The 28-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline from the Islanders last season and re-signed with the Hawks in July. He provides the team with depth at center and wing, but will probably be in-and-out of the lineup just like last season. When he was in the lineup, Regin did contribute with two goals, two assists with a plus-5 rating in 17 regular-season games.
Although Regin didn't cost much (one-year $750K) he is still a curious signing by the Islanders. He doesn't really fill any need; certainly not as a offensive force with only five goals in his last 92 games and one would argue he shouldn't be taking the roster spot of one of the Islander prospects who could use the ice time. Regin could find himself a healthy scratch more often than not but then again, coach Jack Capuano does seem to like veteran players.
Regin signed a one-year, one-way contract in early June which came as a bit of a surprise to some as he'd missed most of the last two seasons with two separate shoulder injuries. Now, fully healed, he'll be a darkhorse candidate to win a top-six forward role, but expectations should be tempered due to his injury history. He's a great skater and puck-handler with good hockey sense and provides steady defensive play when he's on the ice, so much so that he is used on the penalty kill on a regular basis. Head coach Paul MacLean likes the Dane's overall game and was not afriad to use him in all situations in the early going of the 2011-12 season. If Regin can stay healthy for the entire season, he could pot upwards of 15 goals and 25 assists, but that's a big if. This is quite likely a make-or-break year for the 26-year-old as he'll need to play well and stay healthy to win another one-way contract in the next offseason.
Regin had the prototypical sophomore slump in 2010-11, having put up only three goals and 14 assists in 55 games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in late February. Much was expected of the 25-year-old Dane after being one of Ottawa's best forwards in a six-game, first-round loss to Pittsburgh the year before. He enters the 2011-12 season with a lot to prove and will likely be fighting for a top-six forward role with some of Ottawa's other youngsters. If he can regain the form he showed in the latter stages of the 2009-10 season, then he might slot into the second line center role. Expect upwards of 15 goals and 20-25 assists if all goes well.
Regin is one of the best kept secrets on the Ottawa squad heading into the 2010-11 season. He had a bit of a coming-out party during the first round of the NHL playoffs this past April, as he was arguably Ottawa's best forward during the six-game series loss to the Penguins. He ended last season playing on Jason Spezza's wing on the first line and he could start this season where he finished. If that's the case, then Regin could be good for 50-60 points with upwards of 20 goals. Because of his relatively low point totals as a rookie last year, he could be a sleeper pick in the later rounds of your draft. While his natural position is that of a center, he might be had as a left winger.
Regin is NHL ready and should challenge for a spot with the Sens all year long. If he doesn't make the team out of camp, he'll likely be one of the first injury call-ups for the Sens. He's a smart, two-way forward with excellent puck skills and could challenge for a second or third line center position in Ottawa.
One of the more intriguing Senators prospects in Ottawa's system, Regin will begin the year in Binghamton, his first in North America. The 22-year-old center has spent the last three years playing in Sweden's Elitserien for Timra IK. Playing in Sweden's top pro league has allowed him to develop into an excellent playmaking center who also likes to shoot the puck. Regin finished last year with 31 points in 55 games, good enough for third on his team. He possesses great speed and even better hands and is probably the most NHL-ready player Ottawa has in its system. Regin's got a chance at making the big club in 2009-10.
