OTTAWA — In the hockey world, the off-season conversation often revolves around blockbuster trades or star free agents leaving major markets like Toronto.
However, the summer in Ottawa was marked by a more balanced, deliberate, and generally quiet approach. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet offered a fitting summary of Ottawa Senators General Manager Steve Staios` off-season on the 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, stating that Staios “hit a bunch of singles.”
Think about the Toronto Blue Jays. With the significant exception of George Springer, they build success by hitting singles, not just home runs. Consistent singles are the foundation for consistent winning.
Staios effectively achieved his key off-season objectives: He successfully re-signed Claude Giroux after complex negotiations, securing a contract that provides excellent value; he acquired Jordan Spence, a much-needed puck-moving right-shot defenceman, using a draft pick obtained by trading down just two spots in the first round; and he added Lars Eller, a capable fourth-line centre strong in penalty killing and face-offs.
The Senators are undoubtedly a better team entering this season than they were last, demonstrating that the method of improvement is secondary to the fact that the team has improved.
Depth Chart
Forwards
Tkachuk — Stutzle — Giroux
Zetterlund — Cozens — Batherson
Greig — Pinto — Perron
Cousins — Eller — Amadio
Defence
Sanderson — Zub
Chabot — Jensen*
Kleven — Spence
Matinpalo — Yakemchuk**
*Jensen had off-season hip surgery and is unlikely to start the season
**Yakemchuk could make the team if he excels in training camp, and or later in the season in Belleville
Goal
Ullmark
Merilainen
Sogaard
Cap Information
Total forward cap hits: $51,355,714
Total defence cap hits: $28,675,000
Total goalie cap hits: $9,300,000
Cap space remaining: $4,294,286
Duncan Priestley