Team: Ottawa Senators
Mascot: A Carleton University student wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs hoodie
2013-2014 season: The Senators’ elimination from playoff contention in the final week of the regular season was disappointing for fans, but great for maintenance crews at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, as they didn’t have to hire extra staff to wrangle the cattle that wanders into the parking lot every spring.
Key Additions:
Bobby Ryan signed a new contract! Did I mention that Bobby Ryan signed a new contract? BECAUSE BOBBY RYAN SIGNED A NEW FUCKING CONTRACT
Strengths:
All-star defenceman Erik Karlsson should continue to improve after being named captain. Karlsson had already anticipated the play and sewn the C on his sweater two weeks before being told. It’s just a bloody miracle he didn’t get caught, pinching like that is risky.
Weaknesses:
It is unlikely that any of the current centres can fill the hole in the line-up left by Jason Spezza’s departure. And they certainly can not fill the hole in our heart.
X Factor: Can Craig Anderson step up and become the best Sens goalie since Ray Emery, or will he continue the path of poor performance that could see him become the worst Sens goalie since Ray Emery?
Trade rumours:
It remains to be seen how negotiations pan out with defenceman Marc Methot. Will he stay? Or will Bryan Murray have to take yet another player for a smoke-filled meeting in the Diefenbunker?
Predicted finish: Look for the Senators to finish as Ottawa’s 3rd most popular hockey team.
