Ottawa Senators: Preseason Thoughts

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event!"

It's a line all sports fans have heard many times before. But this year the Ottawa Senators are hoping that this is their time to be the main event. To be the team everyone is looking at. To be the team to beat! It will certainly be interesting to watch.

Considering the start the Sens had last year, and considering how they finished the year, the Sens Army is hoping that the trades and deals made during the summer will pay off. So let's get started!

Here's how this team finished, and how they hope to start off hot again this year (and stay that way):

First of all, last year. Mention of it causes all loyal Sens fans to shudder and be tempted to curl up into the fetal position.

A first round upset at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ray Emery's antics, GM Bryan Murray taking the reins back behind the bench with barely a month left in regular play, and so many more things led to a disappointing season.

It can safely be assumed that this year the Senators' management are going to have an iron fist waiting for their players if they mess up. They cannot have that happen again.

Next up is the offseason. Things are starting to change, slowly but surely, for the better.

Ottawa's first move was to get rid of Ray Emery. That was a good idea. For the amount he was making, he simply was too high maintenance to keep around. Besides, Martin Gerber was playing quite well last year and would have looked much better had his team given him the defensive support he needed.

I'm not saying that Martin Gerber is a great goalie—he's just okay—but with the way the Sens were playing at the start of last year, a superstar goalie may not be what the organization needs. That is, if the defense can do their part.

So that leaves one spot open for goalies. Having looked at the official Ottawa Senators Web site, it seems that Martin Gerber's backup will be Alex Auld. Not too bad, not too bad.

Finally, we come to changes on the blue line. Getting rid of Wade Redden was a sketchy move because of the experience that he had on the Sens' blue line, but it can be said that it is a loss the team can come back from.

The move leaves two men with oodles of experience between the two of them to lead this blue line. I speak of Chris Phillips, who is in his tenth year as a red, white and gold, and recently acquired Jason Smith. Together, they have potential to do great things with this squad. If Phillips can step up and take the leadership role, things might become a bit steadier for this very bumpy team.

Now we look to the future. With some good prospects waiting for their chance to shine bright some day, such as center Cody Bass, it seems that last year could just become a hiccup for this one-time powerhouse.

Now pardon my skepticism, but I don't want to guess where the Sens will place themselves this year. If the big boss up top plays his cards right, the players in the dressing room might play the puck just a bit better this year.

On that note, GO SENS GO!