Written by Graeme Nichols | 03 January 2009

"Playoffs?! Don't talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game!" ~ Jim Mora

In what is quickly becoming the most pressing issue of the campaign, there's still no more clarity from the experts regarding whether or not the Ottawa Senators are a Playoff calibre team. Currently sitting with 31 points, the Senators are tied for having the third worst record in the League. To make the Playoffs, the Sens are going to have to claim 59 points out of the 94 remaining points to reach the 90-point threshold -- typically the magic number that the 8th seed needs to play into the Spring. In other words, the Sens are going to have to win approximately 63-percent of their remaining games. With 47 games left in the season, it's still mathematically possible -- possible, but not likely -- to make the Playoffs.

Everyone's favorite eternal optimist, Bruce Garrioch, wrote a piece indicating management hasn't given in yet regarding this season. He really put himself out there by indicating that Bryan Murray might be fielding offers for San Jose's first-round pick. You have to love Bruce though, anyone with a sub-headline that reads, Are the Senators legitimate contenders or simply also-rans? The next four games could tell the tale, deserves a pat on the back.

Now, I may be a bit cynical these days but I'm thinking that the going rate for a late first rounder isn't a puck-moving d-man, a goalie and some secondary scoring. Why give up a future asset when there are too many holes to fill. I have some faith left in Bryan Murray, but I don't think that the man can walk on water -- only Carey Price can do that.

When you think of trading the first rounder now, it's not a very palatable idea. While trading for an established player may be some short-term fix, there's no guarantee that the team could make up enough room in the standings to reach the highly coveted 8th seed and a probable first round matchup with the Boston Bruins. (A highly undesirable consequence right now for the sole reason that Tim Thomas owns Ottawa).

Instead, I'd prefer to see Ottawa maximize the San Jose pick's value by parlaying it to move up a few slots on draft day. For a franchise that lacks a noted blue-chip prospect, a proper rebuild should be contingent upon drafting one this summer.

The Philadelphia Flyers Model:

Lately, I've read a lot of web-content mirroring Ottawa's situation to that of the Philadelphia Flyers from a couple of seasons ago. While there are some obvious similarities, I think it's important to consider that Ottawa doesn't have the young and promising players who are ready to contribute on an immediate basis. Without these high-ceiling prospects (ie. Pitkanen, Carter, Richards) in the system, it could take longer to rebuild this team than most people would like to admit.

Roster Moves:

If Ottawa winds up entering a rebuilding or retooling phase, the only ones who will benefit from Cody Bass' season-ending shoulder surgery will be one of McAmmond or Donovan. With Bass' injury, there's one less Ottawa prospect ready to assume a regular role with the club.

Martin Gerber will make his third straight start tonight against the Maple Leafs. Since Alex Auld has left his glass slipper at the ball and Gerber's recaptured the starter's job, it was inevitable that Garrioch would start pushing the Elliott button. I'm just surprised it has taken this long. I guess when the Spezza rumors and the quick fix rumors run their course, Bruce will now have something else to drag out.

Binghamton Senators G Brian Elliott was named the AHL's goalie of the month for December. He finished with a 7-2-0 record in 11 games with a 1.79 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. He allowed two goals or fewer in nine of 11 games for the Baby Sens. ~ Bruce Garrioch, The Ottawa Sun

It makes you wonder at what point we'll see Elliott get a chance with the big club. Given his entry-level deal expires after this season, you'd figure it's only a matter of time before management gives him the opportunity to prove himself at the NHL-level. Or maybe Murray purposely plans on giving Elliott as few games as possible to prevent him from receiving a bigger payday.

With the return to health from both Anton Volchenkov and Jesse Winchester, Ilya Zubov has been returned back to Binghamton. What I've never really understood about Ottawa is that they've never really put their prospects in a position to succeed when promoted. Rather than being placed in their natural roles, prospects usually wind up playing 6-8 minutes with Donovan and ... Hmmm, I was going to criticize the coaching staff for handicapping Zubov's production but I just remembered that there are no offensive players beyond the Big 3 for Zubov to play with. Shucks.

The Great Swedish Hype:

OTTAWA -- The Ottawa Senators have lost seven of their last nine games and have been kicked out of their building for the World Junior tournament, creating an eight-game road trip. The Sens sit 12th in the Eastern Conference, have five games remaining on this epic roadie, and there is speculation about the future of head coach Craig Hartsburg.

But there is good news, Sens fans.

On Monday, after a 10-1 demolition of Latvia, the head coach of Sweden's junior team was hit with a barrage of questions about manchild defenceman Victor Hedman, the potential first overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft.

After being peppered by several Canadian reporters on several Hedman-related topics, Par Marts asked why the press corps was so interested in just one player.

Why not? Came the response. Who's better than Hedman?

Marts nodded his head to the left, where defenceman Erik Karlsson was doing interviews. Karlsson, the Senators' first pick in the 2008 draft, is better, the coach said. Or at least he was better on Monday, with a goal and two assists to Hedman's single helper.

Perhaps Sens general manager Bryan Murray can ask Sweden to just leave Karlsson behind. ~ Matthew Sekeres, The Globe & Mail

Anonymous Comments Are the Best! Here's the last comment from my previous blog entry.

This blog sucks!!! Just deleted from favs. No updates for days???
Good bye!!!!!!!!! ~ Anonymous

If anyone wants to know what I'll be doing after watching tonight's game, I'll be crying myself to sleep while eating a bucket of ice cream. Maybe it's not too late to re-examine my position on whether Sens fans are fickle enough not to endure a rebuild?

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