Ottawa Senators: Fredrik Claesson 2017-2018 Season Preview
It may just be August but the 2017-2018 NHL season will be on our hands before we know it. Training Camp will start in September and all the players will be brought together as they prepare for another season. With August as a down month in the NHL I thought this would be a great time to preview each of the players on the Ottawa Senators for next season.
If you missed it here’s our last preview!
Ottawa Senators: Mark Borowiecki 2017-2018 Season Preview
Fredrik Claesson was the darling of Ottawa Senators fans this past season. Fans were upset that he was sitting in favour of Mark Borowiecki. Now they may finally get what they wish this season and see a little more of Claesson.
Finding His Spot
Claesson is coming off a season where he played 33 games and scored 11 points. He also contributed three points in 14 playoff games. With Borowiecki down with an injury in the playoffs, Claesson was given the opportunity to prove that he belonged in the Sens’ top six. He took the opportunity and ran with it. Although he didn’t put up a huge amount of points, he was stable defensively for the Sens. He played well enough that if Borowiecki got healthy enough it didn’t seem as if Claesson would be losing his spot. He was simply playing too well.
Moving Up The Lineup
Although Claesson appears to have surpassed Borowiecki on the depth chart, he has new competition. With Methot leaving it was believed that he would be the new defence partner for Karlsson. They had played well in the small time they had together. However, the Ottawa Senators went and signed Johnny Oduya who is poised to be Methot’s replacement. Now Claesson will have to compete with not just Borowiecki for his spot on the third pairing. Ben Harpur has risen on the depth chart and could be competition for Claesson, however he’s not who Claesson should concern himself with. Thomas Chabot looks NHL ready and should come to training camp with one goal in mind, to make the team.
Next: Ottawa Senators Greatest Players: #24 – Magnus Arvedson
New Competition
With Chabot ready to make the NHL, Claesson will be hard pressed to get ice time once again this season. As of right now it looks as if Claesson should slot in as the seventh defenceman for the Ottawa Senators. However, he will have every opportunity to be a regular in the lineup. The biggest obstacle in his way will be the newcomer, Thomas Chabot.