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Ottawa Senators Have Promising Defenseman in Wideman

By Ian Smith

Jan 26, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Wideman (45) skates with the puck in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Wideman (45) skates with the puck in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the 3rd defensive pairing gets worked out for the Ottawa Senators, it appears likely that it’s going to consist of Chris Wideman alongside another player.

Wideman is a righty, and the only other right handed defenseman who seemingly has a chance to contend for that spot is Michael Kostka.

It’s a lot more crowded for that 3rd lefty spot. Mark Borowiecki, Thomas Chabot, and Fredrik Claesson are the main candidates who will battle for that spot.

Wideman should feel a lot more secure in his playing time, and judging from his performance in the AHL, the Senators could have a very formidable weapon on their hands.

In 2014-2015 season, Wideman won the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s top defenseman. Past winners include guys like Niklas Kronwall, Andy Delmore, Johnny Boychuk, and Justin Schultz.

Wideman scored 61 points in 75 games that season for the Binghamton Senators, and his offensive prowess can definitely be utilized in Ottawa.

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Wideman was a member of Team USA at the IIHF World World Championships in 2016, and ended up tied for 2nd in points among defenseman during the tournament.

Wideman totaled 6 points in 10 games. Coincidentally, one of the players he was tied with was his Senators teammate Cody Ceci, who laced up for Team Canada.

Ceci is in the middle of contract negotiations right now, but it bodes well that the Senators have offensively talented defenseman besides Erik Karlsson and Dion Phaneuf.

At 5’10’’ and 180 LBS, Wideman is undersized for the position. However, he mitigates that impediment with his swiftness.

Wideman ranked 10th on the team in Offensive Point Shares despite ranking 15th among skaters in Time on Ice.

Karlsson and Ceci were the only defensemen on the team to rank ahead of him in Offensive Point Shares, although Phaneuf can be added to that list if his Toronto stats are included.

Wideman played 64 games last season, and had 6 goals, 7 assists, and 13 points altogether. Among players who played in over 40 games, Wideman ranked 5th on the team with a plus-minus of +4.

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The offensive ability he brings warrants an inclusion on that 3rd defensive pairing, and hopefully Wideman can improve on his rookie season.

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