Today's report card looks at the rookie who seemed to have a permanent ear to ear grin on his face, Curtis Lazar.
PRE-SEASON EXPECTATION
Lazar was expected to fight for a spot to make the team out of training camp, mostly because it was either the NHL or the CHL for a player who had won a Memorial Cup in Edmonton and didn't have much to play for in junior. Binghamton wasn't an option due to his age.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
Lazar certainly did enough to make the team in training camp, but it was a slow start to the season for the kid offensively. He certainly didn't look out of place though, and found a spot on the "Kid Line" with Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman early on.
The offense didn't come easily, as Lazar didn't bulge the twine until his 26th NHL game. He impressed with his all-around game, but I think fans and management alike would have preferred to see more consistent offense from a first round pick that they have high hopes for.
Lazar was loaned to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships, where he was the captain of the team that broke a 5 year Canadian drought and captured the Gold Medal on home soil.
After he returned from the success of international play, Lazar settled into Dave Cameron's system and found a spot on a pretty effective third line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Erik Condra. While they didn't provide a ton of offense, they were good on the forecheck and Cameron was comfrotable with playing against any line the opposition would throw out there.
THE HARD STATS
THE FANCY STATS
Lazar was used in a more defensive than offensive role, and compared to many other young players in the division (but many of whom have one, two or sometimes more years experience) he had a decent debut season.
THE "KEY" STATS
Lazar had points in 6 of his last 12 games, perhaps showing a turnaround and an offensive confidence and touch that everyone was looking for on the season.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
Lazar's offense will come in time. There were only 10 teenagers to play more than 30 NHL games this past season, and only 2 (Aaron Ekblad and Bo Horvat) scored more than 10 goals. This illustrates how hard it is for a teenager to make and succeed in the NHL at such a young age. His all-around game and penalty kill ability will keep him in the league while he works on his point totals.
It would be a lot to ask for Lazar to turn into Jonathan Toews, but he can certainly be that type of player, if not necessarily at that level. A guy who is a consummate leader even if he isn't always among the leading scorers in the league, who can excel in all 3 zones, and play his best when the chips are down. Lazar has smiled more this season than Captain Serious has in his whole career, but on the ice their games are pretty similar.
Lazar is only going to get better in the coming years and he certainly has the character and will to keep improving, and the future is very bright for him in a Senators' uniform.
GRADE: While the offensive numbers weren't quite where many would have hoped, he certainly showed he belonged in the NHL, and while he could be sent to the AHL to develop his offense next year if necessary, I wouldn't think that would be a real option for the team. B+ .
Up next is a much anticipated report card for a high profile forward who signed a massive extension prior to the season. Yes, I made this one pretty obvious!
If you missed them, check out prior Report Cards: