If you do not beat 'em, sign away their top defenseman. That have to happen to have been Ottawa's thinking this offseason after watching their second consecutive playoff run result in the very first round to Pittsburgh. The Senators signed veteran and former Penguin Sergei Gonchar to the three-year deal.The Senators finished 44-21-6 with 94 points to earn the fifth seed in your Eastern Conference last season. Within the playoffs they ran on the Penguins, who swept them in 2008. On this occasion they pushed Pittsburgh to Game 6 before falling inside the deciding game in overtime.Coach Cory Clouston is entering his second full season while using team. A potential headache looms for Clouston with his goalie situation. Brian Elliott won the work midway through last season, but he a complete meltdown from the playoffs with the Pens while he allowed 14 goals before being yanked in Game 4.Elliott took over for Pascal Leclaire usually in the regular season after inconsistent play and injuries forced Leclaire towards bench, but Leclaire stepped planned to attend classes for Elliott within the playoffs. Add promising 19-year old Robin Lehner in to the mix and nobody is quite sure who will be the person with the crease for almost all the time of year for Ottawa.On the other end with the lineup, the fermentation Ottawa forwards are incredibly a mixed bag. Jason Spezza (23 goals), Daniel Alfredsson (20 goals) and Alexei Kovalev (18 goals) hardly looked themselves last season. Winger Milan Michalek regressed as part of his newbie in Ottawa last season. After three consecutive 55-plus point seasons with San Jose, Michalek scored 22 goals and 34 points last season.Mike Fisher about to be released off a 25-goal career year last season and 24-year old Peter Regin appears ready to start right after a 13-goal, 16-assist campaign last season. The forwards is a mixed bag. However, if they'd like to assemble any semblance of consistency Ottawa could end plan one of the most dynamic offenses while in the league.But competitive with the offense might well be will probably be challenging disregard the defense. Last season it allowed 238 goals (versus the 225 goals Ottawa scored) and little reason to imagine the 18th-ranked defense will improve from last season. Second-year player Erik Karlsson stood a huge rookie season and will likely need to continue his development playing among veteran defensemen Filip Kuba and Chris Phillips, with Phillips entering his 12th season while using the Senators but his first in a long time not being for a passing fancy line as Anton Volchenkov.The Ottawa Senators schedule opens Friday Oct. 8 at home against Buffalo. The Senators then hit the queue for five of the next six games including a rematch at Pittsburgh on Oct. 18.Offseason MovesGonchar was the large signing, however it came much like Volchenkov departs to New Jersey. Other losses include Matt Cullen (Minnesota) Jeremy Yablonski (Big apple Islanders) and Jonathan Cheechoo (Dallas).Ottawa Senators Predictions: OutlookOttawa can have a good chance against anybody they play and therefore the defensive situation could possibly have a means of figuring itself out, especially with the steady presence of Gonchar. A goalie has to emerge early in the growing season since go-to guy for Ottawa or should it be a rocky road in October and November. Ottawa is really a serious contender to challenge favorite Buffalo for those Northeast Division.Ottawa Senators Futures OddsThe Senators are listed at +1500 to win the Eastern Conference and +3000 to win the Stanley Cup. Their NHL odds to win the division are +450. After winning 44 games last season the 'over/under' for Ottawa wins at the moment is 42.5NHL Predictions for Ottawa SenatorsOttawa certainly has the talent to challenge for a division title this coming year despite the defensive questions. For the price of +450, Ottawa has enough value to win the Northeast Division.
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