Senators Keep The Faith, Re-Signing Former First-Round Draft Pick Tyler Boucher
Steve Staios doubles down on 2021 draft pedigree, securing Tyler Boucher to a one-year deal, hoping he can stay healthy and that there's still a good NHL prospect in there.
Senators general manager Steve Staios has turned his attention toward some of his Belleville free agents, and for the second straight day, he signed a 2021 first-round draft pick to a one-year, two-way contract for next season.
After Xavier Bourgault re-signed on Thursday, it was Tyler Boucher's turn on Friday.
Like Bourgault, Boucher is coming off his best pro season, by far, this past year and the Senators are hoping he can take another step this fall.
Over 47 games, Boucher had 12 goals, 14 assists, and 26 points with the Belleville Senators, which over a full 72-game AHL season, would be a valuable 40-point pace.
That was not only a good step, it earned him another contract. But games played will remain the key statistic for Boucher, as it does every year.
Looking back to the draft five years ago, Boucher was seen by most analysts as a very good prospect at the 2021 NHL Draft, and probably the most physical forward available, but almost no one, except for the Senators, saw him as top-10 overall material.
He'd love a chance to prove everyone wrong but he'll need to dodge that injury bug that always seems latched on to some part of his body. In the five seasons since his draft day, he's played only 177 hockey games total between his time at Boston U, the Ottawa 67s and the Belleville Senators.
The Senators are obviously hoping (and banking) on Boucher being able to take another step this fall.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News
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