So this morning, I was consulting the calendar that hangs on the wall in my kitchen and I have some news I would like to share with everyone.
Now there’s some good news and there is some bad news.
The bad news is, summer is gradually slipping from our grasp. June and July have left us and soon they’ll be taking August with them. This means that the warm weather that we have come to know and love will come to and. The leaves will change colour and we’ll all find ourselves barreling towards another Canadian winter.
Okay, now the good news.
Hockey is almost back! The start of the Annual Rookie Tournament is just 22 days away. Training Camp should open a week after that. In 33 days, the Senators will open the preseason against those miserable pricks from Toronto. Those very same pricks are in town the next night for an actual hockey game at the Canadian Tire Centre. And get this- in less than 50 days, which is only like 1175 hours, the Ottawa Senators will open their regular season, on home ice, against Eric Daze and the Chicago Blackhawks.
It’s really happening, folks. Go ahead. Look at your calendar and you’ll see the same.
So with that in mind, here are eight…that’s right 8!…. things to look forward to in the upcoming season
A New Guy Behind the Bench
Okay so that heading may be a little misleading. The Senators decided to bring back their entire Coaching Staff this year and will only make small changes to roles rather than shuffling personnel. Guy Boucher is back but it’s safe to say it won’t be the same Guy Boucher we’ve seen in the past. In making the case for his return, Boucher was expected to show how he could evolve as a Coach and that includes less reliance on certain veterans, more practice time (especially the power play) and an emphasis on a more up-tempo style. Less sitting back. More attacking. Boucher is a smart Guy and now that he’s felt the burn of the Ottawa hot seat, he’ll make the adjustments required to get this team back on track.
Youth Can Do It
In general, it sounds like the organization will be placing an emphasis on youth this year. In fact, Boucher mentioned that there could be as many as 5 or 6 spots available to young players this season. One on every line. One of the biggest complaints from fans last year was the lack of a legitimate opportunity for young players and those complaints were justified. As an organization, it sounds like they’ll be making a conscious effort to fix that this season. Alex Formenton, Logan Brown, Christian Wolanin, Christian Jaros, Drake Batherson, Filip Chlapik, Aaron Luchuk, Colin White, Thomas Chabot and the list goes on and on. They are all in the mix for spots. And for first time in years, it sounds like real opportunities might be there.
Brady
Move over Neil, there’s a new Brady in town. Brady Tkachuk is one of the best prospects this organization has had in well over a decade and he’s coming to Training Camp looking for a job. And not one of them Belleville openings either. And in case you don’t know this about the Tkachuk’s, they generally don’t without a fight. It will take approximately one preseason shift for fans to fall in love with this guy. He’ll be the top jersey sold by the end of his first period in the NHL. And by the time he scores his first goal, fans will be chanting his name. To hell with expectations, this kid is gonna be good. Really wish he didn’t take Lazar’s number 27 though.
The King Remains
Erik Karlsson has been traded approximately 15 times in the last six months but for some reason, when I look at the team’s official roster on my favourite website (NHL.com duh), I still see his name listed under Ottawa. Do the Lightning, Sharks, Golden Knights, Stars, Flyers, Leafs, Patriots and Ak Bars Kazan all know about this? Not sure what happened but it seems like there’s at least a chance that Erik Karlsson is still a member of the Ottawa Senators. And he’s 100% healthy. And he’s in a contract year. RIP rest of the NHL.
And Matt Duchene
Sens fans may not always look back fondly on the Matt Duchene trade mostly because it gets associated with one of the worst season’s in franchise history but the reality is, Duchene is really, really good. And he showed that down the stretch last year, even though the team around him was in a free fall. He’s a legitimate star in this league and he’s already warming to the whole “underdog” mentality that will make the Senators so dangerous this year. Oh and he’s also playing for a new contract.
Rolling Stone
God these headings are terrible. Anyway, Mark Stone is one of the best forwards in the NHL and he showed that last year. There is just no other NHL player that brings a combination of high-end offensive and defensive instincts, a ridiculously quick stick and ELITE goal celebrations. Like Karlsson and Duchene, Stone is also playing for a new deal. Seriously, these three are going to go OFF.
A Euge Change
I am at the point where I feel like if I just keep saying it, if I truly believe it, then it will be so. The power of positive thinking, or something like that. The rumours surrounding the Ownership situation in Ottawa have not gone away. And honestly, they aren’t going away anytime soon. I’ve said this many times but it still feels like a “when not if” situation. There are multiple groups with legitimate interest and it’s clear that the current Owner is under significant financial strain. There are no timelines but let me say this, when the day comes, we are all going to meet somewhere in Ottawa and have a drink or ten.
Not so Great Expectations
Expert predictions aren’t rolling in just yet but it’s safe to assume they will not be kind to our dear Senators. Know what? Fuck ’em. In fact, bring on those rock bottom expectations. Because as we all know, that’s when Ottawa does their best work. Count them out, write them off and they’ll prove you wrong. The only thing that’s predictable about the Ottawa Senators is that they are entirely unpredictable.
Sooo what are you looking forward to this season?
