How the Senators' implosion proved inevitable despite their deep playoff run

The Ottawa Senators shocked everyone when they pushed the Penguins to a game seven, double-overtime finale of 2017's Eastern Conference Finals. They over-performed, they got lucky, they shouldn't have made it that far - but they were there. The Sens sat on the doorstep to competing for the franchise's first-ever Stanley Cup. And then, poof.
Not only did they lose that game, but everything that their magical run momentarily covered up came fully into view. Their destruction came from within and as the months rolled by it proved that no matter what the players had done on the ice in 2017, their demise was inevitable.
**CORRECTION: at 7:05, the Senators hosted Montreal, not Toronto as said in the video. I (Will) apologize to both fanbases for mixing up the two of you. This was an honest mistake and not intended to be a slight from a Red Wings fan.
Edited by Charlotte Atkinson
Motion graphics by Tyson Whiting
Written and produced by Will Buikema
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[@SecretBaseSBN]

If you're here because you're a Sens fan, I (Will, voice in the video, hi!) would appreciate you taking a second to contribute if you can to the Silver Seven gofundme. This video wouldn't have been possible without Nate over at Silver Seven, not to mention all of the countless pieces the team there wrote over the years, and now they need help to keep doing what they do so well: gofund.me/d6a4b57c

[@eamonsmith9354]

Erik Karlsson’s peak was absolutely ridiculous, dude carried the Sens on one leg

[@Kanders190]

Literally, on some occasions.

[@MrOctober44]

His rapid decline is absolutely ridiculous.

[@HogEnjoyer]

@@MrOctober44 Karlsson didn’t rapidly decline, he’s been on a fairly slow and steady decline that started in his last two seasons in Ottawa, with a notable down year in 20-21. Last year he bounced back a bit and if you exclude that worst year in 20-21 his decline has been relatively slow and consistent, spanning a period of time that includes multiple seasons with both Ottawa and San Jose. It’s really a shame he had that achilles injury *before* he hit his peak because we were all robbed of witnessing the career Karlsson could and should have had.

[@SpiralstaticXX]

@@MrOctober44 his decline started the day Matt Cooke drove a blade into his achilles.

[@zacharywoodman6445]

Seriously, if he were on a legit contending team during his peak where he was not shouldering all the defense dragging Methot along and had more forwards who he could get the puck to, he could have put up some truly gaudy numbers and would have won more Norrises. Heck, he should have more Norrises as it is. There was a year or two there where he had a legit claim to be the best player in the world.

[@garrettclardy943]

As someone who isn’t a traditional hockey fan, it’s always fun for me to learn more about teams that came close to winning it all but unfortunately collapsed.

[@matthewperrella2649]

And as a flames fan, I loved watching Ottawa Fall

[@dallashall5102]

You’ll love “Toronto maple leafs: 50 year legacy of failure” by urinating tree then

[@livetotell100]

I'm a Penguin fan, and Ottawa didn't collapse. They were good. Their Defense was 2nd to none. You talk about all the injuries they had. The Penguins were the walking wounded by that series. It was even by game 7. Out of all the Conference games the Pens played since the early 90's, this one scared me the most.

[@matthewperrella2649]

@@livetotell100 as an organization, they did collapse… that’s the video series premise.

[@alcitrullo3124]

@@dallashall5102 I'm a die hard Leaf fan. Not my fault, blame my parents. I totally agree with you about that video by urinating tree haha

[@nwilson5689]

This video is going to hurt, but it’s an important part of hockey history. I’ll never forget the short lived glory of the 1-3-1

[@CaesarSalad19]

Dude the 1-3-1 is why I’m so scared as a Kings fan. We are running it rn and I just know that it is gonna blow up and with the HORRIBLE defense to start the year I’m scared that it is blowing up rn

[@brettmurray2473]

The system

[@TheEDFLegacy]

I remember being in college in the mid-2000s and this was during the PIZZA era. It was that team that started my love of the NHL. Although I don't really follow the Senators anymore, I will always appreciate them for bringing me into enjoying the sport.

[@brettmurray2473]

@@TheEDFLegacy the team they have right now is the closest to that era. It's in the early stages but trending towards a really exciting team.

[@greggreg5189]

@@CaesarSalad19 as a habs fan i get it

[@genoesposito2895]

Always happy to see Hockey content in this channel.

[@dasdiesel3000]

Especially since it almost always underperforms compared to most other major sports. Double especially since I'm sure they expected it to do so with a team like Ottawa. But I'm psyched for it/appreciate it!

[@swavyypressure9417]

Same here, even though I don’t watch Hockey lol.

