2016-2017 Team Predictions: Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators missed the playoffs last year by a sizable margin, leaving the fans in Ottawa with a bad taste in their mouths. Having made the playoffs the same year they traded their all-star captain Jason Spezza to the Dallas Stars, most fans were hopeful for the 2015-2016 season, and the Senators couldn't deliver.

In the 2016 NHL Draft, the Senators moved up one pick when they traded for the 11th overall pick. Using this selection, Ottawa selected the towering 6'6', 220 pound center, Logan Brown. The Senators lack one thing that will hurt them in the long run and that is a star prospect. Their top prospects under 23 years old consist of Cody Ceci, Curtis Lazar, Logan Brown, and Thomas Chabot.

Regardless, this season looks okay for the Senators. With newly acquired Derick Brassard, the already good offense of the Senators, gets even better. If the offense can keep its production level, or improve, expect the Senators to contend for a wild card spot.

Projected Lineup
Forwards
Hoffman  Turris  Stone
MacArthur  Brassard  Ryan
Kelly  Pageau  Lazar
Puempel  Smith  Neil

Defense
Methot  Karlsson
Phaneuf  Ceci
Borowiecki  Wideman

Goalies
Anderson
Hammond

Prediction: 4th Atlantic

Third and fourth place in the Atlantic Division are going to be highly contested between the Bruins, Canadiens and Senators. It will be a close season in the East for wild card contenders as it was last year with the Flyers squeaking past the Detroit Red Wings and the Boston Bruins. Defense and goaltending will be the key parts of this Ottawa team. If they keep the penalty minutes down, the Senators should be wild card contenders.

Related:

2016-2017 NHL Team Predictions: Toronto Maple Leafs
2016-2017 NHL Team Predictions: Calgary Flames
2016-2017 NHL Team Predictions: Edmonton Oilers
2016-2017 NHL Team Predictions: Vancouver Canucks
2016-2017 NHL Team Predictions: Winnipeg Jets