I don't know about "much better"

I think the points totals are deceiving based on one conference being stronger than the other.

I think Ottawa is better than a few Western Conference teams, but still a bottom 5 team in the league
- sensarmy_11

I think Ottawa's offense is fine. If you added 2-3 competitive D-men to this roster, I truly believe that Ottawa would be contending for a playoff spot.

And that's not a homer comment-

Consider this:
If you take out Ceci's contract- who most would agree is a fringe NHL defenseman- the other 7 guys we have signed total $5.1 million. This scenario is plausible for what our D will look like next year- assuming that Dorion can dish Ceci onto someone.

In this scenario, most teams have 2-3 defenseman on their roster that make more than our entire D-corps.

Think about how ridiculous that is......

Now look at how Ottawa is losing games- allowing 35-40 shots every night. You can only put so much fault on the goaltending.

Nillson's last two wins have come on 40+ save performances.

EDIT:
To back this up-

Ottawa is currently ranked 11th in the NHL for GF/G.

As you probably guessed, they are dead last in GA/G, and SA/G.

I don't know about "much better"

I think the points totals are deceiving based on one conference being stronger than the other.

I think Ottawa is better than a few Western Conference teams, but still a bottom 5 team in the league
- sensarmy_11

Your correct too the numbers dont lie. This is where the conudrum is. Dorion has misread this team before and made bad decisions. And is likely his biggest fear to repeat believing in the team wrongly. Wich will likely be another bad decision. He is obviously a bad gm combined with a bad owner= disaster.

Watch Columbus. It looks like they will move Panarin and Bob. They want to make a serious run in the playoffs. Could they role over Panarin and Bob (Florida is asking) and combine the return to seek a deal with Ottawa for Duchene and Anderson?

Is there an injury reason for Ottawa bringing up Gustafson from Belleville?

The biggest changes that need to happen wont. Boucher. Dorion. Melynk all need to go
- spazzbot

Boucher... not bad, the other two 100% yes they need to go

Is there an injury reason for Ottawa bringing up Gustafson from Belleville?
- spatso

Anderson injured himself with a tennis ball. Seriously.

Anderson injured himself with a tennis ball. Seriously.
- david22

That's almost as dumb as injuring yourself with a knife while cooking..... Oh wait! lol

This team is much better than their record shows.
- Maverick1818

They are one of the worst defensive teams of this era in terms of giving up shots, they are exactly where they should be.

They are one of the worst defensive teams of this era in terms of giving up shots, they are exactly where they should be.
- Trevor Shackles

Where do you think they'd be if we added two capable, let's say 3/4 D-men in place of say Harpur and Ceci.

Where do you think they'd be if we added two capable, let's say 3/4 D-men in place of say Harpur and Ceci.
- Jordo

Personally I don't mind Harpur or Ceci, I think they are both good D. Ceci is over paid and not used properly though.

I also think it's time for Ceci to get a fresh start somewhere else both for his sake and to change the look of our D