After another failed season, it’s normal for frustration to be high in the Senators’ room. After going on an incredible run in the second half of last season, the Senators managed to get into the playoffs. They weren’t so fortunate this year.
You don’t usually hear 21-year-old NHLers call out their team’s practice habits, but Sens forward Curtis Lazar thought it was time for everyone to know what some of the problems were in Ottawa this season.
“I’m going to say it how it is. I think at times this year, this team was a little too soft, the way we practised,” said Lazar, per the Ottawa Citizen. “There’s nothing wrong with going into the corner and hitting your buddy. It’s a long season and you have to be careful, but I’m not going to take it easy on him.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for Dave Cameron and his staff. Cameron is already on the hot seat and this surely won’t help his chances of coming back.
UPDATE: The Senators announced that Dave Cameron and his staff have been fired.
Lazar did admit that once Dion Phaneuf arrived in Ottawa, things got better in that respect.
There’s probably some truth in a lot of what Lazar is saying about his team’s practice habits, but it’s also important to remember that he didn’t see his role increase much from his first to his second season. That could be another reason why he’s these kinds of statements.
“I did what I was asked to do, to play a very solid (center on a fourth line) when I was asked to do that,” he said. “Hopefully, my role is going to get bigger.”
Lazar saw his average ice time increase from 12:53 to 13:52 in 2015-16.
Here’s another interesting opinion from Lazar:
#senators Curtis Lazar said he won't be watching the playoffs. "I feel like I don't deserve to watch the playoffs," he said.
— Chris Stevenson 🇨🇦🏒⛳️🍺🎙️🌈 (@CJ_Stevenson) April 11, 2016