[@EddieRange1014]

True not a huge hockey fan... but I love diversity and learning new things so I agree fam

[@jobemi2422]

For anyone that has ever doubted the effect that Melnyk had on the franchise, just look at the moves and news since he’s passed. -Alfredsson is back around the team after spending years away due to Melnyk. -Neil and Philips have roles in the organization now -Plans for a new downtown arena are underway -Signed 2 young stars, Norris and Stützle, to longterm deals -Signed Giroux, local guy and productive vet -Traded for DeBrincat, one of the best goal scorers in the league

[@kassi420]

Right? Plans of the downtown arena are underway because he’s dead he was the one holding back because a) he got the city to reward him the contract and then told the city he didn’t have the money to build (which was why it was cancelled at one point) b.) he was running the team into the ground, he had “no money” to pay off his debts, no money to pay his players, he was super cryptic about the team’s future before he past… Everything good from sign new players to the New Arena we have Melnyk’s daughters to thank. Atleast they knew of you pump money into the team and a new arena it’s a better for potential buyers than just holding onto it like Smaug from The Hobbit. I will always thank him for saving the SENS but near the end from finger pointing the fans for his failing and being cryptic about everything didn’t help his cause.

[@1991petrolhead]

@@kassi420 and not forgetting that the only reason we got Brassard in the first place was because he didn't want to pay Mika Zibanejad a signing bonus. Now look at what he's doing at MSG.

[@GrndCruz]

As grim as this sounds, Melnyk dying was one of the best things to happen to the Senators (I hope his two daughters are doing okay).

[@ariccua6101]

Also, Brassard is back, too.

[@englishmuffin5274]

Not a Sens fan, but definitely rooting for them this year to make a big step. Very exciting young team. Hopefully they can stay healthy.

[@Rena2star]

My high school math teacher was a die-hard sens fanatic. When Karlsson got traded, she made good on her promise to wear black for a week in mourning. It was a dark time to be a sens fan. Today is finally a time for optimism, and I'm showing my support by going to the sens game tonight

[@ncanny6341]

This team has to be one of the most underrated teams in the last decade. No one, and I mean, no one saw them beating Boston and the Rangers and then taking the Pens to a 7th game and then falling off the face of a cliff. Now they’re younger and I think they have a great chance to make the playoffs again

[@roderictelford5765]

I was positive Ottawa was going to beat New York. I even went to a casino to try and make my first sports bet.

[@valpix7007]

Boston was also HEAVILY crippled with injuries iirc

[@musyarofah1]

The hockey version of Sacksonville

[@LanceVance81]

Ottawa has a lot of potential this year. Would love to see a Detroit / Ottawa playoff series. 2 teams that have been rebuilding and are ascending at about the same time.

[@danangell5482]

Absolutely everyone who followed hockey saw Ottawa waxing Boston in the first round. At the time, Ottawa simply owned Boston. The Senators won all four regular season meetings and entered that series having won six straight meetings and 10 of 12 against the Bruins. Beating the Rangers was a surprise to me. Losing to the Bruins never even crossed my mind as a possibility for us.

[@Krobscorner2006]

Knowing that Craig Anderson was playing with his wife on his heart, fighting breast cancer, made this all the more gut wrenching.

[@bigjippa]

Really good video lads. Only thing I'd like to call out as a sens fan is just how heartbreaking the Stone trade was for sens fans. He was the heart and soul of the group, young enough to take us through the rebuild into a new era as the captain & face of the franchise. His two way game is one of the best in the league and very few wingers impacted the game like he did for us. Karlsson was the franchise during his time here but Stone was the next after him. The gutwrenching feeling of losing him as well might have hurt more just given how quick in succession the move was made and how much he meant to Ottawa on and off the ice, mentoring the young kids (Tkachuk specifically) and his work in the community.

[@Astianax27]

He was the best ''takeaways'' player (tacking the puck away from a player). I 100% agree with you but then he through Ottawa under the bus saying it ''was no fun''. Do I a blame him ? No but it really hurt as I saw him as the heart. He said that probably because of Melnyk but still....

[@roderictelford5765]

I was a Sens fan from the very begining. Loosing Chara was brutal and Alfredson was straight up unacceptable but when they lost Stone I finally had to give up on this team. It became clear that this was a team that was never going to get out of it's own way.

[@danangell5482]

I cared a lot more about the Stone trade than the Karlsson deal. Because of Stone, I've been hoping to see Vegas get a Cup.

[@leoc9094]

You have an excellent point; once Karlsson was gone I was hoping Stone would be the captain and drive the team forward because he had more passion than anyone. Once they traded him, I knew the whole team was done. It was the sucker punch after all the Hoffman-Karlsson drama off the ice leading to the beginning of the end.

