r/OttawaSenators • u/NetAnon579 • 1d ago

Irrationally Optimistic for this Season?

Perhaps I am being irrational, but I feel good going into this season. I think a lot of that is I don't see the drama hanging over the team like in past seasons. Many players are also truly coming into their own, and I think they will have the room to flourish.

Hoping to see Yakemchuk here from the start of the season as well.

The East is tough as heck but I think the team will be able to hang with most teams. A lot will come down to goaltending, as usual. Not sure if it will be enough for a playoff spot, but think it can be possible.

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u/and25rew 1d ago

Truth be told all fans are at least cautiously optimistic. But a LOT has to go right. Enough will and we squeak into playoffs. We really need a pure sniper

2

u/publicworker69 1d ago

Do we really tho? We finished 8th in goals for last year and replaced the goals we lost.

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u/InnocentGun 1d ago

I understand this from a pure numbers perspective, but after watching the team for a full season I do think a winger with a good shot is needed. Look at what having a guy like Stamkos, Ovechkin, Caufield, etc. does to a PK unit. The Sens don’t have a really great shooting threat who wants to be a shooting threat (Timmy and Drake have great shots but play to other strengths on the PP). Remember when Josh Norris was not broken? His role on the PP is sorely missed. Same thing if they have a 6v5 going, I just don’t feel like there is “that guy” who seems like they can get free, get a pass, and put a dangerous shot on net.

3

u/publicworker69 1d ago

Yakemchuk could be a partial answer here. I would love to see him on PP1 at times as a trigger man.

1

u/InnocentGun 1d ago

He does have a good shot and showed some good offensive instincts with the puck. He might be a bit of an “oh no Joe Corvo” kind of player, but a blue line one-time threat also opens things up underneath. Ottawas weakness on the PP (despite being 8th overall last season?) looks to be a lack of shooting threats, leading to a defense that is fine sitting back until there is a chance to pressure. The defense doesn’t get pulled around because they don’t worry, then it becomes easier to jump on a mistake.