Last Word on Sens Podcast

Ottawa Senators Offseason Review, Jake Sanderson Deal

Alex is finally back after a very long summer break and is ready to talk all things Ottawa Senators! In today's episode, he goes solo and breaks down everything that has occurred during the Ottawa Senators offseason. The most important being the team is under new ownership! Alex highlights what it means and gives some brief thoughts on the sale.

From there, he starts to look at the roster moves that were made. Alex DeBrincat is out, how does that affect the original trade the team made for him? Vladimir Tarasenko and Joonas Korpisalo are now in. Alex gives his thoughts on both players and their respective deals. Finally, the biggest news of the week was Jake Sanderson signing a new deal that keeps him in Ottawa for an additional eight seasons. Alex gives his thoughts on that as well the general reaction that took place on social media. All of this and more, with the Last Word on Sens Podcast!

Ottawa Senators Season Player Grades with Kevin Lee

Despite an exciting week of playoff hockey starting, Alex is back with another Last Word on Senators Podcast! Today, Kevin Lee joins him for their third annual Ottawa Senators roster grades. In this episode, Alex and Kevin go through each player on the Sens team and give them an overall grade for this season.

This leads to a bunch of great discussions about expectations vs reality and what the two expect from each player next year. They start out hot, giving some high praise to top Sens forwards. However, as they work their way down the lineup, their grades start to drop. Finally, they evaluate coaching and the General Managers, discussing whether or not they would bring either back under new ownership. Find all of this with the Last Word on Senators podcast!

Running on Empty - Injuries, Defence, and Goaltending Going Forward

Alex is back with another week of content as it has been a busy time for the Ottawa Senators. Unfortunately, it looks like Ottawa's season will be coming to end after their next four games. However, it has been an exciting time nonetheless. Alex goes over what has happened the past two weeks to lead to this. He starts by looking at the goaltending that has taken place and the crazy carousel that has gone on. Who should Ottawa start the rest of the year? As well, who will be in the net next season? These are all questions Alex tries to ask.

From there, he looks at some Ottawa Senators injuries that occurred which helped Tyler Kleven find his way into the lineup! Alex talks the impact of those injuries but also how surprised he has been by Kleven. Additionally, how Erik Brannstrom has looked since getting more icetime and what to do with him going forward. Tune in for all of this and more!

Ottawa Senators Losing Streak, DJ Smith’s Future, More with Nick Dumoulin

Alex is back with another edition of the Last Word on Sens Podcast. Today, he takes a look at the recent Ottawa Senators results. Unlike the last podcast, where it was almost all positive to discuss, today isn't quite the same tone. Since the last recording, Ottawa has dropped five in a row and six of their last seven games.

To help him break down everything that has taken place since the trade deadline, Alex is joined by Nick Dumoulin! To start, they discuss some tough blowouts to frankly bad teams and what the team needed to take away from those games. They also touch on multiple aspects of the team which seem to come back to one thing, coaching. Is it time for DJ Smith to exit as coach of the Senators? Alex and Nick discuss the pros and cons of making a coaching change after this season is over, and whether injuries should be enough to save Smith's job. They also take a look ahead to what can be described as the toughest schedule remaining in the NHL. 

Ottawa Senators Trade Deadline Review with Graeme Nichols

Alex is back with another busy week of content! The Trade Deadline was one of the craziest we have seen in years. The Ottawa Senators were no small part of that. On Wednesday, they pulled off a massive move bringing in the top defenceman on the market. However, more moves had to take place leading up to that. To help break down everything with the Ottawa Senators Trade Deadline, Graeme Nichols makes his return to the podcast!

Together, Graeme and Alex analyze each trade the Senators made and what they think the impact will be going forward. Additionally, they discuss how nice it is that the Sens are back in a legitimate playoff race, even if they are not the favourites. They break down what they want to see this year, and into the summer to really put the team over the edge. Finally, they discuss what they would like to see in net going forward, with two interesting options being available.