[@rotary_7812]

​@@danangell5482Stone led Vegas to the cup. As captain.

[@kassi420]

Love the video because it’s about my Sens but there were several things you missed. 1.)The reason for the low attendance and the Melnyk hate was in 2015-2018, Ottawa was planning to build a new Arena downtown at Lebreton Flats there was a promising proposal by one of the development groups but Melnyk wanted to own the building so got the city of Ottawa basically give him the proposal which they ended up rewarding it to him. Then he turns around and told the city I don’t have enough money can you guys help me pay for this? Not part of the bill, the entire bill… The answer was no and was why the new arena ended up dead at the time… and that’s why #MelnykOut became a thing. 2.) Melnyk’s weird debt, from not being able to pay his yacht crew, private jet pilots and gambling debts was another reason why #MelnykOut was gaining traction 3.) Randy Lee harassment charges were sexual harassment. He made unwanted sexual advance towards a 19 year hotel employee…

[@alpearson9158]

what a load please do some real research

[@manzac112]

The reason for the Downfall: Eugene Melnyk. That man held them back from sustained contention for years.

[@mackielunkey2205]

The good news is that he’s dead. I know that sounds awful, but as a Canucks fan, I’m happy for you guys.

[@Thor-Orion]

Should've never given him that liver.

[@KrolKaz]

Melnkyk kept the team in Calgary so wtf

[@paulm2041]

@@mackielunkey2205 I know several people who worked for the Sens. When he was donated the liver, you'd think he would develop more of an appreciation for life and the people around him. It did not, he became twice as crazy. It was borderline insane.

[@mackielunkey2205]

@@paulm2041 I’m so sorry about that. I hope they’re doing better under new management.

[@holla8910]

I can't believe there's no mention of McArthur's return which was a HUGE boost in point production and morale for the run.

[@danangell5482]

That should have been in there too: losing Clarke MacArthur to concussions after the playoffs hurt so much.

[@holla8910]

@@danangell5482 im surprised he even played the playoffs. He was out with concussion problems the entire regular season and only came back when we made the playoffs. He had an amazing performance, scored clutch goals and then never played again.

[@danangell5482]

@@holla8910 He was past the concussions come playoff time...but in training camp the next season, he suffered another concussion and that was it.

[@holla8910]

@@danangell5482 he suffered his 2nd concussion during the 2016-17 season training camp from teammate Patrick Sieloff. He did not play until the 2017 playoffs. He failed his physical during the 2017-18 training camp and was not allowed to participate and hasn't played since.

[@danangell5482]

@@holla8910 Ah. I thought it was 2017's training camp that he got hit by Sieloff. My mistake.

[@RealTomahawk7]

It has to be said that out of all the collapses, this one is probably the most painful.

[@FrostyNipz]

We NEED that "History of the San Jose Sharks" video like y'all did with the Seattle Mariners.

[@Meltpop69]

As a long time sharks fan I agree

[@mcj88]

I dunno, personally I'd pick the Sabres; how many other teams nearly lost a draft lottery because the league president misread a prize wheel, or drafted a fake player as a gag?

[@mjwatts1983]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpjJqnZva5qeeq8

[@mpaulm]

So true. That team should have won at least a couple Cups.

[@ivaneurope]

@@mcj88 The Taro Tsujimoto story is one of the weirdest stories in sports history

[@jonahveliz8163]

You ought to do a Ducks collapse video too. The team that had a Star nucleus but couldn’t get over the hump, then watched its players win rings on other teams

[@musyarofah1]

One name: BBQ Bruce

[@djtrankilo231]

which Ducks core?? Randy Carlisle's or BBQ Bruce's??

[@seanpoulton2446]

As a Ducks fan, that one’s gonna hurt

[@ScumdogLuke]

@@seanpoulton2446 same

[@hiphopstar765]

07? They won with JSG, Getzlaf, Perry and the Niedermayer bros

[@wokemagakilluminati5558]

Possible Future Episode Ideas - Green Bay Packers collapse after Vince Lombardi won his final Super Bowl as head coach in 1967 and didn't win another Super Bowl until the Holmgren Era in 1996. - The Washington Commanders have been one long gigantic collapse since their Super Bowl season in 1991. - Blue Jays collapse after back-to-back World Series Titles in 1992 and 1993 - Steelers collapse after 4th Super Bowl of the decade in 1979 until a Super Bowl in 2005 - Miami Hurricanes Football collapse after their 2001 BCS Championship Season and haven't recovered since then. - Buffalo Bills collapse after 4 straight Super Bowl appearances from 1990-1993 which culminated in the Music City Miracle in 1999. - After their 1985 Super Bowl Season, the Chicago Bears have been a collapse waiting to happen. - Alabama Football collapse after their 1992 National Championship Season under Gene Stallings until Nick Saban arrived in 2007. - The Yankees collapse after winning back-to-back World Series Titles in 1977 and 1978 and didn't return to prominence until the mid 1990s with a World Series title in 1996 - Broncos collapse after back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998 until a Super Bowl in 2015.

