Getting to Know Michael Amadio

Michael Amadio signed with the Senators on a three year contract worth $2.6 million per season. The 28 year old is a right shot forward that can play any of the forward positions. He is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, and he spent most of the last three seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights.  

Read More: Getting to Know Linus Ullmark 

His Role With The Golden Knights

Last season, Amadio played 73 games, scoring 14 goals and 27 points. He put up similar numbers the year before, with 16 goals and 27 points in 67 games. That year ended with Amadio and the Golden Knights lifting the Stanley Cup. He was a big playoff contributor, scoring five goals and 10 points in 16 games.

Amadio was a bottom six forward with the Golden Knights. He typically played 12-14 minutes per game. Almost all of that ice-time was at even strength. Amadio didn’t kill penalties for Vegas, although he did get limited power play minutes from time to time. He is not very physical, averaging well less than a hit per game over his three seasons with the Golden Knights. His most common linemate over the last few seasons was William Karlsson. As is the Golden Knight way, Amadio has shown himself to be a good two way player, trusted to play at both ends of the rink. 

His Style of Play

Make no mistake about it, Amadio fought his way to becoming a full-time NHL player. Through his effort, he earned a contract from the Senators, who only a few years ago had given up on him (after trading Christian Wolanin for Amadio in 2021, the Senators saw Amadio play five games and decided not to offer him a contract for the following season). Amadio was as a big scorer in the OHL, and put up nice numbers in the AHL, so his offensive pedigree is there. In Vegas, he really took pride in being a two-way player which helped him become an every game player for them. He goes to the dirty areas, which helps him score goals around the net. He’s somewhat of a jack of all trades, master of none type of player, as he does not have a standout trait, but he’s a solid all-around player. 

His Role With the Senators

Amadio is likely to play on the Senators third line. There is a chance he will see some time on the second power play unit, but most of his ice-time will be at even strength. Expect him to play 13-15 minutes per game, most likely on the wing. He’ll likely be relied on to take on important defensive duties, with plenty of defensive zone starts and helping to protect close leads. He’s another veteran forward that will also be asked to lead by example. His story of resilience, bouncing from the Kings to the Senators to the Maple Leafs, and then finally landing on his feet with the Golden Knights, could be a great message to the younger Senators players as a way to show how much effort and dedication matter. 

Bottom Line

As the Senators’ eight highest paid forward for next season, Amadio does not need to set the league on fire. He needs to be for Ottawa, what he’s been for Vegas over the last few years. If he can score 10-15 goals, with 25-30 points, all the while playing energetic, two-way hockey, Senators fans will be thrilled to have him as an important depth forward for the next few seasons.