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Filip Gustavsson development this season? New HC and GM scenarios! |
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**Sens at Oilers postponed until Sat. Jan. 15th, Ottawa at Calgary to be played Thurs. Jan. 13th**
When looking at Ottawa Senators goaltender Filip Gustavsson and his 2021-22 season so far, I truly think management has failed this player in regards to his development this season. Gus had a solid start to the season starting 3 games in October and he followed that up with some strong play in November getting 6 starts in goal. In many of those November starts, he got little help from his team and kept the Sens in many of those games when they had injuries and covid related issues. Then Anton Forsberg got hot in goal, the Sens got healthy and went on a nice little run finally winning some games. Unfortunately for Gustavsson, Matt Murray got sent down to the AHL, and he watched Forsberg get the goal support he never got in November when he was earning more starts in the crease than both Forsberg and Murray. December saw Gus get 2 starts in goal before the early Christmas break and hasn't played in a game December 7th.
Meanwhile, the Belleville Senators continue to play games and the likes of Mads Sogaard and Kevin Mandolese are getting more game experience than Gustavsson. See below.
Gustavsson - 1G(AHL)/11G(NHL)
Sogaard - 13G(AHL)(he came in relief mid 2nd period for Mandolose last night too)
Mandolese - 11G(AHL)3G(ECHL)
2020-21 Season -
Gustavsson - 19G(SWE)/13G(AHL)/9G(NHL)
Sogaard - 7G(AHL)
Mandolese - 9G(AHL)
When you see two other prospects at the same position getting more game action than the goalie that you chose to protect in the Seattle expansion draft this past summer over Joey Daccord, why on earth would you waste Gustavsson's waiver exempt season? The Sens can easily bring him up and send him back down to Belleville ensuring he gets as much game action as possible so he's better prepared for next season when he's in the final year of the 2-year extension he signed this past summer. Sens management has mismanaged their top goaltending prospect so far this season and I truly hope in the final 53 games of the season that he either gets the bulk of the action in Belleville or give him at least half of the starts remaining with the big club. Management is preaching to the fans now that it's time for the youth movement, so either give Gus some NHL starts in goal or send him down to Belleville to get his game back on track.
Looking back on his play last season, when he got called up mid-March due to the Daccord injury, he played 4 straight games and looked terrific. He then went back to the AHL to continue getting game experience, then he finished the season starting 4 of the last 6 games. If you talk to any former pro goalie or present goalie, they'll all tell you, game action at Gustavsson's age is critical for his development. I truly hope management gets Gus back on track and doesn't have him sitting around watching Forsberg and Murray get all the starts in goal.
Part two of this blog, as promised as a follow up from my last blog regarding possible changes to the coaching staff and management of the Sens. Here is my dream scenario if the team were to be sold with new blood brought it into the fold and I would love to hear if you agree on the possible candidates throughout the organization or who you would put in these positions if you don't agree with my suggestions.
I personally feel this team needs to return to its roots with as much local flavour as possible or former players who've made Ottawa their home. Bruce Firestone, Cyril Leeder, and Randy Sexton are the names that originally brought the team back to Ottawa. Jim Durrell is another name from the past too. The team needs to reconnect with all the businesses and former season ticket holders that have been alienated by Eugene Melnyk over the year. If you live in Ottawa, you would all know the name Liam Maguire. Liam would be great to be that face of the front office from a business side of things to lead the way, as Leeder did so well as he was on so many boards with regards to local prominent charities. Prior to Leeder, Roy Mlakar engaged with the community very well too. You saw these two names at every charity event, sports dinner, you name it in the city and it's really lacking from this current regime. This aspect has led to a major disconnect with the community and zero trust within the organization.
Head Coach - Luke Richardson(long overdue being a head coach in the NHL and back to his hometown)
Asst. Coach - Brad Shaw(everywhere Shaw has coached the goals against have dropped dramatically)
Asst. Coach - Troy Mann(promote from the AHL as he has done a great job getting prospects ready for the NHL)
Another possible candidate would be Chris Kelly who got his coaching start here.
Goaltending Coach - Ron Tugnutt
General Manager - Pierre McGuire
Asst. General Manager - Shawn Simpson
Another possible candidate would be Trent Mann, promote him from his current position.
Chief Amateur Scout - Trevor Timmins if Trent Mann was promoted to a new position(bring him back to his roots as he was let go by the Habs not long ago)
President of Hockey Operations - Daniel Alfredsson
President of the Senators Foundation - Chris Phillips
With former Sens Jesse Winchester and Shean Donovan in charge of player development here in Ottawa, if one or both of them want to advance their coaching careers, maybe have them step into coaching roles down Belleville. If that were to happen former players like Shaun Van Allen who is the current HC of the Carleton University Men's hockey team, or other retired players living in the community, like Marc Methot, Todd White, or Jason York would be great to assume that role of either Winchester or Donovan were promoted within the organization.
Thanks for reading.
Kevin
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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