Methot injured his right knee last night against the Islanders and had to be helped off the ice but as initially speculated, it doesn't seem like the injury is overly serious. Methot underwent some treatment on the injured leg today and they'll wait till tomorrow to see how it responds.
If Methot can't play, Mike Lundin is healed from his concussion and ready to draw into the line up. No call up from Bingo necessary right now.
As expected, MacLean confirmed that Robin Lehner will be his starter tomorrow night. Lehner has been exceptional in his two previous starts against Boston this season.
Daniel Alfredsson, Sergei Gonchar, Chris Phillips and Guillaume Latendresse missed practice yesterday but should be fine to play tomorrow night.
- The Sens also announced the signing of NCAA goaltender Andrew Hammond to a two year, entry level contract. Hammond is coming off his senior season at Bowling Green where he posted a 10-15-3 record along with a 2.47 GAA and a .917 save percentage.
Imagine as a player you worked your ass off all season to get to the playoffs and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup. No player is ever going to say there is no chance. Now imagine your GM trades away one of the teams most important players after all your hard work with a deplete roster. How would you feel? Is that a team you'd want to give your all for every night? Give your heads a shake and think about how that sort of move would affect the team mentality. I don't want to do anything to fuck with the mojo this group is building now and for years to come.
These last few contracts are for next year (and beyond) and some players (Sdao being one) are playing on try-out contracts for the remainder of this year.
At least that's how it's been explained to me (and capgeek seems to agree).
I'd rather have another go with Gonchar at $8Mil over two years.
Well put. It's similar to Kuba last year as well in that if you were to trade him away you'd immediately have to go find a rental to replace him. We're just not "sellers".
Plus, our cupboards are well stocked now so there's no urgent need for a 2nd round pick (or whatever we'd get).
Regin and Lundin (and maybe Lats) are a different story I think. They can be more easily dealt - though I doubt there's a market.
No chance in hell. He is so slow and goes against everything Maclean preaches
Also its not a "free" buyout. It just doesn't count towards the cap. The owner still has to pay for the buyout
Komisarek will be clearing waivers
Similar to the Lee for Gilroy deal from last year
But Regin for _______
Colorado:
Ryan O'Byrne (UFA)
Ottawa:
Daugavins (RFA)
or
Buffalo:
Leopold (UFA)
Ottawa:
Regin + 3rd
I'd endorse a Leopold trade this year
I apologize if this post was not meant to be sarcastic or funny - but it had me rolling on the floor.
Sens Rookie of Year:
Interested in hearing who you all think is the best rookie so far this year for the Sens. Some great candidates with Silfverberg, Zibanejad, Wiercioch, Gryba and Lehner to name only the top 5.
Personally I'd put it
1. Silfverberg
2. Lehner
3. Wiercioch
Mainly based on icetime/games played and the quantity of impact game in and game out. If Wiercioch now starts adding the defensive game more with Methot out for a bit, or if Lehner stays around longer, either of those 2 could be at the top at the end of the year, imo!
For me its definitely Wiercioch, kid is clutch.
I agree with most here that Regin or Daug are expendable.
I almost lost it on that post....Regin = Stevie Y?!?!?!?
Let's assume he was joking...right. ..?
Hoping Methot is infact able to play tomorrow night...he played really important shutdown minutes against the Bruins in our first 2 matchups this year. 27 mins in last game.
Looking at the home and road games so far this year...
In 14 home games Ottawa has captured 23 of a possible 28 points.
In 16 road games, Ottawa has only captured 15 of a possible 32.
If the Sens can keep playing lights out at home, and also win the odd road game here and there...we are in fantastic shape to finish this season strong in the standings.
Next up...5 game homestand (Bruins, Tampa, New Jersey, Rangers, Leafs)
....lets get'er'done!
We should definitely shop Gonchar around and see what kind of offers we get. He's 38 and in the last year of a contract. A puck moving offensive defensemen has a high value in the trade market because they are somewhat scarce in the NHL. If someone wants to give us a good return we should consider it.
Gotta agree with this, no harm in shopping him around and trying to get a great offer, who knows what you can get, a desperate team looking for a PMD in the playoffs. The goal is to continue the rebuild and get somebody to replave Gonchar. He is 38 and if we can replace him with a young same production type player, we should.
(not saying I expect a 1st for him)
He should sit a few games.
Agreed. The only reason to keep him would be for an extended run in the playoffs, and despite how well the Sens are playing, I'd rather make a run with Karlsson in the line-up. Of course, it would all depend on what we could get for Gonchar...
There are better ways to spend 4.5 million. Like buy 4.5 million things from the dollar store.
Komisarek adds nothing to this team.
