4 Big Questions for the Ottawa Senators in 2020-21
There are Four Big Questions facing the Ottawa Senators in 2020-21.
We are getting close to the finish line when it comes to our 2020-21 NHL Season Previews, and today we are going to focus on the Ottawa Senators.
The Sens are in full rebuild mode right now and are trying to look ahead to a bright future after a few dysfunctional years, although craziness will always follow when you have Eugene Melnyk as your Owner.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
Anyway, the Senators were one of the seven teams to not make the postseason in 2019-20 and that will likely be the case again in 2020-21, especially as they will be stuck in the North Division which is very top-heavy.
However, there is hope that Ottawa will at least be competitive this year after General Manager Pierre Dorion added some grit, experience and leadership to a young locker room with a series of aggressive moves late in the offseason.
Plus, with Brady Tkachuk expected to take a step forward, a legit No. 1 starter in Matt Murray and the arrival of the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft in Tim Stuetzle, it should at least be entertaining for Sens fans.
So, without further ado, let’s delve into the 4 Big Questions facing the Ottawa Senators in the 2020-21 NHL Season…
4. Can Matt Murray get back to his best in 2020-21?
Life has a funny way of correcting itself. Once replacing a franchise icon in Marc-Andre Fleury and going on to win two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Matt Murray was hit with the same fate this offseason.
After being ravaged by injuries and loss of form over the last couple of years, the Penguins decided to move on from their franchise goaltender and instead put their faith in Tristan Jarry, who effectively ousted Murray in 2019-20.
As a result, Murray was dealt to the Ottawa Senators during the offseason and swiftly signed a four-year, $25 million contract.
Still only 26-years-old, which seems amazing given how long he’s been around the game, Murray is about to reach the peak of his powers and the Senators see him as their franchise goaltender and a leader who can help usher in an exciting new era for this franchise.
Yes, Murray endured a down year in 2019-20 with a 2.87 Goals Against Average and a .899 Save Percentage, going 20-11-5.
However, if he can stay healthy and rediscover the secret sauce that made him a key cog in those Penguins teams that won back-to-back Stanley Cups, then Matt Murray will be a huge asset to the Ottawa Senators and he could even be the difference in them sneaking into the Playoffs if everything works out.