Did the Senators Find the Type of Veteran They Needed?
When the Ottawa Senators acquired Andre Burakovsky, the reaction from some fans was pretty predictable. Another veteran? Another player coming off a down season? Another contract that doesn’t scream “this team is ready to take the next step?”
I understand the frustration. Senators fans have waited a long time for this team to become a serious contender, and when division rivals are making moves, standing still can feel like falling behind. But sometimes the best offseason moves aren’t the ones that create the biggest headlines.
Why Burakovsky could be a Senators’ difference-maker.
Burakovsky is an interesting addition because he doesn’t appear to be coming to Ottawa to be the player who carries the offence. The Senators already have those players. Tim Stützle is a star. William Eklund is expected to play an important role in the future. Drake Batherson can score. What Ottawa needed was something different. They needed a player who has been around winning teams.
We often talk about experience as if it were just a number on a hockey card. A player has played 700 games, won a Stanley Cup, and suddenly we call him a “leader.” But the real value is what those players bring when things get difficult. Burakovsky has experienced playoff pressure with the Washington Capitals and the Colorado Avalanche. He knows what a championship room looks like. He knows the habits required when the games become tighter, and mistakes become more expensive.
Related: Leevi Merilainen Signs a One-Year Deal, but Nothing Guaranteed.
Burakovsky might not become the next great Senators leader. But he can help the team.
Ottawa is a young team trying to move from “promising” to “dangerous.” Those transitions are often helped by players who have already walked that road. The other interesting part of this move is that Burakovsky doesn’t have to be perfect.
If the Senators needed him to be a top-six winger scoring 25 goals, there would be plenty of reason for concern. But if he can provide secondary scoring, help the power play, and give a young player like Stephen Halliday some support, the signing starts to make more sense.
This is where fans and management often see things differently. Fans look at the player’s name and recent numbers. Teams often look at the role.
The Senators need players like Burakovsky.
Ottawa still needs more. They need another physical winger who can create space for their skilled players. They need to continue improving their depth. But unlike teams that overpay for fading stars, the Senators bought low on Burakovsky and added a player with skill, speed, and championship experience.
Sometimes those are the moves that look better in April than they do in July.