The Best of Silver Seven in 2024
A look back at the year that was
As we enter a new year of independent coverage of the Ottawa Senators here at Silver Seven, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for being a part of our community. Everything that we do wouldn't be possible without our readers and our subscribers. Thank you.
The end of 2024 also brings with it some nostalgia and reflection. Sometimes it's good to celebrate yourself. We published over 500 pieces, with near-daily content. I am immensely proud of the staff that's kept alive our dream of high quality, fan-driven writing about the Sens.
An incomplete list of some of our highlights in 2024:
-We covered from top to bottom another depressing end to a Sens season, but a much more encouraging start to a new one.
-We also gave you in-depth coverage on the inaugural PWHL season, specifically focused on the Ottawa team (now known as the Charge).
-We had regular French content through a partnership with La Brigade.
-We kept tabs on all of the Sens' prospects and the team's AHL affiliate in Belleville.
And that was just the regular coverage. So while I'll stand behind the quality of everything we put out, here were a few of my favourite bits of writing from 2024:
-In the guest contributors category, Adam Coplan gave us a great piece from the heart back when things were looking particularly bleak in January 2024. It's a lot easier to read today in light of the progress the team has made since then!
-When it came to prognostication, there weren't many more prescient than Trevor's piece at the height of the Linus Ullmark panic arguing that, yes, the Vezina-winning goalie was going to be just fine.
-Speaking of accurate predictions, when the Sens acquired Nick Jensen, Shaan let it be known that all Jensen needed to be was "OK" in order for Thomas Chabot to shine. How right he was!
-Sometimes you just need to write a fiery missive and watch the world burn. I still stand behind this one about Arber Xhekaj.
-Ross has been our games master this year, and I don't think you can ever go wrong by playing a Sens-themed crossword.
-Our Top 25 Under 25 feature is a yearly favourite among the readers and this year Ary had the definitive write-up of the Sens' second most active shit-disturber: Ridly Greig.
-Beata brought the comedy by imploring the Sens to take inspiration from the Soccer Canada cheating scandal and step-up their extra-legal attempts to win games.
-Definitely not a highlight per se, but I would be lying if Spencer's sign-off didn't have me feeling some feelings.
-Ross delivered some of that trenchant analysis you can only find at Silver Seven when it comes to the trade deadline.
-Owen put the Sens' goalies struggles into a depressing context; as good a reminder as any of how much has changed in 12 months!
-Nada gave us the full breakdown of the highs and lows of Sens fandom this off-season. Judging by the reaction it provoked in the comments, a lot of folks had some strong feelings about this one!
As we head into 2025, I feel invigorated to continue our mission with the hope that, for the first time in eight years, we'll be covering a Sens play-off run.
Happy New Year everyone, from Silver Seven!
