Ottawa Senators Defensemen and Goalies – 1st Quarter Grades

#65 RD. Ottawa Senators. ERIK KARLSSON. B-. Karlsson’s game hasn’t been dry offensively, and we expect that at this point. His defensive game, has seen a few head scratchers. Karlsson seems to fall with the team where when Karlsson’s bad, so is the team. Karlsson is clearly this team’s most talented player and Ottawa is beyond lucky to have him. “Karl” still takes a lot of heat for his defensive folies and needs to limit those as much as possible.

JARED COWEN. B. Jared Cowen had a rough first start to the season, but found a way to turn it around later on. Cowen saw the pressbox for 5 straight games and has stayed in the lineup since then. Cowen has worked the line well and had some of his best games as a Senator lately. For the fact that Cowen rebounded (before a poor outing vs DET, last night) he earns a B+ for his 1st quarter efforts.. #2 LD. Ottawa Senators

Cody Ceci has come in and provided stability for Ottawa. Ceci has grown in his game but still is suspect to a couple mistakes, like any young defender. Ceci is only 20-years-old and his tireless skating has been very evident in the early going. For that, Ceci earns the top grade on Ottawa and looks to keep steady for the next quarters.. #5 RD. Ottawa Senators. CODY CECI. A-

B+. Mark Borowiecki has played a good game in the early going. It’s evident he’s not afraid to drop the gloves and Borowiecki’s grit brings Ottawa physicality and truculance on a night to night basis. Borowiecki leads Ottawa in penalty minutes with more than 40. Borowiecki has been a regular on Ottawa’s squad and for that he earns a B+ grade.. #74 LD. Ottawa Senators. MARK BOROWIECKI

Ottawa Senators. CHRIS PHILLIPS. B. Chris Phillips was playing heavy minutes early on in the season and appeared to take their toll on him. Phillips has been in and out of the lineup with injury. I give Phillips a B as he has been involved in a few poor situations, specifically involving turnovers and giveaways. Chris Phillips is 36 years old and on this team for another season, and with Methot expected to return Phillips may be pushed back on the Senators depth chart.. #4 LD

#46 RD. Ottawa Senators. PATRICK WIERCIOCH. C+. Patrick Wiercioch has again found a way to be the 7th defencemen in Paul MacLean’s system. I wrote an earlier piece on whether or not the Senators should trade Wiercioch and the fact he plays a style of game not favoured by the coach. Wiercioch will need to become more defensively reliable if he wants to be a regular in Mac’s system. If not, he may see the press box even more.

ERIC GRYBA. B. There’s not much flash to Eric Gryba’s game, none at all to be honest. It’s hard to grade player that has just been “good” and so, Eric Gryba meets our expectations. A B signifies that as Gryba has been able to be a regular in MacLean’s squad and isn’t a liability on the ice. Nothing to complain about here.. #62 RD. Ottawa Senators