The Ottawa Senators wish to snap their seven-year playoff drought in 2024-25, however to try this, they will should be a a lot better group in a number of elements. Common supervisor Steve Staios did an excellent job of bringing in gamers to assist out within the areas that had been clear struggles, the remainder of the work wants to come back from the gamers. Listed here are the largest X-factors for the Senators this upcoming season.
Josh Norris Returns to Kind
The largest X-factor is Josh Norris. There isn’t a lot argument available about his significance to the group. In 2021-22, Norris scored 35 targets and 55 factors in 66 video games, incomes an eight-year extension value a median annual worth of $7.95 million per season. To say issues haven’t gone as deliberate could be an understatement.
On the time of signing that contract, he was battling Tim Stutzle in a race to be the long run first-line heart and the go-to goal-scoring possibility on the group. The following season didn’t begin effectively for Norris, as in 2022-23, he suffered a shoulder damage, deferred getting surgical procedure, and finally wanted to get that process after re-injuring the identical shoulder in January. Norris solely performed eight video games that season. In 2023-24, he was nonetheless recovering from his shoulder surgical procedure to begin the season, so he missed coaching camp, preseason, and the primary handful of video games. He performed in 50 video games however wasn’t taking part in to the identical degree he had proven earlier than, scoring simply 16 targets and 30 factors in that point. After one other damage, he had his third surgical procedure on the identical shoulder, which ended his season.
Heading into 2024-25, Norris is predicted to be prepared for coaching camp, and his well being and efficiency can drastically change the outlook of this group. With him within the lineup, seemingly on the wing on the second line, that creates a major quantity extra depth because the Senators can have David Perron and Michael Amadio play on the wings on the third line and be a dominant trio with Ridly Greig.
On prime of being essential to the organizational depth, he nonetheless has the flexibility to play to a excessive degree and, whereas possibly not dwelling as much as his cap hit completely, be an impactful participant each night time.
Associated: Senators’ 2024-25 Ahead Strains Projection
Previous to the damage, Norris was checked out as a high-end shooter with good two-way play. The goal-scoring could be a pleasant addition to the ahead group, however with the group’s play final season and the additions made, that isn’t as essential as some extra balanced defensive play from the top-six group and creating the depth that he does.
One other powerful issue with regards to analyzing Norris, his well being, and his contract, is that the uncertainty round him causes the Senators to be pressed for choices. If he isn’t wholesome and/or isn’t taking part in to a excessive customary, it’s a exhausting deal to maneuver, and the Senators might have a extra dependable use of almost $8 million, if he’s injured, they will use long-term injured reserve through the season, however can’t make any strikes in the event that they anticipate him to come back again. It was the identical story within the offseason.
All eyes are on Norris to begin the season. He’s unquestionably the largest X-factor on this group for the upcoming season.
Senators Want Outcomes from Ullmark
On paper, it’s exhausting to usher in a greater goalie than Linus Ullmark. The Senators have had vital struggles within the crease over the previous variety of years, and out of doors of a .917 save proportion (SV%) season from Anton Forsberg, they haven’t had a lot success in any respect for the reason that departure of Craig Anderson.
Ullmark has been probably the most constant goaltenders within the league over the previous 5 seasons and might want to proceed that into this season with the Senators. After successful the Vezina Trophy in 2023, it was clear there could be a step again in his play as his numbers had been almost not possible to copy, however in every of the 9 seasons he has performed in, there was just one season with a SV% decrease than .913.
The Senators’ defensive construction has improved, a minimum of on paper, which ought to assist for among the goaltending impacts, however based on MoneyPuck, the Senators had been a middle-of-the-pack group when it comes to group protection. They ranked 14th within the league in anticipated targets towards, which really ranked larger than the Boston Bruins, who Ullmark performed for final season.
The notorious stat that got here out of final season for the Senators was that they allowed a aim on one of many first two photographs of the sport 22 occasions. As dangerous because the protection checked out occasions, that stat falls on the goaltenders and there’s no manner round it.
If the Senators can get good goaltending and an excellent season out of Norris, they are going to have a considerably higher shot at entering into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
