What's Gone Wrong in Ottawa as They Struggle in November?

The team seemingly improved on paper in the off-season, but it's been much the same in terms of record as last season.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @thehockeyguy
Join us on our discord to chat hockey, talk with others during the game, share pet pictures, and more.
/ discord
Order jerseys from Ben H Sports while saving 10% off the listed eBay prices by sending him an email regarding jerseys you spot in his listings. [e-mail] Just tell him Shannon sent you.
Support The Hockey Guy via Patreon / thehockeyguy
/ youtubehockeyguy
Instagram: thgshannon and thg_cats
Spoutible: spoutible.com/...
[e-mail]
Contact me via snail mail at:
The Hockey Guy
PO Box 13063 RPO Highstreet
Abbotsford, BC
V2S 0C4
CANADA
In the USA: some times it takes us a few weeks to get down there.
Shannon Skanes
1125 Fir Avenue
Suite 119
Blaine, WA 98230

[@DocSportello1970]

Should be titled: The ANNUAL "What's Gone wrong in Ottawa......."

[@seanragsdale5636]

Man the Kunitz goal has broken this franchise

[@Gourdmann]

Having watched every Sens game this year, Most sane take: They MAY simply be afflicted with terrible luck and hot goalies but time will tell and that's a weak excuse. Other teams are catching on quick to the switch passes the sens seem to really like, which is starting to cause more turnovers. Ullmark has been performing below expectations but he is coming off an injury and should maybe alternate more with Forsberg who seems to be playing quite well. Most deranged take: The lalime-tribute martian manhunter goalie mask motif is cursed and the hockey gods hate us.

[@eliaminator2313]

It's pretty crazy that the defense has been good and improved from last season when it was around 16th in the league but Ullmark has been terrible and has cost them multiple games. Other than the last 2 games against Edmonton and Carolina Ottawa was the better team in every game. We are used to it in Ottawa see how the team responds but they have been very lazy and disinterested the last 2 games other than Stutzle they need to bounce back. The only thing saving them rn is how many teams have been struggling so far

[@vivid_prizm]

Obviously you want your team to turn it around, but if they can’t what would you like to be done? Between Stutzle and Brady who would you rather trade and what would the return have to be?

[@Hockeyman125689]

@@vivid_prizm Oh man Idk. On paper they should be good. Heck if you go through the rosters player by player, Ottawa should be better than the Leafs without Matthews but somehow thats not the case. Year after year the Leafs seem to find good goalies in the bargain bin. The last few years goalies have been so inconsistent that I'd be happy with a couple league min goalies but a stacked D. Also the coaching, they went from DJ Smith to western DJ Smith.

[@eliaminator2313]

@@vivid_prizm I wouldn't trade either player personally I'd look more towards a Norris or Chabot deal although both have been solid this season they still are probably overpaid and could use the cap better the problem is just finding a trade partner

[@jayjayson9613]

The game against the Flyers told me all I need to know about this team.

[@thefish560]

i think the sens need a new goalie coach. why do every good goalie becomes terrible when they go to ottawa?

[@saucetown222]

Ullmark has been so disappointing so far. We need him to get settled in and start stringing some wins together. And get Hamonic out of the lineup...

[@1991petrolhead]

If I lived in Ottawa, I would chant Bernard-Docker over and over again during games to see if Green gets the message.

[@gabrielseaborn257]

The immortal Travis Hamonic

[@ashepherd39675]

JBD played well but for some reason every coach loves Hamonic because “veteran”

[@BodyAndSol96]

Can't say I follow Ottawa, but looking in from the outside Tkachuk seems like a strange choice for a captain. The Tkachuk we have in Panthers is an important piece, but boy am I happy we have a Captain like Barkov. The one who holds it all together, never loses his cool and leads by example every single shift.

[@abrararifify]

This is exactly why I was a massive proponent of have Chabot as captain. He's cool calm and collected and is currently the longest tenured Senator. I feel that management only gave the C to Tkachuck as a negotiating tactic for his contract.

[@jamesthornton573]

Being a Sens fan is a painful experience, we have been in so many games where we are the better team and come out with 0pts. Chris Kunitz cursed this team in 2017. Pain.

