How Senators’ trade for goaltender Linus Ullmark could become a steal

The Ottawa Senators announced a trade they believe will be a salve to their glaring goaltending wounds, acquiring Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins.

What a deal. But could it become a steal? Wayne Scanlan takes a look.

Luck wasn’t in the Toronto Raptors’ favour when the lottery balls tumbled into place last month. 

Entering the day with their sights set on a top-six selection, the Raptors instead ended up losing their high-lottery hopes to the San Antonio Spurs and were left with only one first-round pick outside the lottery, a (consolation) prize from their mid-season fire sale that saw Pascal Siakam head to Indiana. 

Scouts and draft analysts have debated this draft class’s strength — or lack thereof — with many calling it the worst in over a decade, but a high selection will always be more valuable than one in the middle of the first round. 

However, because of the more up-in-the-air nature of this class, the lack of a consensus No. 1 or even a consensus top-10 has created an intriguing proposition for teams picking in the late lottery or after. Players that teams may value as top-10 picks others may see as late first-rounders, meaning that anybody’s favourite prospect could fall once the clock starts ticking. 

Though the Raptors are searching for a star to pair alongside Scottie Barnes, they’re also in dire need of replenishing their farm system and adding depth to a roster that sent out everything but the kitchen sink in the latter half of the season as they dealt with injuries. 

This could be the draft class for just that. Though it’s not star-studded, there are plenty of prospects that teams may view as Day 1 contributors or role players. Guys that might not have stood out massively at the collegiate level but could grow into something depending on the organization they end up with. 

With all that being said, here are six players the Raptors could consider taking at 19th overall, depending on how this ever-so-uncertain draft shakes out. 

Yves Missi, C, Baylor — 19 years old, 7 feet, 235 lbs. 

2023-24 stats: 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 61.4 FG

When Jakob Poeltl went down near the end of the season, it reserved a place for the Raptors outside the Play-In Tournament. Toronto got demolished on the interior without his reliable rim protection and rebounding, helping it to the second-worst defence in the league in the season’s final month. Missi could help supplant that need for Toronto. 

Still something of a project, his raw athleticism, length and strong frame make him a worthy prospect to develop behind Poeltl. His 7-foot-5 wingspan allows him to contest shots on the perimeter and his fluidity makes it so that he doesn’t get burned on switches while on offence, he’s an adept screener and should be a physical lob threat and rebounder.

However, he tends to bite on fakes and get himself into foul trouble. He needs to tone down his 4.2 fouls per 40 minutes once he’s in the NBA. He also isn’t close to a finished product on offence. Though his athleticism and length make him a solid lob threat, he may struggle to find those extra passes on the Raptors’ ball-movement-heavy offence. 

Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke — 20 years old, 7 feet, 230 lbs.

2023-24 stats: 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks

If Missi is the defensive big the Raptors look at, Kyle Filipowski should be the offensive one. The 2022 No. 4 recruit according to 247Sports, Filipowski’s solid perimeter shooting and playmaking ability should fit right into the Raptors’ developing offensive identity. His 2.8 assists per game were the third-most among ACC frontcourt players and his impressive ball-handling for a big should give coach Darko Rajakovic another interesting option on that end. 

He chose to stay at Duke for a second season and the decision paid off wit