Training camps in the NHL to prepare for the 2022/23 season will begin in mid-September. Beginning August 1, NHL.com will take a closer look at one team in the league each day in the 32 in 32 series. The two-part inventory includes key personnel changes, key players, strengths and weaknesses, and playoff chances.
In this issue: Ottawa Senators
Video: The best of the Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are serious: With Claude Giroux and Alex DeBrincat the Senators get real transfer coups that take the storm to a new level. The German center forward talent could also be one of them Tim Stützle benefit who could center a row with the two prominent newcomers.
Giroux and DeBrincat add tremendous value to the storm
The playoff hunger in the Canadian capital is huge: The Senators last qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2016/17 season and even made it to the Eastern Conference Finals (3:4 against the later Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins) . Since then, however, Ottawa has not made it into the finals – on the contrary: in 2017/18 the Senators finished second to last, in 2018/19 last and 2019/20 again second to last in the entire NHL. Ottawa used the resulting top-class draft picks for a change that bore fruit in the last two years with 23rd and 26th place.
Now the senators want more: the talents have established themselves as top performers in the league. In the summer of 2022, Ottawa aggressively went on a buying spree and upgraded the roster with two top forwards: Claude Giroux (34, previously Florida Panthers) signed a three-year contract with a total volume of $ 19.5 million as an unrestricted free agent. Alex DeBrincat was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks and cost the Senators a first-round, a second-round, and a third-round draft pick.
[Ähnliches DeBrincat von Blackhawks für drei Draft Picks an die Senators abgegeben]
Regular season 2021/22: 33-42-7, 7th in the Atlantic Division
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2022: not qualified
Trainer: D.J. Smith, 4. Saison
Top additions: F Claude Giroux, F Alex DeBrincat, D Jacob Larsson, G Cam Talbot
Top departures: F Connor BrownF Colin White, F Chris TierneyF Tyler Ennis, D Michael Del Zotto, G Matt MurrayG Philip Gustavsson
“We’re thrilled to have signed a player of Claude’s caliber,” said Ottawa general Pierre Dorion after Giroux’s signature. “He’s an elite attacking player with exceptional face-off skills and a strong work ethic. His leadership skills are also a great strength. We were committed to strengthening our squad for the summer break and he’s an important part of that.”
Video: DeBrincat, Giroux join Senators
“Alex’s signing brings immediate and additional firepower to our attack,” the GM stated after acquiring DeBrincat. “He’s a dynamic striker who brings a lot of scoring threat. He has good vision, lots of quality and a shot that allows him to score from anywhere on the ice. He’s a consistent player and an underrated playmaker who Senators fans will enjoy.”
DeBrincat | support | Giroux – a strong line with offensive power
Many pundits believe Giroux and DeBrincat will line up with Tim Stützle at center. The German recommended himself in the center forward position in the previous season. With a 22-36–58 streak, the 20-year-old from Viersen was the second-best scorer and third-best scorer in Ottawa. As a highly talented offensive player, Stützle was also a weapon on the power play and collected the most points over the Senators (26). There were also four winners and ten multi-point games.
The 1.84 meter tall and 89 kg heavy Stützle should again center his own line and as a left-handed shooter would be a perfect addition to the right-shooting newcomers Giroux and DeBrincat. But the trio would also go well together as player types: Stützle is an offensive player with a lot of speed, good technique, good hands and a good shot. Giroux has experience from 15 NHL seasons and nine playoff runs, can read the game as a playmaker and shines with a good overview and precise passes. As an excellent faceoff player, he could share the passes with Stützle, so that everyone can face off on their “strong side”. DeBrincat is one of the shorter players in this league at 5’7″, but his speed and agility make him hard to get hold of. He is considered a sniper and could be used in such a powerful and fast-paced line to score a lot of goals.
Video: Stützles Top 5 Tore in 2021/22
Thus, a “DeBrincat | Stützle | Giroux” formation would be quite conceivable and promising. DeBrincat plays an inverse right-hand shooter on the left, giving him a better angle for shots and direct takes. Giroux as a right-hand shooter on the right to be able to use the forehand for passes on the strong side and also on the boards. And Stützle is the dynamo in the middle and acts as a hybrid player between the dynamic sniper on the left and the creative playmaker on the right.
A second scoring series featuring Tkachuk, Norris and Batherson
With that scoring line, Ottawa could do a lot of damage to the opponent. The same applies to the second top row with Power Forward Brady Tkachukgoalscorer Josh Norris and generalist Drake Batherson. This formation also complements each other very well on and off the ice and also has a physical component.
Thus, the Senators have two high-quality storm lines with a lot of scoring touch and seem equipped both at the top and at the bottom to end the five-year dry spell without a playoff.
[Ähnliches Die Analyse der Ottawa Senators]