One member of popular podcast predicts Senators will miss playoffs this season
When a team is in a playoff drought since 2017 like the Ottawa Senators, it's easy to predict that the team will miss the playoffs in 2025.
With another new head coach in Travis Green, more pressure is on the Senators to make the playoffs in 2025. However, the Senators are getting closer to having a breakthrough and making the playoffs.
However, not everyone seems to be on board that the Senators have the ability to sneak in the playoffs. Another popular face from a popular podcast has predicted the Senators to miss out on the playoffs again for the eighth consecutive season.
Ryan Whitney of the Spittin' Chiclets Podcast has Senators missing playoffs in 2025
Former NHL defenseman Ryan Whitney is no stranger to the Senators. Whitney played against the Senators twice in the playoffs when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007 and 2008. Whitney has predicted that the Senators won't make the playoffs in 2025.
"I think that the Ottawa Senators will miss out," Whitney said on the podcast.
Whitney predicted that either one of three teams: Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings or Senators will make the playoffs. Whitney believes the Atlantic Division is "too hard" for the Senators.
It's understandable why Whitney can think the Senators will miss the playoffs, but one key thing that can help them big this season is goaltending. For years the Senators have had goaltending issues, but trading for Linus Ullmark, the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner, gives the Senators a real chance to make the playoffs in 2025.
Every goaltender who played a game last season for the Red Wings had a goal against average over three. Although the Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkone had a great season in goal last season, not everyone is sold on the Sabres who haven't made the playoffs since 2011. This is where the perfect time comes for the Senators to silence critics and make the playoffs.
While Ullmark will be the key factor for Ottawa's success, Ottawa has a better supporting cast around them than it years past. The Senators are led by their superstar duo of Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle, but Drake Batherson has turned into one of the most underrated players in the NHL. Claude Giroux and Nic Jensen have the ability to provide good veteran leadership. Michael Amadio and Nick Cousins will also bring in their championship pedigree. Amadio was on the Vegas Golden Knights' 2023 Stanley Cup championship team. Cousins was on the Florida Panthers' 2024 Stanley Cup championship team.
Two young players looking to take big steps this season is defenseman Jake Sanderson and center Shane Pinto. If Ottawa gets these two to have breakout years at their young ages, the team will be a lot better this season.
"If the Sens get in, as much as I've (bleeped) on them, I would be happy," Whitney said on the podcast.
Whitney wants to see the Senators have success along with the rest of the Senator fans. The Senators have a chance to make the playoffs this season, and making the playoffs would prove Whitney and a lot of other people wrong about them missing the playoffs in 2025.