I think your new buddy PAtty Weircioch fits that bill, no?
Murray said much the same thing about Kuba last year. I don't expect Gonchar to go anywhere unless Pittsburgh come in and make us a ridiculous offer of a 1st or 2n and one of their top D prospects.
That we can spin as Gonchar wanting to go "home".
If we could somehow get their 1st AND Brian Dumoulin, that would be amazing. Still not sure Murray pulls that deal and makes our team worse heading into the playoffs though.
My main thought would be that with this imposed budget, wasting money on a rental-to-buyou t player is not the way to go. Better to save that money now and spend it on keeping this core long term.
While I agree that this "message" is not one you would want to send to a fragile team, I would argue that this team is anything but fragile and could take it and understand it's a business decision.
Look at what NJ and NSH did last year. It's better to make a trade if he's not coming back next year, and get some assets for the long term.
I'm fine with whichever way they decide to go, but I really feel he's playing for a contract in minutes that won't be available again next year with Karlsson and Cowen, and to a lesser extent Wiercioch and maybe even Ceci.
who cares tomorrow never comes, hes playing well today
we already have a cupboard full of prospects and Gonchar at max will get a combo of fringe prospects and a 2nd, no way anyone is giving up a 1st for an aging vet, especially considering the value of the ELC in today's salary cap era
So its better to try for run this year with Gonchar and our depleted roster? Do yo re-sign next year. Good chance he signs in PIT. So we lose him for nothing?
Murray will explore every scenario, and I think he would take a prospect or a 2nd for Gonchar. IF offered a 1st thats a no brainer.
Granted he has turned it up lately, and played much better.... does this remind you of anyone recently? Maybe Kuba? And all the foolish talk of resigning this dman we paid over 12 mil to perform for one year.
Many here were pleading that we do not resign him b/c as soon as he signs his retirement package, he will resort to his useless play.
In hindsight maybe a 2nd rounder would have been better than keeping him.
Sure enough he is playing terribly making 3 mil in FLA... huge mistake
My question is why is it that some of these players only show up in last year of their contract?
And why do we want them?
If the price is right anything is for sale!
Michaelek is going orthoscopic Surgery to "clean up debris" on his knee. The doctor on the show, mentioned that it's very possible for Michaelek to be walking and standing after the surgery. It's a
"straight-forwa rd" surgery, and they mentioned Michaelek will only be resting a few weeks. He'll be able to workout, and rehab right away after the surgery as well.
So, good news Sens Fans!
What does that 2nd really accomplish? Sure we have Smith Lehner Weircioch and Silfverberg on our roster all 2nd round picks. I get the value
But we are 5th in the conference, 6th overall in the league and you want to shop our "norris trophy condidate" because he has an expiring deal?
If we didn't have Gonchar on our team, how many people here would want Murray to go pick up a rental that expires this year?
It would be foolish to trade gonchar and roll with:
gryba-methot
phillips-wiercioch
benoit-lundin
for the playoffs. We would get killed
I just want to know if there will be a year that we actually get something back for all the players that walk out the door for free...
Pittsburgh should trade Dupuis because they are low on top end prospects
Montreal should trade Ryder because they are also rebuilding
New Jersey should trade Clarkson because they just lost Parise for nothing
All because they will be UFA also
Just so you know...
Regin's FO % is currently 45.3...
Meanwhile Z Smith's face off percentage is 52.0 while Turris' is at 49.8? Heck, even ZBad (who PM actually said he doesn't want on FO is at 45.9... hence why he may be better on the wing)...
But ok, I will take your word.
Actually, Smith's possession numbers since he's been paired with Alfie are very good. His CORSI is up there too.
The value would be for next year, as I dont think Gonchar makes or breaks our chances at winning the Cup.
Murray has to think about this, he's going to have to decide is it better to go for a run this year with Gonchar expiring or do we unload Gonchar so we dont lose him for nothing.
Were not a Cup contender so why make a push now?
Karl Methot
Cowen Murray/Regehr/Smid
Weir Phillips
With the great coaching staff and good core players ufa's should look at ottawa as an ideal place to play.
but what is a cup contender? Did anyone think Los Angeles could win cup as 8 seed and beat vancouver?
the concept of losing a player for nothing is overblown. Gonchar signs here for 3 years enjoys his time here, and then during arguably our most fun year we ship him for scrap pieces for fear of losing him
What does that tell him and his agent? We value future sucess more than current success?
No guarantees we will be 6th overall next year
There are lots of talk of Clarkson going around the NHL, he is one of the top trade talks.
Montreal needs big wingers, Ryder is not available. This option is not valid.
