Kevin Francis: Hockey Nation Live podcast tonight! A look at former Sens players!

I'm most looking forward to seeing Anderson come back, that shutout after being away to be with his wife was something I'll never forget.

I'm most looking forward to seeing Anderson come back, that shutout after being away to be with his wife was something I'll never forget.
- Ronninn

As a hockey fan period, many knowledgeable fans will never forget that moment with Anderson.

I do wonder how crazy it will be when Murray returns to Ottawa. He will be public enemy number one.

I do wonder how crazy it will be when Murray returns to Ottawa. He will be public enemy number one.
- PuckPix

I'm conflicted about that one. On one hand I'd completely understand him getting booed, but I'd feel really bad about it if it happened. It's not like the team was playing much D in front of him.

I'm most looking forward to seeing Anderson come back, that shutout after being away to be with his wife was something I'll never forget.
- Ronninn

I bet Nicole comes back to Ottawa with him for his first game back in Ottawa. The crowd would go nuts for him!

I'm conflicted about that one. On one hand I'd completely understand him getting booed, but I'd feel really bad about it if it happened. It's not like the team was playing much D in front of him.
- Ronninn

True, great point....no D but I think it's how he checked out with this team on a few occasions is why many fans might not be too welcoming when he comes back.

I do wonder how crazy it will be when Murray returns to Ottawa. He will be public enemy number one.
- PuckPix

Who knows if he even gets to play either game when Toronto comes to town, the way he's always injured.

I really hope both Connor Brown and Nick Paul get huge ovations, get their due when they return. It's a no brainer for Craig Anderson, he was loved here. But the Murray return will be odd, I wonder if the Sens even do a tribute video for him.

Who knows if he even gets to play either game when Toronto comes to town, the way he's always injured.
- Kevin Francis

If Murray isn't able to play either of the games in Ottawa, then the Leafs season is off the rails too and Dubas wont have a job for long.

If Murray isn't able to play either of the games in Ottawa, then the Leafs season is off the rails too and Dubas wont have a job for long.
- LawyerSens4Life

I think Murray will have a great start to the year then eventually meltdown like he has in Ottawa and Pitt.

If Murray isn't able to play either of the games in Ottawa, then the Leafs season is off the rails too and Dubas wont have a job for long.
- LawyerSens4Life

I think the Dubas question just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Leafs are out of cap runway. One commentator mused that the Leafs will dress as few as 18 players on some nights to stay cap compliant.

Dubas in last year of contract and he was not offered an extension. Matt Murray will decide if he has an NHL future.

"You know, when I heard where I was going ... I honestly felt like there weren't many places that were a better fit for me. I look at the roster, the young talent, the skill and speed they play with - that's where I feel like I thrive. And since I've been here, I've felt the vibe of the city and the team. I know Sens fans have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. I know they've been overlooked a lot for other Canadian teams, especially the other team in our province. I think even this year people aren't respecting the talent we have. I've played with that same chip mywhole life. I get it. And I love proving people wrong."

"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender,"

I hope Colin White has a 5 point night.

So, Leafs are going into opening night $4 under the cap.

It is going to get very ugly the more the season unfolds!

I hope Colin White has a 5 point night.
- Octavarium

I'm with you on that one!

So, Leafs are going into opening night $4 under the cap.

It is going to get very ugly the more the season unfolds!
- spatso

Wild!

I think the Dubas question just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Leafs are out of cap runway. One commentator mused that the Leafs will dress as few as 18 players on some nights to stay cap compliant.

Dubas in last year of contract and he was not offered an extension. Matt Murray will decide if he has an NHL future.
- spatso

Vegas had to do that last year for the last 5 or 6 games.

Anderson, Mark Stone and JG Pageau, havent seen any of them play live since they were here. Will get some solid claps from me.

Could you imagine if Brown re-signed here after his current contract ends? Would be an epic move.

Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
Debrincaat-Stutzle-Giroux
Brown-Pinto-Joseph
Formenton-Kastellic-Greig

Buy out Zaitsev and use the savings and dead money from Hamonic/Holden contracts to go after a quality UFA D (Klingberg, Dumba, Orlov, Klefbom, Severson, Dumoulin, Dunn)

Chabot-Zub (5.2)
Sanderson-Sanheim/Dumba/Dumoulin - (5.5-6.3)
Brannstrom-JBD/Thomson

Sens will be in conversation for playoff spot if they gain 23 points over last year and finish season with 96 points.

All eight East playoff teams finished with 100+ points. Need for all non playoff teams to rise up and improve on their winning percentage against top 8.

So, except for Sens games, I have committed to always cheer for the lower seeded East team in games against each other.

Hope Canadiens smoke the Leafs tonight. Looking forward to watching.

Sens will be in conversation for playoff spot if they gain 23 points over last year and finish season with 96 points.

All eight East playoff teams finished with 100+ points. Need for all non playoff teams to rise up and improve on their winning percentage against top 8.

So, except for Sens games, I have committed to always cheer for the lower seeded East team in games against each other.

Hope Canadiens smoke the Leafs tonight. Looking forward to watching.
- spatso

OTT is not picking up 23 points over last year with this coach no mater who they have in the line up.

OTT is not picking up 23 points over last year with this coach no mater who they have in the line up.
- Mithos

I am hoping that they will pick up most of the 23 points before Christmas. They really struggled before Christmas last year. Second half of the season they were decent.

If Smith wins Jack Adams this year, it will be because they struggled so badly last year. The Jack Adams will go to the East coach who is able to get his team to jump over Washington or Boston to grab a playoff spot.

OTT is not picking up 23 points over last year with this coach no mater who they have in the line up.
- Mithos

After the catastrophe of the 4-15-1 start, they went 29-27-6 over the next 62GP. That's a 85pts pace they maintained for 3/4 of a season without any of DeBrincat, Giroux, Pinto, or Sanderson on the roster. They'd only need to improve by another ~10pts on top of that pace to be in the playoff hunt, which seems more than feasible if they can get the season moving with some positive early results.

After the catastrophe of the 4-15-1 start, they went 29-27-6 over the next 62GP. That's a 85pts pace they maintained for 3/4 of a season without any of DeBrincat, Giroux, Pinto, or Sanderson on the roster. They'd only need to improve by another ~10pts on top of that pace to be in the playoff hunt, which seems more than feasible if they can get the season moving with some positive early results.
- khawk

A+

They took 9 of a possible 40 points from the first 20 games (.225 pace). They need to take points at .585 pace to hit 96. They need 24 points 11-7-2 in the first 20 games to be on pace for 96.

Pregame ceremony in Montreal. Class act.

Sense the crowd not fully engaged. Maybe they are expecting long season.

So, happy to have hockey back, really pumped for season.