ATLANTIC DIVISION

Ottawa Senators (6th)

Record: 39-35-8 86 Pts

Missed the playoffs

Key Subtractions: Alex DeBrincat (traded to Red Wings), Derick Brassard (unsigned), Cam Talbot (signed with Kings), Nick Holden (unsigned)

Key Additions: Vladimir Tarasenko, Joonas Korpisalo, Dominik Kubalik, Zach MacEwen

Overview: It’s been a while since the Senators had a team capable of reaching the playoffs. However, all signs indicate that they’re headed in the right direction. Last season, a slow start hurt. However, they made strides during the second half to finish within striking distance of the postseason.

Given the young talent they possess, there’s a lot to like about the Senators. Boasting rising star Tim Stutzle, no-nonsense captain Brady Tkachuk, veteran Claude Giroux, Drake Batherson, Thomas Chabot, and newly minted Jake Sanderson, who signed an eight-year extension worth an average cap hit of 8.05 million through 2032, they have plenty of reasons to get excited about.

If Josh Norris can come back at full strength, that’s a center capable of scoring 30 goals or more. In 2021-22, he notched 35 in his second season. Shoulder surgery limited him to eight games last season. Norris is a key piece to the puzzle.

After Alex DeBrincat got his wish and was sent home to play for the division rival Red Wings for a package that included veteran Dominik Kubalik, the Sens signed veteran Vladimir Tarasenko to a one-year deal worth $5 million. A former Stanley Cup winner with the Blues, Tarasenko, should be a good replacement for DeBrincat. He’s betting on himself, which should make him highly motivated.

Ottawa also went out and added gritty forward Zach MacEwen. No stranger to mixing it up. He’ll add some toughness to the roster. That’s never a bad thing. Especially when you have a young team still looking to jump back into the playoffs.

Mark Kastelic plays a similar style. The Senators shouldn’t be pushed around. Mathieu Joseph had a tough year after coming over from Tampa. He only scored three times. A bounce back seems likely.

If they can get key restricted free agent Shane Pinto re-signed, that would be huge. He scored 20 goals in his rookie year. A good shooter, Pinto needs a contract due to playing parts of the previous two seasons. His entry-level contract expired. Problematic is that Ottawa has less than a million dollars left on the cap. Unless someone winds up on the long-term injured reserve, they’ll have to get creative.

Hopefully, Pinto won’t become a cap casualty like Alex Formenton did a year ago. He missed the entire 2022-23 season. He spent part of the year playing for Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss League.

In order for the Senators to make it, they’ll need more stability in the net. After an up and down year from veteran Cam Talbot, Ottawa decided to go into the market. They signed former Columbus goalie Joonas Korpisalo to a five-year deal worth $20 million. It’s definitely a high-risk move for a netminder who hasn’t proven he can carry a team.

They’re banking on Korpisalo to deliver. Anton Forsberg is a solid backup who is more than capable of handling 25 to 30 games. It’ll be an interesting tandem to follow.

The blue line is anchored by minutes logger Chabot. A defenseman who is trusted in every situation, he plays power play and penalty kill. They also boast former Coyote Jakob Chychrun. He’s still only 25 and should have plenty to give.

Sanderson has a big ceiling. The former 2020 first round pick started to make things happen in his rookie season. He finished with 32 points (4-28-32) in 77 games. Seventeen came on the power play.

When you have a healthy trio of lefties like they do, that’s a strong asset. Ottawa is counting on Artem Zub and Erik Brannstrom to handle the tough assignments in the top four. Travis Hamonic adds experience. Tyler Kleven is a former second round pick with eight games of experience.

Analysis: The Senators shouldn’t have any trouble scoring goals. They have the uber talented Stutzle and strong power forward Brady Tkachuk. With superb center depth, especially if Norris returns to form, this is gonna be a fun team to watch.

We’ll see if they can keep Pinto, who projects to be a 30-goal scorer. One wonders if they’d look to dangle him for more defensive help. Look at the roster. There’s established players in Giroux and Tarasenko. You have the overlooked Batherson, who continues to improve.

It’ll come down to the defense and goaltending.

Prediction: Playing in a deep division that’s on the upswing due to the improvements of Buffalo and Detroit, it’ll he an uphill climb for the Senators to go from 86 points to 95-96, which is the likely cut-off.

Can they do it under coach D.J. Smith? It’s hard to say. They haven’t exactly done as well as they can under Smith. The pressure is on. If they get out slowly, he could be on the chopping block. There are a few proven options if Ottawa has to go that route.

It’s hard to project this team. They can win 40-plus games. But are they good enough to make the playoffs for the first time since Erik Karlsson carried them within an eyelash of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017? That remains to be seen.