OTTAWA \u2014 So, I guess we learned this summer in Ottawa that beloved captains leave the Senators in heart-wrenching fashion. \u00a0<\/p>\n
All the Brady Tkachuk<\/a> drama is done, and now Daniel Alfredsson is, somehow, a Toronto Maple Leaf.\u00a0It\u2019s even more painful than usual for a Senators fanbase that\u2019s all-too-accustomed to heartbreak at this point.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why we felt there was no better time to say farewell, and to conclude the season, with questions from you, the readers.<\/p>\n We appreciate all your support; it\u2019s been such a privilege to cover my hometown team for Sportsnet.<\/p>\n Thanks for the questions! Might as well start off with the residue of the Tkachuk departure, although Alfredsson\u2019s is just as raw.<\/p>\n I do believe that Tkachuk will be the most vilified Senators departure since Alexei Yashin, and arguably more so. He was the captain of a contending team, only to decide to hamstring it by forcing his way to play with his brother on a division rival. It wasn\u2019t about completely about winning, or a contract dispute. It also would be fair to say he wasn\u2019t fully locked in down the stretch last season. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported there was some strife in the Senators locker room.<\/p>\n “Post-Olympics, a lot was going on, the players were tired of it. I did have someone (on the Senators)\u00a0reach out to me, one of their players (said that) the podcast (Wingmen) caused some problems,” Friedman said.<\/p>\n Firsthand, being in the room, I know the drama that surrounded Tkachuk from Team USA to the podcast comments was a nuisance that drained everyone in the organization. They played it down, but it was palpable. It\u2019s clear that the rest of the core was ready to move on, and Tkachuk wanted to be gone. I keep thinking about Tim Stutzle\u2019s end-of-season availability in which he professed his enjoyment playing in a Canadian market. In hindsight, that comment feels like a shot at Tkachuk, whether it was intended or not.<\/p>\n If the Senators\u2019 coming season is very calm, then Tkachuk’s negative effect on the team will look even clearer. Do I think the rest of the team hates Tkachuk? No. Do I think they were annoyed by him? Probably.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a tough time to be a Senators fan. After your captain leaves, your best-ever player and former captain, Alfredsson, departs the coaching staff to join the archrival Toronto Maple Leafs in a stunning and heartbreaking move.<\/p>\n Alfredsson wearing a Leafs logo feels unnatural. However, he\u2019ll be an associate coach, which is a promotion from his assistant-coach position in Ottawa. Also, Alfredsson has massive ties to fellow Swede and Maple Leafs senior adviser Mats Sundin, which is likely why he is crossing the Battle-of-Ontario rubicon. As I reported Tuesday<\/a>, Alfredsson interviewed for Toronto\u2019s top job; there\u2019s a pathway to believe he could be a head coach one day. As a pure career decision, it makes sense: a coaching promotion to work alongside a teammate with whom you won a gold medal.<\/p>\n On a hockey level, it does feel a little like a broken relationship. It\u2019s not what Tkachuk did, and Alfredsson\u2019s legacy will likely be fine \u2014 except in the unlikely instance that he wins a Cup in Toronto. If Alfredsson went anywhere else, it would be easier to take. Still, the Senators do not want a strained relationship with Alfredsson, and he\u2019s always welcome back \u2014\u00a0despite wearing blue and white.<\/p>\n Someone who wants to be in Ottawa! It\u2019s clear Giroux batted his eyes at the Flyers, while Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs may have offered him more money. Ultimately, though, the hometown favourite stays in Ottawa.<\/p>\n Giroux isn\u2019t the star he used to be, but he can be serviceable in the top six while bringing defensive aptitude, leadership and playmaking, all of which the team needs. The Senators forward group looks much cleaner with Giroux than without. Also, keeping Giroux is a good PR move for a team. Another interesting point is that with Giroux signing, the Senators will likely be spending to the cap.<\/p>\n Everyone wants to know about the captaincy! My best guess is that it\u2019s Jake Sanderson<\/a>. He\u2019s a super low-maintenance guy who works harder than anyone and loves being a Senator. Also, he\u2019s signed for the longest amount of time. <\/p>\n Both Tim Stutzle and Thomas Chabot<\/a> also have a shot, and all three would be worthy captains. Stutzle is so fiery and loves Ottawa. Meanwhile, the veteran Chabot is the best with the media, but he\u2019s only signed for two more seasons.\u00a0If he stays beyond that, he deserves to be in the Ring of Honour. One of the best Senators ever. But a brief captaincy, like Jason Spezza’s, won’t cut it.<\/p>\n I think it\u2019s a major issue, the abundance of no-trade clauses in the NHL. I do not begrudge the players their negotiating rights. At the same time, as Friedman said, Canadian teams bring in one-third of the league\u2019s revenue. In the last seven Stanley Cup Finals, either a Florida team or Vegas has been represented. If every player asks to go to those locales, that\u2019s an issue. Ultimately, players have one career and I get why they do what they do for taxes and weather, but winning cures all. I suggest you read Justin Bourne\u2019s take on it<\/a>.<\/p>\n I just keep thinking about Carter Yakemchuk. He\u2019ll be 21 this season and it\u2019s time for him to become an NHLer. The offensive talent is unquestionable, but whether he can defend and skate well enough is still up in the air. If Yakemchuk breaks out, it changes the whole complexion of the team. <\/p>\n