Do you know anything about their roster? They're on their way up, not down. The team just lost in Game 7 of the Conference Final and the entire core is still around for at least next year if not two or three. Depth guys like Claesson, Pageau, Harpur etc. have shown tremendous upside and we have two of the top 10 prospects in hockey and a third one in Brown that is on a promising path as well.

Take a hike

To go toe-to-toe with a team like Pittsburgh in the third round is nothing to hang our heads about, but man am I still disappointed. I wonder what would have happened had Burrows been able to go instead of Kelly.

Anderson and Karlsson are worth every cent we pay them and then some. A few tweaks and this team can be competitive again next season for sure.
- DonnyG33

What kinda tweaks do you see needed? From the outside looking it, it looks like you really need another top 4 D. I know Karlsson plays like 80% of the game, but it'd be nice to take a little bit of the burden off him, no? (Granted every NHL team wants another top 4 D.)

Do you know anything about their roster? They're on their way up, not down. The team just lost in Game 7 of the Conference Final and the entire core is still around for at least next year if not two or three. Depth guys like Claesson, Pageau, Harpur etc. have shown tremendous upside and we have two of the top 10 prospects in hockey and a third one in Brown that is on a promising path as well.

Take a hike
- tryhard

I love me some Chabot, but I wouldn't put (I'm assuming) White in there. Either way, I agree for the most part. Will need to find a way to replace/replicate Anderson though

What kinda tweaks do you see needed? From the outside looking it, it looks like you really need another top 4 D. I know Karlsson plays like 80% of the game, but it'd be nice to take a little bit of the burden off him, no? (Granted every NHL team wants another top 4 D.)
- j.boyd919

see above (chabot)

Bad enough you beat them, really think its necessary to say this TODAY?
- B2B76

Some people follow sports for joy. Others do it to give themselves more opportunities to be horse's patoots. It's really too bad they can't just celebrate with their fellow fans.

Was that comment really necesary?
- martox

He's shown this entire series what an ass hat he is.....no reason to change now.

Sens fans, you had a great run. And I for one don't find their style of play remotely boring. Winning is not boring. I can't say I'd be more thrilled if my team lost a game 7 7-6 in 2OT. It would still sting.

He's shown this entire series what an ass hat he is.....no reason to change now.
- sensarmy_11

You made me the man I am, Sens Army.

You made me the little female dog boy I am, Sens Army.
- MattStrat

Fixed that for you

Stay classy......which is a relative term for you.

What kinda tweaks do you see needed? From the outside looking it, it looks like you really need another top 4 D. I know Karlsson plays like 80% of the game, but it'd be nice to take a little bit of the burden off him, no? (Granted every NHL team wants another top 4 D.)
- j.boyd919

Definitely need another D with some mobility and doesn't handle the puck like a grenade. So many times we had opportunities to clear the zone but instead they would cycle it into traffic, causing more zone time. Luckily Chabot will fill that void, but we can't expect the moon from him.

I'd also like to see a bigger forward that isn't afraid to bang around the net. When Pageau is the only player in the goalie's face, you really aren't making life that difficult for them, especially when you aren't a team that sustains zone pressure.

Great series, great playoff run, so many great memories. If you would have told me before the series that Crosby would end up a minus 3, I would have been happy just with that!

Would have liked to have seen more proactive urgency in the OT periods, the Sens looked to be playing a bit of a rope a dope while forgetting that the next goal wins, but at least the game-winning goal didn't come on the Pens powerplay after another Kessel slip-and-fall scam.

Now we can look back on a great season and watch the Final way more relaxed (and don't have to plan my schedule around it) and hope we get to see Mike Fisher and PK get their hands on the Cup, who would have ever thought ?!?

The Senators just would not go away. They nearly gave me a nervous breakdown last night. They played a hell of a game. Have to tip my hat to Ottawa. They never gave up and kept the pressure on in every single series. Well played.

Definitely need another D with some mobility and doesn't handle the puck like a grenade. So many times we had opportunities to clear the zone but instead they would cycle it into traffic, causing more zone time. Luckily Chabot will fill that void, but we can't expect the moon from him.

I'd also like to see a bigger forward that isn't afraid to bang around the net. When Pageau is the only player in the goalie's face, you really aren't making life that difficult for them, especially when you aren't a team that sustains zone pressure.
- DonnyG33

I hope Chabot plays a year on the AHL.......there is absolutely no need to rush him into the lineup. If they throw him, plus white, Brown, chaplik, hogberg, etc, into belleville next year ig should be a really good team which will be a hood environment for them all to be in and dwvelop

What kinda tweaks do you see needed? From the outside looking it, it looks like you really need another top 4 D. I know Karlsson plays like 80% of the game, but it'd be nice to take a little bit of the burden off him, no? (Granted every NHL team wants another top 4 D.)
- j.boyd919

Just need some of the young guys to develop. Ceci is till young, Claesson is a rookie, Harpur is a rookie and Chabot is still a prospect. I'd wait it out. I don't think it's so much how they can change the team but rather that only 2 teams can make the Stanley Cup finals and you need a lot of things to go right for that to happen. That was a tight series and a good run

I love me some Chabot, but I wouldn't put (I'm assuming) White in there. Either way, I agree for the most part. Will need to find a way to replace/replicate Anderson though
- YuenglingJagr

I will agree White is fading but I still think he has a fit in the top 6 with a bit of a leash on next year.

