Ottawa Chooses Braeden Cootes
Among the potential picks for Ottawa, my personal favorite and arguably the best fit is Braeden Cootes, whose playing style meshes perfectly with the Senators’ core. Cootes is known for his relentless work ethic, constantly battling in the tough areas of the ice to win pucks and create scoring opportunities. He’s just as aggressive on defense, fighting hard to regain possession and contribute to his team’s efforts. While he might not be as flashy as some other prospects like Schmidt or Potter, Cootes makes up for any lack of flair with his intensity, making him a highly effective player. Even on a relatively weaker Seattle Thunderbirds team, he managed to score 26 goals and 63 points in 60 games, adding eight more points in just six playoff games. His leadership skills didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named one of the youngest captains in the team’s history. His style seems like a perfect complement to Brady Tkachuk’s gritty approach.
However, Cootes isn’t just all grit—he also fits well with the Senators’ faster, more skilled players like Stützle, Drake Batherson, and Jake Sanderson. While some critics argue that Cootes doesn’t have the highest offensive ceiling, he proved them wrong at the U18 World Junior Championship, where he led Team Canada with six goals and 12 points while also serving as captain, helping secure back-to-back gold medals. This impressive performance means he could be off the board before Ottawa picks at 21, though he is currently projected to be available in that range.
Cootes brings excellent intangibles and energy, and it’s easy to envision him as an energetic third-line center in the NHL—someone who can be trusted defensively while contributing offensively at a solid level. If a team can further develop his offensive game, he has the potential to become a second-line center. For now, though, he’s shaping up to be a mid-to-late first-round pick in the 2025 draft.
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