What Your Team Is Thankful For: Ottawa Senators
With American Thanksgiving now behind us and the holiday season coming up, PHR continues its look at what teams are thankful for in 2022-23. There also might be a few things your team would like down the road. We’ll examine what’s gone well in the early going and what could improve as the season rolls on for the Ottawa Senators.
Who are the Senators thankful for?
Pierre Dorion
There was once a time when Senators GM Pierre Dorion was anything but a fan favorite and far from the top of the list of people the Senators and their fans were most thankful. Now, beginning to put the finishing touches on a team rebuild and fresh off what was dubbed “the summer of Pierre,” Ottawa is most thankful for the executive responsible for bringing them their current and future core.
Dorion’s tenure in Ottawa certainly didn’t start off great, and the GM did have to eat much of the criticism for the team’s ultimate teardown and rebuild, which saw the team deal away their stars like Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, and Erik Karlsson. Since then, Dorion has used the assets he’s recouped to build an exciting young group headlined by players like Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Joshua Norris, and Drake Batherson. Not wanting to run the risk of any of them leaving during their immediate prime, Dorion proceeded to extend all four long-term, not to mention extending franchise-defenseman Thomas Chabot.
Those players needed compliments of course and Dorion acquired just that, signing hometown star Claude Giroux and acquiring sniper Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks as well as starting netminder Cam Talbot from the Minnesota Wild.
There’s no doubt this team has underperformed expectations this year, something Dorion will have to take some responsibility for and address going forward, however this season is still a considerable step forward from the previous several. Beyond righting the ship on the ice, Dorion will have to work on long-term extensions for DeBrincat and defenseman Artem Zub, but given the executive’s track record, especially in the past year, the Senators should be thankful Dorion is in charge of solving these problems.
What are the Senators thankful for?
Progress off the ice
The team hasn’t been sold and there’s no immediate plans to break ground on a new arena, however the drama surrounding these subjects that has followed the Senators for years seems to be wearing off. Both stories still follow the team, but now appear to be painted in a much more positive light.
Recall back in June when the Senators organization was given preferred bidder status at the LeBreton Flats location, indicating a new arena was close once again. Sure, the team has been through this before with that location, but with new ownership expected to come on shortly, things may look different this time around.
Speaking of that ownership group, interest in buying the team appears to be as rich as ever and headlining the interested parties is actor Ryan Reynolds. It’s not expected that Reynolds would be able to purchase the team outright on his own, but it appears the NHL prefers that the winning bid for the Senators include Reynolds in the ownership group. Now, Reynolds coming into the mix isn’t just for the sake of vanity, the actor being a noted hockey fan with expressed interest in ownership and already a partial owner of a professional soccer team in that of Wrexham AFC, located in Wrexham, Wales.
What would the Senators be even more thankful for?
Sustained health
The star players discussed above that will make up the future of the Senators are all tremendous players performing at or close to the top of their abilities this season. Tkachuck, DeBrincat, Giroux, Batherson, and Stutzle are all at or near a point-per-game pace, Cam Talbot is having another strong season, and while the defense could be a little better, they’ve largely done their job. So, why is the team 14-14-2?
Well, one explanation is injuries. Outside of Norris, who was injured in the fifth game of the season and hasn’t played since, and Zub, who’s played in just 14 of 30 games, no player has missed all that much time this year. But, players missing a few games here and there does add up and prevents the team from sticking together for longer stretches of time and developing any sort of cohesiveness.
The team has turned it on lately, winning their last four games, but at the moment has Stutzle, Norris, Zub, Mathieu Joseph, and Jacob Bernard-Docker all on IR. Missing such a large contingent of players, it’s going to be difficult for a team that finished with 73 points a season ago to make the jump to the playoffs this season, especially if that group has won just 14 of its first 30 games to date.
What should be on the Senators holiday wishlist?
Another star defenseman
Thomas Chabot is clearly a top defenseman any team, including the Senators, would be happy to have, but amid a somewhat disappointing team-season so far, one thing has become clear: they could use another top-notch defenseman. The team has been connected to just about every top-pairing defenseman that’s been available this offseason and into this season.
The Senators had seemingly kicked tires on MacKenzie Weegar before he was included in the Jonathan Huberdeau–Matthew Tkachuk deal, and rumors of the team’s interest in Jakob Chychrun have persisted. Ottawa and Chychrun seem to fit like hand and glove together, however Arizona’s price remains high and appears to include Shane Pinto, a player the Senators are not only high on for the future, but view as a key piece right now, especially in light of the Norris injury.
The team had also apparently been connected to a swap of Nikita Zaitsev and Tyler Myers last month, however that trade didn’t materialize. Myers may be able to make a difference on the Senators as they are right now, but long-term, the organization will have to seriously consider the price-tag on a true top pair defenseman like a Chychrun.
Ottawa Senators Recall Scott Sabourin
4:54 pm: Given that Sabourin was ultimately recalled with a potential Austin Watson suspension in mind, the Senators announced after their game today that they’ve returned Sabourin to the AHL. Watson had ended up with merely a fine and was able to play against he Minnesota Wild, and thus Sabourin was not needed.
