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The Ottawa Senators experienced some significant turnover this season including some important players. This has spurred debates among fans about whether or not the team has improved or taken a step back. In this article, I will explain why the Ottawa Senators should improve their overall season success in 2023/2024.
Kubalik Has The Potential To Replace Alex DeBrincat’s Production
Let me begin by saying that I do not believe Dominik Kubalik is of the same caliber as Alex DeBrincat. DeBrincat is the better player. But what I will say is that DeBrincat without a question had a down year this season. He finished the year with 27 goals, 39 assists for 66 points. Kubalik finished the season with 20 goals, 25 assists for 45 points.
Kubalik spent the season on a Detroit Red Wings team that struggled mightily to find the back of the net. For the Ottawa Senators, scoring has not been a problem. On a more offensively talented team, I believe Kubalik could break the 50-point plateau and could push toward 60. Playing on the second line with two elite players (Norris/Batherson), as well as one of the power play units should benefit Kubalik exponentially.
Check out this article discussing what Kubalik provides in more depth!
Ottawa Senators Addition By Health
The Senators brought in Kubalik to fill DeBrincat’s LW position, but they have another player who can fill his shoes in terms of offensive production. The return of Josh Norris is going to work wonders for this team. I am confident in saying that Norris has the talent to easily match/exceed the production provided by DeBrincat this past season.
With Norris back healthy, the Sens should be able to bank on a guy who can give you 30+ goals and 60-70 points while playing strong two-way hockey. Add in Kubalik’s additional offensive contributions, and the Senators should be sitting in a great spot in terms of offense.
Jakob Chychrun Is Here
What I mean by saying Chychrun is here is that he will now be able to play the entire season with the Senators. Health permitting, the Senators are adding a player who is a top-pairing defender and who has received Norris trophy recognition in his young career. Chychrun’s impact on this team’s success cannot be overstated.
Chychrun in the Senators’ top-4 also helps one key defender for the Sens. Thomas Chabot will finally have a competent defensive partner (likely Zub/Chychrun). After years of having to carry his partner, Chabot will finally be able to trust Zub or Chychrun enough to focus on playing his offensively based game.
Goaltending Has Improved On Paper
The biggest weakness of the Senators last season was their goaltending. After using 7 separate goalies during the season, the Sens of course struggled to keep pucks out of their net. What didn’t help was the shakiness of Cam Talbot who had a year that was simply not good enough. Anton Forsberg had a solid season, although, after two knee surgeries, we will have to see what shape he is in come October.
Arguably the biggest acquisition of the offseason so far for the Sens has been Joonas Korpisalo. Korpisalo was signed to a 5 year $20 million contract in free agency this year. While this contract is risky, it could be rewarding for the Sens. This season, Korpisalo posted a .914 SV% and a 16.72 GSAx. This blows Talbot and Forsberg’s numbers out of the water. If this is the Korpisalo the Sens get, the sky is the limit.
The Core Has Taken Another Step
This is a point that I haven’t heard many fans raising. The young Senators’ core has taken yet another step forward in their development on the ice as well as their maturity. Jake Sanderson and Shane Pinto were both rookies who played an important role for the Senators this season and both are now that much more experienced going into next season.
The young core of the Senators now also have another year of experience and growth under their belt. They also have something else very important. The team was so close to the playoffs this season, and now the players have a taste of what playoff-style hockey is all about. Hopefully, this has made them more hungry than ever to make the post-season and bring a cup to Ottawa.
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