For what’s seemed like eons, the wait is over for Senators’ fans. The team is set to debut their new threads at 6 PM eastern time. Oh…and there’s a little thing called the 2020 NHL Entry Draft that will set the course of the Senators’ organization for years to come.
Currently armed with three first-round selections including nos. 3, 5, 28, fans won’t have to wait too long to hear GM Pierre Dorion announce one of Sudbury Wolves power centre Quinton Byfield or Adler Mannheim crafty forward Tim Stuetzle as the newest Ottawa Senator.
Latest Senators News
With 12 selections overall, including four more second-rounders and two third-round picks, the Senators are definitely a focal point of the two-day event.
So sit back, follow along and bookmark this page for up-to-date Senators’ news and views.
7:10 pm – They’re finally here – Senators uniform unveil. Certainly brings back memories of the Civic Centre years. Looking forward to how they look on the ice.
2D. pic.twitter.com/65E8w62hRk
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 6, 2020
7:38 pm – What a moment! Jeopardy host and proud University of Ottawa graduate Alex Trebek announces Adler Mannheim forward Tim Stuetzle as the Senators top pick, no.3 overall.
‼️ Awesome Moment Alert ‼️
Alex Trebek announces the @Senators 3rd overall pick, Tim Stuetzle! 🤗#NHLDraft | #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/mqv3xonhcP
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 6, 2020
Tim Stutzle has drawn comparisons to Blackhawks Patrick Kane. The six-foot, 187 pound centre/left wing can play in all situations. Biggest asset is his skill and vision. At the age of 18, the Viersen, Germany native compiled 34 points (seven goals, 27 assists) in 52 games last season – this being the youngest player in the league. Many scouts had Stutzle ranked as the second-best player in the Draft.
7:55 pm It was no secret, Senators held interest in d-man Jake Sanderson. It’s become a reality. Sanderson, son former NHLer Geoff, will head to the University of North Dakota next season.
The left-shot defenseman posted 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists) in 47 games while captaining with the US National U18 team last season. Sanderson added 14 points on 19 games during his stint skating with the US National Development Program squad.
With the fifth overall selection of the 2020 #NHLDraft, the #Sens select Jake Sanderson of the USNTDP. pic.twitter.com/ZOjYl4T7er
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 6, 2020
Per Grant McCagg’s Recrutes Draft Guide on Sanderson – “He was outstanding in February,” noted one scout who now has him firmly in placed in his top three. “He’s such a fantastic skater. You cannot beat him one-on-one; you just can’t. And he answered concerns about his offence later in the year. He’s going to produce in the NHL, and be a shut-down defender. He has top-pairing upside all day.”
8:50 pm – Zoom call with Tim Stutzle from his residence in Germany.
10:25 pm Brandon Wheat Kings LW Ridly Grieg selected by the Senators at no.28.
Son of former NHL player Mark, Ridly is slight in stature, five-foot-eleven, but only 159 pounds. However, Grieg plays a feisty style. “He’s a hitter instead of a hittee…he doesn’t put himself in vulnerable positions to get and possibly hurt, which is good. He may end up on the wing higher up in your lineup. He plays a lot, but his coach loves him,” per Recrutes.
The Lethbridge, AB native notched 26 goals, 34 assists in 56 games, while piling up 83 penalty minutes last season.
The @Senators and their fans in Ottawa just got introduced to a sens-ational player! Congratulations @RidlyGreig!#BWK 🌾👑 #nhldraft2020 pic.twitter.com/k0T6MusKZS
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) October 7, 2020
Follow Murray Pam on Twitter – @pammerhockey