2023-09-01 18:10:16
Amid a six-year playoff drought, head coach DJ Smith believes the Ottawa Senators are ready to step up this season.
The Sens will, however, have a good challenge ahead of them, as the Eastern Conference looks very competitive next season.
The Senators finished six points out of the playoffs last season. They acquired a new goaltender during the offseason by signing free agent Joonas Korpisalo. The former Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings signed a five-year deal worth $20 million.
Ottawa also traded forward Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings for a draft pick and Dominik Kubalik. Vladimir Tarasenko has also arrived in the Canadian capital.
“At the end of the day, it’s just regarding winning,” Smith told Postmedia regarding his expectations for the next campaign. We just have to find ways to win. I have to make sure Tarasenko is at his best, Claude Giroux and Drake Batherson are at their best and I have to make sure everyone feels important. »
“If we look at the Eastern Conference, I think 14 teams can hope to make the playoffs. We will have to push ourselves to be part of the eight best formations. I think our young players have taken the lead last year and they are often the best players on the ice. »
The Sens’ young core includes forwards Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, Josh Norris, Batherson and defender Jake Sanderson. Ottawa will also be able to count on guard Jakob Chychrun for a full season following acquiring him from the Arizona Coyotes.
Entering his fifth season with Ottawa, the 46-year-old coach has targeted puck possession as an area where the Senators can improve this season to move up the standings.
“We are trying to find ideas to better move the puck in the three zones. We will have to have the puck a lot more so that we don’t always have to defend in our territory. We would like to finish in the top 10 this season, that would be awesome,” Smith concluded.
The Senators will face the Carolina Hurricanes to open their season on Oct. 11.
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