Dupuis would probably suck outside of Pitts.
And all those guys are not 38 years old.
Sorry but I wish we had traded Kuba, instead of keeping him for 6 playoff games where again he was useless.
And I do wish we would have gotten something for Chara before he left... IMO
Boston was a cup contender, so was Chicago, LA after loading up was a Cup contender. Pitts, Det...the list goes on and on.
Scrap pieces, you named all of our scrap pieces (2nd rounders) earlier, your gonna get killed by Sens nation now!!
Ottawa need defensive help. Why trade arguably our 2nd best dman???
If Jersey are in the playoff picture Clarkson goes no where, just like gonchar, just like ryder just like dupuis
What the hell is so hard to understand here?
finally reason
2nd round picks take time to develop. Getting one now wont help us for next year which is when Tookie says we will be a contender, so why bother. Lets take our chances this year let him shoulder some pressure from Weircioch
Put it this way, hypothetical situations
We make playoffs, we lose first round gonchar gets blamed for sucking he leaves for nothing
or
We make playoffs, we lose first round, gonchar has been traded meaning gryba and weircioch are playing 20+ min a night and they get hammered and blamed
which is better for us next year?
Were the Devils cup contenders last year when they made their run to the finals?
One chance. Thats all you need to give these guys, is a chance and a playoff spot, to show just how far they can take it.
Sorry, but how are we not a cup contender? I understand that this team is young and inexperienced when it comes to NHL playoffs, but this team was considered to freefall after the insane injuries we've had to endure this season. Yet, here we stand with the best home record in the league right now. Here we stand with one of the best goals against records in the league right now. Here we stand with a group of young guys who have gone through a cup run together in the AHL and won as a team.
I don't agree with you on us not having a cup contending team. And you can ask any "expert" out there right now and the majority will disagree with you. Apparently the Rangers were supposed to be a cup contender this year as well. SURPRISE!
Yup Tarasenko was a top end talent but fell during the draft because of the Russian stigma. St.Louis took the chance and it has paid off for them so far
But as of now Tarasenko vs Turris I'm not sure which I'd prefer. So doesn't bother me any
how did keeping Kuba help us last year?
Again granted Gonchar is playing much better, but no way in hell he makes the difference in us winning the cup or not... he is not that good IMO
Methot is much more valuable than Gonchar is...
of course it all depends on what we get back, and maybe a 2nd rounder is not worth it but that is why BM gets paid the big bucks
again IMO
Who says we have to get a 2nd rd pick for him?
now this is a very compelling argument... do we have a lawyer in the house
None of those guys are going anywhere unless their teams fall out of the playoffs which prob won't happen.
The only reason they are talked about on TSN is because they mention every single player as a possible rental as soon as he's a UFA to be.
I find those "insiders" are jokes. They really have no inside info. All they do is announce trades faster than anyone else but when trades actually happen, they usually are very surprised with where the player went or they never even mentioned what ever player that just got traded
They all thought Perry wouldn't re-sign in Anaheim, but he did. No GM's actually tell these guys anything. They are simply making educated guesses like any of us
Hindsight is 20/20
but man I do regret not having that 4th round pick in our back pocket right now!!
Gonchar is not playing much better than Kuba. It's almost the same situation, Kuba played very well last year for us leading into his contract renewal year. Now he's shit this year. Most likely because he's not playing with Karlsson.
Do we need defensive help? we wont next year and for what its worth, Gonchar wont win us a playoff round.
I dont care wether he stays or goes but the logical thing to do to better our team for the future is get something for him before he walks...IF he walks...
Something is better than nothing.
Really? you need an answer for that, its obviously the 2nd option, as they get invaluable playoff exp...
and they wont get blamed, they havent been blamed all year...were in a rebuild.
It's not nothing though. It's keeping your best defenceman for the playoffs, the most important time of the year. It's saying to the coaching staff and the guys in the locker room that their hard work all season has been for a reason.
You just answered your own qustion with 1 sentence...
"young and inexperienced when it comes to NHL playoffs,"
Regular season stuff stays in the regular season, dont you know the NHL playoffs are a totally different beast, you should know by now.
Teams like NYR, DET, NJ, BOS, PIT have that exp and wether they suck in the reg season doesnt make a diff when the playoffs start.
You should know that.
Yes. Well somewhat. They make it seem like they know their shit and they're getting accurate info from gm's. meanwhile if they are speaking with gm's, they're simply feeding these guys B.S because they know if they actually told them something big it would be on twitter and as TSN breaking news within minutes
I don't have any doubts that there's a single guy in that dressing room that doesn't believe they can go toe to toe with any team come playoff time.
