Links, News, and Notes: Trade Deadline Fallout, Ovie Inches Closer to the Record, and More...
The Sens weren't the only ones that made some bold moves
Coming off of a thrilling 4-3 comeback win in overtime on Saturday night against the New York Rangers, the Ottawa Senators have a critical week ahead of them. With just twenty games left in the season, the Sens are holding down a play-off spot. We're getting so close, I can almost taste it.
Here are some of the big stories from out of Ottawa, and the rest of the hockey world on this Monday morning:
-The Sens' trade deadline moves paid early dividends on Saturday night, but you won't find them among ESPN's "Winners" in their trade deadline round-up
-Now, if you want the optimistic take on Ottawa's outlook after the deadline, Alex Adams has you covered over at Sportsnet.
“It’s really tough,” Batherson said. “It won’t really kind of kick in for a bit here. Like I said, it’s just a tough day.”
But at the same time, a move like this was almost inevitable as the Sens venture forward in their hopes of being bona fide contenders. If Ottawa held firm with its core at the deadline and either missed the playoffs or had a poor showing, the spotlight would’ve burned brightly on the Senators to make a significant change after years and years of failure.
Hard to disagree with much of that.
-Friend of the blog Travis Yost has sized up the Wildcard races and has some nice things to say about the Sens:
-Meanwhile, things are more than just a little chaotic in Vancouver right now.
-In what should count as a fairly explosive revelation, apparently the Toronto Maple Leafs approached Mitch Marner about dealing him to Carolina as part of a trade involving Mikko Rantanen. Marner declined, as is his right, but also as not indicated a willingness to sign before becoming a UFA at the end of the season. We might be headed for some real fireworks this summer in Toronto!
-Alex Ovechkin is now less than ten goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record for most goals. It felt crazy to say it before the year started, but it's looking almost like an inevitability that he's going to do it this season.
-The Detroit Red Wings, tonight's opposition, have been in a bit of a tailspin of late. It sure would be great to be rid of them completely.
-And lastly, just in case you need something to further brighten your day:
