Blake Montgomery gave Senators fans an early glimpse of why Ottawa is excited about him when Wisconsin’s season ended in the Frozen Four this past April. In three games against professionals, he made himself noticed right away, capping the brief stint with a thrilling goal that showed off his raw speed and soft hands.
The 6-foot-4 left wing brings a long frame, a slender skating stride, and a clear power-forward edge. His track record has already hinted at real offensive upside: he put up 43 points in 58 USHL games in his draft year, then followed that with 50 points in 51 games for London in the OHL the next season. This year at the University of Wisconsin, he finished his lone college season with nine goals and eight assists in 38 games, logging roughly 12 to 15 minutes a night.
That season wasn’t a straight climb. A 17-game goalless drought in the middle of the year slowed him down after a strong start, and it may have played into the 67 penalty minutes he finished with - a career high, and one that included a lot of major penalties. The article notes surprise that Montgomery chose to sign with Belleville rather than return for a second NCAA season, since most non-first-round picks spend multiple years in college, though it also raises the possibility that Ottawa wasn’t thrilled with his environment.
Even without top-six minutes, Montgomery settled into a more direct pro-style game. He used his size and speed to drive the net when he received the puck in stride, kept his play simple and north-south, and helped extend offensive-zone cycles by protecting the puck and doing the dirty work along the boards. The next question is whether he can hold onto the puck more consistently this season, since that could help determine whether he grows into a top-six forward or lands more securely in a bottom-six role.
For his first pro season in Belleville, he appears set for similar minutes, with an expanded roster and veteran presence giving head coach Andrew Campbell plenty of lineup choices.
In Other News...
Senators Face A Painful Drake Batherson Decision As Deadline Nears
The Senators are trying to get ahead of a delicate contract situation with Drake Batherson, whose future has become one of the more important questions on their summer to-do list. Ottawa wants to keep the winger as part of its core and has been working on a long-term extension, a reflection of how much value the club places on his play and stability in the lineup.
The backdrop makes the urgency even sharper for Canadian teams, with a growing trend of American players asking out and other clubs, like Montreal, weighing their own roster and trade decisions carefully. For Ottawa, the Batherson talks are not just about keeping a useful forward in place. They are also about avoiding a situation where the club is forced to consider a trade path if the sides cannot find common ground in time. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Forward Depth Could Get Tested Fast Next Season
The Senators forward depth could be one of the more interesting early-season storylines if Ottawa comes out of the gate slowly next year. Andre Burakovsky and Warren Foegele both arrived with clear expectations attached, and their fits in the lineup may be judged quickly if the offense sputters and the club needs a jolt.
Burakovskys future in particular appears tied to whether he can deliver enough scoring to justify his spot, while Foegeles value will be measured in much the same way. If those contributions do not come, Ottawa could explore moving either veteran, though both players have limited no-trade clauses that would shape the process and add another layer to a decision the Senators may not want to make in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Core Is Running Out Of Time To Prove Itself
The Senators are heading into another season with a core group that has now been together for seven years, a stretch long enough to demand something more than promise. Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Shane Pinto and Thomas Chabot have grown up together in Ottawa, and the front office has already shown it wants some continuity by bringing Claude Giroux back on a one-year contract.
What makes this moment feel more urgent is that the organization is still sorting out what comes next around that core. Batherson is entering the final year of his deal, so his future has become an obvious focal point as the Senators try to keep their main pieces aligned for a push. Off the ice, there is also the longer-running question of the proposed downtown arena, with the club saying fans should get an update in the new year. [Read more 🡒]