Ottawa Senators Mid-Term Grades – Goalies & Defensemen
Dec 10, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Patrick Wiercioch (46) against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Expectation: Also signing a new contract, the hope was for Wiercioch to form a solid 2nd pair with Cowen, to provide a puck moving presence to go with Cowen’s banging shutdown role. To continue the learning curve that was started with a solid rookie season.
In The First Half: As bad as Cowen’s start was, Wiercioch was probably even more disappointing. He was a healthy scratch almost as much as he was in the lineup, as his defensive zone play took a step backward. After a slow start he couldn’t find his place in the lineup and became almost an afterthought despite scoring half a point per game (14 points in 28 games).
GRADE: D
Potential to Improve: With the emergence of Cody Ceci, it might be tough for Wiercioch to get into a rhythm on a game by game basis. His potential is still there, but I am not sure how much Paul MacLean trusts him and he seems to be quickly dispatched to the doghouse.