It’s because many sources had the Habs possibly taking him, and a lot of us didn’t want him. I wouldn’t have took him in the top 15.
Tell me what he’s done to be regarded above guys like the following, other than ANA reaching for him:
•Greentree
•Connelly
•Hage
•Luchanko
•Boisvert
The Ducks reached massively for a guy who isn’t really better than any of the above. The pick is reminiscent of Kotkaniemi (MTL, ‘18), Hayton (ARI, ‘18), and Thomas Hickey (LA, ‘07).
From
the Hockey News:
Now 6-foot-3 and 182 pounds, Sennecke was only 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds when Oshawa took him in the OHL draft two years ago. Some scouts think the right winger might even continue growing, though Sennecke says he's perfectly fine whether he gets any taller or not. For the Ducks, the package he brings to the table was irresistible.
"What we love about the player is the skating ability and the hockey sense," said GM Pat Verbeek. "His individual skill level is off the charts and he's the type of player who can play any game on the ice, whether it's a physical game, a skill game or a fast-paced game."
And while Sennecke had a very nice regular season with the Generals, he was a beast in the playoffs with 22 points in 16 games, helping Oshawa on a surprise run to the OHL final. So ending strong probably helped his cause, eh?
"I think it was probably the driving factor," Sennecke said. "They want someone who produces in the playoffs and shows up when it matters most and I do think I'm a playoff performer."
- Greentree has skating issues. Like many other scorers who can't skate, they drop in the draft.
- Connelly had two issues: 1) off-ice problems and 2) USHL level of competition
- Hage: USHL level of competition
- Luchanko: is 5'10/5'11 (an OHL product who got drafted ahead of Greentree, Connelly, Hage, and Boisvert)
- Boisvert: USHL level of competition
There are reasons why OHL'er Sennecke is high risk, but also many reasons why he could become high reward. Something clicked in the 2nd half of the season and the playoffs. It could be his brain and elongated body finally got into sync. He's got immense talent that reminds me a lot of 2021, 5th OA Kent Johnson... but taller and slightly more team oriented in play.
We won't know for another 3-5 years if the risk was worth the reward. Anaheim had a similar situation back in 2021 in drafting Mason McTavish 3rd OA. In his D+1 season, he helped Hamilton with the OHL championships, captained team Canada to a WJC-20 gold, and was MVP at the WJC-20. That kinda quelled a lot of naysayers.