After the debacle that was the 2007-08 season it is easy to quickly dismiss this years edition of the Ottawa Senators—if you weren't paying attention.
And it seems many people weren't.
If you weren't really paying attention you might have just noticed that the Sens backed into the playoffs, losing their last game and finishing in seventh place in the East.
What you perhaps missed was that the team, on the strength of a core of players that is still in place today, ripped up the league for the first 20 games until Ray Emery came back and started whining. It was internal struggles, not a lack of talent, that brought this team down.
If you weren't really paying attention you might have simply noted that the Sens got swept by the Penguins in the first round of the playoffs.
What you missed is that the team was without its captain and emotional leader Daniel Alfredsson for most of the series (although he did make a heroic comeback in game four) and was also missing the likes of Mike Fisher, the team's number two center and on ice workhorse, and Chris Kelly, one of the team's best checkers and penalty kill specialist.
If you weren't really paying attention, you might have noticed that the Senators lost one of their best defencemen over the summer in Wade Redden.
What you missed is that Redden had been the Sens top defenceman in salary only, as his play had steadily declined since 2006 when Zdeno Chara left. Redden twice used his no-trade clause to squash potential deals as Brian Murray was trying to ship the overrated defenceman out of town. There is a reason why the Sens didn't re-sign him (they had the money) and a reason they offered him a low-ball $4 million contract. Rangers fans are already finding out why.
If you weren't really paying attention you might suggest that Ottawa is a one line team that can easily be shut down.
What you missed is that the “one line” you downplay has been the highest scoring trio over the past three seasons. The team's problem has been defence, the offence will be just fine.
If you weren't really paying attention you might have noticed that Ottawa's blue line lost a lot of players over the summer—Redden, Meszaros and Commodore.
What you missed is that the Sens upgraded their blue line in the area that was needed, defensive ability, by adding the likes of Jason Smith, Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard.
You may also have forgotten that the Sens still have one of the best shut down pairings in the league in Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov, and now boast three of the top 15 shot blocking defencemen in the NHL—Volchenov, Smith and Kuba.
The 2008-09 Ottawa Senators are may not be as offensively dynamic as last year's team, but they will still score plenty enough to win. The key is the upgraded defence with a focus on physical play, defensive responsibility and good positioning.
12 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Spencer Callaghan 9 months ago
Game one pretty much reassures my faith in the team.
Despite some horrible officiating in the first period, the Sens pull out a point against the favourite in the Eastern Conference.
The improved defence was evident, the offensive skill was still there, but of course Gerber played pretty bad.
That game cold easily have gone either way, I think the Sens proved a point tonight.
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Derek Harmsworth 9 months ago
Yeah Spence Gerber played pretty bad, although I will say the final goal was deflected by his own man. He is so inconsistent. When he is hot, he's hot for sure.
Overall a solid game by the Sens though. As much as I hate him Dany Heatley is just a fantastic player to watch. Spezza's goal was wicked, but his overtime flap kind of overshadowed that.
As for the people underestimating the Sens and not giving them a chance, maybe that's a good thing? Last season people were trying to place them with the greatest teams in NHL history. This year under no pressure, perhaps they can just relax and play the way everyone knows they can.
Again, a solid game. But I mean, if they had better goaltending, they would have won. I hope Gerber can straighten it out for you guys.
Is it time for a Leafs/Sens game yet?!
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Spencer Callaghan 9 months ago
I wasn't impressed with Gerber, but you're right, the last goal was tipped.
I think overall with the stronger defence Ottawa will be OK.
I don't understand all the hate the CBC and Ron Maclean have for Spezza (except that he's not a Leaf).
With less than a minute left and 1 point in the bank, you want him to try to create something.
The bottom line is the puck should never have gotten past Gerber anyway.
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Sean Scrivener 9 months ago
That was a weak goal by Gerber and the next game may determine whether he's in or out this season with this team. If he has another showing like today, you can be sure Brian Murray is going to be taking a look around the league and maybe making a phone call or two to Chicago. Like you said though, an all around good game by the Sens. I like the way they collapse infront of the net in the PK and we had atleast 3 shorthanded chances. If Spezza hadn't of had a brain fart, the announcers probably would have said that was one of his best games but, like usual, you make one mistake and they pounce on you like a cheetah on a gazel. They'll bounce back tommorow, GO SENS GO!!
P.S. Only the 3rd time in the last 18 years they've lost the season opener.
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Tyler Hill 9 months ago
Great analyis, This was one of the more well well written articles Ive seen in my short time on this site.
As for your point of veiw, Im not sure the sens can fully rebound from their dismal end to last year, it might take some time for them to return to form.
Im glad there is aleast one Sens fan that can see Wade redden was a total waste of money(he and Bryan McCabe would be a hell of a team)and was one of the most over-rated players in the NHL.
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Alan Bass 9 months ago
I still do not doubt these guys. They are basically the same team as the East champs were a few years ago, minus the goalie, yet Gerber is still a capable starter, as he showed last year. They just need to keep working hard, and they will easily make the playoffs
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Miah D. 9 months ago
I think they have a lot to offer, I would keep fearing them as much ... the more underestimated they are, the more surprise they will create . we never know!
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Sean Scrivener 9 months ago
Couldn't of said it better Miah. Just remember 07!
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Junior Nelson 9 months ago
I'd like to think the changes made are enough. Vancouver needed to change thier culture,too, and dug much deeper. Murray is a good hockey man and will right the ship, the question left open is when? When will a superstar goaltender arrive? When will a second scoring line emerge? When will Chara be replaced? When will an NHL heavywieght come to town? I say this with love, what Ottawa,Toronto and others need is Bob Gainey.
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TJ Luckman 9 months ago
The problem with the Senators is you never know what to expect out of them. They can be utter garbage and come on during the season, or it could be the other way around (like last year). Usually, it's the former, but I wouldn't be surprised if I saw the latter this year.
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MJ Kasprzak 9 months ago
See, I'll comment on your article and disagree with you without acting like you are crazy for the things you said. Here are my points of contention, which you will of course deride:
1. The Sharks have had the kind of blueline you now boast is better, and found out the hard way that without puck-movers, you spend too much time in your own end and put too much pressure on the defence. Even Calgary, who has a top-notch goalie, has been unable to get out of the first round post-lockout with this philosophy.
2. Gerber has never proven himself to be a #1 goalie. He lost that job to Cam Ward and proceeded to lose it again to Emery because he is not good enough to handle that long-term, especially with the extra pressure he will be under with the new style blueline. Auld has proven himself also not up to the task in Vancouver and Florida, but he still is on the level with Gerber, who likely will still be looking over his shoulder.
3. That offence has benefited from that blueline: scoring will still be high, but it will suffer some.
NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND CAN ASSERT THAT YOUR TOP LINE IS THE BEST IN HOCKEY! You also make some good points about shot-blocking, but again I know first-hand that is not as important as being able to get the puck out of the zone. Your best point is about the character issues--I also know those well as a Sharks fan. Just like with us, you have every reason to think they are solved, but others have every reason to doubt that.
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MJ Kasprzak 9 months ago
Meant to say that your top line is NOT the best in hockey. Let me be clearer: it is better than anyone else's by as much as Jerry Rice is the best WR ever. No one is in their category. (Okay, maybe you could make a legit argument for Don Hutson...maybe there is a legit argument for the Wings, but I wouldn't buy either.)
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