Tyler Motte Trade, Forsberg Out, and Sens Trade Deadline Preview with Jack Richardson

Alex is back with yet another episode and there is a ton to discuss since the last time he recorded! There have been six games since the last time Alex published an episode. In those six games, the Senators have gone 3-2-1 with some mixed results against mixed opponents. However, with so much to break down, it wouldn't be right to do this episode solo. Which is why Jack Richardson is making his return to the podcast!

Together, the guys start by discussing the Sens recent play and some macro-level feelings they have about the team. From there, they switch to the Anton Forsberg injury and what that means for the outlook of the team. Specifically, as it relates to the Ottawa Senators Trade Deadline. Discussing all the options not only in goal, but also for the rest of the roster. Do they think Ottawa will bring in a new piece? And what about the Colton Parayko rumours? They touch on all of this along with the Tyler Motte move which already took place. 

Winning Streak, Norris and Talbot Hurt, and All-Star Game Talk with Beata

Alex is back with another loaded podcast! Since he last recorded, the Senators have had a mixed bag of results. They dropped the game he and Hunter Hodies spoke about, as well the next one as well. However, they have since won four in a row and entered the All-Star break on a high note! To break down everything that has taken place over the last two weeks, Beata returns to the podcast!

She and Alex talk about some unfortunate Ottawa Senators injuries to Joshua Norris and Cam Talbot. Was the Norris injury handled correctly? Should a different approach have been taken? They also discuss whether or not the Sens could and should look to move away from Talbot at the deadline. Finally, they talk about the All-Star game and what can be done differently to try and make it a more marquee event. Currently, it is something both players and fans seem to want to actively avoid. However, it doesn't have to be like that.

Tune in for all of this and more, with the Last Word on Sens podcast!

Penguins vs Senators Breakdown with Hunter Hodies

Alex is back with another episode after the Ottawa Senators took Game 1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins Home vs Home series! It was a thrilling game, which he discussed on the LockedOn Penguins podcast. Now, the host of that podcast Hunter Hodies joins Alex on the Last Word on Sens podcast to discuss the Sens, Pens and more.

The guys compare the two teams' season and how similar they actually are. Examining the lack of depth and that at times goaltending has hurt them, although for two different reasons. As well as injuries being key factors in tougher seasons than both fanbases were hoping for. Hunter also talks about what it is like watching Claude Giroux on another team, as well as who and what surprised him while watching Ottawa play. Did anyone catch him off-guard as an outsider watching the team for the first time this season? Tune in to find out!

Matt Dumba Rumours, Mid-Season Senators Awards, and More with Tyler Ray

Alex is back for another week of Ottawa Senators content! Today, he has Tyler Ray making his return to the podcast. Together, the two look at the last three games of the Sens season (recorded before the Saturday night debacle). Highlighting what they liked, disliked, and overall trends of the team.

From there, the two discuss the Matt Dumba trade rumours that are starting to circulate and discuss why it likely wouldn't be a good idea for Ottawa on multiple levels. Finally, they end the podcast by looking at some mid-season Ottawa Senators season awards. Starting with best forward and best defenceman, both Alex and Tyler highlight their case for who has been the best. After that, they switch to team MVP, best rookie, and most surprising player.

Getting to hit on all of these categories really highlights how many different players there are to discuss on this Sens team. As well as why it is frustrating they're not higher in the standings.

December Recap and Looking Ahead to What is Needed in 2023

Alex is back after taking a month off due to Holidays and being very busy with life. However, the Ottawa Senators have continued to produce lots to talk about. Today, he is back with a solo episode discussing everything he has missed since his last episode. Starting with the exciting Arytom Zub extension!

Alex dives into what it means for the player and team and what Ottawa needs to add around him and the rest of the blueline going forward. From there, he examines their last stretch of games in an up-and-down December for the Sens. Finally, he switches gears to the 2023 Ottawa Senators. What is expected? What is needed?

Trying to look at it in five-game increments, Alex decides he would like to see Ottawa take at least seven points in the next five games. This is needed if they want to catch the four or five teams they are trailing for the second wild-card spot.