So much for the “Sennecke” plan, three goals, two assists in nine games has had the Ducks coaching staff reconsidering how they will approach Sennecke. It is already evident that playing two games a week is too little; at this point, it is only back-to-backs where we could see Sennecke scratched. While a minus-7 is not ideal, most of the negatives came when he had a brief time on the third line; the second line of Gauthier-McTavish-Sennecke has been one of the best forward lines in the NHL so far. What they lack in defensive skill, they make up for with firepower. Sennecke is still young and growing into his frame. If he can continue to build on his game, he will be a versatile forward getting droves of goals, assists, and hits.

Sennecke has made the opening day roster. While promising for anyone who rostered him in fantasy, do not expect too much. General Manager Pat Verbeek has made comments that, along with Senneckes’ training lines and deployment in the preseason, all point towards a depth role while he undergoes the “Leo plan.” The “Leo plan” was named after the strict game deployment schedule Leo Carlsson was on during his rookie year. This limited his games played and time spent on the ice, as he pursued making more gains in the gym and a bigger focus on tactical aspects by watching and analyzing games with the staff live. It is unorthodox, and while it could benefit him in the long term, it will likely hinder his production this season. It’s also possible he plays nine games and is sent back to Oshawa; we will find out within a few weeks. –

Sennecke, who was the surprise of last year’s draft (and the source of the most entertaining draft reaction), has followed up with a strong campaign that proves his late-season breakout in his draft year wasn’t a fluke. He’s continued to develop in all areas and now ranks among the most versatile prospects in all of hockey. His skating has improved to the point where it can be projected to the NHL. His hands are elite, his playmaking has reached an above-average level, and he plays with a high degree of deception in nearly every play. With the puck, Sennecke is poised and dangerous, willing and capable of beating any junior defender one-on-one. His wrist shot is powerful, deceptive, and accurate, and he’s shown good ability in one-timing pucks when given space on the power play. Most notably, Sennecke has added a physical edge to his game. In his draft year, he was still learning what his rapidly growing body could do; now, he plays with a real mean streak, perhaps even to a fault, as he’s started picking up boarding majors. When the playoffs began, Sennecke once again elevated his performance, nearing two points per game while leading Oshawa on a deep postseason run. The big question now is where he plays next season. Ineligible for the AHL, the Ducks must decide whether he’s ready for NHL action or if another dominant year in the OHL would better serve his development. General Manager Pat Verbeek has shown a willingness to take creative approaches with prospects in the past (“The Leo Plan”), and Assistant GM/Head Scout Martin Madden recently stated in an interview with “TheHockeyNews” that if Sennecke commits fully to his offseason, he could make the team out of camp. Whether it’s this season or next, Sennecke is coming, and he profiles as a high-impact, multi-category fantasy contributor with upside in goals, assists, hits, and maybe PIM as well.

Sennecke was surprisingly drafted 3rd overall by the Anaheim Ducks.

When watching Sennecke this season, the flashes of high-end offensive potential popped out at you. The problem was that these were just flashes and not the norm. As the season went along, the flashes became more frequent as Sennecke found more consistency in his game. By season’s end, he was playing his best hockey. Sennecke is a supremely talented player who’ll try anything to gain an advantage or generate offence. He might not always succeed with the things he attempts, but he’s testing out what works and doesn’t all while expanding his creativity. Sennecke can make game-breaking plays, splitting the defenders en route to the net, where he’ll deke a goalie and bury it for a highlight reel goal. The main issue with Sennecke is consistency and his play off the puck. When in pursuit of the puck, he competes well and has shown impressive forecheck ability. Unfortunately, if he’s not in pursuit of the puck, he doesn’t seem to impact the play. He’s not that effective on the end, which can lead to extended offensive zone time for his opponents. There is some awkwardness to his game, sometimes the way he stickhandles and the way he skates, but this could be a product of being a late bloomer who’s had a recent growth spurt he might not be fully used to yet. Jordan Harris