[@tehbeernerd]

I laughed when Elliotte Friedman talked about how the Sens hired Travis Green as coach because he was “a hardass.” I never got that from him in NJ. It seemed like the Devils kept spinning their wheels when he took over. Same story in Ottawa.

[@joshhale3709]

Its ullmark somehow, hes sold like 4 games they shouldve won.

[@leinbajr]

He was so bad in that Flyers loss. They should have won that one by 2 or 3.

[@Moobeus]

It’s so weird, all of the “good” goaltenders, aside from Hellybucyk although even he is faltering lately, have been playing worse than normal. Ullmark, Markstrom, Swayman, Bobrovsky, Shesterkin, Ottinger, Skinner. None of them have been playing to their usual standards.

[@Nick007Gaming]

@@Moobeus I heard they downsized the pads or something this year? Not sure.

[@ashepherd39675]

Held the Flyers to 4 shots through 2 periods….lost

[@bonjourlavache600]

Tkatchuk is legitimately one of the best power forwards in the game, but he is not a leader. He is emotional, especially towards the end of games they are losing, always starting fights and acting a fool. I think the captaincy should be held by a level headed player, it would go a long way in the locker room.

[@ghosttoast5203]

like who?

[@Xvou0uovx]

@@ghosttoast5203 Giroux

[@haysbrickell9579]

Agree

[@dawsonraines]

This team goes on a 9 game road trip in mid December/early January since the World Juniors are in Ottawa this year. This team has gone through 3 head coaches and 2 GMs in the past 12 months. The next piece is a core player going out. Green said after last night's game "I thought we had a flat practice yesterday. I thought it carried over to our game today." Someone's heading out of the 613 very soon.

[@wainber1]

Pressure will IMO certainly build, even more than it already has, for a core piece on the Sens’ roster to be moved if the Sens slide too far out of the 2025 playoff race, and I see a good indicator of that, should happen, being sinking to at least 10 points out of a playoff spot at any point this season.

[@Moobeus]

Giroux should have been the Captain.

[@jordanv561]

Are they better than their record? Yes. Are they gonna turn it around? I won’t believe this team will do anything until they show me first. As a fan I’ve never been more invested in their success or more depressed by their failings than I am right now

[@Hockeyman125689]

I'm losing so much hope in this team that I'm almost at the point where I'd rather they fold and have a new expansion draft lol.

[@angermanagementstudios]

Same here mate

[@1awisniewski]

I feel you should also cover a video talking about Detroit. They are 7+ years in a rebuild with Steve Yzerman at the helm. Lately the wings are struggling to even get a shot on net. Players are underperforming, and Defense got worse than last year. Fans locally are on the "Fire Lalonde" train, but seem reluctant to hold Yzerman accountable for signing and overpaying these veteran players. But when questioned about getting a Top Player, Yzerman seems to be reluctant himself on signing these big names to long term.

[@bdonaghu]

I find it incredibly amusing that Detroit just took their trip to California, now Buffalo is beginning their trip to California, and Ottawa is up next on their trip to California. These three teams are basically attached at the hip...

[@josephwirtz8352]

Can you imagine the jersey prices in 2065?

[@ascendedgoji]

20 bucks just to look upon them with our unworthy peasant eyes

[@GemCardCollecting]

Devils fan here. Just my humble opinion, I think captaincy is a very important role. Shouldn’t really be given to just anyone. I don’t want to say Brady is a bad captain, I just think Ottawa had better choices. Giroux or Stutzle should be leading this team. I also believe coaching is an issue. I have nothing against green but I don’t think he’s a very good coach. I think if Ottawa wants to fix this team, you need to do everything in your power to get Montgomery.

[@deltagolavista1]

Game by game: NYR: Goalied, happens SEA: Win BUF: Flush it NYI: Flush it again BOS: Win TOR: Win PHI: Goaltending CAR: Reffing and facing adversity EDM: Mad McDavid & Draisaitl Buffalo and NYI are probably the two games that should have been a win where the team didn’t look like themselves. Month isn’t over, let’s see how they respond against a team like Vegas. Green at this point needs to keep running Ullmark until he figures out this funk - or put him back on IR if that is the issue with him.

