With the two points against the Southeast leading Jets, the Senators pull seven points clear of the 9th place New York Islanders.
The Jets played last night in Toronto and certainly looked like a tired team in the first period.
Before this game was four minutes old, it was the Captain Daniel Alfredsson pushing the puck passed the Jets defender and off the skate of Guillaume Latendresse to give Ottawa an early 1-0 lead. Jakob Silfverberg stretched the lead to 2-0 as he finished off a terrific cross ice feed from Sergei Gonchar with the Senators on the power play. With that assist Gonchar stretched his point streak to seven games. He has been playing some fantastic hockey recently.
The home side controlled the opening 20, outshooting Winnipeg by a 19-6 margin.
Things were a lot more even in the middle frame, as the Jets seemed to find their legs a little bit. Both Pavelec and Lehner made big stops, keeping the game at 2-0 heading into the third.
Early in the third a lost defensive zone face off led to point shot by Zach Bogosian that beat a surprised Robin Lehner high on the glove side. Certainly looked like the puck hit something on the way through. Lehner was not phased though as he made one of the best stops of the season, robbing Evander Kane on a shorthanded 2 on 1.
A huge save at a key point in the hockey game.
Moments later, the Senators returned to the power play where Kyle Turris converted a nifty pass from Alfredsson to give the Sens the breathing room they needed. Silfverberg scored his second of the night and 6th of the season to stretch the lead to 4-1.
The Senators now hit the road for a date with the Islanders on Tuesday night before returning home to play five straight at Scotiabank Place.
Happy St. Patty's Day everyone.
At the end of every episode I swear that I've been looking at Robin Lehner's ancestors.
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern/Northeast/Ottawa.html
I popped my bang sticks after that one!
And gotta love those shots from the left side on the PP! Kinda took Alfie's spot there eh?
10 wins in 19 games seems feasible, does it not? If nothing changes radically in the East, 6 more wins puts the Sens in a comfortable position.
He actually is becoming a serious threat
from that spot, and could surpass the 50 goals achieved 2 times by Dany Heatley, in the years ahead . Would be nice to erase Heatley record !!
Winning both games this week was huge as we couldn't afford to have the gap closed between us and 9th place. If we play .500 hockey we will almost surely make the playoffs. Oh ya and lehner is riding that #1 role until Andy comes back. Great game from him.
Hope you all brought sunglasses because the future is bright!
10 wins would surely put us in the playoffs. 10 of our games are against non playoff teams and ten of the remaining games are at home.
Things look good for us to make the playoffs, the only bad part is after the 5 game homestand, we go on a 7 game roadtrip. #peskysens
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MxZraHruaLU
Watching it now..Love this show
Bowling Green G Andrew Hammond signed with the Ottawa Senators today. Well deserved.
Clearly for bingo but does this mean that the sens are close to trading a goalie?
Somebody overdid it on St Patrick's Day.
Sure, having some superstar on our team would be nice but people seem to forget this is a team game.
MacLean has done a great job here in Ottawa, you can really tell every one is having a good time. Alfie looks rejuvenated and guys like Phillips and Gonchar look like they're having the time of their lives.
The young kids are learning so much from the veterans and the veterans are really enjoying having the young kids around - I really hope we don't try to destroy the chemistry with a trade and putting the focus on a superstar as opposed to the team.
You know right now every one is playing for the logo on the front and not the name on the back. I'm loving this team!
he's not that good..
CCHA 29 0 2 1625 67 0 3 2.47 10 15 3 745 0.917
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=113948
That was a great game to watch today. I said it a while back and I am going to say it again. This lockout was a blessing. I love that I get to watch this team almost every other day. I haven't enjoyed watching this team as much as I am right now.
Funny how you get teams like the Rangers who go out and sign the big names. Yet, there they sit out of a playoff spot, while teams like the Sens, who are currently icing a great AHL team with some veterans sprinkled into the mix work hard each and every game and are continually finding success. This is an amazing team right now.
Keep this going!!!
GO SENS!!!
I 100% agree with this. The Rangers are such a joke and Nash can rot there with the rest of them making their boat loads of money. None of them care about the game at all.
Gonchar is working hard for that retirement contract lol.
Tuesday Islanders, Thursday Boston.
Deep down inside I think you would want to play Lehner in both (assuming he gets the W in long island).
That being said, strategically, you play Bishop in New York (give him weaker opponents for better stats and trade value), and throw Lehner out to the wolves in Boston.
This organization is are less concerned if Lehner gets lit up compared to Bishop. They know Lehner is the future and one game will not affect that whereas a couple of bad games for Bishop could mean the difference between a 1st round and 2nd round pick.
My 2cents.
couldn't remember a thing. The doc
asked him who he was and Robin said
Patrick Roy so Stache yelled at him from
the bench "ok you're good to go".
Too bad Kassian wasn't on the ice when Byfuglien ran Lehner over.
As for who we should add at the trade deadline for me it's down to a few players, JBo, Briere and Gaborik are the three I would target. Simply because the Rangers, Flyers and Flames will need to shed salary and these players can be effective in the Ottawa system. Perry would be great but we would have to give up way to many assets for him and then signing him to a long term deal scares me. At least with the others there is only 1 or 2 years left on their deals.
cant wait to meet boston and lucic now .
go boys
more than that, cant wait to thump those penguins. they are slowly getting thin - malkin is out, letang got injured last game. ripe for some whooping by the sens.
