This is the annual mailbag where I transition from asking questions to answering some from our smart and insightful readers about the Ottawa Senators as the season wraps up. Many of you, I`m sure, are hoping our next interaction like this will be in June, perhaps discussing playoff success.
A sincere thank you to everyone who sent in questions and to all who followed the coverage this season. It`s finally becoming an enjoyable period to be a Senators fan, and after years of challenges, a competitive team is well-deserved. Let`s get to your questions!
Starting with a lively topic: Of course, Brady Tkachuk is a Hall of Fame certainty! Hyperbole aside, the significant narrative surrounding Tkachuk—whether he`s truly a “winning player”—has finally faded. His performances, including being a standout among elite talent at the 4 Nations Face-Off and guiding his team to the playoffs despite injuries, should silence any doubts about his impact. In my view, Tkachuk has solidified his position as the most beloved Senator since Daniel Alfredsson. I suspect we`ll see him scoring crucial playoff goals in the near future, much like his assistant coach once did in Ottawa. Furthermore, the questions about Tkachuk potentially leaving the team seem to be settled, at least for the foreseeable future.
Thanks for the questions about off-season targets. General Manager Steve Staios`s history indicates he`s willing to make significant moves. The Senators have $17 million in cap space, providing flexibility to add through free agency. Their first-round pick is also a valuable trade asset. I`ve long believed Nikolaj Ehlers would be an excellent fit alongside Tim Stutzle, bringing speed, dynamism, and a strong shot to significantly boost scoring. On the defensive side, players like Aaron Ekblad or Rasmus Andersson would be impactful additions. Alternatively, they might target someone like Michael Kesselring, a free agent who had a strong season in Utah, reminiscent of the Nick Jensen acquisition strategy. Perhaps they could even pursue both types of additions?
That`s a great question about the draft. I`m still curious about the Senators retaining their 2025 first-round pick (though not officially confirmed, they had a window after the lottery to decide). This makes me wonder if they might receive a reduced penalty for the problematic Evgenii Dadonov trade; currently, they are set to forfeit next year`s first-rounder. Assuming they keep this year`s first, we can look at Staios`s previous drafting tendencies: in his last tenure, all selected players were at least six-foot-four. This suggests a preference for size, which might continue with their upcoming pick.
Great minds do think alike! I`ve also given this a lot of thought. Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson will both be 23 when next season begins. As coach Travis Green often notes, they are still just starting to unlock their full potential. Both took significant steps this season—Sanderson offensively and Stutzle defensively. They are both dedicated workers who train rigorously. While reaching the level of a MacKinnon-Makar pairing is a very high bar, the Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo duo that led the Vegas Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup in 2023 offers a relevant comparison. For Sens fans, the fact that both Stutzle and Sanderson are signed long-term at approximately $8 million per year is arguably the biggest reason for optimism.
You`re asking a challenging question about Claude Giroux. While both Giroux and Brad Marchand are the same age, Marchand is arguably slightly better (and certainly a significant agitator on the ice). If the Senators decide to move on from Giroux, pursuing Marchand could be an interesting option. Imagine a top three left-wing depth chart featuring Tkachuk, Marchand, and Greig – that would be formidable.
