Same hell we were in when the current iteration of "the rebuild" started. Had to give up a 1st (4th overall pick) in year 1, just like we'll have to give up a 1st this season or next. In other words, we're handcuffed from the very beginning... Again.
That and so many missed/wasted opportunities, signings and trades set us back years. E.G. Detroit trades long-time player Tatar (underperforming with 28 pts in 62 games) to Vegas and lands a 1st, a 2nd and a 3rd. Montreal trades their captain to Vegas (locker room friction + declining performance at the time already) and lands Suzuki. Ottawa trades their future captain to Vegas (best two-way winger in the league, well respected with an incredible brain and stick). They land Brännström.
This organization genuinely feels cursed and where other fandoms seem to get enjoyment out of the teams they support, Ottawa feels like nothing but a bane. When you actually detach and watch this team play with (somewhat) neutral eyes, you can tell the players don't care. Not one bit. Most of the core got paid before they accomplished anything in the NHL and few won any major team championship in their respective junior leagues. All they know is well rehearsed lip service. They all say they want to win, yet play nothing like individuals or a team that wants to win. Just try watching other bottom dwellers. They lose out of a lack of talent, rarely a lack of will. It's the complete opposite with us.
Players that have had meaningful team or individual success in the NHL come to Ottawa, suck, leave with statements hinting at something being rotten in Denmark, then go on to resume their stellar play with other organizations. It's a damning indictment of the culture built around and fostered by the Tkachuks and Chabots in the nation's capital.
Let alone cohesive team play, even an honest, consistent 60 minutes effort is too much to ask for this iteration of the Sens. They seldom start on time because "the other team has a say...". When they do feel like it an press at the end, "the goalie made the saves". When they're not tired, they're injured. And when they're not injured, they "didn't get the bounces".
Spell the word "expectations", even with the bar set as low as it can be and the whole team implodes. However, the second there's nothing left on the line, it's all loosy-goosy and buddy-buddy with rehearsed lip service about the future.
It starts at the top and our captain is an immature child that was handed everything from day 1. Alfie, Spezza, Karlsson, Tkachuk. One of those is not like the others. No coaching has ever truly held this group accountable and no management group has had the backbone to truly bring forth meaningful change. it's all been work around the periphery, with often mediocre results.
"The envy of the league", "FYOUS", "Best in class", always sweet promises with nothing to back them up when time comes due. Yet you're expected to commit time and money and be happy about it all.
Yesterday vs LA was the first time in a while the game was on, but I couldn't force myself to consistently watch it, wire to wire. That's because the outcome was clear from the moment and the way they came out at puck drop. It's the same sickening movie. It's been the same sickening movie for as long as this core has been together. If there was a way to truly detach, give up and turn in the fan card, I would. This fanbase seems to care more about it all than coach, management and especially the players. Yet, at this point in time, the fanbase is the one entity that would be served better elsewhere with its time and money.
