3 Ottawa Senators bounce-back candidates who disappointed in 2023-24 feat. Claude Giroux
The Ottawa Senators went into last season with high hopes. Sens fans believed the team could climb into the Eastern Conference playoff conversation. However, the team fell flat, missing the postseason yet again.
Amid an overall subpar season, three players stand out as ones who did not meet expectations. But this upcoming season, things could change for them.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at three Ottawa Senators players primed for a bounce-back year.
3 Ottawa Senators players who are bounce-back candidates for 2024-25
#3: David Perron
Perron is a force of nature. With over 1,100 games under his belt, he has remained remarkably consistent year after year. However, last season saw Perron’s overall numbers decline. After registering 24 goals and 56 points in 2022-23, Perron managed just 17 goals and 47 points with the Detroit Red Wings last season.
Nevertheless, Ottawa Senators fans hope that a change of scenery can do wonders for Perron. He is expected to climb into the Sens’ top six, potentially allowing him to score 20 goals and get back into the 50 to 60-point plateau.
#2: Thomas Chabot
The former first-round pick from 2015 had been on an upward trajectory. After a career-high 55 points in 2018-19, Chabot’s numbers dipped until a resurgent 2022-23 season in which the blueliner notched 41 points.
However, last season saw Chabot regress to 30 points in 51 games. The injury-plagued season once again limited Chabot’s ice time, hindering his ability to improve on his offensive numbers. While Chabot is still very much a solid top-four defenseman, his performance depends on his health.
If he can stay healthy, Chabot could have a strong comeback year as the Sens look to climb their way back into the postseason.
#1: Claude Giroux
Giroux was a major signing for the Ottawa Senators in the 2022 offseason. In his first year in Ottawa, Giroux did not disappoint by scoring 35 goals and 79 points in 82 games.
However, last season saw Giroux’s numbers drop. While he played in all 82 games, he only managed 21 goals and 64 points to go with a minus-14 rating.
Ottawa fans hope the 36-year-old’s down year is nothing more than a blip on the radar screen. There’s plenty of reason to believe Giroux can bounce back next season. He’s healthy and there will be a new voice behind the bench in Travis Green.