OTTAWA – As a journalist, I usually ask the questions. But for Sportsnet`s annual Senators season-ending mailbag, it`s my turn to answer our smart readers.
Many of you are likely hoping that our next mailbag session will happen in June.
A big thank you to everyone who sent in questions and to everyone who read along this season. It`s finally an enjoyable period to support the Senators, and after enduring difficult years, fans genuinely deserve a competitive team.
Let`s dive in!
Let’s start with a fun one.
Some hyperbole to start: of course Brady Tkachuk is a Hall of Fame lock!
Jokes aside, the significant question that has finally been settled is whether Tkachuk is a player who contributes to winning. His performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he was among top-tier talent, and his role in leading the team to the playoffs despite injuries, put an end to doubts about his impact as a winning player.
In my view, Tkachuk has solidified his place as the most popular Senator since Daniel Alfredsson. I suspect he`ll be scoring crucial playoff goals soon, much like his assistant coach did for Ottawa. Furthermore, discussions about Tkachuk potentially leaving seem to be resolved, at least for the time being.
Thanks to Kyle and Naftali for your questions. General Manager Steve Staios`s history indicates a tendency for significant moves, evidenced by trades like those for Linus Ullmark and Dylan Cozens. The Senators possess $17 million in cap space, providing flexibility for free agent signings. They also hold their first-round draft pick, which could be used in a trade.
I`ve thought about this extensively, and Nikolaj Ehlers appears to be an ideal linemate for Tim Stutzle. His speed, dynamic play, and strong shot could significantly boost scoring. On the defensive end, adding Aaron Ekblad or Rasmus Andersson would be beneficial, but I also consider a move similar to acquiring Nick Jensen, perhaps targeting a free agent like Michael Kesselring, who performed well in Utah. They could even pursue both types of additions.
Dylan, that`s a great question. I`m still curious about the Senators seemingly keeping their 2025 first-round pick (though no official announcement has been made since their decision window after the lottery). This makes me wonder if their penalty for the Evgenii Dadonov trade might be lessened. Currently, Ottawa is set to lose next year`s first-round pick due to that mishandled transaction.
Assuming the Senators don`t trade their current first-round pick, Steve Staios`s previous drafting patterns show a preference for larger players, with all his past selections measuring at least six-foot-four. It will be interesting to see if this focus on height and size persists.
Great minds think alike, AJ. Well, at least your mind is great.
Anyway, I`ve also given this considerable thought. Both Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson will be 23 at the start of the next season. As coach Travis Green often remarks, “they are just beginning to show their potential.” They both made significant strides this season, with Sanderson improving offensively and Stutzle defensively. Both are known for their dedication in the gym and their diligent work ethic.
While they may not reach the level of MacKinnon and Makar, the leadership duo of Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo for the 2023 Stanley Cup-winning Vegas Golden Knights offers a potentially comparable benchmark. The fact that Stutzle and Sanderson are both signed for six more years at around $8 million per year is, in my opinion, the primary source of optimism for Senators fans.
Bringing the heat with this question, Connor.
During the series against the Maple Leafs, Shane Pinto and his line saw more ice time than Dylan Cozens` line. Currently, I believe Pinto is the team`s second-line center due to handling tougher assignments, getting more minutes, and earning more trust from the coach. The success of the trade involving Cozens will likely depend on his defensive development. We should revisit this next season.
Ah, a question about Claude Giroux!
While they are the same age, I rate Brad Marchand as slightly superior to Giroux (and a notorious pest). If the Senators decide to move on from Giroux, I believe they should target Marchand. Picture Tkachuk, Marchand, and Greig as the top three left wingers – quite a formidable group!
Tristan Blackwood