Article content continued

Alongside the player development onus, the Senators have gone out and acquired a couple of big-ticket players in forward Bobby Ryan and defenceman Dion Phaneuf. While instantly helpful, these expensive long-term deals have the potential to be troublesome down the road when all-world defenceman Erik Karlsson needs a new contract (2019). Karlsson’s seven-year deal starting in 2012 was a move of sheer brilliance.

On balance, how has it worked out?

Since the Cup final run of 2007 with Bryan Murray behind the bench, the Melnyk ownership with Murray as GM has presided over one playoff series victory, in 2013 over the Montreal Canadiens. This spring will mark the fourth time in nine years the Senators have missed the playoffs.

Assuming head coach Dave Cameron is let go, he will join John Paddock, Craig Hartsburg, Cory Clouston and Paul MacLean on the scrap heap.

Without a doubt, coaching has been an issue. The pattern has been to hire on the cheap, either in-house or unproven outsiders. Of the group, Hartsburg was the only one with experience as an NHL head coach. Oddly enough, he was probably the biggest disaster.

Look for the Senators to hire an experienced coach the next time.

Maybe they can also look in the mirror, those atop the organization that fund and build the roster.

Captain Karlsson was rather eloquent when he was asked if he felt badly for Cameron being centered out by the owner.

“No, I don’t think anyone was personally called out,” Karlsson said after Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. “I haven’t seen the full comments but I think it’s an overall (criticism). Even with those comments made, he (Melnyk) includes himself in there. He’s an owner who cares and he knows he needs to do something different and step it up, too. I don’t think it was directed to any specific person whether it was players, coaches or management.”