I agree,
As much as the rangers have sucked,they are still cup contenders in my mind
Only way Gonchar gets traded in if we aren't offered something stupid like a top 6 or top 4 dman prospect that has a high likelihood of living up to that potential. Only cup contending teams are going to consider. I don't even think we trade him for a 1st round pick
Maybe add a 2nd to it an Murray will have no choice but no team will offer something like that. And it's almost guaranteed we are not signing him.
Just as much as any team with a hot goalie is.
Does he come back to North America and play the rest of the year with the Sens?
It didn't cost us anything to get Gonchar so who cares if we don't get anything back for him?
We are maxed on contracts, we have more prospects right now than we will ever even use so adding more draft picks for Gonchar isn't going to fill any need. The biggest need is a d-man who can log 25-30 minutes, has won a cup and who is playing his way into the Norris conversation.
The only way they can trade him is if they are so blown away from an offer that even the guys in the locker room agree it was too good to pass up.
Listen, you folks think Murray prances around the room talking to players and making play dates with their kids?!?!!?
They dont do that man, its a PRO BUSINESS. The players are PAID to play with whomever is in the room. There are no messages being sent. Whatever is best for the team moving forward is whats most important in thei rebuild. If we had a bunch of babies crying when somebody got traded we wouldnt make it very far.
And wouldn you think by trading Gonchar that Wier or the young D corp would feel bad stepping up into his role?!?! HELL NO.
With Karlsson out, Cowen out, Michalek out and Spezza & Anderson maybe returning late. This team has shown it doesnt care who is playing beside them, Maclean gets them going. They play for the Ottawa Senators not for Gonchar.
There isn't a decent puck moving defencemen out there as a UFA this year. The best one likely available is Marc-Andre Bergeron, and he's terrible defensively.
The guys you all mention are strong stay at home blueliners. We don't need to be spending money on those at the moment.
Re-sign Gonchar to a 1 year deal. he if he wont take that or can get a 2 or 3 year deal elsewhere let him walk and run with what we have.
Just ridiculous.
See, that I don't really agree with.
You may have a chance at winning some games but a hot goalie can only take you so far.
Anderson was very hot last year but we just couldn't score enough against the rangers. Eventually you need goals.
The rangers have some serious talent that chances are will come through in the clutch. Same goes for LA as well as other teams. The sens however just aren't there yet
HAHAHAHA TOOKIE YOU WOULD BLAME THEM WE ALL KNOW YOU WOULD LOL
Although the rookies on our team have little to no experience with NHL playoffs, the vets on this team do. With that veteran guidance and with their own AHL cup experience, this team has a strong and legitimate chance as any "contending" team. And with the insane goaltending we have, you can't argue we don't stand to make a strong push.
But, it doesn't matter what I say...or anyone else for that matter, of course I am wrong.
Whats so ridiculous?, Owners/GM's dont cater to their players, especially not 38 year olds who dont have any influence/ties in Ottawa. He signed here because we gave him a riduculous offer not because he wanted to play here. You dont think he goes to PIT next year?
I don't agree - I think that he has one more good year in him.
Getting picked to play on the Russian Olympic team in RUSSIA next year will keep him highly motivated.
Why would I blame guys I support? I havent blamed any of them this year and they have all made big mistakes...
Ahh well theres another side to keeping Gonchar that actually makes more sense rather than pinning our hopes on him for a push.
Many decisions to make! I would like to be a fly on the wall in Murray's office.
Trading Gonchar I think would be completely useless. We simply don't have anyone to replace him. I don't think people value him enough. He plays with insane poise and creates chances all the time. He almost never makes a bad decision out there, where as pretty much all our other Dmen do.
If you so desperately want a 2nd round pick or something in hat range, why not just trade Bishop. He'd get us pretty much the same return. The difference is we have guys to replace him. Can't say that about Gonchar
So... Let me get this straight. The Sens have been ravaged with injuries all season. Seriously RAVAGED with INJURIES! Last night Methot gets INJURED and the team is losing 3-1! Yet this non cup contending team scores 4 unanswered goals in the 3rd period to win the game! Yea you guys are all right, we don't have clutch players don't even deserve to be in the playoffs. Lol, completely rdiculous is everybody taking the same pills as Tookie today? HOLY WTF!!!
We wern't crippled because we didn't trade Kuba for a 2nd and we won't be when we keep Gonchar either.
Well it doesnt have to be a 2nd, could be a 1st, or a roster player thats NHL rdy, who knows.
and yes PW46 is going to replace Gonchar, which is why he needs the experience and not Gonchar as he wont be here anymore...
I'm sorry but a midseason game vs the Islanders is simply not the same as a playoff game.
