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Posted by Gord Wilson on April 23, 2009 Hi everyone and greetings from the home office, where I sit after spending the past two weeks pondering the Senators season that was. My apologies for getting this final blog on the website so late. I actually had it done and sent earlier in the week, but it seems I lost some of my technical skills between the end of the season and this week. In any case, lets start by stating the obvious ... this was a season filled with much disappointment. This was a season that started with a tonne of promise, but didn't live up to the positive anticipation I think all Senators fans began with. No question there was added excitement with the team starting the year in Europe. Looking back on it now, I think the schedule somewhat played a role in how this team performed over the seven-month season. Let's start with the schedule. When we ask players about the schedule throughout the season, the standard answer is ..." it is what it is." Fair enough. But at times, this schedule was unfair. Five games in eight days through three different time zones, for example. Granted, the Senators went 4-0-1 over that February stretch, but did that road trip have an affect on the club when it returned home? Or when it went out on another six-game trip just a few short weeks later? The World Junior Championship was a wonderful tournament for our city. But it meant a struggling hockey team had to leave its home for eight straight games at a crucial time of the year. All that being said, the schedule "was what it was." Watch for things to be different next season. The final point I'd like to make about this team and how this season unfolded has to do with the players themselves. Clearly, this was a year of collective underachieving. It's fine for a team to survive having two or three of its players going through slumps at various points of the season, but the Senators had to endure at least half a dozen players go through those kind of stretches at the same time. And there's just not enough depth on the club to overcome something like that. Heck, there's not enough depth on any team to have that many players go into the tank. The Boston Bruins had seven 20-goal scorers this year. Where would they be if only two or three scored that many? One common phrase you often hear players say after a disappointing game or season is "it's something we can learn from." Well, that better hold true this coming season. General manager Bryan Murray held the course during the trade deadline period, because he has a belief in a number of players that helped him get to the Stanley Cup final a couple of years ago. I believe he'll hold the course through the summer as well, because of a belief that these players can learn from what they experienced and can be better for it. Don't get me wrong, there will be change to this team. But the established core will likely remain intact. Combine that with the possibility of goalie Pascal Leclaire returning to form and this team should be top four in the conference again. I really believe that. And the players should as well. Coach Cory Clouston has established a different kind of work ethic and attitude and will only add and build on that in the fall. Let's face it, losing sucks. Or at least let's hope the players have learned that it does. Much thanks to all who've frequented this blog throughout the season. It's been a blast. Bookmark the website, because I'm sure I'll be blogging from time to time throughout the playoffs and in the off-season. As well, make sure you check Sens TV periodically. My guess is we'll be introducing you to a few new Senators in the next few months. Have a safe and happy summer, and I look forward to more of this in September. Cheers, Gord Wilson |
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