Senators scouts rate the team's 2012 draft picks
Here's an insider's look at the seven players chosen by Ottawa over the weekend
By Rob Brodie - OttawaSenators.com
Mission accomplished across the board.
That, in a nutshell, is how general manager Bryan Murray summed up the Ottawa Senators' efforts at the 2012 NHL Draft, which wrapped up Saturday afternoon at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
"We feel we got a couple of big kids, a couple of quality kids, a couple of goaltenders," said Murray. "I think we filled out our depth chart pretty well. Going in, we wanted to talk about goaltending, we wanted to talk about getting bigger in a couple of areas and adding some talent. We think we?ve done that."
Here's how the Senators' scouts assess the seven players they selected over the last two days at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh (rankings are based on NHL Central Scouting's final list):
CODY CECI (first round, 15th overall)
Ottawa 67's, OHL
Position: Defenceman
Height/weight: 6-2 207
Hometown: Ottawa
2011-12 stats: 64 GP, 17 G, 43 A, 60 Pts, 14 PIM
Final ranking: sixth, North American skaters
Scout says: "He's really grown into an effective player, a good man with the puck, a guy that gets to the net, defends with with his stick and has a big body. We feel he has a big upside." ? Bryan Murray, general manager
CHRIS DRIEDGER (third round, 76th overall) Calgary Hitmen, WHL
Position: Goaltender
Height/weight: 6-3, 190
Hometown: Winnipeg
2011-12 stats: 44 GP, 24-12-3, 2.80 GAA, .896 SV%
Final ranking: 13th, North American goaltenders
Scout says: "Probably three or four years away from being a real NHL prospect. He?s got good size, blocks the puck well. He?s got pretty good positioning, works real hard and seems like a good kid. ? George Fargher, amateur scout
JARROD MAIDENS (third round, 82nd overall) Owen Sound Attack, OHL
Position: Left wing/centre
Height/weight: 6-0, 178 pounds
Hometown: Grimsby, Ont.
2011-12 stats: 28 GP, 12 G, 11 A, 23 Pts, 4 PIM
Final ranking: 35th, North American skaters
Scout says: "We projected him as a top-end prospect but with his injury problems and all the woes he had last year, I think he dropped a little bit. We like his upside, his skill and his pro approach to the game. He plays a complete two-way game. Projects as a third-line player with upside to put in some goals." ? Greg Royce, amateur scout
TIMOTHY BOYLE (fourth round, 106th overall) Nobles (Mass.) High School
Position: Defenceman
Height/weight: 6-1, 185 pounds
Hometown: Hingham, Mass.
2011-12 stats: 24 GP, 6 G, 12 A, 18 Pts, 10 PIM
Final ranking: 208th, North American skaters
Scout says: ?He?s going to need time in college. He?s going to Union College. He?s a skill guy, he can skate, he?s got size. It?s just going to be time with him. If he fills out and works hard, we might have something." ? Bob Janecyk, amateur scout
ROBERT BAILLARGEON (fifth round, 136th overall) Indiana Ice (USHL)
Position: Centre
Height/weight: 6-0, 175 pounds
Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
2011-12 stats: 54 GP, 14 G, 34 A, 48 Pts, 36 PIM
Final ranking: 50th, North American skaters
Scout says: "Another college player, probably for the next three or four years down the road. He?s got second-line skill set. Probably going to be a third-line, power-play guy.? ? Bob Janecyk, amateur scout
FRANCOIS BRASSARD (sixth round, 166th overall) Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Position: Goaltender
Height/weight: 6-1, 154 pounds
Hometown: Gatineau, Que.
2011-12 stats: 37 GP, 20-10-3, 2.80 GAA, .905 SV%
Final ranking: 15th, North American goaltenders
Scout says: "Francois is a battler. That's who he is. He works hard. He?s a kid who?s very slight. Has a smaller body right now but with our development program, he?ll get bigger and stronger. When somebody like (Remparts coach/GM) Patrick Roy picks you for his team, you have to assume there?s something there." ? Trent Mann, amateur scout
MIKAEL WIKSTRAND (seventh round, 196th overall) Mora (Sweden-2)
Position: Defenceman
Height/weight: 6-1, 183 pounds
Hometown: Karlstad, Sweden
2011-12 stats: 47 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 Pts, 14 PIM
Final ranking: 23rd, European skaters
Scout says: "Offensive guy who can skate and play an all-around game. Has a good chance to play on Swedish national team at (2013) world juniors. Solid kid who can move the puck and make plays. Plays with men and has no problem adjusting his game to the next level. Not a (physical) guy. He?s a positional guy who angles people."