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The preseason provided the Ottawa Senators with some answers, but the biggest question as the games really begin remains how long the club can survive without Brady Tkachuk.
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Senators fans are still caught between a Tkachuk and a tough spot, as stalled contract talks between the star left winger and management hang like a cloud over Thursday’s season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I didn’t see this in mid-July that it was going to look like this with Brady and the injuries (of Colin White and Austin Watson),” Senators coach DJ Smith said after Sunday’s practice at Canadian Tire. Center. “But part of training is getting the best out of your guys. The best team does not always win on paper. We have to find, as a staff, the best way to score some points here early until these guys recover, until Brady gets here. “
The players took a breather on Monday, preparing for what lies ahead, but over the past few weeks, Tkachuk’s teammates have taken a “it’s just a business” stance to deflect rumors that the negotiations will turn into one. distraction.
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“It all comes down to being a pro, every day coming out on the court and doing what is asked of you,” said right winger Connor Brown, who, now entering his third season with the Senators, has become a voice. louder in the locker room.
“(Tkachuk) is a big part of the team and we hope that he will arrive soon, but for us, we have to deal with what we have in front of us. I’m sure all the guys want him here (to start the season), but we have to plan like he’s not here. “
For fans who have watched the carefree Tkachuk become a commanding presence, here’s some lost innocence.
Tkachuk has been a bargain for the Senators while playing on his entry-level contract in his first three NHL seasons, but when he shared a room with Josh Norris and Tim Stuetzle in a fraternity like last season’s setup, the theme was all about the sheer joy of the trio living life as young hockey players.
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Now, however, it comes down to the principles involved in signing a short-term or long-term contract and Tkachuk’s confidence in the future of the organization.
Both sides have taken some blows from the fanbase for failing to find a compromise and allowing the stalemate to drag on to what could be a turning point in the season. A possible playoff spot is up for grabs.
In terms of trying to fill Tkachuk’s vacancy, Smith spent the preseason schedule moving his existing forwards to find the best fit.
On that front, there were some welcome signs for the senators.
“Some guys got separated through camp,” Smith said.
Shane Pinto successfully responded to the challenge of taking on second-line center duties. With Josh Norris continuing to prove that he can be a number one center, there is hope for a young and solid 1-2 punch in the middle.
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Alex Formenton’s hands appear to have risen as the left winger led the team on the preseason scoreboard.
Brown and Nick Paul brought their world championship gold medal Canadian team chemistry to camp and provided a two-way presence that should allow them to take on the main lines of opposition.
Stuetzle also appears to be somewhere in the first two lines and ended up camping at Tkachuk’s old place on the front line alongside Norris and Drake Batherson.
Beyond that, though, forward depth is a concern, magnified by the loss of White to a season-ending shoulder injury and Watson, who will be out for a month with an ankle injury.
In a way, White was a “tweener,” an effective third-line center who could move up depending on the circumstances. Watson provided a physical advantage to protect the star forwards and was used as a penalty shootout killer.
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“We are certainly a little thinner,” Smith said. But saying that, you never know. This is how you sometimes find a player. You don’t know if there is a boy who comes from the minors or you pick him up and suddenly … you see these boys all the time that they are in our league ”.
In some final adjustments Monday, the annoying Parker Kelly was called up from the AHL’s Belleville to become part of the 23-player roster to open the season. Andrew Agozzino approved the waivers and joined Belleville.
“I see everything really positive, and there’s no time for negativity anyway,” Smith said. “The door is open for someone and if we find a hockey player through this experience, that will help us later.”
On defense, the Senators mixed and matched during the exhibition schedule, with the only certainty that Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub will play together.
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Erik Brannstrom, who entered camp still auditioning for a full-time position in the NHL, had a solid showing, as did Nick Holden, who was acquired from Las Vegas in the trade for Evgenii Dadonov.
The Senators are expected to have a hard time scoring, putting even more pressure on goalkeepers from Matt Murray and Anton Forsberg, with Filip Gustavsson waiting backstage at Belleville.
Murray’s preseason performance was heartwarming after their struggles last season. A replay of his .893 save percentage won’t be enough, but Murray says he’s much more comfortable on the crease this time.
Regarding the big picture expectations, Murray says, “I think we’re just looking to take things one day at a time.”
Meanwhile, Senators fans also wake up every day hoping for a resolution that somehow brings Tkachuk back into the lineup.
Reference-ottawasun.com