Go big or go small, no in between. The Senators started the draft by nabbing 6'6 center Aliaksei Protas and 6'7 goaltender Mads Sogaard, the selection of which was followed by GM Steph Villeneuve flipping over the Blue Jackets' draft table and causing quite a ruckus. Then at the end of the 2nd round the Senators added a pair of small Finns, calling 5'10 right winger Tuukka Tieksola and 5'9 defenseman Kim Niousainen to the podium.
The Senators entered the draft with 3 selections, and most observers didn't expect them to do much, with an early full group of prospects expected to make an impact in the next few seasons. In an interview, the Senators GM confirmed as much, saying "we only really started to look at moving and adding players when some prospects we liked stayed on the board longer than we thought. At that point it just made sense to try and add picks and move up."
Aliaksei Protas - C
The big center brings an all around game, with good offensive skills. His 6'6 frame gives him intriguing tools and his style of play means he could end up just as well on a checking line as a scoring line depending on his development. He's a few years away, but he could make an impact at the pro level around the same time as Jack Hughes.
Mads Sogaard - G
Like most goalies when they are drafted, Sogaard is many years away. His large frame and raw skills are interesting though, and he gives the Senators another goalie who could one day turn into a starter. The Senators had a perfect example this season of how goaltending can make all the difference.
Tuukka Tieksola - RW
The small Finnish forward has impressive skills and his numbers at the junior level resemble those Sebastian Aho put up. He's a high risk high reward pick in the eyes of most scouts. If he can build enough strength to.play at the NHL level, he should be a top 6 forward, but he could also turn into one of those ultra talented players who just can't cut it in the pros because of a lack of strength. Time will tell.
Kim Niousainen - D
The Senators went out of their way to add the small defenseman, and during an interview he was compared to the Senators current captain, Torey Krug. There's no doubt as to why he was still available so late in the draft; there aren't many 5'9 defensemen in the pros. But the Senators were willing Tom roll the dice on him. "We like this kid, he may be small but he's got character. He's already playing in a men's league in Finland and thriving so he's proving already that his size doesn't have to stop him. He was the best defenseman for Finland at the WJC if you ask us. The potential is there."
The Senators are walking away from the draft with 4 new young players that will be added to their system. None are expected to make the jump straight to the pros, though the Senators are planning on bringing first round pick Aliaksei Protas to the AHL after he plays one more season in the WHL.