After 61 previews of NHL and NFL teams, we’ve come down to the final one. For the record, I’m kind of happy that I’ll be able to talk about something other than the makeup of teams. I'll get more into the breakdown of games and in-game match-ups every day starting tomorrow. We’ve saved the best for last and a couple of people that have e-mailed me asking for this will finally get their wish. We look at the Ottawa Senators.
I can start this in so many different ways, but I’ll begin with the subject that has been debated the most over the last couple of weeks: the goaltending. Pascal Leclaire will be counted on to: 1) Stay injury-free since he’s only played in 46 games over the last couple of years. 2) Finally show that the expectations that were put upon him were valid and emerge as the starter. If these goals can’t be achieved, then we’ll be talking about the goaltending a lot again.
Defensively, the Sens made many changes and in the process became more of a finesse and offensive-minded defence than a year ago. Gone are the physical/rugged defencemen and shot-block extraordinaires Anton Volchenkov and Andy Sutton and insert veteran slickster Sergei Gonchar.
GM Bryan Murray assured the fans that were worried about the loss of physicality by saying that the team would focus much more on being a puck-possession team. The number of shots blocks for the Sens would dip and the number of shot blocks by the opposition would rise. Considering the makeup of the defensemen on the roster, the plan makes sense, but can Clouston get the guys to execute correctly?
The forwards will have a lot to do with this new gameplan being effective, but as individuals, many of the 12 forwards will have something to prove to the hockey world this year. Just look at the years of 5 out of the Top 6 forwards and they all have something in common in their less-than-stellar 2009-2010 seasons: injury.
Daniel Alfredsson led the team in points with 71 points in 70 games despite having hernia problems in the second half of the year. Jason Spezza was second on the team with 57 points in 60 games despite back and knee problems. Alex Kovalev and Milan Michalek had their seasons ended because of major knee injuries and Nick Foligno suffered a broken leg in the middle of the year. Only Mike Fisher got through unscathed and he had a career year.
Two players to look out for in camp are Peter Regin and Spezza. Regin battled with Foligno for a second line spot and ended up losing. He will now find himself on the fourth line to start the season despite being a skill guy. Can he adapt to his new role and prove the coaches wrong? Spezza not only had to deal with injury, but a tumultuous off-season as well with the debate of whether he wanted out of Ottawa or not. With redemption in mind because of injury and looking to prove to the fans that he’s committed to the franchise, could we see the Jason Spezza that has always been promised since he was first hyped back in junior?