As the Ottawa Senators embarked on their third preseason game of 2024-25, head coach Travis Green had some tough words earlier in the day. However, for potential Senators fourth liners like Zack Ostapchuk, Jan Jenik, and Adam Gaudette, the words were all too real. Green was suggesting that this would be many players’ final game in the NHL this season. Moreover, he wasn’t trying to be mean, but for those guys on the cusp, it was time to step up.
Jenik and Ostapchuk Seem to Be Front-Runners for Senators 4th Line
The messaging from Green revolved around the fact it seems like the Sens will be making cuts Friday afternoon. What’s more, is that it appears as though it will be a good number of them too. Now, there are plenty of obvious names that are more so career AHLers, with a few exceptions like a Nikolas Matinpalo or Matthew Highmore who did see brief NHL action in 2023-24, but lots will be shipped back to their respective club teams. Whether that is in Belleville with the AHL Senators or elsewhere, the Sens could be left with 30 or less roster players by the end of the day.
Perhaps this also ties in with wanting to cut down on travel cost, as the club flies into Sudbury, ON for the Elliot Lake Kraft Hockeyville game. In any case, here we shall discuss just who among the fringe NHLers get to stay with the big club.
"I'll take that, thanks" – @Z_Ostapchuk10 (probably 🤷♂️)#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/0NlohtrnKY
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) September 25, 2024
Zack Ostapchuk seems to be the one that had an edge on the competition. After all, he already scored a pretty memorable game-winner against the hated rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, last contest. However, perhaps it was a strange taste of karma, as tonight Ostapchuk found himself in nearly the exact opposite situation. Noah Ostlund made a beautiful play to protect the puck from Ostapchuk as he drove the net only to finish on the backhand to win the game for the Buffalo Sabres last night.
Taking a Deeper Look at Zack Ostapchuk
In terms of Ostapchuk’s complete game, he definitely is close. Ostapchuk has the size, and skates hard. He is good at getting in the lanes. However, does he drive the play enough to truly be a contributing NHLer at this point? That is a question that general manager Steve Staios and Green will have to ponder. The main problem might in fact be that he is caught in that no man’s land of a roster spot between the third and fourth line. To that point, he will not benefit from fourth line ice time in the NHL. He needs reps, but is there even a spot available for him on the third line? Needless to say, it is a tad bit complicated.
A Toss Up Between Opposing Skillsets in Jenik and Ostapchuk for Senators
Jan Jenik is one of the other Sens forwards who will challenge Ostapchuk for a roster spot. You may recall, Jenik, he of the four-point night in their first preseason game against Toronto, is obviously making his case for a roster spot. He plays the game well positionally and is calm with the puck. Depending on the specific role on the roster that is available, he might be the appropriate fit for it.
It Might Come down to One Important Factor
So between Jenik and Ostapchuk, who else might be involved in the fight for a job? Nikolai Kulemin is on a professional tryout and might get a shot. He did score 30 once upon a time in Toronto. Conversely, this preseason, he hasn’t been on the puck much, and the fact that he is 38 doesn’t help his case. The point of him being on a PTO is one of the main deciding factors, in general.
The contract status, and those under one-way deals, will ultimately determine who doesn’t get cut. Guys on two-way contracts along with Ostapchuk, Jenik, Highmore, and Gaudette include Angus Crookshank and Stephen Halliday. Gaudette is an interesting figure as someone who led the AHL in goals with 44 in 2023-24. Furthermore, there are 11 forwards under one-way deals, potential fourth liners are most notably Zack MacEwen and Noah Gregor. We will note that Ridly Greig is still under a two-way deal but is exceedingly unlikely to start the season in any other dressing room, than in Ottawa.
Then Again, It Could Be None of These Things
Therefore, although it is about getting the best player, there are other variables the staff must consider. There’s the decision on whether you want some offence or not. Also, there is the possibility that there is some specialty team ice time available, as we seen both Ostapchuk and Jenik out there in those circumstances versus Buffalo. Finally, it will come down to plain old chemistry. For example, the line of Gregor, Highmore, and Ostapchuk could very well be a combination in Ottawa in 2024-25 if the injury situation so dictates from game-to-game. Of course, that’s the other point. Just because you are assigned somewhere, doesn’t mean things like injuries won’t pop up, and you might automatically get your shot. In any case, we will know more after tomorrow. In contrast, perhaps the answers we really want, like who starts on opening night, will have to wait.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Carter Yakemchuk once again. He is getting all the chances. And like the assist on the Sens second goal scored by Gaudette, which was looking the winner at the time, Yakemchuk has been showing the confidence to make offensive plays thus far in the preseason. It seems the messaging has been that he has earned the right to stick around.
Whether or not he plays for the first nine games of the season, before his first year of his entry-level contract kicks in, might very well depend on Artem Zub‘s injury status. Injuries are a bit of an unknown in the preseason until we physically see someone perform. Not unlike goaltender Linus Ullmark tonight who played unbelievable in the first half of the game against the Sabres. The Sens were outshot 24-5 in the first period, thanks to Ullmark holding them in it.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers – USA TODAY Sports
