Yak
Registered User
The State of the Senators: SENATORS: NO IDENTITY, SOFT, BROKEN & LOST - I Have Solutions, What Are Yours? (A 30-Year Fan's Deep Dive)
[Warning: Grab a coffee and get comfortable. Like our playoff drought, this is going to take some time.]
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
---------------------------------------------------------------
1.1 The Journey
I've been here since day one - from Rick Bowness to Jacques Martin, from the Civic Centre to the Canadian Tire Center, from Laurie Boschman to Brady Tkachuk. I've witnessed the brutal 10-win season in '92-93 and felt the excitement of our Cup run against the Ducks. After 30 years of bleeding Senators red, I've seen it all - the good, the bad, and the "maybe next year." I am super passionate about this team and have kept my thoughts to myself for the most part this year, but I just can't hold back anymore.
1.2 Current State
Here we are again, watching another November meltdown torpedo our playoff hopes. Yes, we're seeing flashes of brilliance in some games, moments where we look like world-beaters. But those two points we let slip away in October and November? They don't come back in April.
The frustrating part? On paper, everything's fixed:
• New ownership ✓
• New management ✓
• New coaching staff ✓
• Fans back in the seats ✓
• Relatively healthy roster ✓
Yet here we are, still stuck in the basement, still making excuses about bounces and bad luck.
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 2: CORE ISSUES
---------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 The Identity Crisis
For five years straight, we've been "searching for an identity." That's NHL-speak for "we don't know what we are." When a team with this much talent still can't define itself, there's a deeper problem. Every team claims they want to be "hard to play against" - that's like saying water is wet. We need something more concrete, something that actually means something in today's NHL.
2.2 The Leadership Dilemma
Let me preface this by saying I'm Brady's biggest fan, but here's the hard truth: we threw him into the captain's seat too young and then tried to change his game. Why? Because we had no one else ready for the 'C'. Instead of bringing in a veteran to show him the ropes, we went with trial by fire.
Here's the real kicker - we're telling a power forward to play like a finesse player. His brother just won a Cup in Florida playing the exact style we're trying to coach out of Brady. When Brady plays with edge, throws the body, and gets in your face, that's when he's at his best. That's when he's the leader this team needs.
The coaches want him to avoid fights, limit the big hits, stay out of scrums. No! That's exactly what this team needs - that's the identity we should be building around. I'll take 23 Bradys any day (heck, put one in net while we're at it).
2.3 The Clone Factory
Our roster is like a bunch of photocopies, and here's why:
Looking at our forward group:
• Tim Stützle: Skilled but not physical
• Josh Norris: Great shot, but won't win board battles
• Drake Batherson: Skilled but disappears in tough games
• Shane Pinto: Not living up to early promise
• Claude Giroux: Veteran skill but not changing the culture
We've got snipers and playmakers, but where's the edge? Where's the nasty? Brady brings it, but he needs company. Even Greig, who has some bite to his game, isn't consistent enough with it.
The bottom six? They might as well be invisible most nights. Our third and fourth lines aren't changing momentum, aren't wearing teams down, aren't making opponents pay a price.
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 3: DEFENSIVE ISSUES
---------------------------------------------------------------
3.1 The Soft Blue Line
Let's break it down:
• Nick Jensen (+11): Quietly our best defensive D-man. Nothing flashy, just solid positioning and smart plays
• Jake Sanderson (-14): Great potential but getting exposed against top lines
• Thomas Chabot (+5): Making $8M to play like a #2/3 D-man. Great offensively but not the shutdown guy we need
• Artem Zub (-7): Struggling with injuries and consistency
• Hamonic: Looking done. Time to move on
The bigger issue? No physical presence. Nobody clearing the crease. Nobody making forwards pay a price for cutting through the middle. Our hits might look good on paper, but watch the games - they're love taps, not momentum-changers.
3.2 The Goalie Graveyard
Let's talk about our goaltending situation, because it's beyond ridiculous at this point. We've become the place where good goalies come to lose their mojo, and it's not by accident.
