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Ottawa Senators: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

By David Rouben

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 02: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) prior to a face-off during third period National Hockey League action between the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators on April 2, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 02: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) prior to a face-off during third period National Hockey League action between the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators on April 2, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – APRIL 2: Thomas Chabot #72 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his third period goal against the Winnipeg Jets at Canadian Tire Centre on April 2, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – APRIL 2: Thomas Chabot #72 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his third period goal against the Winnipeg Jets at Canadian Tire Centre on April 2, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

4. What is Thomas Chabot’s ceiling?

If there was one good thing that came out of the Senators last season, it was the play of Thomas Chabot. He broke onto the scene in the 2017 World Juniors, where the play of both him and Colin White had Senators fans salivating over what the future might hold. He had 10 points in seven games and was named MVP of the tournament.

In Chabot’s first NHL season, he didn’t disappoint. He finished with nine goals and 25 points and was tied for second in goalscoring among all rookie defensemen. He logged big minutes on the powerplay, drove the offense and didn’t look at all lost playing against opposing top sixes.

Chabot is poised to take on a bigger role next season no matter what happens to Karlsson. If he takes another leap this season, he could be the dynamic defenseman that Karlsson has been dying to play with on the top pair. Obviously, getting that chance would boost his numbers significantly, but they might also give him some looks with Cody Ceci to have some depth on the blue line.

While Chabot shouldn’t be viewed as the heir apparent to Karlsson, he’ll have to be counted on to lead the next generation if the latter gets moved. However, he projects as a top-pairing defenseman who puts up 50 points per season with regularity. If he ends up being another Alex Pietrangelo or John Klingberg, Sens fans should be thrilled. Hopefully, the Senators don’t end up wasting his prime years like they did with Karlsson.

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