Size Matters: Reviewing the Ottawa Senators Draft Class of 2024, Brought to You by Upper Deck

The Senators' big-bodied choices in the 2024 NHL Draft leave little doubt about what they feel the team lacked last season.

Ottawa Senators fans are beginning to get a glimpse of what Steve Staios prioritizes as an NHL general manager. On day two of the NHL Draft in Vegas, Staios and his staff again went for size across the board.

LD Gabriel Eliasson, HV71 Jr. (Sweden), Second Round, 39th overall

With their second pick, 39th overall, the Senators took Gabriel Eliasson, a 6-foot-7 defenceman. Eliasson, 17, has been plying his trade with the HV71 U-20 team in Sweden, where he had one goal and six points in 36 games. 

After a year on the job, Staios clearly saw a need for more size and physicality on his roster, particularly on the back end. Along with first-rounder Carter Yakemchuk, the average height of his top two picks is 6-foot-5.

Eliasson is intriguing due to his combination of size and mobility. He's known for his big hits and winning puck battles along the boards. He doesn't provide elite skills like Yakemchuk, but he could be a very solid defenceman in the NHL, potentially a bigger version of Tyler Kleven.

Eliasson seemed like a bit of a reach at 39, as some analysts had him ranked in the 90s. But since the Sens didn't have a third-round pick in this draft, perhaps they were worried he might not be there by the time they pick again. Eliasson, who's still raw and unpolished, will play in the USHL next season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (excellent Ottawa karma) before attending the University of Michigan.

Here's a blurb on all of Ottawa's other picks this year. If you're under 6-foot-2, you're not tall enough for this ride.

LW Luke Ellinas, Kitchener Rangers, Fourth Round, 104th overall

The Senators selected their first forward in the draft, taking Luke Ellinas of the Kitchener Rangers. Ellinas is 18-years-old, 6-foot-2, and 198 pounds. He had 33 points and 79 PIM in 67 games as an OHL rookie. His seasonal improvement showed in the playoffs with five goals and eight points in 10 postseason games.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItxRZqCldUM[/embed]

LW Javon Moore, Minnetonka High School, Fourth Round 112th Overall

The Senators may have a real sleeper in getting Javon Moore in the fourth round, 112th overall. A few draft analysts had him in their top 60. The 18-year-old left-winger, nicknamed "Diesel," is 6-foot-3 and scored 26 goals and 53 points in 28 games at Minnetonka High School, where he was able to physically overwhelm a lot of opponents this past season. He didn't look out of place in his three-game stint in the USHL, but this fall will be the big test as he heads to the University of Minnesota.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFmp3efOPWU[/embed]

LW Blake Montgomery, Lincoln Stars (USHL) Fourth Round, 117th overall

The 19-year-old played last season for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL. Like Moore, Montgomery is 6-foot-4 and an excellent skater with a long, powerful stride. He finished one point off the Stars' team lead in points, with 43 points (22 goals, 21 assists) in 58 games. He's headed for the University of Wisconsin next season.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loInd7boDZg[/embed]

LD Eerik Wallenius, Hameenlinna (HPK U18 Finland), Fifth Round, 138th overall

Wallenius is another big left-shot defenceman at 6-foot-4, 211 pounds. He saw considerable action for HPK Finland at both the U18 and U20 levels, combining for 22 points in 51 games. But his calling card is size and physicality.

The Senators have a new sheriff in town. And make no mistake. As far as he's concerned, size matters.