Take a look at our recent history:
• Ullmark: Walks in with swagger and an $8M contract, six weeks later looks like he's seen a ghost
• Talbot: Solid elsewhere, struggles here, Solid Elsewhere
• Forsberg: Can't find consistency
• Daccord: Leaves and suddenly looks like a Vezina candidate
• Gustavsson: Finds his game the moment he leaves
Here's the thing - we can't be this unlucky with goalies. When EVERY goalie struggles here but plays well elsewhere, that's not a goalie problem. That's a US problem. Let's break it down:
The Defense Problem:
Our "defensive" corps is about as protective as a screen door in a hurricane:
• Scattered coverage in front of the net
• No consistent net-front clearing
• Defensemen built for offense trying to play shutdown roles
• Constant positional breakdowns
• Zero intimidation factor for opposing forwards
The Coaching Issue:
We're trying to develop NHL goalies with AHL-level goalie coaching. It's like trying to fix a Ferrari with a hammer and screwdriver. Our goalie coaches seem overwhelmed and out of their depth. These aren't beer league goalies - they're elite athletes who need elite coaching.
The Mental Game:
Goalies are a different breed to begin with - they need special handling. Instead, we're:
• Hanging them out to dry defensively
• Providing inadequate technical support
• Offering zero mental health support
• Watching their confidence erode game by game
Look at Ullmark - guy showed up looking like he owned the place, had that championship swagger. Now? Six weeks in and he looks like he's questioning if he remembers how to stop a beach ball. That's not bad goaltending - that's a systematic destruction of confidence.
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 4: ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES
---------------------------------------------------------------
4.1 The Money Problem
Under the old regime, we were always worried about losing players we couldn't afford. So what did we do? Backed up the Brink's truck before guys even earned it. Everyone got $8M based on potential, not production.
Think about it - if someone backs up a truck full of cash to your house, are you working as hard at your job tomorrow? These guys can retire and never play another game in their lives and be set. Where's the hunger? Where's the drive? Yes, they want to win - all players do - but that desperate edge that comes from having something to prove? That's gone.
4.2 Development Issues
We're failing our players at every level of development, but nowhere is this more evident than with our goalies and young defensemen. We're throwing kids into the deep end without proper support systems in place:
• AHL-level coaching for NHL-caliber talent
• No veteran mentorship program
• Inadequate mental preparation
• Poor physical conditioning oversight
• No clear development path
It's like we're building a house without a foundation and wondering why everything keeps falling apart.
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 5: THE SOLUTION
---------------------------------------------------------------
5.1 Identity Reset
Stop trying to be something we're not. Want an identity? Look at your captain when he's playing his natural game:
• Physical presence every shift
• Making opponents pay a price
• Playing with emotion and edge
• Leading by example
• No shift off, no excuses
That's your identity right there. When Brady plays his game - the way his brother played to win a Cup - that's who we should be. Instead, we're trying to be some watered-down version of a skill team when we don't have the right mix for that.
5.2 Roster Reconstruction
Too many similar ingredients don't make a good meal. We need:
• Different player types throughout the lineup
• More edge in the top nine, not just the fourth line
• Guys who make opponents dread coming to Ottawa
• Players who complement each other instead of duplicating skills
Sometimes good players aren't good together. Having six playmakers doesn't make you six times better - it makes you predictable. We need sandpaper, we need nasty, we need guys who make opponents check the schedule and groan when they see Ottawa coming up.
5.3 Cultural Revolution
The culture needs a complete overhaul:
• Stop waiting for someone else to step up
• Play like you're down a goal even when you're up by two
• Make teams earn every inch of ice
• Hold each other accountable
• Get angry about losing
• Play like Florida - aggressive, relentless, physical
Look at what Florida did last year - they weren't the most skilled team, but they made you pay a physical price every single shift. That's what we need. That's what we're missing.
5.4 Specific Action Items
Immediate changes needed:
• Bring in a proper sports psychologist for the goalies
• Add veteran defensive presence who can actually clear the crease
• Upgrade goalie coaching to NHL caliber
• Rebuild the bottom six with purpose, not just bodies
• Let Brady be Brady - take the leash off
• Create accountability at every level
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 6: CONCLUSION
---------------------------------------------------------------
6.1 Final Thoughts
This isn't about one player, one coach, or one bad stretch. This is about fundamental changes needed in how we build and play as a team. The talent's there, but the mixture is wrong. Chemistry isn't just about putting good players together - it's about putting the RIGHT players together.
6.2 The Way Forward
We need to be the team that makes you wake up the next morning feeling like you've been hit by a truck, not the team that lets you dance through the neutral zone untouched. Make Ottawa feared again - not just for skill, but for the complete package:
• Physical dominance
• Mental toughness
• Complete game
• Clear identity
• Winning culture
No fear. No excuses. The time is now.
[P.S. - Feel free to disagree and reference any section number in your replies. That's what makes these discussions valuable. But something needs to change, and it needs to change now. We can't keep doing the same thing and expecting different results - that's the definition of insanity, and we've been insane long enough.]
