FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Heading into this match up against the New York Islanders, it was pretty clear the Senators were in tough. Not only had they been embarrassed the night before in New Jersey but they were playing in a historically difficult situation- the first game at home after a long road trip. The Islanders hadn’t played in four days and the Senators were missing a top centre and half of their top defence pair. Excuses aren’t worth much but the Senators had a whack of ’em last night. Ottawa put together a pretty admirable performance through forty minutes but just didn’t have anything left in the tank in the third.
-On paper and with everyone healthy, this team can contend for the playoffs. But with injuries at key positions, they just don’t have the depth to compete on a regular basis. Turris hasn’t been super-productive since that injury scare late in 2015 but when he’s out, the team is just too thin down the middle. We know the blueline has its issues so Methot being out is a significant blow. And now Michalek joins them again after blocking a shot with the same damn finger that kept him out for more than a month last time. Add in the Clarke MacArthur injury and that’s four key players out of the line up. Pretty tough situation.
-As bad as things seemed heading into last night’s game, Erik Karlsson still did everything in his power to try and will this team to victory. He had moments of ‘best player in the world’ last night and single-handedly gave the Senators a very brief second period lead. Erik Karlsson now has 51 points through 48 games and is on a pace that could land him remarkably close to the 90 point mark. Unfortunately his Norris and Hart Trophy candidacy may hinge on whether or not this Ottawa team makes the playoffs.
-Late last night, Bruce Garrioch posted an article suggesting that if the Sens want to get seriously involved in the Jonathan Drouin sweepstakes, they’ll have to be willing to pay a significant price. According to Garrioch, Steve Yzerman wants top prospect Thomas Chabot back in any deal. That’s a little excessive to begin with but apparently they also want another prospect on top of that. Not gonna happen. I’ve heard the Senators offered another young player on the roster but that it wasn’t enough in the eyes of the Bolts. As Garrioch points out, I really don’t think Tampa Bay actually wants to do this deal in their own division.
-Another interesting twist in the whole LeBreton Flats redevelopment process late yesterday as it was revealed that the much-talked about DCDLS bid includes not one billionaire but TWO. Andre Desmarais, considered to be richest guy in Quebec, has been joined by Guy Laliberte of Cirque du Soleil in what is certainly going to be a bid worth considering for the NCC. While Melnyk has passionately denied the team is for sale, it seems like this has the makings of a hostile takeover bid from this ridiculously wealthy group who have previously been linked to possible NHL ownership. This isn’t usually how the NHL likes to handle these situations though. It’s going to be fascinating to see what both sides have to say next week. As much as Melnyk insists the team is not for sale…every man has his price.
