With main camp starting this week, hopes are high in Ottawa. But after so many changes, if the Senators don't take a big step forward this season, the only thing left to address would be the core.
Another all-too-long summer vacation is finally over for the Ottawa Senators.
The Sens rookies reported for camp last week, and the best of them will head for the main camp, along with the entire NHL roster, reporting for medicals this Wednesday (Sept. 18) and the first on-ice session on Thursday. In truth, most of the team has been here, working and skating since the start of the month.
Leading up to opening night on Oct. 10, there may be an understudy that wins a bit part here or there, but camp this year will be more about dress rehearsals, getting used to new cast members, and learning all the new choreography required for Travis Green's play.
GM Steve Staios went to work on his roster this summer to fix and rebalance things. He identified the need for more – more size, experience, players who play the right way, secondary scoring, and more saves in big moments.
For the core players that remain, who aren't teenagers anymore, they have to find a new balance as well. Surrounding them with more players from winning programs, guys who play the game the right way, will help a lot. Call it mentorship with a dash of peer pressure.
"This is how we do things now."
The young core has always had the enthusiasm, individual offensive tactics, and skill down pat. But they need to ramp up their commitment to the parts of the game that aren't as fun: team and individual tactics on defence. And when we say better defence, that includes the forwards.
"Don't cut corners and cheat."
That could mean a third forward staying high in the offensive zone or a forward staying put in the defensive zone, both holding their positions until they're sure their team has won possession. Too often, Sens forwards abandon defensive responsibility for the fun of a scoring chance. They guess at the results of a 50/50 battle, sprint off early toward the opponent's net, and hope for a pass to come their way.
But the defencemen have to be better as well. Switching out Jakob Chychrun for Nick Jensen (offence for defence) should help. Much has been made of Jensen and Artem Zub being able to mind the store defensively while Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot create offensively.
That's certainly true, but defensive zone coverage is a non-negotiable. It still takes all five players – it always has, always will. Jensen can't battle for the puck in the corner and properly cover the man in the slot simultaneously.
"Don't blow up your season in the first month."
Most of all – and it feels like we're been writing this sentiment for five straight years now – this club has to get off to a better start and not obliterate their playoff chances again in the first month. That's been Pierre Dorion and D.J. Smith's cross to bear for several seasons.
"Dorion didn't get the right balance of players. Smith didn't hold them accountable."
Now the Ottawa Senators start a new year with a new owner, new GM, new head coach, new star goalie, and new roster balance. All of that leads to new hope in the nation's capital.
But on the other side of the ledger, if this team doesn't take a big step forward, then by the process of elimination, the only thing left to address would be the core group.