The Ottawa Senators have added some veteran presence to their bottom six, signing Nick Cousins to a 1-year deal worth $800k. Cousins was a part of the Florida Panthers roster that just won the Stanley Cup. Last season, he had 7 goals and 8 assists (15 points) in 69 games, playing 12:11 per night, with 64 PIMs and a 53.1% faceoff percentage. Overall, in his career with the Flyers, Coyotes, Canadiens, Knights, Predators, and Panthers, he has 71 goals and 109 assists (180 points) in 592 games.
Per HockeyViz, his results last year were fine but unremarkable:
It's worth noting that Florida without Cousins was +7% on offence and –16% on defence, so his offensive results were average for his team and his defensive results were significantly worse. He also didn't have any notable PK time, so his role was more as a play-driving fourth-liner than as a defensively responsible fourth-liner.
Cousins joins a battle for a fourth-line spot with Zack MacEwen, Noah Gregor, Angus Crookshank, Zack Ostapchuk, Jan Jenik, Xavier Bougault, Adam Gaudette, Matthew Highmore, and possibly even Stephen Halliday and Cole Reinhardt. It will be interesting to see how things shake down, and if Cousins' significant NHL experience and Cup ring give him a leg up over the rest of that group.
A Cup Winner Joins The Fight
The Senators have been active in free agency, adding a number of veteran players to their roster. This signing is another example of their commitment to building a team that is tough to play against. They have added several players who bring physicality and grit to the lineup, such as Cousins. While he may not be the most skilled player on the ice, his physicality and experience will be valuable assets to the Senators. The addition of a player like Cousins, who knows what it takes to win, could be just the thing to help the Senators take the next step.
A History of Intensity
Cousins is known for his physical style of play. This type of play has earned him both praise and criticism from players and fans alike. Some see Cousins as a player who is willing to do whatever it takes to win, while others see him as a player who is reckless and dangerous. Regardless of how he is perceived, there is no denying that Cousins is a player who brings an edge to the ice.
A Question of Fit
The Senators have made it clear that they want to be a more physical team. The addition of Cousins fits in with this philosophy. With a roster already stacked with strong physical players such as Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and Thomas Chabot, the Senators are hoping to build a team that can match up with any team in the league.
A Battle for Ice Time
The Senators have a lot of competition for spots on the bottom six. Cousins will have to earn his ice time and prove that he can be a valuable asset to the team. With so many young players looking to prove themselves, the competition for a spot on the fourth line will be fierce. This could be a perfect opportunity for Cousins to show his value as a veteran player.
Will the Senators' New Acquisitions Be Enough?
The Senators have made some big moves this offseason. They have added a number of veteran players to their roster and are hoping to build a team that can contend for the playoffs. It remains to be seen if these new acquisitions will be enough to make the Senators a true contender. It will be a long season, but there is reason to be optimistic about the Senators' chances of success.
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