“This year, with the evolution of some of our wingers taking on a bigger role and with a little more experience at the rear, they will be fine.”
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The Ottawa Senators may be looking for depth up front, but they don’t seem concerned about their depth at center, even with an injury. Colin White .
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Speaking Wednesday night at the Bob McCown podcast with longtime announcer and highly respected co-host John shannon , General manager of senators Pierre Dorion indicated that one area in which the organization was satisfied was with the performance of its centers.
We all know Josh norris is heading into his second season in the National Hockey League after showing great upside potential last year, while the rookie Shane pinto from the University of North Dakota has had moments of brilliance. However, the club received a scare when Pinto left during the first period of Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks with what appeared to be a shoulder ailment. He returned to the ice for one shift to start the second period, but then retired to the locker room again.
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The biggest surprise, naturally, has been the veteran center Chris Tierney. It was a healthy scratch for the Senators’ final game last season, but he came into camp this fall in great shape and has pushed for more playing time. He told the head coach Dj smith to give him more of a role and Tierney has rewarded the coaching staff for doing just that.
Tierney entered the contest against the Sharks with three goals in three games and it was a pleasant surprise. McCown asked Dorion if he thought the club needed another center.
“With Chris Tierney’s work so far this year, I’d probably have to tell you no,” said Dorion. “We know that Colin White will return at some point. Chris Tierney has played like the guy who led our team in scoring two years ago. Right now, we don’t feel we have a need.
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“If we feel like we can be a Cup contending team then the answer would be different, but we have to realize that our job and DJ’s job is to keep developing these players by taking the next step and trying to win more games. Last year, we felt the need to get one to protect our younger centers. This year, with the evolution of some of our wingers taking on a bigger role and with a little more experience at the rear, they will be fine. “
It was interesting to hear that White could return before the end of the season. The time frame for recovery from his shoulder surgery was set at four to six months. Don’t forget it’s a compressed schedule and February will be mostly a month off due to the Olympics break, so maybe White can play the last two months of the season.
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Center Logan shaw signed to play with the American Hockey League affiliate of the Senators in Belleville, but has been capable in his fourth-row role with Ottawa and has gotten the job done. Senators don’t need Shaw to score points, they just need him to be consistent in the minutes he gets.
With Austin watson Marked by an ankle injury, the Senators can still look for another winger, but Dorion has plenty of time to assess where his team is in the coming weeks.
OUT OF THE GLASS
It was interesting to see Hockey Night in Canada Elliotte friedman suggest defense Erik brannstrom as a commercial chip for the organization of senators. Sure, anything is possible, but I really don’t think senators will move Brannstrom anytime soon. Yes, this is a crucial year for him and he is playing for the AHL affiliate in Belleville, but that doesn’t mean his days here are over. Brannstrom has strong offensive skills and the Senators want to see him improve his game defensively. If that happens, then there is a stage here where he is summoned. Look, the club will have to deal with injuries too, and Smith said he felt Brannstrom had a strong camp. Brannstrom, 22, is not the same as center Logan Brown, who was traded to St. Louis during camp. Brannstrom still has a future here and he just needs time … Smith played with putting winger Parker Kelly in the lineup against the Sharks, but opted to stick with veteran Tyler Ennis. Kelly will get his chance and Smith loves the way he plays.
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THE LAST WORDS
After signing a new contract, extreme Brady Tkachuk t old NHL.com’s Mike zeisberger On Wednesday his first big purchase was not a car and in fact it was much more practical.
“Actually, I bought myself a recliner. Yes, that was the first big purchase I got, so we’re only waiting a couple of months for it to come in. That was my big buy, ”Tkachuk said.
Everyone needs to be able to sit back and relax.
Tkachuk isn’t trying to pressure this Senators team into making the Stanley Cup playoffs either, but he likes the collection of talent here and that’s why he signed a long-term deal.
“We don’t set any expectations for ourselves other than being the hardest-working team in the NHL every day and every night. Look, I think every year they want to win the Stanley Cup, ”Tkachuk said.
“I feel like that’s what everyone here believes. But our focus is strictly on getting to work every day and being the hardest working team and being on a team that nobody likes to play against. Right now, that has been our main focus day after day. “
Twitter.com/sungariroch
Reference-ottawasun.com