Chosen 168 picks after Lassi Thomson, Max Guenette has completely closed the gap between the two Sens D prospects.

This just in, most seventh-round selections in the NHL draft don’t make the show. But given that every other Ottawa Senator prospect from the 2019 Draft has now played at least one game in the NHL, why should Maxence Guenette – the 187th overall selection in that draft – be any different?

Guenette's four-year QMJHL career showed the profile of a player who had a considerable amount of offensive upside. It also showed a plus/minus in the first two years, in particular, which suggested defensive awareness may be lacking. The second year (-33) was Guenette’s draft year and it's likely part of the reason why a defenseman with offensive flair and 6-foot-1 frame would drop to the seventh round.

After being drafted, whether this message was delivered by the Senators brass or not, Guenette managed to continue delivering offensive numbers while shoring up the defensive side of his game.

Whether you buy into the plus/minus stat or not, it’s hard to ignore going from (-33) in your draft year to (+19) two years later when the Senators chose to sign him and bring him into the organization.

Guenette seems intent on showing the Senators they got a steal in round seven. 

Since arriving in Belleville two years ago, he has produced offensively on par with his QMJHL days, doubling his output year over year. His performance seemed to catch the eye of the Senators brain trust who rewarded Guenette’s improved play with a late season call up to play his first NHL game back in April.

With a year left on his entry level contract, Guenette hasn’t played his way into consideration for opening night. Clearly, the role he plays in the Belleville Senators' season is his to decide and you can bet Senators' GM Pierre Dorion and Belleville GM Ryan Bowness will be watching.

Mobility and offensive production will be Guenette’s path to the next level if he can bring his defensive play to the same level. It’s easier to teach defensive awareness than offensive awareness and in a Corsi For and Against world, if Guenette can use his offensive instincts to keep the puck away from his own net, the Senators may have something here.

Up to now, Guenette hasn’t played with any expectations other than internal ones. Now that the eyes of the organization will be on him more, it will be interesting to see if he can continue his accelerated learning curve.

For now, Guenette has become one of many kernels in the defensive depth chart that still has a chance to pop. 

Meanwhile, Lassi Thomson was selected in round one of the same draft. He and Guenette both play the right side and have very similar games and frames. Yet, to hear the reviews of both of their seasons last year, you would think the seventh rounder had clearly taken a step forward while the first rounder took a step backward.

It can change that quickly. Guenette is someone to keep an eye on.

PROSPECT GRADE: B