THE ERIK IN THE ROOM
So much of what direction the Senators go in depends upon what happens with Karlsson
SO WHAT DO WE
make of the Senators now? In the space of one year, they went from one overtime goal from the Stanley Cup final to a full-blown tire fire. As a team, the Sens are probably neither that good nor that bad, but they’re closer to the latter than the former, particularly if they decide to trade Erik Karlsson this summer. Ottawa has a number of promising prospects and will add to that cache with an early pick, plus a low firstrounder from Pittsburgh in the Derick Brassard trade. But they don’t choose again until the fourth round. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: For a team that enjoyed a long playoff run in 2017 largely because of their play away from the puck, the Sens were a disaster defensively. Part of that is because their defensemen regressed, but they were also one of the worst possession teams. That will take an even bigger hit if Karlsson leaves, but even if he stays they need upgrades on the left side at both forward and defense. LONG-TERM NEEDS: The Sens would’ve needed longterm help down the middle even if they hadn’t traded Kyle Turris for Matt Duchene, but that chasm will widen if Duchene doesn’t sign a long-term deal. There’s help on the way in Colin White and Logan Brown, but that may take time. CAP SITUATION: Ottawa has $60 million committed next season, which leaves plenty of room to get Mark Stone on a long-term deal. If they can’t do that, Stone will simply file for arbitration on a one-year deal and the two sides will keep trying to get something done next season. IN THE SYSTEM 2018-19: Brown made the team out of camp before being sent back to junior, and White got a taste of the NHL late in the season. Both will be counted upon to make a serious bid for full-time work. Winger Alex Formenton, who stuck for the first month of the season as an 18-year-old, will also get a chance. DID YOU KNOW: Ottawa feasted on the draft from 2008 through 2011. Of the 30 players they selected, 21 have played at least one NHL game, including eight of 10 in 2011. Late-round steals were Stone, Mike Hoffman and J-G Pageau.