Finally

I have been keeping my mouth shut lately, waiting for a certain millionaire ingrate to be shown the door. Now that he's gone, I feel I can enjoy talking hockey again.

Some will say that the Sens did not get enough back for the player in question. I think it may be the other way around. Michalek is a flashy player with a scoring touch, and a change of scenery may be just what Cheechoo needed to find his game again. The 56-goal season was probably an anomaly, but could he get 39? If he does, he matches the now ex-Senator's output for last season.

The Senators will fly under a lot peoples' radar this season. Nobody expects anything out of this group because of what has played out over the last season and a half. But on paper this is a young team with solid veteran leadership. Having finished out of the playoffs last year, expectations are low, and that can often translate into success.

Kovalev instantly makes the power play better. Karlsson might be ready to roll this year, and Binghamton is loaded with talent this year, which means when injuries happen there will be some talented call-ups who can contribute.

Perhaps most importantly of all, the Sens finally might have found a "franchise" goalie in Pascal Leclaire, provided he stays healthy. Although we don't like to think about him now, remember how loose the D used to play in front of Hasek, just knowing they could depend on him for a save if they messed up? Leclaire is still young, but he has that ability. And Brian Elliott proved he can play in this league last year.

Can't wait for the first pre-season game. Finally something positive to talk about now that the saga of the disgruntled whiner is over. When team success is less important than individual success to you, then you have no place on the team you're with. end of story.