Analyst Marc Methot told TSN 1200 Radio this week that after watching the calibre of play in this year's playoffs, he doesn't think the Senators are that close.
For the bottom 16 teams in the NHL, watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs can be inspirational or a total reality check. Some of the non-playoff teams will watch things unfold and realize they aren't that far off. But one analyst thinks the Ottawa Senators don't fall into that category.
Former NHL defenceman Marc Methot told TSN 1200 radio this week that the high calibre of play in the current playoffs really gives you a good understanding of where the bar is set. And he thinks the Senators aren't that close right now.
"It's got to be a sobering thought for Sens fans," Methot said. "I'm looking at the makeup of (the Senators), and I'm looking at the product that we're now seeing on the ice in the postseason. I still don't think we're that close."
Methot pointed at the Toronto Maple Leafs additions of Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi and how their compete level and refusal to back down has helped the Leafs early in their series with Boston.
"I don't see that with Ottawa yet," Methot said. "I know they have Brady. I get it. But when I'm looking at their bottom six and the depth, they don't really have a lot of threats, not a lot of physicality down there.
"And then, of course, that whole back end is a mess right now. And that needs to be addressed with Ottawa as well. I know I've been banging on that drum for a couple of seasons, but until they make some smart moves here, I really don't think it's gonna move the needle that much."
And speaking of defence, Methot maintained he wasn't a fan of what Jakob Chychrun said at last week's season-ender with the media. When Postmedia's Tim Baines asked Chychrun if he wanted to be in Ottawa for a few more seasons, Chychrun said he hadn't really thought about it yet.
"I didn't think that was a really good comment," Methot said. "I think at the very least you lie, you act enthused moving forward, and that's just being professional. But to me, those words were very heavy.
"That kind of gave me the impression that maybe he's not that interested in coming back. I could be wrong. It's just a hunch. But that's an area that they need to address and they need to do it this summer. The man still has a year left on his deal – great value there. You'd have to think you could bring some pretty strong pieces in return."
It's too bad Methot isn't ten years younger. A highly physical, 6-foot-4, 230 pound stay-at-home defenceman would be exactly what the doctor ordered right now.