Former 19th overall pick set to hit waivers after only 18 NHL appearances
Developing young NHL defensemen can be a prolonged journey, given the position's complexities and the physical growth required to thrive in the league.
Back in 2019, the Ottawa Senators pinned their hopes on Lassi Thomson, selecting him as the 19th overall pick.
Scouts were intrigued by his booming slapshot, smooth skating, and puck-handling skills, envisioning him as a valuable addition to their defensive corps.
However, player development in the NHL is far from one-size-fits-all. Lassi Thomson's path to the big league has taken an unexpected turn.
In the previous season, Thomson spent the majority of his time with the Belleville Senators, tallying an impressive 33 points in 56 games.
While he did get a taste of NHL action, his two appearances yielded no points, and he averaged a mere 10 minutes and 53 seconds of ice time.
Now, the Ottawa Senators have opted to place Thomson on waivers with the intention of assigning him to the AHL, a move that opens the door for other teams seeking defensive depth.
It's worth highlighting that the Senators boast a formidable top-four defense lineup, featuring
Jake Sanderson,
Thomas Chabot,
Jakob Chychrun, and
Artyom Zub, a quartet that could arguably be considered the best in the Atlantic division.
Previously on Bruins Insider
POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 30 | 41 ANSWERS Former 19th overall pick set to hit waivers after only 18 NHL appearances Do you think Lassi Thomson will be claimed by another NHL team for defensive depth? |
Yes | 27 | 65.9 % |
No | 14 | 34.1 % |
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