Comparing The State Of The Franchise: Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Apr 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bozak (42) battle for the puck at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Ottawa 3-2 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The cross-ontario rivalry has died down in recent years, but it’s still always interesting to compare the NHL’s richest in Toronto to Ottawa, a cap-team who has probably been managed better than the leafs.

Toronto has been a poorly managed team and one who just can’t seem to catch a break. They haven’t made the playoffs in a full-season since 2004 when Joe Nieuwendyk was their leading scorer. The rebuild has been going for a few years now, and it hasn’t succeeded.

Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf have come into Toronto expecting to be franchise players yet both have commanded high salaries and have had their fair share of disappointments.

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Ottawa has seen a number of changes themselves. With 3 captains in 3 years including Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza leaving on poor terms, the team was able to make the playoffs in a year they weren’t supposed to. Ottawa has been an interesting team to follow and should continue to be moving forward.

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With each team expected to make changes, perhaps some more dramatic in Toronto, here’s comparing the state of the franchise in each of Ontario’s two NHL teams.

Next: Page 2: Forward Depth

The Forwards

Mar 14, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) awaits the start of play against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The LEAFS: 

The Leafs had another disappointing year which led to may of their Pending UFA pieces shipped out and for favourable returns. Toronto really dodged a bullet as compared to last season where they were forced to carry on with their pending UFA’s or deadline pieces hoping the team would continue their push to the playoffs.

So, with a few UFA forwards gone, Toronto’s depth has weakened. Here’s how it pans out currently in terms of 4 line depth:

The Leafs have some serious depth problems. Youngsters Connor Brown and William Nylander could fill-in in the Leafs’ top 6 group. The third line that will likely consist of Richard Panik (an RFA), Peter Holland and Leo Komarov is a good unit and one capable of playing a modern 3rd line role.

On the 4th line, the Leafs have control over two pending UFA’s in Zach Sill and David Booth. Booth had bright spots but might not be brought back. Former Toronto mayor, Rob Ford is a fan of Zach Sill, but he might not be brought back.

Overall, the Leafs have a solid top unit, but lack a true top center. The 3rd line exemplifies what would seem like good forward depth, but it’s not all there.

Grade: C+/B-

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The SENATORS: 

Now, on the flipside, the Senators are in a much different boat. There is a log-jam at forward and the Senators have a few too many contracts heading into the 15-16 year. Clearing them out should be a priority this off-season.

The Senators have 15 forwards who are capable of playing in the NHL. Colin Greening is a likely buyout, and the organization needs to decide whether they want Zack Smith or David Legwand and whether Chris Neil is a part of the team’s plans.

If I were steering the boat, I’d take Smith over Legwand as the 4th line center and would move out Chris Neil. Greening would be bought-out, leaving a solid 4 line system. Erik Condra is the odd man out as he could easily leave as a UFA. Condra played great hockey for Ottawa down the stretch, but he is replaceable.

In talking depth, Ottawa’s top 6 is pretty much set. Bobby Ryan was having a fantastic year until an end of season slump, and the Senators now find themselves with Mark Stone and Kyle Turris being a dynamic 1st line duo. Clarke MacArthur really played well in the late season and the Senators’ 3rd line was a big key to the team’s success. Jean-Gabriel Pageau is here to stay and so is Curtis Lazar. Throw in Milan Michalek (another potential trade candidate) to that line and he could once again find some magic in Ottawa’s lineup.

Ottawa clearly takes the cake here, beating out Toronto in terms of Forward depth.

GRADE: B+/A-

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Winner: The Ottawa Senators

Page 2: Defensive Depth

Next: Page 3: Defensive Depth

The Defenders

Mar 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing David Booth (20) circles behind the net as Ottawa Senators center David Legwand (17) bears down at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ottawa still lacks on defence, and so does Toronto. It frustrates me to see Bryan Murray continue to pursue a top 6 forward over a defender when Ottawa’s forward group and especially the top 6 seems set. Either way, here’s a comparison of two mediocre NHL defence groups.

The LEAFS: 

The Leafs have a lot of rebuilding to do if they want to compete fairly soon. Rumours continue to surround Dion Phaneuf as Toronto’s captain could be shipped out-of-town this off-season. The leafs have two promising youngsters in Jake Gardiner and Morgan Rielly. Rielly, who really took big steps last season could easily be a replacement for Dion Phaneuf in the future, but may need some more time to develop properly.

The leafs have control of Eric Brewer, a pending UFA and should consider resigning him. If the contract can be negotiated cheap, there’s no reason for Toronto to turn away a defender who played well for them last season, especially considering the questions on pending RFA’s Andrew MacWilliam and Tim Erixon, two guys who are serviceable but not always consistent.

The Toronto system has it’s faults. The frame is there, as Morgan Rielly will be a huge piece going forward. As it stands, however, Toronto doesn’t receive amazing marks here.