Turris was playing fine before he started scoring again but it's obviously nice to have him producing again (that's the ins and outs of young players). That said, I don't ever expect him to put up 50 goals, I think 30 would be amazing!
If Lehner let's in that 2 on 1, hard to say how this game plays out but he saved it and the boys replied with a couple quick ones to ice the game.
I'd be happy with JBO or Briere at the deadline but its prolly not going to happen
First time sitting right behind the tunnel the players come out of, great seats(find myself saying that about literally 99% of the seats I get there.
Silvferberg's 2nd goal, Zib clearly played a pick and we scored. A missed call going the Sens way? I would like to see that consistently.
With the new CBA Calgary would be able to retain some of JBo's Salary. Not sure if I want to trade for him right now, but salary is alot less of an issue now then it used to be.
If it is a AHL only deal, then it doesn't apply to the NHL contracts, and then this is irrelevant.
But Bingo has Lawson, Cheverie, and Lehner when the Sens are healthy.
When Anderson comes back, can't see them sending Lehner down, and doubt they carry three goalies, so that further fuels the trade speculation fire.
Bernier 6-2-0 GAA 1.94 SV% .916 Saves 164
20.4 shots a game
Bishop 5-4.-0 GAA 2.57 SV% .924 Saves 267
29.67 shots a game
but I likely would still take Bernier.
I don't think I would be happy just recouping what we gave up though....his value has increased IMO, and we don't absolutely need to move any goalie.
Very true... For the first time, we are in a very enviable position. Not only do we have a Norris trophy D man, but 3 solid NHL capable goaltenders. And we aren't over spending.
We do NOT need to move a goalie, but most would be comfortable doing so knowing that we are deep in that position.
Lehner's the guy that will get sent down due to his eligibility, but will the Sens do that? And they likely won't carry 3 goalies. And they now potentially leave themselves without any contracts for Sustr, or whomever. Maybe they were told they were not in the running, so this is plan b?
Oh I am fine moving one too...but not just for the sake of moving one. If we did something similar to the Rundblad/Turris deal sure, fix a position of need from a position of strength, or if one of the goalies was part of a pkg in a large blockbuster deal...sure.
But to just recoup a 2nd round pick IMO would be a big mistake.
Lehner seems to have a point in each game where he just decides he's not letting any more in. Love this kid but would be worried if he were jumping to NHL #1 next year. Let's move Bishop in the summer and go with Anderson/Lehner next year. If Lehner steals the #1 job permanently then you move Anderson.
Unfortunately for the Senators it seems like salary is more of an issue than it's ever been, even with the new CBA options.
It's great that we have a ton of decent prospects but really, not every single player is going to lace up in the big leagues... It's not going to happen. Some of our BSens players will be AHL career journeymen and the select few will make an NHL roster.
In the midst of the lockout, I think people quickly forgot just how tough it is to play in the NHL and how talented you have to be, and why only a select few make a career out of it.
Locks:
Silf
ZBad
Wiercoch
Lehner
Most likely:
Stone
Benoit
Gryba
Boro
Puempel
Everyone else will be injury call ups or get the short end of the stick due to a numbers game.
Not complaining of course.
Unfortunately for us, if Melnyk never opens his pocket book then we will never be a contender for the cup.
Maybe Hammond is also for next year?
(EDIT)I thought he signed an ELC after he had signed the PTO.
I'm sure there's an explanation, more just curious of course. Capgeek has Rutkowski and Sdao but with both contracts starting next year (though Sdao has played already).
As for the "budget", I don't think JBo is going to make us a cup contender. If Perry were available or any other piece that actually makes us a cup contender I think Melnyk would be more willing to spend.
I think if anything it's a case of staying at the floor until we absolutely have to spend to "make a run". There won't be any more Kovalevs to sell tickets.
If they do carry over, this means that the Sens will have to cut contracts next year.
That makes a lot of sense. Though we're fine for next year as we have plenty of guys in the system in their last year of their contract.
I tend to agree, but what decides if they are a for sure contender...you can fairly easily argue that if we sign Perry and are healthy next season then we are a legitimate threat to come out of the East.
Yup. But if we don't get Perry (or some reasonable facsimile) then are we? I think/hope that the plan is to try and get Perry as a UFA and if we do then we might see them go sign another top 6/top 9 veteran forward or another veteran D.
Might depend on Alfie's plans too.
If we can't get a legit top line winger then maybe that's when they look to trade Anderson and aim for 14-15 as "the year" to start making cup runs.
I don't really have anyone in the list of FAs on the same level as Perry....maybe Semin is close.
Top 12 scoring forwards in the league, top 6 scoring D in the league(naturall y all +68), and top 3 goalies for good measure.
And Paul Maclean
haha
#Sens still seem to be saying "day to day" but I'm hearing that Milan Michalek's season is likely done. Disappointing, if that's the case.
I was listening to the Team1200 pre-game show yesterday. They said we have 49 contracts right now. So either someone is counting wrong or we just don't know about certain contract rules.
