Regarding that ‘problematic’ headline?
Well, plenty it would seem, but the difficulty is nailing it down to something precise.
The power play? Yeah, it was pretty bad up until the team poured in three against New Jersey Tuesday night. It remains a work in progress.
Injuries?
Sure, but if Ottawa and its hand-wringing fan base uses that one as an excuse, take a look around. We acknowledge that going without Brady Tkachuk for almost the entire first quarter and now plowing ahead without Thomas Chabot as well as Shane Pinto bites, look no further than Toronto. The Buds have suddenly found their game while missing half the defensive core (including shutdown wizard Chris Tanev) and their entire goaltending tandem of Joe Woll and Anthony Stolarz. Earlier in the season, Toronto moved along with injuries to Auston Matthews, Nic Roy, Scott Laughton and Matthew Knies.
It’s become a fact that what goes hand-in-hand with a condensed hockey schedule is simply . . . injuries; plenty of injuries.
It’s the case, league-wide.
What is also troubling concerning the Ottawa team is the almost casual approach it’s taking this season to the losing: “Still positive, still a long season,” Tkachuk offered up after the team dropped its third straight at home on Tuesday.
“It feels like we just can’t buy a point, can’t buy a win right now,” he added. “But I know it’s just going to turn, and we’ll be better because of it.”
Not exactly fiery words after a three-game home stretch where you leave without a single point.
Over to you, Claude Giroux – “I feel like (Tuesday) night we did a good job going to the net and grinding it a little bit more. You’re going to have stretches during the season where the puck just won’t go in, and you can get frustrated.”
Not much desperation being shown from a team that’s made the playoffs once in the last eight seasons. Is it me or did the club come across as more ‘driven’ last year?
“We know what we have to do in this room to get back on track,” Tim Stutzle relayed to Postmedia Wednesday.
The Senators sit 15th in the 16-team Eastern Conference as of this writing.
The potential for positive though for the fans of this organization are there. As we’ve harped on in this corner almost week after week, parity is a major player in 2025-26. Ottawa’s 15th but is only five points back of Detroit, Pittsburgh and Philly who are tied for the last playoff spots. A solid run, and who knows, that deficit could get nixed in a hurry.
A little desperation might help over here.
CHRISTMAS FOR THE HOCKEY READER
The malls are jammed and that poor sucker who delivers to my building from Amazon is rightfully overwhelmed. (Seriously, you want to cry for the guy).
‘Tis the season.
Books have always held a big spot in my life, mostly thanks to my dad who was a huge consumer of the written word. He, in fact, got me into the swing of hockey-and-reading back when I was a kid, setting me up with classics like Orr on Ice. I’m pretty sure one Christmas I found a copy of Ken Dryden’s The Game under the tree as well.
When I’ve finished the latest Michael Connelly or John Grisham or Stephen King, I generally like to see what’s out there from the hockey spectrum.
Here are four I enjoyed.
Burke’s Law; a Life in Hockey: I find with these type of books, the level of excellence depends so much on the ‘co-writer.’ With former GM Brian Burke, he was smart enough to tag along with Stephen Brunt, one of Canada’s best sportswriters.
It’s a fascinating read and details Burke’s college hockey years and minor pro (short stint) before working as a player agent, then a general manager and spending a couple of years as Gary Bettman’s right-hand man.
Burke isn’t afraid to call out folks he figuratively fought with in the game. The segment with Kevin Lowe is eye-opening.
He’s also quick to credit some of the great minds in the game like Lou Lamoriello who mentored Burke through the years.
The book is as colourful as you’d expect from one of the most colourful characters if the past 50 years.
Tough Guy; My Life on the Edge: My personal favourite, likely because he was my favourite player in the late 1980s and early 1990s. (And because it’s a helluva read).
As colourful as Burke is, Bob Probert might just surpass him.
Boy did Big Bob love life. He took things to extremes, for sure, and a lot of this book deals with his alcohol and drug issues.
Still, you walk away just knowing the game’s premier enforcer, who died far too soon, lived a remarkable life.
Undrafted: Nick Kypreos’ tale is also filled with zest. Co-written by Toronto Sun alumnus Perry Lefko, the book follows Nick and his journeys through the Big Apple to the Big Smoke.
Engaging.
Fighting My Way to the Top: The Boston Bruins during their Stanley Cup run owned the best fourth line in hockey.
Former Peterborough Pete Shawn Thornton was the gunslinger.
Not overly big, ‘Thorty’ took on some giants like John Scott and former Senator Brian McGrattan. Fearless.
Thornton gives some true insight into what it means to play the enforcer role in hockey.
Loved it.
OTTAWA SENATORS WEEK AHEAD:
Thursday, Dec. 11: Ottawa at Columbus (7 pm)
Saturday, Dec. 13: Ottawa at Minnesota (2 pm)
Monday, Dec. 15: Ottawa at Winnipeg (7:30 pm)
thegrossgame@yahoo.com
Photo: Courtesy Postmedia
