Defence
1st Pair
Thomas Chabot-Nikita Zaitsev
Stubbornly, D.J. Smith has leaned to keeping Nikita Zaitsev and Thomas Chabot together. What the electric Chabot brings to the ice, Zaitsev counters with his inability to create any offence and porous defensive play. Zaitsev’s heat maps aren’t endearing:
.... pic.twitter.com/X1l3kwzvHq
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) April 21, 2020
In comparing Zaitsev’s impact to Cody Ceci’s the results weren’t nice for Zaitsev. As the Senators defenceman gives up more high-quality chances and doesn’t create much on the offensive side of the puck.
While personally I wouldn’t play Zaitsev anywhere near Chabot, Smith’s belief in the pairing will make it, unfortunately, a thing again this season.
2nd Pair
Christain Wolanin-Erik Brannstrom
While young and inexperienced, this pairing has the potential to break out next season as both players will look to take a huge step forward in their development. Wolanin missed the majority of last season with a shoulder injury and Brannstrom struggled to find confidence in his first NHL season.
Wolanin would only appear in 3 NHL games in 2019-20, but many are hoping he can return to his form from the season prior.
During the 2018-19 season, Wolanin was widely considered the Senators 3rd best defenceman, producing 12 points in just 30 games. He consistently used his great puck-moving ability to break out of the defensive zone, something other Senators defenceman struggle with. When Wolanin steps on the ice whenever the 2020-21 season gets underway, there are no doubts in my mind he will be the teams second-best defenceman.
Christian Wolanin is at worst the Sens 3rd best defenseman, don’t @ me
— Trevor Shackles (@ShackTS) January 9, 2019
As for Erik Brannstrom, he was slightly disappointing during his first elongated stint in the NHL, only producing 4 points in 31 games, it seemed as confidence was lacking in his game. After being sent back to Belleville mid-season, Brannstrom looked to regain his confidence, especially in the offensive zone. Despite being left-handed, Brannstrom prefers to play on his off-side, so pairing with Wolanin would force him to play the right side. Pairing the Senators top prospect with a great puck mover like Wolanin should allow Ottawa to drive possession with the two on the ice.
Third Pair
Mike Reilly-Artem Zub
Assuming Mark Borowiecki is gone in free agency:
Looks like Mark Borowiecki’s time in Ottawa might be coming to an end (via @itsborocoprunning: instagram 📸) pic.twitter.com/a2eiMrhA5G
— SenShot (@SenShot_FS) August 17, 2020
and they don’t re-sign near 40-year-old defenceman Ron Hainsey, Ottawa will most likely be stuck with a bottom pairing of Mike Reilly and Artem Zub. With Christian Jaros and Andreas Englund the other two options to slide in on the bottom-pair, but they just don’t have the ability to be relied upon for a full NHL season.
Zub 24, has been playing the last 4 seasons in the KHL, primarily for SKA St. Petersburg, where he had blossomed into one of the top defenceman in the league. Zub enjoyed a boost in numbers in his fourth season, scoring 13 goals and 22 points in 57 games, finishing 5th in team scoring. Zub also led all KHL players with a +35 rating, the next closest on his team was a +20. Pierre Dorion made some comments to TSN after the Zub signing:
"“We’re pleased that Artem has elected to pursue an NHL career here in Ottawa,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. “Artem is a smart defensive defenceman who moves the puck well and who utilizes his strength and mobility to make plays. His extensive international resume will help him transition to a North American style of play but his key attribute is his sound ability to defend.”"
Pleased with what they saw, especially away from the puck, Dorion seems to expect Zub to thrive defensively and rightfully so, but don’t expect too much in terms of offence from the Russian rear-guard.
While he played very solid in his last KHL season, there are no guarantees he will become an NHL defenceman, but after signing a one-year $1.775 million contract in May, he will a headstart on the other fringe NHL defenceman on the team.
As for Reilly, acquired by Ottawa on January 2nd, he was brought in to be an NHL body who could provide some stability so some prospects weren’t forced to play in Ottawa. In 30 games with Ottawa, he had 12 points, Reilly was uninspiring but can be an average third-pairing defenceman.