Ales Hemsky – Ottawa Senators Season Wrap

After letting the disappointment of the season settle down a bit, we will now take the opportunity to examine the performance by each player on the roster who played 10 games or more with the Senators. The good, the bad and sometimes ugly of the season gone by, the future and their potential contributions.  This year we will go from fewest games played to the most.

ALES HEMSKY

The biggest acquisition of the season for the Ottawa Senators made a big impact on the Senators’ season, both before his arrival and after. The veteran was sort of hung out to dry as a forgotten individual with all the shiny new and younger toys the Oilers had to play with, recording 26 points in 55 games.  However, his best game this season as an Oiler might have been his 2 goal game on March 4th on the eve of the trade deadline.  Unfortunately it was against the Ottawa Senators, the team he would be joining in a matter of hours.  The loss came on the heels of a Heritage Classic win and started the downward spiral that culminated with them missing the playoffs.

Apr 8, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Ales Hemsky (83) scores a goal past New York Islanders goalie Anders Nilsson (45) during the third period of a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Senators defeated the Islanders 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Once Hemsky joined the Senators for the final 20 games of the season, he almost instantly boosted the performance of both Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek.  He contributed some highlight reel goals that will be shown in season-ending highlight reels and best goal compilations, but the pass-first forward scored 4 times and added 13 assists in 20 games.

THE GOOD

• Had 7 points in his first 4 games as a Senator, and that includes going pointless in the first game in Calgary.
• Scored 2 or more points 4 times in 20 games (3 points on 3 occasions)
• This goal against the Lightning on March 20th, one of the top goals of the year

THE BAD

• Scored a pair of goals in Edmonton’s 3-2 win over Ottawa, in his last game as an Oiler before joining the Sens.
• Went pointless in 10 of the 20 games he played as a Senator

CONTRACT STATUS

Barring a successful negotiation over the next two months that has him signing back in Ottawa, Hemsky will become an unrestricted Free Agent in July.

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PROGNOSIS

Hemsky has stated publicly that he would consider coming back to the Senators, and that the future of  Spezza with the team would be a contributing factor in what he decides to do.  He stated that he enjoyed playing with an elite offensive center and if Spezza was back, then he would also lean toward returning.  The uncertainty surrounding Spezza makes a deal unlikely before he hits the market.   Some have speculated that a 5 year contract in the neighborhood of $20-25M wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility should he hit the open market in a year where pickings will be slim.

GRADE:  A – Hemsky rumors cropped up over a year ago, and he brought more than anyone expected when the deal finally happened.  It would be a shame for his stint to be so short.