9:15 am: The Ottawa Senators announced this morning that they have recalled forward Scott Sabourin from the Belleville Senators, their AHL affiliate. No other corresponding move was announced, however with $2.4MM in cap space and a roster spot to give, none was needed. This marks Sabourin’s first recall this season after clearing waivers and being assigned to Belleville back on October 10th.
The veteran has earned his trip up to the NHL though, recording 13 points through his first 24 games with Belleville this season, well on his way to a career year in the AHL. Always known for his gritty play-style that features plenty of penalty minutes, perhaps the most impressive part of Sabourin’s stat-line this year are his penalty minutes: 144. That’s not an error, the winger does in fact have 144 penalty minutes through his first 24 games. For reference, his previous career high in any season in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, or OHL was 147, set back in 2016-17 in 54 games with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls.
Should Sabourin get into game action with Ottawa, it would mark his fourth season of NHL action. A late-bloomer, Sabourin made his debut at age 27 with Ottawa during the 2019-20 season, where he played in 35 games, a career-high. Since then, he’s featured largely in the AHL once again, but has seen time with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020-21 and Ottawa once against in 2021-22.
Austin Watson Fined For Interference
The NHL and its Department of Player Safety announced earlier that Ottawa Senators forward Austin Watson has been fined $4,054.05 for interference on Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin last night. The fine is the maximum allowable under the CBA. The money will go the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The incident occurred at 12:55 of the first period. Larkin would stay in the game after the play, however as Michigan Live’s Ansar Khan reports, Larkin is the only player who played in yesterday’s game not on the ice for practice this morning.
It appears this play was the cause of Ottawa’s recall of forward Scott Sabourin earlier this morning, with the team concerned Watson could be suspended for the play. Now with Watson merely fined, Ottawa should have their choice of who to dress in Minnesota against the Wild this afternoon. Through 30 games this season, the gritty Watson has four points along with 36 penalty minutes and 73 hits.
Snapshots: Norris, Season Expansion, Joyce
When news of Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris‘ shoulder injury first broke, it was speculated as a potentially season-ending ailment. The timeline was eventually narrowed down to a three-to-five-month period, and in early November, it became clear that Norris would not need to have surgery on his shoulder. Now, it seems there is even more good news regarding Norris’ injury situation. At Senators practice today, Norris took off his non-contact jersey and donned a regular practice jersey.
That’s an important development, as it indicates that Norris could be nearing a return to the ice sooner than anyone may have anticipated. While the Senators remain in last place in the Atlantic Division, they are currently on a three-game winning streak and have a 7-2-1 record in their last ten games. Being able to add Norris back to their group of centers would give them a trio of Norris, Tim Stutzle, and Shane Pinto, an enviable group of young pivots. Norris scored 35 goals and 55 points last season, and while his slow start to this season as well as his shoulder injury makes it somewhat likely that he’ll need time to get back up to full speed, his return to the ice would undoubtedly be a major help to the Senators’ push to get back into the playoff picture.
Some other notes from across the NHL:
- ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski reports that the NHL “has discussed expanding its regular season from 82 to 84 games in an effort to create more regional rivalry matchups.” With the league still recovering from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been renewed focus on advancing the league’s revenue goals. Wyshynski does note that “the topic wasn’t mentioned at this week’s board of governors meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, but is expected to be discussed at the general managers’ meeting in March 2023,” meaning the change is still a bit of a way away from being officially agreed upon and implemented.
- NorthStar Bets’ Chris Johnston has reported that executive Eric Joyce is no longer a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. Joyce joined the Maple Leafs in the fall of 2020 and had most recently served as the director of hockey strategy and pro scouting. It is unclear at this current moment if the Maple Leafs have chosen to leave those roles unfilled, delegated Joyce’s responsibilities to others, or otherwise re-assigned Joyce’s vacated titles and responsibilities.
Alex Formenton Signs In Switzerland
No longer eligible to play in the NHL this season, Ottawa Senators restricted free agent Alex Formenton has signed a contract with HC Ambri-Piotta, the same club that yesterday added Nick Shore. The deal will only last through the 2022-23 season, and the team release included the following (translated by Google):
The HCAP knows that the player and some of his teammates from Canada’s U20 World Cup winners in 2018 were involved in a criminal investigation which resulted in a decree of abandonment. The investigation was recently reopened following revelations about the Canadian federation’s practice in similar cases.
The HCAP, after discussion with the player, who fully cooperated with all authorities during the investigations carried out by the London Police (Ontario, Canada), the NHL and the Canadian Hockey Federation, and his lawyers, believes that there is no any element not to assert the presumption of innocence against him. Should the new investigation by the Canadian police reveal elements that are currently unknown, the Club and the player have reserved the right to reevaluate their contractual relationship.
Formenton, 23, failed to reach a contract with the Senators before the December 1 deadline, making him ineligible for the rest of the year. The impasse followed a breakout season in which the young forward scored 18 goals and 32 points in 79 games, using his elite skating and long reach to create regular scoring chances for himself and his teammates.