BUT we have the Sens. And what I mean by that is, that come playoff time, other teams can't just say - shut down Player A he's their top scorer. Hit Player B, he's their best D. All they will see is an AHL club whom (like everyone else) thinks has/is over-achieving.
However, when one line falters, another for the Sens picks up.
And in the playoffs, games are usually much closer. And we do just great with 1 goal games.
And we have one weapon 90% of teams don't have. 3 goalies. You take one out, we've got two others.
Scratch that - 3 weapons.
3 Goalies
The Stache
God
IMO - heart and determination can replace a top scorer, top D as our young guys have clearly shown.
And there isn't a formula, or winning combination to get the cup. So if you make it into the playoffs, you're a contender.
GO SENS GO!!!
Applying for the next NHL GM position are you ?
The T(oronto) S(ports) N(etwork) showcasing a non - Leaf player ?
Did that ever happen ?
I think Perry is the only forward worth getting. Every other player available is just ok. Our players are either just as good or are younger and have more potential so why get them. Perfect world though, we wait for UFA
As for a defenceman, I think J-Bo is nowhere near as good as people think on here. He is very soft and really isn't that good offensively. Sure he makes a good 1st pass but we already have that with Gonchar. He's also a good skater but he really doesn't use it to his advantage. If he wanted to he could be like Karlsson since he's almost as fast, much bigger and almost as creative. He just isn't. He doesn't produce, he's soft and very expensive.
Who I like and apparently is available is Douglas Murray. This guy is an absolute beast. One of the hardest Dmen to play against in the league. He'd also look solid along side Cowen next year
Was going to make a post for that but didn't feel like a bad news post. Definitely disappointing though.
I just hope his career isn't in jeopardy. I know that may seem a bit over dramatic, but his knee issues are definitely troubling.
Hopefully he will be able to heal up properly for a solid season next year.
After lasts nights great game a bad news post would be disappointing. I've hurt my knee before, and unfortunately saw this coming.
I would say his quality of career has already been dramatically affected.
Actually just listening now and apparently (for Sdao at least) he's playing now on a PTO and his ELC is for next year. We can assume that's true for Rutkowski too I guess.
Bad news indeed but since this season has turned into "let the chips fall where they may" I think this is the right decision. Get surgery, rehab aiming for next season and give Michalek the best chance to be 100% for next year. I'd love to see him healthy for a full season - hopefully on a line where he's the second option.
Even if we had to go into the playoffs with the roster from last nights game, I'm confident we can go toe to toe with anyone in the East.
Karlsson and Methot are nailed down as the top pairing, Phillips and Cowen are already signed for next year.
Gonchar is playing so well at the moment I can see the Sens offering him a 1 year deal especially with a weak UFA PMD class this year. If Gonchar isn't resigned are we happy with just karlsson and Wiercioch as the PMD? I don't see Ceci being ready for an NHL role yet.
Has Benoit played himself into another contract, and if he has, is it a 1 way deal.
Gryba will likely be sent back down to Bingo as his contract allows us to do that and I don't think Boro has done anything other than confirm he's an average prospect who deserves a couple more years on a 2 way deal.
are you saying/not-sayi ng: Eugene Melnyk is broke? if he is, its a shame and couldnt be worse timing.
how good are the sens goalies:
sens give up the 2nd highest shots per game, only less than Edmonton, yet rank tops in GA/G. that is goaltending domination and system efficiency perfected because there is not much to be had for opposing teams in terms of A-grade chances.
we are at 49 right now.
We signed 3 players for next season so far
Sdao (He can play at bingo because he signed an ATO to play the remainder of the season, but his contract kicks in next season)
Rutokwski
Hammond
And 3 ELC contracts will start to count next season for Ceci, Puempel and Nosen.
So that comes to 55 contracts for next season.
But that doesn't count the pending RFA and UFAs that will likely come out of the books next season such as
UFA
Alfie
Latendresse
Regin
Gonchar
Lundin
Benoit
Jessiman
Lawson
RFA
Bishop
Weircioch
Dizzy
Condra
Daugavins
DaCosta
Hoffman
Cowick
Borocop
Caprusso
18 contracts
While I agree wire has been solid, "heads and tails" above the other bingo boys is a big stretch in my opinion. He has definitely contributed in the offensive side of things but has been exposed defensively numerous times, perhaps more so than any other call up. He has been routinely knocked off the puck and unable to control his check in front of the net. He has appeared tentative and soft at times and Pmac has sat him from time to time for his unwillingness to be first on puck.
Here's what I see for next year;
Karlsson Methot
Cowen Gryba
PW Phillips
can't see them sending Gryba down next year unless we sign someone else- hopefully we sign someone else...
highly doubt we re-sign Gonchar, somebody will offer more money or more term.
PW has been playing well but keep in mind they are protected minutes, I would think he'll get a 2 year contract at 1.5 -1.7 million
He's been back in for a few games now and no one has really mentioned him. Lots of people were very negative about his return, but not a lot about how he's played.
I certainly don't think he's a savior of any sort and he's easily our slowest player out there, but he brings a couple of things to the table. First off, he's a big guy and has thrown a few hits. Secondly, its clear that he's got some serious hockey smarts, even though his execution certainly isn't great. Thirdly, and most importantly, he can play on our "top" line and not hurt us.
