NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Alex Auld, G (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Boston Bruins)
Brendan Bell, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Phoenix Coyotes)
Brad Isbister, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Vancouver Canucks)
Filip Kuba, D (Acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Alexandre Picard, D (Acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Jarkko Ruutu, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Pittsburgh Penguins)
Ryan Shannon, RW (Acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks)
Jason Smith, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Philadelphia Flyers)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Mike Commodore, D (Signed as a free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Ray Emery, G (Buyout, later signed with Europe)
Martin Lapointe, RW (Unsigned Free Agent)
Brian McGrattan, RW (Traded to the Phoenix Coyotes)
Andrej Meszaros, D (Traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Wade Redden, D (Signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers)
Luke Richardson, D (Unsigned Free Agent)
Randy Robitaille, C (Unsigned Free Agent)
Cory Stillman, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers)
2007-08 Season Finish: 2nd Northeast Division, 7th Eastern Conference, 94 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Lost 4-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Quarterfinals
2008-09 Prediction: 4th Northeast Division, 12th Eastern Conference
The Ottawa Senators started the 2007-08 season very strongly and played well during the first half of the season. During the second half of the season, the team's play started to deteriorate, due largely to Ray Emery's distracting temper tantrums and off-ice antics. At one point near the end of the season, the Senators were in danger of losing a playoff spot, but were able to hang on and secure the 7th spot. After their disappointing sweep in the first round of the playoffs at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, changes to the team were imminent. Ray Emery's contract was bought out, Craig Hartsburg was brought in as head coach, and several players were let go via free agency. Due to the high salaries of several returning players, the Senators were only able to bring in affordable depth via free agency and will likely rebuild the team through prospects. The Senators' top line of Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley, and Jason Spezza returns for the 2008-09 season, and will once again likely be one of the top offensive lines in the NHL. Alfredsson brings lots of veteran leadership and offensive experience to the team, while Heatley and Spezza give the Senators lots of goal-scoring talent and offensive prowess. Antoine Vermette and Chris Kelly bring lots of offensive talent to the team, while Mike Fisher brings lots of veteran depth and two-way play to the Senators' forward lines. Dean McAmmond and Brad Isbister give the Senators lots of veteran depth and offensive experience on the checking lines, while Nick Foligno and Ryan Shannon provide lots of promising talent on these lines. Chris Neil, Shean Donovan, and newcomer Jarkko Ruutu give the Senators lots of toughness and gritty play on their forward lines. Cody Bass and Josh Hennessy got their first tastes of NHL action last season and will look to bring their offensive talent to the Senators forward lines in 2008-09. Prospects Jesse Winchester, Danny Bois, Ilya Zubov, and Alexander Nikulin will look to make the team at training camp on their offensive skills. The Senators could be in the hunt for more scoring forwards as the new season approaches, as they lack any quality scorers beyond Alfredsson, Heatley, Spezza, Vermette, and Fisher. If no quality forwards can be had by trade, they may have to look at the few remaining quality veteran forwards left on the free agent market.
The Seantors defense took a bit of a hit with the departures of Wade Redden, Andrej Meszaros, and Mike Commodore, but were able to find adequate replacements via trade and free agency. Newcomers Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard, both acquired via trade from Tampa Bay, bring the Senators decent offensive skills and depth on defense. Free agent acquisitions Jason Smith and Brendan Bell bring lots of toughness and offensive promise, respectively, to the team. Chris Phillips brings lots of veteran depth, offensive skill, and leadership to the Senators blueline. Christoph Schubert gives the Senators lots of offensive talent and toughness, while Anton Volchenkov brings lots of defensive skill and ruggedness. The Senators could see prospects Tomas Kudelka and Brian Lee vie for positions on the blueline at training camp with their fine defensive talent. The Senators could use more veteran depth on their blueline, and have invited Luke Richardson to training camp for that reason. If Richardson fails to make the team, they could turn to other unsigned veteran defensemen.
With the departure of Ray Emery, Martin Gerber will be called upon to be the starting goaltender. Gerber struggled a bit in his first season with Ottawa in 2006-07, but improved his play greatly in 2007-08. His decent goaltending skills make him a good choice as the Senators' starter. Alex Auld will likely be the backup goaltender next season and could be elevated to the starter's role if Gerber should struggle. Auld showed plenty of promise when he first entered the league with Vancouver, but has jumped around the league a bit that last few seasons. While the other teams he played for never gave him enough of a chance to prove himself, the Senators appear willing to give Auld a chance to hone his skills. If Auld should struggle, prospects Jeff Glass and Brian Elliott could be adequate replacements for the backup role, as they have plenty of promise.
STRENGTHS
- Have one of the top scoring forward lines in the NHL.
- Plenty of rugged players could give the team an edge in physical contests.
- Plenty of young, offensive talent.
WEAKNESSES
- Need more quality scoring forwards.
- Need more offense on their defense.
- Need more veteran players on defense.
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