Why Beckett Sennecke is the Second Best Forward in the 2024 NHL Draft

Oshawa Generals forward Beckett Sennecke has received a lot of love from NHL scouts over the past six months and could be a top 5 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft

Oshawa Generals forward, Beckett Sennecke, has had his name in the topic of ‘Who is the second-best forward in the draft after Macklin Celebrini?’ after he impressed NHL scouts with his performance in the second half of the year, and in the playoffs.

Sennecke finished the season third in scoring on the Generals with 27 goals and 68 points in 63 games. His 207 shots on goal and seven game-winning goals led the team.

His game reached another level in the playoffs, aiding Oshawa’s run to the OHL Final. He scored 10 goals and 22 points and looked like a player that could be a future top six, play-driving winger in the NHL. 

Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against North Bay, which caused him to miss playing in the Finals against London.

Beckett was in Buffalo this past week for the NHL Draft Combine. However, he didn’t take part in the fitness testing portion of the event.

“Obviously, I think not doing the test this week is definitely beneficial for me (on his recovery from injury) so I can get right back at it and train. We went pretty deep in the playoffs so it’s kind of a shorter summer. I was cleared for workouts on the 29th (in May), but my future and health are more important than one testing in the combine” said Sennecke.

Sennecke mentioned that he interviewed with 27 teams at the combine and had dinner with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Utah. Columbus owns the fourth overall pick while Utah has pick No. 6. Could he be selected this high on Jun. 28 in Las Vegas?

The 18-year-old right-shot winger is a unique prospect due to the growth spurt he incurred after he was drafted into the OHL.

Oshawa drafted him eighth overall in 2022 out of the powerhouse GTHL Toronto Marlboros organization. He measured in at 5-foot-10 when he was drafted. He’s grown four inches over the last two years and is now listed at 6-foot-2.

Sennecke at 16 years old was a slippery, highly skilled player who had the hands to make defenders look silly. Now, he possesses that same elite skillset but in a much bigger frame, which he sees as being super beneficial.

“They kind of call me a small persons game in a big players body. So I think being smaller I was able to develop that vision, puck handling ability, and agility. Now obviously growing a lot I think I’ve kept those kinds of learning experiences,” said Sennecke.

The other draft prospects lumped in the category for second-best forward are WHL’s Cayden Lindstrom, Tij Iginla, Berkly Catton, and the Russian Ivan Demidov, who is a wizard with the puck.

Demidov's offensive upside is the highest amongst the five forwards, though some scouts think Sennecke is right there with him. As per EliteProspects, “Sennecke’s an ankle-breaking winger who combines deft playmaking, manipulation, and puck-thievery skills to control the game. He’s an overwhelmingly confident puck handler.”

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That scouting report couldn't be more accurate. Once Beckett is finished growing into his body, he could resemble Carolina Hurricanes start winger Andrei Svechnikov as a dual-threat, magician with the puck, and powerful player off the flank. 

Despite having to adjust his skating due to his growth spurt, Sennecke has maintained as an above-average skater with strong top-end speed. He mentioned that he wants to improve his first three-step explosiveness, which will eventually come as he packs on more 'Man' muscle.

Another important skill Sennecke possesses that will translate well to the NHL is his ability to exploit spaces that the defense gives him. Whether it's working a give-and-go with speed or doing it himself, he displays the offensive vision to attack those open pockets of space and make opponents pay. 

Sennecke’s 200ft game isn’t nearly as good as Lindstrom, Iginla, and Catton’s, but his draft position will all depend on how much NHL teams value his rise in the second half and the playoffs, along with his potential to become a skillful power forward for their team. 

A player with his skill level and size could become a game-breaker, why wouldn't you want Beckett Sennecke on your team?