Having young core pieces are important to have for any NHL team. One young core piece that will be on the Ottawa Senators for many years to come is defenseman Jake Sanderson.
Sanderson was taken with fifth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. In Sanderson's rookie season in 2022-23, he impressed with a 32-point season. The Senators wanted Sanderson to be an immediate part of their future, and they committed to Sanderson when they gave him an eight-year, $64.4 million extension ($8.05 million AAV) prior to the start of last season.
The Senators had high expectations for Sanderson this season in the first year of his contract extension. However, head coach Travis Green isn't worried about Sanderson and still truly believes in him despite his recent struggles.
Green says Sanderson is a "really good player" even if his game is "a little off"
Yesterday after the Senators' morning practice, Green said Sanderson is a "really good player," and he's still a very good player even when his game is "a little off."
Green says Sanderson is a really good player. Even when his game is a little off, he's still a very good player.
— TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) November 11, 2024
In the first five games of this season, Sanderson recorded seven points including one three-point game. However, Sanderson has struggled deeply since with recording just two points over the past nine games.
Sanderson has also had two games where he's recorded a -3 rating or worse. Sanderson's -8 rating is the worst on the Senators. Two games ago, Sanderson struggled deeply with his defense partner Travis Hamonic in the Senators' 4-2 loss against the New York Islanders. Even with recent struggles, Sanderson has flourished in one area this season for the Senators.
Sanderson has been a key part of the Senators' powerplay. Eight of Sanderson's nine points this season have come on the powerplay. Seven of Sanderson's eight powerplay points have been an assist with him quarterbacking the powerplay.
It's important for Green to believe in Sanderson despite the struggles for the past nine games. With the Senators in Toronto to play the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at 7 p.m. ET, Sanderson has a golden opportunity to get hot again. Although Sanderson recorded just one point in three games against the Maple Leafs last season, Sanderson will be eager to turn his season around against an arch rival.