[@BungholeScape]

I remember that game 7. My brain had finally had enough of studying for my ochem final (even though I was no where near ready) and I had my sens jersey on the whole time, I stopped and sat down for the 2nd period. I remember FREAKING out when pager scored the tying goal. Gotta be one of the best memories as a sens fan. Well they went on to lose and I failed my chem final LOL

[@barzybeast2585]

Incredible video detailing the history of a team I remember I thought was gonna be a cup contender for a few years. It’s nice to see what the team has now after a tough up and down history. I think J.G. Pageau going to the isles should’ve gotten a mention as he was apart of that core and helped dominate the rangers during that run. But regardless, a great video. Hope to see a bright future for Ottawa as an isles fan

[@TheRemixBros]

Been a diehard Sens fan since the late 90's. Great job on this video! Those were some dark times, but the future is bright and excited to see what's next! GO SENS GO!

[@manzac112]

Future Hockey Collapses: 1993-94 & 2010-11 Vancouver Canucks 1996-97 & 2009-10 Philadelphia Flyers 1998-99 Dallas Stars 2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning 2000-01 Colorado Avalanche 1989-90 & 2010-11 Boston Bruins 2003-04 Calgary Flames 1993-94 & 2013-14 New York Rangers 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes 1998-99 & 2009-10 Buffalo Sabres 2015-16 San Jose Sharks

[@anokieonhockey9242]

Dallas won and was back in the Finals the next season. Fell off a bit after that but after missing playoffs in 2002 they won the division again in 2003 and were back in the Conference Finals in 2008. That isn't a collapse.

[@manzac112]

@@anokieonhockey9242 But just like the Pacers, the Stars went into a long tailspin of mediocrity with a few seasons of contention. The mid-90s to early 2000s Stars was our best chances to win multiple championships.

[@Awesometrax]

Could very well be one for the 2017-18 Winnipeg Jets soon.

[@Rena2star]

An interesting note: Brassard is back on the team now, signed after being on a PTO

[@cameronrooney1]

5 years on and that Kunitz goal is still impossible to watch as a Sens fan, great video!

[@averagejosh6699]

Having these guys as my #2 team is kinda tough. However, with my islanders having their own game 7 ECF heartbreak and on the downswing, I can root for the bright future that the Sens have.

[@OkWineGuy]

As a lifelong Sens fan, I've been waiting a long time for this. It's been a rough go.

[@Jack-gp5en]

Kunitz’s game 7 double OT walk-off knuckler is the most emotion I have ever felt during my time as a pens fan. The direction Pittsburgh is going right now honestly scares me as I can see us pulling a Detroit and delaying our rebuild for too long. I only pray I needn’t watch a “Pittsburgh Penguins Collapse” in the coming years

[@MrGUnit27]

I've been asking for this for a while, and it didn't disappoint. Even as a Leafs/Ducks fan who grew up hating the Senators, I'm happy that their roster is finally starting to take shape after a long and painful rebuild. That fanbase deserves some light at the end of the tunnel

[@aaronwilcox2431]

so you're either not a leafs fan or you're not actually happy for them.

[@samsellon6304]

Always thought this team would be a great subject for this series but never thought it would happen. The depth and detail of this piece is incredible. Well done!

[@TheLawman23]

Will, you're a darling, and I love it when you turn out the Hockey content for us here at the Secret Base. The vid does a great job of showing the quick tumble that the Sens had and only now might be recovering from.

[@SSBBROCKS14]

As a Sens fan I immediately clicked on this video. The 2017 playoff run was fantastic to watch and follow along and created many great memories for fans. The hype and success only to fall apart the following year resulting in five years of pain. No one should ever speak ill will of a person who passed but Melnyk is a major part in this collapse. I often would say Melnyk was a reincarnation of Harold Ballard and he was the elephant in the locker room to people asking me why I am a Sens. Thankfully, the operations have been far better since the summer of 2022 and promising for the regular season.

[@MadMike1]

Somehow, this isn't the most hurtful thing to happen to the Senators. I'm old enough to remember watching them job out to the Leafs every year in the playoffs, and then the 02-03 season that watched them win the President's Trophy only to lose to the Devils with one of the most pathetic defensive efforts I've ever seen (Wade Redden literally watched the puck go right by him, ugh). Watching them lose to the Penguins and then their whole roster falling apart was just another Tuesday as far as this franchise goes.

