A Greek Tragedy

OTTAWA SENATORS

2017-18 record: 28-43-11 (67 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: TBA

The story of the Ottawa Senators' 2017-18 season read like a Greek tragedy from the moment their 2017 playoff season ended with a double OT loss in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. From the team having no clue how to handle Erik Karlsson's on-ice activities, as he was rushed back from surgery too soon, to the general incompetence of front office management to goaltending falling apart throughout the season to the off-ice drama, the Senators went from on the verge of the Stanley Cup Finals to being a dumpster fire. This coming season will be just another act in the ongoing tragedy of the Ottawa Senators.

Karlsson was the team's offensive spark from the blue line, and he was never fully recovered from surgery last off-season. Then, this off-season came, and word came out that Mike Hoffman's girlfriend was involved in the cyerbullying of Karlsson's significant other, specifically their stillborn son. The fallout of that saw Randy Lee resign from his assistant GM position, as he was complicit in the matters, Hoffman traded to the Sharks first, then traded to Florida, and Karlsson getting shipped out to San Jose. All told, that is quite a bit of offense leaving the team that ranked 25th and a front office personnel that had a hand in the team's prospect system. Replacing the players are Mikkel Boedker, Chris Tierney, and Dylan DeMelo, not exactly offensive threats, but okay enough to be depth pieces on a team that lacked them last season. The bulk of the offense now falls on Matt Duchene and Mark Stone, each of whom can be free agents after the season. Defensively, I don't know what to tell you, as the only real recognizable name here is Cody Ceci, and he's just above average. In goal, Craig Anderson returns, but to expect a world-beating 2016-17 season would be unrealistic at his age. Another season like 2017-18 however, would mean Mike Condon is in line to get more starts.

Prediction: 8th in the Atlantic Division

There isn't much hope for the Senators, as ownership and spineless front office management have conspired to ruin what was once a team that was on the verge of a Finals appearance as recently as two seasons ago. The players that they now hang their hat on can leave after this season, thereby rendering the team without any hope for the future.