Team: 2024-25 Ottawa Senators

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 20, 2024

Published: Mar. 20, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Ottawa is a bubble team that took a step back, simple as that. The core is still solid, there's some holes that need to be figured out but all is NOT lost.

Goaltending: Unless you buy one or both goalies out, imo you can pick up a cheap veteran 3rd option guy or trust in Sogard and hope that Korpi and Forsberg find their game and chalk up some of their play this year to the team as a whole taking a step back.

Defense:
1. Hamonic - Gone.
2. Chychrun has been arguably the worst defenseman defensively this year, he plays soft, and hasn't put up points but unless you get a really good offer at the draft you keep him. I personally like the idea of stacking the LD and running 3 good pairs. For now Ottawa keeps him and hopes he finds his game and if he does you figure out if he wants to resign before the deadline.
3. Sanderson has been Ottawa's best defenseman this season and hopefully he takes that next step because Ottawa needs him to be a #1/Elite guy for this team.
4. Unless Kleven blows up Ottawa needs to get a physical shutdown defenseman (someone that can clear the crease but still actually play with any skill and brain power)
5. I think JBD has been alright, and will improve after his first full season but you have to decide if he fits the team going forward.
6. I like the idea of keeping Brannstrom at forward and having him as a fill in on Defense when there's injuries, but he's shown that he needs a physical partner to compliment his play style. If you can afford it, keep him.

Forwards:
The biggest question mark IMO is Norris, I thought his contract was too high off the start and his injuries are getting worse.
Luckily the Core is good and young guys Greig and Pinto are going to help a lot. You 100% sign Pinto long term.
Joseph is a 3rd liner.

New Coaches will help this team a lot.