[Warning: Grab a coffee and get comfortable. Like our playoff drought, this is going to take some time.]
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
---------------------------------------------------------------
1.1 The Journey
I've been here since day one - from Rick Bowness to Jacques Martin, from the Civic Centre to the Canadian Tire Center, from Laurie Boschman to Brady Tkachuk. I've witnessed the brutal 10-win season in '92-93 and felt the excitement of our Cup run against the Ducks. After 30 years of bleeding Senators red, I've seen it all - the good, the bad, and the "maybe next year." I am super passionate about this team and have kept my thoughts to myself for the most part this year, but I just can't hold back anymore.
1.2 Current State
Here we are again, watching another November meltdown torpedo our playoff hopes. Yes, we're seeing flashes of brilliance in some games, moments where we look like world-beaters. But those two points we let slip away in October and November? They don't come back in April.
The frustrating part? On paper, everything's fixed:
• New ownership ✓
• New management ✓
• New coaching staff ✓
• Fans back in the seats ✓
• Relatively healthy roster ✓
Yet here we are, still stuck in the basement, still making excuses about bounces and bad luck.
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 2: CORE ISSUES
---------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 The Identity Crisis
For five years straight, we've been "searching for an identity." That's NHL-speak for "we don't know what we are." When a team with this much talent still can't define itself, there's a deeper problem. Every team claims they want to be "hard to play against" - that's like saying water is wet. We need something more concrete, something that actually means something in today's NHL.
2.2 The Leadership Dilemma
Let me preface this by saying I'm Brady's biggest fan, but here's the hard truth: we threw him into the captain's seat too young and then tried to change his game. Why? Because we had no one else ready for the 'C'. Instead of bringing in a veteran to show him the ropes, we went with trial by fire.
Here's the real kicker - we're telling a power forward to play like a finesse player. His brother just won a Cup in Florida playing the exact style we're trying to coach out of Brady. When Brady plays with edge, throws the body, and gets in your face, that's when he's at his best. That's when he's the leader this team needs.
The coaches want him to avoid fights, limit the big hits, stay out of scrums. No! That's exactly what this team needs - that's the identity we should be building around. I'll take 23 Bradys any day (heck, put one in net while we're at it).
2.3 The Clone Factory
Our roster is like a bunch of photocopies, and here's why:
Looking at our forward group:
• Tim Stützle: Skilled but not physical
• Josh Norris: Great shot, but won't win board battles
• Drake Batherson: Skilled but disappears in tough games
• Shane Pinto: Not living up to early promise
• Claude Giroux: Veteran skill but not changing the culture
We've got snipers and playmakers, but where's the edge? Where's the nasty? Brady brings it, but he needs company. Even Greig, who has some bite to his game, isn't consistent enough with it.
The bottom six? They might as well be invisible most nights. Our third and fourth lines aren't changing momentum, aren't wearing teams down, aren't making opponents pay a price.
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 3: DEFENSIVE ISSUES
---------------------------------------------------------------
3.1 The Soft Blue Line
Let's break it down:
• Nick Jensen (+11): Quietly our best defensive D-man. Nothing flashy, just solid positioning and smart plays
• Jake Sanderson (-14): Great potential but getting exposed against top lines
• Thomas Chabot (+5): Making $8M to play like a #2/3 D-man. Great offensively but not the shutdown guy we need
• Artem Zub (-7): Struggling with injuries and consistency
• Hamonic: Looking done. Time to move on
The bigger issue? No physical presence. Nobody clearing the crease. Nobody making forwards pay a price for cutting through the middle. Our hits might look good on paper, but watch the games - they're love taps, not momentum-changers.
3.2 The Goalie Graveyard
Let's talk about our goaltending situation, because it's beyond ridiculous at this point. We've become the place where good goalies come to lose their mojo, and it's not by accident.
Take a look at our recent history:
• Ullmark: Walks in with swagger and an $8M contract, six weeks later looks like he's seen a ghost
• Talbot: Solid elsewhere, struggles here, Solid Elsewhere
• Forsberg: Can't find consistency
• Daccord: Leaves and suddenly looks like a Vezina candidate
• Gustavsson: Finds his game the moment he leaves
Here's the thing - we can't be this unlucky with goalies. When EVERY goalie struggles here but plays well elsewhere, that's not a goalie problem. That's a US problem. Let's break it down:
The Defense Problem:
Our "defensive" corps is about as protective as a screen door in a hurricane:
• Scattered coverage in front of the net
• No consistent net-front clearing
• Defensemen built for offense trying to play shutdown roles
• Constant positional breakdowns
• Zero intimidation factor for opposing forwards
The Coaching Issue:
We're trying to develop NHL goalies with AHL-level goalie coaching. It's like trying to fix a Ferrari with a hammer and screwdriver. Our goalie coaches seem overwhelmed and out of their depth. These aren't beer league goalies - they're elite athletes who need elite coaching.