[@dylancontento2267]

Kravchuk was the one who messed up. Friesen should have been his.

[@ThrayBlade]

I think losing to Buf in 06 is up there too

[@nathanrobinson1099]

As a Leafs fan those series were absolutely wild with near irrational hate of the other team and players.

[@toomanyrifts_]

Ugh, I'm still mad at Redden for that!

[@michaelprzybylek9398]

Mad Mike! Love your Black Album review (sorry, being a Sens fan must be a gut punch)

[@marcroy5089]

I remember karlson's play during those playoffs. Everything he did turned into gold. He played the best hockey I've ever seen

[@psykkomancz]

100% agree. He was the best player in the world at that time, no question about that.

[@ImJustHereToWatch14]

They touch on it in the video, but those 2017 Sens weren't a good team so much as a mid-level team plus Karlsson absolutely refusing to lose.

[@englishmuffin5274]

Been waiting a WHILE for this one. Thank you so much for delivering!!!

[@Maplenr]

"Melnyj passed away in 2022" Always love a happy ending

[@alpearson9158]

ignorant moron

[@The090919900222]

You know what... I'm proud of what the Sens did... The fact that we scared the hell out of the potential Stanley Cup champs. That's saying something about how strong the team was...

[@djtrankilo231]

Potential?? That Pens squad won the Cup

[@WithScienceAsMySheperd]

Have you done the 2021 Montreal Canadien's unthinkable run to the cup? My oldest hockey memories as a toddler are the 1986 Canadien's cup, and I remember well the 1993 cup win. But my team were the 1990s Red Wings. From the 1991 Score cards to this day! Sergei Fedorov, Nicklas Lidstrom, Steve Yzerman. AND Dominik Hasek! Couldn't believe we got Hasek on the team at some point! Like How the Habs got Correy Perry for their epic run. 'Member the draft of Correy Perry and the pool we did that year. Never imagined he'd be ther eand that Arturi Lekonene would become the legend he is now, one year later, and 2 series winning goals later (a cup winning one to boot!)

[@davidlebovitz373]

Excellent video, with one caveat: Chris Wideman was held accountable for the Uber incident, in a way. He was traded from the team a few weeks later, and told The Athletic that he was made the fall guy for the incident internally.

[@JhubeiFC]

We Sens fans have been waiting for this for a long time. Right to tear down and rebuild has been a masterpiece. Sens are back!

[@adamh9660]

Great video! Really highlights the complete calamity that was this franchise in the backend of Melnyk's life. FINALLY, this year things are positive again. And (in my obviously biased opinion) the Sens won the Karlsson trade with Norris & Stutzle elite forwards expected to lead the team and a couple of high(ish) end prospects still coming up. Keep up the great work!!

[@zakvitale1411]

As a pens fan, that ECF game 7 double OT goal by Kunitz is my favorite moment in the franchise. The absolute make or break relief made me jump for joy

[@kmcd151]

After you hurt me so badly with the 4-1 game and not even mentioning the Leafs trading Rask for Raycroft, this is exactly the video that I need. Time to watch.

[@PuckinHockey]

Great watch!! I loved that 2017 team. Lots of interesting details I didn't know about!

[@slwmusic]

To be honest, I hope the Sens do well with Melnyk gone. He was limiting the team and as a certain sports KZbinr said, "Dorian can now play the forbidden songs on the jukebox." We believe in you, Ottawa!

[@joels-m2040]

Never would of thought the sens would of been a video ! Love it ! I always said the day that we got Duchene was the turning point. It’s true a lot of people in Ottawa hate Melnyk and the last years were awful to a point I stopped watching my fav team but now I’m more hopeful :)

[@cashmoney4344]

Great to see another collapse video and some hockey content, especially this and the Alec Martinez goal. As a kings fan, thank you for that.

[@nochaserchambers]

That crew was very good. The Senators are one of those teams that has had the team to win the Cup a few times but always ran into the eventual winner. I still say the 2003 team was one of the best teams ever to not win the Cup. They just ran into that Devils core's last hurrah.