We're just not serious cup contenders. Sure anything can happen..why I think we shouldn't trade Gonchar but no we are not in the class as Bostom, NYR, Chicago and others
Hey didn't we already re-sign him after his last "last" year? Can't use that motto lol.
Gonchar a hall of famer????
Really, than the return should be really good in that case
Yeah, it seems that way.
We're talking this year. Weirchoch would really really struggle if he had to step up into Gonchars 25+ minutes a night. Especially in the playoffs. He would look terrible out there
It was in regard to last time Regin played in the playoffs he was just outstanding. So why not see if he can do it again. Never said anything that he was Steve Y, just said he was playing "Like" Steve Yzerman in mid season form
Man do I ever want to take that bet
Last time he made such bold proclimation the Sens made the playoffs
Maybe our boys just love proving him wrong!
We all know who I'm talking about so why aren't you people saying we should trade him too...
Well our back end wasnt the strongest, who knows what that 2nd could have turned out. Same goes for whatever we can get for Gonchar...could be the next coming of Alfie or Chara who knows? We wont know if we get nothing for him.
All for a round of playoff with a team hardly rdy facing serious oods at winning it all.
I think its experience wasted on a player who wont be here, instead it could go to our young and up coming defense.
Well said
Ok, in Tookie's defence, his original post on this subject was as follows...
"Gotta agree with this, no harm in shopping him around and trying to get a great offer, who knows what you can get, a desperate team looking for a PMD in the playoffs. The goal is to continue the rebuild and get somebody to replave Gonchar. He is 38 and if we can replace him with a young same production type player, we should."
I don't see where he is saying we absolutlely should trade Gonchar...he just says it would be in the Sens best interest to, at least, listen to offers...
LOL
if gonchar was taking up our 6th d spot then ya Ill buy this argument
But not when it will be Methot first playoffs, Wiercioch first, gryba first benoit 1st
With or without Gonchar, our young guys will get their experience and get their opportunity to experience the playoffs
Like he's struggling now? you dont know how PW46 would handle more minutes. the way it looks like now is he is craving more minutes. He's producing more than our FW's playing 13-15 a night.
I get what your saying but in reality, there's a much better chance the 2nd round pick amounts to nothing more then a depth player. IMO, keeping Gonchar only improves our chances in the playoffs, and that hope is worth more then the pick.
Unless it's a first, then I seriously consider it haha.
Fair enough, keep him and see how far we go.
Yes, asset management is important but not at the expense of winning.
I know this is a tough concept for a certain type of fan to grasp. But accept it and you may find yourself enjoying this remarkable run the Ottawa Senators are on.
I'm not sure how to respond? haha
if we trade him I wont be mad. Do I think they will no? Do I think they should? no. but i'm indifferent in the end once Murray makes that decision
wait a minute (and this hurts me) I am in agreement to shop him around... I say everything has its price, and if it is right, I say we take it.
Tookie did say we will not win the cup this year somewhere though
Well I think many people like our 2nd rounders... Smith Lehner Weircioch and Silfverberg.
You never know.
I would like for you to be a fly on a wall to, maybe it'd prevent you from posting your ridiculous opinions on here every 5 minutes.
I'm with chirp -- if murray trades gonchar for a mediocre draft pick/ prospect (likely his value to other teams) its basically telling the guys in the room he's giving up on them for the year. I know you've got this new obsession with patty W. but I think it would be pretty easy for teams to shut him down if he was the only offensive D on the team.
This is such a positive time for this team and somehow you still find the negatives... shouldnt be surprised
Yes I did, many other have aswell.
If the SENS win the Cup this year I will wear complete body paint of the SENS logo or whatever all through Sens Mile!
haha jk or am I?!?!
Mediocre like Lehner or Alfie? tough to choose?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T. You've turned enough stomachs in here alone. No need to do it on a mass scale.
It's be hard to see underneath your leafs jersey right? ;)
Isn't this an argument to keep Gonch? He provides the team a better chance to get into, and go farther in the playoffs. The young guys are going to get the experience they need to create more success in subsequent seasons.
I don't think we're going to get a real value return trading. Any team that really wants him is probably a playoff contender, meaning that even if they do offer up a first round (which I doubt for a rental) the pick (from whatever round) is probably going to be a later pick.
I think Gonch's real value, is that he can help get our kids some real playoff experience. I'll put my faith in the #PeskySens to gut it out if they get the chance.
BTW - I'll agree that Murray should listen to offers; maybe he'll find a Milbury.
If the Sens win the Cup, and you are the Sens fan you claim to be, you should be doing that anyway!
and he will live up to his bets!
here is to seeing (but not looking at) Tookie marching in body paint when we win the cup!!!
