REGRET PASSING ON DRYSDALE OR SANDRSON

#3 Byfield or stutzle

#5 (a) rossi or (b) raymond (c) (perfetti)
- SENS-sational

I trust the hockey scouts on the team much more than any of us fans.

That said I think Raymond is in a tier of his own (after Byfield or Stutzle). I might even take Lucas over Byfield, but Byfield's ceiling is really high. Raymond is in my top 4 no doubt. Then Sanderson slightly > Rossi, Drysdale

The more I am following the draft the more excited I am about the idea of Byfield in a Sens Jersey. Still not big on the 2D ones though.

At the end of the day I don't see many if any busts in this draft.

I'm still in the camp of #3 Byfield/Stutzle (I think at this point it's pretty clear that we're taking whoever LA doesn't out of the two) and #5 Drysdale

But I wouldn't mind Sanderson or Rossi as well.

Great news is that we have options

Forgive me if I am wrong, but I thought you were in the camp to not take a goalie in the first round? if true, curious to the change of heart.

Granted, Askarov looks like a quality mid-round pick.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Oh, I’m still against taking the goalie, but if it’s between reaching for Sanderson at 5 or Askarov, I’d rather reach on the goalie. I would be super pissed if either player were taken there though.

Sanderson leapfrogged Drysdale months ago, don’t be shocked if the Senators pick him third if LA takes their preferred player at number 2. Two of Bob MacKenzie’s 10 nhl scouts ranked Sanderson number 3 in this years draft. In his last 2 USA tournaments as captain of the team he displayed an offensive flair that shocked the scouts. He was already ranked number 1 in defensive play. This is why he is the fastest riser in the draft.
- Barrykerr1

And the other 8 had him ranked at 9 or 10.........80-90% of scouts have drysdale ranked comfortably ahead of Sanderson, no leap frogging has occurred.

No to Sanderson.

I feel like we’re complicating a pick for no reason.

It should be Drysdale or a forward.
- Trilla

Yup.....Sanderson shouldn’t be a consideration. LD is BY FAR the Sens strongest position at the moment, it’s a huge waste of a pick.

2020 NHL Draft - Ottawa Senators Picks

Pick 03 -
Pick 05 -
Pick 28 -
Pick 33 -
Pick 52 -
Pick 59 -
Pick 61 - (assuming DAL looses to TBL otherwise it's 62)
Pick 64 -
Pick 71 -

*Sens currently own 7 picks from 28-71*

Past 3 years players drafted in that area:

C Shane Pinto
L Alex Formenton
D Jonny Tychonick
D Jacob Bernard-Docker
G Mads Sogaard
- AlfieisKing

One argument I heard was that since Dorion has gone off the board with his 20ish draft picks, it doesn't matter s much that the Isltes pick dropped so much.

A little rationalization, but I think there's bit of an argument there.

And the other 8 had him ranked at 9 or 10.........80-90% of scouts have drysdale ranked comfortably ahead of Sanderson, no leap frogging has occurred.
- sensarmy_11

For me it's always been Drysdale at #5. I'd be curious what they would do if the Wings take Perfetti instead of Rossi

One argument I heard was that since Dorion has gone off the board with his 20ish draft picks, it doesn't matter s much that the Isltes pick dropped so much.

A little rationalization, but I think there's bit of an argument there.
- david22

I'm not a big Dorion fan but if there is one thing he's good at, it's drafting

For me it's always been Drysdale at #5. I'd be curious what they would do if the Wings take Perfetti instead of Rossi
- Maverick1818

i would definitely prefer Raymond at 5, but i wouldn't be pissed if they take Drysdale.

if they take Sanderson i'll be pissed. if he's the guy they want, then fine, trade down to get him.

trade 5 to NJ for 7 and 20, and take Sanderson with 7

i would definitely prefer Raymond at 5, but i wouldn't be pissed if they take Drysdale.

if they take Sanderson i'll be pissed. if he's the guy they want, then fine, trade down to get him.

trade 5 to NJ for 7 and 20, and take Sanderson with 7
- sensarmy_11

If the Sens are that high on Sanderson, it's likely that the chatter it true and the other teams are as well.

Dorion didn't want to trade down with pick 32 to 33 last year if remember correctly. I think he is incredibly wary of doing anything that could leave egg on his face for the franchise. (trading down and having their guy taken)

If the Sens are that high on Sanderson, it's likely that the chatter it true and the other teams are as well.

Dorion didn't want to trade down with pick 32 to 33 last year if remember correctly. I think he is incredibly wary of doing anything that could leave egg on his face for the franchise. (trading down and having their guy taken)
- david22

when 80-90% of scouts still list Sanderson around 9-11, i doubt the chat is true. you can google as many rankings, mock drafts, scouting reports as you want....almost all of them have Sanderson going at the end of the top 10. I can't see any other team in the top 10 reaching on him.

all that aside, he's not the guy ottawa should be reaching for....he's a LHD, of which we already have 3 under the age of 25 who are good enough to play int he top 4 (chabot, brannstrom, wolanin). Dorion is a f-ing fool if he not only reaches on a player, but on a player who plays the position where the sens are strongest. it makes ZERO sense.

when 80-90% of scouts still list Sanderson around 9-11, i doubt the chat is true. you can google as many rankings, mock drafts, scouting reports as you want....almost all of them have Sanderson going at the end of the top 10. I can't see any other team in the top 10 reaching on him.

all that aside, he's not the guy ottawa should be reaching for....he's a LHD, of which we already have 3 under the age of 25 who are good enough to play int he top 4 (chabot, brannstrom, wolanin). Dorion is a f-ing fool if he not only reaches on a player, but on a player who plays the position where the sens are strongest. it makes
ZERO sense.
- sensarmy_11

He certainly wouldn't be on my list of guys. My main thought is that Dorion won't be trading down, at least with picks 3 or 5.

