Ottawa Senators fans have endured a rough few years as the team has undergone a rebuild. Fans have had to watch their favourite team struggle to play competitive hockey for several years, and even though there have been flickers of hope, the results have not been what fans hoped for. However, there are finally signs that the times are changing for the team, and the Senators could be an emerging team next year.
The Senators won’t be one of the gambling favourites with the top odds for next season, but they stand a real chance of making some noise. Let’s examine why the Senators could be a team to watch next year.
Talented Young Players Are a Year Older
The Ottawa Senators have developed a stable of some of the best young talent in the league. The young players have had a few seasons to develop and take their game to the next level, and this year, the Senators’ top young players will have another year of maturation to start contributing positively to winning hockey. Guys like Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, and Brady Tkachuk are one year closer to their primes and could be serious underdogs on sports betting sites for major awards. The young up-and-comers growing up will make the Senators a lot scarier of a team to face.
Goaltending Could Be More Reliable
Goaltending has been a massive Achilles heel for the Senators over the past several seasons. The goalies that have laced up for the Senators have either been underqualified or over the hill, and it has shown up in the team’s results. Finally, management has tried to address this by bringing in Jonas Korpisalo for a five-year contract. This is a move that could work out excellently or potentially backfire. Korpisalo has been all over the place throughout his career, but he has had some strong seasons and is still in his prime. This team will be drastically improved if he can play at a high level.
Intriguing Offensive Additions
The Senators have been busy this offseason, making several crucial signings that could make the team more balanced and deep. The first major move came when Alex Debrincat was traded from the Senators, with the team adding several players, including Dominik Kubalik. Kubalik had a strong start to his career and has some potential for more growth. But the big move was a one-year signing of winger Vladimir Tarasenko, who will bring elite skill to the team’s forward group.
Atlantic Division Could be Weaker
Last year, the Atlantic Division was incredibly tough. The Bruins were on a historic run, the Leafs had a massive year, and the Panthers and Lightning were both night-in and night-out matchup problems. But the Bruins, Panthers, and Lighting have all seen significant losses in the offseason. The Red Wings have added talent but shouldn’t be a real contender, and the Canadiens still look weak. The Leafs and Sabres could be improved, but the Senators have a real chance of edging out multiple teams in front of them last year.
Key Players Returning from Injury
The Senators were a sneaky playoff pick last season from a lot of pundits, but that dream ended before it could begin, thanks to several injuries. Josh Norris, the rising superstar, only played in eight games for the team. And when the Senators added Jakob Chychrun to help during the stretch run, he only made it into 12 games before injuries ended his season. The Senators enter the year with everyone healthy, and it could mean a massive season. With veterans like Claude Giroux and Tarasenko in good health, it could be a return to form for the Sens.
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