The Mental Game:
Goalies are a different breed to begin with - they need special handling. Instead, we're:
• Hanging them out to dry defensively
• Providing inadequate technical support
• Offering zero mental health support
• Watching their confidence erode game by game
Look at Ullmark - guy showed up looking like he owned the place, had that championship swagger. Now? Six weeks in and he looks like he's questioning if he remembers how to stop a beach ball. That's not bad goaltending - that's a systematic destruction of confidence.
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 4: ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES
---------------------------------------------------------------
4.1 The Money Problem
Under the old regime, we were always worried about losing players we couldn't afford. So what did we do? Backed up the Brink's truck before guys even earned it. Everyone got $8M based on potential, not production.
Think about it - if someone backs up a truck full of cash to your house, are you working as hard at your job tomorrow? These guys can retire and never play another game in their lives and be set. Where's the hunger? Where's the drive? Yes, they want to win - all players do - but that desperate edge that comes from having something to prove? That's gone.
4.2 Development Issues
We're failing our players at every level of development, but nowhere is this more evident than with our goalies and young defensemen. We're throwing kids into the deep end without proper support systems in place:
• AHL-level coaching for NHL-caliber talent
• No veteran mentorship program
• Inadequate mental preparation
• Poor physical conditioning oversight
• No clear development path
It's like we're building a house without a foundation and wondering why everything keeps falling apart.
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 5: THE SOLUTION
---------------------------------------------------------------
5.1 Identity Reset
Stop trying to be something we're not. Want an identity? Look at your captain when he's playing his natural game:
• Physical presence every shift
• Making opponents pay a price
• Playing with emotion and edge
• Leading by example
• No shift off, no excuses
That's your identity right there. When Brady plays his game - the way his brother played to win a Cup - that's who we should be. Instead, we're trying to be some watered-down version of a skill team when we don't have the right mix for that.
5.2 Roster Reconstruction
Too many similar ingredients don't make a good meal. We need:
• Different player types throughout the lineup
• More edge in the top nine, not just the fourth line
• Guys who make opponents dread coming to Ottawa
• Players who complement each other instead of duplicating skills
Sometimes good players aren't good together. Having six playmakers doesn't make you six times better - it makes you predictable. We need sandpaper, we need nasty, we need guys who make opponents check the schedule and groan when they see Ottawa coming up.
5.3 Cultural Revolution
The culture needs a complete overhaul:
• Stop waiting for someone else to step up
• Play like you're down a goal even when you're up by two
• Make teams earn every inch of ice
• Hold each other accountable
• Get angry about losing
• Play like Florida - aggressive, relentless, physical
Look at what Florida did last year - they weren't the most skilled team, but they made you pay a physical price every single shift. That's what we need. That's what we're missing.
5.4 Specific Action Items
Immediate changes needed:
• Bring in a proper sports psychologist for the goalies
• Add veteran defensive presence who can actually clear the crease
• Upgrade goalie coaching to NHL caliber
• Rebuild the bottom six with purpose, not just bodies
• Let Brady be Brady - take the leash off
• Create accountability at every level
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART 6: CONCLUSION
---------------------------------------------------------------
6.1 Final Thoughts
This isn't about one player, one coach, or one bad stretch. This is about fundamental changes needed in how we build and play as a team. The talent's there, but the mixture is wrong. Chemistry isn't just about putting good players together - it's about putting the RIGHT players together.
6.2 The Way Forward
We need to be the team that makes you wake up the next morning feeling like you've been hit by a truck, not the team that lets you dance through the neutral zone untouched. Make Ottawa feared again - not just for skill, but for the complete package:
• Physical dominance
• Mental toughness
• Complete game
• Clear identity
• Winning culture
No fear. No excuses. The time is now.
[P.S. - Feel free to disagree and reference any section number in your replies. That's what makes these discussions valuable. But something needs to change, and it needs to change now. We can't keep doing the same thing and expecting different results - that's the definition of insanity, and we've been insane long enough.]
