Ottawa Senators: Top 5 players to get excited for in 2019

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 26: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Magnus Paajarvi (56) celebrates his goal with Ottawa Senators Defenceman Christian Wolanin (86) and Ottawa Senators Defenceman Ben Harpur (67) during third period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on March 26, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 26: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Magnus Paajarvi (56) celebrates his goal with Ottawa Senators Defenceman Christian Wolanin (86) and Ottawa Senators Defenceman Ben Harpur (67) during third period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on March 26, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Photo by Andrea Cardin/NHLI via Getty Images

Colin White

Colin White had an underrated rookie season for the Ottawa Senators. He finished among the leaders in points among rookie forwards, placing fourth with 40 points. White should enter the 2019-20 season as the Sens top center and could be primed for a breakout season.

If you exclude players who didn’t finish last season with the Senators, he finished fifth on the team in points. White, however, must prove how good he is without Mark Stone. Last season, he struggled mightily away from him. White posted noticeably worse stats when Stone wasn’t on the ice with him. Of course, part of this is due to the Senators work roster. But it’s worth noting.

This season, White will likely have Tkachuk on his left side. Tkachuk was one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL last season, which should help White quite a bit. Not only will he be someone to watch because he’ll be exciting, but also because he’s such an important part of the Senators future.

The 2019-20 season will be White’s chance to prove to his team that he’s a keeper. He’s proven a lot to this point. But now White must prove it without the benefit of playing a lot of minutes with Mark Stone.