The Senators are
coming off a historical run to the playoffs which was aided by the “Hamburglar”
Andrew Hammond. However the run was team effort, seriously how many overtime
heroes did the Sens have during the final months of the season? But the team
would ultimately fall short in the playoffs. Looking ahead to this season the
Senators have more or less the same core. In net expect Anderson to be the
starter. Although Hammond was the hot goalie last year, he by many accounts was
shaky in the playoffs. It is Hammond’s job to steal the number one spot or at least
take pressure of Anderson who by NHL standards is aging. Hammond also got off
on the wrong foot this season, suffering a pulled groin and is out a couple of
weeks. This means that Matt O’Connor is likely to play in his first NHL game
earlier than expected. It will be a good test to see how O’Connor can compete
at the NHL level. This will be great to see how this plays out. On the back-end
Karlsson will continue to be number one. So far in the pre-season he is looking
very sharp, and if he can keep his strike-outs, ie give aways to a minimum then
he has the potential for another Norris trophy. Marc Methot will hopefully stay
healthy and be a solid number 2 guy for the Sens. After Methot, much like the
previous of seasons, the line-up will allow for younger guys to prove that they
should be getting top 4 minutes (Cody Ceci will no doubt want to be in the mix).
As for the forwards, there does not seem like there will be many big changes. Bryan
Murray has said that if need be he does have the green light from Eugene Melnyk
to acquire a centre piece. When and if that happens will be anyone’s guess. In
the pre-season, it has be fun to watch Lazar and Pageau who have looked hungry
and have formed some chemistry, and the Sens could only hope that carries
forward into the season. However for this team to be successful and go far,
Mark Stone, Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris and Mike Hoffman will have to similar seasons
to what they had last year. In Ryan’s case he will need to step it. At the same
time it is important to remember that he was 4th in team scoring with 54
points. The key is the Sens would like him at least a 25 goal scorer rather
than the 18-goal scorer from last year. One can only assume that Ryan is aware
that is where needs to be at.
In the front office, Bryan Murray says he will
stay on a general manager another year. This is an extraordinary task for a
person who is overcoming cancer. Other big news in the front office is that
Daniel Alfredsson is back with the team as advisor. It remains to be seen what
that role will entail, and what he will actually be doing. However that one
would assume that his leadership will only be a positive for the team. Without
a doubt it is an exciting time for Senators fans now that Daniel is back in
town, as he is a great ambassador in the community not only for the Sens but
for Ottawa as a whole. David Cameron will be back be-hide the bench as the head
coach as he should be. The team will need to buy into his system again for them
to make another run to the playoffs. Sadly he will be without the assistance of
Mark Reeds who passed away last season. Reeds, who was another successful
junior hockey coach taking the Owen Sound Attack to the Memorial Cup in 2011,
will missed on and off the ice. If the Sens play hockey consistently well
throughout the season, they should have be able to secure a playoff spot. My
prediction is that this team will either get the first wildcard spot or the 3rd
spot in the Atlantic Division which seems possible as many teams in that
division are the rebuilding.
Starting Night Roster:
Forwards:
Mike Hoffman - Kyle
Turris - Mark Stone
Clarke MacArthur -
Mika Zibanejad - Bobby Ryan
Milan Michalek -
Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Curtis Lazar
Alex Chiasson -
Zack Smith - Chris Neil
Extra: Matt Puempel
Defense:
Marc Methot - Erik
Karlsson
Patrick Wiercioch -
Cody Ceci
Jared Cowen - Mark
Borowiecki
Extra: Chris
Phillips, Chris Wideman
Goalies:
Craig Anderson
Matt O'Connor
Extra: Andrew
Hammond (injured)
2015/2016 Outlook and Prediction:
3rd in Atlantic Division, 6th in Eastern Conference
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