[@paulmcjannet8983]

the thing about sanderson is: he started the season really strong -- it was only after him being paired with hammer that he hasn't looked the same even with zub back. really need him to get back to his top form, the top d-line needs to be where it was last year

[@randombutrelevant]

Windows take forever to open, forever to close. D needs at least 1 more year. This teams problem is Chabot, has been for years.

[@nickboyd6716]

The worst part about our rebuild is we traded so many draft picks so we have no good young prospects aside from Yakemchuk lol. Our 2nd best prospect is projected to be a 4th liner, with the potential to be a 3rd liner in Ostapchuk lmao.

[@MarkCMG]

Thanks for the video! Keen insights! Stutzle's on a good pace. Good thing he's locked in for 7 seasons. He's probably the guy the team should be building around at his salary. They could probably use a young goalie or two to bring along while they have time to season them. They've built what they've built and they need to see it through. They aren't far out of it now but no one is in that division and that's why it's tough to win but easier to move up.

[@eliaminator2313]

The most worrying thing besides Ullmark looking terrible is the fact that the Sens have had the toughest or top 3 toighest schedule in the league so far but they arent winning the games against the teams that are worse than them they compete against the top teams in the league and then come out flat against teams like NYI, MTL, BUF, veey worrying

[@hockeysnipes3656]

I think it would be more concerning if it was the other way around. If they are looking bad against good teams and just beating bad teams that would be more a bad reflection that they can't hang with those teams. And technically if you look at the expected goals of all those games Ottawa was actually better at least according to moneypuck I believe.

[@TheGrandeGamer]

Sens fan here. Been a fan since 2007. This team just has a losing atmosphere now. It’s a goalie graveyard as well. It doesn’t matter how good you are. If you play between the pipes for this team, you’re gonna get lit up. They don’t know how to play well defensively but also consistently. I watch this team all the time, and I truly don’t know what can save them at this point

[@aedan2063]

Funny because their defence has been pretty good this year

[@eliaminator2313]

Sanderson is still recovering from being paired with Hamonic he'll get back to it. Jensen and Chabot have been the best pairing so far. Jensen has been very good probably the best dman on the team this season

[@paulmcjannet8983]

i've been super happy with jensen and yea, its hard to disagree. sure he makes the odd mistake, but hes very reliable, good with his stick and his +/- is better than the other d. really hoping sandy gets his groove back! we need the snake!

[@shanebeaulne3514]

There stuck in the toughest division of the toughest conference.

[@snake9549]

our 2017 team was worse on paper but they had heart and played everygame like it was meaningful. This team is better on paper but have no heart. How is Turris, Hoffman, Pageau, Methot, Anderson better then (Batherson, Norris, Pinto, Chabot, Ullmark) Thats not suppose to be happening

[@DGL-LDG]

Work ethic and giving the keys to the house to a bunch of teenagers… It’s why rebuilding is so difficult; it is vital to have a veteran to rookie transition. Instead, Brady held out, was gifted the captaincy and then shamed the fanbase for booing Piss poor performance. I’m done with him tbh..

[@ashepherd39675]

They also had Anderson, who was one of the most consistent goalies. Also, generational talent in Karlsson

[@jayjayson9613]

So sick of hearing about this team every year. The core is not good enough, they paid them early and no results. No accountability

[@9gangentertainment]

I like the added text to the thumbnails now

[@tonykung8756]

When Travis Green coached the Canucks, I think a similar thing happened where the team had super early struggles that lasted for a month or two...

[@billybobhobnob101]

Sabre fan here, Ott like the Sabres are close but there is just a little bit missing.

[@nickboyd6716]

Man, I for sure thought you guys and us would be playoff teams by now with how many good young players we have but it seems like they just don't mesh well. Dahlin, Tage, Peterka, Power, Quinn, Cozens etc I'd think they're a top 5 team in the East by now. Same with us with Brady, Stutzle, Sanderson, Batherson, Pinto etc. I hope you guys make the next jump soon, same with us because I loved the Buffalo vs Ottawa rivalry earlier in the mid 2000's.

[@billybobhobnob101]

@nickboyd6716 For us Cozens Quinn and Levi are not playing like we hoped for and some unfortunate injuries, some sloppy dumb play- talent is very close among the many teams in the muddy middle.

[@Wogger72]

Push through stay the course

[@chris6636]

Great video. Ignore the people about the "again" stuff. Do your thing. You're entertaining and informative. Have a wonderful weekend.