The value we would get from the insulation he provides in the playoffs for the younger guys is well worth the 2nd round pick (or whatever) we might get for him, plus he'll be a leader in the playoffs for a team which has limited experience.
Trading him would be an bad move for a lot of reasons.
I think its more likely the Sens when the cup than it is that Tooks is actually a Sens fan.
Nice...
Tooks is a hockey fan that used to be a leaf fan... he is having some trouble converting over to the good side, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel... its ok many years of brainwashing will do this to you, but we are slowly clensing him, and he will one day march down the Sens mile in body paint... and that is coming soon folkd
Yeah, and there's a an exceptional status kid for them to pick.
www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=418657
IMO it would be best to trade from a position of strength - Id say we'd get a better return for any of our goalies than we would for gonchar while allowing our team to stand a chance in a playoff series.
without gonchar im sure opposing teams would salivate at the idea playing us. We'd be immediately weaker on the break out, the power play (a first line PP d pairing of weircioch and benoit wouldnt intimidate too many) and just about every other facet of the game.
If all our D were healthy Id be all for trading him, but its too risky now. What happens if methot gets injured, for example? we'd be left with no one..
as far as I know Ceci is still playing - 67's traded him to Owen Sound
Pitt is one of the favorites for the cup, Montreal got Ryder for their cup run and Clarkson is a long term piece in New Jersey.
Not exactly the same as trading Gonchar, and we also have Borowiecki who can stand in for the rest of the year if needed, though I would expect we'd get a D back in either a Gonchar or Bishop trade.
Though obviously we have a better chance of a cup run this year with Gonchar than without him. Hard to say what the right call is here. If BM truly believes we could win this year, then keep him. If he thinks it's a really small outside shot make the trade.
Oh yeah. My bad
I just heard on team 1200 they may not go for the exceptional status kid after all. I don't know as much about all the pre-CHL players, but that sounds surprising.
Trading him at the deadline would be counter productive.
I say sign him to a 1 year extension.
Gonchar would fetch one of the highest deadline prices. I think you are massively underrating him. I'd expect a 2nd minimum, probably a prospect/player as well.
I honestly think Gonchar could fetch more than Bishop, only because there is almost no market for goalies right now, despite so many teams with a need there.
...Leafs and Habs neither buddy . Fuck them .
if were going to deplete our team symbiose like it is right now , I think its a gross error . We dont need to speculate trades .
Speculate we break lucic and cie faces tomorrow.
Agreed. The only reason to keep him would be for an extended run in the playoffs, and despite how well the Sens are playing, I'd rather make a run with Karlsson in the line-up. Of course, it would all depend on what we could get for Gonchar...
Karlsson will not be in any playoff run with the Sens this year.
By all means trade one of the 3 experienced D the Sens have.. and tell me exactly who takes his place if you trade him?
For all we know Methot's day to day injury could be as long as Anderson's 30+ days.
Damn I have to agree with Tookie for the first time . notice the T ;)
guy has us in all games , blocking shots winning battles , clearing crease , imposing respect for the goaltender. MEthot is outstanding for us right now . Sit him out , is the best to do , so he can rest up , and be back in a few games .
If you want to think long-term. Think about the value of building good relationships with the players that are here now and will be for years to come. If you think the guys that have worked so hard this season wouldn't be pissed off at Gonchar being dumped for futures you're in for a rude awakening.
I want the players in this organization to know that they are respected and the management will do right by them. I want this organization to be a 1st class place where players desire to play and play their heart out. You don't do that by making some petty deadline deal because the team "isn't as strong" as it could be based on injury. They're in playoff position. If Karlsson, Spezza, Cowen, and Anderson were playing right now you wouldn't even think about entertaining this deal. The players playing now deserve the same respect.
I guess that's the same theory as to trading Anderson because it gets a better return..
I would like him to play in bingo and go on a Calder cup run this year as they could use his help. But it all comes down to his attitude, if he has a good attitude he would likely choose bingo but if not, his loss
Believe me I'm not in favour of trading Gonchar if you want any kind of playoff run.. especially since there is no Karlsson or Cowen on the blueline.
But Paul Gaustad got a first round pick in return last season..
Regarding Gonchar, I hope/expect him to stay for our playoff run.
That being said, I expect his level of play to drop dramatically next year. He's playing for a contract here and getting pretty old. I hope we dont give him that big salary and keep a "has been" defenseman on our roster next year. I guess a sign and trade scenario would be ideal, but I'm guessing SG will want to test the UFA market to get the most $$$
This.