He certainly wouldn't be on my list of guys. My main thought is that Dorion won't be trading down, at least with picks 3 or 5.
- david22

i don't think he would either, but it makes more sense than wasting the #5 pick on Sanderson, when he could easily be had with the #9 or 10 pick

One argument I heard was that since Dorion has gone off the board with his 20ish draft picks, it doesn't matter s much that the Isltes pick dropped so much.

A little rationalization, but I think there's bit of an argument there.
- david22

Ya no that’s a great point
Didn’t think about it as much

Having said that I think the Sens can draft who they really want or take a risk on a guy because they have so many picks in a range where they like (20-70)

The more I am following the draft the more excited I am about the idea of Byfield in a Sens Jersey. Still not big on the 2D ones though.

At the end of the day I don't see many if any busts in this draft.

I'm still in the camp of #3 Byfield/Stutzle (I think at this point it's pretty clear that we're taking whoever LA doesn't out of the two) and #5 Drysdale

But I wouldn't mind Sanderson or Rossi as well.

Great news is that we have options
- Maverick1818

Good points ..... I wouldn’t pick drysdsle at 5, and yet I’d be jumping for joy if Sens got him.
This hasn’t happened in decades so we should relish the experience, especially after all we been through since the run to conference finals

i don't think he would either, but it makes more sense than wasting the #5 pick on Sanderson, when he could easily be had with the #9 or 10 pick
- sensarmy_11

While Sanderson will likely go where you said, it’s possible that a team likes him so much they take him higher. No one expects DET to take him but it’s not impossible; while I myself thought of that possibility of trading down and still getting JS, I am 90% sure they will select those 2 picks.

Yup.....Sanderson shouldn’t be a consideration. LD is BY FAR the Sens strongest position at the moment, it’s a huge waste of a pick.
- sensarmy_11

Agreed.

I think fans have just had so much time to think about the draft, that they’re second guessing themselves.

Media in the same boat.

While Sanderson will likely go where you said, it’s possible that a team likes him so much they take him higher. No one expects DET to take him but it’s not impossible; while I myself thought of that possibility of trading down and still getting JS, I am 90% sure they will select those 2 picks.
- AlfieisKing

It’s possible a team might draft Sanderson earlier, because there aren’t many dmen in this class.

Drysdale has gone as high as 3...and he’s not the 3rd best player.

when 80-90% of scouts still list Sanderson around 9-11, i doubt the chat is true. you can google as many rankings, mock drafts, scouting reports as you want....almost all of them have Sanderson going at the end of the top 10. I can't see any other team in the top 10 reaching on him.

all that aside, he's not the guy ottawa should be reaching for....he's a LHD, of which we already have 3 under the age of 25 who are good enough to play int he top 4 (chabot, brannstrom, wolanin). Dorion is a f-ing fool if he not only reaches on a player, but on a player who plays the position where the sens are strongest. it makes ZERO sense.
- sensarmy_11

History tells us the fastest rising player goes much higher than the average fan thinks. That player today is Sanderson, the Senators have to pray he is still available at number 5 but they may they pick him at 3. Sanderson is considered the elite shut down defenseman that no one can pass and and suddenly an offensive force. Sanderson is leap years ahead of Chabot who the Sens picked at number 18. It will be a crying shame if Detroit picks him at number 4. The Senators need to add an elite defenseman to help Chabot.The small Drysdale is no Sanderson but could turn out ok if he is protected. It is going to be an interesting draft.

All this #5 talk has been so crazy. I cant think about it anymore its driving me wild. Everyone opinions seem legit but (frank) just go with 2 forwards for the love god. I dont care who just 2 forwards 🤣

History tells us the fastest rising player goes much higher than the average fan thinks. That player today is Sanderson, the Senators have to pray he is still available at number 5 but they may they pick him at 3. Sanderson is considered the elite shut down defenseman that no one can pass and and suddenly an offensive force. Sanderson is leap years ahead of Chabot who the Sens picked at number 18. It will be a crying shame if Detroit picks him at number 4. The Senators need to add an elite defenseman to help Chabot.The small Drysdale is no Sanderson but could turn out ok if he is protected. It is going to be an interesting draft.
- Barrykerr1

that’s the most insane thing I’ve read. Sanderson at 5 would be a really bad pick, Sanderson at 3 would be the dumbest pick in the history of the draft

Do you believe that the Sens are ready to take the the next step in their rebuild with DJ Smith at the helm or was he a cheap temporary hire with the intent to fire him at the end of his 2nd season.

Do you believe that the Sens are ready to take the the next step in their rebuild with DJ Smith at the helm or was he a cheap temporary hire with the intent to fire him at the end of his 2nd season.
- granpa

Sorry my bad! Question was for Mike's Mailbag.

Do you believe that the Sens are ready to take the the next step in their rebuild with DJ Smith at the helm or was he a cheap temporary hire with the intent to fire him at the end of his 2nd season.
- granpa

I really think Smith blew Dorian away during the interview process, luckily for Melynk, Smith was asking for the least money.