You certainly made your voices heard, Senators fans.
Hundreds of respondents chimed in for the latest Senators survey at The Athletic. In summation: the optimism isn’t there with this group just yet. The recent road trip through California may have calmed the waters a bit, but there’s much work to be done for the Senators to get back in the playoff picture — and to change some fans’ minds about the team.
You’ll notice that we’ve excluded the results for the question: If you had to trade a player from the Sens’ core to get a piece this team desperately needs, who would you be most likely to move? Why? Well, the poll didn’t have Josh Norris as an option. He should have been there as he’s considered part of the core. It’s not a guarantee he would’ve been the top selection from that poll, but the results would’ve looked different. (For those curious, Thomas Chabot received the most votes).
Here are the results.
How would you rate the Senators’ season so far? (1 is awful, 5 is exceptional)
| Ranking | Percentage |
|---|---|
|
1
|
18.9%
|
|
2
|
57.5%
|
|
3
|
22.9%
|
|
4
|
0.6%
|
|
5
|
0.0%
|
A woeful November, featuring a five-game losing streak and inconsistent play, is one reason many Senators fans aren’t too happy about the team so far. A few were hanging in the middle of our scale, but very few wanted to go beyond that.
Who’s been the Sens’ best player so far? (1 is awful, 5 is exceptional)
| Player | Percentage |
|---|---|
 Tim Stützle |
78.9%
|
 Brady Tkachuk |
4.8%
|
 Claude Giroux |
2.9%
|
 Jake Sanderson |
2.6%
|
 Nick Jensen |
2.4%
|
 Thomas Chabot |
2.2%
|
 Drake Batherson |
2.1%
|
 Adam Gaudette |
1.8%
|
 Shane Pinto |
0.5%
|
 Michael Amadio |
0.3%
|
 Josh Norris |
0.3%
|
 Linus Ullmark |
0.3%
|
 Anton Forsberg |
0.2%
|
 Noah Gregor |
0.2%
|
 Nick Cousins |
0.1%
|
 Zack MacEwen |
0.1%
|
 Artem Zub |
0.1%
|
Tim Stützle has been the Senators’ brightest spot through 20-plus games this season. In addition to leading the team in scoring, he’s shown off his game-breaking ability through his control of the puck and has shown an increased commitment to defence. The German centre was the overwhelming favourite to win this poll and the result wasn’t even close.
Who’s been the Sens’ most disappointing player so far?
| Player | Percentage |
|---|---|
|
Linus Ullmark |
62.7%
|
|
Shane Pinto |
6.1%
|
|
Jake Sanderson |
5.1%
|
 Travis Hamonic |
4.3%
|
|
3.6%
|
|
|
Thomas Chabot |
3.5%
|
|
Brady Tkachuk |
3.4%
|
 David Perron |
3.2%
|
|
Artem Zub |
1.9%
|
|
Michael Amadio |
1.4%
|
|
Claude Giroux |
1.0%
|
 Ridly Greig |
1.0%
|
|
Josh Norris |
0.7%
|
 Tyler Kleven |
0.5%
|
|
Zack MacEwen |
0.4%
|
|
Tim Stützle |
0.4%
|
|
Noah Gregor |
0.2%
|
|
Nick Jensen |
0.2%
|
 Jacob Bernard-Docker |
0.1%
|
|
Anton Forsberg |
0.1%
|
Linus Ullmark’s tenure in Ottawa so far leaves a lot to be desired. He’s had a few decent performances, but he’s simply allowed too many goals. In some cases, those goals have sunk the Senators even when they’ve played well. There’s still time for Ullmark to change his fortunes, but some fans are nervous about Ullmark being committed as the goaltender that helps elevate the franchise from a middling team to a playoff contender. The biggest surprise on the list is Jake Sanderson’s placement. His season hasn’t been perfect, but an argument could be made that he’s been hampered somewhat by not having a healthy Artem Zub by his side.
How would you evaluate Steve Staios’ work as general manager so far? (1 is awful, 5 is exceptional)
| Ranking | Percentage |
|---|---|
|
1
|
3.3%
|
|
2
|
18.2%
|
|
3
|
55.2%
|
|
4
|
21.3%
|
|
5
|
2.0%
|
Steve Staios has only been on the job for over a calendar year and his biggest move so far has been the Ullmark trade and contract extension. So, seeing Sens fans mostly be in the middle with him is somewhat fair. Some of his other moves haven’t produced a ton of impact (David Perron and Michael Amadio come to mind). But it’s his next move that could possibly affect his standing, especially with the team seeking defensive help with Zub on long-term injured reserve. Ultimately, fans just want Staios to do something different with a team trending toward a familiar result: missing the playoffs.
How would you evaluate Travis Green’s work as head coach so far? (1 is awful, 5 is exceptional)
| Ranking | Percentage |
|---|---|
|
1
|
7.5%
|
|
2
|
27.8%
|
|
3
|
49.1%
|
|
4
|
14.8%
|
|
5
|
0.9%
|
Senators fans are also willing to give some benefit of the doubt to first-year Sens coach Travis Green, which might say more about how they feel about the players versus coaching for now. But when the Senators are at their best, they play well off the rush by using speed and skill and impose themselves on other teams. It’s just about playing that identity more consistently.
The Senators remain a top-10 team in Corsi and a top-five team in expected goals against at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick. But they’re seventh worst in expected goals for and they’re still among the worst in high-danger chances generated and scored at five-on-five. For those not down with the advanced statistics, the eye test has observations too. The Senators keep allowing goals soon after they’ve scored them. Even if their defending has been better, they’re still negatively affected by mental lapses in their coverage.
It remains a work in progress for Green’s system and thinking to take hold with the Senators.
Will the Sens make the playoffs?
| Option | Percentage |
|---|---|
|
Yes
|
20%
|
|
No
|
80%
|
A resounding 80 percent of fans don’t have faith in the Senators. That number could change as the season presses on. But that means picking up more wins from here until the end of the season. At least they’re out of their 5-8-1 November.
Why or why not?
Most respondents wrote why the team wouldn’t make the postseason. Inconsistency was a common answer. But some went deeper, seeking a general change in the team’s attitude. Others targeted the team’s place in the standings: on the outside looking in for a playoff spot.
No, not until this team finds a new attitude. One bad goal goes in and the whole mood changes to “woe is us, we’re cursed!” Great teams are able to brush these moments off and move on. Until that happens, the Sens will be on the outside looking in.
Too many mistakes. Inability to overcome any adversity whatsoever. Mediocre defensive play and awful goaltending.
But there was some optimism. After all, not everyone thinks the Senators will miss the playoffs.
They have really been playing great, outplaying so many teams, hard to believe five-loss streaks will be normal.
I think they turn it around bits it’s (going to) be an unreal amount of work.
There is too much talent on this team for them not to turn it around.
If the Senators don’t make the playoffs, how should this team react?
| Option | Percentage |
|---|---|
|
Tear it down, full rebuild
|
6.4%
|
|
A major move needs to be made
|
69.6%
|
|
Minimal tweaks needed
|
21.0%
|
|
Run it back!
|
3.0%
|
Senators fans don’t necessarily want to see this team tear it down to the studs just yet. But their appetite for a significant move to shake up the team’s core has been heightened due to its general performance.
(Top photo of Linus Ullmark and Brady Tkachuk: Andrew Lahodynskyj / NHLI via Getty Images)
