2014-2015 Senators Preview: A New Sens of Self

By most standards, the 2013-14 Senators were a massive disappointment. The team was returning most of the key pieces from a group that had made the playoffs the season prior, and they finally enjoyed some semblance of health. Add to that the offseason acquisition of Bobby Ryan, and the Sens were widely expected to be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. What followed was just the opposite. Ottawa finished the season with a 37-31-14 record, putting them 11th in the East, and on the outside looking in for the postseason.

The team now finds itself looking to rebuild. Ottawa shipped Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky off to Dallas over the summer, and got a nice piece back in Alex Chiasson, but there's no doubt that the Sens are now short on elite scoring talent. They'll look to solve that problem by giving last year's second line more responsibility. The combination of Clarke MacArthur, Kyle Turris, and Bobby Ryan were one of the few bright spots a year ago, with Turris finally turning his wealth of talent into significant NHL production. It remains to be seen how the trio will fare while facing opponents' top defensive units night in and night out, but there's certainly value to be found here.

As for the rest of the team, Sens fans will turn most of their attention to a group of young players looking to make their mark this season. Cody Ceci got an extended look last year, but should be an everyday player in 2014-15, and could see time on the second pairing. The organization is also high on 2013 first-rounder Curtis Lazar, with many believing the 19-year-old center is the future captain of the team. He's expected to get a chance at some point during the year, and should learn a lot playing under a veteran center like David Legwand.

The team is currently sitting on over $14 million in cap space, but it doesn't seem likely that they'll go out and make a splash on the trade market during the season. Expect them to commit to rebuilding, give their young players a chance to prove themselves, and save that cap space for the future.

The Big Guns

Bobby Ryan, RW (RotoWire Position Rank*: #23): Ryan had a down season by any account in 2013-14, picking up just 23 goals and 25 assists in 70 games. The good news is the Sens seem to have found a good spot for Ryan for the foreseeable future, as he'll start the season with the same linemates as last year, skating on the right side of Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur. Those three started last season as the team's second line, but quickly took over the top spot as the team's most effective unit. With all three forwards still under the age of 30, the biggest question mark heading into training camp will be whether or not the Sens can come up with a second line that will be productive enough to take some of the pressure off this trio. If not, Ryan will probably continue to struggle offensively while opponents load up their best defenders against his line.

*RotoWire Position Ranks reflected for points-based leagues*

Erik Karlsson, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #1): Karlsson bounced back from the torn Achilles' tendon he suffered in 2013 by leading all NHL defensemen in scoring last season, supplying 13 more points than the nearest competitor. The 2013-14 season marked the second time the blueliner has broken the 70-point barrier -- and he's still just 24 years old. Karlsson is easily the most valuable fantasy player on the Sens roster, and should be paired with Marc Methot once again this season, giving him a solid defensive counterpart on the back end. That being said, there are still some holes in Karlsson's game -- he's not the best defensively, and although he easily manages to outscore his mistakes, the minus-16 rating he finished with last season lingers as a potential drain to his value. Karlsson did start playing on the penalty kill last season, though, so if he can continue to improve his game in his own end, he could quite easily gain more buzz for Norris Trophies in years to come.

Craig Anderson, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #30): After having the best statistical season of his career in 2013 despite some injuries, Anderson was largely a disappointment last season, finishing with a 25-16-8 record, a .911 save percentage, and a 3.00 GAA. The huge goals-against number is a good sign that not all of the regression in his statistics was his fault, as the Sens' defense struggled to keep opponents under control all year. Anderson will likely enter 2014-15 as the starter once again, but backup Robin Lehner just signed a new three-year deal, and the team has shown a willingness to give Lehner an opportunity when Anderson is struggling. If the blue line can make some improvements of their own, it's certainly possible that Anderson could rediscover his 2013 form and reemerge as an elite fantasy goaltender once again.

