When will the Senators make the playoffs to end the rebuild?

The Senators may not have had the greatest start, but there definitely is optimism now in the nation’s capital because of their solid play of late.

23 games into the season the Sens were sitting at 11-11-1 and only a couple of points out of the playoff spot. This was very unexpected, and their lost a few games subsequently after that. But that did show us Sens fans a glimpse at what looks to be a very promising future.

With one of the best prospect pools in the league and management that is now willing to open up the wallet for big name players like Colin White and Thomas Chabot.

Reasons for optimism are growing by the day, and it doesn’t look like it will be stopping any time soon.

So that leaves us with one question.

When will the Senators actually get over the hump and into the playoffs?

Well it could very well happen much sooner than expected. Right now the Sens aren’t near the playoff spot, as they are in 28th place in the league.

But don’t worry at the trade deadline this year the Sens will likely trade away many assets in exchange for young players, prospects and picks.

While the return won’t be as glamorous as last years package, it will help set us up for many years of “unparalleled success”, as owner Eugene Melnyk puts it.

Players that will most probably be traded at or around the deadline include, Vladislav Namestnikov, Ron Hainsey, Dylan Demelo and maybe even Craig Anderson, Connor Brown and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Although I wouldn’t put money on those particular players being traded.

So I think a good estimate of when their playoff arrival will be is the 2021-22 season. But I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they make it in the 2020-21 season.