Ottawa Senators
Wilbert: Sitting 7th in the Atlantic Division with a record of 12-16-1, the Ottawa Senators are matching expectations.
They are slowly trying to rebuild from the ground up, developing prospects and setting their blueprint for the following years.
The Senators struggle most offensively, they sith 25th in the league in goals for with 76 goals, below the league’s average of 86.
Their struggles to score goals are perhaps even worse on the powerplay, only having a success rate of 9,89%, sitting last in the league.
It’s not surprising, considering Connor Brown is playing on their first line leading the team in both goals and points total. While absolute valuable to a team on the third/fourth line, expecting more from Ottawa offensively while they play Brown and Pageau on their first line is unreasonable.
With Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot as their core pieces forward, there’s potential to this group. Alex, looking at their prospect pool, are the Senators close to become a playoff contending team in the Near future?
Alex: “I would personally give the Senators at least three years before they’re contending. They’re on the right track, and I’ll give them credit by saying they’re doing much better than I thought they would be this year. But with that being known, a team with J.G. Pageau, Anthony Duclair, and Connor Brown as the leading scorers shouldn’t be anywhere near the playoffs.
Having said that, they’ve got a nice prospect pool. And having a defensive core led by Thomas Chabot and Erik Brannstrom is a good start. But the big question mark in my eyes is in the goal crease.
Craig Anderson is a few years away from retiring while Anders Nilsson is already 29 and hasn’t ever held a starting job in the league. Mads Sogaard looks like a nice goaltending prospect so far, but he’s at least three years away from making his NHL debut, let alone becoming a starter in the league.
Overall, they’re not close. But they’re on the right track. If they keep adding quality prospects (and maybe even ditch their owner) then they’ll be in the dogfight eventually.”