What Will The Ottawa Senators Defense Look Like Next Season?
In the life of an NHL franchise, while paying attention to the present, you also have to have one eye on the future. As I did last season, I will take a look at what the Ottawa Senators might look like next season. Today I will focus attention on the blueline, one that could have a different look next season.
Nov 7, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) celebrates a goal scored by defenseman Mark Borowiecki (74) in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Currently there are 8 defensemen on the Senators’ roster, and depending on the night, this is how they pretty much line up:
Marc Methot – Patrick Wiercioch/Eric Gryba
Now, lets look at some different possibilities:
THE MAINSTAYS
Jan 25, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Ottawa Senators defensemen Erik Karlsson (65) carries the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Ottawa Senators 6-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
A return to Norris Trophy form has erased a lot of fears about his long term recovery and the ramifications of his quick return to action after the Achilles’ tendon injury last season. Signed, sealed and delivered for 5 more years.
Jan 28, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Artem Anisimov (42) and Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen (2) chase a loose puck at Nationwide Arena. The Senators won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
2. Jared Cowen
Has had his struggles, especially early on, but despite facing a lot of criticism for his lack of mobility and foot speed, he has rebounded as he gets further and further from last season’s crippling hip injury. He has found a home on the top pairing with Karlsson, and given the coaching staff’s apparent desire to keep that combo together, it looks like that is a duo the Senators want to run with for years. Signed for 3 more years after this one.
Jan 16, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Cody Ceci (5) chases the puck in the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
3. Cody Ceci
Made the jump to the NHL faster than anyone expected, he has been logging top 4 minutes and getting better with every game. Still not a polished player, but has turned heads with his steep learning curve. He will be a top 4 blueliner for the foreseeable future and a big part of the plans from now going forward. He will still have 2 years on his entry level contract.
Jan 4, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) before the game against Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
4. Marc Methot
Seems to have taken a step backward this season, and with just one year after this one left on his contract, a decision will have to be made at some point on his value to the team and his desire to stay here. A couple of healthy scratches this season coming off injuries seem to have soured him a little bit, and whether or not that has an impact on his asking price will be determined when and if negoiations begin. He could be traded at some point, but he should either be an anchor for the third pair or a complement to Ceci’s development.
Oct 23, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Eric Gryba (62) celebrates his goal in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
5. Eric Gryba
His size is unteachable and his ability to play with the puck is improving game by game. He has developed to the point where he can be a quality 5-6-7 defenseman. He will be an RFA after this season, and should command a bit of a raise, but will never be a guy who breaks the bank and you know what you are going to get from him. He might not be an everyday player but should stick on the roster for the season.
QUESTION MARKS
Jan 14, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Phillips (4) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Senators defeated the Wild 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The veteran has stepped his game up this season and taken more of a role than had been expected of him heading into the campaign. He is set to become an unrestricted Free Agent this summer, and although his heart and soul is in Ottawa, he might have to take a cut on his $3.08M salary, and accept a 1 year deal going forward, to remain with the Senators. It would be tough to lose two long-time stars and members of the community in consecutive summers, but that could be the case.
Dec 5, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Patrick Wiercioch (46) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
He has had a difficult time staying in the lineup on a nightly basis. He could be a prime trade candidate if the Senators want to try and land a top 6 forward or help in other areas either at the trade deadline or in the summer. He seems to have a permanent cot in Paul MacLean‘s doghouse, and Ceci’s rapid development seems to have made him expendable. His 2 years remaining at $2M could be an attractive contract to deal if he can find the right spot.
Nov 20, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Wild right wing Jason Pominville (29) shoots on Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) as defenseman marck Borowiecki (74) defends in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre.The Wild defeated the Senators 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Although he started the season with the Senators, he still needed a bit of polish to his game. Next year his contract will be a 1 way deal so there are decisions to be made. Physical, not afraid to mix it up, he adds a dimension that the Senators don’t have much of. The question is, can the Senators afford to ice a less-mobile third pairing of Gryba and Borowiecki?
4. Fredrik Claesson
The second year pro should make a push for a roster spot next season, although with the depth ahead of him it could be a tough task. However, he has doubled his production already this season (in just 44 games as opposed to 70 last year) and by all reports will be at minimum an in-season call-up.
BYE BYE
Dec 5, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Joe Corvo (77) skates with the puck during the third period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
1. Joe Corvo
Corvo was a solid signing as a stop-gap measure on a one year deal, but with the emergence of Ceci he has been pushed down to 8th on the depth chart, and if Murray can get anything in return for him as a rental between now and the trade deadline, the trigger would likely be pulled. He has played just 2 games since December, and doesn’t fit into the Senators plans going forward.
CONCLUSION
So, there are going to be some changes on the horizon. A lot of it depends on what the Senators do with Wiercioch and Phillips, and whether Methot expresses a desire to return with an extension. There will be contracts to be negotiated up front that will be expensive, and what expenses they have at forward could result in going with a younger, cheaper blue line.