Welcome back to the next installment of Mike’s Mailbag, with my answers to your questions on the Ottawa Senators and more!
Jeff asks: Which veteran has the greatest shot at losing his job on the Sens due to the amount of high-end prospects we have?
Assuming you mean this season specifically, Artem Anisimov seems particularly vulnerable to spending some time in the press box given the number of young centres that will be vying for a spot. If Josh Norris and Logan Brown both show really well coming out of camp, there’s just not a huge need for Anisimov in the lineup. That’s especially true considering Colin White and Chris Tierney will also need their fair share of ice time. Alex asks: With all the veteran one-year contracts handed out lately, how many spots do you figure the rookies will have up for grabs? I consider Batherson pretty much a lock, but all the others will likely have to battle it out for 2-3 spots. Who makes it?
I think you’re right about there being two very clear openings up front right now, with the potential for a third if someone comes out of camp absolutely deserving of a spot. My expectation is that the team is going to do everything that it can to get Tim Stuetzle onto the main roster, and then I think Josh Norris is going to be given a long, long look after his breakthrough year in Belleville last year. Logan Brown and Alex Formenton are the two other names I’m watching.
There’s also likely still room for Erik Brannstrom to make room for himself on the blue line.
Kevin asks: Will Stuetzle centre Tkachuk and Dadonov this year or be a 3C?
I actually expect that they’ll start Stuetzle on the wing if he makes the team out of camp, simply to give him more time to adjust to the NHL in a “safer… environment. The added benefit of doing that is that it leaves more space open up the middle for other prospects they want to get a look at to come in and demonstrate whether they are NHL ready.
Kevin asks: Will Formenton play as a 2L?
See my response to the question above – he’s one of the guys I’m watching for that potential final spot on the roster, if he can make an unequivocally clear case for himself.
Fil asks: Thoughts on still bringing back Duclair? What would be a good contract deal for him from the Senators position?
As mentioned in the last blog, I just don’t see how it could work now. The money that would have been allocated to Duclair has been spent in other areas, and the roster already looks like it has more veteran players on it than many would like to see. Bringing back Duclair means taking a spot away from someone who is likely ready to make the jump from a lower level. Tim asks: Do you think Tim Stuetzle plays on the first line with Brady?
Not if my projection of him starting on the wing comes true. I see him slotting in on the left side of that second line to start, until he’s potentially ready to make a shift to centre. At that time, it would absolutely make sense to pair your two best assets.
Khawk asks: How much of a leash do you think Logan Brown will have to prove he has legitimate top-six upside before his window of opportunity starts to expire, and/or trade rumors begin to surface?
At only 22 years old, I think he’s got at *least* another year before the internal leash starts to tighten. The leash will be elongated further if Josh Norris isn’t able to translate AHL success to the National Hockey League, or if Tim Stuetzle doesn’t look like he’s going to make a transition from the wing to centre. At this point, it really doesn’t feel like the Senators could win a Logan Brown trade anyways, as there’s a surprising lack of attention paid around the league to a 6’6…, former first-round pick who has generated a lot of AHL success.
DutchSenators asks: Are you as worried as I am about the horrible season that Lassi Thomson is currently having (so far)?
Not really. Even if he underperformed while over in Finland on loan this Fall, it’s difficult for me to put too much stock into that due to all the surrounding circumstances. This is a weird year. If he can come back to Ottawa’s camp and get settled into a routine, none of what just happened with Ilves will have mattered.
Jazz: Is it tough to keep a blog interesting when there has been no games for 10 months?
Absolutely. That’s why things like this are fun, because it’s great to see what’s on the mind of the broader fan base. For the seven teams that didn’t qualify for bonus summer action, this break has been a real slog.
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Back with more in the next blog. As always, thanks for reading.