6. Christian Wolanin, D (4-107, 2015)
Stats (University of North Dakota, NCAA): 40 gp, 12 g, 23 a, 35 p, 8 PPG, .88 pts/g; 10 gp, 1 g, 2 a, 3 p. Ottawa Senators, NHL
Making a more noticeable impact at the NHL level, but having a hard to determine NHL ceiling, Christian Wolanin takes a good position on this list. He was tied for fifth amongst NCAA defensemen in scoring, was second in goals, tied for 12th in assists, and 11th in points per game. Though he did all these things at 23, one of the older players in the NCAA, and in his junior year. Wolanin has shown some offensive promise in the past, and three points in ten games is decent. But he’s nowhere near top-pairing material.
Wolanin could end up quarterbacking the first unit power play
Wolanin was excellent on the power play, but it will be hard to tell how much time he can get on the Ottawa Senators’ power play in the future. They’ll have to fit Chabot and Cody Ceci on the power play somehow, but Wolanin could end up quarterbacking the first unit. He’ll be a bottom-six defenseman most likely, but he’ll get plenty of ice time when combined with the power play and a good chance to make an impact from an offensive perspective.
Wolanin is NHL ready and he’s very likely to play consistently with the Ottawa Senators this season. His ceiling is what really puts a hamper on his standing in this listing.