Through four games, the five free-agent forwards that the Senators signed this summer haven't had much success yet on the scoresheet.
When Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios sought NHL free agents this summer, he looked for experienced players who play the right way – individuals who could also help mentor his young core.
Staios signed David Perron, Michael Amadio, Noah Gregor, Nick Cousins, and Adam Gaudette. Notably, three of these five players bring Stanley Cup-winning experience.
However, what they haven't delivered yet is secondary scoring. The Senators have scored 13 goals in their first four games, but the new additions have combined for only one point: an assist by Gaudette, who’s here on a two-way deal.
While it’s still far too early to freak out about anything (except maybe Linus Ullmark already having injury issues), it’s surprising that all of the Senators' 2024 free-agent signings, who make up 42% of the club's forward lineup, have managed just one point so far.
Ideally, you’d want your bottom six forwards to average at least one point every four games, which translates to a 20-point pace—excellent for a fourth liner and below average for a third liner.
Gregor and Cousins aren't expected to provide a lot of offense, but they do need to contribute. Last season, they combined for 27 points, putting them almost on par with Mark Kastelic and Parker Kelly’s production from the previous year.
Naturally, Kastelic already has five points in five games with Boston, while Kelly has one point in four games with Colorado.
With Ridly Greig injured, Gregor has not registered a point, even while playing on the second line in recent games.
On a positive note, Amadio has been one of the club's best forwards since preseason. On Thursday night, he glanced skyward as he aimed for the far post, just missing a chance to redirect a puck past New Jersey Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom. You get the sense things will click for him soon.
Given what Ottawa is paying him and the quality of his linemates, Perron faces the most pressure to at least match his point production from last season. Ideally, the Senators would love for him to replicate the 24-goal, 56-point season he had in 2022-23.
But at 13:43, Perron is already almost two minutes off the average time on ice he got in Detroit last season. It's also the lowest total since his rookie NHL season in 2007-08.
2023-24 Stats
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No need to hit the panic button just yet; it’s still super early in the season. However, if this team wants to avoid yet another rough start, the free-agent five will need to start chipping in soon. It tends to get late quickly around here.