Somewhat unrelated: I also think we lay low on deadline ay, I would be shocked to see us make a bigger trade unless Anderson is healthy (trading bishop)
They haven't been blamed Tookie? How many times on this site has Gryba been thrown under the bus?
With all the defensive prospects that are nearing NHL readiness.. why would they need Gonchar?
Anyways, ignoring all of that, to look at spmething positive, am i the only one ecstatic that one of the team's best dmen , if not the best Dman, Methot, isn't seriously injured and maybe returning to game action soon.
I honestly believe , there is absolutely no one left that could step up in his presence. Sometime people don't recognize, but almost every other game he's one of the better players ( for his position) on the ice.
Additionally, thank god we're looking at Andrei Sushter...
Even before we started the rebuild, when murray took over as GM....Silfverbe rg, Lehner, Smith, etc... guys at that time who we didn't think were blue chip material were one of the first pieces in this pipeline.
He's always looking for top college guys, to add to this pipeline. This model I feel is somewhat an emulation of the one in detroit.... And might even be better in the future.
Great to hear Chirp. I think over the next couple of days he is culling the teams that are interested in hin 20-25 teams.. and could make a decision on the weekend... That's according to Bob MacKenzie.
Hope the Sens can get him..
Awesome news! Fingers crossed we can get him, you got to think he could favour the Sens simply because of opportunity.
What about Dekeyser? any word on whether the Sens are in on him as well? They say Detroit has the inside track but you never know.
Extremely well said.
Well said and would like to add that all NHL playoff experience is extremely valuable.
There is nothing like NHL playoff hockey in pro sports.
I'll gladly give up a draft choice for SG if it means maximizing Ottawa's chances of getting our young guns their first playoff exposure.
"Tampa Bay, might have the inside track for Sustr's rights. He participated in their prospect camp last summer, along with the Penguins."
Let's see if Bryan Murray can work his magic again.
Are we on his list? That's the question now.
Gonchar is going nowhere, those that want to trade him for something look at it this way.
It looks like we are going to make playoffs so we don't have to be buyers at the deadline because we already have Gonchar as a free rental for the rest of the season, we are already saving, picks or whatever else.
News Flash REBUILD IS OVER, it is all about development now.
We will make trades here and there but picks now are to keep us strong not for pieces to take a run at the cup.
I watched a live game of the Blackhawks before they took the cup, let me tell you we are a mirror image and our goaltending can take us to the promise land, watch and enjoy, don't stress about picks. I also could give a shit if we run with three healthy stud goalies for the rest of the season and playoffs, so what.
Re: Gonchar
according to this site only 25% of second round picks ever make the NHL
Even First Round Picks have only a 63% chance of making the NHL.
http://proicehockey.about.com/od/prospects/f/draft_success.htm
And how long does it take for 18 year olds to make it?
Trading Gonchar is a clear message for the team and for fans to give up on this year and wait for next year, or the next tear, or the year after that.
If all those players were healthy, we'd be entertaining the Gonchar deadline trade even more, as was the case when they were. I'm not saying we have to trade him, but I still think if there's good value to be had for him, take it. My preference would be to use him to upgrade someone in the top 6 forwards or top 4 D if one's available.
On that note, Setoguchi is playing really well as of late looking for his next contract. What would he cost as a UFA next year?
It was reported a few weeks ago that the Sens were one of three teams aggressively pursuing Sustr.
Karlsson - 10 points in 14 games ( On pace for 21 in 30)
Gonchar - 20 points in 27 games
He's producing like Karlsson. Why wouldn't you re-sign this guy?
Welcome aboard Edwin! Always nice to have more voices in here.
Also looks like a new user name. Welcome, OnionKnight!
But the reality is that when we're always going to be a budget team, we HAVE to offer the players something more than the money they get. One being respect/loyalty.
That's why Fisher got to go to Nashville. That's why Murray raved about how much he loved Kelly after he traded him. That's why we kept Kuba and that's why we'll keep Gonchar.
There's been lots of talk on here about trying to keep Cowen and Wiercioch etc. Don't you think it's a LITTLE easier to sign those guys if you can demonstrate how we as an org try to take care of our players.
I'm not sure what the exact right balance is between building relationships and running the business. I also acknowledge that some of "the reasons" above are not the only reason or even the biggest, but as Sens fans we have to be aware that our team has to put a bit more effort into building and keeping our own stars.
He's only been here a couple years, we still are keeping Alfie and Phillips to show loyalty and all that jazz.
Keeping Gonchar should purely be a win now or build for later decision. Everyone in the league knows Ottawa is a class A organization since Melnyk and Murray took over.
I don't know which leaves the worst taste in my mouth, this season's officials or Heatley.
