Ottawa Senators 2022 Draft Recap

The 2022 EHE Draft was field day in Ottawa, as the Senators set a franchise-record with 16 picks. The first draft of Ottawa’s rebuild comes just one season removed from a game 7 overtime loss to the eventual 2020-2021 Stanley Cup Champion Philadelphia Flyers. 

Sens brass stuck with the mantra of “next player on the board” at all costs. Ottawa’s GM had no quarrels with nationality, position, or age. The 16 selections consisted of 10 wingers, 7 overagers, and 5 Russian-born players. Upside, skill, and production seem to be the common values echoed from Ottawa’s front office.

Now, we take a deep-dive into Ottawa’s 16 picks, with a quote from the Senators GM breaking down each selection.

#11 Joakim Kemell RW/LW  

Quote from the GM: “Gifted goal scorer with a knack for performing on big stages. We weren’t counting on Kemell being there at 11. Joakim’s had success at every level he’s played. Kemell’s U18 Liiga production was among best in recent history. He was leading the Liiga in goals as a 17-year old at one point last season prior to an injury. Kemell has 5 G, 7 PTS, in 11 GP with JYP to begin the 2022-2023 season.

#18 Jonathan Lekkerimaki RW

Quote from the GM: “The decision at 11 was a difficult one between Kemell and Lekkerimaki. They were both much higher on our list. Jonathan was easily my favourite player to watch at the U18's. The sharp-shooting Swede lead the tournament with 15 PTS in 5 GP. Seven goals in 26 SHL games as a 17-year-old is no easy feat either."

#32 Jagger Firkus RW

Quote from the GM: “Jagger has one of the more lethal releases in the draft class. I think his numbers are going to jump off the page in 2022-2023, provided he plays a full season. Excellent vision too. He’s got skill that jumps out at you."

#38 Lian Bichsel D

Quote from the GM: “It was difficult passing on Bichsel at 32, so to get him 6 picks picks later was a treat. At 6ft 5 212 Lb , Bichsel is a towering, physical specimen. The Swiss born SHL-regular defender is just scratching the surface in terms of his ceiling.”

#41 Dmitri Rashevsky RW/LW

Quote from the GM: “We tried desperately to acquire another 5th to get him late in last year's draft. Dmitri's historical U22 KHL production was on par with some impressive names, and he did it averaging just 13 minutes per game. Rashevsky is showing last year was no fluke, with 7 G, 14 PTS in 18 GP, while riding a 7-game point streak."

#49 Arseny Gritsyuk LW/RW

Quote from the GM: “Nudged out Rashevsky as the 2022 KHL rookie of the year. Gritsyuk is a speedy, skilled, versatile winger who can score. Arseni was the next guy on our list along with Dmitri at the end of the 2021 draft.”

#65 Dmitri Buchelnikov LW/RW

Quote from the GM: “Dynamic, highly skilled overage winger earned a spot with SKA in the KHL after tearing up the MHL last year. Interestingly, there were more GM’s who contacted me to say they coveted him, relative to any other pick we made. Electrifying player to watch.”

#74 Michael Fisher D

Quote from the GM: “High character 6ft3 right-shot defender can skate and produce offence. Northeastern commit is a raw, long-term project, who destroyed the USHS circuit with 50 PTS in 28 GP, and served as his class Valedictorian. Slated to play for Youngtown in the USHL this season.”

#98 Viktor Neuchev RW/LW

Quote from the GM: “Neuchev’s 40 goals (24 more than his closest teammate) were one shy of 1st place in the MHL last season. Neuchev earned a spot with Avtomobolist in the KHL to begin 2022-2023, and is up to 3 goals and 4 PTS in 16 GP averaging under 10 minutes per game. Doesn’t hurt that Pavel Datsyuk is head of player development over there.”

#104 Simon Forsmark D

Quote from the GM: “Two-way, 6ft4, Swedish Defender is a strong skater who put up over a point per game in the J20 before earning a full time SHL roster spot last season.”

#108 Tucker Robertson C/RW

Quote from the GM: “Overager put up impressive numbers playing on a weak Peterborough Petes squad. Missed 2021-2022 due to Covid shut-down. Earned an invite to Canada’s 2023 WJC selection camp. Already has 9 PTS in 4 GP with Peterborough.

#111 Jack Beck LW/RW

Quote from the GM: “Another overage OHLer who earned a 2023 Canadian WJC selection camp invite. Beck lost significant time due to injury in 2019-2020, and 2021-2022.  Look for him to have a big season in 2022-2023. 8 PTS in 4 GP to begin the season.

#139 Sergei Ivanov G

Quote from the GM: “Undersized netminder won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, silver at the U18’s, including an MHL championship. Made his KHL debut recently, appearing in one game with SKA.”

#155 Connor Kurth RW

Quote from the GM: “Golden State Gophers commit is a skilled forward who put up big USHL numbers and plays with an edge. I’m expecting him to produce and turn some heads in College. Already 2 G in 3 GP to start his freshman season.

#158 Joey Muldowney RW/LW

Quote from the GM: “Dynamic winger lead the USHS-Prep circuit in goals with 57 G in 56 GP. UConn commit who is headed to the USHL this season. An off the radar project with offensive upside. Excited to see where he’s at in 2-4 years.”

#159 Jonathan Myrenberg D

Quote from the GM: “Myrenberg put up impressive numbers playing in the J20 circuit. Raw, 6ft3, two-way, puck-moving, right-shot defender with offensive upside.

That caps off crucial day in EHE Ottawa Senators history. More pain looks to be coming in 2022-2023 as the Sens enter year 2 of their rebuild. 

Stephen Gough

Well done as usual

Ottawa Senators 2022 Draft Recap
Senators make 16 selections one year removed from Game 7 CF Finals OT loss.

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Stephen Gough I got lucky in my drafting.

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