In general the future does look good for the Sens. Yes they got smoked by the Pens but looking at the glass half full you can say every playoff game is good experience for the youngsters and the 3 year plan looks to be on track. The Pens are simply a loaded for bear team and are rolling. The Sens just don't have the horses to compete this year.

However, looking at the depth of the Pens causes me to raise the following question: Does the relatively quick turn around of the Sens franchise back to respectability actually hamper their long term strength? Basically they have not seen a top 5 pick in a long time and hence just don't get a shot at a potential franchise player. Yes, Karlsson is a franchise player for sure, but they need another like a Tavares.

How did the Pens get so good? Well, give Ray Shero credit for continually putting a good team together. However, you have to remember the Pens S-U-C-K-E-D for years to get multiple high draft picks that is responsible for the core of the team (the lottery was brought in because of Pittsburgh). Unless the Sens find another diamond in the rough like Karlsson, I worry that the Sens will get stuck as a good but not great team.

Oh, BTW, f-u Matt Cooke