Silver Nuggets: Can veterans bounce back? Will rookies perform?

Before I get to the links, I haven't said this in a while, so here it goes. GO SENS GO! That is all. Here are today's links:

• James Gordon doesn't believe in the David Rundblad for Calder Trophy talk as he doesn't believe there is enough room for Rundblad to get significant ice time with Erik Karlsson, Sergei Gonchar and Filip Kuba around. (Senators Extra)
• Wayne Scanlan meanwhile points out that while there are a lot of high expectations for the younger players this year, the Sens will also need bounce back performances from Sergei Gonchar, Milan Michalek, Peter Regin, Daniel Alfredsson and Chris Phillips. (Ottawa Citizen)
• Jared from Senshot continues with analysing which eastern clubs the Senators will finish ahead of, with the last two being Washington and Winnipeg. The Sens are projected to be behind Washington and ahead of Winnipeg. To summarise he predicts the Senators to be at least 15 points better and as much as 25 points better from last season, finishing between 6th and 12th. He has the Senators definitely ahead of the Panthers, Islanders, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs and Jets, and possibly ahead of Buffalo or New Jersey. (Senshot)
• Continuing on that theme, Jared lists seven reasons why the Senators will be better this season. The one that sticks out is Brian Elliott allowing three or more goals in 2 out of every 3 starts (26 out of 39). *shudder* (Senshot)
• Here is an interview with Ottawa native Jamie Baker, who also played on the original Senators team in 1992. (Sens Town)
• NHL.com looks at the mere mortals not named Sidney Crosby attempting comebacks from injury this season. The list includes our own Daniel Alfredsson as well as Evgeni Malkin and Chris Pronger and Taylor Hall. (NHL.com)

Which player is going to see the largest improvement over last season?