In the ever-shifting landscape of the NHL, optimism can be a rare commodity. Last season, the Ottawa Senators finally broke their playoff drought, making it to the postseason for the first time since 2017. Although they fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, the future seemed bright, powered by young talents like Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and Jake Sanderson.
Fast forward to this season, and the Senators find themselves in a bit of a bind. With only 16 games left in the regular season, they trail by three points in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Despite an impressive 7-1-2 run in their last 10 games, the road ahead is challenging. If they miss the playoffs, the big question is what changes might be on the horizon to steer them back on course.
On a recent episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Brent Wallace joined Tyler Yaremchuk and Steve Peters to dive into the potential repercussions if Ottawa doesn't meet postseason expectations.
Tyler Yaremchuk posed a critical question: If the Senators miss out by just two points, will the leadership view it as an unlucky season, or will it spark a call for changes?
Brent Wallace responded, highlighting the inevitability of change due to free agency. He noted that Ottawa is currently without key players like Jake Sanderson and Nick Jensen, yet they've managed to win without them.
However, Jensen is likely on his way out, and the future roles of players like Lars Eller, Claude Giroux, and Nick Cousins remain uncertain. Strengthening the blueline is a priority.
Wallace also touched on the speculative idea of trading Linus Ullmark. Though he's in the first year of a four-year extension, trading him isn't a clear-cut decision. The organization seems committed to giving him a chance to prove his worth.
The Senators face pivotal decisions in the coming offseason, and how they navigate these challenges could define their trajectory for years to come.