Filling out the Ottawa Senators lineup for 2022-23
The Senators are currently in year 5 of a rebuild that began in 2018. It’s clear to everyone that now is the time to build on their core group rather than continue to stockpile draft picks. The team has a solid foundation of young players including Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot, Drake Batherson, Josh Norris, and more.
Taking a look at the present Sens roster, this is roughly how it shakes up going into next year:
Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
Formenton-Stutzle-???
???-Pinto-Brown
???-???-Watson
Chabot-???
Holden-Zub
Sanderson-???
Those blanks can be filled by a number of players, some currently inside the organization, and some in the form of veteran additions. The first forward line seems to be pencilled in for next year and the left defense is pretty much set in stone.
Where it will get interesting is how they choose to fill out the right side of their defense. Currently, barring injuries, the Sens like to run with Nikita Zaitsev on the top pair with Chabot, Zub with Holden and Josh Brown on the bottom pair with Erik Brannstrom.
Judging from what we’ve seen so far this year, it’s unlikely Josh Brown will be in the lineup next year. Zaitsev has not played well by any standard but because of his contract and the fact that Pierre Dorion and D.J. Smith like his play for reasons unknown, he’s a question mark going into 2022-23.
There are a few options on the right side for next year. One is to put Zaitsev and Zub in the top-four and use a depth defenseman on the bottom pair with Sanderson or Brannstrom. Another option is to either buyout or trade Zaitsev, and roll with Zub, Jacob Bernard-Docker, or Lassi Thomson, not necessarily in that order.
I personally prefer the second option but can see how it’s risky to give two rookies that much responsibility out of the gates. As of now, the top-six defensemen heading into next season are likely already in the organization so don’t expect the Sens to go out and acquire another blueliner in the offseason.
The goaltending situation is interesting because just a couple of months ago getting rid of Matt Murray’s $6.25 million contract was a top priority amongst the fanbase. Since then, he’s made a complete 180 and looks like the goalie who won two Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh once more.
Assuming his run of very solid play continues, he’ll be the starting goalie going into 2022-23. Depending on how Anton Forsberg finishes the year, he could be in the Sens’ plans for next year. If not, Filip Gustavsson is the next man up for backup duties.
Both goaltending and defense are unlikely to see drastic changes in the next six months.
Offensively however, just about everything is on the table. Aside from the top line of Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson, there could be any number of combinations for the bottom three forward lines.
Tim Stutzle is labelled as the second-line centre going into next year. His linemates could include Alex Formenton and Connor Brown, or someone the Sens acquire at the deadline or in the offseason.
One name that has repeatedly popped up over the last few weeks is Kevin Fiala from the Minnesota Wild. He’s a 25-year-old left winger who puts up great numbers. At $5.1 million his current contract is definitely not an issue. However, his contract ends after this year and he is due for a significant raise next season.
So far, the Swiss native has 36 points in 43 games, with his play being particularly strong of late, scoring 18 points in his last 14 games. Fiala would be a great player for the Sens to add to a young, blossoming team.
Trade packages vary in value and quantity but the consensus is that it will cost at least a solid prospect and a good draft pick.
Brock Boeser from the Vancouver Canucks is a similar player to Fiala and is also a player the Senators should take a long look at. Boeser is a goal-scorer playing on a struggling team that could use a change of scenery.
At the moment he sits third on the Canucks in points with 27 through 43 games. That’s a 51-point pace over an 82 game campaign. Although he’s having a bit of a down year, it could be a good opportunity for the Sens to try to buy low on the American winger.
Fiala and Boeser are players that would provide the Sens with an instant offensive spark. Trading for them won’t be easy but it could be well worth it in the long run.
If the Senators ultimately don’t add a top-six winger to the lineup, this is how Dorion & Smith could start next year:
Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
Formenton-Stutzle-Brown
Paul-Pinto-White
Bishop-Kastelic-Watson
Chabot-Bernard-Docker
Holden-Zub
Sanderson-Brannstrom
Murray
Gustavsson
While not terrible, fans are well within their rights to hope the franchise is active at the trade deadline and this offseason to finally kick off their run of unparalleled success.
-Naftali Clinton
Twitter: @NaftaliClinton