Ottawa Senators: Tanking for Lafreniere?

By: Adamo Marinelli

December 6th, 2019

     Many people expected the Senators to tank for a high draft pick this year. Aside from a few amazing wins here and there against stellar opponents, those assumptions would be correct. 

     Coming into this year, the young core of the Senators and new head coach D.J Smith had no expectations concerning reaching the playoffs. Their only task this year, the third year in their rebuild, was to help the young players continue to develop and build chemistry with each other. 

     Through 29 games this season, the Senators sit 7th in the Atlantic Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-16-1. 

     After starting the season 1-6-1, in a 3-week span from late October to mid-November the Senators went on a hot streak and managed to win 9 of 13 games. During that streak, the Senators showed talent on both sides of the puck, scoring at a decent rate, not surrendering too many goals with an exception in an 8-2 loss to the Hurricanes and their goalies, for the most part, performed when necessary. 

     With many young talented forwards like Brady Tkachuk, Logan Brown, Colin White, Anthony Duclair, Nick Paul and Filip Chlapik and several young and skilled defenseman like Thomas Chabot, Eric Brannstrom, Dylan Demelo, Christian Wolanin among others learning and developing in Ottawa or in Bellville, the Senators have a very bright future. Throw in some veteran leadership from guys like Mark Borowiecki, Jean Gabriel Pageau, Craig Anderson, Nikita Zaitsev, Ron Hainsey and Ryan Callahan who teach the young players and likely two top 10 picks this year; one belonging to the Senators, the other from San Jose in the Karlsson trade, the Senators have a chance to make some noise in the coming seasons. For this season, however, aside from several amazing wins against good teams like Tampa Bay, Edmonton, Philadelphia and Montreal, the season’s focus was clear. Get another high draft pick to continue the rebuild. They have had several losing streaks throughout the year to aid this point.

     After losing their last 5 games, including a 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks - who had a 4-0 lead after period # 1 - on December 3rd, the Senators proved they are not a doormat and dominated Edmonton in period #2 and #3 after another slow start in period #1. Sure, they were the beneficiaries of some lucky bounces and goals in Edmonton, but the youngsters showed grit and resilience like always; the team proved they’re able to compete in games against better opponents. In many of their slow starts, Craig Anderson and Anders Nilsson were always there to make a crucial save to keep the Senators alive. Last night was no different. Anderson stood on his head again and the defense did a great job locking down McDavid and Draisaitl until their offense took over. 

     Throughout this losing streak and others that they’ve had this season, they haven’t been blown out frequently with the exception of an 8-2 loss in Carolina and a 7-2 loss in Minnesota. The Senators have proved time and time again, they are capable of competing with any team and can stay alive in any game. Their goal is to get high draft picks to rebuild for a bright future, but they want to optimize the talent they have now, to build the next superstars of tomorrow. They don’t want to be known as pushovers. 

     Finally, it is still a bit early to talk about the 2020 draft, but as of today, Ottawa has sole possession of the fourth overall pick in next year’s draft. They are competing with Detroit, Los Angeles, and New Jersey for the first overall pick, which will give one lucky team the rights to Alexis Lafreniere, debatably the best player in a year stacked with talented Canadian prospects. Lafreniere can score, pass and defend, he is the whole package. The consolation prize is another Canadian named Quinton Byfield. His 6’4” stature makes him a dominant center who can swiftly move the puck up the ice, win faceoffs, pass and score. Incredible. The Senators have a chance at both of these guys but will need to out tank Detroit, New Jersey or Los Angeles and/or get lucky on draft lottery night. Also, as of today, San Jose is sitting 16th in the NHL which means they have the 15th pick. The Senators might take another forward or defenceman with that pick but should consider taking Yaroslav Askarov as their franchise goaltender. Anderson and Nilsson are aging and won’t be around forever.

     Will the Senators continue to lose games and tank for a high draft pick or will they go on a surprise run with their current roster and make a playoff push? Only time will tell.