Ottawa Senators Players Ranked By Importance: 1-10
Mar 31, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing
Clarke MacArthur(16) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Ottawa won 2-1 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
I’m back for the third and final blog of the 30 most important current Ottawa Senators. You can read part one and two here and here, respectively. Today’s piece will feature the top-1o most valuable players, and if you really think about it, the list should be pretty easy to make. Peoples orders will be different but to me there’s a clear top-1o group. Here it is:
10. Clarke MacArthur
Early in the season fans were being impatient with MacArthur, as he wasn’t producing very much. However, he has a solid track record and he’s still a valuable piece in the top-six that has very good chemistry with Kyle Turris and Mark Stone.
He was fantastic down the stretch and we know that even in a “down” season he should be good for at least 45+ points. Not to mention he looks even better in the advanced stats community. He’s not a cornerstone part of the franchise, but he makes the top-six better.
Next: Severely Underrated Defenseman
Apr 22, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing
Mike Hoffman(68) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens with defenseman Patrick Wiercioch (46) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Wiercioch is an odd case. Because of how he skates and some other weird reasons, lots of people don’t like him. However lots of the underlying numbers say that he is much better than what the “eyes test” people think:
I’m a fan of his game, and giving him away would be a big mistake. If Ottawa has a weapon like him in the second pairing, that’s a huge plus. He’s still only 25 and if the Senators are smart they will have some good young defensemen for the considerable future. He didn’t put up too many points last year, but his offense is a needed asset for the team as his stretch passes from the defensive zone are one of a kind.
He needs to be more appreciated.
Next: Young Sniper
8. Mike Hoffman
Mar 26, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Mike Hoffman (68) skates with the puck in the third period against the New York Rangers at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Rangers defeated the Senators 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
As I am typing this, Hoffman’s rights are still owned by Ottawa. However, the rumour mill has been swirling and there’s at least a chance that he may not be a Senator next season. The Senators might not even be able to afford him even though he was their leading goal scorer last season and an important piece of their team.
If Ottawa can sign him though, he needs to get more ice time and get the opportunity to produce. He has 30-goal potential, and it isn’t easy to find pure snipers anymore. He’s extremely fast too and he fits in well with the modern NHL. I wouldn’t give him up, unless it was for a very big fish.
Next: Steady Top Pairing Defenseman
7. Marc Methot
Feb 3, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) brings the puck up ice during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. New Jersey Devils defeat the Ottawa Senators 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Methot seemed like a goner early in the season. He had high salary demands plus he was injured. But once he came back completely healthy, the team was much better. There were several factors that made the team better, but Methot’s return was certainly a reason. Karlsson also looked much better when he had his regular partner, as he wasn’t forced to play with Phillips who was in over his head.
He isn’t going to wow you on the ice, but he is a solid defenseman that can hold the team steady. I may drop him below Wiercioch by the end of the season, but as of now he’s an important part of the first defense pairing.
Next: Still A Scoring Threat
6. Bobby Ryan
Apr 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan (6) carries the puck against 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
Everybody knows about Ryan’s horrible end to the season. But the thing is, people have a short memory. People forget that for most of the season he was on pace for about 65 points, which would have been his second highest point total ever. Of course he didn’t hit that mark, but he still had 54 which isn’t horrible.
He was only able to score 18 goals, but 36 assists is nothing to scoff at. With a few more bounces here and there he would have been a 60 point player, which is easily a first line forward. I’m not sure if he will score 30 goals with Ottawa, but he will be able to get 50 points each season. There is an offensive decline that most forwards suffer, and Ryan will probably go through the same thing.
But to say he’s done as a productive winger is crazy. He’s an important part of the team, but it is just a bit disappointing that he isn’t the best forward on the team considering his hefty contract.
Next: Star Goaltender
Apr 22, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) is introduced prior to the start of game four in the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens at Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Anderson’s value to the team has never been higher. He’s been fantastic in Ottawa since 2011, but the Senators always had the “goalie of the future” in Robin Lehner behind him. Now he needs to produce, or else Ottawa’s options will be running thin. I wouldn’t like having to trust Andrew Hammond or Matt O’Connor as starters just yet, so Anderson has to be great once again.
His performance could make or break the team, and he needs to be more durable over the course of the season. It seems that when he has shorter workloads he does better, but in longer seasons he struggles. Anderson has a .920 save percentage as a Senator, which is incredible. He’s the best goalie they have ever had, and he’s one of the most important players.
Next: Top-Line Centre
4. Kyle Turris
Mar 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Turris has bloomed into the first line centre that they hoped we would when Ottawa acquired him a few years ago. He was in the top-30 for league scoring this season, and he has no trouble facing other teams top lines. He isn’t a superstar first liner, but he’s such an integral piece.
He should be a consistent 60 point player, which is a lot in today’s NHL. He’s on one of the leagues best contracts with a cap hit of only $3.5 million, and when he’s going the team is also going.
Next: Potential Top Line Player
Mar 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) shoots the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
While Turris was and is Ottawa’s first line centre, Zibanejad has the potential to dethrone him. That’s not a critique of Turris, instead that just shows how far Zibanejad’s game has come. He really picked it up in the second half of the season as he finished the season with a very solid 46 points. With improvements in his game and more ice time, I don’t see why 60 points isn’t attainable.
He was never really supposed to be a first line player, but considering his size, great skating, and scoring ability he could be the complete package. I would love to see how he progresses next season, as he has a bit higher potential than I originally thought. Having Turris and Zibanejad down the middle for a long time will be amazing for the organization.
Next: Already Established Winger
2. Mark Stone
Apr 7, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; The Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates his goal scored in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Penguins 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Everybody knows how awesome Stone is. Along with Hammond, he was a main reason for Ottawa’s historic comeback last season. He finished tied for first in rookie scoring with 64, and was 2nd overall in Calder voting. At the age of 23, he has plenty of great years ahead of him.
He may regress a bit next season, but the talent is still there. He’s already a premier talent, and he can play with Turris or Zibanejad on the top line for a long time. His skating used to be considered the main thing holding him back but now it looks very acceptable, and sometimes even good. I really don’t see any holes in his game and the Senators struck gold with him in the 6th round of the 2010 draft.
Next: Best Defenseman In The Game
Apr 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) shoots the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
You didn’t expect anyone else did you? I hope not. After his second Norris Trophy win in four seasons, Karlsson has shown he’s the best defenseman in the game. He’s amongst elite company and no other defenseman in the NHL has more of an impact on his team than he does with Ottawa. It’s obvious that he’s the most important player in the franchise.
He will hopefully be here his entire career, and if he is that will be an amazing treat to watch. Not only is he the most important player for the Senators, he’s one of the most important players in the NHL.
Summary:
You’ll notice the absence of Colin Greening and Chris Phillips in the top 30. And that’s because they simply aren’t important whatsoever to the organization. Phillips may have some value in the dressing room, but his play on the ice has a negative effect on the team. It’s not quite the same for Greening, although he was very bad last season. Because of his contract he has been on the trade block for the longest time, and it seems like no team in the league would value him.
Overall, it seems like there was a pretty clear top-1o with the top-six forwards, three very good defenseman and a great goalie. After that, things got tough. It’s hard to judge the difference in value between a top prospect and a role player, and I tried my best to balance the two. Most people’s lists will vary greatly (especially after the top 10), and I’d love to see how others value certain players.
Did I over/undervalue some players? Let me know. One things for sure: King Karl will always reign supreme.
Next: Ottawa Senators Players Ranked By Importance: 11-20