Senators Preseason Game One Thoughts

 Preseason game number one for the Senators is in the books! The Senators were able to take down the Maple Leafs in a 6-5 overtime win. This could have honestly been a 1-0 snoozefest and many other Senators fans would’ve been perfectly happy because there is finally hockey again. It wasn’t like that at all, though. This was an unbelievable start to the Senators year! The game had 11 total goals, including six in the third period, and it was capped off with a ridiculous overtime winner by a recent top ten draft pick. Let’s dive into some game one thoughts. 

READ MORE: Takeaways from the Prospects Challenge

Incredible Debut from Carter Yakemchuk

Yakemchuk is of course the aforementioned recent top ten draft pick that scored the overtime winner. What a winner it was, too. About halfway through overtime, Yakemchuk took the puck in the neutral zone, weaved past Jake McCabe, fought off Marner and went to his backhand for an absolutely beautiful game winner. Even before this goal, Yakemchuk was having a phenomenal game. He ended up with five shots and 23 minutes of ice time. There has never been much chance at all that Yakemchuk makes the Ottawa Senators roster this season. It was always thought that he’ll end up back in the WHL this season. That is still highly likely to happen, but if Yakemchuk can keep playing like this, he’ll at least make the Senators think about what’s best for him, and the team. 

Strong Start to the Depth Forward Battle 

A lot has been made of who should be the Senators 12th and 13th forwards this season. Let’s face it, most other spots are already accounted for. It seems as though, at least in this preseason game, the depth forwards were very much aware that they have a chance to start the year in the NHL with strong preseason showings. Let’s run through the depth forwards who stood out. 

Jan Jenik

Jenik was to the Arizona Coyotes what Igor Sokolov was to the Ottawa Senators. They were both talented forwards who had played well at the AHL level, wanted a real chance in the NHL, and felt they needed a change of scenery to make that happen. It only makes sense that they were traded for each other. Jenik could not have done a whole lot more in his Senator debut- one goal and three assists in just under 14 minutes of ice-time. His goal was a great shot to open the scoring, going blocker side on Joseph Woll. Even if Jenik doesn’t make the Senators out of camp, he wants to be one of the first call-ups, so a strong preseason is important in leaving a good impression on the guys in charge. So far, so good.

Cole Reinhardt

Let’s face it, Reinhardt is a bit of an afterthought in the world of the Ottawa Senators. He’s a former sixth round pick that’s played a bottom six role in Belleville the last few seasons. Every now and then, though, a surprise player sticks around at the NHL level longer than expected. Rourke Chartier last season is a prime example of that. For Reinhardt to have any chance at playing NHL games this season, a strong preseason is vital. Well, how about two goals and four points in his first chance to make an impression? He did all that in just under 13 minutes of ice-time, too. Reinhardt’s a longshot, but that was a great game to gain the attention of the fans, and hopefully, the decision makers. 

Zack MacEwan

MacEwan, like the Senators as a whole, played best in the first period. It was his forecheck and pass to Jenik that led to the Senators first goal. He had a few other strong shifts in the first where he played a high energy style of play, working hard on the forecheck and creating chances on the rush.

MacEwan is in an interesting spot. He has a one way contract, but that was also the case last season, where we saw him sent to the AHL. Most look at MacEwan as a 13th forward for the Senators. When that’s how you’re viewed, it’s not crazy to think you could end up on waivers and down in the AHL if you’re not doing enough to help at the NHL level. MacEwan needs to play to his strengths. He is not a good fighter. He is not the toughest of players. In fact, I think he’s been caught in between being a skilled player and being a tough guy throughout his NHL journey. For MacEwan to succeed, he needs to play with speed, win on the forecheck, finish his checks, and be that energy type of bottom six forward that teams covet. 

Stephen Halliday

Halliday is a popular pick to make the Senators, coming off a great playoffs with Belleville that saw him score nine points in seven games. With so few AHL games under his belt though, he’s an easy candidate to send back down to minors to help with his progression, unless he wows everyone during the preseason. Preseason game number one was not necessarily a dominant performance, but he did finish the game with two primary assists in just over 14 minutes of ice-time. 

Adam Gaudette

Last season, Gaudette scored 44 goals for the Springfield Thunderbirds, the most of any AHL player. Unfortunately, in 220 NHL games, he’s scored just 27 goals. Senators fans remember him playing at the NHL level for the Sens in 2021-22, when he managed 12 points in 50 games. He’s at the point of his career where it seems clear that he’s not going to be a top six forward. So how do you make it as a depth forward? Why not add some physicality to your offensive game. Gaudette scored to make it 3-1 for the Senators, but it was his fight against Nikitak Grebekin that really stood out. It seems like Gaudette knows that he needs to be his offensive self while also providing some physicality and energy if he wants to make the big club. 

Solid Start for Chabot

Chabot was an absolute workhorse throughout the DJ Smith era. The two main problems were staying healthy, and being held accountable for his lesser play at times. It seemed like it did not matter when Chabot made a mistake while playing under Smith. He would be put right back out there with no adjustments being made. If Travis Green can push Chabot to being a better player in his own zone, ensuring that Chabot puts in the proper effort in his own zone, there’s a chance Chabot could have a monster season. This game was an example of what could be. Chabot played 26:31, the most of any Senators by far. He was solid at both ends of the rink. That’s a great sign for the Senators. 

So-So Play from Sogaard

The positives: Sogaard made 32 saves and got the win. The negatives: Sogaard gave up five goals. Let’s face it, the Senators didn’t exactly make it easy in front of Sogaard. The goals he gave up were scored by Knies, Pacioretty (twice), Matthews, and Nylander. Those are some pretty good players. Nonetheless, there were a few goals that weren’t great. Sogaard has struggled at the NHL level over the last two seasons. The goal is for him to be ready to take over as the backup goalie for next season. He made some good saves in this game, but there are still too many times when the puck seems to find its way through him and his 6-foot-7 frame. 

A Look Ahead to Game Two

Senators fans don’t have to wait long for their next game. It comes tomorrow, at home against those same Maple Leafs. Expect to see a much different roster though, as the Senators try to work all their players into some preseason games.