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.
DEREK GRANT
Derek Grant spent 20 games with the Senators early on in the season. He was a mid-October call-up and saw action primarily on the 4th line and saw penalty kill duty. After a 4 game stint the previous season, it was another opportunity for him to get into some game action so the organization could see exactly what they had in him.
Nov 24, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Ottawa Senators forward Derek Grant (57) reaches for the puck during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Grant played less than 10 minutes per game, about 1/4 of that while the Senators were shorthanded. Grant did show some offensive ability in Binghamton (19 goals and 28 points in 63 games) but whether or not that will translate to the NHL given adequate opportunity is yet to be seen.
He was solid in the face-off circle, and was even better on the road than at home in the dot.
THE GOOD
- Recorded his first career NHL point, an assist, on November 1st against the Islanders, his first of two points in his stint with Ottawa.
- Led the Senators in road faceoff percentage (54.7%)
THE BAD
- Still looking for his first NHL goal after 25 career games
- Seemed to fall down the depth chart as other players were called up ahead of him later in the season.
CONTRACT STATUS
Grant will be a restricted free agent on July 1st, requiring a qualifying offer of $660,000. He is eligible to receive a 2 way offer.
PROGNOSIS
Grant will be looked at as a depth player who can continue to develop his skills in the AHL and can fill in a defensive role should the need arise on Ottawa for a short term. Probably still a year or two away from being ready for full time duty, and even when he is his role will be limited.
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GRADE: C – Grant was decent, but even in the penalty kill role he was victimized on numerous occasions resulting in goals against. Didn’t do much to stand out, hence his return to Bingo and lack of another recall.