The third point is the most important, in my mind, since it allows Turris/Silf to play on the 2nd lin and Zibby to play 3C. All of these guys have gotten better since Lats returned to the line up and I think it, at least in part, has been to them getting pushed back down the depth chart a little.
Lower expectations + easier opponents = more results.
Thoughts?
Why do I keep getting a "message too long" error when it says i have ~50 characters left... annoying!
I doubt this is the case.
MEL-NYKK is fine, otherwise why would there be any talk of Corey Perry being in play for Ottawa? He's going to get TOP DOLLAH (8-9 million rnage) and if Ottawa wants him...
By the way I'm totally fine with being cheap if that's what Euge wants. Players that want more than market value or that request no-trades are to be looked at with a wary eye.
TOOKS100% OUT!
To qualify, as a long term future member of the senators line-up, which factors in the other players we have, I think PW is the best of the bingo boys.
Benoit isn't a long term option, Boro is very limited and I've just not bought into the Gryba love. I think he gets cut more slack because of his physical play, which as a fanbase we tend to value more than sound positioning and stickwork
that said i agree that PW has had his shaky moments with the two non physicalaspects I just mentioned but that will always be more noticeably for an offensive blueliner rather than a shut down guy who doesn't have the hitting to either fall back on or disguise other failings
i don't think Gryba is ever going to be anything more than a 5 or 6 stay at home guy and those rotate on a roster. PW might be the same, depends on Ceci's development.
Is Melnyck quietly readying this team for a sale?
Big Mel said last year that no way no how never was he selling this team unless we reached Phoenix-level attendance.
It's time to put this stuff to rest.
We'll see July 1 whether we make an offer for Perry.
Alright. Will do.
Melnyk has stated on numerous occassions that he will never sell the Ottawa Senators.
Look, I will grant you that and put my comment to bed...right after I point out that pro sports owners don't always have the best record for standing behind those types of claims. Ok, done.
How good will Bingo be next year when some of the guys from this year are demoted down (baring trades, injuries, etc). The will dominate down there, giving confidence to the younger guys, making them better and improving our depth.
Hard not to see the world through rose coloured glasses.
Tooks, where are you with your dark cloud of realism on this bright, sunny day?
He sent his intern - see post 87.
Offside!
This is a realistic as it gets, no matter how good we are now or look to be in the future, if our Owner is in the red, that aint good at all. (that divorce and Biofail or whatever going dead sure hit his wallet hard!)
BUT! PMac seems like the Trotz type and hopefulyl can build a consistent low budget team!
I've got to give the devil his due.
I REALLY like his "big ass" presence in front of the net - check out where he was for the winning goal on Saturday.
He's finally healthy and Coach MacGod has figured out how to best use his talents.
at some point they WILL have to decide between the 2 when the money becomes an issue.
Also with Ceci in the wings...
Financially he should be better off than he was last year.
With that said, he's fallen below the billionaire status and to me that's a significant component in owning a franchise.
I'd like to see Melnyk take on a financially stable partner. I've always liked Terry Mathews and he's a local boy at least for the last half decade.
Euge meet Terry, Terry Euge. getter done and then we'll have nothing left to worry over.
Who's Terry?
I'd keep Cowen over Wiercioch. He plays much bigger and we need a top shutdown guy.
I don't think a decision needs to be make right away... so maybe time will sort it out.
They seem to be taking alternating years off with injuries... ok, that may have been out of line
Glad you brought it up and I would totally re-up if the deal was indeed for 1 year, in the 3-4 mil range (or less).
Looking back over the 3 years, Gonchar has provided solid hockey for the Sens. He's a great secondary option for PMD, has good veteran presence and provides depth in a league where injuries are increasingly common.
Would not have an issue with this D corp next year. And yes, Ceci is still minimum another year away.
Karlsson Methot
Cowen Gonchar
Philips Wiercioch/Gryba (2 way)
Interesting so you would try and trade Wiercioch or try to sign them both?
Both are top 4 D's or atleast look like they will be. Wiercioch has a higher offensive ceiling and will probably command more $$$ cuz of it.
two major concerns before leaving that I had was that we had very little in terms of a top 6 threat other than Alfie.
I hated the Lats in the top 3 an regin sitting out.
Well that is why PM gets the big bucks and I do not!
Lats is gladly proving me wrong again, at first I loved the signing, and after 6 games and the IR, I was off the bandwagon, however he is making a difference in the last few games, as I do see how much better the guys around him are playing better, he does the little things that give his teamates tons of room... be it either Alfie or Silfver, they get extra room out there, and given that extra room they will hurt you. Kidos to Lats
Secondly Turris must have been playing either sick or through injury as he is back with his speed to kill!!!
And also glad Regin is back in
Woah.. Not even the same style of D. You of all people should know this.
Cowen is going to be the perfect D partner for either Wiercioch or Ceci in the future, and be a top PK/shutdown D. Not what's expected from Ceci or Wiercioch at all...
True, with Phillips to retire, we wont have a true shutdown guy, Methot is not a shutdown guy.
With Ceci in the wings, maybe Wiercioch is expendable?
