There’s not a lot of Ottawa Senators prospects knocking on the door to make it to the big club this season. On the back end, there’s Jacob Bernard-Docker (currently injured) and Lassi Thomson. Forwards Ridly Greig and Angus Crookshank have got off to good offensive starts, but likely will spend the year in the AHL.
However, if there was a call up today, there’s no better option than Egor Sokolov. He’s shown he’s outgrown the AHL and would fit well into the Senators lineup, especially given their lack of production from the bottom half of the lineup of late.
His Production
Turning 23 in June, Sokolov isn’t a fresh prospect anymore. While he doesn’t necessarily have All-Star potential, he’s got an NHL frame with the offensive numbers to back it up.
Through 24 contests this year with Belleville, Sokolov has increased his point production to a point per game with 24 points. He’s tied for 12th in AHL scoring, and there are only two players in front of him that are younger than him. The time is now to call up the 2020 2nd round pick.
Timing
With Mathieu Joseph out two weeks, that counts as two mainstay forwards that are sidelined from the Senators lineup. With Joseph and Josh Norris out, Sokolov would slide nicely into a top 9 role. While the top 6 stays intact, the bottom six hasn’t fared well offensively this year. Based on Saturdays’ game, the 3rd and 4th lines are as follows:
Motte-Gambrell-Kelly
Brassard-Kastelic-Watson
While not all six were projected to make the roster, their offensive production has held this team back. The Senators have gone 5-2-1 in their past 8 games and are starting to turn their season around.
But in the past eight games, the bottom six has amassed 6 points. 5 of which are from Derick Brassard. While you don’t need “skill first” forwards in every forward slot, Sokolov could be a nice placeholder for now before Josh Norris comes back. The lineup could then look like this:
Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux
DeBrincat-Pinto-Batherson
Motte-Brassard-Sokolov
Kelly-Kastelic-Watson
Pairing him with Derick Brassard at the moment, who is known to be a playmaking center, would be a smooth transition to the lineup without the expectations of production that come with a top 6 role.
While Sokolov has been known largely as a goal scorer his entire career, he’s became a dual threat this season with 18 of his 24 points being assists. Once Joseph comes back, Motte can then slide down to the fourth line. The Ottawa Senators currently rank 19th in goals for. Despite the Senators sitting 27th in the league, they only have a -6 goal differential. Just imagine what an extra goal or two could do from their bottom six.
Powerplay Help
At the moment, the Senators sit 7th in the league on the man advantage. That’s great. But Sokolov could help, especially in a lineup that’s currently missing Norris and Joseph. Mark Kastelic is now playing net front on the second power play. Replacing him with Sokolov will add an extra layer of offense on a powerplay that’s been deadly as of late.
While the first unit stays intact, the second unit could use his services. Here’s how the second power play could line up:
The nice part is Sokolov can play in front of the net, in the slot and on the half wall. He’s played the half wall the past couple of years in Belleville.
With a 6’4 frame, strong offensive instincts and a powerful shot, he’s a threat anywhere on the ice.
Since the Norris injury, the Senators have been carrying an extra forward every night. Well now with Joseph gone for the next two weeks, this is a good chance to see where Sokolov is at in his development. And despite being drafted in 2020, he will require waivers next season. Now could be the time to turn Egor Sokolov into an NHLer.
-Damian Smith
Twitter: @Damian__Smith