Ottawa Senators Front Office Has Faith in Roster
By Ian Smith
The Ottawa Senators spent another quiet day observing free agency going on around them.
The first day of free agency they were relatively more active. Although none of their 6 deals were high profile or flashy, they were still important acquisitions to bolster the team’s depth.
Two-way contracts give a team added flexibility, as injuries are an inevitable part of any hockey season.
Reinforcements need to be plentiful, especially considering the major injuries the Senators had last season to guys like Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur.
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That detail could end up being a crucial factor in multiple regards as to why the Senators haven’t asserted themselves more into the free agent market.
The lineup is returning two talented players in Turris and MacArthur after extended absences, and general manager Pierre Dorion has hinted that their presence for the beginning of next season is a quasi-acquisition in itself.
The Senators’ front office seems pleased with their current roster, and any major overhauls were unlikely to begin with.
The biggest priorities for the offseason were going to be retaining their restricted free agents like Mike Hoffman and Cody Ceci.
Hoffman is on the verge of becoming a premier goal scorer in this league, and Ceci is a young defenseman who has improved every season he has been in the NHL.
The Senators can consider their offseason a successful one if they can get both of those players to return.
Although the Senators massively underachieved last season, it’s hard not to be intrigued by the talent on their roster.
Their scoring rates were impressive, ranking 9th in the league in goals per game despite all the injuries. Hoffman, Turris, MacArthur, Mark Stone, Bobby Ryan, Mika Zibanejad, and Zach Smith are all talented offensive players. Jean-Gabriel Pageau had a career season last year as a scorer, adding another dimension to his energetic presence on the ice.
Erik Karlsson is the best offensive blue-liner in hockey, and Dion Phaneuf can rocket the puck to the net and is a great passer, despite his glaring inconsistencies.
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They’re a talented team, and clearly the front office has faith in them with their distinct lack of transactions.