So it turns out that light at the end of the tunnel was just an oncoming train.
The 2023/2024 season was supposed to be different for the Ottawa Senators. After a multi-year, burn-it-to-the-ground style rebuild, it certainly seemed like the franchise had all the right pieces in places. Or a lot of them anyway.
There seemed to be a general consensus that if the talented young players that had been assembled here over the years could all take that next step, the Senators might actually be able to push for a playoff spot.
Swing and a miss, as the ol’ saying goes. Instead of playing meaningful games down the stretch, the Sens were never really in the fight. In fact, it’s hard to recall if there was ever even a moment where a game felt like an important one.
Now, with the NHL playoffs in full swing and the Sens on the outside looking in for a seventh straight season, we’re left with a whole lot of time to ask ourselves, now what?
Disappointment really doesn’t even begin to describe it. Deflating though, for sure. And in every possible way.
And that’s why just about every quote from the series of season-ending wrap-up interviews in the past couple weeks has left me with the same thought.
Prove it.
When Brady Tkachuk said he was sick and tired of losing….Prove it. Do something about it. When Tim Stutzle talks about the importance of playing a 200-ft game and wanting to get better every day…Prove it. When Jake Sanderson talks about wanting to have a big summer…Prove it.
And it was the same thought that ran through my head listening to Steve Staios during his season-ending remarks and again with Dave Poulin today.
And that’s just the reality of where the Ottawa Senators are at right now as a franchise. They should be further along than they are and honestly, with the talent they have on this team, they should probably still be playing. But they aren’t.
So for the next six months (siiiiiiiiiiiigh), we’re left to wonder where they’ll go from here. Staios seems like a patient guy. Thoughtful and measured in his approach and certainly not prone to panic. But the reality is, that can only work for so long. I don’t know exactly what this team needs to do this off-season and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I don’t even know what I would suggest.
Even if they come into Camp healthy, bring in an experienced Head Coach, shore up the goaltending position, add some veteran pieces to complement the young core and put together a roster that on paper, looks like it can compete for a playoff spot, the same thought is gonna be running through my head.
Prove it.
-The good news is if you’re particularly starved for Sens playoff hockey after seven long years, there is a team down in Belleville that might be able to help you scratch that itch. The BSens took Game 1 of their first round series and they have the look of a team that could do a bit of damage in the Calder Cup Playoffs. How’s a bus tour to Belleville sound to everyone?!
