The Ottawa Senators needed a miracle run to make the playoffs last season, winning 21 of their last 27 games. While there were many positives to take from that experience, it's imperative that the Senators aren't misled by that anomalous stretch when trying to take stock of the team this season. 

For one thing, they can't reasonably expect Andrew Hammond, a 27-year-old without anything resembling NHL pedigree, to keep stopping 94.1 per cent of the shots like he did in 24 games down the stretch for the Senators. However, if veteran Craig Anderson is healthy, the Senators should be set in net.

Superstar defenceman Erik Karlsson is a game-changer, driving play from the blueline like few others, and while Marc Methot is strong and Patrick Wiercioch and Cody Ceci have shown promise, there remain questions about Ottawa's blueline depth.

The Senators lack star power up front, but Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman emerged as bona fide scoring threats as rookies last season and Kyle Turris is a talented two-way centre. Young forwards Mika Zibanejad and Curtis Lazar offer some hope for increased offensive production, but a return to form from Bobby Ryan, who finished with a full-season-low 18 goals last season, would provide a much-needed boost.

The Senators were a different team down the stretch, not only relying on Hammond, but improving their puck possession under head coach Dave Cameron, and that improvement is what the Sens will need to carry over if they are going to be in the playoff mix again this season.

 

OFF-SEASON HEADLINES

May 20: Ottawa signs goaltender Andrew Hammond to three-year, $4.05 million extension

June 18: Senators sign head coach Dave Cameron to two-year extension

August 3: Senators' Hoffman awarded $2 million in arbitration

 

2015-16 OTTAWA SENATORS

* - Off-season Addition

 

TSN'S PROJECTED LINES

LW C RW
Clarke MacArthur Kyle Turris Mark Stone
Mike Hoffman Mika Zibanejad Bobby Ryan
Milan Michalek J-G Pageau Curtis Lazar
Alex Chiasson Zack Smith Chris Neil
Matt Puempel Colin Greening  

Fighting For Jobs: C Nick Paul, LW Shane Prince

 

TSN'S PROJECTED PAIRS

LD RD
Marc Methot Erik Karlsson
Patrick Wiercioch Cody Ceci
Jared Cowen Mark Borowiecki
  Chris Phillips

Fighting For Jobs: LD Fredrik Claesson, RD Chris Wideman 

 

TSN's Projected Goalies

No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
Craig Anderson Andrew Hammond Matt O'Connor

Off-season Departures: G Robin Lehner, RW Erik Condra, D Eric Gryba, C David Legwand  

 

 

KEY QUESTIONS

1. After bouncing around lines and playing on the fourth line last season, does Mike Hoffman find a regular spot on Mika Zibanejad's line after leading the Sens in goals?

2. Aside from J-G Pageau, Curtis Lazar, Zack Smith and Alex Chiasson, who takes the other spots in the bottom six?

3. Chris Phillips suffered a back injury in August and a setback may put him out until the new year…is this it for the 37-year-old who hasn’t played since Feb. 5?

 

CRAIG'S LISTS

Button's Top 2015-16 Prospects

1. Matt Puempel (Binghamton AHL, Ottawa, NHL): A finisher who finds ways to score and knocking on the NHL's door.
2. Shane Prince (Binghamton, AHL): He may not wow you, but he's smart and finds ways to be productive.

Button's Top 5 Long-Term Prospects

1. Nick Paul (North Bay, OHL): All the elements of a winger who can use his skill and size to contribute.
2. Tobias Lindberg (Oshawa, OHL): Has taken significant strides ahead. Has potential to be a complete winger like Palat.
3. Matt O'Connor (Boston University, NCAA): Progression has been steady, has the capability of being a solid NHL goalie.
4. Thomas Chabot (Saint John, QMJHL): Smart, technically strong D who passes with precision and is creative.
5. Colin White (US NTDP, USHL): Strong two-way centre who has a game that resembles that of Patrice Bergeron.

* Listed with 2014-15 teams

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Three-Year Breakdown (League Rank)

  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Points 96 (14th) 88 (21st) 99 (13th)
Goals For 2.3 (27th) 2.8 (11th) 2.8 (9th)
Goals Against 2.1 (7th) 3.2 (27th) 2.5 (13th)
Power Play 16% (20th) 19% (14th) 17% (22nd)
Penalty Killing 88% (1st) 81% (22nd) 83% (11th)
SAT% Possession 54% (5th) 52% (7th) 50% (18th)

* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total

 

ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $59.8/$71.4M

The Senators have been running a tight ship in recent seasons, and it’s no different this year. They are nowhere near the cap and have just three players (Erik Karlsson, Bobby Ryan and Marc Methot) commanding a cap hit of more than $4 million per season. That gives the Senators maximum flexibility, but that is only the case if Ottawa is prepared to spend money and that doesn’t appear to be the case right now.

 

PARTING SHOT