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You've asked some great questions, and I've done my best to answer them. Here is part one of the mailbag, make sure to stay tuned for more in the coming days!

---Crimsoninja: Do you believe another bottom 5 finish this season seals Guy Boucher's fate?
It has to. I think he’s already on thin ice, and I wouldn’t even be surprised to see him gone mid-season if things are going horribly. By keeping him around, Dorion has another lifeline to use before he gets fired, and I think he’s going to use it. Boucher isn’t going to be coaching the next great Senators team.

---Kicksave856: Which Senator do you believe has the biggest bounceback season?

There aren’t that many options to pick from, but I’ll say Colin White proves himself to be an NHL regular. He won’t be spectacular, but he’ll be productive on the third line.

---Watsonnostaw: Just wanted to say that I'm a huge fan of your writing here for us so far! Wanted to get your thoughts on who you believe will be the next captain once Karlsson is gone. Thanks!

I always appreciate hearing that! As for the captaincy, it’s so hard to say. Mark Stone is the obvious choice, but he’s also a UFA next summer too, so who knows if he’s here for the long-term. If not Stone, then I’d say Duchene, but he has the same problem...Other than that, I wouldn’t give it to anyone yet because there’s no reason to force it if all three of Karlsson, Stone, and Duchene somehow leave.

---Streit2ThePoint: Have my first fantasy hockey draft 10 days from now. What would be your best guess for the lineup right now(top 6 and 1st PP unit) assuming everyone is healthy, Karlsson is still on the team, and no major camp surprises?

Dzingel-Duchene-Stone, Boedker, Pageau-Ryan, then Dzingel-Duchene-Stone with Karlsson and Wideman on the PP. They don’t have Hoffman available on the blueline anymore, so I’m not quite sure if Wideman will get that spot or not. Also, I expect this to change slightly once some younger players get more ice time as the year goes along.

---Shawn: Of the big 3 UFAs (Karlsson, Stone, Duchene), who do you think is the most likely to re-sign with the team?

I’d say Duchene. I feel like Karlsson and Stone coming back are contingent an on ownership change, and who knows if that will actually happen. Duchene has been on awful teams before, and he seems to really love Ottawa. Dorion knows that he has to keep at least some good players on the team, and I’m sure he’ll try his hardest to keep him a Senator. Besides, he’s the least exposed to this mess, so hopefully he’s more willing to stay onboard.

---SportsGuy67: What could the potential return be for the Senators if they trade away Matt Duchene?

It won’t be for equal value because of his UFA status. It’s so difficult to say, but I’ll just say the usual solid prospect + top-nine winger + late 1st rounder. It wouldn’t be a package that would be that exciting.

---Simdawg: Who do you see being the biggest surprise on the senators roster this upcoming season?

Christian Wolanin will be a great contributor on the second pairing.

---Peter Duquette: The Sens are clearly going to go through a rebuild... To which past team (last 10 years maybe) would you compare Ottawa in terms of rebuilding strategy?

Oh God...Maybe the 2009-10 Toronto Maple Leafs. That team lost their 2nd overall pick (and a pick that turned into Dougie Hamilton) in order to get Phil Kessel, and that’s sort of similar to what the Senators have done with Matt Duchene. The Leafs at the time were also woefully inept in their front office, and were known as a laughingstock of the league. The Senators have taken that role on now, and much like the Leafs of that era, there seems to be no direction whatsoever. If the follow that same footprint, Ottawa won’t be good for another six or seven years...

---Sheepy McSheepface: Would you rather the Senators regroup or rebuild?

Before they moved Brassard and Hoffman, I would have said regroup because they had some good pieces, but they needed to do a lot of work on the margins to get better all-around depth. But now they need a rebuild, although we know that nothing will truly change until ownership changes.

---Kanadian: Clarke MacArthur - Can you explain long term injured reserve? I don’t understand why he is still affecting our cap. News yesterday of Zetterberg, Detroit was waiting him to be placed on LTIR so as to clear cap space.

MacArthur’s on the LTIR which means that they still have to pay him, but he doesn’t affect the cap because the league is assuming that he isn’t even going to be playing this season. It’s a tool to use so that guys like Nathan Horton aren’t using up cap space while never playing.

---Stay@homeguy (same question from L&D): How fast do you expect Gustavsson to establish himself as number 1? What would that mean to the organization?

It would be enormous if he actually became a starting goaltender for the team, because that’s a huge piece to build around. I’d say it’s possible for him to be an NHL starter as soon as 2019-20, but he’d still be 21 by that time, so I’m certainly not counting on it being that quick. I always expected Robin Lehner to take over for Craig Anderson much sooner but he never did, so I don’t want to put too much pressure on Gustavsson. All goalies have different timelines, but I think by 2020-21 there’s a decent chance that he’ll be the starter.

---Alleluia: Will the loss of Hoffman be made up with "offense by committee" from guys like White, Boedker, possibly Brown? As good as Hoffman's release is, he was very predictable and having more options could go a long way.

I’d always way rather have one really talented guy than a few sort of talented guys. White and Brown might become solid point producers, but that doesn’t make losing Hoffman sting any less. I’m hoping that the team will have a bit better depth just because there are a few more young players in the lineup, but I don’t know if that production from Hoffman can totally be replaced. It’s just not the same if you don’t have a first line sniper who can score from almost anywhere.

---Chappy82: How do the sens feel about prospect G Joey Daccord? Drafted him with a throwaway pick but he has consistently gotten better in the NCAA while playing for one of the worst teams. if we had an ECHL team that seems like the perfect place for him after college.

I can’t say I have too strong of an opinion on him, but it is encouraging that he has improved his numbers two years in a row. At the same time, a .909 SV% still isn’t good, and the 22-year-old needs to have a big season this year if I want to take him more seriously as a top goalie prospect.


There are still plenty more questions to answer, but don't worry! I'll be getting around to those as well. Thanks for all the questions!

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» Very Early NHL Standings Predictions

» Bold Predictions for 2019-20

» The Worst-Case Scenario for 2019-20

» Sens Sign Colin White to 6-Year Contract