The Ottawa Senators: The Middle Child Ready to Shine

Picture: Florida Panther, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators 

Why the Ottawa Senators Deserve a Second Look

Hear me out: the Ottawa Senators are consistently left out of the NHL conversation. They’re like the middle child of the family, perpetually overlooked, left in the dust, and usually forgettable. Sure, they’ve been lackluster for the past few years, but I feel a resurgence on their horizon. Let me explain why.

Spittin’ Chiclets and Shane Pinto

This past weekend, on the way home from Muskoka, my boyfriend and I listened to a recent episode of the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. The episode featured Sean Avery, Shane Pinto, Drew Shore, and Trung Phan. While we didn’t make it through the entire episode (we tapped out after Sean Avery and Shane Pinto) it still sparked plenty of conversation.

First off, Sean Avery was in Oppenheimer? My jaw dropped. Given, I haven’t seen the movie yet, but that’s honestly an insane accomplishment. More importantly, the betting jokes about Shane Pinto were so out-of-pocket and landed exactly as they should have. Biz’s chirps about Pinto’s wallpaper being “betting slips” and him abruptly spitting out the phrase “Pinto Parlays” had us and the entire podcast in shambles. This is why we love Biz. 

A Quick Look at the Sens' Recent Momentum

The NHL power rankings have shifted, and to probably everyone’s surprise: the Ottawa Senators have moved from 17th to 9th place. That makes them the fastest-rising Canadian team right now. For a team that hasn’t seen the playoffs since the 2016-2017 season, this is no small feat.

Back in their playoff days, they had stars like Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, Kyle Turris, Mike Hoffman, and Dion Phaneuf. Since then, it’s been a rocky road. So, what’s been holding them back?

Why Have the Sens Struggled?

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not about being “on the lower end of the cap.” The Senators have actually been hitting the cap ceiling for the past few seasons. The real issue? Free agency. Let’s face it, Ottawa isn’t exactly a top destination for players. To compete, the organization has had to spend more money to entice talent, and even that’s a tough sell.

Since 2017, the Sens have been in rebuilding mode, but the new prospects haven’t brought the traction they’d hoped for. Rebuilding in the NHL requires either drafting exceptionally well or shelling out big bucks for free agents. The Senators are trying to balance both strategies. Take Linus Ullmark, for example: he signed a hefty four-year, $33 million contract, but his performance has been underwhelming this season.

The Bright Spots: Stutzle and Tkachuk

Despite some setbacks, there are undeniable bright spots on the roster. Tim Stutzle is performing at an elite level, and Brady Tkachuk continues to deliver with consistent shots on goal. Special shoutout to Tkachuk for waving off that high-stick penalty against the New Jersey Devils’ Tomas Hertl.

Yes, you read that right: a Tkachuk being called a “class act”. Who knew?

Final Thoughts: Middle Child No More

The Ottawa Senators are in a playoff spot. Yes, you heard me, a playoff spot. While they’re not winning the Stanley Cup this year, they’re finally showing signs of life.

So, to summarize: give the middle child some love. The Senators deserve recognition for what they’ve managed to accomplish this season. If they can keep up this energy, their future is bright.