Ottawa Senators Players Ranked By Importance: 11-20
Mar 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center
Zack Smith(15) skates with the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman
Dion Phaneuf(3) closes in at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
On Tuesday, I started part one of three which ranked the 30 most important players in the Ottawa Senators organization. That list showed #21-30, and today part two has players from #11-20. A lot of the players in part one were prospects that won’t even be playing in the NHL this season, but they have the potential to be important pieces in the future. Todays list has mostly NHLers, but they are role players and not superstars.
However, some players still bring lots of value to the club and could perhaps move up the list in a year.
Here is #11-20, starting from the bottom:
20. Zack Smith
Smith fits into the same category as Chris Neil and Jared Cowen, as he played such a marginal role on the Senators last season. He had only 3 points in 37 games last year, and he looked like he didn’t belong in the NHL. While he was injured there were points where I legitimately forgot he was on the team.
Much like some other bad contracts on the team, he isn’t really needed on the team. That being said, I don’t dislike him that much on a fourth line centre role, because if he’s playing with anyone not named Colin Greening and Chris Neil, he might not be too bad. That’s a big if though, and overall he’s pretty far down the depth chart in terms of importance.
Next: Rugged Defender
19. Mark Borowiecki
Apr 2, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki (74) defends against Tampa Bay Lightning center
Vladislav Namestnikov(90) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Lightning 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Ah, Borowiecki. The local kid that everyone loves. I’m not sure why he’s so universally loved by Ottawa fans, but it looks like he can do no harm. I’m not a huge fan of his game, but he isn’t a terrible option for the third pairing as long as he’s playing with someone like Chris Wideman. If he plays with Chris Phillips (who’s even worse than Eric Gryba) then the third pairing will be atrocious once again.
Borowiecki seems like a good guy and someone who will stick up for teammates, but that can only go so far. Overall his impact in games is pretty minimal, and if I were in charge I would have a more mobile defenseman in his role. However, he’s better than some other options for the Senators so they are sort of stuck with him.
Next: Rising Prospect
18. Nick Paul
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
A prospect this high? Yes, I decided to put Paul up in the late teens. I don’t think he will become the next Mark Stone like some are suggesting online but he could be a solid role player on the second or third line. He looked very impressive at Development Camp according to many and he will get a chance to prove himself in the AHL next season.
He may not amount to anything, but out of Ottawa’s forward prospects, he seems to be the third closest to the NHL behind Matt Puempel and Shane Prince. He could be getting a chance relatively soon and if he becomes what we think he can, he’s much more valuable than the Greening’s and Smith’s of the organization.
Plus, he has potential to be even better.
Next: Unproven Offensive Defenseman
17. Chris Wideman
Sep 26, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Wideman (45) takes the puck away from Montreal Canadiens forward
Max Pacioretty(67) during the third period at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens beat the Senators 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY
Yes, Wideman has yet to play a game in the NHL just like Paul, but he could quickly become one of Ottawa’s better defenseman. He was the AHL’s best defenseman last season, and at the age of 25 he’s clearly ready to take the next step. It may take a few weeks or a couple of months to adjust to the highest level, but I think Wideman can easily be a top-four defenseman.
He’s exactly what the team needs, as he’s a fast defender that can move the puck out of the zone. He can help out Borowiecki with his breakout passes, and perhaps that will make the third pairing at least average.
Wideman has some solid offensive potential, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was on the same level as Patrick Wiercioch (who is the same age) by the end of the season.
Next: Winger Without A Description
16. Alex Chiasson
Apr 26, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie
Carey Price(31) makes a save in front of Ottawa Senators right wing Alex Chiasson (90) in game six of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
At this point nobody really knows what Chiasson is. He isn’t the top-six forward that Bryan Murray hoped he would be, but he doesn’t do anything particularly great. He also get some harsh criticism from fans near the end of the season, although he played well under Dave Cameron.
I wouldn’t say he’s a great player, but he can fit fine on the third or (preferably) fourth line. He will probably just always sort of “be there” but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As long as he can post average possession numbers and score 25-30 points we can’t complain that much.
Next: Still A Solid Depth Player
15. Milan Michalek
Apr 19, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek (9) skates in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Michalek isn’t the player that he was before, but later in the season he looked much better. He had the exact same amount of points and games played this season as he did in his first season in Ottawa (09-10), so that’s probably what we should expect from him next year.
I guarantee he will get injured next season, so he can’t really be relied upon throughout the season. But he can be a valuable player on the third line if he’s playing with possession drivers. I’m not sure he can be quite as effective a forward if he’s in the bottom six, but the good thing is that he can be moved to the top-six if there is an injury or two. Michalek isn’t done yet as a player, but he certainly shouldn’t be relied upon amongst the Senators best forwards.
Next: Saviour From 2014-15
14. Andrew Hammond
Apr 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond (30) during a break in the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Ottawa 3-2 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to put Hammond any lower on this list. He definitely does not deserve to be in the top-10 because those are very established players, but he almost single-handedly got Ottawa into the playoffs last season. Whether he can sustain some of that success from last season is a mystery, but the team is hoping that he can at least be a backup.
There’s a good chance he will implode and revert back to his old self, but at least the team has an extremely marketable player.
Next: Still Lots Of Potential
13. Cody Ceci
Jan 8, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Cody Ceci (5) controls the puck in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Senators 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
When Ottawa drafted Ceci I was extremely excited. He was the offensive defenseman that would compliment Erik Karlsson in just a few seasons. Since making his debut over a year and a half ago, he hasn’t really met up to everybody’s expectations.
However, I still have lots of hope for Ceci. He’s only 21 years old and has a couple more seasons left to prove that he belongs in the top-four of the team. He has looked better with Wiercioch, and hopefully he can progress so that he isn’t so dependent on him. Although he isn’t quite the player we expect him to be, he has solid upside and he’s an important part of the team.
Next: Pageauuu, Pageau Pageau 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
Pageau is such a lovable player on the Senators. Ever since his amazing performance against the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs two years ago, I haven’t seen a single Senators fan that doesn’t root really hard for him. I want him to succeed so bad, and this season he finally found his groove.
In 2015-16 he’ll have to prove that he can play without Erik Condra, and I think he can do it. The 3rd line centre role isn’t easy, but Pageau has the skills and the work ethic. If he progresses like everybody expects him to, then the Senators will be set at the centre position for years to come with Kyle Turris, Mika Zibanejad and Pageau.
Next: Future Leader
11. Curtis Lazar
Feb 21, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Curtis Lazar (27) celebrates his goal scored on Florida Panthers goalie
Roberto Luongo(1) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Panthers 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Lazar was Ottawa’s top prospect for over a year, and he still has a high pedigree. He captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the World Juniors in December and also the Edmonton Oil Kings to a Memorial Cup just over a year ago. He was born to lead, and he will be a very important part of the Senators future core.
Last season was quite underwhelming for him as he scored just 15 points, but he’s still just 20 years old. He isn’t a top line player, but he should become a responsible two-way player that can shut down other lines. He’ll be an assistant captain before long.
Summary:
Keep checking the site in the next day or two for the third and final post for the most important players in the Senators organization. I’d love to hear some feedback on this, so what do you think about #11-20? Tell me in the comments.
Next: Ottawa Senators Players Ranked By Importance: 21-30