Defenceman makes early impact, finds ‘good chemistry’ with Chabot
DeMelo ready to seize opportunity with Sens
Through the Ottawa Senators’ first three games, Dylan DeMelo led the entire NHL with a plus-seven rating.
He also had a goal and was a point-per-game player.
The guy the Senators happily moved to acquire DeMelo was minus-4, which ranked second-worst in the league, and had a grand total of one assist, also in three games. Who’s laughing now? “Erik Karlsson is a very special player … I’m not going to sit here and tell you I’m the same type of player as him,” DeMelo said with a chuckle after Tuesday ’s practice. “I think his pedigree speaks for itself and I’m still trying to find my way and be a good NHL player every day.”
The opportunity is there for the taking.
In the past two games, DeMelo has moved into Karlsson’s spot as the right-side defenceman on Ottawa’s first pairing. Head coach Guy Boucher says the 25-yearold newcomer has already found a “good chemistry” with Thomas Chabot, and they will have a chance to build on it.
“DeMelo is able to read him, so it helps him,” Boucher said. “DeMelo is one of those types of guys that keeps it real simple, makes all the right plays, and he talks a lot. He’s got experience. That helps (Chabot). He feels free to go (on the attack) when it’s time, but also feels the communication when it’s time not to go. That’s been a real good combination, so hopefully it continues that way.”
DeMelo says he feels comfortable playing with anybody on the team and “whoever I’m with, I’m going to try to make it easy on them and work hard for my D -partner. Always talk.” With Chabot, it will always be in English, as DeMelo knows not a word of French.
“He definitely has some real good offensive instincts and he has the green light to go whenever he can,” DeMelo said. “For me, I don’t want to say I’m a defensive defenceman, but I take care of my own end first.
“We’re happy with how we’re playing, but we have to continue to do it. I think his D -zone (play) has been improving as we go along here, and as it rounds out, he’s going to be a top, top defenceman in this league.”
DeMelo said he was taking his plus-seven for what it was worth.
“It’s nice, but it’s three games,” he said. “That’s a funky stat where you think you’ve maybe had a great game, and you have a couple of minuses. You talk about it when you do well and you don’t talk about it when it’s the other way around. I’ve been around a little bit that I know these things fluctuate. It’s not really indicative, sometimes, on how you play.”
DeMelo remains intent on adding to his resumé. In 133 games with the San Jose Sharks, he had three goals and 29 assists. He failed to bulge the twine in 63 games last season.