Advantages of a Canadian Division for the Ottawa Senators
The prospect of a Canadian Division in the NHL is the kind of thing that fans have dreamed about for years. Despite the fact that the Ottawa Senators still find themselves in the midst of a rebuild, this proposal could provide some much-needed entertainment to a fanbase in need, after a few years of doom and gloom.
I’m not going to sit here and pretend I have any idea about what the NHL is actually doing next season. Is there even going to be a season? That’s anybody’s guess.
The leading option could see Canadian teams not only play each other all regular season but in the opening two rounds of the playoffs, too... https://t.co/PB6ZsLuabH
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 24, 2020
For the sake of this argument, let’s pretend the rumours are true and the NHL has its eyes set on a division featuring all seven of Canada’s teams, battling it out for the bragging rights of an entire nation.
This would likely come with a shortened regular season, we’ll say 48 games (like the lockout-shortened 2013 season), which means the Senators would play the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers eight times each.
I’ll also throw in a rumoured playoff clause too, which could see Canadian teams battle it out in the first two rounds of the playoffs as well. The Senators are more of a long-shot for this, but crazier things have happened.
Now that we’ve established some realistic rules, we can examine what advantages this theoretical season actually poses to the Senators and their fans.
Big Rivalries Showcased
More games against the Maple Leafs and Canadiens? Sign me up. In theory, this one could be equally as frustrating and heart-wrenching, but doubling up on the number of times Ottawa typically sees both in a season is all positive for me.
I’m not going to pretend the Senators stack up to either of these teams yet. But the chance of watching the young Senators test themselves in big games against one of the league’s elites in Toronto, and a team that took massive steps this offseason in Montreal, would be sweet entertainment value.
The hatred between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs goes back a long time, but in many ways has lost a lot of sting throughout the Senators’ rebuild. What better way to put the Battle of Ontario back on the league-wide radar by playing it out eight times?
I haven’t even factored in the recent history in Ontario. The Senators and Maple Leafs have done plenty of business together and recent times, most notably with Head Coach D.J Smith, RW Connor Brown and D Nikita Zaitsev linking up with the team. It adds a whole other layer to this complex story. The pressure on Toronto to be the best in this Canadian division would also add an element of must-win into each fixture, and giving the Senators the opportunity to play spoiler. Sounds like a good mix.
On the Montreal side, this rivalry peaked during a pair of memorable playoff series in 2013 and 2015, where each side took a win. With eight regular-season games, it essentially makes their season series like the playoffs. Montreal has lots to prove after a big-spending off-season, and like Toronto, would see eight games against a lesser Ottawa side as must-win.
The pressure on Ottawa’s two biggest national rivals to beat them puts the Senators in a cozy underdog spot, with essentially no expectation from their own fanbase. I see no reason to not love this. The idea of Brady Tkachuk getting under the skin of two entire fanbases should be enough to sell anyone on the idea.
Seeing More of Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid is the best hockey player in the world right now. Bar none. I’m sure that I’m not the only one that wishes Ottawa got to play him more than twice a year. His brilliance is something that all hockey fans deserve to see, all the time.
Under a Canadian division, Senators fans could see that brilliance on display in a way they may never be able to again. Yes, I know that lots of Senators fans will be arguing that this makes it harder for the team to win games, and we should want them to face worse players, but let’s keep it realistic: the Senators still aren’t making the playoffs, so let’s appreciate some opposing talent before it matters.
Just watch the above video. McDavid is a machine. If you think like me, you would say it’s a pretty cool chance for the team’s own budding superstar in Tim Stuetzle to learn what it’s like to play against the very best in the world consistently. I’m all for this.
Plus, former Senators Kyle Turris and Tyler Ennis linked up with the Oilers this off-season, and we all like a good reunion.
No Expectations
Let’s be real, the Senators aren’t making the playoffs next year. Despite the fact that they’ve swapped out two of the best teams in the league, in Boston and Tampa, out of their division, quality opponents are still coming in that the Senators can’t quite match yet.
The Senators were the only team in Canada that didn’t get to participate in the NHL’s bubble playoffs last year and still seem like the only team in the division that won’t be at least on the fringe of post-season qualification next year. But that’s okay!
The Senators are super young, definitely headed in the right direction and had a decent offseason. They don’t need to make the playoffs next year, and likely won’t, so why not bow out in an entertaining way at least?
This would give fans the once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch the team’s young core play in meaningful games every single night, in which they don’t have to care about the outcome? Am I selling you on this yet?
Other Advantages
This is never going to happen again!
Yeah, 2020 has thrown a lot at all of us and it has put the future of the league as a whole in a really interesting place. One guarantee though, is that this divisional re-alignment would only be temporary. Why not embrace this insanity while we have the chance?
The Tank
You should’ve gotten the vibe throughout this piece that I don’t expect much from this team next season, and neither should you! On paper, the Senators really can’t compete with any of their Canadian rivals next year, and barring something crazy, look destined to finish last-place in this division. Yeah, another year of losing would be rough, but a stronger chance at another top-five pick would make this whole endeavour worthwhile.
We seriously need any kind of hockey at this point.
It’s been over eight months since the Ottawa Senators have played an NHL game. I miss them and will take anything at this point.