Lassi Thomson

May 2023 – Thomson might have taken a bit of a step back in 2022-2023 as he managed just two games with the Senators after dressing for 16 in 2021-2022. He did manage 33 points in 56 games in the AHL, but still has some defensive work to sort out to make the NHL. Thomson and Bernard-Docker are competing for a spot and at this point, with Bernard-Docker ahead of him. He will need to have a great summer and come into training camp in great shape to have a chance to be regular in Ottawa in 2023-2024.  Grant Campbell

June 2022 – Thomson got an extended look in Ottawa last season, posting five assists in 16 games while averaging 17:14 of ice time per night. In 44 AHL games, he produced well, with 10 goals and 16 assists. He might have another season split between the AHL and the NHL in his 22-year-old campaign, which is perhaps not what Senators fans would’ve seen coming with their 2019 first-rounder. Grant Campbell

August 2020 – Lassi Thomson has been loaned to Ilves in the Liiga. This was a move that may not have happened had the 2020-21 NHL season been slated to start on time as the Senators seemed to want to get a look at their top pick in 2019. With the COVID-19 pandemic throwing the entire world for a loop, Thomson staying home in Finland where the leagues are already starting up is likely what is best for him long term. He should be getting into some preseason action with Ilves soon. With the Senators not expecting to be much of a winner again this year, Thomson likely stays home for the season which allows him to develop in a stable, steady environment in the Liiga. Tony Ferrari

March 2020 – The season has gone about as well as Lassi Thomson has hoped for as he went back to Finland to play pro hockey rather than playing in Kelowna of the WHL as he did in his draft year. The loss of Thomson, among other things, has really seemed to hurt Kelowna this season. His good play and steady development with Ilves of the Liiga have been promising and he has shown the ability to contribute offensively in a pro league. With his year all but done thanks to the COVID-19 situation that has shut down most sports across the world, Thomson looks to next year where he will look to continue improving and developing. He has signed his entry-level deal so he can come over any time he and the Senators organization see fit and will look to prove he belongs in training camp. If he isn’t on your fantasy radar yet, he should be. Look to stash him in your prospect pool if you can or as a late-round pick if he makes the Senators roster next season as his booming shot and offensive game could make him a producer early in his NHL tenure. Tony Ferrari 

January 2020 – Thompson was the Finnish captain at the World Junior Championships and the Senators’ first-round pick, leading an undermanned and injured Finnish club to the bronze medal game. Unfortunately, the Finns lost that game, finishing fourth after winning the tournament last year. Thomson was able to collect three assists in seven games despite Finland having to resort to a defensive, grind-it-out style game after injuries to top centers Anton Lundell and Rasmus Kupari. Thomson gave the Finns a steady presence on the backend, showing physicality along the boards and in front of the net. He led all Finnish defenders in time on ice with 17:11/game. It was a trying tournament for the Finns as a whole with a weakened roster but Thomson did everything he could to be the leader the team needed. Overall, it was a solid, yet unspectacular tournament for Thomson. He will now go back to his club team,  Ilves in the Liiga, and look to continue a steady season in the Finnish men’s league. Tony Ferrari

December 2019 – The Ottawa Senators’ most recent first-round pick will be suiting up for the Finns at the World Junior Championships over the holidays, assuming nothing goes awry prior to the roster being officially announced. Thomson will be looked at to help provide offense from the back end as the Finnish forward group doesn’t have the same punch it’s had in recent years. Thomson will likely start the event on the top pairing with fellow 2019 first-round pick Ville Hienola and the pair will almost assuredly both play on the top power-play unit with Thomson acting as a triggerman from the left circle. Thomson has an outside shot at being the most offensively impactful defender at this tournament and will be afforded plenty of opportunities to make his mark. Tony Ferrari

November 2019 – Thomson started the season hot with Ilves in the Liiga. He had six points in 13 games before suffering an injury that kept him out of the lineup for about a month. The two-way defender came back into the lineup today as the 7th defenseman but should ascend up the lineup as he gets back into game shape. His progress in the Liiga has been encouraging thus far and his game should continue to grow with Ilves. Tony Ferrari

August 2019 – Currently staring for the Finns at the World Junior Summer Showcase, the Ottawa first-rounder is heading back to Finland for next season to play for Ilves. After staring for the Kelowna Rockets in his draft year, the decision to go play pro hockey after just one year in the WHL came as a minor shock to some. Thomson explained that the decision was made to further his development at this stage of his career. The offensively skilled blue liner will look to establish himself as a teenager in the Liiga which is certainly not an easy task. Thomson will need to work on his defensive game in order to truly excel once playing professional hockey regardless of the continent. He should be utilized on the power play and in offensive situations, Thomson will be a player to watch in the Liiga next year. Tony Ferrari

June 2019 – Thomson has been drafted 19th overall by the Senators.  Jokke Nevalainen

June 2019 – Thomson was officially measured at 6-foot-0 and 186 pounds at the NHL Draft Combine.  Jokke Nevalainen

February 2019 – Thomson left Finland to play for the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, and so far that decision has looked good for him. He had a great start to the season offensively but has slowed down a bit since then. He gets to play good minutes with lots of power play time which suits his strengths as an offensive defenseman. He’s not big but he has a big shot from the blue line. And it’s not just a heavy shot, it’s pretty accurate as well. His playmaking abilities aren’t quite as good but they’re pretty good as well. He’s also developed a lot as a skater this season, and it’s a strength for him now. That skating ability allows him to be a good transitional defenseman. His defensive game needs a lot of work before he’s ready to play in the NHL. One important thing to remember about Thomson is that he’s very old for his draft class. If he was born nine days earlier, he would have been available for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Thomson is likely going to be drafted in the second round.  Jokke Nevalainen