Personally I think Wiercioch, providing more offense would be the way to go, we have great goaltenders, you dont really need a shutdown guy. IF we can keep both, great but I doubt it.
no?
Mmm....what?
Please elaborate on why you think Methot is not a shutdown guy.
I agree that both are eventual top 4 guys but I think it's pretty clear Cowen is wayyyy better than Wierchioch.
Cowen is 10 times more physical. He's also better offensively. Maybe Wierchioch has a better 1st pass but Cowen has a lot of skill. He's always been known as a 2-way guy and was just starting to get more confident with the puck towards the end of last year.
I like Wierchioch but find he's very tentative and actually makes a lot of mistakes on plays that simply shouldn't have happened. Nothing to do with not being NHL ready
Thats where your wrong, we wont be able to afford all 4 of them, especially if they are to develop like top pairing D, to which it looks like.
With the addition of a top line winger for Spezza, one of those D's we wont be able to sign.
And I would much rather have a guy who can do it all very well(PW) than a one dimensional D (Cowen). Thats not a knock on him but his offensive ceilling is very low. All top line D's are expected to produce and play an overall type game.
His type of game is as good as it gets for the playoffs. Also think Phillips plays that's same type, just that he's almost 10 years older than him. Both will be great this year
Next year on D
Methot Karlsson
Cowen Phillips
all locked
then
Gyrba, Wiercioch, Benoit, Boro,
and I see Phillips in the 5-6 role and Wiercioch with Cowen.
And the younger kids will have some more time to mature in the A
So even if we go with 7 one will have to be moved.
Same as with Goalie situation.
If I know Murray, Lehner is untouchable, while the best offer for either Andy or Bishop will be made either at the Trade deadline or more probable over the summer.
And the same can be said about the forward positions, too many bodies, and not enough spots, so we will have some deals very soon, that will improve our team, for next year.
But enjoying this run this year, and would not want to be the first team to face Ottawa in the playoffs!
Cowens offensive ceilings low? Don't remember him in junior? Not many shutdown guys play he way he did in junior
How do you explain Murray going after Nash last summer?
Ceci is also a very thick guy who yes doesn't hit much at all but once he sees the physical nature of the NHL he'll see that he will have to throw around his frame a little more(similar to the way Karlsson can be a little feisty sometimes). Especially with his coaches tellin him every day
He is a very very rich man running the business properly...
look at buffalo
no?
No he isnt, he's a stay at home defender, have you even heard of Methot before he came to Ottawa, he was quite the shutdown guy in Columbus dont you think?
He's not know as a shutdown guy around the league.
Had I heard of Methot before he came to Ottawa? Umm yes.
Methot is playing 23 minutes a night against the other team's top lines and plays on the PK. I think we have to count that as a shutdown guy.
I hope your not using junior stats to bolster your argument...Tell me what did he do vs tougher competition in the WJC??
Junior success stays in the juniors. It doesnt translate into NHL success.
I'm not saying Cowen isnt good, he is. Which is the dilemma, which one do you keep? Overall or Defense?
The good news is that Bryan Murray knows that this is his last gig in the NHL and he will go out on his terms. He has re-tooled this team for years to come and when he retires will leave the team in the capable hands of Tim Murray. Everybody should take a page out of BM's book and be patient.
Oh really , what had you heard of him in CBJ?? IF you can find me 1 quote or talent analysis that he is or was to be a shutdown guy in the NHL.
With no one's performance on the team to bash on this beautiful, sunny, Sens morning, you manufacture a controversial topic out of thin air just raise the tempo.
I knew you'd show up and add some value.
Quoting Tookie:
As for as classic Took quotes go, that's not bad at all...
Keep it up!!!
It's pretty obvious to see he's able to make plays. At the very least enough to contribute at a all around top4 level like you stated.
Clearly he'll always be more of a defensive guy but I don't think he's nearly as bad offensively as you say he is. He's got the mitts to make plays and will on get more comfortable and make more of them with time.
Where as yes Wierchioch is a more offensive guy but hes actually pretty bad defensively. So unless he puts up points like Karlsson, he better get MUCH better in his own zone. Needs to stop playing like a pussy so much
R joking or serious about Terry who? Terry Mathews -founder of and brains behind Corel. founder of Newbridge, Mitel, March networks. Owner of most of March road including the golf course. Net worth just shy of 2 billion.
As for Cowen and juniors. You may recall the final period at the WJC, it was Cowen they were sending over the boards to try and jump start the offense cuz the other guys shit the bed...I would agree the Wire ha a higher offensive ceiling however, Cowen is the more capable two way player which is what you need in the top 4
Further to that, most guys that play at the WJC for Canada go o to be impact players at he NHL level.
Ummm... not to pee in your corn flakes or anything, but:
bleacherreport.com/articles/692862-columbus-defenseman-marc-methot-impressing-at-iihf-world-championships
Quoting PATRICK DROTTAR:
Does that meet the requirements???
coughs
Ignore and continue the ongoing conversation.
Hahaha too funny. He was a top 2 defensemen in Columbus before he got hurt. Then, when he came back, they put him down a line because the 2 Russians Tyutin and Nikitin showed chemistry together on the ice (one couldn't speak English so they spoke in Russian on the ice). But I'm sure you knew that already, huh?