GRADE: C-/C

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The SENATORS: 

Ottawa’s defence group is obviously highlighted by Norris Candidate, Erik Karlsson. A piece like that alone will go far in helping a team succeed, but behind Karlsson there are still some obvious holes.

In a similar story to the forward group Ottawa now possesses, there is a l0g-jam that is one pairing too big.

Patrick Wiercioch displayed something towards the end of last season, and Cody Ceci should only continue to stabilize. We know Marc Methot and Erik Karlsson make up a true top-pairing, but after that, it’s mainly quantity over quality for the Senators.

Mark Borowiecki makes a good 7th defender. I have no problems with his game. Eric Gryba, on the other hand is a slow and often caught flat-footed defender who has trouble on the blueline. Jared Cowen, a former top 10 pick is the same story and Chris Phillips is now 36-years-old and coming off back surgery, so he’s a real wild card.

Ideally, I think the Wiercioch-Ceci pairing would be Ottawa’s 3rd pairing with another two top 4 pieces taking up Ottawa’s 2nd spot. Ceci and Wiercioch certainly hold the potential to be that pairing, but they aren’t there yet.

GRADE: B-/B

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Winner: The Ottawa Senators 

Page 3: The Goaltenders

Next: Part 3: The Goaltenders

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The Goaltenders

Oct 5, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) stops a shot by Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek (9) at the Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 5-4 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

For two teams that haven’t had too many certainties, goaltending has been certain for each team. In Toronto, the arrival of Jonathan Bernier solidified a good duo, and Ottawa finds themselves having organizational depth in the goaltending position.

The LEAFS: 

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The Leafs have had some steady goaltending over the past two years. Jonathan Bernier has posted an above average save percentage on a below average team and James Reimer has been a steady backup and occasional starter for the leafs.

The Bernier trade looks like an absolute steal as the Leafs now have a solid duo going forward as both goaltenders are still young enough to be considered pieces for the future. Bernier’s contract is up this off-season and he is due for a raise over his current AAV of $2.3 million.

The steadiness earns the Toronto Maple Leafs a good grade as they have an above average NHL duo.

Grade: A-

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The SENATORS: 

[table id=15 /]

Craig Anderson has shown the Senators he’s one of the NHL’s top goaltenders. With an average Sv% of .921 over the last three seasons, Anderson is top 10 in the league in that category. Robin Lehner has played at the league average as a 23-year-old, proving himself to be a steady goaltender.

Andrew Hammond has out-of-this-world numbers and is a pending UFA. As it stands today, the Senators have three good goaltenders in their NHL system.

Due to age and contract situation, Ottawa receives an A- as well, matching Toronto in the criteria of Goaltenders as each team has a pretty good system in place.

Grade: A-

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Winner: Tie 

League rank found using Hockey-Reference’s Player Season Finder*

Page 5: The Prospects

Next: Comparing The Leafs/Senators Prospect Pools

The Prospects

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; William Nylander poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

For two teams that have undergone rebuilds, it’s not hard to see how each team has treated rebuilding differently. For the Leafs, their go-to, fast-track rebuild involved dealing two first round picks for Phil Kessel (Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton), but the Senators stuck it out, relying heavily on drafting and developing players.

The LEAFS:

[table id=16 /]

*rankings via Hockey’sFuture.com

The Leafs system is very forward intensive. They haven’t used their feeder system in AHL a ton, with Nazem Kadri the only Leaf who spent time with the Marlies in recent memory.

William Nylander is certainly the prime prospect here, but players like Connor Brown, Brendan Leipsic, and Frederick Gauthier should be impact players at the NHL level.

Defence is lacking as Stuart Percy is the only defender close to cracking Toronto’s roster. It’s a good group of prospects and one that is bound to be quite improved come the 2015 NHL draft. Toronto holds the 4th overall pick which could lead to anyone of Mitch Marner, Noah Hanifin, Lawson Crouse, or Dylan Strome.

Grade: B+

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The SENATORS:

[table id=17 /]

*rankings via HockeysFuture.com

The Senators’ system has been heavily used in the past few seasons. Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Mark Borowiecki, Jean-Gabriel Pageau are all recent graduates. Jump back a few years before that and players like Jared Cowen, Mika Zibanejad, Robin Lehner and Jakob SIlfverberg have also graduated.

Ottawa relies heavily on drafting and developing players. Not having last year’s 1st round pick (10th OA, Nick Ritchie) hurts a little, but the Senators are still lucky to have seen success developing prospects.

The Senators are in a bit of a dry area in terms of prospects. The list above doesn’t include players like NCAA signee Matt O’Connor, and snubbed are players Max McCormick and Ryan Dzingel, two guys who could make good NHL players. As well, Swedish defender Mikael Wikstrand is left off as he is still a few years away from NHL playing time.

Either way, the Senators’ prospect pool has become a little depleted. With 3 picks inside of this year’s top 50, however, the organization will look to replenish a prospect system with 3 solid selections.

Grade: C+

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Winner: The Toronto Maple Leafs

page 6: Recap

Next: Re-capping the Leafs vs Senators Battle