FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-It’s a damn shame the Senators didn’t win the games against Dallas or Carolina. In both instances, they probably should have come away with the two points but instead came away empty handed. Hitting the All Star break with the gap at five or six would have been real nice. Instead they trail by ten, although they do have a couple games in hand. They also play Boston a couple times in the last month of the season. Going to need to go on a serious run post-All Star break.
-I’ll admit, I let myself start thinking about the possibility of a high draft pick for a bit there but watching this team over the last couple weeks, it’s pretty clear that’s not going to happen. They are playing some of their best hockey of the season and seem poised for a strong second half. The seven day lay off may slow them down a little bit but I really think they could make a little noise in the next couple months. It’s also important to note that the teams at the bottom of the standings are like, next level awful. A top two pick was never going to happen. And if you’re worried about a top 10 or even top 5 pick, just remember Ottawa has two second rounder and other assets they could move if they really wanted to move up.
-Erik Karlsson looks like a Norris Trophy contender again. He’s hit that level where I find myself spending the majority of the game just thinking about how lucky the Senators are to have him. Whether it’s Dave Cameron’s influence or the return of Marc Methot, the fact is Karlsson looks better than he has in a couple seasons. He probably could have scored six or seven goals in the last week alone. The team didn’t say it, but I think Karlsson was dealing with some sort of lower body injury at times during the first half of the season. He finally seems to be skating at top speed again which is bad news for the rest of the NHL.
-Prior to puck drop, everyone was talking about an article in the Ottawa Citizen where Sens GM Bryan Murray essentially opened the door for trades involving Chris Phillips and Chris Neil (and to a lesser extent Methot and Legwand). Not sure if Sens management talked to Phillips and Neil before hand but these comments in the media certainly put a little pressure on both players to consider a deal. Murray won’t make a trade like that without the blessing of the players but by releasing it publicly, he’s letting both guys know he’s seriously considering it.
-And another trade related thought- get used to hearing Robin Lehner’s name in the rumour mill. I mentioned this on Monday and league Insiders have been on it since then- if the Senators do decide to move a goalie, it’s more likely to be Lehner than Anderson. Right now I think they like the idea of having two goalies but if including Lehner in a discussion brings back a significant piece, they are willing to consider it. Can’t help but think Ottawa and Edmonton will be linked in trade talks in the months to come.
