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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our choices for best player on the Ottawa Senators.
Todd Cordell
As much as I like Thomas Chabot, I’m going with Brady Tkachuk here.
Ottawa keeping the pick they used to select Tkachuk was somewhat controversial at the time. It wasn’t just that they gave up an unprotected, and projectedly high, 1st round pick the following year; some also felt Tkachuk was a reach. He wasn’t.
Tkachuk isn’t putting up eye-popping offensive totals just yet but the potential certainly appears to be there.
Of the 340 forwards to play at least 1,000 minutes over the last two seasons, Tkachuk ranks 4th in chances per 60, and 2nd in Grade A chances per 60. The guy is an absolute handful around the net.
Brady’s on-ice impact – much like Matthew’s – is also remarkably strong; especially for a player so young.
Ottawa’s share of the shot attempts (+5.19%), and expected goals (+8.40%), have been much higher with Tkachuk on the ice than without. In terms of the latter, the Sens xGF is above 54% over the last two years.
Only three teams posted a 54 xGF%+ during that time. In other words, Ottawa is a high-end team at 5v5 when Tkachuk is out there; and much like a bottom-feeder when he’s not.
I just think the combination of scoring, chance generation, play driving, and physicality – he brings it all – makes Tkachuk the best player on Ottawa. And he’s still going to get better.
Sean Maloughney
Thomas Chabot.
The 23 year old is an absolute monster for the Senators. This season he logged over 400 minutes more at even strength than the player in second (Ron Hainsey). In fact, Chabot logged more minutes at 5 on 5 this season than any other player in the NHL. Unlike other top defensemen, Chabot hasn't built his points or goals up on the powerplay. Chabot has a single career powerplay goal with every other goal having come at 5 on 5.
With big minutes comes big numbers in terms of scoring chances for and against but Chabot managed to still produce more scoring chances than he allowed against.
This season saw a dip in his overall production but I attribute that more to the group surrounding him than the player himself. Chabot will on more than a few occasions play more than half of a full game and still post solid numbers. He is an absolute workhorse and the most integral part of the Sens lineup.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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