Top prospects for Ottawa Senators

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 31 teams throughout August. Today, the top five prospects for the Ottawa Senators, according to NHL.com.

Senators 31 IN 31: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown | Behind the Numbers]

1. Brady Tkachuk, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 4 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
Last season: Boston University (NCAA): 40 GP, 8-23-31
Tkachuk (6-foot-3, 196 pounds), who turns 19 on Sept. 16, opted to forego the remainder of his college eligibility when he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Senators on Aug. 13. Tkachuk can play nine NHL regular-season games to determine if he is NHL-ready; if he plays more than nine games, the first year of his contract goes into effect and he can become a restricted free agent July 1, 2021. The Senators could send Tkachuk to Belleville of the American Hockey League or London of the Ontario Hockey League prior to his 10th NHL game.
Tkachuk led Boston University in assists and shots on goal (131) last season, when he played top-line minutes as a freshman. He had nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games to help the United States win the bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
"We feel Brady will be an integral part of our team [in the future]," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. "We suffered greatly last season, but the reward for our suffering is Brady Tkachuk, and that's a pretty good reward."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Logan Brown, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 11 pick in 2016 NHL Draft
Last season: Ottawa: 4 GP, 0-1-1; Windsor (OHL): 15 GP, 13-11-24; Kitchener (OHL): 17 GP, 9-15-24
Brown (6-6, 220) earned a spot on the Senators roster last season but was returned to Windsor on Oct. 25, 2017. He had 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) in 19 OHL playoff games for Kitchener, which acquired him in a trade Jan. 7. The 20-year-old was limited to three games for the U.S. at the 2018 WJC because of a lower-body injury, but he has a chance make an impact with the Senators after having 205 points (74 goals, 131 assists) in 182 OHL games.
"[Brady Tkachuk and I] played on the same line together (with the St. Louis Junior Blues)," Brown said. "We were best friends back in the day. Hopefully we get a chance to play together this year.
"I'm coming to camp to make the team, so I'm doing everything I can to put myself in a good position."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Colin White, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 21 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Ottawa: 21 GP, 2-4-6; Belleville (AHL): 47 GP, 11-16-27
White (6-0, 183) broke his wrist blocking a shot during training camp last season, and the injury kept him out four weeks. But the 21-year-old later gained valuable experience at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, where he played top-line minutes with Chicago Blackhawks forwards Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat to help the U.S. win the bronze medal. White has 23 games of NHL experience and can play wing or center.
"I think I ended [last] season on a really good note," White said. "I was playing well when I got the opportunity, and our team had a good World Championship. I was playing with some good guys there."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Alex Formenton, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 47 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
Last season: Ottawa: 1 GP, 0-0-0; Belleville (AHL): 2 GP, 0-0-0; London (OHL): 48 GP, 29-19-48
Formenton (6-2, 165) has 82 points (45 goals, 37 assists) in two seasons with London and scored five goals in four OHL playoff games last season. Formenton, who turns 19 on Sept. 13, helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2018 WJC with four points (two goals, two assists) in seven games. He also impressed for Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Kamloops, British Columbia, this month.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season

5. Christian Wolanin, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 107 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Ottawa: 10 GP, 1-2-3; University of North Dakota (NCAA): 40 GP, 12-23-35
The 23-year-old son of former NHL defenseman Craig Wolanin signed a two-year contract March 21 after three college seasons. Wolanin (6-2, 185) became the first defenseman to lead North Dakota in scoring since James Patrick (48 points) in 1982-83, and his eight power-play goals led defensemen in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey.
Projected NHL arrival:This season