Ottawa Senators Thoughts on the Kid Line, Jared Cowen.

Nov 8, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Jets left wing Evander kane (9) skates with the puck in front of Ottawa Senators defenseman

(2) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Jets defeated the Seantors 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Cowen:

A few weeks ago, I wrote this little piece that Jared Cowen had become a trade target and that the Senators were unlikely to deal. This came a few days after Jared Cowen was back in the lineup after seeing 5 consecutive games in the pressbox.

Since then, Cowen has returned as a good defender. Cowen held his ground against Minnesota and had another great performance against Winnipeg.

If you haven’t read it already there is a great post on SilverSevenSens.com analyzing Cowen’s recent improvement. [A must read]. Jared Cowen’s time to step comes at an interesting time. Chris Phillips is currently out, but could play tonight against the leafs.

If Phillips is in, who comes out? Shawn Simpson claimed the answer to be Patrick Wiercioch, last night. I’d have to agree. Wiercioch’s game hasn’t been fantastic, and he may have fallen to the bottom of the depth chart. Tomorrow’s line may look a little something like this.

I’d slot Borowiecki with Karlsson, again. He’s been reliable there and despite not playing Karlsson’s minutes, Karl always has another D partner to play with.

Speaking of Erik Karlsson, did you see his hipcheck on Evander Kane last night?

Anyways, I’d keep Boro there, and slot Phillips down in the 6 spot. We don’t want to overplay him like he was early on, causing muscle fatigue. Cowen – Ceci is Otawa’s 2nd pair, where Ceci has been solid all season and Cowen has certainly improved.

The Kids. 

So much talk has been on “the Kid line” recently. And rightfully so, the Line has arguably been Ottawa’s best of late and continues to be dominant in the offensive zone.

Mark Stone has been great this season, his size and strength allow him to control play through the middle of the ice. So much has been made of Mark Stone’s skating, and it’s clear things have improved there. Mike Hoffman had 2 goals vs Winnipeg and Curtis Lazar has yet to score his 1st, but you can feel it.. it’s coming. 

Curtis Lazar has yet to score his 1st, but you can feel it.. it’s coming.

Not to mention just the forwards though, it’s Ottawa’s youth movement that has excited. Robin Lehner has astounded and at 23… he’s still a kid. Alex Chiasson is 24 and is 3rd in team scoring, Mark Stone is 22 and matches Chiasson’s number. Not discussing Cody Ceci who has arguably been Ottawa’s most consistent defender all season.

Paul MacLean continues to use the kid line wisely. Not too much ice time, but just enough to get them going. The line has averaged 12-14 minutes each night, with Lazar being on the lower end of that. The line can score, so you can see the argument for more ice time; but I wouldn’t give it to them just yet.

These kids are young. They have played 85 NHL games combined, and that’s not a lot. A sheltered role is exactly what these guys need.

The team is young, the future is bright.