Sens Poll Results Recap: The Team
Marc DesRosiers – USA TODAY Sports
Written By: Luke Muise
Sens hockey is back!
The off-season has been full of intrigue and storylines for our favourite squad, but now it's time to see what it all means where it matters: on the ice.
I polled Sens fans a little while back on a number of team-related topics, and ahead of tonight's regular season opener, I'll wrap up the poll recaps and predictions. Today, we'll review the more abstract questions. How successful will the team be? Will any big changes be made? How will the special teams perform? Let's see what fans think while I make some predictions of my own.
Team Success
Based on polling, Sens fans are expecting big things this season, which I think is fair. We've waited a long time to return to respectability, and now it's time to see it all come together and reward the fan base.
My prediction: I think this is the year they make the playoffs. There are some question marks hanging over the team still with Norris' injury uncertainty and Pinto still unsigned (at the time of writing), but I think these questions will be answered before too long.
I think the team will win 46 games this season and earn 97 points, enough to sneak into a wild card spot. The defense and goaltending looked strong during preseason and a strong backend is a good foundation for success. That should hopefully be enough to weather this storm while management figures out the cap situation on offence.
That being said, I'm not sure how far this team can make it in the playoffs. Not because they're incapable, but because they're inexperienced. None of the young core players have ever played a playoff game, and they'll likely be up against a team with lots of playoff experience. A strong run to the playoffs before a first-round exit wouldn't shock me, as disappointing as that is to write. I don't think they're winning it all this season, but I respect the 15 percent of Sens fans who believe they will.
Remember remember…
…The month of November. How could Sens fans forget? That crappy month has been the Sens' bane for years now, spelling the end of their seasons shortly after they've begun. Do Sens fans think this is finally the year they break the November curse?
That's about as emphatic as a yes can get.
My prediction: I'm with you, voters. Not only is November going to be a critical month for setting the tone for the season, but they've also got a chance to break another curse: the Sweden Trip Curse.
The Sens have an opportunity here to undo years of Sens fans' trauma by breaking two curses and righting years of wrongs foisted upon us by the hockey gods. I don't think they'll disappoint us. They have to pull through.
Front office
At long last, a new era is underway for your Ottawa Senators. Michael Andlauer has taken ownership of the team after a lengthy sale process.
I ran these polls before Andlauer had taken over the team, and he already has made one massive addition to the front office: Steve Staios is now the President of Hockey Operations for the organization. For the first time in six years, Pierre Dorion has a direct superior in the front office looking over his shoulder and checking his work.
I asked Sens fans these questions before Andlauer became owner, but here is how they felt concerning management and coaching:
Sens fans strongly expect to see change if things aren't going well. Either Dorion himself will replace DJ Smith or Staios will replace Dorion.
If things are going well at the trade deadline, fans are split on whether or not the Sens will buy.
My prediction: If the Sens are at or near .500 on December 1, Staios will clean house. The current management and coaching team have had plenty of time to find a successful formula and if they struggle early this year it will spell the end for them.
If things do go well, I think the Sens will stand pat at the deadline barring an injury. The cap is already an issue for this team sonI can't see them taking on any significant money without moving some out. I do see a scenario where they may sell someone like Brannstrom for a draft pick and elevate Tyler Kleven to that position if they think he's ready. That seems like a bit of a stretch though.
Special teams
Here's how Sens fans think the special teams will shake out this season:
My prediction: I agree with the majority opinion on all of these except one. I think Tarasenko will be the go-to on the first power play unit. In fairness I posed the question before training camp started and it became clear that Josh Norris wasn't as ready as we assumed he'd be. My guess is that if I asked the same question today the results would flip.
Bonus polls
I asked a few extras for the road - here are the results:
My predictions: MacEwan will fight more than Tkachuk. He should.
Sanderson takes a huge leap and proves he's worth his new contract before he ever makes a dime over entry-level money.
I don't think any Senator will win an award, but they will get nominations. Look for a Jennings nod in particular from Forsberg and Korpisalo.
Well, that's that. Four articles worth of polls, analysis, and predictions. I hope you've enjoyed reading these as much as I enjoyed putting them together.
Now, let's get to Sens hockey.
