Finally! This first year of our rebuild is thankfully over. After making the playoffs our first two years, the Loons finished worst in the league with a 22-51-9 record. Honestly, we did not expect to even win 22 games prior to the start of the season. But at least we will draft in the top of the lottery - WRONG! Just a painful reminder of possibly the worst trade in our short Loons' history: Cap trades Pelech, Zajac and CAP 1st-21 to NIA for Kessel and SEA 3-20. But if I was going to try and be an optimist, this looks like the draft to lost a top 3 pick in. Our binky this year, local boy Matt Beniers, is projected to be in that top 3 but only projects to be a 2nd line NHL center. Even still we will make a valent run at being in a position to make Beniers a Loon.
So where do the Loons stand after finishing dead last? How is the rebuild going? Are we still heading towards bankruptcy? Since the future is our best hope let's take a look at where our prospects are at.
Dec 31 2020
1. Zegras
2. Boldy
3. Stutzle
4. Bean
5. Oettinger
6. Wahlstrom
7. Chinakhov
8. Lapierre
9. Afansyev
10 Reichel
Mar 29 2021
1. Zegras : He has been called up to a terrible Ducks team and has just 5 points in 15 games. Our hope was for Zegras to spend a lot more time in the AHL getting stronger and adjusting to the pro game. Zegras has held his own and Anaheim appears willing to let him learn on the fly.
2. Stutzle : During a recent broadcast Pierre McGuire called Steutzle "the most ready and exciting player to join the NHL right from the draft in years, he will be a superstar." 19 points in 33 games for a bad Ottawa team isn't bad! Not sure if we are convinced on Tim being a superstar but a top line wing seems a definite.
3. Wahlstrom: I won't lie, I was starting to have doubts on Wahlstrom. However, Oliver has made a dramatic jump over the past month for the Islanders. He has become one of the top offensive forces for a strong Islanders team with 14 points in the last 17 games.
4. Boldy : He demolished the NCAA this year with 31 points in 22 games. He became a much stronger 2 way player at BC this year and might make the jump to pro hockey now that BC's season is over.
5. Bean: Jake had a lot of doubters due to the strong D core in Carolina. Jake got a chance and forced Carolina's hand and he has been in the lineup ever since. 11 pts in 23 games and staying out of the negative plus minus sounds good to me!
6. Oettinger: Due to an injury to Bishop , Jake is getting a lot of time in Dallas this year and has not disappointed. 2.34 and .909 are not spectacular, but are definitely strong for a rookie goalie. Ups and downs are expected for young goalies so we are trying not to get too excited.
7. Farrance: David had an amazing year at BU with 16 points in 11 games often showcasing a blistering shot from point. Today he signed his ELC and expects to report to Nashville immediately.
8. Pinto: 32 points in 28 NCAA games for Pinto says enough, looks to be the next young prospect heading up to Ottawa.
9. Reichel: Reichel's strong two way game in thriving in Germany and may be ahead of schedule for a North American arrival.
10. Lauko: Picking #10 out of Rathbone, Kaiser, Commesso, Vladar etc was tough, but when in doubt always go with a Bruins prospect. After overcoming a series of injuries, Lauko is having a very successful second AHL season in Providence with 13 points in 14 games. Jakub might get a look soon for the offensively struggling Bruins.
It appears that the rebuild is ahead of schedule with a possible 7/10 prospects being eligible for the Loons roster next year. All those rookie deals just might keep us out of bankruptcy.
Going forward we plan on making a strong effort to add Beniers to our prospect pool. Not sure if it will happen but we will give it a shot. Like always we will explore the trade market for over achieving veterans like Doonskoi, Dzingel and Granlund with hopes of adding draft picks. We also plan to do whatever it takes to not even look at UFA lists and be tempted to spend more money. 2021-22 might be an even lower point total for the Loons with the large infusion of rookies, but at least it will be more fun.
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