Although it may not be clear given the limited media coverage, Training Camp is now in full swing down at the CTC.
In fact, in just a week and a day, the Ottawa Senators will open their season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. And not just a preseason tune up either. The real thing. An actual Ottawa Senators hockey game on our television screens.
But before they get to that point, there are some tough decisions facing Pierre Dorion and DJ Smith. With a ridiculous number of players still in camp and so many guys in a legitimate fights for line up spots, these next couple of days are going to be crucial.
And for the GM and Head Coach, the decisions are going to be based on a number of factors. Not just who is standing out in Camp but also, what’s best for the player’s long-term development. When you combine that with the general uncertainty that comes with putting together a roster under these unique circumstances, there is a lot to consider.
DJ Smith met with the media earlier today and confirmed the next couple of days are crucial.
There’s a scrimmage scheduled for tomorrow and it sounds like for some guys, it’s a final opportunity to show that they deserve a spot.
Complicating things slightly is the fact that three roster locks in Derek Stepan, Tim Stuetzle and Chris Tierney haven’t really participated yet. Tierney was back on the ice today but skating with the B group. Stepan and Stueztle will join in this weekend. It’s going to take all three of those guys a bit of time to get up to speed.
A few things to keep an eye on as we enter the last few days of Training Camp.
Brown v. Norris
As expected, two of Ottawa’s top prospects continue to battle it out for one of the centre ice spots. If there even is one available. Logan Brown spent a second straight day on the top line with Brady Tkachuk and Evgenii Dadonov and according to the Coach, he’s looked good. And especially on the power play, although no surprise there. Josh Norris, who is a year younger than Brown, also got a look with those wingers but spent the last two days buddied up with Connor Brown. First it was Cedric Paquette on the wing and then Nick Paul. Clearly the organization thinks both guys are close and they want to get a long look. Although with the taxi squad, it may not end up being an either or situation.
Defence Locked In
With Erik Brannstrom still isolating, things are a little bit clearer on the blueline. It seems like there are eight defenceman fighting for six spots and again, there’s a good chance that all of them end up on either the final roster or taxi squad. What’s interesting about DJ’s approach to this point is that pairings have been consistent from day one. And while it could go either way, the pairing of Braydon Coburn and Artyom Zub feels like the one that is likely scratched to start the season. Again, with expanded rosters, it’s safe to assume all eight guys are going to see NHL action.
Openings on the Wing
There are still some tough decisions to be made among the wingers though. Alex Formenton, one of the guys thought to be in the mix for an NHL spot, dropped to Group B today which doesn’t seem like a great sign for him at this stage. Meanwhile Filip Chlapik, who is also right on the bubble and requires waivers to be sent down, was skating on a line with training camp stand-out Colin White and Drake Batherson. Rudolfs Balcers, who also needs to clear waivers before being sent down, was on what seemed like a fifth line with Parker Kelly and Cedric Paquette.
The Taxi Squad
One of the things that makes this year’s camp unique is the addition of the taxi squad. As you’ll recall, each team will now carry a minimum of four players and a maximum of six on the taxi squad. One of those players has to be a goalie (unless you already have three on the roster). Players with one-way deals get their NHL salaries while two-way deals receive their AHL salaries. Waiver-eligible guys still have to clear before joining the taxi squad. The Senators are going to have a tricky decision to make when it comes to how to use that taxi squad. Guys like Josh Norris, Logan Brown, Drake Batherson and Erik Brannstrom all appear to be on the cusp of cracking the NHL line up. So do you keep them all around, moving them back and forth between the taxi squad and the game day line up? Or from a development perspective, would you rather have those guys playing every day in what’s left of the American Hockey League? Should be interesting to see how it all plays out.
