Top prospects for Ottawa Senators

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Ottawa Senators, according to NHL.com.

1. Ridly Greig, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 28 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Ottawa (NHL): 20 GP, 2-7-9; Belleville (AHL): 39 GP, 15-14-29

Greig looked comfortable in his first stint in the NHL, showing flashes of offensive creativity that the Senators coaching staff can build on. Called up from Belleville after Josh Norris had season-ending shoulder surgery, he was the second-line center between Claude Giroux and Alex DeBrincat.

The 21-year-old has a solid build (6-foot, 183 pounds) and has a hockey pedigree. His dad is retired NHL forward Mark Greig, who played 125 games for the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers from 1990-2003.

Coach D.J. Smith said having a father with NHL experience is valuable for Ridly, who will be given every opportunity to land a full-time spot with the Senators this season.

"It has to help," Smith said. "You grew up around the rink, your dad's been through it. They can give you advice because they've gone through the same thing.

"How many kids get to say that, really?"

Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Egor Sokolov, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 61 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season:Ottawa (NHL): 5 GP, 1-1-2; Belleville (AHL): 70 GP, 21-38-59

The time is now for Sokolov.

Primarily playing on the left wing, the 23-year-old has the skill to make things happen in the offensive zone as underscored by the fact that he led Belleville in scoring last season. He also scored his first NHL goal in five games with the Senators.

He has the build (6-3, 222) that teams like in a power forward and uses that bulky frame to protect the puck in tight areas. Smith said Sokolov's skating, which is his Achilles heel, has improved.

Sokolov was voted Belleville's most valuable player and man of the year by the team's players and staff last season.

"He plays with emotion and drags others into the fight with that emotional investment in the group and he's an ultimate human being and humanitarian," coach David Bell said. "We should be proud as an organization to use him as a model of how our players should act at the rink and in the community."

Projected NHL arrival:This season

3. Jacob Bernard-Docker, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 26 pick in 2018 NHL Draft

Last season:Ottawa (NHL): 19 GP, 0-1-1; Belleville (AHL): 41 GP, 2-4-6

The 23-year-old (6-0, 190) isn't shy to play a physical game and has been used in a shutdown role in Belleville. But he is at the point of his career where he needs to take the next step at the NHL level, where he's played 32 games with the Senators over the past three seasons.

The Senators signed him to a two-year contract this summer, so they believe he's ascending.

"Jacob plays a simple and responsible puck-moving game" Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. "He's readily proved himself to be a reliable defender by playing on the penalty kill and in key matchup roles. We've been pleased to see him gradually improve throughout his time with the organization."

Projected NHL arrival:This season

4. Zack Ostapchuk 

How acquired: Selected with No. 39th pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Winnipeg (WHL): 34 GP, 21-17-38; Vancouver (WHL): 21 GP, 10-19-29

Another prospect in the Senators system who has the build (6-3, 205) to be a prototypical power forward, the 20-year-old is the rare combination of muscle and hustle. Consider that he finished the WHL season with 67 points in 55 games, 1.22 points per game.

One of the things the Senators like most about him is his resiliency through adversity. He's an only child whose dad died of a heart attack when he was 13; and who injured his ACL in 2020.

Expect him to begin this season with Belleville, where his size and skill will be tested against grown men.

Projected NHL arrival:2025-26

5. Tyler Kleven, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 44 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Ottawa (NHL): 8 GP, 0-2-2; University of Norh Dakota (NCAA): 35 GP, 8-10-18

With a hulking build (6-4, 200) and a competitive demeanor, Kleven has the type of makeup opposing forwards prefer not to mess with.

The 21-year-old had 214 penalty minutes in 95 games at the University of North Dakota but also had 18 points and can move the puck quickly when need be.

"Impressive skating, size, and shot," Smith said in March after his first viewing of Kleven. "Now, obviously, we know, the NHL is a lot -- the details and the things that come with it. But the raw package itself is impressive. Just the size and the skating to go with it. We all know there are growing pains that come with it, but he looks like he has all the physical attributes of a hockey player for sure."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season