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.
MARK BOROWIECKI
Ottawa native Mark Borowiecki embarked on the first of a 2 year contract, the first of which was a 2 way deal, with a one-way contract kicking in for year 2. The captain of the Binghamton Senators started the season in the AHL, but was summoned for a look-see for about a month in November when the Senators struggled out of the gate. He got into 13 NHL games, scoring one goal and recording 48 penalty minutes, before being returned to Bingo for the duration of the season.
Nov 7, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki (74) reacts after scoring his first NHL goal in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
THE GOOD
- Scored his first career NHL goal November 7th against Montreal
- Added an element of pure toughness that wasn’t previously present on the blue line
THE BAD
- Had a penchant for taking bad penalties at inopportune times for the Senators
- His desire to make the big hit often put him out of position
CONTRACT STATUS
As stated earlier, the second and final year of Borowiecki’s current deal is a 1 way contract for $600,000.
PROGNOSIS
Despite the 1 way deal, not sure if Borowiecki can play a full season as a regular top 6 defenseman. Plus there are already 6 defensemen signed that played more in Ottawa this season, plus RFA Eric Gryba. Ottawa has enough slow-footed defensemen and if they are going to add, it should be a more mobile player.
GRADE: C Wasn’t really a difference maker, but made a fair contribution when he was called upon.