[@nahiyanishtiaque1283]

Crazy how dark it was being a fan of this team 3-5 years But, all this happened. IN A SPAN OF THREE MONTHS: - New downtown arena in the works ensures that the team stays in Ottawa - Alfredsson, the Sens goat, gets inducted into the HHOF by creating a campaign that got support from the team (which was nonexistent in over 7 years) - Traded for Debrincat for not much - Signed Claude Giroux, a new fan favourite - Made the Talbot trade for better stability in net - Got rid of all the plugs not doing much (Tierney, Del Zotto, White, Murray, etc.) - Signed Motte and other solid depth pieces - Signed Josh Norris to a long-term contract - Signed Stutzle to a long-term contract - Alumni are back with roles in the organization (Redden, Phillips, Neil, Alfredsson soon hopefully) - Team has been not only listening but implementing feedback from players (upgraded facility, private chefs, etc.) - Sens Community foundation is back up and running after it was defunded - Season ticket sales went up by 60% Its crazy how much of a 180 the sens did after the 2017 playoff run, but even more impressive how they did a 180 in the positive way in a much shorter amount of time. It's been a long time coming for us Sens fans

[@zach17000]

One of the things that always hurt was how many of the Senators left to captain or become great players in other organizations. It is Mind boggling All at the hands of Melnyk.

[@hiph0p0p0tamus9]

Great summary. Missed the one tidbit of Melnyk threatening relocation on the eve of the outdoor game vs Montreal. Issues with the team aside, it was yet another example of Melnyk's ego. The day before the Senators were set to be the focus of the NHL by hosting an outdoor game, the man goes in front of a camera and not so subtly states that if attendance doesnt improve, the team may look elsewhere.

[@FoxMacLeod2501]

I love the use of the word "draw" in reference to not merely a bath, but a _blood_ bath, at 4:33 "... a bloodbath, drawn by Melnyk... " I've heard the phrase "draw a bath," but never thought of a bloodbath as something that, conceptually, would be drawn. But, one can also draw "first blood" (with extra points, if achieved within one's withdrawing room), which has me wondering if there's actually an etymological through-line here... Awesome video as always, Will!

[@ttvredstoneore8034]

This series needs to comeback, and you need to make a video on the fall of the Patriots Dynasty PLEASE, this is coming from a Patriots fan.

[@cjvaye99]

I don't even watch hockey and still enjoyed this video. you guys are excellent at these

[@lildevii]

Phenomenal video man. Well done

[@codfishbricker]

As a Pens fan let me say how special that OTT team was. I had held an abnormal disdain for OTT (a non-division foe the Pens traditionally beat) ever since my 1st experience w/Pens playoff hockey was OTT eliminating them 4-1 in the 1st round in '07. Going into the series in '17, many folks, myself included expected OTT to lose in 5 if not get swept. Despite being a decade since they eliminated us & PIT having swept OTT in '08 & eliminated them 4-1 in '12; grudge lingering, I really wanted that sweep...old habits die hard. OTT took game 1 and as the series went on you couldn't help but like this team, from their scrappy play, to Anderson's playing like he rarely had before inspite of his wife's battle w/cancer, to Clarke McArthur coming back from extremely prolonged concussion issues thought likely to have ended his career, to Bobby Ryan shining after such scrutiny having been drafted the pick after Crosby, to Karlsson playing to a level of which all were forced to accept him as the 2nd best player in the world while playing with a serious injury, I was overjoyed & relieved when Kunitz scored in OT in game 7 but when the camera cut to that shot of Anderson in stunned resignation w/I believe Stone & Karlsson, that was really hard to watch. It took a lot of joy out of that moment b/c there would be no storybook ending for this team very much deserving of it. Watching this collapse in real time was sad too. 2 things that went missed in this video is that Clarke McArthur (was went unmentioned) received another concussion, this one ending his career, I believe that was in training camp of '17-'18. The other being Karlsson's never been the same player, he's still a great player but experienced a premature & serious decline largely due to the impact of foot injuries on his skating, arguably of which can be traced back to this run in which he went 'God Mode' despite a broken foot. I'll leave this with something to make it a little easier to swallow. In the handshake line following the game the respective Captains met, with Karlsson ever so briefly stopping Crosby, patting him on the chest & telling him "go get another one." Who does that? What unbelievable class. I've loved Erik Karlsson ever since that series.

[@junkyardanimations]

Solid. Thank You for making this. 🔥🔥🔥

[@t-tom6642]

Was one of the view outside of the market that was so excited to watch this team in those 2017 playoffs. Truly one of the most special hockey teams I’ve ever watched, despite all the claims of them being boring to watch

[@thesmollboi4479]

Love these videos. Could we get a 2011 Canucks version of this? Would be sick

[@dgorospe]

The 2010s Canucks would be a great topic, despite the pain it would bring me to watch. Years losing to the Hawks in the post-season, consecutive President's Trophies in 11 and 12, losing to the 8th seed Kings, then the immediate drop to last in the division. Sprinkle in some Kesler drama, goalie drama, coach drama (Torts storming the Calgary locker room, anyone?), and you got yourself a Collapse.