On the Rise

Kyle Turris, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #25): Turris posted the best numbers of his young career last season, and could be primed for an even productive showing in 2014-15. The center was paired with newcomers Bobby Ryan and Clarke MacArthur to form the team's second line, and the trio showed instant chemistry. The line quickly became the Sens' most effective, and with all three players still under the age of 30, it could still develop into one of the league's elite scoring units. Turris will be just 25 years old at the beginning of the season, so it's reasonable to expect his production to increase from his marks of 26 goals and 32 assists and his team-high plus-22 rating last season. Considering that Jason Spezza was traded to the Stars in the offseason, Turris should center the team's top power-play unit as well, making him an even more valuable asset. On a team that will likely lack offensive firepower this season, Turris should be a bright spot.

Clarke MacArthur, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #23): MacArthur spent his first year with the Senators putting together one of the best seasons of his career, racking up 24 goals and 31 assists in 79 games while primarily playing alongside Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris. The trio proved to be Ottawa's most effective unit last season, and will head into 2014-15 as the top line once again. MacArthur not only had one of his best seasons offensively, but his 78 PIM and plus-12 rating also registered as career-highs. He's probably still underrated by most fantasy owners, and considering that his line will be counted on to do the majority of the scoring this season, he should be a great value pick if he can be scooped up late in a draft.

Two to Watch

Patrick Wiercioch, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #97): The Senators have shown they are committed to giving Wiercioch a chance to make a name for himself at the NHL level, and the 23-year-old has demonstrated a willingness to jump in offensively in his first two seasons with the team. He picked up four goals and 19 assists last year in 53 games while battling through a couple of injuries. Though Wiercioch has never been overly productive throughout his career, he provides more of a consistent all-around presence on the back end for the Sens. Even if he's an everyday player in 2014-15, it's unlikely that he'll transform into an elite offensive player, though he does have the potential to become highly useful.

Mika Zibanejad, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #98): Zibanejad is still just 23 years old, and is coming off a decent season in 2013-14, during which he collected 16 goals and 17 assists in 69 games. The team continues to have high hopes for the young Swede, and many fans have been begging for him to get a permanent spot in the team's top six. That probably won't happen this year, but keep an eye on Zibanejad's production when he does get a chance to play with more skilled linemates. With veteran David Legwand coming off a disappointing season and only sitting on a two-year contract, it's possible that the team is grooming Zibanejad to be their second-line center in a couple years.

Don't Overrate

Milan Michalek, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #35): Michalek's biggest downside in recent seasons was his inability to stay healthy, but that was not the case in 2013-14. The winger suited up for all 82 games for the Sens, but his production didn't reach the level we've seen from him in years past. With 17 goals, 22 assists, and a minus-25 rating, it's possible that the 29-year-old is starting to slow down after his recent knee problems. In the past, a lot of his output was generated because he played alongside Jason Spezza, but with the former Ottawa captain now in Dallas, Michalek will likely see his numbers dip even further. He's expected to skate alongside veteran pickup David Legwand, who represents a large downgrade from Spezza.

David Legwand, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #61): Legwand is a seasoned veteran that will likely play his 1,000th career game this coming season, and he should provide leadership for a roster made up mostly of young talent. The center picked up 14 goals and 37 assists while playing 83 games with the Predators and the Red Wings last season. He was largely a dud in Detroit, but he'll look to get back in stride with the Senators, his second new team in less than a year. Legwand has put up solid numbers his whole career when healthy, and should do the same with whoever the Sens stick next to him on the team's second line.

Top Prospects

Curtis Lazar, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #36): Lazar is quite clearly the crown jewel of a Senators farm system short on high-end talent, and he stands a pretty good chance to make the roster in training camp. He's never played a professional game before, but the organization loves him, and the numbers he put up in the WHL are nothing short of impressive. He finished 2013-14 with 41 goals and 35 assists in 58 games, aiding him to a phenomenal plus-41 rating. The team is pretty deep down the middle at this point, but the Sens are probably going to give him an extended look at the very least while they're rebuilding. He's not worth picking up right away, but be sure to keep Lazar on your radar for the near future.