The Tampa Bay Lightning are now members of the Atlantic Division, with new rivals and of course some old ones. Today we preview the Ottawa Senators courtesy of our Jason Haas.
2013: 25-17-6. 7th in East.
CURRENT SALARIES: $51,835,833 (see full breakdown at capgeek.com)
DEPARTURES: Daniel Alfredsson, Jakob Silfverberg, Guillaume Latendresse, Peter Regin, Sergei Gonchar, Andre Benoit, Mike Lundin.
ARRIVALS: Bobby Ryan, Clarke MacArthur, Joe Corvo.
FORWARDS: Ottawa’s forward group received a serious upgrade this summer with the Bobby Ryan acquisition. Though it cost the team a pretty penny (roster forward Jakob Silfverberg, prospect Stefan Noesen and a first round pick), Ryan immediately adds a big scoring threat to play with playmaker and new captain Jason Spezza. Players like Colin Greening, Cory Conacher and Erik Condra give the Sens depth up front, though the talent level does fall off considerably after the top line. This will be the first season in quite some time without Daniel Alfredsson, so we shall see if Ottawa has trouble establishing an identity.
DEFENSEMEN: Erik Karlsson is the premier point-producing defenseman in the NHL today and there’s no other way to slice it. Jared Cowen and Patrick Wiercioch are up-and-coming and Marc Methot adds an element of sandpaper as a gritty stay-at-homer. Chris Phillips is getting up there at age 35 and so is Joe Corvo at 36, but both players round out what is a nice defensive core.
GOALIES: This is perhaps Ottawa’s most underrated strength. Craig Anderson had a phenomenal 1.69 goals against average last season, but that ballooned to 3.01 in the playoffs. Will he be able to hold off Robin Lehner for another season? The 22 year old netminder is highly touted and has good numbers in a limited amount of NHL appearances (25). Ottawa maintains this terrific depth in net despite trading Ben Bishop to the Lightning last season.
SCHEDULE VERSUS LIGHTNING: @Tampa Bay December 5, @Tampa Bay January 23, @Ottawa January 30, @Ottawa March 20, @Tampa Bay March 24.
TSN’S BOB MCKENZIE’S TAKE ON THE OTTAWA SENATORS
Is it possible the Sens are better this year despite losing Daniel Afredsson? Bob McKenzie weighs in here.
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