Sep 11, 2015
Can the Sens do it again?
The Ottawa Senators needed a miracle run to make the playoffs, winning 21 of their last 27 games last season. While there were many positives to take from that experience, TSN.ca's training camp preview examines what the Senators must must do to improve on that anomalous stretch.
The Ottawa Senators needed a miracle run to make the playoffs last season, winning 21 of their last 27 games. While there were many positives to take from that experience, it's imperative that the Senators aren't misled by that anomalous stretch when trying to take stock of the team this season.
For one thing, they can't reasonably expect Andrew Hammond, a 27-year-old without anything resembling NHL pedigree, to keep stopping 94.1 per cent of the shots like he did in 24 games down the stretch for the Senators. However, if veteran Craig Anderson is healthy, the Senators should be set in net.
Superstar defenceman Erik Karlsson is a game-changer, driving play from the blueline like few others, and while Marc Methot is strong and Patrick Wiercioch and Cody Ceci have shown promise, there remain questions about Ottawa's blueline depth.
The Senators lack star power up front, but Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman emerged as bona fide scoring threats as rookies last season and Kyle Turris is a talented two-way centre. Young forwards Mika Zibanejad and Curtis Lazar offer some hope for increased offensive production, but a return to form from Bobby Ryan, who finished with a full-season-low 18 goals last season, would provide a much-needed boost.
The Senators were a different team down the stretch, not only relying on Hammond, but improving their puck possession under head coach Dave Cameron, and that improvement is what the Sens will need to carry over if they are going to be in the playoff mix again this season.
OFF-SEASON HEADLINES
May 20: Ottawa signs goaltender Andrew Hammond to three-year, $4.05 million extension
June 18: Senators sign head coach Dave Cameron to two-year extension
August 3: Senators' Hoffman awarded $2 million in arbitration
2015-16 OTTAWA SENATORS
* - Off-season Addition
TSN'S PROJECTED LINES
LW | C | RW |
---|---|---|
Clarke MacArthur | Kyle Turris | Mark Stone |
Mike Hoffman | Mika Zibanejad | Bobby Ryan |
Milan Michalek | J-G Pageau | Curtis Lazar |
Alex Chiasson | Zack Smith | Chris Neil |
Matt Puempel | Colin Greening |
Fighting For Jobs: C Nick Paul, LW Shane Prince
TSN'S PROJECTED PAIRS
LD | RD |
---|---|
Marc Methot | Erik Karlsson |
Patrick Wiercioch | Cody Ceci |
Jared Cowen | Mark Borowiecki |
Chris Phillips |
Fighting For Jobs: LD Fredrik Claesson, RD Chris Wideman
TSN's Projected Goalies
No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 |
---|---|---|
Craig Anderson | Andrew Hammond | Matt O'Connor |
Off-season Departures: G Robin Lehner, RW Erik Condra, D Eric Gryba, C David Legwand
KEY QUESTIONS
1. After bouncing around lines and playing on the fourth line last season, does Mike Hoffman find a regular spot on Mika Zibanejad's line after leading the Sens in goals?
2. Aside from J-G Pageau, Curtis Lazar, Zack Smith and Alex Chiasson, who takes the other spots in the bottom six?
3. Chris Phillips suffered a back injury in August and a setback may put him out until the new year…is this it for the 37-year-old who hasn’t played since Feb. 5?
CRAIG'S LISTS
Button's Top 2015-16 Prospects
1. Matt Puempel (Binghamton AHL, Ottawa, NHL): A finisher who finds ways to score and knocking on the NHL's door.
2. Shane Prince (Binghamton, AHL): He may not wow you, but he's smart and finds ways to be productive.
Button's Top 5 Long-Term Prospects
1. Nick Paul (North Bay, OHL): All the elements of a winger who can use his skill and size to contribute.
2. Tobias Lindberg (Oshawa, OHL): Has taken significant strides ahead. Has potential to be a complete winger like Palat.
3. Matt O'Connor (Boston University, NCAA): Progression has been steady, has the capability of being a solid NHL goalie.
4. Thomas Chabot (Saint John, QMJHL): Smart, technically strong D who passes with precision and is creative.
5. Colin White (US NTDP, USHL): Strong two-way centre who has a game that resembles that of Patrice Bergeron.
* Listed with 2014-15 teams
BY THE NUMBERS
Three-Year Breakdown (League Rank)
2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
---|---|---|---|
Points | 96 (14th) | 88 (21st) | 99 (13th) |
Goals For | 2.3 (27th) | 2.8 (11th) | 2.8 (9th) |
Goals Against | 2.1 (7th) | 3.2 (27th) | 2.5 (13th) |
Power Play | 16% (20th) | 19% (14th) | 17% (22nd) |
Penalty Killing | 88% (1st) | 81% (22nd) | 83% (11th) |
SAT% Possession | 54% (5th) | 52% (7th) | 50% (18th) |
* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total
ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $59.8/$71.4M
The Senators have been running a tight ship in recent seasons, and it’s no different this year. They are nowhere near the cap and have just three players (Erik Karlsson, Bobby Ryan and Marc Methot) commanding a cap hit of more than $4 million per season. That gives the Senators maximum flexibility, but that is only the case if Ottawa is prepared to spend money and that doesn’t appear to be the case right now.
PARTING SHOT