Some Silver Linings For The Ottawa Senators

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In 2017, our beloved hockey team was a goal away from making the Stanley Cup playoff Finals after a thrilling 7-game Eastern Conference battle with the Pittsburgh Penguins, only to lose it all in overtime. As heartbreaking as it all was, the players returned to Ottawa with their heads held high for such an achievement – most people would not have expected this!

Almost two years on, things have not been great for the Canadian capital’s team. They’ve lost key players like our former amazing captain Erik Karlsson and results have been far from consistent and positive, but this weeks’ blog is meant to highlight some of the positive things that can be looked at. It’s probably the very first time we blog about hockey, despite posting on our social media networks twice a month about our team, but sometimes we need a break from real estate, right?!

Our former superstar!

While it might seem strange to celebrate two of the Senators’ best players last season signing with rivals teams, it’s best case scenario for the club. In both Karlsson’s departure to San Jose and Duchene moving to Columbus, general manager Pierre Dorion received conditional picks. The condition is that if the players re-sign, the Senators get an additional first-round pick.

For Duchene, the Senators will receive a 2020 first-round pick if he comes back. Karlsson will bring a 2021 second-rounder if he re-signs. The Senators already have 15 selections in the first three rounds over the next three years, and getting another two would really help the rebuild progress.

If San Jose make it to the Stanley Cup Final in addition to extending the contract of Karlsson, that 2021 2nd round pick becomes a 1st round! They have a good chance of going this far too, with a team stacked with Karlsson, Joe Thornton, Logan Couture, Brent Burns, Joe Pavelski, Evander Kane and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. If Karlsson isn’t re-signed by then, perhaps a run to the Cup Final will make him want to stay in California.

Speaking of the playoffs, there’s the Blue Jackets in Columbus! In their case however, we have to hope they fail. Why? As part of the Duchene trade, the Senators hold the Blue Jackets first-round pick in 2019. The lower they finish in the standings, the better the pick Ottawa gets in return.

Moving away from the NHL, Ottawa is seeing some splendid hockey. The Ottawa 67’s are having a big season, recently clinching the Eastern Conference title for the first time since 2002-03. They are top of the entire league with two points over the Western Conference’s London Knights. But the 67s aren’t done yet; they are on track to have a historic season, looking to break records in both wins and points!

Tye Felhaber is having a season for the ages. He’s leading the league in goals with 56 and is fourth in points with 100. His efforts this season recently earned him a move to the NHL with Dallas! For hockey fans in Ottawa just begging for playoff hockey, just follow the 67s.

Finally, we also have the Belleville Senators making a big push for the playoffs. If you want to watch meaningful hockey and still cheer for the future of the NHL’s Senators, Belleville might be the perfect spot. The Senators are currently in fifth place in the North Division of the AHL, tied with the Utica Comets and four points back of the third-place Toronto Marlies. The top four teams from each division make the playoffs, and it looks like this will come right down to the wire for the Senators.

What’s even more impressive for the club, is that just two months ago they were at the bottom of the division, looking pretty bad. They have been on a huge run, collecting points in the last 17 games to be back in the playoff hunt.

Also helping the club are two newcomers from the NHL Trade Deadline, Vitaly Abramov and Erik Brannstrom. Both have hit the ground running (pun intended), with confidence that would arguably be above most of the NHL Senators’ defenders.

Cheering for the Senators’ AHL affiliate should be a given at this point. The team is stacked with talent and will be battling hard for a playoff spot in the coming weeks. Belleville’s push should be a top priority for Senators fans to cheer for, as playoff hockey would be tremendous for the prospects in the system. Watching the games will also give a glimpse of what’s to come from within the organization.

As always, GO SENS GO!