Top prospects for Ottawa Senators

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Ottawa Senators, according to NHL.com.

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1. Jake Sanderson, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 5 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
Last season: University of North Dakota (NCAA): 23 GP, 8-18-26.
Sanderson's biggest obstacle in his quest to start the season in the NHL is health. The 20-year-old said he hopes his nagging right hand injury will be completely healed for training camp in September after he was unable to take part in on-ice sessions during development camp July 11-14. The smooth-skating defenseman (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) had two surgeries on the hand this year but still managed to average more than a point per game at North Dakota.
"I was part of the group that picked up Erik Karlsson and Thomas Chabot," general manager Pierre Dorion said. "And I consider that we have a player whose impact could be as great if not better than these two players. We have a special player in Jake Sanderson."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Shane Pinto, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 32 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
Last season: Ottawa (NHL): 5 GP, 0-1-1
Like Sanderson, the playmaking center's health is the only potential roadblock for getting plenty of ice time with the Senators this season. The 21-year-old (6-2, 192) missed the majority of the 2021-22 season after having shoulder surgery in November and was limited to five games with Ottawa. Pinto, a finalist for the 2021 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA Division 1 after he had 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) with North Dakota, is expected to get a regular shift with the Senators bottom-six and potential power-play time with the second unit.
"He's a player with a very high work ethic who demonstrates a strong ability to play effectively in all three zones and has a knack for scoring from both in tight and from a distance," Dorion said.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Ridly Greig, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 28 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
Last season: Brandon (Western Hockey League): 39 GP, 26-37-63
Dorion told Postmedia Aug. 20 that the 20-year-old will not require surgery on his separated left shoulder and is expected to be out 3-4 weeks, meaning he's on schedule to be ready for training camp. Greig was injured while playing for Canada against Switzerland in a quarterfinal of the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. Up to that point, the forward (5-11,163) had been one of Canada's best players, showing off his playmaking and finishing skills while scoring six points (three goals, three assists) in five games for Canada.
"Ridly Greig is unbelievable. He's an incredible two-way player and he's probably got one of the biggest hearts I've seen," Dorion said. "He'll do anything to win. He's not just like a role player, but he's a complete player."
Projected NHL arrival: 2023-24

4. Jacob Bernard-Docker, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 26 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
Last season: Belleville (AHL): 58 GP, 2-7-9; Ottawa (NHL): 8 GP, 0-1-1
The 22-year-old (6-0, 187) isn't shy to play a physical game. Belleville coach Troy Mann used Bernard-Docker in a shutdown role last season and leaned on him on the penalty kill. While he succeeded at both, questions remain about how much offensive upside he has.
There are no such doubts about how he plays in his own end and the veteran composure he exhibits.
"He's become a mainstay on our penalty kill, going over the boards first most nights on the penalty kill," Mann said. "That's a huge part of the game, and it will be a big part of his game when he does get to the NHL"
Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Lassi Thomson, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 19 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
Last season: Belleville (AHL): 44 GP, 10-16-
26; Ottawa (NHL): 16 GP, 0-5-5
Bernard-Docker and Thomson both seem on the cusp of joining the Senators full-time in the next season or two. But which one? While Bernard-Docker is the steadier of the two, especially in his own end, Thomson has more offensive upside. The 21-year-old (6-0, 190) also has a feisty side to him and had 54 penalty minutes with Belleville.
"Lassi Thomson was our best defenseman last season on many nights," Mann said. "He is very hard on himself, and we just want him to keep maturing."
Projected NHL arrival:2023-24