NHL Expansion: Ottawa Senators Protected List
By Jack Leiper
Apr 2, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Methot (3) skates with the puck in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Lightning 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Defenders:
With three protected spots available and Cody Ceci secure, it’s not a hard choice for Ottawa to make their three protected picks.
PROTECTED:
Erik Karlsson – see: Norris Trophy
Marc Methot – With a new contract, Methot is back for 5 more years in a Senators uniform. He’s been the guy paired beside Karlsson for the last three seasons, and is the only other sure bet on Ottawa. Methot is protected.
Patrick Wiercioch – With a strong end to the season, Wiercioch finds himself on the protected list where just months before it seemed like Wiercioch could be on the move for a return as little as a 3rd round pick. It’s nice to see Wiercioch hold high potential again and with the Senators’ franchise. He’s protected.
UN-PROTECTED:
Chris Phillips – Now a veteran well past his prime, Phillips has a year left on his contract and with his NHL future in question, he isn’t held. Not a player you use a protect on, even if there are more than three.
Jared Cowen – Perhaps the toughest of the bunch to let go. The organization still holds out that Cowen will be a good player, but his current salary of over 3 million annually makes it easier to part ways with the now 24-year-old Cowen.
Mark Borowiecki – Boro is a good player and doesn’t usually make defensive gaffes. Of the 3 listed above, Borowiecki displayed the most consitency and effort last season although his ceiling is relatively low. A solid depth player, not worth a protection.
Chris Wideman – Wideman just inked a one-year, two-way deal and will likely start his season in the NHL. He holds high promise as the AHL’s defending defenceman of the year, but his lack of NHL experience means he isn’t protected.
Goalies:
With two goaltenders able to be protected, the decision here is easy.
PROTECTED:
Craig Anderson – A true number one goaltender who gives Ottawa a window of opportunity to compete. He’ll take you to the playoffs and will get through 82 games in a number one role.
Andrew Hammond – Not young, but beat out Robin Lehner for a spot. Matt O’Connor is the goaltender of the future, and although Hammond has a high ceiling, we haven’t seen enough of him to risk leaving him un protected nor bank on him to carry the team going forward.
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There’s my projected protected list. Do you agree? In terms of the Senators, the overall log-jams at D and Forward make it easy to opt for the second option and protect two goalies.
There aren’t any hard choices to make, but players Jared Cowen and Alex Chiasson are young enough to draw interest while a vet like Milan Michalek could be a good top 6 piece on an expansion club.