BT's 2009/10 NHL Season Preview: Ottawa Senators

(Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

Like the rest of the Northeast, the Ottawa Senators come into the season with a question that, if it gets answered, gives them the best shot at second place.

While he Montreal Canadiens need to find a sustainable level of consistency, the Buffalo Sabres need to find that top-pairing puck-mover, and the Boston Bruins are simply hoping to make a seamless transition to a Kessel-less era, the Sens have the most interesting question ever.

What was this guy prepared to do if Dany Heatley didn't eventually waive his no trade clause?

Ottawa Senators

2008/09 Record: 36-35-11, 83 points, 11th in East

Additions: Jonathan Cheechoo—F (Trade w/San Jose), Milan Michalek—F (Trade w/San Jose), Alex Kovalev—F (2 years/$10 mil)

Subtractions: Mike Comrie—F (FA), Dany Heatley—F (Trade w/San Jose), Alex Auld—G (FA), Brendan Bell—D (FA), Brad Isbister—F (FA), Danny Bois—F (FA)

While many think that the Ottawa Senators didn’t get enough in the Dany Heatley deal, they may have actually gotten just enough.

Yes it would've been nice to see them get a little more, but the package is a fairly good one, given the corner Bryan Murray was forced to work himself out of.

For a disgruntled 50 goal scorer who wasn’t going to be convinced to give 100 percent, the Sens were finally able to solve their secondary scoring issues—at least on paper—with two good forwards.

Then again, the San Jose Sharks look pretty good on paper. Maybe we should check back in with Mr. Heatley come May.

And for desert, a chocolate Leclaire…

Over the past few seasons, the Senators' crease has resembled more of a revolving door than anything.

Last year, Brian Elliot (31), Alex Auld (43) and Martin Gerber(14) split time for the Sens. The previous two years it was Gerber (57 and 28) and Ray Emery(31 and 59), while in 2005/06 Dominik Hasek (43) and Emery (39) split time.

Really, the Ottawa Senators haven't had a real starting goalie carry the load since Patrick Lalime shouldered the load into 2002/03—the year before Martin Prusek truly threatened to take his role.

Oh Martin Prusek...those were the days.

Contingent on whether or not he can stay healthy, the Sens may have finally found their man in Pascal Leclaire.

The biggest detraction about Leclaire, as everyone knows, is his injury problems. There have been three instances in his career where Leclaire has missed double-digit games with injury. All three have been more than 20 games, while last year's missed games total broached 50 (48 games).

When he's healthy however, Leclaire has top-level talent. In 2007/08, the then-Blue Jacket went 24-17-6 with nine shutouts, while posting a 2.25 goals-against average and a .919 on a 12th place team that went 34-36-12.

Although Mason played more games (61 to 54 in his favor) Leclaire's tangible statistics were better than Mason's last year, while Mason had the advantage in wins and winning percentage. These are things I think you should know.

The question that needs answering for Ottawa, is whether or not Leclaire is fully healed from the plethora of problems that have dogged him the past few years.

If he is, this team can jump up the standings. If not, it's once again up to Brian Elliot.

While Elliot played admirably in Ottawa last year going 16-8-3 for the Sens, the jury is still out on his long-term potential. His athleticism, poise, and confidence kept the Senators in a lot of games early on last year, but he's going to have to replicate that this season to prove that he can handle a bit of increased time.

In the instance of injury (and let's face it...it's a very real possibility) the Senators are fairly thin. Andy Chiodo hasn't played NHL hockey since 2003 (eight games with Pittsburgh

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?