Joined: Nov. 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 52
12 - 17 - 9. That's Ottawa's current record. They're coming off of an overtime loss to the Red Wings and facing a fairly hot Sharks team. (21-12-5 & 5-2-3 in their past 10.)
This team has been almost nothing but disappointment since returning from the Sweden Trip. Posting a record of 6-2-5 before Sweden and coming out with a pair of wins. They've shown flashes of the team that made a miracle run to the Conference Finals and were a single goal from the Stanley Cup Finals, but after returning from the Sweden Trip, and acquiring Matt Duchene... It's been almost nothing but disappointment. Ottawa currently sits 9th in the Wild Card standings, only ahead of Buffalo.
Blame it on Matt Duchene, Pierre Dorion, or Guy Boucher. Blame it on Melnyk's comments before the 100 Classic game, or Erik Karlsson saying he wants to be paid fair market value. Ottawa has a solid roster for playoff contention. It's not the Penguins, Capitals, Predators, or Lightning, but surely a team like this should more consistent. A top-six forward core with Duchene, Brassard, Stone, Hoffman, and Ryan. Good depth players in Pageau, Pyatt, Smith, and Dzingel. A top-four defense with Erik Karlsson, Phaneuf, and Ceci. And in net, Craig Anderson and Mike Condon.
So I'll ask: Is there a fix for this team? What is that fix? Are they able to save this season? Should they make more trades, should they not have made some trades? Should there be a change to the Owner, GM, or Coaching Staff?