#2 in your program, #1 on the list of players you love to hate.
Since the day Jason Spezza was dealt to the Stars last summer, the crosshairs of the segment of the Senators fan base that need a whippping boy, have been firmly placed on the back of big defenseman Jared Cowen.
Injuries have played a large part in the seemingly slow development, but people have been very quick to write off the player who is still not yet 25 years old.
Admittedly, Cowen hasn't done himself any favors in the court of public opinion, with his lamenting the fact that he was sent to Binghamton during the lockout (and subsequently injuring himself there), to the contentious negotiations following the expiry of his entry-level contract.
For whatever reason, over the past couple of seasons Cowen has not been able to live up to the salary he is earning and has become a target as a result. It is almost to the point where he has fallen so low in public opinion that he will never be able to climb out. Ottawa is a fan base that makes it very difficult to come back from those types of depths, with really only Daniel Alfredsson able to make the transition from goat to hero successfully in this franchise's brief history.
Without a doubt, this is a make-or-break season for Cowen. Things just got real in terms of salary, as he is entering the third year of his 4 year deal and for the first time he will be making more ($3.7M) than the cap space ($3.1M) he takes up.
While I haven't really been in agreement with the pessimism around his game, the seemingly constant call for him to be traded, and the way he has been singled out when things have gone wrong, he certainly needs to step his game up and become a legitimate top 4 defensemen.
Clarifying his role on the team is one thing, but having him go out and fulfill that role is another.
I know there are questions about his mobility as well as his hockey sense, but I think those concerns are slightly overblown and those aspects aren't as bad as some would like to think.
For his sake I hope he has finally been able to spend a full summer preparing for the season instead of rehabbing an injury.
His ability to assume a top 4 role, even if it is as a defensive foil to Cody Ceci, could be the major tipping point in how successful the Senators are this season. He could make the Senators very deep on the blue line, or if he continues to struggle or regress then the blue line becomes much smaller and thinner, regardless of whether or not either Chris Wideman or Fredrik Claesson can step into a regular role.
Management (former coach Paul MacLean aside) has been pretty patient with him, and I think rightfully so. But as the paychecks get bigger, their patience has to be running out without seeing the appropriate results.
I know a lot of you are in the "deal him now" camp, but I think it is too early to give up on him. My tune might be changing come January or February, but as of now I think he still deserves another chance to prove his value.