Ottawa Senators Mid-Term Grades – The Forwards

The Ottawa Senators opened the second half of the season the same way they closed the first half – with a win.  It marked the first time in 6 weeks that the inconsistent Senators posted back to back W’s, and hopefully it is a harbinger for things to come.  Yesterday I looked back at the first half of the Senators season by handing out grades to the goaltenders and defensemen, and today I turn my attention to the forwards.

Dec 21, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring his second goal of the game during the second period against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Spezza

Dec 14, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) shoots on Los Angeles Kings goalie Martin Jones (31) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre.The Kings defeated the Senators 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Expectation:  Spezza came back from back surgery that derailed his lockout shortened season, and the expectation was for him to be fully recovered and resume his role as the offensive catalyst for the Senators and to combine with newcomer Bobby Ryan to be a potent 1-2 punch on the first line.

In The First Half:  Spezza was good, but not great in the first half.  He still didn’t seem to be 100% and the chemistry wasn’t instant with Ryan and the coaching staff didn’t have the patience to see if it would develop.  Spezza had a revolving door of wingers on his sides and didn’t have much consistency in that area.

GRADE: C

Potential for Improvement:  If he can regain full health Spezza is still a number 1 centre, and can carry a line.  Whether that will happen this season is still up in the air.

Bobby Ryan

Dec 9, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan (6) controls the puck in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

The Senators biggest off-season acquisition advertised that he was “coming in hot” and he has been as advertised.  He leads the team in goals (18) and is second only to Erik Karlsson in points (36).  He has built great chemistry with Kyle Turris and has been the go-to guy offensively.

GRADE:  A

Potential for Improvement:  If chemistry would develop with Spezza, there is the opportunity for more offense since Spezza is a better playmaker than Turris at this point in time.

Milan Michalek

Dec 19, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek (9) in the second period against the Florida Panthers at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Expectation:  Michalek was also coming off injury, another knee problem that was repaired with a unique draining treatment in Germany in the off-season.  He was expected to be a supporting player on the top line, or perhaps join the second line as an anchor for the top 6.

In the First Half:  Michalek seemed to have lost a step and didn’t come close to being a dangerous offensive player.  He is on pace for a career low 12 goals and although there have been pockets of a return to top speed, those glimpses have been few and far between.
GRADE:  D

Potential for Improvement: Health is the concern, as the knee problems have been chronic.  However, he is playing for a contract and the Senators don’t have a ton of top 6 options so he will continue to get the opportunities.

Kyle Turris

Dec 28, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) controls the puck with Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski (42) moving in during the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Expectation:  After shouldering the load for much of last season as the de-facto number 1, was expected to take those experiences and be a much better #2 with the return of Spezza.  A steady improvement and being a consistent two-way threat would be a success.

In the First Half:  With Spezza struggling at times, Turris was a beacon, developing chemistry quickly with newcomers Ryan and Clarke MacArthur to become, if not a first line then a very good second option.  They not only put points on the board, but all three were well into the pluses in the +/- rating.

GRADE:  A

Potential for Improvement:  Overall strength is something that still eludes Turris, and that is not something that will be fixed during the season.  He has shown that he can play like a #1 centre in spurts, but can also get worn down when facing bigger centres and defensemen.

Clarke MacArthur

Dec 19, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Clarke MacArthur (16) tries to get past Florida Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbransen (44) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Expectations:  The player signed the day Alfredsson left town came to Ottawa amid mixed expectations.  The former Leaf and Sabre bounced around the lineup from first to fourth line and wasn’t given much of a chance to display his wares.  He came in expecting to compete for a top 6 role and eat up minutes.

In The First Half:  MacArthur might just be the best all-around performer of the first half.   No matter what line he played on, he made an impact and he impressed with his dependability in all situations.  He went through a couple of lengthy scoring droughts, but his all-around game was impressive.

GRADE:  A

Potential For Improvement:  He is on pace for a career high in goals and could approach his career high of 62 points with a consistent 2nd half.

Zack Smith

Nov 28, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Zack Smith (15) skates with the puck as Vancouver Canucks left wing David Booth (7) chases during the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Expectation:  Smith was supposed to be a good option as a 3rd line centre and provide a physical presence and good faceoff ability

In The First Half:  It was a pretty consistent first half for Smith, who anchored the third line.  He was a tireless worker who could end up also setting a career high in goals (currently 14), having 8 at the half.  He did have his struggles at times, but you could never complain about his effort.

