Ottawa Senators: Pierre Dorion’s 2020 NHL draft prototypes

Top 15 Options

Before we get into all the options that could be available when the Senators third and final 1st round pick swings around, we have to determine where the pick will land. Based on the Islanders struggles of late, losing 6-straight games before their tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 10th, and their current standing placing them just outside the playoff picture, it seems as though it could be a top-15 pick.

As it stands now, they would slot into the 15th overall pick, as they have the highest standing among non-playoff teams. If they were to make the playoffs, then it’s likely the pick would slot between 16th and 20th, according to Tankathon.

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Basically, it all depends on how they finish the regular season and which round they get knocked out of the playoffs, or if they win it all. However, let’s go with the more likely scenarios and say that the pick will land between 15th and 20th overall.

Due to how deep the draft is this year, the Senators would have some intriguing options. As stated earlier, both Gunler and Lundell could realistically fall to this point in the draft. However, there are 4 other options that seem like it’s a safe bet they’d still be available.

The best fit at this point is easily Jeremie Poirier. For one, he stands at 6’0, 192 pounds, which perfectly fits the mold of a Dorion prototype. Not just that, but he is also Canadian, and I’ve already mentioned Dorion’s love for Canadian defenseman over every other defenseman. He’s been ranked between 23rd and 26th by draft sites, putting him firmly in the mix at around 20th overall.

I haven’t had the chance to look into Poirier’s game in-depth, but there are certainly mixed reviews. Lots of scouts and experts alike have loved his offensive and transitional capabilities, while also pointing out his defensive flaws.

He is a smooth skater and very good at escaping pressure situations with his feet and instincts, but there are questions about his upside overall. However, with Chabot and Brannstrom in the mix in Ottawa, adding another capable offensive defenseman, who has made improvements to his defensive game, would fit the pattern that they have been building.

The next best fit at this point in the draft would be American forward, Ty Smilanic. Dorion has shown a preference for American forwards over the years, taking more US-born forwards than Canadian-born forwards.

Smilanic, who stands at 6’1, 170 pounds, places him just below Dorion’s preference, but can easily grow into a 6’2, 176+ pound player. Smilanic is ranked as high as 19th and as low as 50th in this draft by various sites, placing him firmly in the Senators first-round range.

Smilanic’s strength is in his shooting ability. According to Dobber Prospects, he is a natural goal-scorer. They also talked about his playmaking ability is solid, but underutilized. He’s also defensively responsible and reliable.

He is a complete player, though his skills are certainly raw. Another concern, just like with Poirier, is his upside. He has the skills to be a solid top-6 center but is more likely to be middle-6 instead. Ultimately, it depends on his development, and so far, the Senators have done a decent job in that department. It could be a risk worth taking.

For me, it would be the best decision to take Poirier with the Islanders pick, if he is still available at that point. The reason behind that is it is likely the Senators take 2 forwards early, like Byfield and Holtz, and Poirier checks off every box that Dorion has listed on his clipboard come draft day. Poirier seems like the most likely to end up a Senator with that mid-to-late first-round selection and could form a formidable trio with Brannstrom and Chabot.