2020 with Lafreniere

Team: 2020-21 Ottawa Senators

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 14, 2020

Published: Jan. 14, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Assuming the Sens win the lottery, far from a foregone conclusion, here is what I think the team looks like.

1st Line - AHL studs Norris and Batherson get to start the season with Lafreniere. If his play in the Q and at the WJC are anything to go by, Lafreniere should be able to get the most of these kinds of linemates, and all three should see success together.

2nd Line - The experiment of Tkachuk-Brown-Duclair gets revisited next year as what would effectively be the 1B line for the Sens. If Brown can make it work in DJ Smith's system, or Smith is willing to adapt to an approach closer to Troy Mann's, this could be a very good line for the team.

3rd Line - This is a line that should be great defensively, and also provide some offensive pop for the team. Formenton has speed to burn, White has been better this season than the numbers suggest, and Brown is a good leader for the young team.

4th Line - Some short term prove-it contracts for Gagner and Namestnikov on the wings for Paul. I'd rather this line had Chlapik and Balcers instead of the vets, but the team needs to hit the floor.

1st D - Hopefully the team brings back DeMelo, since he has been a good complement to Chabot over the past two seasons. Chabot should also be named captain before the start of next season (with C. Brown and Borowiecki as assistants)

2nd D - Brannstrom and Wolanin could be a strong second pair for the team, but I would expect Jaros and JBD to push them for spots on the team.

3rd D - Borowiecki has really improved this season, and he and Zaitsev make a strong third pair for the team.

Goalies - Nilsson and Hogberg fight for the starting role, with Hoggy being my pick to win the job.

Bench - Ryan and Anismov serve the role of meeting the cap floor, and Reilly can jump in sometimes when a D needs some rest.

AHL Notes - By signing several NCAA prospects, Belleville remains a solid team. Pinto, Novak, Wilkie and JBD join an already strong team and help keep the AHL team competitive.

Possible Surprise Players - I have the Sens taking Rossi with their second 1st round pick (assuming SJS can't dig themselves out of their hole) and he is the type of player who could surge onto the opening night roster with a strong camp (likely replacing Logan Brown or Josh Norris)

Predicted Finish - With this roster the Sens continue to improve, but the growing pains continue and they don't make the playoffs. I would guess that they end up picking just outside the Top-10 in 2021.