Down to the wire in ‘TeamTank’

SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by OLMSports Dave Gross.

Feature photo Courtesy NHLI via Getty (Andre Ringuette)

Some meandering thoughts and pauses-for-consideration as we head down the stretch in the National Hockey League regular season.

• Really, when you think about it, and I’m sure you have . . . there are truly only a couple of preoccupations taking residence in Johnny Senator Fan’s mind at this point: One, will Erik Karlsson be in Ottawa long-term or is he already packing his bags; two, can the Senators stink it up enough during the next few weeks to position themselves low enough for the upcoming NHL lottery draft selection? Pertaining to question No. 1, who knows, at this juncture? No. 2? Ottawa needs to spend a little more time in those odorous, unwashed gym sneakers to make this interesting. Wins over Tampa, Florida and Dallas this past week didn’t help the #TeamTank process. Ottawa gets the Panthers again this week, then Edmonton then Carolina. All winnable games for a team sailing on a 5-3-2 run since the beginning of March. However, given how this entire season has played out, it wouldn’t surprise many if Ottawa lost all three.
• Also making minor news-for-discussion: What to do – if anything – with Magnus Paajarvi? The 26-year-old winger and former first-rounder has the size and ability to fill in a third- or fourth-line spot for the Senators next season, but does he have the necessary consistent drive? Ottawa claimed Paajarvi off waivers in January and he’s had his positive moments. As an unrestricted free agent this summer, Paajarvi might help. Says here, you could do worse.
• According to calculations, the Toronto Maple Leafs are rolling along at a 5-2-2 clip since losing super-duper Auston Matthews to injury on Feb. 22^nd. Also impressive? Toronto has won both its games – handily – since team most valuable player Freddie Andersen left with an undisclosed ‘boo-boo’ (Hey, it’s ex-Ottawa coach Paul MacLean’s phrasing, not mine. But thanks anyway, Mac). Both statistics indicate that, at least for the short term, the Leafs are not a two-horse rodeo. Guys like Mitch “Mitts” Marner have really stepped up their games in Matthews’ absence.
• Time was, Toronto was void of any legit prospects. Now they seemingly keep pulling talented youngsters out of the weeds. Seriously, who had heard much of Travis Dermott before this season (well, maybe Mr. and Mrs. Dermott)? Then there’s just-crested-20-years (yup, another one in the Toronto lineup) Kasperi Kapanen whose skating and skill level far exceed a slot on the Leafs’ fourth line. Winger Andreas Johnsson made his mark Saturday with a goal against Montreal in his second NHL game. Toronto’s ‘Shana-plan’ keeps on chuggin’.
• TSN analyst Craig Button had this to say about Canada’s other Eastern-based team: “. . . (they have a) long way to go to be competitive." Have to agree it’s grim in Habs-land. Montreal is looking lifeless these days as the Canadiens are an active participant in the #TeamTank game as well. The prospect list is reportedly underwhelming as well. Not too bad for goaltending potentials, but this team needs scoring help. Montreal trails only Buffalo in goals-per-game this season.

NEWS, NOTES AND NOTIONS:

Good blog post from SilversevenSens.com this week: "I just don’t understand why (head coach) Guy Boucher dislikes Fredrik Claesson so much, unless he actually killed his dog. Sure, he hasn’t been as effective as last season, but there’s literally no need to give a soon-to-be 30-year-old Erik Burgdoerfer minutes in the NHL over him." . . . More from TSN's Craig Button – he hails the Boston Bruins as being the best team in the East . . . We still like Winnipeg as Canada's best Stanley Cup hope, but they'll likely have to start the post-season without defenceman Dimitry Kulikov (back surgery) . . . Goalie Mike Smith is often criticized for not being overly productive during the playoffs, but the Flames' stopper got an early start by allowing six goals on 28 shots in a must-win versus San Jose Friday . . . The Senators are (obviously) not the only ones involved in #TeamTank. The Canucks' bloggers at Nucksmisconduct.com write a compelling piece on what GM Jim Benning should do come season's end – whether to pick the best player available or address organizational need (. . . getting a d-man): "Do they say ‘to hell with the best player available’ and pick a defenceman regardless, or do they pick someone like Filip Zadina, Andrei Svechnikov, or Brady Tkachuk? If they pick second overall and Svechnikov is sitting there, do they pick him over someone like Noah Dobson or Adam Boqvist?" Let the games begin.

THE WEEK AHEAD:

Tuesday, March 20: Florida at Ottawa (7:30 pm)

Thursday, March 22: Edmonton at Ottawa (7:30 pm)

Saturday, March 24: Carolina at Ottawa (7 pm)