NHL teams
Joe McDonald, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

2015-16 season preview: Ottawa Senators

NHL, Ottawa Senators

The Senators entertained the hockey world in the final months of the 2014-15 season with a 23-4-4 record to end the regular season, which coincided with the emergence of goaltender Andrew "The Hamburglar" Hammond. Coach Dave Cameron, who replaced Paul MacLean on Dec. 8, rejuvenated the Senators, but the team lost in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs to the Montreal Canadiens.

Now the Senators are focused on carrying that solid play into this season.

"We should feel pretty good about ourselves and what we accomplished," captain Erik Karlsson said. "It made everybody have a pretty good summer. We're refreshed and hopefully everybody knows what needs to be done in order to get to the playoffs."

BEST NEW FACES

Forward Erik Condra decided to sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent, so that leaves room for one of Ottawa's prospects to step up this season. Forward Matt Puempel, who played 13 games last season for the Senators, was expected to earn a roster spot out of training camp and have a bigger impact this season. However, he suffered an arm injury during camp, which likely will be the difference in whether or not he begins the season in Ottawa. Fellow prospect Shane Prince should also battle for playing time this season. He had 28 goals last season for Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. The Senators suspended defensive prospect Mikael Wikstrand after he left training camp without permission and the 22-year-old defenseman returned to Sweden.

BIGGEST UNKNOWNS

Can Hammond repeat last season's stunning performance? That will be a major question for the Senators this season. The 27-year-old netminder posted a 20-1-2 record down the stretch as the Senators held on to a playoff spot. Ottawa rewarded the goaltender with a three-year contract extension worth an average of $1.35 million per season. Hammond went 0-2 in the playoffs against the Canadiens before being replaced by Craig Anderson. Anderson played well in the series -- including a 45-save performance to force Game 6. Will one of these goaltenders claim the No. 1 spot or will they share the net all season?

Forward Mark Stone, a Calder Trophy finalist last season, led all rookies in scoring with 26 goals and 38 assists for 64 points last season and is expected to add more offense this season, especially with a new three-year contract worth $10.5 million.

The Senators will be without the services of defenseman Chris Phillips, who suffered a setback in his rehab from offseason back surgery. The 37-year-old blueliner cracked a vertebra during rehab and is expected to be out for a month. That leaves Karlsson, Cody Ceci, Marc Methot, Mark Borowiecki, Jared Cowen, Patrick Wiercioch and prospect Chris Wideman on defense.

SURE THINGS

After the season was over, Karlsson admitted he felt worn down. So, during the offseason he focused on strength conditioning and arrived at training camp bigger and stronger. The two-time Norris Trophy winner said he still wants to be fresh and productive in April -- hopefully for a postseason run.

"I always want to be better," said Karlsson. "I don't think I'll ever be as good as I want to be individually. For me, it's about the small things, having team success will always be my No. 1 priority, and if you do that it's easier to perform as individuals, and hopefully this year we can have an even better year than we did at the end of last year."

The 25-year-old captain has produced back-to-back 82-game seasons. He posted 21 goals and 45 assists for 66 points, including going plus-7 en route to his second Norris Trophy last season.

WORLD CUP CANDIDATES

The Senators will send Karlsson and Mika Zibanejad to the World Cup of Hockey to represent Sweden. Karlsson admitted his offseason training will change due to the tournament in September.

"It's going to be a challenge, but at the same time it's going to be fun to play with your countrymen and a lot of good hockey players. It's definitely something that motivates you."

PENDING FREE AGENTS

Phillips and fellow veteran Chris Neil will be the two main unrestricted free agents next summer. Phillips, 37, is approaching the end of his career and could decide to retire after this season if health continues to be a challenge. He will earn $2.5 million this season. Neil, 36, will make $1.5 million this season and he's also in the twilight of his career.

PREDICTION

If the Senators can avoid the major dips and remain steady this season, a playoff berth could be within reach for Ottawa. Sixth in the Atlantic Division.

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