Ottawa Senators Season Recap

While the 2022-2023 season may not have gone according to plan for the Ottawa Senators, there were still plenty of bright spots for the team to build on moving forward.

One of the key areas of optimism for the Senators is the performance of their young players. Alexander Holtz and Quinton Byfield, in particular, showed flashes of their potential throughout the season. Holtz, a 20-year-old winger, was a force on the power play, scoring 9 goals and 13 points in that role alone. Meanwhile, Byfield, a 19-year-old center, showed off his skill and playmaking ability, recording 15 assists in just 42 games played.

The Senators' commitment to youth was also evident in their decision to trade away veteran defenseman John Carlson at the trade deadline. While Carlson had been a key contributor for the team in recent seasons, the Senators recognized that they needed to prioritize the development of their young players over short-term success. This move, coupled with the earlier trade of Tyler Seguin, signaled a clear shift towards a more youth-focused approach for the Senators.

Another source of optimism for the Senators is the addition of Brock Boeser to the team earlier in the season. Boeser, a former first-round pick, has struggled with injuries throughout his career but has shown flashes of his immense potential when healthy. The Senators are hoping that Boeser can stay healthy and be a key contributor for the team next season.

Of course, the Senators will also need their established veterans to step up if they hope to make a return to the playoffs in the coming years. Anze Kopitar and Evgeni Malkin, in particular, will need to lead the way for the team. While both players had solid seasons statistically, they will need to take on even larger roles if the Senators hope to return to the postseason.

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing the Senators heading into the offseason will be addressing their ongoing issues in goaltending. The team's netminders struggled throughout the season, with no one stepping up to claim the starting job outright. The Senators will need to decide whether to invest in a veteran goaltender or continue to develop their young prospects in the net.

Despite these challenges, there is reason to believe that the Senators can turn things around in the coming years. The team has a solid group of young players, including Holtz and Byfield, who could be the foundation for a successful future. They also have a number of draft picks in the coming years, giving them the opportunity to continue to add top-tier talent to their roster.

Ultimately, the 2022-2023 season may have been a disappointment for the Senators, but it was also a valuable learning experience. The team's commitment to youth and building for the future is admirable, and there are plenty of reasons for optimism moving forward. If the Senators can continue to develop their young players, address their weaknesses on the ice, and get key contributions from their established veterans, they could be a team to watch in the coming seasons.