Ottawa Senators Matt Puempel Seeks to Establish Himself

The life of a professional hockey player isn’t always easy. Fame and fortune are just a couple shots away, but the physical and mental grind can be exhausting. Matt Puempel of the Ottawa Senators is well aware of the challenges of the lifestyle.

There was a great piece in the Ottawa Sun about Puempel’s 2015-2016 season, and the up-and-down journey it was.

Hockey players fight to establish a niche for themselves in the NHL, and often that struggle results in multiple trips back down to the minors before getting an extended tenure in the big leagues.

Puempel started off last season in Binghamton. Later in October, he was recalled by Ottawa. He was sent back down to Binghamton in late November.

2 months later, Ottawa brought him back up. Just 3 games later, though, he was sent back down to Binghamton.

On Leap Day, he was recalled by Ottawa and ended up staying on the roster for the rest of the season.

More from Ottawa Senators News

“I think last year was a bit of a roller coaster,” said Puempel. Even when he was up in Ottawa, he didn’t get very much ice time. However, Puempel understands that it’s part of the challenge of establishing yourself as a player.

“You’re not playing too much with the lineup and situation but you’ve got to pay your dues,” said Puempel.

With new head coach Guy Boucher arriving, Puempel is treating next season as a fresh opportunity to prove himself, which is a sentiment that’s easy to agree with.

“I had a good relationship with Dave but obviously with the new coaching staff, it’s exciting,” said Puempel, referring to former Senators’ head coach Dave Cameron.

Puempel was a big goal scorer in Binghamton, but hasn’t equaled that production level in Ottawa. In 26 games with Ottawa last season, he scored 2 goals and tallied 1 assist.

He played 13 games in 2014-2015 and also scored 2 goals and 1 assist during that stretch. Puempel admitted that he played a little too cautiously last season.

“I think last year I was hesitant at times and wanted to make the safer play, as opposed to really going out of my limits and do what I’m kind of known for,” said Puempel.

He was a first round pick back in 2011, and Puempel is entrenched in the competition for 4th line left winger.

The team is waiting to see who ends up asserting themselves on that left wing depth chart behind Mike Hoffman, Zack Smith, and Clarke MacArthur.

Puempel, Ryan Dzingel, and Nick Paul are the likely candidates for that last spot in the lineup. Paul was acquired in the Jason Spezza trade, and is a two-way power forward. Dzingel is smaller than both Paul and Puempel, but a fast skater.

Based on production alone, Dzingel probably has the edge right now for that spot. Dzingel played 30 games last season and registered 3 goals and 6 assists.

It’ll be interesting to see who finally wins the competition, and there’s plenty of time before the regular season starts.

Next: Ottawa Senators Collecting Items for 25th Anniversary

Puempel sounds like he’ll do everything in his power to seize this opportunity, and it’ll be all to Ottawa’s benefit.

Home/Ottawa Senators News