Ottawa Senators: Top 10 Prospects Entering 2018

1. Brady Tkachuk, LW [18] (1-4, 2018)

Stats (Boston University, NCAA): 40 gp, 8 g, 23 a, 31 p, 3 PPG, 1 SHG.

Brady Tkachuk was drafted fourth overall in the 2018 entry draft, higher than most draft experts had him by the time the draft rolled around. Still, the Ottawa Senators believe in their young winger, who will look to make an impact at the NHL level in year one. He was a good player in the NCAA this past season, tied for third amongst players under 19 in scoring, sixth in goals, fifth in points per game, and he was fourth in assists.

Tkachuk is a gritty power forward who has a ton of size and should bring significant goal-scoring prowess but doesn’t move that well. Still, he can deliver a hit when he needs to, play some defense, and be a productive member of an offense. He’ll get time on the power play and the first line this season, and that should help shape him moving forward.

He has top-six potential (though the question is whether his potential is as high as some of the players drafted after him). He looks to have already locked up a spot with the Ottawa Senators this season. Tkachuk is the best prospect on this list in all three categories. He’s easily number one here, but in a top 100 NHL ranking, it’s hard to see whether he would do that well.