Sorry but what about this past season leads a fan to be bullish? The odds are that Norris will be a middling, overpaid 2nd line player with a bad shoulder and Chabot will be a 40-50pt defensive liability. I agree Timmy will bounce back. I can see Sanderson having a Heiskanen-like impact on the game. But the rest of the team is a huge question mark...we are so far away from the final 4 teams in these playoffs lol.
It's the off season. If you can't be bullish now, when there is only hope, then you never will be.
I am not saying we should be Conference finalists next year, nor do I believe I suggested it, but I do think playoffs is reasonable.
Norris was treated by a surgeon with a great track record and surgery was completed in time for him to (apparently) be ready for training camp. Chabot was already playing better to finish the season, and with better coaching and accountability, could keep up that play.
It really will come down to goaltending IMO. As the statistics showed last season, with simply league average 'tending, the Senators are right there.
As for other items, I think our bottom 6 can be better with a full season of Pinto and Greig more mature, plus a potential boost from Crookshank or Otsapchuk. If Kleven is ready then our bottom pairing is more imposing.
A few small upgrades along with a better save% can have a pretty significant impact.