The Senators have never commented on whether the re-opened investigation into an alleged 2018 sexual assault had anything to do with Formenton’s negotiations or lack thereof. Yesterday, Darren Dreger of TSN reported that the league’s investigation into the incident is nearly complete, but there is still an ongoing investigation by the London Police Service, and follow-up that needs to be completed between the NHL and NHLPA before anything is released.
He will remain a restricted free agent and on the Senators’ reserve list unless they choose to leave him unqualified this summer.
Ottawa Senators Recall Jake Lucchini
After parts of five seasons in the minor leagues, Jake Lucchini is finally getting a chance in the NHL. The Ottawa Senators have recalled both Lucchini and Dillon Heatherington, as they deal with injuries to Tim Stutzle and Tyler Motte. Both regular forwards were absent from practice today, according to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.
Stutzle is expected to miss at least a week with a shoulder strain.
Lucchini, 27, was skating on a line with Rourke Chartier and Dylan Gambrell, not exactly the group that Ottawa was expecting when they started the year. It will be his NHL debut after grinding out 200 games in the AHL.
Undrafted, Lucchini played four years at Michigan Tech and was eventually named captain, before signing with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to start his pro career. After two years with the Laval Rocket, he joined the Belleville Senators last season and scored 51 points in 70 games.
That earned him a one-year, two-way contract, and now a chance to show what he can do at the highest level. The Senators take on the Montreal Canadiens this evening after winning two in a row.
Senators Activate Jonathan Aspirot From SOIR, Assign Him To AHL
- The Senators have activated defenseman Jonathan Aspirot off season-opening injured reserve and assigned him to AHL Belleville, CapFriendly reports (Twitter link). The 23-year-old is entering his fourth professional season, all with the Sens, and had 18 points and 52 penalty minutes in 47 games in 2021-22. Aspirot is set to become a restricted free agent this summer as his entry-level contract comes to an end.
Ottawa Senators Re-Assign Dillon Heatherington
Dec 13: A few days later and Heatherington has been returned to the minor leagues, suggesting Zub is close to a return. The minor league veteran has still not actually seen any NHL action this season.
Dec 7: The Ottawa Senators saw their short winning streak come to an abrupt halt last night when they allowed five goals to the Los Angeles Kings, and now they’re headed on the road for two games against the Central Division. With Artem Zub sidelined due to a broken jaw, they’ve recalled Dillon Heatherington from the AHL to give them some extra defensive depth on the trip.
Heatherington, 27, has already played nine games for Ottawa this season, filling in when Zub and Thomas Chabot were out earlier this year. The minor league veteran failed to record a point during that time but does offer size and physicality, something that the group can lack at times.
The Senators defensive results have been tied almost directly to Zub’s health this year. When he’s in the lineup, they do fine, and when he’s not, they don’t. In the 14 games he has played, the team is 7-7. In the 11 he’s missed, 3-7-1. That combined record puts them last in the Atlantic Division and falling out of the playoff race as we approach Christmas.
Ottawa has been linked to every potential defenseman on the market but haven’t pulled the trigger yet on a trade to reinforce the back end. At some point, if they want to compete for the playoffs and a Stanley Cup, an addition of some sort will have to be made. Nikita Zaitsev logged the second-most minutes among defensemen last night, just days after being sent to the minor leagues.
Injury Notes: Caufield, Stützle, Tanev
After exiting tonight’s game early in the second period with an upper-body injury, Montreal Canadiens star sniper Cole Caufield will not return, according to the team. He was hit hard in front of the Canadiens’ net by Flames forward Trevor Lewis and reached for his head after the collision.
Caufield and Nick Suzuki‘s chemistry have been instrumental in helping the Habs hover around the .500 mark this far into the regular season. Caufield’s 16 goals lead the team, and his 25 points in 27 games are second behind Suzuki’s 29. Any long-term absence from their top goal-scorer will be extremely difficult to overcome.
- Another Canadian team also lost an important young forward tonight. Ottawa Senators center Tim Stützle left their game against the Anaheim Ducks and did not return after sustaining an upper-body injury in the first frame, per the team. He was checked by Ducks forward Brett Leason, who was given an interference penalty on the play. Stützle’s 27 points are second on the team, and they’re already without their other top center in Josh Norris.
- For Calgary, they lost defenseman Chris Tanev after taking a puck to the face. The veteran stayed down on the ice after the impact but didn’t require a stretcher and was helped off the ice by teammates. If Tanev is to miss time, Calgary will need to recall another defenseman with MacKenzie Weegar battling an illness.
Senators Sale, Other Topics To Be Discussed At Board Of Governors Meeting Tomorrow
- Today wasn’t the most eventful opening day of the NHL’s Board of Governors’ meeting in Florida, but NHL.com’s Dan Rosen expects that to change tomorrow. Rosen notes that tomorrow’s docket includes salary cap projections for the 2023-24 season, updates regarding the ongoing sale process for the Ottawa Senators, and a potential fan code of conduct. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will likely issue an update after tomorrow’s meetings conclude.