Breaking News: Nick Cousins Emerges as a Growing Threat for the Senators

Breaking News: Nick Cousins Emerges as a Growing Threat for the Senators

The Ottawa Senators had high hopes when they signed veteran forward Nick Cousins to a one-year, $800,000 contract in late August. The 31-year-old, who had spent the previous two seasons with the Florida Panthers, was brought in to add depth and experience to a young Senators squad. With a championship pedigree from winning the 2024 Stanley Cup with Florida, the expectation was that Cousins would help bring leadership and stability to the team.

However, the reality of Cousins’ performance has not matched these expectations, and his struggles are starting to raise concerns for the Senators.

A Disappointing Start to the Season
Cousins has played in all 19 games for Ottawa this season, but his output has been underwhelming. He has only managed four points—one goal and three assists—and holds a minus-two rating. His struggles were evident early on, as he went scoreless in the first seven games of the season. While there was a brief uptick in production when he registered four points over a three-game stretch, Cousins has since cooled off dramatically. Over his past eight games, he has failed to register a single point, further contributing to the team’s ongoing challenges.

One of the most concerning aspects of Cousins’ performance is his declining ice time. Despite being a seasoned veteran, his role on the team has diminished. In the Senators’ recent 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, Cousins played just 5:01, marking his lowest ice time of the season. Over the last six games, his average ice time has consistently fallen below 10 minutes, a clear sign that his play is not meeting the team’s expectations.

A Trade Option in the Making?
When the Senators first signed Cousins, there was the possibility that his affordable, expiring contract could make him an attractive trade piece as the season progressed. However, with his disappointing performances, that option now seems more likely. Ottawa may decide to trade Cousins before the deadline to recoup assets, particularly since he is still a low-cost player on a one-year deal. This would also open the door for a young player from the Senators’ AHL affiliate, Belleville, to get an NHL call-up and gain valuable experience.

Time for Cousins to Step Up
For the Senators to turn things around and break their current four-game losing streak, Cousins must find his form. With the team struggling to climb the Eastern Conference standings, Ottawa needs contributions from all areas, especially from a veteran like Cousins. His next opportunity comes in tomorrow night’s matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, where the Senators will look to him for an offensive spark.

If Cousins fails to turn things around soon, it could mean the end of his brief stint in Ottawa, with both the team and the player needing to evaluate their next steps.