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The reality is the Senators know they’re going to get another piece to the puzzle with this pick and that’s why they’re buoyed by the No. 4 overall selection. No, it didn’t go right in any way, shape or form on the ice this season, but the club already has plenty of prospects to be excited about.

Centre Colin White, who finished the year with the club after starting in Belleville, was named to Team USA’s roster for the world championships and that bodes well for him in the future while Filip Chlapik is pushing for a spot on the Czech roster and goalie Filip Gustavsson could be No. 3 for Sweden this spring.

Defenceman Thomas Chabot is also with Team Canada and he’ll suit up in Denmark when the championships start later this week.

The club also has junior prospects Drake Batherson (Blainville-Boisbriand) in the QMJHL along with Alex Formenton of the OHL’s London Knights and Logan Brown of the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers, so the future looks bright for this team if those players develop.

“We know our cupboard is full, not just with a quantity of prospects, but quality prospects,” Dorion said. “We’re excited. These kids are going to come into our camp next year and challenge for spots.

“Just adding the No. 4 pick, and possibly a later first rounder, boosts our chances to be a much better hockey team next year.”

As far as Dorion is concerned, the Senators are going to be just fine because there’s a lot of talent in this draft and the club is going to get a player who could help the franchise right away.

“You’re hoping it’s going to be No. 1, and now we know it’s not going to happen, but after a difficult season we know we’re going to get the fourth-best player in the draft,” Dorion said. “We think the top four players are pretty special and that player has a good chance of playing for us next year so we’re pretty excited about that.”

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter: @sungarrioch