Don't look now Sens' fans but Ottawa is now officially tied with Columbus and Anaheim for last place in the overall NHL standings. To think Ottawa had 11 of their first 17 games at home(including 5 straight losses on home ice) with no back to back games, yet they are only one win ahead of last season's pace after 15 games is quite troubling.  Especially since both Sens GM Pierre Dorion and DJ Smith both stressed how important it was to have a great start to the season. There's no way they'll be playing meaningful games in March at this rate, which was the team's goal.  On top of it, Ottawa has faced five backup goalies to start the season.  With two more home games this week, the chance to take advantage of the schedule is passing this team by quickly.

When you look at the nine teams that hired new head coaches this past summer(Philly, WPG, FL, Veg, Bos, Det, Dal, Chi, NYI) it's hard to argue with the results that each of those teams have had in the first quarter of the season. Which makes it even harder to stomach for Sens' fans, considering the same results this team continues to produce with the current coaching staff of three-plus seasons.

With Craig Anderson starting in goal last night against Vancouver, I doubt he will get the start in Ottawa tonight when the Sabres visit the Senators.  I hope Sens fans give him a huge ovation in his first game back in Ottawa! 

Drake Batherson will flip lines with Mathieu Joseph tonight, while Anton Forsberg will get the start in goal for Ottawa.

There's still no movement on a contract extension for Artem Zub. I've been told Dorion has yet to table an offer to Zub's camp which is surprising considering how this team can't afford to lose him to free agency this summer as Dorion has said he is having trouble trying to trade for a top 4 defenseman. Ottawa is 1-6-1 without Zub in the lineup this season. So you would think he'd make sure he locks up Zub now before his value goes up even more. On a positive note, Zub will travel with the team to California for their upcoming four game road trip that starts next Monday in San Jose. 
 
Lastly, with attendance numbers still not reaching what the front office had hoped for, I've been wondering when Senators' President of Business Operations Anthony Leblanc will announce Sens' Alumni celebrations for their 30th anniversary. He stated in the summer they would be having a few nights focussed around bringing back former Sens' players.  I hope the team starts to advertise when these nights will occur, it would definitely help ticket sales at this point.

Comments/thoughts Sens' fans on the lineup changes and on what you would hope Dorion does with Zub?!

Thanks for reading.
Kevin

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