2021-2022 Season Projections
For all my season previews, we’ll be utilizing my 2021-2022 team and player projections. You can find much more background on these models here, along with more on assessing value of contracts here. Today, we’ll preview the Ottawa Senators.
2021 Offseason
It was a fairly quiet offseason in Ottawa. The Senators signed Drake Batherson and Victor Mete to extensions and brought in Michael del Zotto in free agency. They also acquired Nick Holden from the Golden Knights in exchange for Evgeni Dadanov. Currently, Brady Tkachuk is still an unsigned RFA as training camp approaches. We’ll include him in the projected lineup for now under the assumption that a deal will get done in time for the regular season.
2021-2022 Season Preview
Roster Strength
The Senators will look for internal growth after a quiet offseason as their rebuild continues in earnest. At a high level, it looks like another season where draft lottery odds are in the cards with some significant gaps in the lineup at forward, defense and in goal.
Forwards
The biggest problem area in the Senators’ lineup is the top six. We see Josh Norris and Drake Batherson’s projected impacts well below what’s needed from them for their expected roles. Both projections are suffering from poor defensive impacts. Brady Tkachuk is the clear offensive leader and the Senators need to get him signed to a contract before the start of the season. The bottom of the lineup has room for some prospects to earn their way onto the opening night roster.
Defensemen
The Senators’ defense corps looks stronger than the forward group. Thomas Chabot will lead the way once again and Artem Zub looks like he could be a big factor in his second season in Ottawa. Nick Holden comes over from Vegas with a very good projected value based on his cap hit and the re-signed Victor Mete also has an excellent projected value.
Goaltenders
The Senators’ goaltending has been an Achilles heel in recent seasons and it projects as a problem area again this season. Matt Murray has struggled since coming to Ottawa and will have to be better than last season if he hopes to hold onto the starter’s job.
Team Performance
The Senators look set to battle for draft lottery odds again this season. With little change from the outside this offseason, they’ll rely on growth from within for any gains.
2021-2022 In Season Updates
Make sure to subscribe and check back for updates to the 2021-2022 season projections throughout the season. Watch for updates and enhancements to the models, updated player projections using 2021-2022 season data, analysis of trades and injuries, and more.
