The Ottawa Senators may not have a full deck when the season opens on October 3rd in Toronto.
Ridly Greig is already set to miss the first two games because of the suspension he received in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and Warren Foegele is still working his way back from an injury. Green said that he “expects both of them to be with the team in the next week to two weeks.” Until then, there’s at least a chance Ottawa is short two forwards when it faces the Toronto Maple Leafs on opening night.
That leaves a few names in the mix for a spot in the lineup.
Nick Cousins and Stephen Halliday are the two players most directly in the fight for the 12th forward role, with Halliday getting a slight nod because he has played centre more recently than Cousins. If both Foegele and Greig are unavailable, though, both players would be among the first options to step in.
Halliday brings youth and a bit more upside for the role Greig could occupy, while Cousins has the experience edge and has been something of a Swiss Army knife for the Senators. He has shown he can handle different situations, and that veteran reliability may make him the safer Green choice.
Another player worth watching is Eskild Bakke Olsen. He is coming off a strong rookie tournament and gave the Senators a clear reason for signing him in the offseason.
The Norwegian forward has spent the past four years playing professionally in Sweden, and his resume already includes 31 points in 51 games last season. He also played a major role for Norway at the World Championships, where the country won its first ice hockey medal ever.
Bakke Olsen’s game is built on skill and quick hands, and he stands out for his ability to tip pucks in the slot. If Ottawa finds the right fit for him, a winger spot in the top nine could be a real opening.
Philip Tomasino is another candidate who could benefit from the situation. He joined the Senators this offseason and arrives with his NHL career at a crossroads. Once a promising player with the Nashville Predators, Tomasino is now on his fourth NHL team after not being qualified by the Philadelphia Flyers.
The talent is obvious. He can skate, he can move, and he has the kind of quick hands that have helped him score in the NHL before.
He also produced some important goals for the Pittsburgh Penguins when he had a larger role there. A situation like this, with injury and suspension creating openings, gives Tomasino a chance to push his way back into a regular NHL spot.
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