[@lebutzki]

The hockey ones are definitely my favorite ones. You could do collapses on a couple of franchise that came close like Vancouver in 2011 or the San Jose Sharks in 2016. But I would recommend looking into the 2005-06 Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, who then proceeded to miss the playoffs 11 of the next 12 years.

[@DanoFSmith-yc9tg]

Just in addition to all this, I feel like it has to be said, Pierre Dorian has done a fantastic job, both doing his best to steady the ship while his hands were tied by Eugene during the collapse era, and his job in rebuilding the franchise since. The Sens are absolutely stacked with young talent both up front and on D, they seem like they’re just a good young goalie away really. I don’t know what’s going on with the ownership of the club, now that Melnyk has passed, but I feel like Dorian should be getting at least a few shares with his performance and dedication to that organization over the last decade or so.

[@mikedav8574]

You absolutely have no understanding. Sure Dorion has added great pieces this summer but we’re here now cause of the rebuild and how well we drafted. If you’ve followed Dorion the past few years you’d know he has had many misses

[@ratman9968]

these are incredible, love it!!!

[@jeffcherubin9073]

Another great video and I would like to point out that when broussard was traded away from the rangers for Mika I was sad but 5 years later with hindsight it was for the best. And I've been familiar with the Mike Hoffman situation due to urinating tree doing a video on Ottawa and which he summed up the situatiion by saying that Hoffman was a cancer by proxy. And I knew Erik wanted out regardless but I think that situation really solidified it

[@splinters_pinter]

I'm in Ottawa. Melnyks influence cannot be overstated. He alienated the fans, the players, corporate sponsors, partners, even the Senators own charity. The last decade here has been horrible.

[@spamspam2808]

Huge shoutout to SB for pushing out a sens video, never thought I'd see a video about my favorite team!

[@MartinZeldaTP]

Love the video. It demonstrates so well the feelings I've been carrying with me for years, as a diehard Sens fan. With respect, it's really a shame that the death of the owner was the solution to this team's success. RIP.

[@jackX3]

one of the best youtube channels out there no doubt.

[@brandyndaigneault1758]

Yo always hyped for hockey content! Another cool hockey video could be a rewinder of "off the floor and on the board" for Paul Kariya!

[@gregwhitworth8046]

Despite all of this, the Sens have been going into the right direction. With picking up Claude Giroux and DeBrincat, this team has looked the most competitive since the 2017 cup run

[@MKISports]

One quote stood out in the Senators' collapse if you watched UrinatingTree's video a few years ago: "We're a team?"

[@fse2520]

I've been waiting for this for years

[@memphis4590]

Thank you for this, from a Sens fan I can finally close the book on this chapter

[@devackroyd]

I have been a lifelong Oilers fan and that was a magical spring to watch, beyond the Oilers making the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, it was really hard not to route for Ottawa, a super likable group who played some fantastic hockey behind Erik Karlsson that spring. I was surprised that there was literally no mention of J.G Pageau, he was a big piece that was let go for that rebuild too, I will always remember watching that four goal game he scored that post-season. I definitely hope they are on the upswing now. I think I am ready though, a Collapse episode NEEDS to be done on the 2006 Oilers going from Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, to four #1 overall picks between 2010 and 2015 and missing the playoffs for 10 full seasons following that run. Truly one of the more dramatic and atrocious organizational collapses in the history of hockey.

[@luke.warm.tea69]

this was well done, good job

[@toomanyrifts_]

Man, and you didn't even bring up the "we're a team" moment? Wow. As a Sens Fan, this video brings back a lot of pain. But the future looks fun!

[@matthewperrella2649]

I’ve been waiting for this video!!!

[@SN-xw4gh]

Being a fan of the Sens it's nice to see the spotlight on them at all. Being in Canada and not a top tier team makes them second page to alot of other teams with larger fan bases, coverage, etc. It was cool to see it all put together, because living through it was too depressing to think critically at the time 😂😭

[@saucepois3172]

That Karlsson saucer pass to Mike Hoffman vs Boston in the 2017 playoffs lives rent free in my head

[@Isaiah-x45]

RIP Eugene Melnyk and Bryan Murray. Great video.

[@every_eve]

I'm a Pens fan and I can't help but feel sad after that goal in 2OT. They look like they might be on the come-up soon, though.

[@Astianax27]

You have no idea how it broke us

[@djtrankilo231]

Y'all might have broken the Preds, too

[@every_eve]

That game six in Nashville was craaazy

[@BSBSPSensGirl88]

Great video. I can't believe that people were using the arena's location as an excuse not to go to the game when it didn't matter at all when the team was doing well. Thank God we are finally coming out of that funk!

