Is There ANY Silver Lining To Erik Karlsson’s Injury? Where Do The Ottawa Senators Go From Here
Devastated is the best word to describe how Sens Army, and the team itself must feel this morning. Already without one of the top forwards in the NHL, the Senators saw any hopes of being contenders dash with one slice of Matt Cooke‘s skate blade.
Feb 12, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) shoots on Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) in the third period at Scotiabank Place. The Senators defeated the Sabres 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
But, can anything be done to salvage the season? First off, there will be many knee-jerk reactions. Make a trade, call up Cody Ceci, or other hairbrained ideas will be tossed out there, but the Senators must just hold the line. They weren’t going to be able to replace Jason Spezza, and they certainly can’t replace Erik Karlsson, unless Bobby Orr wants to come out of retirement.
Cody Ceci might be a very good NHL defenseman, but he simply isn’t ready yet. There isn’t an offensive answer in Binghamton (Brett Lebda is the highest scoring blueliner in Binghamton). The Senators are going to have to ride with the players that they have now. Patrick Wiercioch will be given more offensive responsibilities but it is foolish to think that he can replace what Karlsson gave them.
The only comparable to what the Senators are going through would be for Pittsburgh to lose Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang for the season. But then they would still have Evgeni Malkin. Ottawa doesn’t have that luxury.
Craig Anderson will really have to be Superman, as he has been coined the last couple of days by some media members. And Daniel Alfredsson, as smart and wily as he is, really must be the God that Siri is talking about, if the Senators are going to make the playoffs.
It is more like they will become contenders in the Seth Jones/Nathan MacKinnon discussion than the Stanley Cup conversation. That would be the only silver lining possible that would come out of such a devastating event. Not much good news in Sens land today.