The Ottawa Senators 18-19 Season Preview

2018-12-06

Look Back at the Ottawa Senators 2017/18 Season

Finished 2^nd in the Atlantic Division with 98 pts (43-27-12)
4^th straight playoff appearance
Eliminated in 6 games in the 1^st round by the eventual Stanley Cup Runnerups, the Boston Bruins
3^rd time out of 4 years eliminated in the 1^st round of the Playoffs
- Only year not eliminated in the first round, was when they won the cup in 2017.
Led in points by their Superstar Evgeni Malkin, who had 36 goals and 85 points
- 3^rd time in 4 years he has led the Ottawa Senators in points
Only Evgeni Malkin made the all-star game
Predictions made by the “experts”
- Doug Waite had Ottawa 2^nd in the Atlantic, losing in the division finals
- Thomas Gidlow had Ottawa 4^th in the Atlantic, losing in the 1^st round
  - Combination of the 2 predictions were spot on
AHL Stars for the 17/18 season
- Ondrej Kase, 23 G, 58 pts, 76 GP
- Charles Hudon, 30 G, 54 pts, 68 GP
- Thomas Nosek, 16 G, 47 pts, 62 GP
- Christian Djoos, 12 G, 44 pts, 76 GP
- Malcolm Subban, 23-12-6, 2.27 GAA, .919 SV%, 6 SO

2018/19 Season:

Additions:

Subtractions:

Predicted 18/19 Ottawa Senators Lineup:

FORWARDS
- Kovalchuk-Malkin-Hoffman
- Foligno-Turris-Kase
- Hudon-Jenner-Johansson
- Nosek-MacKenzie-Accari
DEFENSE
- Yandle-Scandella
- Ceci-Sbisa
- Stone-DeMelo
GOALIE
- Crawford
- Darling
BENCH
- Khaira
- Boroweicki
- Kuemper

Predicted 18/19 Belleville Senators Lineup:

FORWARDS
- Zykov-Cirelli-Tolvanen
- Lomberg-Kamenev-Ritchie
- Koppanen-Spacek-Kolesar
- Kirkland-Roy-Karabacek
DEFENSE
- Beaulieu-Djoos
- Burgdoerfer-Gaunce
- Harrington-Carrick
GOALIES
- Subban
- Binnington

18/19 Notes:

Through their play last season, Ondrej Kase, Charles Hudon, Thomas Nosek, Noal Accairi and Dylan DeMelo have all earned call ups to the Pro team
Ottawa traded their Franchise Tag resignee JVR for Mike Hoffman
Ottawa traded their perennial #3 Centerman, Brandon Sutter for Luca Sbisa
Ottawa lost two of their locker-room leaders, and superstars, Zdeno Chara and Henrik Zetterberg through FA and retirement. Their loses will be felt
Even though the Sens made the playoffs for their 4th straight year, losing for the 3rd time in the 1st round has caused some serious roster changes. Only 7 players on their Pro Roster was on the starting Pro Roster at the beginning of last season. That is a 65% change over to the Pro Roster, which is massive for a GM who usually likes to just tweak their roster, not make whole sale changes.

2018 Draft Picks:

Martin Kaut – 18^th overall – traded to Buffalo for Kyle Turris
- the combination of his passing and shooting ability makes him a threat on the powerplay, Draftin Europe 2018
- currently has 4 G, 11 pts in 21 GP for Colorado Eagles of AHL
Ryan McLeod – 49^th overall
- Expect breakout year - effortless skater, extremely fluid in all aspects, great speed & edges, ISS Hockey 2017
- Currently has 7 G, 26 pts in 24 GP for Mississauga
Kevin Bahl – 80^th overall
- Currently has 16 pts, 33 PIM, +15 in 29 GP for Ottawa 67s
- 6’6, 230 lbs, projected to be a shutdown D

18/19 So Far Through 5 Games:

The Hoffman for JVR trade is working out, with Hoffman tied for team league with fellow newcomer Kovalchuk, with 3 goals. Hoffman is 2^nd on team with 6 points and leads team with a +4
Malkin is still the team’s leader and premier superstar, with 7 points
Corey Crawford is enjoying the best start in his career with 1.38 GAA, .956 SV% and 2 SO in 5 games
Luca Sbisa has been questioned by fellow GMs, whether or not he will be their downfall at D, being slotted in their top 4. He has 3 points and tied for 2^nd with +3.
Cody Ceci may enjoy a break out year, starting off with 4 pts in 5 games
Ottawa is tied for 2^nd in the league with 9 pts in 5 games