Fun With Numbers: Ottawa Senators Bargains and Rip Offs
Sep 30, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone (61) during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
The NHL off-season is now upon us. Many of my fellow writers have been doing wonderful work regarding upcoming free agents, the current draft class, and other Ottawa Senators related news. I have decided to take things in a strange analytical direction. I will not be analyzing any advanced metrics, I am analyzing cold hard cash.
I examined salary cap hits from the 2014-2015 and contrasted these figures with player stats. Who were the biggest bargains for the Senators in 2014-2015? Which players we’re the biggest busts in terms of money spent to results gained? This post excluded defenceman and only examined forwards.
BARGAINS
Mark Stone
Cap Hit 603,333
Goals: 26 | Assists: 38 | Points: 64
Mark Stone was tied with Kyle Turris for 2nd in points among all Senators players. Stone is an RFA this off season and will certainly be financially compensated by the Senators. The young forward had an absolutely incredible season. Stone was paid 9427$ per point. Stone was the biggest bargain on the team relating to Cap Hit/Points.
Cost-per-point: $9 427
Mike Hoffman
Cap Hit 750,000
Goals: 27 | Assists: 21 | Points: 48
Mike Hoffman was the Senators most prolific goal scorer at even strength. Hoffman was paid 15625 per point. Truly a great bargain for the Ottawa Senators. Hoffman is like Stone in the way that he will be an RFA this summer. Senators brass should definitely bring Hoffman back as he was a huge impact player. The forward was the 2nd biggest bargain in terms of Cap Hits/Points.
Cost-per-point: $15 625
Mika Zibanejad
Cap Hit 894,167
Goals: 20 | Assists: 26 | Points: 46
The 22 year old centre established himself on the teams second line this season. Zibby was paid 19438 per point last season. Zibanejad was the 3rd best bargain on the team in terms of Cap Hits/Points. He is another player who is an RFA this offseason. Will the Senators retain all three players? Logic would dictate that it would be the best move to make.
Cost-per-point: $19 438
__
The three biggest bargain players for the Senators are all set to become Restricted Free Agents. The Senators must resign these players as they are 2nd,5th, and 6th in points on the team. These players will become less of a “bargain” when they are under new contracts but that is irrelevant. The young trio were some of the Senators best players last seasons.
next page: 2014/15 Rip-Offs
Next: Ottawa Senators: 2014-15 Rip-Offs
More from SenShot
Feb 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Colin Greening (14) carries the puck during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Rip-Offs
Colin Greening
Cap Hit 2,293,817
Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Points: 1
Colin Greening had a very troubling season. He played in twenty six games and registered only one point. Greening averaged only 09:49 in ice time a game. Greening has a contract worth over two million dollars a year due to a season where he put up thirty seven points. $2 293 817 is the price tag Greening was paid for his lone point on the season. The Senators waived Greening late in January. What does the future hold for the 29 year old? I can not be certain, but am fairly sure it is not up with the big club.
Cost-per-point: $2 293 817
Zack Smith
Cap Hit 1,887,500
Goals: 2 | Assists: 1 | Points 3
Smith played in only thirty seven games this season. The twenty seven year old’s best season was in 2011-2012, where he had fourteen goals and twelve assists resulting in twenty six points. Smith was paid $629 166 per point. Some might argue that Smith’s role on the team is not to produce points, but I believe that is false. Smith was deployed in the defensive zone a fair amount, he had a 44.4 ZSO%. That still does not justify his low Corsi%. Jean-Gabriel Pageau had a 43.6 ZSO% and a 51.7 Corsi%. Smith’s Corsi% was only 47.1. Smith was simply not a very effective player last season.
Cost-per-point: $629 166
Chris Neil
Cap Hit 1,900,000
Goals: 4 | Assists: 3 | Points 7
Chris Neil has been an Ottawa Senator for quite some time. Neil has been a fan favourite since the 2001-2002 season. The Senators forward is paid more for his fisticuffs than his scoring ability. Neil only played in thirty eight regular season games. Neil was paid 271,428 per point he scored this season. It is interesting to see that Neil scored more points and cost the Senators less than Zack Smith. Neil is not ever going to deliver huge goal scoring numbers but it would be nice to see him not have the worst 2nd worst Corsi% on the team with a 45.2%.
Cost-per-point: $271 428
Cost-per-penalty-minute: $12 180
The Senators young studs have clearly been their biggest bargains in terms of finances. The worst players financially speaking are older depth players. Greening has a very unfortunate contract, Smith has never really been that useful, Neil is a classic long serving tough guy. Where will these Senators fit into the grand scheme of things next year? Only time will tell.
Next: Jeff Petry Is A Perfect Fit In Ottawa