[@21rocky1]

And now the team might be going up for sale soon. RIP Melnyk, but with the great moves the team this off season and new progress on the downtown arena, imagining what actual good ownership could do is exciting!

[@generussell6145]

Ty for this. Hoping for one about the 2006/7 cup final.

[@chleepy]

love this piece

[@eddiesunder]

Was hoping this would eventually happen but figured it was a pipe dream until now. Thank you.

[@alexanderfysh410]

As a Sens fan, this was a lot easier to take now with where the teams at that it would've been even a few months ago. They've been looking good! I remember how sad I was the day they traded Karlsson. Turns out it might be the greatest trade in franchise history, maybe only behind shipping Yashin to the Isles for Spezza and Chara.

[@roscoeswetsuit7300]

love love love when you guys do hockey tysm

[@tylerhuntdesign]

Love the hockey content, would love to see more!

[@TDunn41594]

Untitled and Collapse always great keep them coming

[@Rad_Thibodeaux]

Amazing as usual!!!!!

[@djtrankilo231]

whoa! didn't expect this one. but the Senators collapsing after that one-timer was crazy

[@lucashenderson2775]

Another fascinating hockey story to me is the Rangers from 1994 to 2006. After they won the Stanley Cup and broke the curse, there was conflict between Mike Keenan and the GM which led to Keenan's leaving, then there was a stretch in the late 1990s and early 2000s where they would sign as many high profile free agents as they could such as Wayne Gretzky for starters, and were predicted to finish with a good record yet still stunk every year.

[@trevorfromcanada5790]

As a Senators fan this was really well done, so glad our team is finally looking up again.

[@irunthepeg]

Love when you guys cover hockey!!!

[@rorymacdougall573]

Awesome hockey video and keep it up! I personally would've added Jean Gabriel Pageau to the Sens core at the start.

[@theguywiththewhiteboard]

Besides 2006-07 & 2016-17 seasons, the Senators are usually forgotten about in the NHL. Even when you look at their history since coming back to the NHL, it’s full of torture on & off the ice. I hope they get things turned around.

[@Zamppa86]

Prime Erik Karlsson was one of the best defensemen ever. He almost dragged Ottawa to the Stanley Cup finals with only one leg. When scoring overall in the league was down he still came up with a 80+ point season and multiple 70+ point seasons. I'm from Finland and we have a long lasting rivalry with Sweden in pretty much everything sports related and Karlsson is still one of my favourite players ever despite of being a swede. Such a favourite I used 'big money' to get his official Sens jersey. I knew I would need to explain myself many times when wearing it in our own outdoor hockey games but I did not care. Erik Karlsson was and is the name that brought memories from my childhood and of the first names I watched when I started to watch nhl hockey. My first favourite goalie was Patrick Roy. My first favourite forward was Teemu Selänne. And my first favourite defenseman was Ray Bourque. You can guess of whom Erik Karlsson reminded me of and why I wanted his jersey.

[@seanpoulton2446]

Love Teemu. He did so much for us Ducks fans. Plus his smile is infectious

[@NSUTurtle]

So much of the video is just spot on as and as a regular reader of Sliver Seven thank you for the spreading the word about their fundraising. Just two amendments Melynk was the biggest factor for the collapse, but Alex Burrows admitted that the players didn't handle the Hoffman-Karlsson affair well and neither did Melynk or Dorion. If Melynk went to hire a powerhouse lawyer for Randy Lee why not a crisis intervention for Hoffman-Karlsson. I knew when good morning america was talking about it was bad news. The only other note is that the only reason Bobby Ryan became a free agent is because the Sens brought him out early. Strip the team of veterans as you correctly stated and anyone who won in Ottawa previously. That dumb decision is part of why they can't sign Shane Pinto now. But like I said at first well done video. I'm guessing when players start to talk and shout out to Bobby Ryan from "Coming In Hot" hopefully more will be fleshed out.

[@saltywingsandavsfan]

Now they got Jimmy Stu leading the way and other prospects to help this team. This team is now looking like a fun team to watch with this new youth run

[@theBoonarmies]

Need one of these about the '07 Sabres. Perennial contenders built on the back of underrated, and unheralded clutch heroes, to the decade long laughingstock they're only just now starting to show signs of growing out of.

[@danangell5482]

The one thing you missed in this video was Clarke MacArthur. The Senators got two good seasons out of him before concussions forced him to the injured list, but then we had him for the playoff run in 2016-17 and it looked like he'd be back to himself. And then in training camp, he suffered another concussion and never played again. Losing him along with Methot was what really started the downward slide.

[@stevemosco8187]

Can't wait to watch one of these videos about the 2020-2021 New York Islanders in about 5 years.