So what is the difference between a shutdown D and a stay-at-home D?
All it takes is a google search. One must assume that Tookie would have done this prior to asking the question.
Guess I was wrong.
A pussy? he stood up for Neiler?
Other than that your arguments are sound, yes PW needs to improve on DEF and he will, same as Cowen needs to improve on OFF, which he will. Its gonna be one hell of a decision if we cant keep them both.
He was simply confused and mistaken by the term 'shutdown'.
You see with his team, The Laughs, their D has shut down and thus are losing.
He thought that's what was meant.
No harm done.
I also think that the organisation may well be wary of letting go a big physical defender who is in, or close to, his prime. That didn't work out so well for us before.
However, a factor to take into account would be Cowen's injury history. He has already missed two years of a career at age 22, if the sens are remotely concerned about this having a significant long term impact then that makes him a more desirable asset to move.
The great thing is that we are able to have a discussion about who we might not be able to afford rather than who can we dump because they are useless.
I would say that the injury history will keep his next contract lower...it will also make him a far less desirable asset for other teams to trade for.
Not taking anything away from his skill...but he is kinda in the same boat as Michalek....gre at player, just injuries hamper their ability to meet their full potential.
It's not often you get crapped on for saying we have 4 guys who look like they may be top 4 calibre...
I think you are right, for what it's worth - they will have to make a decision on who they like the best.
he played FOR columbus!!!!
That's a breakout season!
accord
Finally someone see's the bigger picture.
I know you weren't even impressed by turris' OT winner in last year's playoffs. But if you re watch the highlight, you may notice that play would have never happened without cowen D and pass.
Hmmm... when you say we won't be able to afford them, are you referring to 2016-17 or something?? Cause here I thought we were one of the teams with the most amount of available cap space for the next couple of years. Not to mention a contract wise GM who never overpays. And having Karlsson at 6.5 means that no other D will ever make more.
We can absorbe a UFA top line winger if we "need" to get one but last I checked, we were developing them in house. On the cheap and smart.
Not to mention players coming off the books by the time all our aces peak.
There will be tons of cap space for all of them...
Next year I'd like to see
Methot-Karlsson
JBo-Cowen
Weircoch-Phillips
Gryba
The year after that CeCi replaces Phillips and Weir moves up
I would re-up Gonchar before getting JBo...
Did you forget Melnyk's budget? thought so.
The only thing that might help us keep them all or atleast 3 of em anyways are Cowen's and PW's injury history. Other than that if they dev into top pairing D, we will have to make some tough decisions.
I would too for 2Mil or less, anything higher, goodbye Gonch, no room for him with Karlsson and Cowen back.
Not completely disagreeing but I would hope that Benoit is the more rounded player considering their respective stages of development. One of them is 29 and the other is 22. PW has time to mature.
He definitely needs to work at his defensive game and I wouldn't be looking to see him in the top 4 in the short term which is why Gonchar at another year is a viable alternative, it provides a level of protection that is absolutely needed.
I'm not convinced PW has done enough to warrant a 1 way deal (my preference for that would be Benoit at this moment but a short term).
Assuming no new names: Karlsson, Methot, Cowen, Phillips are locks. Gonchar and Benoit on 1 way deals and PW, Gryba and Boro filling in as number 7 as and when.
Ceci's time comes later.
"Methot was one of the players on the powerhouse London Knights back in the early-2000’s, a defensive defenseman who ran up a gaudy plus-91 rating over his last two seasons with the club. How has he turned out as a professional? Is he a player the Oilers should be interested in?"
since we are looking at stats so much and heavily the CBJ ones how about go as back as when he played in OHL (+91) and AHL (+26)... he is -2 because mostly playing in CBJ probably because they were at the bottom for 3 straight years.. i am sure some logic has to play in with some of so called sens fans at some point..
Best comment of the day. This guy knows where it's at
indeed, wiercioch's avg. TOI is lowest of currently active sens D-men, only greater than lundon and Borocop:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20132OTTDADALL&sort=avgTOIPerGame&viewName=summary
however, he is pretty productive for that kind of measly showing on the ice. PW46 still has some ways to go before he starts using his frame more effectively.
cowen > wiercioch. please dont waste time by starting useless arguments.
and to people suggesting JayBo, please, why would sens get a guy more expensive than karlsson with probably 1/4 of the production when Gonchar can easily be kept cheaper and will produce more than JayBo anyways.
http://www.nhl.com/index.html (half way down)
Benoit is the type of player that has all the qualities that everyone looks in a player. Heart, character, never give up attitude, etc... Unfortunately though he is also one of many who have played in the NHL on an up and coming team and once that team becomes a contender he moves on to a different team or is never to be heard from again.
http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/statistics.cgi?ptype=rookie&pos=Skaters&tid=NHL
That is pretty awesome...and with some legit talent still to come!
That's great! Our depth showing through
Especially since it's entirely possible we don't have any rookies in our line up next year or the year after.
Except maybe Stone - he would still qualify, right?
and all three are + players!
Attaboy Tookie....
I knew it was only a matter of time before you chimed in with a rebuttal.
You could win a million dollars and complain about the tax you'd have to pay.
You must be a joy on Christmas morning...
