Second Pairing
Left Side: Christian Wolanin
Arguably the most intriguing defenceman entering play for the Senators, the 25-year-old defenceman has already proven he belongs in the NHL, now it’s time to see if he can be a staple in a revamped top-4. Just two years ago Wolanin had 12 points in 30 games and looked poised to breakout, his injury last season likely delayed a career-defining season for the talented defenceman.
Wolanin offers offensive upside that nobody on the blue line offers other than prized prospect Erik Brannstrom. Already getting off to a hot start in training camp, Wolanin produced a hat trick on Monday in the first scrimmage open to the media:
Wolanin scores in OT to complete the hat trick as team white leads 7-3
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) January 12, 2021
A smooth, highly intelligent player to boot, there’s no better option for D.J. Smith and the Senators on the left side behind Chabot.
2020-21 Prediction: 50GP 8G 18A 26P
Right Side: Josh Brown
One of the many acquisitions the Senators made this offseason, Brown is a big, rangy defenceman who stands at 6’5″ and nearly 220 pounds. Not a player who will offer a lot on the offensive side of the puck, Brown is best suited at defending at 5v5 or the penalty kill.
After years bouncing between the ECHL and AHL, the intimidating defenceman finally found a job in Florida last season and didn’t relinquish his role, producing 8 points in 56 games for the Panthers.
Brown’s heat map from last season isn’t flashy but his defensive game has some promise:
Josh Brown (traded to Ottawa for a fourth) has looked ordinary/dull in not a lot of minutes for Florida. pic.twitter.com/GxVpCmUr1t
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) October 2, 2020
Brown did an exceptional job suppressing shots in the slot, an area where Ottawa has really struggled for the better part of the last three seasons. Brown could be an ideal complement to Wolanin’s offensive game, creating a fresh, exciting pairing for the upcoming season. Also just 26, Brown still has room to grow.
2020-21 Prediction: 56GP 2G 8A 10P