Analysis: With so much bad news, how did the Senators hit such a low point?
The Ottawa Senators were one shot from playing for the Stanley Cup last May. Next to nothing has gone right since.
On and off the ice, the Senators have been an unmitigated disaster in the wake of their 3-2 double overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference final.
The team stumbled its way to a forgettable 30th-place finish this season, but that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what has been an epic faceplant.
Apart from the long losing streaks and abysmal performances, the past year has seen a former player lash out, owner Eugene Melnyk threaten to move the franchise on the eve of his showcase outdoor game, the uncertain future of captain Erik Karlsson, a minor fan revolt, and assistant general manager Randy Lee being charged with harassment.