Under the radar Sens GM Staios made a couple of minor league deals about a week ago (March 15th), acquiring failed Winnipeg asset Wyatt Bongiovanni for nothing (future considerations) and sending their 6th round pick for failed Carolina asset Jamieson Rees. The former deal I greet with a shrug of the shoulders–it costs nothing and the BSens are short on useful forwards, so why not try? I’m less enamored with the second deal, since dumping picks for questionable assets is a poor use of draft capital. Let’s look at both players.
Wyatt Bongiovanni, DOB 99, CL, 6’0, undrafted
2021-22 NCAA 42-16-18-34 0.81 (2nd)
2022-23 AHL 56-13-5-18 0.32 (11th)
2022-24 AHL 34-8-7-15 0.44 (10th)
A relatively unremarkable USHL player who moved on to Quinnipiac where he was much better; he finished his final NCAA season second in scoring to the undrafted, undersized defenseman Zach Metsa (who is having a decent season with Rochester as a rookie). Was he unproductive on the Moose or was he not given the opportunity? Given that the Jets gave him away I’m leaning towards the former.
Jamieson Rees, DOB 01, CL, 5’10, 2-44/19
2021-22 61-7-17-24 0.39 (8th)
2022-23 65-14-28-42 0.64 (3rd)
2023-24 37-0-4-4 0.11 (sub-12th)
The OHL grad’s career has derailed after a solid third AHL-season last year. He’s never been dominant in the minors and I don’t see the NHL upside, so I’m lost on why the Sens want to take a flier on him (as in, what’s the hope for him with the org?). Barring a late season surge this looks like a fail off the hop. For those with good memories (or a nose for trivia), Rees has an Ottawa connection, as the pick used to draft him was part of the Erik Karlsson deal, subsequently traded away to draft Mads Sogaard (cf).
We had one other transaction that I’ve expected for some time: signing Stephen Halliday to his ELC (cf for projection thoughts).
Stephen Halliday, DOB 02, CL, 6’3, 4-104/22
2021-22 62-35-60-95 (1st)
2022-23 40-9-32-41 (1st)
2023-24 38-10-26-36 (1st)
For once the Sens drafted for talent in the later rounds and he’s proceeded to lead his team in production every season. The BSens are desperate for scoring (something neither of the two players above can solve) and the org in general needs a talent-injection. Here’s hoping he can provide that (certainly his size gives him the option of being more than just a scorer as well). If his description sounds a little bit like failed picks Todd Burgess (4-103/16) and Jakov Novak (7-188/18) it’s worth noting that Halliday was much more productive than both as a college player. He was, incidentally, playing with Sens prospect Theo Wallberg who has turned poor USHL production into solid NCAA production as a rookie, which is encouraging.
This article was written by Peter Levi
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