Senators GM Steve Staios Reflects on Playoff Journey, Ullmark's Resilience, and Hurricanes Challenge
The collective sigh of relief that swept across Ottawa on Saturday night, as the Senators officially secured their playoff berth, likely originated from a hotel room in New Jersey. For Steve Staios, the Ottawa Senators' president of hockey operations and general manager, this moment validated the unwavering belief he maintained in his team throughout a tumultuous season.
"Our depth certainly got tested this year, and it came through," Staios told the Ottawa Citizen in an exclusive interview conducted Wednesday before the team's regular-season finale against the Toronto Maple Leafs. "It was unbelievable. You almost couldn't believe it was happening."
Overcoming Adversity and Injury Woes
The Senators' path to the postseason was anything but smooth. The team faced significant hurdles, including inconsistent goaltending during the first 50 games and a devastating cascade of injuries. Following the Winter Olympic break, the defensive corps was so depleted that the organization was forced to utilize twelve different defensemen.
"No one's going to sympathize with injuries because it happens around the league," Staios acknowledged. "But for that to happen to us at that time, with the amount of injuries in one position, was something I've never seen before." This crisis struck just as the Senators were attempting to climb out of an early-season hole, having found themselves ten points out of the final Eastern Conference wildcard spot in late January.
A Test of Perseverance and Depth
Staios's confidence in finding solutions from within the organization never faltered. That perseverance culminated in a decisive 3-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday afternoon, officially booking Ottawa's ticket to the playoffs. This marks the second consecutive spring the team has reached the postseason under the leadership of Staios and head coach Travis Green.
If adversity truly builds strength, then the Senators should be exceptionally well-prepared for their next challenge: a first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, beginning Saturday at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh.
The Rocky Road with Goaltending
The season's narrative took several dramatic turns, particularly in the crease. In early November, with the team holding an 8-5-3 record, Staios offered a frank assessment, stating they had "pissed away some points early on." However, he simultaneously expressed confidence in struggling goaltender Linus Ullmark, a former Vezina Trophy winner, believing his return to form would steady the ship.
Ullmark's play did improve, posting a 4-0-1 record before taking an unexpected leave of absence on December 28 for mental health reasons. This thrust rookie Leevi Meriläinen into the starting role, a responsibility for which he was not yet prepared, adding another layer of difficulty to the team's mid-season struggles.
Despite everything that seemed to go wrong, the Senators' organizational depth and resilience ultimately prevailed. As they now turn their focus to the Hurricanes, the trials of the regular season have forged a battle-tested team ready for the playoff crucible.
