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Ottawa Senators: 3 Players Who Could Surprisingly Make the Opening Day Lineup

ByDaniel Bruce|
LONDON, ON - FEBRUARY 13: Alex Formenton #80 of the London Knights skates with the puck in the second period during OHL game action against the Guelph Storm at Budweiser Gardens on February 13, 2019 in London, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
LONDON, ON - FEBRUARY 13: Alex Formenton #80 of the London Knights skates with the puck in the second period during OHL game action against the Guelph Storm at Budweiser Gardens on February 13, 2019 in London, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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Michael Haley #38 of the San Jose Sharks (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
Michael Haley #38 of the San Jose Sharks (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)

Micheal Haley

While this is not a move I would advocate for, this is definitely a possibility due to trends in the D.J. Smith regime. Last year they started the season with Scott Sabourin who was primarily an AHL enforcer before getting his chance, while Micheal Haley has 270 career NHL games under his belt.

Already having scrappy veterans Austin Watson and Erik Gudbranson, the need for Haley on the NHL roster seems unnecessary, and my hope is that the two-way contract he signed means he will be seeing AHL time.

The Senators have made it a plan to “protect the investments” and this is another addition that does just that. At the AHL level, Belleville needed some toughness and Haley will provide that for a very young Belleville Senators team if need be. While the AHL is the likely course of action, with Sabourin making the team on opening night last season, don’t count Haley out.

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