Despite First-Place Position, Senators Still Have Issues to Address

The Ottawa Senators' victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday night concluded a wild and wacky first half of the season that can only be described by two words: roller coaster. 

The ups and downs weren't so much in terms of standings, as they are sitting right now where they have been for most of the season—first in the Eastern Conference. 

However, for a team that is nine points ahead of its nearest rival in the East, the first three months have been anything but boring.
 
Controversy revolving around Ray Emery and the goaltending situation, a lack of secondary scoring, and the ongoing Wade Redden should-he-stay-or-should-he-go? debate all made for interesting water cooler and sports radio fodder.  Many people have offered opinions with regard to what GM Bryan Murray must do, if anything, to secure another lengthy playoff run.  In my opinion, three key areas must be addressed by the management and the players themselves.

First of all, a clear cut number one goalie must emerge very soon. 

A two-goaltender system might work in the regular season, but a clear number one must be determined leading into the playoffs. 

Martin Gerber has yet to prove he can handle the pressure of a big game, and is prone to meltdowns, as evidenced by the recent home-and-home series with the lowly Capitals.  Yes, he had a fantastic start, but I am still not sold on his confidence and consistency.  

Ray Emery, in my opinion, has regressed in his maturity, and after the run he had last season, I expected more from him.  His actions on and off the ice show that he still has some growing up to do.  IF he can return to the form he showed last spring, the Senators will be fine.  Personality quirks can be overlooked if you are performing. But to date Ray has not grasped the job as expected, and he has not exhibited the work ethic required to regain his status.  He has become a sideshow and a distraction to the team.
 
Second, determine who is going to play alongside Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. 

I have long been of the opinion that it should always be Alfredsson, unless they find a centre to play with him.  Mike Fisher is a great player, but his style of game does not mesh with the Captain’s.  Put the eggs in one basket, because when the “Big Three” get going no one in this league can handle them. 

But if John Paddock has his heart set on spreading the offense, the dynamic duo needs a third man who can keep up with them. Whether it ends up being Antoine Vermette or Dean McAmmond or even Patrick Eaves, they need to play with that person on a consistent basis to develop the chemistry going into the playoffs. 

Lastly, acquire another top-6 forward—from withinin the system or from outside.

This goes hand in hand with the last point. No offence to Chris Neil or Chris Kelly, but they are not players who should be playing in your top 2 lines.  Alfredsson, Spezza, Heatley, Fisher, Vermette are the key offensive contributors.  They need one more body who can score consistently. 

Randy Robitaille was brought in to do that but has only scored in three games.  Shean Donovan is fast but has very little finishing ability.  Patrick Eaves might end up being that person when he returns from a lengthy injury, but he must show more ability to do it on a regular basis to earn that job. 

That leaves McAmmond, who definitely has the speed and the hockey sense to earn the job, but for some reason he hasn’t been given the opportunity for longer than a couple of shifts.  Otherwise, GM Bryan Murray may indeed have to look outside the organization to find the right player—and if last season is any indication that will not be a cheap proposition.   
 
These three points aside, it is difficult overall to criticize a first place team. And given the ups and downs the team has faced so far, it could be much worse.