Some hilarious calls on the Sens in here. Sure, they have some exciting young pieces, and they will start to rise in the standings over the next 2 or 3 years. But this year? LOL.
Simple question: what teams in the Canadian division are their forward group better than (this year)? What teams are their D group better than? And their goaltending isn't gong to be better than anyone else's (it's not like they have Price).
Fans are always so quick to think young players are going to change the fortunes of the team. Stuetzle is a dynamic young player, but he isn't going to be impactful in the NHL this year. Look at Jersey last year with Hughes and Hischier - good young players, but Jersey still sucked.
And Brannstrom? LOL Again, great young prospect, but he isn't going to change the Sens this year. Brannstrom is VERY comparable to Valimaki. Valimaki is a great young prospect, and I wouldn't be surprised if he establishes himself in the top 4 by the end of the year. But that isn't going to change the fortunes of the Flames.
If all goes well for the Sens this year, they might finish as high as 6th, but I wouldn't bet on it.
|