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 first installment on The Report Card, talking about players up front.
Daniel Alfredsson: The highest scoring player on the team once again, the Captain again showed why he matters to the city and the organization. For the second playoffs in a row, he played injured.
Grade: A
Jonathan Cheechoo: Really never fit on the team. Seemed lost and stuck in mud. Sent down to Binghamton for time until he played one game in the playoffs, a 7-4 loss, ironically. Has some heart and grit, though.
Grade: D
Matt Cullen: Acquired at the Trade Deadline for Picard and a 2nd round pick. Did okay in the regular season, but amazing in the playoffs. Murray should keep him and not become another Stillman.
Grade: B
Shean Donovan: Really disapperead and stayed as a healthy scratch during Ottawa’s run at season’s end. Didn’t play too badly in 2 playoff games.
Grade: B
Mike Fisher: Best season statistically and playing-wise for Mr.Underwood. Almost made Team Canada, and scored some big goals in the playoffs. Now, time for wedding bells!
Grade: A
Nick Foligno: Drop-off season for Nicky Boy but also an injury-plagued season for the Americn/Canadian forawrd. Good playoffs for him as well.
Grade: C
Chris Kelly: Huge bounce back season this year. Really proved his worth on this team and put the critics to sleep. Formed one of the best thhird lines is Senators history with Ruutu and Neil.
Grade: B
Alex Kovalev: Very streaky season for the skilled Russian. Seems he lived up to his bill of inconsistency. I still think he made Mike Fisher who is now and would have helped in the playoffs.
Grade: C
Milan Michalek: Started out his Senators career on fire, including his first career hat-trick. Than he fell cold after two seperate major injuries. Another guy Ottawa could have used for the playoff run. Huge chemisty with Spez, though.
Grade: B
Chris Neil: 1/3 of the best third line in Senators’ history. Really turned it on in the latter stages of the season and in the playoffs. Clearly this guy matters to Ottawa.
Grade: A
Peter Regin: Great rookie season for the best hockey player to come out of Denmark. Showed his stuff in the playoffs with 3 goals and 2 assists.
Grade: A
Jarkko Ruutu: Another part of that famous third line. Scored a career-high in points and did what he’s supposed to—get under the skin of others.
Grade: B
Ryan Shannon: What the hell happened to this kid? He literally got lost in the fires and never was able to pick himself up. He has to prove his contract was worth it, or he’s done.
Grade: D
Zack Smith: A coming out year for the young kid who looks like a shoe-in for next season’s lineup. He really seemed to bring his edge every game, including the playoffs.
Grade: A
Jason Spezza: Injury plagued season for Spez but he really turned it up a notch and really seemes to be finally developing to a young Steve Yzerman.
Grade: B
Jesse Winchester: Fell off a bit in point production but played well on the defensive side for Ottawa. I still don’t think he is of big value for the Senators.
Grade: C
Overall Senators’ Grade: B