There is just something about this year’s NHL post-season that is spectacularly boring.
Sure, I’m still watching just about every minute of every game but man, do I ever not care about any of the teams left standing.
Maybe it’s because I’m a little bit hockey’d out after the last couple seasons or maybe it’s because Chris Kunitz ruined everything but it just seems like the playoffs lack some of that intrigue you usually find this time of year.
Instead of talking about unlikely playoff heroes and overtime games that never end, it seems like most of the “narratives” around the game right now are focused on on questionable officiating or other off-ice distractions.
Did you hear what Don Cherry said about the Carolina Hurricanes? Or did you see Brad Marchand’s interview?!
Who gives a shit.
Anyway, the NHL post-season is lumbering along and while the Ottawa Senators haven’t played a game in a little over a month (that’s right, it’s only been a month), there is still some meaning left in these games.
And last night, a couple Sens-related developments
With the Boston Bruins finishing off the Columbus Blue Jackets in six games, we now can narrow down where Ottawa will pick in the first round.
What we know for sure is that the pick will be no lower than 19th overall. If one of Dallas or Colorado wins their Game 7, then it moves up to 18th overall. If they both win, the pick is 17th overall.
So, Go Stars. The Go Avs is a little more complicated.
The Columbus-related implication don’t stop there as Sens fans will also be keeping a close eye on the future of Matt Duchene with the Blue Jackets. It’s pretty simple- if Duchene re-signs with the Blue Jackets, Ottawa will receive Columbus’ 2020 1st round pick.
At this point, it’s probably a long-shot Duchene signs there but it’s certainly a possibility. He seemed to enjoy his brief time with the Blue Jackets and you would think they are going to do what they can to keep this group together.
Although with both Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky headed toward unrestricted free agency, that seems unlikely.
The other remaining bit of playoff-intrigue can be found in the fate of the San Jose Sharks.
This one is a little more complicated though.
Because first of all, the conditions only kick-in if Erik Karlsson decides to sign with the San Jose Sharks. The fact that he hasn’t done so yet is probably a pretty good indication he’s looking testing the open market.
But if he does stick around in the Bay Area, then the fate of the Sharks also has big implications for the Senators. Here’s how the conditions break down.
If Erik Karlsson signs with the San Jose Sharks, the Senators get San Jose’s 2nd round pick in 2021. If he signs AND the Sharks make it to the Final this year, that pick becomes a first rounder in 2021. No lottery protection on that pick either.
Got it? Because I only think I do.
Go Stars. Go Sharks, hopefully. But if Karlsson isn’t staying in San Jose then Go Avs, I guess. And Go to Columbus, Matt Duchene.
45 days till the NHL Entry Draft!
-The elimination of the Columbus Blue Jackets also has implications for Ottawa’s search for a new Head Coach. It is expected that the Senators will ask to speak to Blue Jackets Assistant Brad Shaw about the job in Ottawa. Shaw has been open about his interest in a Head Coaching position and he seems like a the type of candidate Ottawa will be looking for with this hire. Former-player with links to the Ottawa area, known as a teacher with an emphasis on the defensive side of the puck and a ton of coaching experience (primarily as an Assistant) in the NHL. Again, it’s worth pointing out that the Senators had interest in hiring Shaw as an Assistant a couple years ago but he went with the bigger offer in Columbus.
