The Ottawa Senators have completed their initial list for next month's National Hockey League draft, with head scout Don Boyd detailing the extensive preparation process. The team holds seven selections in the June draft, including the No. 32 overall pick at the end of the first round.
Scouting Meetings and List Finalization
The Senators wrapped up their amateur scouting meetings earlier this month at the Canadian Tire Centre, preparing for the annual NHL draft scheduled virtually for the second consecutive year on June 26-27. Top prospects will be present at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Steve Staios, the club's president of hockey operations and general manager, senior vice-president Dave Poulin, along with Boyd and the amateur staff, spent countless hours in boardroom discussions to compile the prospect list.
"It takes a full five days to put together a list that you've worked on all year," Boyd told the Ottawa Citizen in a telephone interview before heading to the Memorial Cup championship in Kelowna.
The list remains subject to change before the Senators' final meetings leading up to the draft. The process involves intense discussions among scouts, who debate player rankings passionately.
"Everybody's got a passion for a lot of players, whether they're players from their own area, which people would think that's usually the case, but our guys cross over, and they have some passion for players in other areas too," Boyd explained. "It's a battle, we do it in a manner that is not meant to be derogatory or anything like that, but it's a battle for sure."
Draft Pick Situation
The Senators have seven picks in this year's draft: one in Round 1 (No. 32 overall), three in Round 3, and selections in later rounds. The team's draft position was affected by a previous penalty involving former general manager Pierre Dorion.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had penalized the Senators a first-round draft choice in either 2024, 2025, or 2026 due to a botched trade with the Vegas Golden Knights involving winger Evgenii Dadonov. Dorion failed to provide the Knights with Dadonov's proper no-trade list when he was dealt to Vegas in 2021.
At the 2022 trade deadline, the Golden Knights attempted to send Dadonov to Anaheim, but the trade was voided because the Ducks were on Dadonov's no-trade list. Vegas management complained to the NHL, leading to an investigation and a severe punishment on Nov. 1, 2023, which resulted in Dorion's dismissal.
The Senators chose not to forfeit the pick in 2024 or 2025, hoping the league would reconsider. They applied to the league office, and Bettman essentially forgave the penalty, allowing the team to retain their first-round pick.
Patience and Long-Term Strategy
Senators owner Michael Andlauer and Staios have been commended for their patience in dealing with the league. The team's draft preparations reflect a commitment to building through the draft, with Boyd and his staff working diligently to identify top talent.
The Senators' draft board will be finalized in the coming weeks, with the team looking to add young talent to their roster. The draft will be held virtually, with prospects in Buffalo and team personnel participating remotely.
