2005 OTTAWA SENATORS PREVIEW

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2005-06 Ottawa Senators preview

(MySportsbook.com) - The Ottawa Senators are a changed team. At least that's the hope.

All they have to show for their success in recent seasons are several early- round defeats and one measly trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. The 03-04 season once again concluded with them falling to the rival Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs.

Since that time the entire operation has been revamped. Brian Murray replaced Jacques Martin as head coach, Dominik Hasek moved to the crease for Patrick Lalime and Dany Heatley came to town while the enigmatic Radek Bonk left.

We'll begin with Murray, who left a cushy GM gig in Anaheim to go back to the rigors of coaching. Hasek, meanwhile, hopes a year off will help him stay healthy, and Heatley is banking on a change of scenery doing him good.

In addition, with the exception of Bonk, Marian Hossa, who was shipped in the Heatley trade, and Todd White, the bulk of the dangerous forward corps remains. Daniel Alfredsson, Martin Havlat and Mike Fisher are still in the fold, and former first-rounder Jason Spezza hopes to bring things up a notch.

The Sens hope their re-tooling will help them adjust to the new NHL landscape, but more importantly help them stay at or near the top of the Northeast Division. A lot of their fate will depend on Hasek's aging groin, but considering the upside if he is healthy it's a risk worth taking.

FORWARDS - Hossa was the team's leading scorer in 03-04, but making the deal for Heatley was something that had to be done. Prior to the tragic auto accident that killed former Thrashers teammate Dan Snyder, Heatley was on the cusp of superstardom. He posted 41 goals and 48 assists in 2002-03, including 39 points (19g, 20a) on the power play. Things were sidetracked as he recovered from injuries last season, but he still managed 13 goals and 12 assists in 31 games. The hope is that putting the distractions that were with him in Atlanta on the backburner will help him become the franchise-type player he's expected to be.

That, of course, would be golden considering the Sens already have a franchise in Alfredsson. The Swede tallied 32 goals and 48 assists in 77 games during the 03-04 campaign, spearheading one of the league's premier offensive attacks.

Havlat, meanwhile, has been a star since his rookie season five years ago, but his production has steadily increased every year. He was third on the club with a career-high 68 points in 03-04, giving the Sens arguably the best right wing combination in the league along with Alfredsson and Heatley. Although we could see Havlat playing on the left side as well.

A wild card for Ottawa will be center Jason Spezza, who played his first full season with the club in 03-04. He tallied 22 goals and 33 assists in 78 games, and continued his development skating for Binghamton (AHL) during the lockout. He's expected to be a star who can score and make plays, and this is the year he will need to prove it.

Veterans Brian Smolinski and Mike Fisher will also be in the mix at center, while Peter Schaefer will be counted upon at left wing. Schaefer has been a guy who can score in the teens, but the club would like to see that increase as he is now the first or second line LW.

DEFENSE - Zdeno Chara has become more than just a big body for the Sens, as he was a finalist for the Norris Trophy in 03-04. He posted 16 goals, 25 assists, a plus-33 rating and 147 penalty minutes, and was first among club blueliners with 185 shots.

Wade Redden, meanwhile, has become one of the NHL's top all-around rearguards and could find himself contending for a Norris himself one day. Chris Phillips, meanwhile, might not be living up to his billing as a former No. 1 overall selection, but is a big guy who can log minutes in the second pairing. Anton Volchenkov is a guy the team has been really high on, as he weighs in at 6-1, 227 pounds and knows how to utilize those attributes.

The team will miss Greg de Vries, who was as steady as they come. He was dealt to Atlanta in the Heatley deal. However, what they have outweighs what they are missing, so expect the Senator defense to anchor any success the team enjoys. The corps has a perfect mix of size, skating ability and offensive skill, all of which should help the club thrive under the new rules.

GOALTENDING - Hasek missed most of 03-04 with Detroit due to his recurring groin problems, and the fact that he is going to turn 41 in January hardly helps matters. But considering he is one of the game's all-time greats, you have to analyze him assuming he is healthy. If that is the case, he's a sure upgrade from the inconsistent Patrick Lalime. Hasek did perform well when healthy, going 8-3-2 with a 2.20 goals-against average in 14 starts during the last season.

If Hasek does miss time with injury, Ray Emery will need to step in. Emery is now the backup, as Martin Prusek went to Columbus. Emery has spent most of the last three seasons playing in Binghamton. Last year for the "Baby Sens" he went 28-18-5 with a 2.65 GAA and .910 save percentage.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE - The Sens will face some competition in the Northeast Division, as Boston has improved and Toronto will always be a thorn in their side. However, this club is built to thrive under the new rules in every facet, so expect them to be in the mix as Cup contender. Their gumption has been questioned in the past, and it's still something that must be accounted for. With a new coach and some new blood in the veins, things may move in the right direction.

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