The season is off to a good start for the Senators. A 3-1-0 record has gone Ottawa’s way, yet certain players may not be playing to their fullest extent just yet.
Erik Karlsson is off to a great start, Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur have met expectations and the games of Mark Stone and Alex Chiasson have been enjoyed by fans.
I’ll throw in a disclaimer that says we are only 3 games into the season and things like point totals don’t show an absolute trend.
Oct 13, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan (6) falls in front of Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) in the third period at BB&T Center. The Senators won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
1. Bobby Ryan
Bobby Ryan had a great pre-season. He recorded 2 goals in a game against Toronto and wrapped up the Pre-season with 3 goals, 2 assists in 3 games. 3 games into the regular season, it was different story
Bobby has a goal and an assist in 4 games, a 0.50 ppg number. Yet, Bobby has been quiet in every game and he needs to be less of that.
Lines have been juggled and Bobby Ryan is off the MacArthur – Turris line. Playing with Mika Zibanejad and Alex Chiasson provides a more balanced top 6 and gives Chiasson/Zibanejad the chance to play with an established scorer.
Bobby Ryan’s been quiet, there’s no arguement. He will be looked at to start producing at 5 on 5 and on the PP. In other words, take him of the Penalty Killing squad, coach MacLean.
Mar 22, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Colin Greening (14) watches his team take on the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Senators 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2. Colin Greening
Well, Colin Greening doesn’t “need” to up his game. There are other forwards who can replace him. However, if he wants to remain on the Senators.. he’ll want to start playing to his ability sometime soon.
Ottawa has a number of NHL ready players/prospects who’d be more than willing to take Colin Greening’s spot. Whether it be Mike Hoffman or Curtis Lazar or AHLers Matt Puempel, JG Pageau, or Buddy Robinson.
That being said, Colin Greening has found his way into only 1 game so far and is set to be a scratch against Columbus, tonight.
For Colin’s sake and the hope that he is able to be an effective player in the league again, he may want to treat every game as his last. At least in Ottawa.
Mar 22, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Senators 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
3. Mika Zibanejad
Pierre McGuire said a while back that this season is a big telling year for Mika Zibanejad.
With Curtis Lazar coming up quick, Mika Zibanejad has the 2nd line center role for now. If he can’t put up points, McGuire suggests that it might be Curtis Lazar who soon out-plays him.
Zibanejad has yet to record a point in 4 games and despite it being early, Mika needs to be putting up points.
Zibanejad scored at a relatively similar pace in 12-13 as he did in 13-14. As a former Top 10 pick, there are still high expectations and Mika has not reached his ceiling yet. Is this the year? Let’s hope so..
Sep 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (21) and Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen (2) battle for position in front of goaltender Robin Lehner (40) during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
4. Jared Cowen
Jared Cowen found himself surprised after he was assigned press-box time after being on the top pairing with Erik Karlsson.
Well, most Sens fans weren’t.
Hope is quickly fading for Jared Cowen. His play was atrocious last year, and not much has seemed to change since. Well he’s not expected to score goals or put up points he is expected to have a high hockey IQ and know his position on the ice.
Poor passes, failed breakouts have all been a part of Cowen’s game. Looking at stats via @SenStats on twitter we see the following.
The Senators were out-chanced 11-0 at 5v5 with Jared Cowen on the ice.
— Senstats (@senstats) October 14, 2014
Cowen will need to clean up his act on the ice, or he may see a demoted role and the possibility of a move out of Ottawa.