Ottawa Senators Top 25 Under 25, #13: Rudolfs Balcers

Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images13. Rudolfs Balcers (Reader Rank: 16, Previous Rank: 9)

Rudolfs Balcers enters this year’s rankings four spots lower than our previous list - despite a season which saw him demolish the competition for the Belleville Senators. This shouldn’t be seen as a devaluation of Balcers as a prospect but, rather, the impact of a further strengthened prospect pool in Ottawa.

Balcers, as we know, came to the Senators organization as part of San Jose’s hefty payment for Erik Karlsson. Coming in, the left winger was fresh off an AHL season where he eclipsed the 20 goal mark. His 0.52 primary points per game in that season with the San Jose Barracuda…