Ottawa Senators season preview: Expectations create a double-edged sword
Plus: The Senators should have a quieter season off the ice this year than they did last year, when the team endured multiple tragic situations as general manager Bryan Murray was diagnosed with terminal cancer last fall and assistant coach Mark Reeds passed away from cancer days before the playoffs began. The players also had to adjust to changing systems, as Ottawa switched head coaches midseason from Paul MacLean to Dave Cameron.
With a new coach in tow, the Senators made an improbable trip to the playoffs after goaltender Andrew Hammond came out of nowhere to lead the team through the final weeks of the regular season with a 20-1-2 record. That inspired playoff run is unlikely to transpire again, but it creates a confidence in Ottawa's slew of young players and shows the team what it takes to get to the playoffs. Rookie winger Mark Stone is back after posting an impressive 64 points in 80 games last year, and leadership remains strong under Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Minus: Ottawa was the surprise of the NHL late last year, but the Senators now face high expectations with a squad that does not have a consistent history of success. Ottawa was forced to pick a No. 1 goalie in the offseason between Craig Anderson and the younger Robin Lehner. The Senators chose Anderson and sent Lehner to Buffalo, but the 34-year-old Anderson has struggled at times throughout his career with injuries. If Anderson gets hurt and Hammond fails to live up to his March showing, Ottawa could be in trouble.
X-Factor: Andrew Hammond
Hammond was the talk of the NHL in March and for good reason, but he did not look as impressive against tough competition in the playoffs when he allowed seven goals in two games. The 27-year-old will start the season on the bench with a groin injury. Although the Senators said he is only expected to miss a couple of weeks, it will be interesting to see whether the injury affects his mobility early in the season and whether that plays into his mission to live up to his newfound reputation as an elite goaltender.
Prediction: The Senators will be a middle of the pack team, as it is hard to see them outperforming the Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning or Detroit Red Wings within the Atlantic Division. Ottawa will fight for a wild-card spot, but if their young players crumble under newfound expectations, they will be on the wrong side of the playoff cut-off.
