New Comers Need Opportunities

After a strong effort, the Ottawa Senators not only won but controlled the game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. The 2–1 score flatters Philly. Ottawa held the Flyers to 23 shots and, with Linus Ullmark locked in, it was a complete team win.

The postgame chatter, though, was less about the points and more about the lineup. Specifically, the scratching of Jordan Spence and how Fabian Zetterlund is being used.

Zetterlund deserves a real look

This feels like a classic lack-of-trust situation from the coaching staff. I haven’t loved or hated Zetterlund’s game, but a player with more than 40 goals over the last two seasons does not belong on the fourth line, especially on his off side.

Zetterlund’s calling card is his shot: heavy, quick, and on target. There are not many shoot-first players on this roster and that alone should carry weight. Right now he looks like a player in a funk, afraid to make mistakes. He is shooting less, finishing fewer checks, and playing safe.

Part of coaching is putting players in spots where their skill set actually matters. That has not happened enough for Zetterlund this season.

The second power-play unit underlines the issue. It is stacked with pass-first players. I watched a full minute of keep-away against the Flyers with no shots. This is an obvious spot where Zetterlund could make a positive impact. Meanwhile, players with lower upside who take bad penalties or make costly mistakes, like Nick Cousins, are getting longer looks than Zetterlund. His shot speaks for itself, and giving him more games on the fourth line than in the top six is hard to justify. General Manager Steve Staios coveted Zetterlund at the deadline and made a show of faith by extending him for three years at an AAV of $4.275 million. Head coach Travis Green ought to give Zetterlund an extended look before deciding whether he can be trusted or not.

Spence belongs on the ice

When the Senators acquired RHD Jordan Spence from the Los Angeles Kings this past offseason, the team fulfilled a key organizational need. Why, then, is Spence spending most nights in the press box? More people seem interested in rehashing his game-ending giveaway against the New York Islanders than acknowledging his three-point night, strong analytic profile, and how consistently he passes the eye test.

This is not a Nikolas Matinpalo vs. Spence debate. Matinpalo has been steady with Tyler Kleven, looking a lot like their playoff form. The bigger concern is Nick Jensen.

Jensen looks a step slower this year, and the age-and-speed combo is starting to show. He is not complementing Thomas Chabot the way he did last season. Some of that may be tied to a limited offseason and rehabbing a hip surgery. He has even hinted

that he would be at peace if he retired.

Stylistically, Spence profiles as a clean fit to replace Jensen. So why not try it now? When Chabot is rolling, the Sens bank wins. Give him a partner who can keep up.

October matters

Ottawa is 3-4-1 with four games left in October. In a tough Atlantic, the Sens need to finish the month at .500 or better to hang around. Wins matter just as much right now as they do at the end of a season. A strong start can set a team up for success and give teams a cushion when they inevitably hit a rough patch. But when the rough patch hits right from the start, it’s important to correct things before losing becomes a pattern. Everything should be on the table. That means putting Zetterlund in a position to succeed and, frankly, just playing Spence. You cannot step up from the fourth line or the press box.