Promising defenceman Chabot patiently tries to crack Sens roster
OTTAWA — Thomas Chabot understands that he needs to be patient.
Drafted 18th overall by Ottawa in 2015, Chabot is coming off a spectacular junior season and expectations are sky-high for the 20-year-old defenceman. But he knows he needs to keep a realistic perspective as he aims to crack the Senators’ lineup.
With captain Erik Karlsson expected to miss the start of the regular season as he recovers from foot surgery, Chabot has the perfect opportunity to prove he belongs in the NHL.
In all likelihood Chabot will be part of the Senators’ opening night roster. He made a significant impression at the rookie camp and didn’t look out of place playing alongside Dion Phaneuf in Monday’s pre-season win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The biggest challenge for him is to prove to Senators head coach Guy Boucher that he can make the right decisions under pressure. Boucher appreciates Chabot’s skill set, but needs to know he can play in a “man’s league.”
Once Karlsson returns, Chabot he will need to convince Boucher that he’s better than one of the older veterans.
“To be honest with you, he has to beat somebody now,” Boucher said. “We’ve got our number of NHL defencemen already, so now he has to be better than another guy that might have been playing in the NHL for a few years right now. “His potential is tremendous and we’re all aware of that, but I think right now, today, what’s best for him, and best for the team, we’re only going to know that once all the game’s are done and how well he’s adapted and what he looks like.”