Sdao could add some much needed muscle to the back end if he can handle the NHL speed. And Ceci will be the guy that eventually replaces Gonchar on the right side behind Karlsson. My guess is that Gonchar is not re-signed unless he accepts a one yr deal.
Methot - Karlsson
Wiercioch - Gryba
Phillips - Sdao
Boroweicki - Ceci
Brassard's stats for those interested
2012-13 Québec, Remparts GP 58 GA 150 MINS 3292 SAVES 1498 GA 2.73 SV% 0.909 W33 L18 OTL2 S OL2 SO2
where is Cowen? lol
He would be top 3 in the league in GAA and SV%...Is there a minimum of 10 games played or something like that?
yes but none of those are in the top 6 + players for rookies.
so therefore they aren't producing as they should.
tookie logic toggled OFF
I think we traded him... as suggested by Tookie
yes but +5 and +6 for zib and silf is nothing to complain about on a low scoring sens team at 2.4 GF/G.
If Gryba is sent down anytime NEXT season he needs to go through waivers and I guarantee he is gone. Best would be to trade him this year otherwise we will get NOTHING in return. Wiercioch has miles to go with speed and toughness.
But Wiercioch is last on the list for +/-...what a pile of crap
/end sarcasm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY
Andrews Theory has just simply SHUTDOWN TOOKIE !!
This should be the end of this tirade !!
Wanna bet?
LOL hardly, I didnt know who Terry was, I mean theres a million Terry's in the world...
If that guy is involved then that would be crazy!
And no I dont recall cuz Cowen hardly played and theres a reason for that to which I dont know.
He had a great 82 game campaign last year, was he mistake free, not a chance. Wiercioch is having a better rookie season IMO.
Cowen goes RFA when Phillips comes off the books (and Gonchar is long gone) so I think that contract will be okay too.
I can see Murray keeping all four without too much trouble - even Melnyk's budget can handle it.
As for Benoit - I agree with some others that he's likely the odd man out. Carkner comparison is a good once since, like Carks, I'm sure we'd love to have him around on a 2-way just in case but he'll get a better contract offer elsewhere.
Borowiecki might be tough to sign on a 2-way but hopefully we can do it. (Murray seems to have trouble in that area.)
By the time Wiercioch or Ceci is due for a big payday the cap picture will have changed a lot anyway. No immediate rush to move a guy out.
And honestly, not that you can ever have too much depth in your prospect pool but I'm not really worried about trying to add another pick for a guy that's been pretty good all year.
LA Kings have proven you just need a ticket to the dance.
Even with no Michalek, Karlsson (face it), Cowen - this team could surprise in the playoffs. Particularly if Anderson is 100%.
Quoting ESPN:
espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/22698/rumblings-interest-in-jarome-iginla
Sens are now sitting 7 points ahead of the 9th place Islanders, with 19 games to go, that's good in my books.
I have to ask, what is up with all the negativity these last few posts? The minute someone mentions a trade, or a scenario for a trade, everyone bitches. Like the rest of you, I don't like seeing our hard working players being moved, it sucks. But the simple math points to it happening, and the odds are it'll be someone we don't want to see go. Again, I'm not up for trading away our players, but that's the life in the NHL.
Sorry for sounding like an ass, but damn, it felt good to get that off my chest.
The way I see it, the Sens would be trading from a position of power now, not in a seller mode. So if anything happens, it's happening to make us better now.
that trade could set us up for a nice run next year as Alfie's swan song
Also, could be the quantity for quality trade everyone is asking for.
Might we see Craig Anderson, start in goal vs the Bruins this coming Thursday night in Ottawa??
Surely he must be just about ready to go ??
Is it none of the above and it's just an ankle thing that takes time to recover from (especially for a goalie)?
Ive started to wonder if it is in some way a maneuver so we aren't pressured to move anyone as Murray suspects a better deal will come at the draft
Murray doesn't strike me as the type to worry about pressure to make a move. Maybe a delay to let Lehner play some more before being sent down?
I agree though - the draft is the spot for a trade (barring anyone blowing us away of course).
Gaborik has the skill and creativity for sure, but I've always been scared of his injuries and that salary is a little crazy to consider.
For a 31 year old who's playing in his 12th season, a combined 749 games isn't flattering, that's almost 3 complete seasons lost. He does have 664 points, so he's 0.89 PPG avg player when he's healthy, but again, I always think of injuries with him. And he's not the most physical player, just not someone I see the Sens being interested in, not based on the types of moves we've made.
I could see Bishop maybe even getting us a second first, or moving us up a fair bit if we used him and our first.(can't imagine into the top 3 though....altho ugh I suppose one can dream?!?)
Then again, Spezza is in a similar position playing only 611 games in 10 seasons, at about 2.5 seasons lost to injury. But his 621 points is above a point per game, and I just like him better, lol.
It does make you wonder, they just keep down playing it. Considering they said he'd only miss 3 or 4 games and be back, only to have him out a full month and still no update on a return. He didn't miss this much time cutting his hand last year, did he?
Congrats to Turris for his 2nd star of the week.
Will the Sens consider re-signing Gonchar. They do need veteran help with those young D going into next season.
