Senators Need To Come Out Of The Gate Flying

Your Ottawa Senators have reason for ‘cautious’ optimism as the NHL regular season campaign gets set to kick off later this week against the new-look Toronto Maple Leafs.

We use the word cautious for a number of reasons.

Here’s what needs to go right to see a return to the post-season for a third consecutive year.

THE LINUS FACTOR:

This is quite easily the biggest determinant for Ottawa this season. Without an exceptional showing by one Linus Ullmark, the season upcoming could be a big, fat disappointment.

As we can remind you, Ullmark had some major ups and downs last season. Fortunately, he saved his best stuff for the lead-up to the post-season and the playoff itself (short-lived as it was).

This corner doesn’t hold a ton of trust in his back-up Samuel Ersson so it’s up to Linus to lead the way.

And at age 33, it’s readily apparent he needs to keep himself fit and healthy.

Luckily enough, he has one of the league’s top defensive clubs in front of him, making even average netminding good enough to pack in the wins.

Still, the heat is on.

THE BRADY FACTOR:

If you’ve been settled in the very bowels of your momma’s basement for the past couple of months (under a couple of pounds of rubble), you might have missed the fact that Ottawa’s driving force left town . . . in a hurry this past summer.

Quite frankly, the players are tired of talking about it (the departure of one Brady Tkachuk), as is the media and much of the fan base. We’re fairly sure that relief factor will come to fruition after Oct. 21^st when the former captain and his Florida teammates roll into, then out of, town.

From a hockey perspective though, this will be an extremely intriguing factor to watch for.

As discussed here in previous columns, how do you replace Tkachuk’s grit, goal-presence and (most importantly) his offence? The past five seasons have seen the big winger pound 153 pucks into the net.

Ottawa’s Achilles heel the last couple of seasons has been offence . . . this will be one to watch for.

THE HEALTH FACTOR:

Is it me or does Ottawa seem to be one of the unluckiest clubs in the injury department.

In last year’s series sweep against Carolina the team lost two of its best defencemen.

During the season, Tkachuk and Ullmark were shelved for extended periods of time. And already this time around the Senators have Artem Zub, Jake Sanderson (who should be fine by Game 1) and various others nursing bumps n’ bruises. Also note that winger Ridly Greig misses the opening pair of contests by suspension.

The schedule won’t help Ottawa – or the rest of the circuit – either. Instead of the traditional 82-game slate, the league has bumped this year’s regular season up to 84 games.

But with injuries come opportunities. The team will have newcomers Cameron Crotty, Hoyt Stanley and first-rounder Carter Yakemchuk on the roster’s blueline, while tough guy Hayden Hodgson makes the team up front and Stephen Halliday lands a full-time gig in 2026-27.

THE ATLANTIC OVERFLOWS WITH GREAT WHITE SHARKS FACTOR:

The division is going to be a dogfight from start to finish.

In fact, of the eight competitors, only Detroit is considered a sure miss.

And look at the improvements.

Toronto should be improved after wholesale changes to a stagnant and aging roster. Adding former Senators Nick Paul – a noted former Leaf killer – and Zack MacEwen among many, many others. Of course, the big snatch came Monday with the acquisition of uber-talented Kirill Marchenko, who’ll line up alongside a seemingly rejuvenated Auston Matthews.

The big jump is expected to come from Brady’s new team, the Panthers. Many have Florida returning to form and competing hard for Lord Stanley once again. They’re rested and rugged and have a healthy Alek Barkov. It’s a frightening collection.

Meantime, Tampa and Boston don’t appear to be going anywhere, while Buffalo after that major leap last season looks strong again.

The NHL’s darlings in Montreal certainly aren’t looking like a team set to plummet; just the opposite. The Habs have zero holes and have the appearance of Cup contender just like Florida.

We’ll say this: Ottawa cannot afford to start slow. This division – the toughest in hockey – will be champing at the bit right from the get-go. A lethargic opening will spell trouble for anyone living in the Atlantic.

OTTAWA SENATORS WEEK AHEAD:

Saturday, Oct. 3: Ottawa at Toronto (7 pm)

Monday, Oct. 5: Ottawa at Boston (7:30 pm)

Tuesday, Oct. 6: Ottawa at Detroit (7 pm)

thegrossgame@yahoo.com