2006 Ottawa Senators Preview

2006 Ottawa Senators Preview from Maddux Sports. With the NHL Hockey Season now is the time to get aquatinted with the 2006 teams and players. Remember if you are NHL hockey betting look no further, as we offer hockey picks and can help you turn a profit betting on the NHL this season.

2006 Ottawa Senators Hockey Season Preview

The Senators were a high scoring, dynamic team last season, finishing first in the conference and second overall in the league. Great things are expected of this team that was beaten by the upstart Sabres in the second round of the playoffs. But Ottawa has lost key ingredients, most notably defensive tiger Zendo Chara, power play master Brian Pothier, skilled winger Martin Havlat and veteran goalie Domnik Hasek. Still, this is a fine team.

The offense is one of the most impressive in the league with center Jason Spezza (19 G, 71 A, 90 Pts), left winger Dany Heatley (50 G, 53 A, 103 Pts) and right winger Daniel Alfredsson (43 G, 60 A, 103 Pts) combining for almost 300 points last season! The team is deep up front with strong two-way play from Mike Fisher (22 G, 22 A. 44 Pts) and Peter Schaefer (20 G, 30 A, 50 Pts).

With free agent Zendo Chara going to Boston, the Senators lose their one true tough guy. Defensemen Wade Redden (10 G, 40 A, 50 Pts) and Andrej Meszaros (10 G, 29 A, 39 Pts) were plus-35 and plus-34 respectively. Joe Corvo (14 G, 26 A 40 Pts) and Tom Preissing (11 G, 32 A, 43 Pts) will be asked to make up for the loss of Chara and Pothier.

Former Hurricane and free agent goalie Martin Gerber (60 G, 38 W, 14 L, 6 OT, 2.78 GAA, .906 SP), who became the backup behind Carolina rookie sensation Cam Ward, is the designated puck stopper for Ottawa. Gerber was fourth in wins in the league and is a solid net man.

This team was third in power play and penalty kill last season. They may still be that dominant when they have the advantage, but key loses make it tougher for the Senators on the penalty kill. There’s still too much talent and experience up front for this team to miss the playoffs.

For more information on the 2006 Ottawa Hockey Club check out the Senators team website.