It was a move that came only a couple weeks after the season ended and at a time when other team's were still embroiled in a chase for Lord Stanley.
You'd be forgiven if you missed the fact that on May 4, the Sens resigned forward Peter Regin to a one year, one way contract. It was a move that was met with predictably limited fan fare but one that could pay dividends for the Senators this season.
Three sentences in and I know I've already lost some of you.
After all, this is the same Peter Regin that appeared in all of ten games last season. Five games in October. Five in December. Not exactly a memorable campaign. But if Peter Regin can stay healthy, and believe me, I'm emphasizing the heck out of that "if", he could play an important role in the Sens line up in the 2012/2013 season.
Durable he is not, but versatile? You bet.
Regin is a natural centre, but can play the wing. You'll recall he has shown flashes of chemistry playing with Spezza in the past. If not on the wing, Regin could slide comfortably into the three hole at centre, behind Spezza and Turris.
He has the skill to play the power play and the smarts to take a PK shift from time to time. He gets up and down the ice well and is a player that theoretically should thrive in MacLean's puck possession, high tempo style of game.On a team that's riddled with youth, Regin and his 151 games of NHL experience almost take on the role of grizzled veteran.
Determining exactly where Regin slots in obviously depends on the camps of guys like Silfverberg, Zibanejad and Stone but there's an outside shot he finds his way into the team's top six. By no means will anything be handed to Regin but barring a trade for Bobby Ryan, there is a spot there for the taking.
Any discussion about Regin's potential has to come with a massive asterisk. In fact, as I type this, there's a good chance he's doing irreparable damage to one of or both of his shoulders. But there is no doubt he's got talent. Prior to his injury riddled 2011/2012 season, fans swooned over the potential of Regin, particularly after an impressive showing (3 goals, 1 assist) in his first 6 playoff games at the NHL level.
If you want additional reason for optimism- his one year contract means we can expect to see a guy approaching this like his "last shot". Strange thing to say for a 26 year old but that might be the reality facing Regin this year.
He sounds motivated and ready to rebound from an ugly campaign.
If he can put past injury concerns behind him, there's no reason to believe Peter Regin can't be an important player for the Senators next season.
