The Ottawa Senators have improved more than people think, thanks to upgrading in net, bringing in a new coach and making strategic moves, says Adam Proteau.
The Ottawa Senators have been one of the NHL’s busiest teams so far this off-season, but not everyone seems convinced they’re a notably improved team.
It’s understandable why they might feel that way – when you move out a talent like defenseman Jakob Chychrun and you don’t get back the return you paid for them, you can make the argument that, on paper, at least, the Senators have taken a step back with their veteran depth.
However, this writer isn’t one of those skeptics. In the macro picture, Ottawa has strategically moved around pieces in the name of better chemistry and better strategy. From our perspective, the Senators are in a better spot to make the Stanley Cup playoffs next spring.
For starters, there’s the work done by GM Steve Staios on remaking his goaltending tandem and shipping out the underperforming Joonas Korpisalo in return for former Bruins No. 1 netminder Linus Ullmark. That’s a clear upgrade at a crucial position, and it’s one whose impact will be felt by the entire Sens team. Ullmark doesn’t need to be a superstar, but if he can provide above-average goaltending, the investment in his services will be justified.
On defense, losing Chychrun hurts in terms of sheer talent level, but the return Staios got for Chychrun – including blueliner Nick Jensen – addresses a need for a right-shot D-man and better balances Ottawa’s defense corps as a whole.
Staios’ other notable acquisitions, UFAs David Perron and Michael Amadio, strengthen the Senators’ second and third lines.
All things considered, it’s our opinion the Senators now look like a stellar bunch who will thrive under first-year coach Travis Green. But don’t kid yourself – Ottawa still needs key young players Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson to elevate their performance if this team is to finally claw its way back into the playoffs.
To be sure, the other younger teams in the Atlantic Division looking to make the 2025 post-season – Buffalo and Detroit – and the 2023-24 wild-card teams are not going to make it easy on the Senators next season. But with Ullmark leading the way on the back end and their youngsters up front finding another gear to kick into, Ottawa should be a considerably improved squad.
Atlantic Division teams, including Florida, Boston and Toronto, are regarded by many as playoff locks next season, which leaves one or two playoff spots for the Red Wings, Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning and Senators to battle over.
If the Metropolitan Division is as reliably competitive as it usually is, the Wings, Sabres, Bolts and Sens will be fighting for just one playoff spot. That means three of those teams are going to suffer monumental disappointment, but we can see Ottawa jousting with the Lightning in particular for that final playoff berth.
There might be other tinkering roster moves from Staios before training camp, but so long as they stay healthy, the Senators have the foundational skill and drive to take the next step in their evolution.
It’s certainly not going to be an easy road to redemption in 2024-25, and it would be a huge letdown if they can't make the playoffs again. But the pieces are in place for the Sens to shake off their shackles of letdowns past and at long last deliver something tangibly exciting to their long-suffering fan base.