Prospect Update - Dylan Ferguson

Mar 21, 2023 - 4:00 PM

Dylan Ferguson. Need I say anymore?

Forwards:

Zack Ostapchuk

In the midst of his strongest stretch of games with his new team, Ostapchuk scored three goals and two assists in three games this week. Despite a lower points-per-game with the Winnipeg Ice as opposed to the Vancouver Giants, you’d expect the team acquiring him at the trade deadline to have superior offensive depth. Ostapchuk’s 64 points in 52 games is a huge step forward from his 43 in 60 last season and is a good sign that he’ll be at least a strong bottom-six player in the NHL.

Roby Järventie

No doubt frustrated from his injury troubles this season as well as constantly having to hear about how the Sens could’ve drafted JJ Peterka instead, Järventie has been relentless as of late, contributing to a bulk of Belleville’s offense. A pair of goals and assists in the team’s three games see him with 15 points in his last 16 games. In his D+3 season, his points-per-game falls slightly below Ridly Greig’s, which is generally what I’d expect from an early second-round pick.

Cole Reinhardt

Here we have another 2020 draft pick, albeit in the sixth round. Looking at his production as a 23-year-old, 33 points in 62 games isn’t a strong indicator that he’ll carve out an NHL role in the future, but he tends to be a noticeable player on most nights for his physical play, as well as flashes of skill as we see below, on one of his four points this past week.

Defensemen:

Maxence Guenette

His production had dipped for a few weeks, but the 7th-round pick from 2019 is still a contender to be the organization’s best right-handed defense prospect. Guenette had a goal and two assists in three games to bring his total up to 32 points in 62 games, and ranks second on Belleville’s blueline in points per game in spite of playing in just his second professional season.

Chandler Romeo

After struggling to produce in parts of two seasons with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Sarnia Sting, it appears Chandler Romeo has found a niche with the Guelph Storm. Aside from a point-per-game week, he’s been shooting the puck more frequently and taking fewer penalties. With the playoffs closing in, the Storm, despite ranking sixth in the OHL’s Western Conference, are heating up at the right time with a three-game winning streak. A strong playoff performance from Romeo will be mandatory if he’s to beat the odds and earn an entry-level deal.

Goaltending:

Dylan Ferguson

It appears the Sens have found their Brian Gibbons for the 2022-23 season, and it’s thankfully in the position in which they needed the most help. Ferguson was absolutely dialed in for 60 minutes and gave them every opportunity to win, stopping 48 of 49. He was flashy with the glove and deflected nearly all of his rebounds away from opposing players.

It’s also worth mentioning that while the shutout would’ve been magical, I prefer this outcome a lot more. Because the Penguins actually managed to tie the game with 5 minutes to go and still found a way to lose in regulation. Hilarious.

You’re not supposed to start goalies on both halves of a back-to-back, especially when the second half is against a team like the Boston Bruins. But desperate times call for desperate measures. I wouldn’t be opposed to it.

And yes, goalies develop slower than skaters, so he’s definitely still a prospect.

Silver Linings:

• Shoutout to Ridly Greig for being one of the few forwards to contribute to Ottawa’s 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh yesterday. That win was 98% Ferguson, but Greig not only assisted on Thomas Chabot’s opening goal, but he also drew the power-play on which the game-winning goal was scored by Drake Batherson. Greig is currently meeting the bar for an adequate fourth-liner with 5 points in 14 NHL games. Expect him to push for the 3LW spot full-time next season.
• Tyler Kleven’s junior year of collegiate hockey is complete, and a decision will soon be made on whether to sign his entry-level deal with the Senators or return to UND for a fourth year. One of three second-round picks from the 2020 draft, Kleven may find it difficult to carve out a role on Ottawa’s blueline in the near future with Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson, and Jakob Chychrun currently manning the left point. A year in Belleville would be great for his development, as the only other LHD prospect currently on the AHL roster is Jonathan Aspirot.
• As a graduate player who was eligible for five seasons of collegiate play due to being transferred between programs, 2018 second-round pick Jonny Tychonick was eligible to sign with any NHL team after Omaha’s season. He’s chosen to join the regular-season juggernauts, signing a two-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies. A disappointing result for a second-round pick, but think of it as trading him for Dylan Ferguson and it becomes a win of epic proportions.
• Northeastern’s Jakov Novak also saw his college career come to an end over the last week. He appears to be in the same boat as Tychonick and would be eligible to sign with any NHL club. He’s currently playing for the Allen Americans, Ottawa’s ECHL affiliate. He scored a goal in his debut, on his first shot no less.

Stats: