Advantages of a Canadian Division for the Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 24: Brothers Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators and Matthew Tkachuk #19 the Calgary Flames pose for a photo during warm up prior to a game at Canadian Tire Centre on February 24, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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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?

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