While I was out yesterday buying my girlfriend a birthday present, I received a text message from my friend Chris asking me to blog about my opinions of the Sens/Fedorov rumors. I figured I would hold off on passing any judgments until the night of the trade deadline. After watching the Sens get slapped around by the Maple Leafs tonight, I think this would be the opportune time to give my thoughts on the sinking ship known as the Ottawa Senators.

While watching tonight's game with cousin Dick and our buddy Francois, a brutal Sens giveaway in the first period led Francois to proclaim, "The f 'ing Sens man...you can just see it. They just don't have it. I don't know why I bother watching, it's the same script from previous years. I already know how it's going to end."

Ah...to be a hockey fan in Ottawa. For those who have been fans since the team was reintroduced for the 1992 season, we have endured some bad hockey. For the younger fans or those fairweather fans who have jumped on the bandwagon during the late 1990's and early 2000's, we have been spoiled with fantastic regular seasons only to endure some agonizing playoff defeats. For these reasons, the fan base here in Ottawa is eternally pessimistic. We expect bad things to happen to this team. The Sens are only as good as their last win and they are always ten times worse than they actually are when they lose.

All that being said, it's difficult to argue with my friend's analysis. This year's Sens team looks dysfunctional, flawed, disinterested and eerily similar to the '06 Sens. There is no commitment to team defense and every time an opponent shoots the puck on net, the Sens Army holds its collective breath. The is year's team has frustrated fans because they essentially have the same core of guys from last season sans Mike Comrie, Tom Preissing, Peter Schaeffer. While these players logged some decent minutes, none of them were "difference" makers. I would even go on record to say that Schaeffer's playoff hair was a distraction to the team. The guy looked like he should have been the bassist for Good Charlotte.

If we have the same group of players who took us to the finals last year, why do we suck so much? Look no further than John Paddock. The fact that Paddock still has the Sens within a point of first place in the Eastern Conference is a reflection of three things: how talented the Sens are; how badly flawed the rest of the teams in the East are; and anyone with a functioning head and body can coach in NHL. Paddock is like the United Nations: in times of adversity, he talks tough but when push comes to shove, there is no accountability and consequently, people have lost all respect for the guy and he's left with no credibility. Dick is quick to ask when the last time an idiot coach won a Stanley Cup, Francois quickly brings up John Tortorella. Suddenly I feel a bit better.

More importantly, I want to know how the television crews know when to put the camera on him. Each time the camera pans on him, he adheres to the same routine: he looks up at the clock for 2 seconds and then stares blankly at the ice and shakes his head. HE DOES THIS EVERY TIME. Whenever I see the "Paddock Face" I cannot help but think that he realizes he is in over his head and that the team has quit on him.

Which brings us back to the Sens trade deadline rumors. Can the Sens make a deal or two to remedy their current woes? Or do they go status quo with the same team that took them to last year's Cup Finals?

With the trade deadline looming, Murray has to ask himself a question: Can a top 6 forward or another top 4 defenceman put us over the top or will such an acquisition only mask our problems? So far this season, the Sens have played a sloppy, soft and uninspired style of play. On too many nights this season, points have been lost because of poor defensive zone coverage and mediocre goaltending.

Compounding matters is the fact that many of our top players are battling injuries. Alfredsson (hip), Heatley (shoulder) and Fisher (groin, abs) have all been battling some nagging injuries and it shows on the ice. Our grittiest player, Chris Neil, sustained a knee injury against the Blue Jackets last week and will be out for a number of weeks. While his absence means 3 less dumb penalties per game, it also forces No-Trade Redden to step it up and defend himself against other 5'9" Russians. If these aforementioned forwards cannot get healthy, it will be difficult for the Sens to succeed in the postseason.

There has been lots of talk concerning trading Meszaros and or Vermette for a top forward. I cannot see either of these guys being moved without bringing back a player under contract who is entering their prime. Coming into an offseason in which you will be exposing Robitaille, Donavan, McAmmond, Redden, Richardson to unrestricted free agency, you cannot afford to lose your two of your youngest and most valuable roster players for a rental.

Rather than package one with a prospect or a pick, I would prefer to see one or both packaged for someone like an Olli Jokinen or trade their rights during the summer. Hell, if another teams signs either player to an offer sheet, let them leave and take back draft picks as compensation. This summer provides the best opportunity to purge our roster of the two goalies and Redden's salary will come off the books. If the Sens can create some cap flexibility, Murray will be able to put his stamp on the Sens roster while ridding it of any talent that John Muckler had previously brought in.

Apparently Ottawa is rumored to be heavily pursuing Marian Hossa. The thought of Hossa reminds me of an email that my friend Tim sent me after his trade to Atlanta. In his email, Tim wrote the top 4 reasons to be excited about Hossa's departure. Here they were:

If Ottawa has to make one move, trade Ray Emery.

Regardless of the Sens' activity as the trade deadline passes, I would expect Paddock to have a week or two to change the fortunes of the franchise. Since the majority of Murray's GM duties will be fulfilled after the deadline, it would not surprise me to see Bryan Murray leading the Sens into the playoffs.

Be honest with him...he has a better chance at winning the Cup elsewhere.

This probably has to go down as my most negative column yet...awesome.