Anderson is definitely a huge red flag - it would be great if O'Connor magically turns into a late bloomer #1 goalie overnight but we all know that's a stretch haha

Good run. Strong, young core... with this experience, you'll be back hard next year.

Great series guys! Man, I really though Anderson was going to steal another one for you! EK on his own has more heart than some teams do. Glad to see MacArthur back playing and hope he can continue to add to his story next year.

Boucher is a class act! Although as many have said, I too an no fan of his systems but the guy doesn't pontificate like others and whine for calls etc. You guys will be in the mix and who knows maybe you're back here next year.

Great series guys! Man, I really though Anderson was going to steal another one for you! EK on his own has more heart than some teams do. Glad to see MacArthur back playing and hope he can continue to add to his story next year.

Boucher is a class act! Although as many have said, I too an no fan of his systems but the guy doesn't pontificate like others and whine for calls etc. You guys will be in the mix and who knows maybe you're back here next year.
- iworkatinitech

Boucher is like a Terminator or some sh!t. His demeanor is intense. You can tell he's the type that commands a locker room. Its like he can stare into your soul.

Frankly I'm a bit relieved it's over. It's been so stressful for the past few weeks and hockey has pretty-well taken over my life (much to my wife's chagrin). God knows what our chances might have been like against the Preds who look awesome. Isn't it better to go out in a blaze of glory rather than have our asses handed to us by a well-rested and very strong Nashville team? Despite all the claims that the Sens were boring, I'll tell you what's boring: another Pens Cup. I will definitely be rooting for Mike Fisher and the Preds....

Anyway, it's hard to be upset with the loss. It was an awesome season and playoffs and the future looks bright with a new downtown arena on the horizon and great up-coming talent in White and Chabot, etc. back to real life for a few months until October rolls around and we start all over again.

Go Sens Go!

Unfortunate we didn't get the Cinderella this year. I thought hockey needed that. I realize dynasties are few and far between in the NHL, but the Blackhawks, Kings and Penguins trading off most Cups over the past few years does not make for this type of copy. I really wanted to see the Senators pull through.

Great run Sens fans!! It was fun watching you guys.

The Senators just don't have quite enough scoring talent. After the incomparable Erik Karlsson, you have some very nice and capable players, Stone, Hoffman to name two. If motivated Ryan is a fine player, but his career has been marked by inconsistency. Turris is also rock solid and steady.

I'd love to see Ottawa back in the mix next year, but some of their young guys need to step up (White?) or they need to go add another scoring winger or two. I do like their center depth, although I'd rather see Turris as L2-C and Brassard as L3-C. Still you have 5-6 very capable centers who can fit various roles and I still think Colin White has tremendous upside. I'd like to see him make a real jump next year.

Oh yea, Stalberg stinks. Like this blogger mentioned he had that pass intercepted but Vic has terrible hands and suspect hockey IQ and anticipation. Good skater though so there is that.

Best wishes to this team next year. The East is rough but I think the Senators can come back next year and annoy the hell out of everyone.

Awesome run Sens! No one saw that coming at all. Was really pulling for you to make the final... two teams without a Cup at the end would have been amazing! Hold your heads high. The future is bright for Ottawa.

I realized when the game ended, I was rooting for the Senators.

What a check by Methot on Malkin -

Karlsson tried to win it single handedly in that 1st OT - it was fun to watch.

Not here to troll or gloat:

Great series. Sens and fan base should be proud. Bright future.

Nice job writing Jared. Pleasure reading your stuff.

Sens simply sat back too much in OT. Pens dmen were coughing it up under pressure. The longer it went, you knew the Pens would eventually score.

Now the question becomes, who will they lose in expansion draft. Do they have to protect Burrows and Smith?

Frankly I'm a bit relieved it's over. It's been so stressful for the past few weeks and hockey has pretty-well taken over my life (much to my wife's chagrin). God knows what our chances might have been like against the Preds who look awesome. Isn't it better to go out in a blaze of glory rather than have our asses handed to us by a well-rested and very strong Nashville team? Despite all the claims that the Sens were boring, I'll tell you what's boring: another Pens Cup. I will definitely be rooting for Mike Fisher and the Preds....

Anyway, it's hard to be upset with the loss. It was an awesome season and playoffs and the future looks bright with a new downtown arena on the horizon and great up-coming talent in White and Chabot, etc. back to real life for a few months until October rolls around and we start all over again.

Go Sens Go!
- sgoodwin

If it took the Penguins to double OT in game 7 to get rid of the Sens I don't think the Predators would have steamrolled you guys. We'll see what happens.

The playoff stress is over for you but trust me, it beats the snot out missing the playoffs the last half decade.

Great series and a great run.