Nick Paul
Firmly positioned on the third-line left-wing, Paul is looking more and more like a player who will be a reliant contributor in the bottom six for the foreseeable future.
Finally earning his spot in Ottawa last season, Paul set career-highs in goals, assist, points and games played. His 20 points in 56 games were impressive since he wasn’t paired with the most talented offensive players.
Expectations should be reasonable for Paul, a regular in the lineup and similar production to last season should be a realistic possibility.
2020-21 Prediction: 56GP 10G 8A 18P
Chris Tierney
Tierney finally moves on from the top six, and this is something that will be better for the player and the team. Producing 35+ points in each of his first two seasons in Ottawa, Tierney has been a critical part of the team’s offence. Less powerplay time and more time shorthanded should benefit Tierney, he was one of the more effective penalty killers on the team last season, finishing tied for first spot with 4 shorthanded goals.
While less point production is likely in the cards, Tierney’s career will be better for it as he can now establish himself as a valuable third-line centre.
2020-21 Prediction: 56GP 6G 21A 27P
Connor Brown
Another player that personifies the third-line role, Connor Brown is a very versatile forward who can play up and down the lineup and on both the powerplay and penalty kill. Brown led all Senators forwards in ice-time last season, averaging 20:07 TOI/GP.
Brown will likely see time on the second powerplay unit and will be a crucial factor on the penalty kill. While he is on the third-line to start the season, It’s highly doubtful that he doesn’t take someone’s spot ahead of him in the lineup. D.J. Smith has a good relationship with Brown and depends on him in crucial situations, so his minutes shouldn’t be cut as much as some people will expect.
2020-21 Prediction: 56GP 11G 17A 28P
Cedric Paquette
A scrappy, experienced veteran who played a part in Tampa Bay’s Cup win, Paquette will play a role that the younger players can’t and shouldn’t play: playing under 10 minutes a night and crashing bodies.
He should be used in that sheltered role and not much else:
Senators acquire Cedric Paquette who is .... extremely bad. pic.twitter.com/tnuCp47IGR
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) December 28, 2020
Oof…
2020-21 Prediction: 27GP 3G 1A 4P
Artem Anisimov
Anisimov had surprisingly good numbers last season in a limited role his first season in the Capital of Canada, posting 15 goals in just 49 games.
His role this season will be primarily limited to the fourth-line with a chance of no powerplay time. Once Colin White regains the coaching staffs confidence it’s likely Anisimov slips down to the 13th forward.
2020-21 Prediction: 25GP 4G 2A 6P
Austin Watson
One of the better leaders on the team combined with being the main enforcer on the team to “protect the assets”, Watson will be a regular in the lineup throughout the season.
Watson had 7 fights and 65 penalty minutes last season so Senators fans can expect to see a few scraps by virtue of Watson. The 6’4″ power forward has some offensive instincts as well, scoring 14 points in 53 games last season.
2020-21 Prediction: 51GP 8G 4A 12P
Colin White
A surprising healthy scratch on opening night, White shouldn’t be seeing much more of the pressbox after the upcoming game. Signed to a 6-year contract prior to last season, the Senators will never be giving up on White sooner rather than later, this seems like an intended wake-up call.
White will have to work his way back up the lineup, however, his linemates could be limited to Watson, Anisimov or Paquette, not a recipe for success.
2020-21 Prediction: 54GP 10G 15A 25P
Logan Brown
I thought it was necessary for me to include Logan Brown, as he will be an Ottawa Senator at some point this season. With the Senators housing a lot of veterans it seems they want to start this season favouring experience, a questionable move but one that Brown needs to work through.
Dorion says Logan Brown was their second best PP guy (after Dadonov), didn't make the team because he needs to work on rounding out his 5on5 game.
— Brandon Maki (@BrandonMaki_) January 14, 2021
Felt playing big AHL minutes was better for him at this point.
An interesting point by Dorion, but he thinks that more AHL time for the 22-year-old would be better. Dorion seems to really want Brown to improve at even strength before he/D.J. Smith can trust him enough to play in the NHL.
2020-21 Prediction 28GP 3G 10A 13P