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Retooled Senators better off without Alfredsson

Bobby Ryan

Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan speaks to the media as he visits young players at a hockey camp at the Bell Sensplex in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 17, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick)

AP

Daniel Alfredsson’s departure from Ottawa for Detroit stung fans and team executives alike in Canada’s capital city. Everyone from GM Bryan Murray to Kyle Turris have said and made their peace with his choice, but one thing they should realize is they’re better off now without him.

Sure, Alfredsson’s leadership and veteran know-how will be missed in a locker room that’s decidedly young, but from a purely offensive standpoint, the Senators are a better team.

Take a look at what their forward lines could shape up to be now with Bobby Ryan taking Alfredsson’s place and Clark MacArthur replacing Jakob Silfverberg.

Milan Michalek - Jason Spezza - Bobby Ryan
Clarke MacArthur - Kyle Turris - Mika Zibanejad
Colin Greening - Zack Smith - Cory Conacher
Erik Condra - Jim O’Brien - Chris Neil

What you have there is a team with scoring talent on three lines and a fourth line that will be annoying and grinding. Pesky, if you will.

Ryan is a four-time 30-goal guy and more than young enough (26) to do it again. Alfredsson at 41 was generally good for 20 goals per season. It doesn’t take a mathematician to tell you 30 is more than 20.

MacArthur’s offensive work in Toronto was often hampered by how coach Randy Carlyle used him but he was always productive. That kind of added scoring “oomph” to the second line helps give them balance.

With the defensive group they’ve got in front of a goalie tandem of Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner, it sure looks like Ottawa has a great team.

As long as they don’t get scorched by injuries the way they did last year (Spezza, Karlsson, Michalek) they’re a contender potentially worthy of making Alfredsson regret his decision to leave.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT