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Saturday, October 2, 1999
Senators have the right answers
It could have been three nights ago, when Bruce Gardiner and Steve Martins, good friends as well as teammates, fought outside a Mont Tremblant bar.
How good was that?
Didn't the Oakland A's used to beat up on each other when they were winning World Series titles back in the '70s?
Didn't the New York Yankees used to have the odd internal scrap when they were capturing championships in the '80s?
Maybe the Gardiner-Martins dustup was just what the Senators needed. Maybe it was a good omen.
It certainly was harmless enough. Martins, diminutive in stature but as mighty as they come, is always being teased about his height. And Gardiner is the team leader in jabs.
So they had a couple of drinks and it got out of hand. They also probably had breakfast and laughs together the next morning.
And speaking of laughs, wouldn't it just be the biggest hoot of all-time if the Senators actually went all the way this season? Without Alexei Yashin?
All NHL owners would be winners if that happened.
More likely, though, the Senators' fate will be decided by tiny breaks and whether or not they can stay away from significant injuries. In the past, they've been unfortunate in the latter, and Magnus Arvedson's back has to be front and centre on their list of concerns already.
TIGHT RACE
The Eastern Conference is going to be so close, the Senators could finish on top of it or in ninth place, booking early tee times.
A key will be the goaltending of Ron Tugnutt and the 25-35 games they get from Patrick Lalime, who was a minor leaguer just a few months ago.
If there are early trouble signs between the pipes, the Senators could look at making a trade. Byron Dafoe, who appears to have reached the point of no return in contract talks with the Bruins, would be an attractive option.
And if the Senators ever do change their minds and elect to deal Yashin, what better place for him to go than Boston. Imagine the fun Mark Gandler could have with Harry Sinden at the negotiating table?
There will be a number of other areas and players on the Ottawa team to watch, other pieces of the puzzle that have to fall in place. The questions and their answers are:
It would figure that the power play, which had its difficulties last season, would be worse off without Yashin. But perhaps it can discover more consistency with a centre that will pass off to any one of his four teammates on the ice rather than just shoot. That's a toss-up.
Also, does team chemistry get improve or regress without a player that has proven himself to be very selfish? Choose 'a'.
Does Daniel Alfredsson avoid regular trips to the infirmary and excel as captain? Yes.
Does Marian Hossa let the pressure being put on a 20-year old who has yet to a full NHL season affect his play? No.
Does Igor Kravchuk improve on a disastrous 1998-99? Yes.
Does Shawn McEachern score 30 goals again? Yes.
Who proves to be the better off-season acquisition, Rob Zamuner or Kevin Dineen? Guess 'b'.
Does Mike Fisher stay the whole year? The hunch here is yes.
Do the Senators miss Lance Pitlick? Somebody better pick up the slack in the physical department.
Does Radek Bonk blossom into a 30-goal scorer? Yes.
Does Vinny Prospal prove the trade the Senators made in acquiring him for Alexandre Daigle was a very good one? Oops, he already has. But Prospal will be a pleasant surprise this season.
Who will be the next fan favourite in Ottawa? Tough guy Andre Roy, but he still won't move ahead of Martins in terms of popularity.
Now sit back and enjoy the season. It'll be another good one.
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