Early 2022 predictions for Nick Jensen

The Washington Capitals are just a few weeks away from training camp so we continue on with our early player predictions. Next up is Nick Jensen.

Jensen finished last season with five goals and 16 assists for 21 points in 76 games. Not too bad especially with the career high five goals.

In 217 games with the Capitals, Jensen has progressed and gotten better and better. He has recorded seven goals and 41 assists for 48 points.

He was primarily on the second pair with Dmitry Orlov last season and that pair should be intact again this season.

Jensen had decent individual advanced stats in the regular season. He had a Corsi For percentage of 50.16 percent, a 51.76 percent Expected Goals For percentage, and a 50.72 High Danger Chances For per Natural Stat Trick.

Now let’s look at Jensen when paired with Orlov. When the two were on the ice together, they shared a combined Corsi For percentage of 51.07 percent, a 53.06 percent Expected Goals For percentage, and a 50.50 percent High Danger Chances For percentage.

Now without Orlov, Jensen’s advanced stats drop. His Corsi For percentage is at just 47.86 percent, his Expected Goals For percentage is at 48.53 percent but his High Danger Chances For remains consistent at 51.28 percent.

The Caps have a lot of questions on defense when the season ends as everyone except John Carlson is an impending free agent. That includes Jensen who is an unrestricted free agent.

Jensen’s current cap hit is $2.5 million. The Caps signed him to an extension after acquiring him from the Detroit Red Wings at the trade deadline in 2019. He will definitely command at least 3 million especially with the uptick in his performance the last two seasons.

So I think Jensen finishes the season around the same as he did last season. You want a number? How about four goals and 20 assists for a career high 24 points.