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If the Ottawa Senators are planning a new contract extension for impending unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux, it is hard not to wonder whether an accompanying trade is on the horizon.
Their congestion of forwards has existed since general manager Steve Staios acquired Fabian Zetterlund at the trade deadline. The Swedish winger started his Senators tenure on the fourth line. The coaching staff explained his slow introduction to the lineup as beneficial because it would help him learn the system, alleviate some pressure, and ease his integration into a playoff-bound lineup.
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Over time, the Swedish fire hydrant ascended the lineup, playing in a variety of roles with different linemates, but Zetterlund struggled to produce.
In 20 games with the Senators following the trade, he produced two goals and five points. Zetterlund was held pointless in the Senators' six postseason games.
The lack of production was an obvious concern, but the Senators targeted Zetterlund for a reason, and there have been some encouraging numbers underneath the hood. Of the Senators' regulars at five-on-five, only the renowned volume-shooting Brady Tkachuk (11.82 shots/60, 1.14 ixG/60) had higher shot and expected goals per 60 rates than Zetterlund (7.86 shots/60, 0.91 ixG/60).
Zetterlund's rate stats slipped a bit in the tighter-checking series, but they weren't terrible either.
It always rings a little hollow to blame dry stretches of production on bad luck, but Zetterlund had a challenging time transitioning from New Jersey to San Jose during the 2022-23 season. After being dealt as part of the return in the Timo Meier blockbuster at the 2023 trade deadline, Zetterlund sputtered, mustering a lowly two assists in 22 games.
The following season, he produced 24 goals and 44 points in San Jose before tallying 17 goals and 36 points in 64 games this season.
If Zetterlund can maintain or improve upon his underlying rates, the production will inevitably improve through better luck and normalization.
Usage and role will also weigh heavily as factors, but it raises an issue: should Giroux return, this logjam of middle-six forwards will continue to exist, fuelling questions about whether the Ottawa Senators have a forward slotting issue.
For the team to continue to rise in the Eastern Conference, there are areas of obvious improvement. They need another right defenceman, and they absolutely need more speed and dynamic talent up front. Without it, it is going to be challenging for them to take the necessary steps forward to move closer to Stanley Cup contention.
On the right side, the Senators have Drake Batherson, Michael Amadio and Zetterlund. And, on the opposite wing, they have David Perron and Ridly Greig behind Brady Tkachuk. Assuming he re-signs with Ottawa, Claude Giroux is best served playing a middle-six role at this stage of his career, so where is the room to add another skilled forward?
After scoring more than 20 goals and recording 60-plus points in each of his last three seasons, Batherson may be an internal candidate to play on the top line.
The winger logged 91 minutes alongside Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk in 2024-25 to some underwhelming results. Considering the talent of this trio, it is hard to be too concerned, but their numbers were not ideal. When they were on the ice together at five-on-five, the Senators only generated 43.73 percent of the shots (CF%), 50.17 percent of the shots on goal, 33.44 percent of the total goals (GF%), and 46.05 percent of the expected goals.
The obvious concern would be for the Senators to put their three best goal-scorers on the same line rather than spreading out their talent.
If the Senators retain Giroux, however, just shuffling the deck chairs does not change their group's lack of speed, as Advanced Hockey Stats' compiled NHL Edge data shows.
Fourth liners like Nick Cousins, Adam Gaudette, and Matthew Highmore are all impending unrestricted free agents, so if the Senators want to inject some speed into their lineup, the organization will have the opportunity to get some for their depth roles.
There is still that pressing need to add speed at the top of the Senators' lineup, and it will take an addition to facilitate. If Steve Staios targets speed as a priority, it will inevitably force the organization to make a deal and alleviate some of the middle-six congestion.
Spitballing, it would make sense for the Senators to look into moving some of their forward depth for that right-shot defenceman.
Graeme Nichols
The Hockey News Ottawa
Bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa and never miss the latest Senators news, interviews, columns, features and more.
Continue reading...
Their congestion of forwards has existed since general manager Steve Staios acquired Fabian Zetterlund at the trade deadline. The Swedish winger started his Senators tenure on the fourth line. The coaching staff explained his slow introduction to the lineup as beneficial because it would help him learn the system, alleviate some pressure, and ease his integration into a playoff-bound lineup.
More Sens Headlines:
Ottawa Senators Open To Re-Signing Adam Gaudette – But At What Cost?
