Most Improved: Ottawa Senators End Of Season Awards
By Jack Leiper
The votes are in, we’ve eliminated rookies from the conversation, so Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, and Andrew Hammond are out. This criteria is strictly looking at the player that had shown the biggest improvement this season based on his others in a Senators’ uniform.
The winner..
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JEAN-GABRIEL PAGEAU
Mar 15, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) celebrates his goal scored against Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ray Emery (29) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Ottawa’s only roster player under 6 feet who takes this one. “JGP” showed up after his December call-up and became a full-time player for this Senators’ team. Pageau was previously touted after some early AHL success and his playoff hat trick over two seasons ago.
However, after an underwhelming 13-14 campaign, Pageau was sent back down to Binghamton to start 14-15 after playing his way on the roster in training camp.
As a pending RFA, his late season improvement will earn him a one-way contract and a permanent spot on Ottawa’s roster. He was often used under Dave Cameron as the team’s third line center, posting a stat-line that was very favourable considering his position. 10 goals and 19 points in 50 games was what Pageau contributed, but beyond the points it was how he played the puck up the ice and the “fire” he brought each night that impressed.
Not to mention his impressive possession stats, as he highlighted a 3rd line that featured Erik Condra and Curtis Lazar, all who held positive corsi percentages when playing with Pageau.
RUNNER-UP:
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Mar 17, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Ottawa Senators defensemen Patrick Wiercioch (46) celebrates his 2nd period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
PATRICK WIERCIOCH
It was some late season success that gives Wiercioch the runner-up nod here, but it definitely didn’t always look that way. Wiercioch found himself being the second most scratched player this season, only behind Colin Greening.
Wiercioch’s late success and playoff play gained him some recognition as he was added to Team Canada’s World Championship roster, capping off a season that now looks like a success.
Senshot writer, Eldrinson Vado gave us his reasoning about why he chose Wiercioch:
"The funny thing is with Patrick is he just needed the proper ice time to show off his skills. A regular healthy scratch under Paul Maclean didn’t allow Patrick Wierioch to prove his worth. Under Dave Cameron though, it was a different story."
Wiercioch did find himself a scratch under Cameron, but was hardly used under MacLean. The off-season becomes even more interesting especially with recent comments from Bryan Murray who still holds on to the prospects of Jared Cowen.
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But for Wiercioch and Pageau, the Senators find themselves having two good depth players and two young depth players, who could be around for some time.
Honourable Mentions: Erik Condra, Mika Zibanejad.
Coming Next: Needs improvment.
Next: 2014-15 Ottawa Senators Top Forward