[@niklaskristiansson2740]

Ottawa need better defensemen like 2 and they should be a playoff team

[@aaronpatterson7581]

@@niklaskristiansson2740 Hamonic for sure though in my opinion

[@waltconklin882]

The first mistake was hiring TG.

[@ashepherd39675]

How so? The defensive play has been much better and goalies once again letting them down. Held the flyers to 4 shots through 2 periods and lost…

[@gabrielrockman]

It's so crazy that Jensen has a +12 when no one else on the team is better than +2.

[@wifishark8]

I think it's the teams we're playing right now as most of them either have high end talent or are overall good enough to make a deep push in the playoffs.

[@senorsoupe]

The only consistent thing about the Senators is their inconsistency. They can be incredible at times (such as the win over Toronto recently) and then they make you want to tear your hair out. Montreal is similar in this regard

[@MeatMi1k]

As a sens fans I unfortunately knew this was coming

[@hadoct1315]

jim montgomery is the answer talented team that can’t put it together. They need a coach that can steer the ship and maximize these guys

[@cleft8455]

There’s no doubt Ottawa’s full body of work so far has looked much better this season than years past. There’s a few reason for their start: Ullmark has not been up to par yet, the Sens had the 3rd hardest schedule to start the season based on strength of competition, and some old habits are still creeping back in despite improvements in all areas. It’s a miracle they remained .500 and fortunate that the Atlantic is still so close. If they stay the course, the results will come. Changing absolutely nothing, they’ll win more games as they face easier opponents the rest of the way. Ullmark will regresses to form after a piss poor start, there’s no indication that he is the caliber goalie that his current stats show he is. And although not fully consistent yet, the team under Green has been squashing old habits and learning to play the right way to have success. It's a process theyll keep working on throughout the year.

[@strahinjagov]

Me, as a Leafs fan: "I see this as an absolute win!"

[@JPMadden]

Great song

[@chrismarcellus6933]

Hopefully with Pinto in the line up this year, they can (hopefully, maybe, fingers-crossed) squeeze in a wildcard berth.

[@IconZQc]

Ottawa first mistake was the coach they hired , so many better option was available imo

[@RobertJanes-n6f]

For us Ottawa fans its been 7 years since playoffs, and we are frustrated. For the new ownership this is the first full year of their tenure. I think they will be patient. Give Ulmark and Sanderson more time to find their game. Give Green time to work on the issues. Probably tweak the team at the trade dealine, make more changes in the summer. It will be a year or two before they will make major changes. Andlauer and Staios are in it for the long run.

[@NJD009]

Should do a video on just who’s done better this season. Ullmark vs Swayman for fun

[@dwightbrown]

Sens fan. We are cooked for the playoffs. Needed 23 points after 20 games and with last night's loss we can't get there.

[@caltroy4899]

Here is how you fix Ottawa. Establish an actual system. Remember when Guy Boucher coached the team and it was all about adapting to the system compared to what Dave Cameron did. Yes, I have not heard of a "systems" talk in Ottawa since those days. In addition, I believe we need a 3rd line winger to get the third line scoring. Perron has done nothing, though I know he has had some family issues, and I would be dressing 7D to get JDB playing, as he has proven he is a good depth NHL defenseman on a 3rd pairing. I would consider trading Perron, Hamonic, a second, second, and a third to the Penguins for Rikard Rakell + Marcus Petterson as Dubas said everyone is available accept for Sid... Need to get the third line scoring + improve defensive depth just a bit more. Play defensive style in our own end also, no cheating on breakouts, to help out Ullmark get thru this rough patch in his begginings with Ottawa.

[@violentzeh]

I think they are still okay at the moment, especially since the East has a bunch of teams that are in the same boat record wise. Now that they have gotten some players back from injuries and other off-ice reasons, I am hopeful they will start to get their game back. Only time will tell. Cheers!

[@tomkelley4119]

I think the East is still pretty open. 3 points separate the 2nd wildcard and the last place team. I don't think we should be writing anyone off quite yet.

[@alexschannel8636]

Still bullish on Montreal leaping up tbh. Weird that we can say that about the last place team

[@julianb1550]

As long as Grieg keeps slapping pucks into empty nets I will support this franchise.