Ottawa Senators Hope To Deal Themselves Another Winner At 21
Former Senators Head Coach Enters Ottawa Sport Hall Of Fame
Bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa and never miss the latest Senators news, interviews, columns, features and more.
Over time, the Swedish fire hydrant ascended the lineup, playing in a variety of roles with different linemates, but Zetterlund struggled to produce.
In 20 games with the Senators following the trade, he produced two goals and five points. Zetterlund was held pointless in the Senators' six postseason games.
The lack of production was an obvious concern, but the Senators targeted Zetterlund for a reason, and there have been some encouraging numbers underneath the hood. Of the Senators' regulars at five-on-five, only the renowned volume-shooting Brady Tkachuk (11.82 shots/60, 1.14 ixG/60) had higher shot and expected goals per 60 rates than Zetterlund (7.86 shots/60, 0.91 ixG/60).
Zetterlund's rate stats slipped a bit in the tighter-checking series, but they weren't terrible either.
It always rings a little hollow to blame dry stretches of production on bad luck, but Zetterlund had a challenging time transitioning from New Jersey to San Jose during the 2022-23 season. After being dealt as part of the return in the Timo Meier blockbuster at the 2023 trade deadline, Zetterlund sputtered, mustering a lowly two assists in 22 games.
The following season, he produced 24 goals and 44 points in San Jose before tallying 17 goals and 36 points in 64 games this season.
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Will RFA Fabian Zetterlund Get Paid On His San Jose Numbers Or The Ones In Ottawa?Fabian Zetterlund has only been an Ottawa Senator for a couple of months, and he’s already asking the club for a raise. That wouldn’t fly in a normal workplace, but that’s how it goes in the NHL when you bring in a pending restricted free agent at the trade deadline. If Zetterlund can maintain or improve upon his underlying rates, the production will inevitably improve through better luck and normalization.
Usage and role will also weigh heavily as factors, but it raises an issue: should Giroux return, this logjam of middle-six forwards will continue to exist, fuelling questions about whether the Ottawa Senators have a forward slotting issue.
For the team to continue to rise in the Eastern Conference, there are areas of obvious improvement. They need another right defenceman, and they absolutely need more speed and dynamic talent up front. Without it, it is going to be challenging for them to take the necessary steps forward to move closer to Stanley Cup contention.
On the right side, the Senators have Drake Batherson, Michael Amadio and Zetterlund. And, on the opposite wing, they have David Perron and Ridly Greig behind Brady Tkachuk. Assuming he re-signs with Ottawa, Claude Giroux is best served playing a middle-six role at this stage of his career, so where is the room to add another skilled forward?
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Communications Shift: Senators Now Play It Close To The Vest Under StaiosIf the past week’s events have taught us anything about Steve Staios’ stewardship of the Ottawa Senators as general manager, it’s that he is incredibly guarded. After scoring more than 20 goals and recording 60-plus points in each of his last three seasons, Batherson may be an internal candidate to play on the top line.
The winger logged 91 minutes alongside Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk in 2024-25 to some underwhelming results. Considering the talent of this trio, it is hard to be too concerned, but their numbers were not ideal. When they were on the ice together at five-on-five, the Senators only generated 43.73 percent of the shots (CF%), 50.17 percent of the shots on goal, 33.44 percent of the total goals (GF%), and 46.05 percent of the expected goals.
The obvious concern would be for the Senators to put their three best goal-scorers on the same line rather than spreading out their talent.
If the Senators retain Giroux, however, just shuffling the deck chairs does not change their group's lack of speed, as Advanced Hockey Stats' compiled NHL Edge data shows.
You must be registered for see images attach
Fourth liners like Nick Cousins, Adam Gaudette, and Matthew Highmore are all impending unrestricted free agents, so if the Senators want to inject some speed into their lineup, the organization will have the opportunity to get some for their depth roles.
There is still that pressing need to add speed at the top of the Senators' lineup, and it will take an addition to facilitate. If Steve Staios targets speed as a priority, it will inevitably force the organization to make a deal and alleviate some of the middle-six congestion.
Spitballing, it would make sense for the Senators to look into moving some of their forward depth for that right-shot defenceman.
Graeme Nichols
The Hockey News Ottawa
Bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa and never miss the latest Senators news, interviews, columns, features and more.
Continue reading...
