2010-11 Ottawa Senators Preview: Keeping the Doctor Away

The Ottawa Senators, one of the streakiest teams in the league last season, held fairly steady in recent weeks.

"We didn't feel like we needed to do a whole lot," Sens coach Cory Clouston says. "The team finished the season and what we have now are still quite a bit different."

Late-season injuries left Ottawa hobbled as it entered the Eastern Conference playoffs as the fifth seed. Forwards Milan Michalek (knee), Alex Kovalev (knee), and defensemen Filip Kuba (back) were out as the Sens were bounced in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"Just putting those guys in the lineup makes us a better hockey team," Clouston says.

Along with those three players, captain Daniel Alfredsson (sports hernia) and Chris Campoli (knee) are also returning from surgery. Add in the team's biggest offseason acquisition – free agent defenseman Sergei Gonchar -- and health could be the biggest impediment to another playoff berth.

Gonchar, who is hardly known as the sturdiest player during his NHL career, left the Penguins in favor of a three-year, $16.5 million contract in Ottawa. He's effectively replacing Anton Volchenkov, who signed with the New Jersey Devils.

The addition of Gonchar will likely help bolster a power play that was ranked 21st (16.9 percent) in the regular season.

"Anytime you acquire a guy with that level of talent, you get excited," Clouston says. "We feel like he compliments our group of guys. We feel we have a good mix. Sergei comes in with a ton of experience and a lot of skill [offensively]. That's not to say we don't expect him to contribute defensively. He was with the top pair [in Pittsburgh] and did a lot of penalty killing and went up against the other team's top line."

Clouston feels a healthy Senators club could help a team avoid the uneven play -- and results -- the team had a season ago. While the Sens did go on a franchise-best 11-game winning streak and another streak of six in a row, they also lost eight of nine at one point last March and went on six-game slide just after New Year's.

Clouston says even with a healthy team, there are no guarantees in the competitive Eastern Conference were few teams, outside the Washington Capitals, appear to be locks for the postseason.

2010-11 NHL Previews

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FanHouse is getting ready to step back on the ice, previewing one team a day leading up to the season's opening night. Read them all. "We know it will be competitive," he says. "There is a lot of parity in this league. It's going to be the little things that are going to be the difference. We know it's going to be a grind."

WHICH WAY IN NET?

Brian Elliott, a product of the University of Wisconsin, was slated to be the No. 2 goalie until Pascal Leclaire struggled early on last season. Leclaire, who is in the final year of a three-year deal that will pay him $4.8 million this season, will get a chance during training camp to win the No. 1 job back, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Sens alternate goaltenders until one seizes the job during the regular season.

Elliott, 25, has a history with Clouston that stretches back to when both were with the Sens' AHL franchise in Binghamton, N.Y. Clouston had no qualms calling on Elliott last season, who posted a 29-18-4 record with a .909 save percentage and 2.57 GAA.

"I have confidence in Brian," Clouston says. "I've been with him for three years and seen him improve and make great strides. He's put together some very good seasons. The expectations for him are set higher every year and each year he improves."

YOUTH MOVEMENT ON BLUE LINE

Erik Karlsson, a former first-round pick, will be leaned on heavily in his second NHL season. Karlsson, 20, is already a gifted stick handler, who could team up with Gonchar on the power player. Now, coaches will be looking for the Swede to shore up his defensive skills.

"Maturity-wise, his game is at a higher level than last year," Clouston says. "This is a different style of game and he's come a long way. He's going to be a star for us in the future. He's already gotten a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger and as he gains experience that's going to be reflected on the ice."

Along with Volchenkov, defenseman Andy Sutton also left via free agency to sign with the Anaheim Ducks. That leaves the possibility of another young defenseman could land on the opening-night roster. The contenders include Jared Cowen, a 19-year-old blue liner who stands 6-foot-5, and Patrick Wiercioch, who will be 21 by the time the season starts.