The Ottawa Senators are coming off one of the most important off-seasons in the history of the franchise.
Beyond the significant additions to the lineup including Joonas Korpisalo and Vladimir Tarasenko, the Sens have undergone a franchise-altering transformation off the ice.
Michael Andlauer purchased the team and with his collection of local investors, he has promised to make the Senators “best in class”. The analytics department now definitely exists, Cyril Leeder is back, Steve Staios is here and Spartacat is taller than ever.
And yet with the season opener now just hours away, there are…distractions. The situation with Josh Norris and Shane Pinto is a lingering sun-covering cloud on an otherwise lovely day.
Both players will be here soon and be in the lineup not long after that but the prospect of starting the season without two of the team’s best centres is certainly unfortunate.
Although watching the way some people handled the waiver wire activity over the last couple weeks, it’s clear that we would have found something to worry about regardless.
With Norris still not cleared to play, Pinto still without a contract and the salary cap still very much a thing, DJ Smith is going to have to make do with the players he has at his disposal. The good news is, there are some damn good ones. The bad news is, there probably won’t be enough of them.
Zack MacEwen is still considered day-to-day at this stage and his status is very much in doubt for tomorrow’s opener. If he can’t play, it sounds like the plan is to go with 11 forwards and six defenceman.
It’s worth pointing out that Josh Norris is expected to travel with the team to Carolina. Really doesn’t sound like they intend to place him on LTIR.
Here’s how the Senators lined up this morning…
Tkachuk-Stützle- Giroux
Joseph-Greig-Batherson
Kubalik-Chartier-Tarasenko
Kelly-Kastelic-Norris
Chychrun-Chabot
Sanderson-Zub
Brannstrom Hamonic
The Senators will travel to Carolina this afternoon will be on the ice for a Game Day skate at 11:30 AM tomorrow in Raleigh.
A GAME DAY SKATE. TOMORROW.
