The second round draft pick (61st overall) of the Ottawa Senators hasn't made the impact so far that was hoped on draft day. Shane Prince hasn't quite grasped his role in the NHL and has struggled offensively so far this season. With great speed coupled by great passing and having a wicked shot, Prince is a deadly offensive threat. His speed also allows him to be effective on the back check and an all-around asset on the ice. 

The 23 year old native of Rochester, New York has struggled to rack up points at the NHL level. In 35 games, Prince has just two goals and 11 points. In his last five games he has just once assist that came back on January 26th against the Buffalo Sabres. The lack of production isn't exactly what the Senators hoped when they selected him in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. 

With the trade deadline fast approaching, it's a time when veteran players get moved to contending teams in an attempt to get max value in players, picks or both before the up coming draft. Building from within is such a big factor in the salary cap era and prospects like Shane Prince can thrive in times like this. Roster spots open up and give prospects a shot in a bigger role. Prince is currently the teams best possession forward, despite 12 Senators' forwards having more ice-time than Shane's 10:25 at even strength. He sits behind only Mike Hoffman and Bobby Ryan in points per 60 minutes.

With Shane barely scratching the surface of his abilities and limited to playing just over a sixth of the game a bigger role might be just what he needs. Getting more playing time with better players, possibly cracking the top six could do wonders for the offense and could spark something within the younger core of the Sens forward corps. With Kyle Turris, Curtis Lazar, Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, and Mika Zibanejad are all 26 and under. 75 percent of the Sens forwards are under 27 years old. Bobby Ryan, Chris Neil and Zack Smith are the only three that are above that mark.

With Zack Smith holding the left wing spot on the second line and coming into an expiring contract in 2017, his spot could be had by Shane. Zack will be a UFA at the end of next season and could be expendable if Prince emerges from the shadows and grabs his roster spot. 

The Sens need offense and with the underlying numbers available in the young winger, he could be an answer while he grows with the young core in Ottawa.