Never let an innovative idea go un-borrowed.
So, a big thanks to the fabulous brainboxes at TSN’s Overdrive for planting this one in my head for this week’s column.
The boys have a segment each day entitled “Confirm or Deny.” And today, we’re stealing the thought.
CONFIRM OR DENY: THE HABS ARE TOAST?
Confirm.
Carolina is just too damn much like a well-oiled machine. Sweeps of Ottawa and Philly set the table; the dismantling of Montreal following a bit of a first-game speed bump, completes the thought: The Canes are just too damn good. Game 5 – back in Raleigh – will be the exclamation mark.
(Damn is a good word).
CONFIRM OR DENY: THE HABS SHOULD TOAST THEIR SEASON?
Big time confirm.
As I tried to explain to a few of my friends this week who are of the casual-hockey-watchers clique – the Habs are set up for years and 2025-26 was just the starting point.
In fact, Montreal as an organization is right at the top of the chart.
Prospects? Check. (Jacob Fowler, Michael Hage, David Reinbacher, Alexander Zharovsky, Owen Beck, Bryce Pickford, Adam Engstrom, Florian Xhekaj . . . to start)
Finances? In check. Under the new cap and with their top stars secured and under contract, Montreal’s in good stead.
Fan buy-in? Well, duh.
This is an organization rival teams like Toronto and Ottawa should be jealous of. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes have worked miracles in turning the hockey operations around, in such a short time.
CONFIRM OR DENY: THE MAPLE LEAFS SHOULD HOLD ON TO ASSETS LIKE MATTHEWS AND NYLANDER?
Deny.
This is in fact an absolute deny unless the organization’s measurement of success is simply ‘making’ the playoffs (followed by a swift first-round exit).
Toronto is a mess.
Slim to none in the prospects department; an aging and immobile defence; no head coach; a new but questionable management team; no run support after the top line; etc., etc., etc.
Matthews turns 29 by next season’s start and Nylander eclipsed the big 3-0 earlier this month.
You’re not going to ‘rebuild’ under these two cats. Another down season from Matthews and his marketability drops precipitously. This while Nylander’s reputation as an island – a loose cannon – gathers steam.
I’m not breaking new ground here. The rest of the league understands Toronto’s dilemma and the return on either guy won’t be exceedingly monumental at this point. But it’s clearly time to clean house.
If one of these (or both) nets you a first-round pick in return, pick up that phone.
CONFIRM OR DENY: 2026-27 IS MAKE-OR-BREAK FOR THE OTTAWA SENATORS?
Slight deny.
And maybe by season’s end, a firm confirm.
Call this upcoming year an analytical evaluation of what precisely this team has, and what it needs.
Contractually the club will eventually need to deal with Brady Tkachuk (a UFA after 2028), Drake Batherson (a UFA after this coming year), Warren Foegele, Nik Matinpalo, Artem Zub and Mike Amadio (same as Batherson).
But here’s the real question: If Ottawa gets some sort of consistency (goaltending, injuries), does it morph into a top-notch Atlantic Division warrior, or are we just blowing smoke here?
That will be answered in the upcoming season.
Here is your list of ‘ifs’ – Linus Ullmark plays effectively in 50-60 games; Ottawa finds a durable and capable backup; Tkachuk rediscovers the fire which snuffed out last season; GM Steven Staios finally finds supplemental scoring; Jake Sanderson joins the elite of Makar, Hughes, Dahlin and Werenski.
I can’t think of another NHL franchise that swims in as many puzzles as Ottawa, and that’s why 2026-27 will be telling.
CONFIRM OR DENY: IS IT TIME FOR SENATOR FANS TO PUSH AHEAD?
Confirm.
This is and has been a poisonous tic on my leg for years. I was raised in Montreal and spent my 20s and 30s in The Big Smoke (Toronto). Moving to Ottawa in late 1999, I enjoyed the rivalry between the trio.
But there’s a major difference between the three cities. Montreal and Toronto fans really don’t give a flying frittata about the Senators and their fan base.
In Ottawa, tired as it has remained, the fans seem to rest all their concentration on what occurs elsewhere – the Leafs and the Habs.
Obsessive and exhausting.
Case in point, last spring when the Buds were dusted in seven by Florida, an acquaintance (Senator fanatic) posted a Facebook yuk-yuk about the Leafs ‘failing again.’ Tempted as I was to jump into the swill, I resisted the urge to remind him that in the past nine years, Ottawa had won a total of two playoff games. Add in that the same Toronto team had quickly eliminated the Senators two weeks earlier . . . the same Toronto team that’d made the playoffs nine consecutive years.
For Montreal?
The chatter now is ‘look at the Habs stumble,’ and ‘we’re so much better.’
It truly is a shame.
It truly is ridiculous.
You people have a potentially very good team here. Put your obsession where it belongs – your team, not the guys down the road.
Grow a pair.
Move on.
thegrossgame@yahoo.com
Photo: Courtesy Postmedia
