While they didn't lose in the first round of the playoffs this year -- which was an improvement -- getting knocked out in the second round still resulted in changes. New general manager John Muckler and new director of player personnel Anders Hedberg slowly are orchestrating the necessary changes to keep the Senators competitive while minding the bottom line. One of their first moves was sending veteran forward Shawn McEachern to Atlanta for defenseman Brian Pothier. The Senators seem committed to giving their young players the ball and hoping they can run with it.

If there is one area where the Senators are loaded, it's on defense. At forward, they're both deep and talented, but once again, that old grit issue is going to show up again.