Ottawa Senators: Mark Borowiecki Signs Contract Extension

The Ottawa Senators are readying themselves for their first game of the season as we speak. However, before the first puck is dropped moves are already being made. Mark Borowiecki was signed to a two year contract extension.

In a surprising move to many Sens fans, the Ottawa Senators made the decision to extend Mark Borowiecki for two years. The new contract will kick in after this season meaning that Borowiecki is signed to the Sens for the next three years. The new contract carries a 1.2 million dollar cap hit.

Borowiecki’s Value

The signing of Borowiecki causes some problems for the Sens that brings into question the foresight of management. However, before we look at why this contract is problematic let’s look at what Borowiecki brings to the table. He was the league leader in hits last season as well as penalty minutes. He is the prototypical enforcer although he is also a defencemen. Normally enforcers are forwards on the fourth line. Additionally last season he put up just three points in a career high 70 games.

Problems

Although there is value in having an enforcer it is simply an outdated role in hockey. Fighting is being phased out of hockey whether you like it or not and as a result the enforcer is no longer as valuable. Additionally, having a defenceman as the enforcer is a problem. When a fight takes place each player is in the penalty box for five minutes or more. As a result when Borowiecki gets sent to the box in means the Sens only have five defencemen. This causes the defence core to be used improperly.

Delaying Youth Development

In addition to the problems in the game with Borowiecki as an enforcer, it causes problems with which players are actually in the game. Having Borowiecki for the next three season’s means that it will drastically impede the development of the young Sens defencemen. Notably it will be much more difficult to get Thomas Chabot into the lineup.

The Only way this contract makes any sense is if he will be the Ottawa Senators seventh defenceman. He can play when there’s an injury. Otherwise he is taking away a spot in the lineup from a player that is simply better than he is.

Next: Ottawa Senators: Opening Night Roster Announced

Concerning Decision

With management making this decision it causes a great deal of concern. They are ignoring the up incoming youthful defencemen to make way for an older less competent player. It doesn’t in spite confidence going forward.