After three stints in the AHL - one of them an entire season - Matt Puempel broke through to the NHL level in late February last season.
Though his usage was limited, playing only three games with more than nine minutes of ice time, Puempel did manage to tally a couple goals and add an assist in 13 games. Appearing anywhere from the top two lines to the fourth, Puempel did manage to hold his own. Finishing the season with a 54.5% Corsi rating and 53.8% shots for (all at even strength), he was reliable.
And that's exactly what the Senators' bottom six would need next season if he should earn a roster spot come October.