Ottawa Senators: Grading Pierre Dorion’s 2020 Off-Season Moves

Derek Stepan acquired from Arizona for a 2021 2nd Round Pick (CBJ)

Why it made sense at the time: It… didn’t? I guess he fits into the same category as many of these acquisitions in that he helped shore up the depth. In November, I wrote a defence of the strategy of adding veterans even at the expense of rookie playing time, but that was before Ottawa added Stepan to what was already a crowded depth chart up front. Starting his last season with the Rangers in 2016-17, Stepan’s on-ice goals scored per 60 has dropped every season, while his on-ice goals against per 60 has gone up every year, except for a minor improvement last season. He helped the Sens reach the cap floor, as his $5 million salary this season is below his $6.5 million cap hit, but that’s still a lot of money to spend.

How it looks so far: It somehow looks even worse? His on-ice goals for rate has risen slightly from last season but his goals against per 60 has fallen to an abysmal 3.19. While the team has just announced he is expected to miss the rest of the season, when he’s been healthy he’s been largely ineffective and has been the poster boy for veterans blocking the kids in the lineup. The fact that he may already have wanted out before the injury, and it seemed to be heading towards disaster.

Grade: F, the fact that he’s a pending UFA should be a relief to Ottawa as his contract could otherwise turn into a massive headache, still, unlike Watson, Brown, or Gudbranson, the Sens gave up a legitimate asset for him. The injury can’t be held against him, but even excluding it the move did not work out.