Ottawa Senators: In a Bid For Change, Murray Says Hale Yeah!

Enter David Hale, exit Zach Smith.

Consider the slump vanquished.

Consider me skeptical.

The fact is, this team is struggling mightily with finding its rhythm in this new season and with every loss comes mounting pressure.

This skid isn't an issue of skill or work ethic—it's about a team consistently failing to executing a game plan. 

Not a 7th defensemen.

If the Sens have learned anything over the last three seasons, it's the value of all pulling together on the same rope. When Clouston came aboard near the end of the 08/09 season, he inherited a team in disarray—a team playing very much as it is now. 

This wasn't a team incapable of winning, as their improved record indicated, once Clouston managed to get them playing as a team.

Even more indicative of this fact is the team's fifth place finish the following year with much the same roster, as in the previous year.

And here they find themselves again, with only minor tweaks to the roster (add Gonchar, delete Volchenkov) but mired in a losing streak predicated on poor team play.

The question now is, can Clouston work his magic again? Unlike in the first instance, Clouston doesn't have the advantage of coming on board when, for the most part, the season was already a lost cause. 

This time, Clouston has to get this team all working together, when his is now only one more voice among the many clamouring for change with a season of play still looming over the team's head. 

Can he do it?

Guess we'll find out.