“If we just make the playoffs”

“Perhaps the Ottawa Senators, like their fans, believe that getting into the playoffs will cure everything.” - Mar 7, 2008

The axe is at the ready and getting ready to cut off each of the heads of Cerberus that guards the path to hell which I like to call reality. Last year I posted that the Senators had a far cry to reach the playoffs and though I was wrong about making it, I was right that they will not fare well. Swept in four games, the Ottawa Senators went to an early summer break to retool the team.

RETURN OF THE HOUND OF HELL

Last year we heard the team, the fans and even ownership talking about how things will change in the playoffs. Sadly, it did not. This year the fans and ownership are both touting the same line with the players less optimistic. However, the reality is that as each game passes the hound gets closer to being destroyed.

The Ottawa Senators only need to lose nine games to be out of playoff contention. Considering the history of the past calendar year it is highly unlikely that they will muster what it takes in order to hit the eighth spot. Even if they did hit the eighth spot they then have to face the number one seed ... a team that will have a scoring touch and we all know how likely it is the Sens would be facing a deficit early on and how less likely it is they will bounce back.

TANK OR NOT TO TANK

Any club that purposely tanks is poorly run. I do not care who the first overall pick is you simply do not do it. That said, the Senators will need to draft well if they plan on being a contender in five to seven years. Personally I would rather that we draft a high pick goalie and a D man. The Senators need a franchise goalie and Elliot needs to prove that he can be that guy. However, we need to replenish our pool of goalies in Bingo and continue to develop young, strong and talented netminders. Consider how many we have traded for, traded away or bought out in the club’s history.

- W