Checking in on the New Ottawa Senators

Five games down, 77 to go for the Ottawa Senators. They’ve had their ups and downs, but most fans feel positively about how the team has played up to this point. The past offseason was obviously a massive one for the team. It was Steve Staios’ chance to leave his mark on the team. He certainly did so with several signings, and of course, the Linus Ullmark trade. So, why not check in on the newest Ottawa Senators and see how they’ve performed through the first few games.

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Michael Amadio

Amadio has no production to speak of through five games, but some of that can be attributed to the team’s 2.3% shooting percentage at 5 on 5 when he is on the ice. He has a solidified role within the Sens top nine. It would be fair to call Amadio a jack of all trades but master of none. He receives some power play time, but hasn’t exactly been a regular with the extra man. He eats up some penalty kill minutes, but sits sixth among Senators forwards in shorthanded time on ice per game (1:27 per game).

It’s easy to see how he became a solid depth forward in Vegas. He skates well, and gives a good honest effort from game to game. He has mainly played with Pinto and Perron. That line has generated some good looks, but they have very little to show for it. He seems like the type that could fit with a variety of different types of players. So far, he’s been a worthy signing. A few points would be nice, though.

David Perron

Perron is being used as a third line forward who receives time on the Senators second power play. His 13:26 time on ice per game is his lowest since his rookie season back in 2007-08. Like Amadio, Perron has no points through five games. He’s part of the line mentioned above that hasn’t had a whole lot of puck luck. Perron himself has 14 shots, which is a 230 shot pace through a full season. For a guy that has a lifetime 13% shooting percentage, he’ll end up with his share of goals if he’s able to keep registering three shots per game.

There’s no doubt that Perron looks slow. He’s towards the end of his career, so don’t expect him to win many foot races. He has an important role, though. Detroit fans can speak to how he was one of their better down low forwards, always willing to take on those tougher, physical battles. That’s why Staios brought him in. When the games get tough, you can expect Perron to be involved in the battle. It’s smart of Travis Green to limit his minutes, as he’s not someone that should be overplayed given his age and lack of speed. 13-15 hard minutes a game is perfect. Surely some production will start to come.

Noah Gregor

Gregor is being used as you would’ve expected- bottom six minutes, plus plenty of time on the penalty kill. Let’s face it, he shouldn’t be counted on for anything more than what he’s provided. He eats up almost 2:30 per game on the penalty kill. His shorthanded goal against Tampa Bay showed his ability to create a little bit of offense on the rush with his speed. He provides some physicality,with 11 hits in five games.

He reminds me of Viktor Stalberg, who arrived via trade in 2017 to help with the Senators forward depth before their remarkable run to the Conference Finals. Both players skate well, work hard, and play a responsible game. Yet when you look at the numbers, there’s not a whole lot of production. That probably has something to do with a lack of creativity and finish. In Gregor’s case, a goal every five games would be fantastic, given the fact that he’s the Senators 10th highest paid forward.

Nick Cousins

Cousins has been a pure fourth line forward. He doesn’t receive ice-time on the power play or penalty kill. It’s been a very quiet start to the season for Cousins. He doesn’t even have a penalty to his name. Cousins didn’t exactly have a great season last year with the Panthers. He then had to settle for a cheap one year contract with the Senators, late in the free agent process. Now he finds himself playing 11 minutes per game with no production as of yet. Considering the contract and the role he’s playing, there’s no sense of concern. Still, you’d like to see a little more from Cousins, either with some production or with a little more fire to his game.

Adam Gaudette

Outside of Gregor, Gaudette is the only forward mentioned above with a point! That was an assist on a MacEwan goal in that wild 8-7 win against the Kings. Outside of that, he’s been quiet. He only plays eight minutes per game, and he hasn’t been given much of a chance on the power play, which is where he thrived in the preseason. Gaudette is lined up to have a tough time staying in the lineup. He’s already been made a healthy scratch for one game, and he’s already been sent down and then called back up from the minors.

Nick Jensen

Jensen has spent the majority of the season on the ice with Thomas Chabot. In that sense, he’s likely been overlooked by a lot of people who are highly focused on what to make of Chabot’s play. Thus far, the pair has left something to be desired. They’re being outscored and outshot when they are on the ice. That’s while receiving the majority of their starts in the offensive zone -Jensen’s percentage of faceoffs in the offensive zone is 62%. By comparison, Sanderson is at 48%, and last year Jensen was at 42% with the Capitals).

Jensen looks solid enough, at least by my eye test. He works hard and understands his role- keep it simple and allow Chabot to be the offensive minded player in the duo. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Chabot and Jensen. Jensen is supposed to be the support player in the duo, and he seems capable enough in that role. He plays a low risk style of game and also skates well. It seems like it really is on Chabot to get his game going to make this duo work.

Linus Ullmark

Unfortunately, Ullmark has only played two games this season because of an injury. In those two games, he’s been the goalie Staios had been hoping for when he traded for him in the offseason. He was one of the biggest reasons they were able to beat the Panthers in their first game. In the loss to Montreal, there were quite a few problems bigger than Ullmark’s play. He has a sense of calmness in the crease, which certainly puts Sens fans at ease after years of waiting for that back-breaking goal to end up in the net.

The big problem, of course, is the injury. Ullmark has to prove he can carry a larger workload than how he split starts in Boston. There is no Jeremy Swayman here. The backup goaltender spot has been a source of frustration already this season. If Ullmark can’t give the Senators 55+ games, this team will be in trouble.