IT’S THREE SENS ROOKIES’ LAST CHANCE TO IMPRESS
It’s one last chance for some Ottawa Senators hopefuls to make a lasting impression.
With 25 healthy players in training camp and the final roster decisions set to be made Sunday morning, the Senators will wrap up the pre-season Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre and this is 60 minutes that could mean a lot to two or three players trying to show they belong at this level.
Judging by the lines and defensive pairings Friday afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre, it would appear general manager Pierre Dorion and coach D.J. Smith want one more look at forwards Logan Brown and Drake Batherson along with defenceman Erik Brannstrom before setting the roster for opening night in Toronto Wednesday.
All three have given themselves the opportunity to make the Senators and now the trio has to show they can make the next step against a Montreal roster expected to closely resemble what the Habs will use during the regular season.
“There might be some guys we’re looking at in the final game,” Smith said Friday.
So, how much will this game mean to those players?
“It’s everything at this point,” Smith said. “It’s to prove, No. 1, that you can make the team. Montreal is probably going to have its top lineup there and it’s a great measuring stick.”
Smith moved players around for the skate Friday and it’s partially because of the decisions that have to be made here in the next 48 hours. Brown skated on the wing with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Scott Sabourin. Brannstrom was in the second pairing with veteran Ron Hainsey. It will be a good test for all three players to determine where they fit.
A lot of eyes will be on Brown. The six-foot-six, 230-pound forward has played mostly centre, but the club has four veteran pivots with Colin White, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Artem Anisimov and Chris Tierney, so if Brown’s going to make it he might have to start on the wing.
“If I keep playing well and hard, it’s a great opportunity,” said Brown, who has been happy with his camp and believes he’s gotten more comfortable in the last three weeks. “There’s a spot open, but I don’t really want to read into it much.
“For sure (I’m OK with the wing). It’s easier for a centre to go to the wing than a wing to go to centre. At centre, you’re kind of all over and you’re doing everything. Wing won’t be that big of an adjustment.”
Brannstrom, 20, a key piece in the deal that sent Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights at the deadline in February, is pushing and that’s why he’s paired with 38-year-old Hainsey.
“There’s one more cut,” Brannstrom said. “I have to give 100 per cent out there and try to make the team. That’s my goal and that’s been my goal my whole life.”
Smith said Brannstrom has shown improvement since he arrived here earlier this month.
“He’s gotten better every game,” Smith said. “I thought he started slow right from the rookie tournament and I’ve thought he’s gotten better and better as we’ve gone on, especially defensively. His strength is puck movement and the power play and skills, but away from the game he’s getting better every game.
“It’s a great test. Montreal is fast, they’re really good and it’s going to be a really good test to see if he can handle an NHL lineup.”
The 23-man roster is due at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Senators will likely keep 22 players, with 13 forwards and seven defencemen. Dorion and Smith have insisted they don’t want anybody sitting in Ottawa and not contributing. If Brown and Brannstrom aren’t going to play regular shifts here then they’re going to be sent down. That’s just the reality.
“We don’t have a ton of guys that have to clear waivers at this point,” Smith said. “With as young a team as we have and with guys in the minors that are capable of going up and down, that’s just easier if they’re not going to play to be down there playing.”
Smith believes the players in the situation have got better and now if they want to show they belong they have to take their game to another level.