On Friday night, Angus Crookshank became the Belleville Senators’ all-time leading goal scorer. He scored his team-leading 22nd goal of the season, helping the Senators defeat the Toronto Marlies 3-2. This goal was Crookshank’s 77th career goal, moving him past Egor Sokolov as the franchise’s all-time leader in goals.
“Yeah, it’s cool to think about it,” Crookshank told the Belleville Senators Entertainment Network after the game. “I mean, at the end of the day, I wouldn’t be able to call myself a record holder without my teammates that I’ve played with over the past three years. So I’m very thankful for them, and yeah, hopefully, I can score a few more down the stretch here.”
Despite his continued success in the American Hockey League (AHL) and strong support from his head coach, David Bell, Crookshank’s future with the Sens organization is unknown at the moment. The 25-year-old is about to become a Group 6 unrestricted free agent. A player earns that status if he’s 25 (check), has completed three or more professional seasons (check), has a contract expiring (check), and has played less than 80 NHL Games (check).
Crookshank appeared in 13 NHL games last season, so when he re-signed with the club, it seemed like he might have a chance at a full-time NHL spot this season. But Ottawa general manager Steve Staios completely shuffled the roster in his first summer on the job, which appears to have pushed Crookshank down several spots on the depth chart.
The Sens moved out bottom-six regulars like Mathieu Joseph, Parker Kelly, Mark Kastelic, and Dominik Kubalik. But their roles were scooped up by new additions like David Perron, Noah Gregor, Nick Cousins, Michael Amadio, and Adam Gaudette. Not only that, but with a new coaching staff in Ottawa, some of Crookshank’s AHL teammates that he outplayed last season were suddenly being favoured for NHL opportunities this season – players like Zack Ostapchuk, Cole Reinhardt, and Matthew Highmore.
But his head coach is still firmly on Crookshank’s bandwagon.
“He’s grown his game,” Bell told TSN 1200 Radio last month. “Before, his defensive game was probably a deficiency. He kills penalties for us now. He plays center for us sometimes. Now he’s playing right wing with Reinhardt down here. So he plays all three positions. He’s on the ice at the end of the game. He’s consciously rounded out his game to be more reliable defensively and more reliable on the walls.”
Crookshank’s work ethic and versatility continue to make him a key contributor for Belleville, and a future in the show remains a strong possibility. It’s just a question now of whether that NHL opportunity lies in Ottawa or somewhere else.
By Steve Warne
Site Editor at The Hockey News Ottawa
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