GRADE:  A

Potential For Improvement:  A little more playmaking ability would benefit Smith, now that he seems to be playing with a consistent set of wingers who do have a little bit of finish.

Colin Greening

Dec 3, 2013; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Sean Bergenheim (20) is checked into the boards by Ottawa Senators left wing Colin Greening (14) in the third period at BB

Expectation:  After signing a contract extension that will kick in next season for almost $3M per year, Greening was expected to compete for a top 6 forward spot, providing size and grit to one of the top 2 lines in a worst case scenario, or to provide a little offense to the bottom half of the lineup.

In The First Half:  Greening struggled to find his place in the lineup.  Almost by default he was placed in a top 6 role, but didn’t provide the offense that was needed as part of those units.  He started the season with a 24 game scoreless drought and had just 3 goals at the midway point. He then became a mainstay on a pretty good third line with Smith and Chris Neil, providing a physical presence and hard checking line that is tough to play against.
GRADE:  C

Potential for Improvement:  The contract he signed will be tough to live up to in that role, but the crash and bang third line role is perfect for him.  If he can continue to go up and down his wing, deliver hits and the odd goal here and there, the Senators should be happy.

Chris Neil

Dec 27, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Chris Neil (25) looks for a rebound in front of Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) and defenseman Matt Bartkowski (43) during the third period of Boston

Expectation:  Given the role of alternate Captain shows the influence Neil has on the team not only on the ice but in the room.  He was expected to lead by example, be physical and stick up for his teammates.

In The First Half:  Neil did his job for the most part, playing a no-nonsense game and patrolling his wing.  He chipped in 5 goals and just under 100 penalty minutes.

GRADE:  B

Potential For Improvement:  Unfortunately, just when the trio of Smith, Neil and Greening was developing nicely, Neil opened the second half of the season by getting injured in a collision with Alexander Ovechkin, and he is out for an indeterminate amount of time.

Cory Conacher

Dec 23, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Cory Conacher (89) scores against Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Penguins 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Expectation:  After winning the role of top 6 forward in training camp, Conacher was expected to build on the solid rookie season he had and continue to improve.

In The First Half:  Conacher lost the top 6 role, found himself bouncing around the lineup, filling in whenever and wherever needed. A decent utility player who probably won’t be a consistent scorer.

GRADE:  C

Potential For Improvement:  Conacher will continue to develop, but for a player his size it will be tough for him to find a consistent spot in the top 6 to get prime scoring opportunities.

Mika Zibanejad

Dec 28, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) is the named the first star in game against the Boston Bruins at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Bruins 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Expectation:  After a solid rookie campaign, Zibanejad was expected to be a contributor in the lineup either as a top 6 winger or 3rd/4th line centre gaining more experience as a young player in the NHL.

In The First Half:  Zibanejad received a wake-up call with a demotion to Binghamton because the team felt that he didn’t compete well enough for a spot and sort of expected it to be handed to him. After the wake up call was heeded and he returned to the Senators, Zibanejad has been a good player for the team, alternating between 4th line centre and first/second line winger. He has fit in well as a 2nd line centre in the recent absence of Jason Spezza.

GRADE:  B

Potential For Improvement:  Zibanejad is getting better by the game, and that improvement will continue over the rest of the season. He has still a  lot to learn, and he seems willing to soak it all in.

Matt Kassian

Dec 9, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Matt Kassian (28) fights with Philadelphia Flyers left wing Jay Rosehill (37) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Expectation:  Kassian was expected to be a part-time player, getting inserted into the lineup when there was an indication that an enforcer was needed.

In The First Half:  Kassian hasn’t done much, getting into 19 games and registering only 22 penalty minutes and no points. He averages under 4 minutes per game when he does play.

GRADE:  D

Potential For Improvement:  Not much.  Probably shouldn’t be in the lineup most nights.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Dec 23, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Harry Zolnierczyk (39) and Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Expectation:  Coming off a great playoff run, expectations were high and probably unfair.  His hat trick against Montreal made him an instant legend and made it a tough act to follow.

In The First Half:  Pageau made the team out of camp, but struggled early on and was sent to Binghamton.  He has since been recalled and has filled a 4th line role, playing about 10 minutes per game in the 18 games he has suited up for, notching 2 goals.

GRADE:  C

Potential for Improvement:  Pageau is another very young player who will do nothing but learn and soak up the experience whatever level he plays at.