After letting the disappointment of the season settle down a bit, we will now take the opportunity to examine the performance by each player on the roster who played 10 games or more with the Senators. The good, the bad and sometimes ugly of the season gone by, the future and their potential contributions. This year we will go from fewest games played to the most.
STEPHANE DA COSTA
Stephane Da Costa entered the season as a roster hopeful, and whether it was a wakeup call for Mika Zibanejad (who was demoted to Binghamton) or whether he did it on merit, Da Costa was still in Ottawa when the opening day roster was announced.
Oct 4, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators center Stephane Da Costa (24) in play during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. The Senators beat the Sabres 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
However, after 4 unimpressive and pointless games, he was sent to Binghamton to continue to develop his game. Da Costa became a point per game player in the AHL, and earned another look in an 8 game stint prior to the Olympic Break. During that run he scored 3 goals and added an assist and was much better in the faceoff circle than his previous opportunity, but was once again sent to Binghamton for the balance of the season.
THE GOOD
- Named to opening day roster
- Recorded his first career 2 goal game Jan 28 @ Columbus
- Tallied 58 points in 56 AHL regular season games
THE BAD
- Couldn’t stick in the NHL for the third straight year.
CONTRACT STATUS
Will be a restricted free agent after this season. If getting to the point where a 2 way contract might not be enough, but has he shown enough to get a 1 way deal from Ottawa or someone else? His qualifying offer for the Senators to retain his right will be $866, 250.
PROGNOSIS
After 3 full professional seasons, Da Costa is quickly leaving the realm of prospect and will soon get the minor leaguer/depth player tab, that is tough to shake. Is there a spot in the Ottawa organization for him and will a spot open up either by trading him or someone else on the roster.
GRADE: D He was afforded the opportunity out of training camp and failed to capitalize on it.