[@swanszy]

same shit every god damn year.

[@bradleyblokland]

I think they need to bring Karlsson back. Finish his career in Ottawa. Set an example as leadership. Feed the puck to Stutzle. I do agree this has been the best start we've had in years. So lets see where the week ahead leads to. lol

[@thekingof8]

Sanderson had been carrying Hamonic since Zub's injury.

[@biglebowski3961]

Sens, Sabres, and Detroit all about projections yet reality is pretty sobering for all three.

[@Detector1977]

Team defense seems to be garbage. Does not matter which goalie they get...

[@eliaminator2313]

Their team defense has been in the top half of the league last year and this season lol at least make a true statement if you're going to criticise the team

[@snake9549]

defence is one of the best. Goalie has sold them and now they all play lazy

[@michaelnextdoor8726]

Not what the numbers say

[@RealMoneybags]

When Detroit video?

[@alfiesmullet1311]

The Sens are at the point where they need to get at least 4 points out of their next 3 home games and at least 2 on their road trip to finish above .500 to end November.. if not they are playing catchup all season, they'll need teams ahead of them to go on losing streaks while playing winning hockey the rest of the season to have a chance at a wildcard spot

[@jeffdaigle7491]

hope you brought fourth a 10 game winning streak lol!

[@NikolasLust]

It's clear that Green has sacrificed offence in order for this team to focus on the D zone and it shows. The Sens are playing excellent in their own end, and they are pretty bad at 5v5 offensively. With average goaltending Ottawa should be something closer to 10-7-1, but they are 8-9-1 because every mistake they make (which is not a lot), ends up in the back of their net, and they don't have enough 5v5 offence to outscore their bad goaltending. Once Ullmark finds this game, theyll start to win more and will fight for a wildcard spot.

[@matthewgregory8218]

0:12 This is the last time as the window will close on this team soon. I know Boston to the window maybe close.

[@peterraaymakers5809]

Sens content let's goooooooooo

[@JPMadden]

I'm rooting for Ottawa and Buffalo. They have similar records to my Bruins but better numbers.

[@ModernCaecae728]

As a sens fan I think that if they do win the next few games and ullmark gets back on form and we see them not give up like last game then I think that there's a chance of the playoffs. They show how good they can be like that game against the rangers but they aren't consistent enough like against the flyers wich they should've won. I mean against carolina we never win and edmonton was looking to bounce back against montreal so I get it but they need to show up every night. Also they have the 3rd hardest scheduled in the league but it does get easier at the start of December. I'm just hopping they are obove 500. By the end of November or December

[@hockeysnipes3656]

Wait Ottawa has had the third toughest so far to date or the overall year their's is the hardest.

[@DGL-LDG]

Just keep giving this team excuses 🤣 Team is what it is, crap…

[@ModernCaecae728]

@@hockeysnipes3656 I think they have the 3rd hardest overall this year

[@ModernCaecae728]

@@DGL-LDG probably right

[@michaelnextdoor8726]

No time to panic because we have PTSD or the team had a bad game. Its about the stuff like giving up a goal a minute after the other team scored. Theres been too much of that. Trading a player wont fix that

[@DGL-LDG]

The leafs get made fun of for running it back to back with the same core. Difference is, they’ve at least made the playoffs. You have to look at the core now, that’s the only thing that hasn’t changed.

[@michaelnextdoor8726]

Lets look at Buffalo's track record at trading young talent. How's that working for them?

[@f.n04]

Just an annual cycle of depression and regression for the Sens

[@NobodyImportant74]

Ottawa just cannot get a high performance coach no matter how frequently they switch coaches.

[@GizmoBeach]

Simple…it’s Ottawa. There’s always…something.

[@thechum4421]

Formenton, i think would have gone a long way, he would have looked nice in the top 6 with his speed and goal scoring allowing a greig pinto perron 3rd line

[@isaiahwirch9389]

The last 3 -4 goalies in Ottawa have had the same bad stats is that a coincidence?

