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Ottawa Senators: A Great Dilemma Arises in 2019

By Alexander O'Reilly

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 24: Ottawa Senators Center Matt Duchene (95) waits for a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators on March 24, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 24: Ottawa Senators Center Matt Duchene (95) waits for a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators on March 24, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Ottawa Senators are in a situation that is incredibly rare to be in for NHL teams. They are without their first round pick in 2019 with a significant risk of missing the playoffs.

Normally the only teams that trade away their first round pick are teams that are in the playoffs and looking to make a deep run. The Ottawa Senators were a team that expected to be in that position this year. After all it was just a year ago that they were starting their series against the Penguins in the Conference Finals. However, since then the Sens have had one of the most devastating collapses of a team in recent history and finished second last in the league. With that finish, questions are raised about their situation next year.

At the beginning of the season the Ottawa Senators splurged on Matt Duchene in a massive blockbuster deal. In the deal they gave up a first round pick which they were able to choose to send either this year or next year. With the Sens drafting fourth this year they will obviously send their pick next year. However, what this does is put the Sens in a situation where they have no choice but to do well next season.

Without their 2019 first round pick the Sens will have no incentive to do poorly next season. As a result, they have to attempt to make the playoffs next season. They might sound like a good thing, but this isn’t the team that made a deep run in 2017. It’s going to be filled with rookies and young players. Additionally, staples of the lineup during that run such as Methot, Phaneuf, and Brassard are no longer with the team. With the huge changes over the past year the Sens might not be able to make the playoffs if they try. If they don’t make the playoffs and don’t have their pick it could be devastating for the franchise.

Next: Ottawa Senators Set To Draft 22nd Overall With Penguins Pick

The Predicament

The situation that the Ottawa Senators find themselves in is a terrible one. They are forced into a situation where they must make the playoffs. Anything short of that will result in a significant setback to the teams future.

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