While the playoffs remain a pipe dream with 26 left, the emergence of some of Ottawa’s top prospects is giving fans reason to keep watching games down the stretch.
First, it was 2011 second round pick Shane Prince making his NHL debut (and picking up his first NHL point) against the Carolina Hurricanes. The next game, relative unknown Andrew Hammond stole the show, stopping 42 shots in an outstanding performance against the Montreal Canadiens.
Saturday night looks like it could be Matt Puempel’s time to shine.
Yesterday, the Ottawa Senators announced that they were returning Shane Prince to Binghamton of the American Hockey League and hours later, recalled 2011 first round pick Matt Puempel. Puempel is expected to make his NHL debut against the Florida Panthers on Saturday night.
As disappointing as this season has been for the Senators, the emergence of some of the team’s young players has certainly been encouraing. Mark Stone looks like a legitimate top six forward. Same goes for Mike Hoffman, who’s 20 goals have him in the Calder Trophy discussion even if Filip Forsberg is a slam dunk to win the award.
Shane Prince had his chance to show what he can do and he certainly didn’t look out of place in his two game stint. Now it’s up to Matt Puempel to do the same. He hasn’t had a great season in Binghamton but good on the Senators for giving him a chance to show what he can do at the NHL level. Puempel looked good in the preseason and after a strong first season in Binghamton, seems like a prospect that is at least close to making the jump.
He’ll get that chance on Saturday night.
You always prefer to watch meaningful games at this point in the season but even though these games may not have playoff implications, watching the development of the team’s younger players is certainly keeping things interesting.
More coming in a little bit.
