During the off-season, nervous chatter around the Senators centered on potential 2019 unrestricted free agents Erik Karlsson, Matt Duchene and Mark Stone. There were very few mentions that Ryan Dzingel is in an identical situation.
Fresh off a 23-goal campaign, where he tied Matt Duchene for the team lead, Dzingel is heading into his third full season with the club. The left winger is hoping for team success, and wants to improve on his own numbers.
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He’ll likely get plenty of opportunities - playing top-six even-strength minutes and garnering more power-play time, alongside his center Duchene.
“We had really good chemistry last year," noted the veteran Duchene. "He’s at the point where he’s really excited about the game...I see the same things in his personality that make me go, too. We connect on that level.
"I think that’s a combination that worked well last year, now we have to take it up to another level. I think we’re dialed in. We picked up in camp where we left off last year. I’m excited to play with a player like him.”
A few days into camp, there’s been a solid rotation of competitors to see who may man the right side of this top-six line. Nineteen-year-old Alex Formenton, newcomer Mikkel Boedker and veteran Bobby Ryan are among the candidates.
“I’m hoping for a great [season] for us a team and myself included," said Dzingel. "Obviously, on us, we have a clean slate, that’s very nice. I think last year was a good stepping stone for myself. The same guys are coming back this year as well. I found some chemistry with those guys. I’m looking forward to it.”
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If the former Ohio State Buckeye is putting any undue pressure on himself to replace the goals former teammate Mike Hoffman tallied on the power play, Dzingel isn’t showing it.
“You’re going to need a lot of guys to score goals," explained the Illinois resident. "It was nice to have him here to score goals, but even when he was here, I found a way to score goals. I haven’t really thought it about it that way. He’s a big shooter on the power play."
Duchene believes Dzingel will continue his goal-scoring ways and could reach 30 one day.
"He had 23 last year. What’s seven more? That’s one hot month. That’s it. He’ll get there at one point in his career, if not this one.”
Talks are not yet underway on a contract extension between Don Meehan, Dzingel’s agent, and the Senators. However, their last deal came together rather quickly.
His last contract was signed at last July’s arbitration hearing. Newport Sports representatives and Senators GM Pierre Dorion exchanged figures for an hour prior to signing Dzingel to a two-year, $3.6M deal.