Preseason Preview: Ottawa Senators

We've got 10 teams left folks as it's time for another Preseason Preview. This is where we check out the teams going into the season.

Now, the Ottawa Senators.

Team M.O.: The Sens emerged from being a defense-first team in the pre-lockout days to a finesse team in the post lockout days with a declining degree of results. After making it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007, the Sens haven't been able to regain the stride that got them there. The team seems to be one of the better supported squads, though, so a rebound isn't out of the question.

Last Season: The team finished 11th in the conference and out of the playoffs. A decline in offensive contribution (largely due to how top-heavy their first line was in comparison to their other lines) and an uncertain goaltending situation proved to be too much for the team to overcome. The coach Craig Hartsberg was replaced with Cory Clouston and goaltenders Martin Gerber and Alex Auld were let go through waivers and free agency respectively to promote Brian Elliott and trade for Pascal LeClaire. All would be well if it were for the 13,000 lb elephant in the dressing room in Dany Heatley, who made a trade request that somehow went public. When you're given a NTC and then you ask for a trade, should the NTC even be allowed to be in effect at that point?

Offense: Well, Spezza and Alfredsson are still around, and both are two of the better forwards in the league. Alex Kovalev was acquired in the off-season and will provide a first line presence should Heatley be moved before the season begins. Who knows, maybe Heatley can work it out with the team and give them four legitimate forwards to compete for the top line spot, but I think most signs point to him getting outta there. After that trio (or quartet if Heatley stays) the forwards all look like third unit, checking unit, or energy line players, leaving secondary scoring in a real dangerous position. Mike Fisher is going to have to rebound after last season's point decline, Nick Foligno has to take big steps forward in his game, and the Senators need another top-six forward if they're to have any hope in making secondary scoring possible. Their bottom six forward though are filled with legitimate role players (like Chris Neil as the enforcer and Jarkko Ruutu as the agitator who might be hated worse than Avery) and a strong youth movement, but a veteran presence on the lower lines to go along with Shean Donovan would help keep things stable for this team.

Defense: The defense on this team isn't extraordinary, but it's certainly competent. Filip Kuba did well for the Sens last season while Chris Phillips did better offensively at the sacrifice of his defensive game. Anton Volchenkov and Brian Lee would make for a good second pairing but would do a lot better if they could remain healthy. Jason Smith and Chris Campoli make for a good third-pairing of specialists while Alexandre R. Picard can pick up the games no one else can get into. Like I said, it's not glamorous, but it's adequate and it should work for them.

Goaltending: The goaltending looks promising on this team, it just needs to live up to the hype. Both LeClaire and Elliott have the tools to be starters, but LeClaire needs to avoid the injury bug for once while Elliott's still relatively young for a goaltender. If they can platoon well together, they'll be fine.

Expectations: I need to see what these guys do with the Heatley situation. As it stands now, a healthy and hardworking Senators team can make the playoffs, but it's over for them if or when injuries occur or when guys start taking nights off. They don't have enough natural talent to get there yet so they'll need to compete to make it happen.