While Ottawa Senators fans brace for the worst this upcoming season, they can
rest assured that there will be at least one bright spot on the team. Last
year, one of the few positives for the club was rookie defenseman Thomas
Chabot. He broke onto the roster and proved he belonged, partnering with Erik
Karlsson on the top line for most of the year. Whether Karlsson remains on the
team or not, Chabot will be an impact player on the team and give fans
something to cheer about this season.Recapping Chabot';s Rookie Year

The 18th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft was called up to the
Senators earlier than expected due to a series of injuries and a lackluster
performance in general for the team';s defense. After being cut near the end
of camp, Chabot was sent to the Belleville Senators where he had two goals and
seven points in 13 games with a brief call-up to the NHL in the middle. On Nov.
 20, Chabot was called up once again and never looked back.Ottawa Senators
defenseman Thomas Chabot looks to grow in his sophomore season. (Marc
DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports)

Chabot played 63 games last season, collecting nine goals and 25 points. On top
 of this, the rookie had 44 hits, 64 blocked shots, and 27 takeaways while
averaging 17:31 a night. These are all stats that Chabot will look to build on
this upcoming year as he holds onto his top-line minutes through a full season.

Coming into the league, the Sainte-Marie, Quebec native was known for his
offensive skills. In his final year with the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL,
the defenseman put up 45 points in 35 games and another 23 points in 18
playoffs games, winning Defender of the Year in the process. His defensive game
 was the biggest concern, which improved for Chabot as the year went on. Of his
 64 blocked shots, 55 of them came in his last 45 games of the year. His
takeaway numbers were also good enough for 31st of all NHL defensemen.

Some have pegged the 21-year-old as the heir apparent to Karlsson. His first
season with the team saw him climb to top-line next to the team captain, and
this coming season will see Chabot continue to climb as he becomes more
accustomed to his role on the team.Two Scenarios for Chabot in 2018-19Chabot
With Karlsson on the Team

The Senators'; captain is arguably the best defenseman in the NHL, and Chabot
has used that to his advantage. The young player looked up to the Swedish
defender through his first year and hopes to continue to do so.

Robert Laflamme of NHL.com writes that Chabot says, "I had the chance to play
with him last season and I learned so much from watching him work. He';s
talented at everything he does. Even his own teammates, we sometimes can';t
believe the plays that he makes. He';s a mentor to me, I';m trying to model my
playing style after his. He';s also a really cool guy outside the
rink."Senators Captain Erik Karlsson has been a mentor to Chabot (Amy Irvin /
The Hockey Writers)

With Karlsson on the team, Chabot will continue to watch and learn from the
five-time All-Star. Having a mentor like that will do wonders for Chabot';s
career starting with this next season. With the captain being not only a mentor
 but also a line partner, the young defenseman will have his game naturally
elevated through Karlsson';s skill. On top of that, the Swedish defender will
have the best view of Chabot and be able to coach and direct him in-play. That
kind of experience and guidance from a player of Karlsson';s caliber is
invaluable.

If Ottawa holds on to Karlsson for the season and Chabot continues to improve
at the rate he has been, it';s extremely likely that he will pass all of his
season totals from the previous year. With Karlsson guiding Chabot, the
sophomore player will exceed expectations next season and become the player the
 Senators management hopes he will be sooner rather than later.Chabot Without
Karlsson

However, if the Senators can find a suitable trade for their captain, Chabot
will remain on the top line and become the team';s top defender. While his
growth would definitely benefit from more time with Karlsson, one year watching
 and playing with him is better than nothing. Chabot will need to become the
player the team hoped they drafted very quickly.Ottawa Senators defenseman
Thomas Chabot (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)

The good news for Ottawa is that Chabot had an impressive rookie year and will
improve with or without Karlsson on the team. With the Senators not expected to
 contend for the Stanley Cup, the defender wouldn';t have as much pressure on
him for the team to be successful. As long as he can handle the individual
pressures of doing better than last year, and possibly starting to fill the
shoes of the captain, Chabot looks like a lock to improve in his first full NHL
 season, which is exactly what he wants to do.

"I want to start off on the right foot this season and make a positive impact
with the Senators," Chabot said. "I';m going to arrive at camp feeling very
comfortable with myself and very satisfied with the efforts that I made this
summer. I know what I have to do, and I';m going to concentrate on that."

It looks like the young Senators are ready to start to take over the team. New
1st-round pick Brady Tkachuk has recently signed with the team over Boston
University and young players Colin White and Logan Brown will be looking to
stick with the team this fall. With nearly a full season under his belt, Thomas
 Chabot will become the face of the new Senators, especially if the team parts
with Karlsson.

The post Senators'; Chabot Looks to Build on Rookie Year appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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