The Noon Number: 48

by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 12, 2012 12:00 PM EST in Ottawa Senators Noon Number

48 - The number of games Kaspars Daugavins has played so far this season for the Ottawa Senators. That's as many as Filip Kuba and Chris Neil, and more than Brian Lee.

I shouldn't be surprised by the figure, but I am. Daugavins plays an under-the-radar style of hockey, so it's probably easy to forget just how long he's been in the Senators lineup. It's an impressive feat for a player who was rumoured to be close to returning to Latvia to play in the KHL this off-season, but decided to give North American pro hockey another chance. Looks like he made the right choice, as Paul MacLean seems to trust Daugavins with a regular shift on the fourth line and the penalty-kill.

In his 48 games, Daugavins has scored eight points (3G, 5A) and been assessed just 12 penalty minutes. Although it's been nine games since his last point, Rooster's ice time has increased over the last few games because of an increased energy level on that fourth line. He's stayed in the lineup while players like Bobby Butler and Zenon Konopka have been scratched.

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Has it really been 48 games?

He’s practically a fixture on this team. I’m surprised Murray hasn’t re-signed him to a four-year one-way deal yet.

All kidding aside, I really like Daugavins. He’s a good energy player, and has the best mantra ever.

The Marginal Virtues

by JonathanA on Feb 12, 2012 3:55 PM EST reply actions

A la Greening and Condra?

I was surprised by those moves last year two… I found it really odd to give long-ish one way contracts to guys that had never played a full season in the NHL yet. It’s clearly worked out though, I’ve been super impressed with both players this year so far!

I’d be interested to see what Daug could do with more minutes for the team, he seems to bring his hustle and energy every night!

by ek65 on Feb 12, 2012 4:19 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

Even Butler has started showing on a consistent basis the kind of play he got a one-way deal for – I mean, talk about late bloomer.

That their contracts are working out kinda suggests that maybe Murray knows what he is doing. (Ohgawd Murray, don’t prove me wrong by trading for a deadline rental.)

I could see Murray re-signing Rooster, but I’m sure it’ll wait until the off-season. He’s still an RFA, so it isn’t like they have to rush to terms.

The Marginal Virtues

by JonathanA on Feb 12, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

He COULD but...

We do have a slew of rookies fighting to make the team next year. At least one of Silfverberg, Zibanejad and Stone is likely to make it. Probably the two Swedes, with Stone being the On Call guy in the AHL…

by spez_dispenser on Feb 13, 2012 12:55 AM EST up reply actions