The Fifth Liners

After their 4-3 overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks on home turf at the Canadian Tire Centre last night, the Ottawa Senators have dropped a bombshell. Today was announced that head coach, Paul MacLean has been dismissed after three seasons! So far there has been an massively negative reaction to this decision. Particularly by Senators fans who dearly loved the coach with the most impressive facial hair in the league! Winner of the Jack Adams Award in 2013 (albeit a lockout shortened season), MacLean has been highly praised for his development of Senators and has guided them to the playoffs twice in only three years, making the second round in 2013. Last season was one to forget in Ottawa as they finished 5th in Atlantic Division with a record of 37-31-14. This season there has been signs of life such as the form of new captain Erik Karlsson and the surprising goal scoring of Clarke MacArthur . Overall the Senators lie 6th in the Atlantic and 10th in the Eastern Conference where...

It has proven to be a big day for the Ottawa Senators so far as they have re-signed star right winger Bobby Ryan to a brand new seven year contract reportedly worth over $50.75 million and finally they have announced a new captain in the shape of defenseman Erik Karlsson . Debate has been raging today about whether the 24 year old Swede is the best man for the job? Ever since former captain and longtime Ottawa star Jason Spezza was traded to Dallas, the Sens management has been taking their time over announcing his replacement. In retrospect I think the selection of Karlsson is a fine one because he is a young man who is coming into his own and is fast becoming considered one of the leagues finest defensemen. So far Karlsson has spent six seasons in Ottawa, he has 63 goals and 237 points scored in 315 games, also he was awarded the James Norris Trophy in 2012. On these kind of stats alone combined with his committed play, I can think of no other candidate who was more qualified ...