With the offseason underway for a number of teams, and the rest set to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.
2016-17 Grade: A+
It feels good to give out an A+ for a change. And the Ottawa Senators definitely earned it.
What is there left to say about a team that captured the hearts and attention of of hockey fans everywhere? A group that defied all the odds, experts, and naysayers to advance all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final?
Well, Erik Karlsson is the best defenseman in the world, Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone are elite goal-scorers, and Craig Anderson clearly has what it takes to carry a team all the way.
Ninety-eight points, the sixth-best record in the East, and a Conference Finals appearance should have Guy Boucher's group feeling pretty good heading into golf/cottage season.
That's not to say the club didn't hit its share of rough patches. Ottawa had losing streaks of four or more games three times, including a five-game skid during the final two weeks of the campaign.
The Sens still have some needs to address for next season, but for now, their fans should sit back and enjoy the success their club had in both the regular season and playoffs.
Free Agents
As is the case for many general managers, it'll be an interesting summer for Pierre Dorion as he evaluates his list of restricted and unrestricted free agents.
Most of his attention will likely go to his group of forwards - Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ryan Dzingel, and Viktor Stalberg are all free agents.
| Player (Position) | 2017-18 Status | Age | 2016-17 Cap Hit | '16-17 Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Neil (F) | UFA | 37 | $1.5M | 4 |
| Viktor Stalberg (F) | UFA | 31 | $1.5M | 16 |
| Chris Kelly (F) | UFA | 36 | $900K | 12 |
| Tommy Wingels (F) | UFA | 29 | $2.4M | 12 |
| Tom Pyatt (F) | UFA | 30 | $800K | 23 |
| Ryan Dzingel (F) | RFA | 25 | $750K | 32 |
| Jean-Gabriel Pageau (F) | RFA | 24 | $900K | 33 |
| Jyrki Jokipakka (D) | RFA | 25 | $900K | 6 |
The No.1 goalie job in Ottawa is obviously secure with Anderson between the pipes, but after that, the Senators need to lock down a reliable backup.
For the time being, they have one in Mike Condon, but he's a UFA and and a number of teams will be sniffing around for his services.
| Goalie | 2017-18 Status | Age | 2016-17 Cap Hit | '16-17 SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Condon | UFA | 27 | $575K | .914 |
| Matt O'Connor | RFA | 25 | $925K | N/A |
2017 Draft Picks
Ottawa's second-round pick was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Dion Phaneuf trade last year, and the Sens dealt away their third-round pick in February's exchange with the Carolina Hurricanes for Stalberg.
They still hold a second-round selection (from the Flames), but drafting in the first round at 28th overall and holding only four picks will make this summer even trickier for Dorion and Co.
| Round | Picks |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 (Flames) |
| 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 1 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 6 | 1 |
| 7 | 0 |
Summer Priorities
1. Add a top-six forward
Yeah, Ottawa and every other NHL club.
But the Sens averaged the ninth-worst goals-for average per game last season at 2.51. Karlsson is nasty, but he's not good enough to pick up the offensive slack all by himself.
The Senators need help up the middle and players like UFAs Martin Hanzal or Sam Gagner would offer the type of secondary scoring the team is looking for.
2. Re-sign Condon
Few backup 'tenders offer the stability Condon provides. The 27-year-old has proved he can fill in for a spot start, but more importantly, he can also carry a team if injuries - or illnesses - thrust him into the starting role.
In 38 starts last season, Condon posted a respectable record of 19-14 to go along with a goals-against average of 2.48.
The Senators still have the option of using Andrew Hammond in relief of Anderson, but the Hamburglar struggled in his six appearances last campaign to the tune of a 4.88 GAA and .837 save percentage.
3. Give the kids a chance
This is more of a training-camp priority, but Ottawa has a number of intriguing young talents knocking on the NHL door that could soon be cornerstones of the franchise.
Everyone has heard about first-rounders Thomas Chabot and Colin White, but there's a third name you should get familiar with: Logan Brown.
He's another exciting first-round pick that should make an impact with the big club sooner than later. Ottawa would be wise to give these kids a shot at a roster spot come September.
2017-18 Outlook
Aside from the top few teams, the Eastern Conference is as wide-open as it has been in recent memory - a perfect time for Ottawa to bolster its roster and make another serious run at a Cup.
The pieces are in place on the back end and in net to make this group competitive for at least the next couple of seasons, if not more. All that's missing is the depth scoring.
If Dorion can address his lack of offensive punch up front with a top-six forward, the sky is the limit for Boucher's boys.
Offseason Outlook Series
COL | VAN | NJD | ARI | BUF
DET | DAL | FLA | LAK | CAR
WPG | PHI | TBL | NYI | WSH
TOR | CGY | BOS | SJS | OTT
STL | EDM | MTL | ANA | MIN
CBJ | CHI | PIT | NAS | NYR
LGK
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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