The quest for defensive excellence is a perennial pursuit in the National Hockey League, and for the Ottawa Senators, it has often felt like an epic saga. General Manager Steve Staios, now two seasons into his tenure, has made no secret of his strategic focus: bolster the right side of the blue line. While future prospects have been drafted, the recent acquisition of defenseman Jordan Spence signals an immediate, tangible upgrade, promising to inject much-needed puck-moving prowess into the lineup.
The Persistent Puzzle of the Right Side
For years, the Senators have navigated the challenging landscape of an NHL where right-shot defensemen are a coveted commodity. The scarcity has forced compromises, most notably evidenced by left-shot players like Jakob Chychrun being deployed on their off-side behind established talents such as Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. This positional mismatch often led to struggles, hindering breakout passes and offensive zone entries. While veterans like Travis Hamonic offered stability and Nikolas Matinpalo showed flashes of promise, they weren`t the long-term solution to spark the team`s offense from the back end.
The numbers speak volumes: last season, Ottawa`s defense corps ranked a lowly 25th in overall goals, with right-shot defensemen contributing a meager seven goals collectively. Contrast this with Sanderson and Chabot alone combining for 20 goals from the left side. It became glaringly obvious that a significant imbalance existed, stifling the team`s five-on-five offensive production, which ranked second-last in the entire league.
Enter Jordan Spence: A Modern Defensive Solution
At 24 years old, Jordan Spence arrives in Ottawa with a reputation as an elite puck-moving defenseman, a player whose contributions are often championed by the analytics community. His former team, the Los Angeles Kings, consistently performed better in key metrics, such as expected goals rate at five-on-five, when Spence was on the ice. This isn`t merely statistical jargon; it translates directly into sustained offensive pressure and more efficient zone exits.
Spence`s four goals for the Kings last season, while not earth-shattering, represent a significant boost compared to what the Senators were getting from their right-side defenders. His arrival is not just about raw scoring; it`s about the ripple effect his smooth transitions and intelligent passes will have on the entire offensive structure. He is precisely the type of player who can alleviate pressure on the forwards and create more dangerous scoring opportunities.
Motivation and Opportunity: A Perfect Confluence
Beyond his on-ice abilities, Spence brings a powerful, inherent motivation to his new club. Having not fully established himself as a top-four defenseman in Los Angeles, he views Ottawa as a fresh canvas. “Obviously that`s always in the back of your head,” Spence remarked recently regarding a top-four role. “Just to try to be better as a player and to gain the coach`s trust to play more ice time. But at the end of the day, it`s the effort and the individual work that you put in.”
Adding another layer of intrigue is his impending restricted free agency at the end of the season. While he claims to be “not really focused on [the contract] at all, whatsoever,” it`s a silent motivator. A stellar season in Ottawa, proving his worth in an elevated role, would undoubtedly set him up for a significant long-term deal. It`s a classic win-win scenario: the Senators get a highly motivated player eager to prove his top-tier capabilities, and Spence gets the prime opportunity he`s been seeking.
Depth Chart Evolution and Tactical Flexibility
Spence`s presence drastically alters the Senators` defensive depth chart. What was once a shallow pool of six reliable defensemen is now a robust group offering head coach Travis Green unprecedented flexibility. With the anticipated return of Nick Jensen from off-season hip surgery, the coaching staff will have multiple viable options for defensive pairings, allowing for strategic adjustments based on opponents and game situations. The projected defense corps, a vision of balanced talent, offers a glimpse into a more stable and dynamic blue line:
- Sanderson – Zub
- Chabot – Jensen
- Kleven – Spence
- Matinpalo – Yakemchuk (developmental pair/depth)
This depth ensures that the team is no longer one injury away from a significant defensive crisis, a luxury they haven`t consistently enjoyed.
The Small Frame, Big Impact Dilemma Revisited
It`s worth noting that Spence, at five-foot-ten, is an undersized defenseman who isn`t known for his physical play. Ottawa fans have seen this archetype before, with mixed results. Erik Karlsson, a generational talent, soared to unparalleled heights in this city, defying conventional wisdom about defensive stature. Conversely, Erik Brannstrom, another skilled but undersized defenseman, often struggled to consistently make his mark. The question, then, isn`t about size, but about impact. Can Spence consistently leverage his hockey IQ and puck-moving skills to overcome physical challenges and become a positive outlier, much like Karlsson did? The organization, it seems, is banking on the former.
A New Era on the Blue Line
The trade for Jordan Spence signifies more than just a roster move; it`s a statement of intent from the Ottawa Senators. It underscores a strategic commitment to addressing a critical weakness and building a balanced, competitive team. With enhanced offensive capabilities from the blue line, improved puck retrieval and transition, and newfound defensive depth, the Senators are poised to take a significant step forward. The hope is that Spence`s arrival will not only elevate the team`s performance but also usher in an era where the right side of the ice is finally playing its part in the pursuit of Ottawa`s Stanley Cup aspirations.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow