The 2009-2010 Season Report Card: Defensemen

So the season has closed for the Ottawa Senators players and fans. It’s now time to look at the season that was and look for the positive future ahead. Here is the second installment on The Report Card, talking about players on the backside.

 Chris Campoli: Fine season for the youngster. Struggled in the beginning but after the Picard trade he shined in the spotlight. He also played pretty good in the playoffs. RFA now, it will be interesting to see if Murray can fit him under the cap.

Grade: B

 Matt Carkner: Surprised everyone with an amazing camp and made the team. Great season and great beginning for the unsung hero. Seemed to tire at the ned after so many fights including his dramatized showdown with Colton Orr.

Grade: B

 Erik Karlsson: Horrible start as expected for the Swedish rookie D-Man but after a demotion to Binghamton, he came to tune and his learning curve was over to a main point where he was quarterbacking our PP at season’s end and the playoffs. We’ve got something special here, folks.

Grade: B

 Filip Kuba: Injury-plagued season for Filip Kuba and a statistical nightmare year for him, too. Did mentor young Karlsson well, though. I think he might have seen his last game in Ottawa if Bryan Murray decides the swan song is in.

Grade: C

 Brian Lee: Bad year for Lee who looked promising for a bit in the beginning but than steam-railed off the tracks. I have no clue what his future is with the club, but Binghamton could make good use of him.

Grade: D

 Chris Phillips: Huge bounce-back season for the Alberta native. Really seemed in the groove and is clearly now the successor to El Capitano. Played all games in the big dance with a foot injury. Tough warrior.

Grade: A

 Alexandre Picard: Horrible second season with the Senators and even though his goals were nice and needy, his sloppy defense was putrid. Good thing he was traded to Carolina along with a 2nd rounder for Matt Cullen.

Grade: D

 Andy Sutton: Great acquisition by Murray at the Trade Deadline proved his worth and it would be great to keep him around. He and Karlsson were a great second pairing. UFA now, it will be interesting if he wants to stay.

Grade: A

 Anton Volchenkov: The Russian warrior played great in what may be his last season in an Ottawa uniform. Seemed to crank up his hitting presence and really picked it up in the playoffs. He’s a UFA as many would now know, so it may come down to Sutton or Volchenkov?

Grade: B