Ottawa Senators Have a Bruising Defenseman in Borowiecki
By Ian Smith
The Ottawa Senators seem unsure about which players are going to be a part of that 3rd defensive pairing, but Mark Borowiecki brings a distinct grittiness that helps the team.
The Senators are expecting big things from prospect Thomas Chabot, and are hopeful that he’ll crack the lineup for next season.
His struggles this offseason are somewhat alarming, and probably decrease his chances of securing a spot in the NHL lineup at the beginning of next season. However, Chabot is still expected to be a force down the road, possibly as soon as next year at some point.
Borowiecki is a lefty, and so is Chabot. That makes it more natural that Borowiecki would get bumped in favor of Chabot to be paired with righty Chris Wideman.
It’s a shame that Borowiecki appears to be on the way out, because he provides an invaluable physical presence.
His offensive limitations are well documented, but he’s also a hard hitter who plays a solid defensive game.
Chris Neil may be the designated enforcer on this team, but Borowiecki could admirably fill that role, and be the top enforcer on nearly any other team.
Ottawa ranked 3rd in the NHL in fighting majors last season with 35, and that willingness to drop the gloves and provide a jolt of energy for the team was largely due to both Neil and Borowiecki.
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The Senators were 1 of only 3 to have multiple players register 8 fights. Neil had 9, while Borowiecki had 8.
Nearly half of the fights the Senators had involved either Neil or Borowiecki. According to hockeyfights.com, Borowiecki went 3-3-2 in his fights. Neil was more likely to win his fights, but it’s not as if Borowiecki embarrasses himself when he drops the gloves.
Borowiecki actually contained himself more last season than in 2014-2015, when he ranked 5th in the NHL with 13 fighting majors.
According to hockeyfights.com, Borowiecki went 5-6-2 in his 13 fights during the 2014-2015 season. Perhaps he decreased his fighting rate last season because of the likelihood that he’d lose the fight he entered.
Regardless, fighting takes a lot of courage. Not many players are willing to submit themselves to that type of punishment, even if it energizes the team and fans. The Senators have 2 players that will fight anyone at anytime.
In his 2 full NHL seasons, Borowiecki has already established himself as one of the most bruising players in the NHL.
He has lead the Senators in hits each of the past 2 seasons. In 2014-2015, he ranked tied for 16th in the NHL with 233.
He improved on that total in 2015-2016, registering 271 hits in the same amount of games and ranking 6th in the NHL.
He has played in 63 games exactly in each of the past 2 seasons. Last year, he was the only player to play in less than 65 games and rank in even the top 15 in hits.
His fighting frequency is also commendable. Only 5 players in the NHL who had at least 100 penalty minutes averaged more fights per game than he did. He even averaged more fights per game than Neil did, leading the Senators in that category.
Borowiecki provides so much toughness to this team, but Marc Methot and Dion Phaneuf are two lefty defensemen cemented ahead of him on the depth chart. Not to mention Chabot waiting in the wings.
Erik Karlsson, Cody Ceci, and Wideman are the top right-handed options in this defensive unit. It’s likely going to come down to which young player or depth guy surges to make the lineup, if that even happens at all.
Chabot, Michael Kostka, and Fredrik Claesson could play a large role in how this lineup eventually shakes out.
If Chabot or Claesson asserts themselves, it’s likely going to be at Borowiecki’s expense. If Kostka asserts himself, then Wideman will likely get bumped.
If the status quo remains, Borowiecki and Wideman will be the 3rd defensive pairing. Despite Pierre Dorion’s less-than-enthusiastic comments about that, both guys are solid in those roles.
Wideman has offensive gifts that Borowiecki doesn’t possess. He’s a fast skater and good passer, but on the smaller side and without the physicality of Borowiecki. Removing either of those two from the lineup will have its consequences.
Physicality is the casualty by removing Borowiecki, while Wideman has offensive talent that Borowiecki doesn’t provide.
Next: Ottawa Senators Preparing for Crucial Season from Curtis Lazar
The deck seems stacked against Borowiecki looking down the line at potential defensemen for this team, which is a shame, because of his physicality and toughness.