[@thefutureofsoccer5226]

I was laughed at for saying Detroit would do better than the sens this year…

[@vivid_prizm]

As a wings fan… we definitely will not do better than them 😂 Get ready to speak Michael Misa buddy. This time for sure we will get a top 3 pick 😂🙃

[@ShawnBlaque]

If the season was 2 months long Ottawa would have 50 cups by now lmao this can't happen every single year

[@Bowman1999]

Sens have the talent they just aren't putting it together on the ice, especially Sanderson & Pinto. They can still turn it around though. Go Sens!

[@michaelnextdoor8726]

The other teams in the division arent playing as well either.

[@ashepherd39675]

wasn’t Buffalo all the talk to make the playoffs. Most were down on the Senators this summer

[@Chesties]

The problem with ottawa is that the NHL scheduled games in November. I thought there was am agreement we get a month off?

[@aaroniny522]

As a sens fan who has watched every game, we should have gotten a win or at least a point against PHI, VGK, and NYR. Igor stole the game for NYR and Ullmark gave the game to PHI when we should have won by 2 or 3 goals.... If we had won 2 of those games and got the loser point in the other, we would be 10-7-1 with 21 points in 18 games... But classic sens it seems like every year we can see the guys playing better and just not getting the results....

[@retflo2583]

Ducks fan, man I don't want to see this video next yr....

[@danieldosso2455]

I still favour older vets as captain than the young kid.

[@Spanishflea.]

Sens fans: 🚬🚬🚬....

[@DBeau73]

The worse, Ottawa has the skills to be a playoff team. They just can't hold it in November and December where they collapse. I don't mind a fair loss, but it does hit you mentally when you had a game that was clearly fixed. That Canes game looked more like the WWE than the NHL. But just that seems to deflate players where there's a drop of wanting to play. But you know Pinto isn't the November problem as he wasn't there last year. I'd say get rid of Bettman and you'll have a real league.

[@derekgreen7319]

Does the NHL have a trade exception like the NBA ? If not it might be interesting if they implemented one.

[@AZ09stein]

I don't think they'll make the playoffs but they should be better than last year, Ullmark needs to figure his game out and be the 8 million dollar man. I think he core is fundamentally flawed, I'd keep stutzle and sanderson and move everyone else tbh.

[@NycktheDyck]

They need to fire the coach again. Green is way too passive, he was the wrong choice.

[@Vladiator01]

sens have a good team thats the frustrating part

[@Emmy5275]

Captaincy should go to best leader on the team, not the biggest point producer. I think tkachuk was a poor choice as captain. He’s not emotionally mature enough yet

[@devilsarebeastly]

How long is Brady willing to watch his brother go on playoff runs from press boxes? I could see Brady getting traded to NJ with Nemec being the main piece going back if this gets worse (not saying it'd be one for one even though hey who saw Hall for Larsson coming and if Brady were to ask out that would reduce Ottawa's asking price).

[@WolvesOfX-Productions]

2065 💀

[@ralliartstyle]

I’m not sure who a worse captain, tkachuk or Marchand.

[@andrewthompson6453]

as a Sens fan I don't see them making the playoffs and Ullmark's number are troubling seeing how we have him till 2029...the Sens - career suicide for goalies haha

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

would a couple solid veteran two way players, one offense and one defense, help Ottawa get over the hump?

[@mastersquid20]

They shoud dump Travis Green and hire coach Monty

[@angermanagementstudios]

It’s having that useless waste of space Korpisalo in net. Oh, hang on… Seriously, it’s marginally better than last season. The standings don’t lie.

[@Flopps-ys9jj]

I Think if Ullmark Gets hot The Sens will make the playoffs. Team is Jinxed with Goalies I Remember when the Sens got Matt Murry I thought he would still be on the team to day and they signed Ullmark to early Should have singed him in the offseason cause that contracted looks Bad

[@TheMur28]

Good goalies come to Ottawa and get worse, and average/underwhelming goalies leave and become stars. Since the problem always seems to be goaltending, no matter who the goalie is, maybe the problem is the goalie coach.

[@FirewagonHockey]

With the 1st overall pick of the 2025 draft, the Arizona Senators select James Hagens!

[@leguy5662]

no

[@michaelnextdoor8726]

Watch the Staios video. Trading a players isnt going to fix the problem theyve identified

[@mercywilliams2698]

Not a fan of Travis Green coaching. Just seems to strike the wrong notes ..

[@durtcobain1079]

Brady cant stay out of box