Too bad about Michalek.. but it's better he do the surgery now and be completely healed for a summer of hard training...
BTW -- Murray won't be trading Anderson. For the first time in forever the Sens have a goalie capable of winning the Vezina.. You don't trade that.
We arent going to resign Gonchar...We will offer him a low ball contract probably. Cant afford to be paying him 4+ mil at this point (with Karlsson projected to be back). He will get 4.5 to 5 mil somewhere in the NHL and if hes taking any kind of discount, its to go to Pittsburgh.
Most teams who have a Vezina potential goalie do not have 2 other capable #1 starters (assumption that is proving itself over the course of this season).
Sure I am playing a little devils advocate but if he is traded, it could make Murray look like a genius, or completely backfire. I think it is more likely to pay off. And no, you don't trade him during this season, you do it in the offseason (once he has won the Vezina). The return on a Vezina winner gives me a half chub.
Anyways its a calculated risk you take. Murray will likely do the right thing.
Just to illustrate my point, what team would you rather for 2013-2014.
Anderson in net, and a 2nd round pick and mid prospect from a bishop trade.
OR
Lehner in net, with an Evander Kane caliber player up front from the Anderson trade.
Think about things like this before you jump on people for mentioning Anderson trades.
Lundin stays on the bench
With a healthy team and Andy in net, Sens can be next year's eastern champs.
All that is missing then is one strong winger to put them over the top.
Throwing Emery into the #1 spot one year too soon proved to be quite costly, if you'll recall. 5 years of suffering by my count.
Batman drives this car for at least one more season.
I think it's a risk you don't take. As much as we want Bishop and Lehner to be the next great things for the club, the reality is that so far, neither of them have proved over an entire NHL season that they can even handle back-up duties. They've never done it.
And even though I think they will both be good goalies in this league the most common complaint I have heard since I started following the team is that we have never had quality, consistent goaltending. Now we finally have that why are we in such a rush to give it away?
Yes Anderson would likely get us the most back but that's not the only aspect of any deal you look at, you have to look at what we are letting go. With Anderson we lose a genuine franchise goalie who is relatively inexpensive and seems both well liked and likes being here.
Anderson has 2 years left, within those two years we will know more or less for sure what we have in Lehner and the decision of the organisation will be based more on facts and experience than gut reaction and a hunch.
yes cooke needs a royal correction , ur right hq8
I meant its a risk you calculate, whether that's keeping him or trading him. Both risky imo
Much rather have Perry but if that proves to be impossible, he wouldn't be a bad option. I think he'd actually be very good. He really is the exact type of player we need. Perry is just better because he brings the scoring but also the insane physical presence among other things. Gaborik however is still one of the best scorers in the league. Slightly over-paid but wed pay that much for this top line guy anyway.
Not many guys out there that have even been mentioned this year. Perry, Gaborik and that's pretty much it in terms of elite scorers which really is our only pressing need
Sprained my ankle 5 or 6 times in my life, it is not something you rush, have a feeling Anderson rushed it prolonging the healing, may still be trying to rush it.
I am no doctor but I have been there.
Stay the hell off it till 100% being a tough guy and walking on it or skating is stupid.
JMO
The guys an absolute beast. He's just ripping it up this year. Sure their team sucks but man would he make our team dangerous
Even if they don't, you can get Sens stuff from NHL.com
IMO Bryan Murray wants Anderson to help Lehner. That's the way it should be.
A team's window to win the Cup closes pretty quickly with parity in today's NHL.
IF Melnyk is serious about winning a Stanley Cup he will have to throw the $$ at Perry.
Sens will need a big tough scorer like him to compete with Bos & Mtl to get out of the division and with Pittsburgh to get to the Cup Final.
The last 2 seasons Melnyk has not spent a lot on players' salaries so he has saved $$.
Trading a player just to get a better return and lessen the Sens lineup, I just don't know.
It's like an example of trading Karlsson over Cowen because it would be a better return. It just makes no sense to me.
IMO it will be easier to trade Bishop rather than Anderson anyway.
The Kings can't get a deal for Bernier & the Canucks can't deal Luongo.
There is just no market for #1 goalies but there could be for backups that's where it makes sense to trade Bishop, at the draft.
Why are the Sens not giving any updates on Anderson ?? Chirp just said that Anderson is not even praticing with the team??
So, Back Checker, where did you get your inside info from ??
Great young player.. but don't think Dallas let's him go. Would cost a ton.
One player that may hit UFA this offseason (but I don't think NJ let's him leave) is David Clarkson...
UNO's college season ended on the weekend. Sustr will weigh his options, and he has many, this week. No rush or timetable on a decision.
Will pass Glenn Anderson to get to 57th on the All-Time total points list.
As much as I want the team to win tomorrow.. please Alfie.. get that point against the Bruins on Thursday when I'm at the game..
Just don't understand how anyone can think Murray would trade Anderson. He traded for him, invested in him, and so far Anderson has made Murray look like a genius.
Add to that what we know about the difficulty of attracting star players to Ottawa. It's just not in Bryan Murray's playbook to buy in to a guy then ship him out of town for the next big thing.
This can be difficult for some fans to accept, but there is a lot more to building a team than "managing assets".
Another 6'8 monster! I bet Murray is already all over this!