from Wayne Scanlan of Sportsnet,

They have been a patient lot, fans of the Ottawa Senators.

But their patience is wearing thin.

Nearly four years since the most recent taste of playoff action, with promises of a deep rebuild and a bright future to emerge from the departures of fan favourites such as Mark Stone, Erik Karlsson, Kyle Turris and more, the fanbase is riled and cynical, and who can blame them?

At least they haven’t reached the state of apathy, which is the worst a franchise can endure.

They still care. They are angry. They want change. And they do see some promise in the young talent that has been stockpiled over the past three losing seasons.

No one expected the 2020-21 Senators to be world-beaters, but neither were they thought to be doormats, to be trampled upon by the six Canadian rivals in a North Division that is rag-dolling the Ottawa game after game, the most recent an 8-5 drubbing in Edmonton on Sunday.

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