Capeside started off the year looking to rebuild their farm system in order to build for the future. After a strong 2018 entry draft, it seemed that the Loons were fulfilling that mission. However, Capeside's success this year has forced Czepiel to change on the fly and many of those assets have been moved in order to push for the playoffs. When looking at the Loons it is important to remember what the Ottawa roster and prospects looked like when the franchise was moved to Capeside. The Barracudas top goal scorer was Brett Ritchie and there was not a top 100 prospect in the organization. The Loons roster is now filled with young exciting players like Dubois, Vrana, Arvidsson, Debrusk, and Murray. And while the prospects may not have the same depth as it did earlier in the year, there are still some high potential players at the top.
1. Rasmus Kupari - C
Rasmus was recently acquired in a trade with Victoria that sent highly regarded prospect Quinn Hughes to the Ronin. The center position was identified as an area of weakness within the organization, Kupari and Bowers will hopefully change that. Kupari was selected 16th in the 2018 CCHL draft and has since shown that he should have gone higher. Kupari is a highly skilled offensive centerman that has been putting in the work to be more of a complete two-way center. Kupari was given an increased role on this year's Finnish junior team on the top line and had solid results with 5 points in 7 games, but more importantly a +3 while going against the opposition's top lines. The Loons envision Kupari as their future second line center.
2. Oliver Wahlstrom - RW
Wahlstrom was selected 4th overall by the Loons this year and has not yet lived up to those expectations. The BC Eagles were expected to be a powerhouse this year with Wahlstrom on the top line, neither of those is working out. Early in the year, there were rumors of Wahlstrom being unhappy at BC and possibly leaving to go overseas or to juniors in Canada. Wahlstrom remains at BC and his production has picked up as of late but not dominating as was expected. Wahlstrom did have a solid World Junior tournament where many scouts listed him as one of the top players on team USA. Wahlstrom was expected to be 1 and done at BC and possibly signing with the Islanders in the spring. Wahlstrom's lackluster play may have altered those plans and may need another year at BC.
3. Ryan Donato - LW
Donato was not expected to be on the Loons' prospect list, but the physicality of the NHL exposed Donato. Ryan has an elite shot but will need time to improve his strength on the boards and with the puck. If Donato can use his time in the AHL to develop those skills there is no reason why he still won't be a 30 goal scorer at the NHL level.
4. Bode Wilde - D
Wilde slipped to the second round in the draft but he has done all that he can to prove that all those teams made a huge mistake passing on him. Bode has torn up the OHL with 50 points (13/37) in 42 games, but most impressive is the +12 on the year. Many of the question marks that cause Wilde to slip in the draft were around his play in the defensive zone. Bode has done well in answering those questions. Wilde's success, along with the play of the young dmen on Loons, allowed Czepiel to trade Hughes and bring in Kupari.
5. Shane Bowers - C
Bowers started off his sophomore year at BU slowly and questions started to arise if Bowers success as a freshman were because Tkachuk was his linemate. However, Bowers has really turned it up lately and is back on pace to equal the 32 points he put up last year. Bowers has mentioned many times that he expects to turn pro after 2 years at BU but another year at BU might be in store. With McKinnon on the top line in Colorado Bowers will never see top line duties but at World Juniors Bowers was Canadas best penalty kill and showed that he can be effective as a two-way center. With Dubois and Kupari ahead of him on the Loons depth chart Bowers will be a fantastic third line center.
6. Jakub Lauko - C/LW
It's not often that a third-round pick if offered an ELC right away, but after a eye-opening camp, the Bruins jumped at the chance to sign Lauko. Along with being one of the fastest skaters in hockey, Lauko has a well-rounded game at just 18 years old. Lauko performed well at World Juniors and is just under a point per game pace in the QMJHL for the Huskies. Lauko projects to be a top 6 wing for the Loons with the possibility of developing into a top liner.
7. Zach Senyshyn - RW
Whenever anyone talks about Senyshyn the first thing that is always mentioned is what a mistake he was being taken as a mid-first round pick, always being compared to players that were taken after him. Senyshyn hasn't done a lot to stop those concerns but he has improved year after year at every level and this year is the same. Senyshyn has already scored more goals then he did during his first season in the AHL. What is most impressive is the way he is scoring in the AHL. Zach was drafted as a speed first finesse winger but has developed a more physical game in the AHL and is consistently scoring in the dirty areas in front of the net for Providence. His board play has greatly improved and is proving that he is NHL ready.
8. Jay O'Brien - C
Struggles were expected for O'Brien as he made the jump from prep school hockey to the NCAA, but we don't know if the lack of production is from the increase in competition or because of the two dirty hits Jay took which have resulted in concussion issues. O'Brien expects to play at least 3 years at Providence so this year will just be an adjustment year - hopefully...
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