(This is were I make the Corner Gas spitting noise...)
Indeed, Sir.
I for one do not want us to be Edmonton East.
Like your name Ser Davos Seaworth. Better hold onto those fingers tight for some extra sens luck throughout the rest of the season!
Just a little matt cooke fun
I love it. Someone needs to make a compilation of all the clean/dirty hits on Cooke that lay him the fuck out.
"Thanks for the love friends.. Injury isn't serious. Be back soon :)"
gotta HATE cooke
Great news, but with many guys coming back next year Sustr will look to go elsewhere where he has a better chance to play top 4 minutes. He wont in Ottawa with Karlsson, PW46, Cowen, Methot, Gryba, Ceci...
Exactly and Gonchar isnt one of our own. Also we are not usually a budget team, we went into budget mode for 2 reasons, rebuild and Melnyk RL struggles. Eventually things will get back to normal.
We traded Kelly and Fisher....2 of the most respected and loved SENS of all time...Did any of our rookies or vets go ape shit claiming we dont respect them?? NO...Our rookies got better because of it.
Hell we got Noesen, Puemple and Prince with picks by trading with other teams. Gonchar would bring in somthing similar maybe even better.
Sure they will miss Gonchar but will get over it real soon, if we can trade Fisher and Kelly and still be alright I think Gonchar is a non issue.
Ottawa does have a lot of D in our system who are playing, but I can't see why Sustr would go to any team right now and expect top 4 minutes. He's expected to be great, but you don't normally just sign an NHL contract and get top 4. If anything it's a blending in process. Nobody wants to throw this guy into his first NHL season with that much of a workload, you have to let him build it up.
Sigh.
We traded Fisher to Nashville so his wife could be close to "home". Murray blew so much smoke about how great Kelly was (and Fisher) after the trades as well.
He made it very clear that it was something only done out of a desperate need.
He could not have done it with more respect and THAT is why no vets went "ape shit".
Bottom line man, Gonchar will not be traded and it's already been explained why a dozen times on this site. And we shouldn't be upset by that since it's the right call.
Usually NCAA players go right into the mix (Butler, Condra, Da Costa...many on other team too, Schultz, Conacher, Killorn, etc...)
They are usually a bit older, like 22-23 and are utilized pretty early in their careers, since they come cheap and hardly any risk.
I dont care either way, just saying if he is, nobody should be surprised. And the team wont miss a beat.
We traded Fisher and Kelly, two pending UFAs with several years left in the tank at that point, when we had no chance of making the playoffs. More to the point, we needed to get younger as a team and re-stock depth at various positions - and so we moved two centres. Now, we're in a playoff position and need NHL quality defenseman.
You spend too much time playing NHL13 and not enough time with real humans to know how relationships work. If you think you can treat people like assets and never feel the heat, you've never managed people before. Arm chair GM...
Please Took, spend some time being a troll on some one else's site and give us a break.
Butler, Condra, DaCosta, and Conacher played significant time in the AHL before moving to a full time NHL role?
Karlsson - Out for the year
Cowen - Out for the year
Methot - Injured...
We need our NHL defensemen now, and can't afford to move them.
Took, you're a troll.
Yo, Kettle!
It's the pot here.
You're black.
And for the pc police out there, NO that wasn't racist
"Exactly and Gonchar isnt one of our own"
You also say he came here because of the money he was offered?
I'm pretty sure one of the big reasons was that he wanted to play in a Canadian city, I remember him saying that. Are you good buddies with him did he tell you otherwise?
I gotta tell you Tookie, you obviously don't understand if a team is heading to the playoffs especially a team that has gone through so much adversity as the Senators have, it would be really really really dumb to get rid of your best defensemen for draft picks or a pick and a prospect. The fact that you don't understand that boggles my mind. You know that only teams that are going to the playoffs are going to make offers to Gonchar so they are not going offer anything more than unproven prospects and picks, no team that is going into the playoffs is going to offer a top 6 player or a younger version of Gonchar because they are going into the playoffs and trading away a key piece of your team for Gonchar would as stupid as... BM trading Gonchar when his team is heading for the playoffs!
Also, if you're going to go and spout off ad hominen attacks against posters here, at least get your facts straight - Mike Fisher was not a pending UFA.
Gonchar is 38 years old, and while I doubt the Senators trade away a veteran d-man who is performing very well right now, especially considering how thin they are on D right now, that doesn't mean that they will re-sign him.
Gonchar may very well seek another big contract, and I may prefer to see the Senators give that spot to a young guy to develop. 35+ contracts are risky, and I cannot imagine he will take less than he is making now.
Nothing wrong with letting him walk - he's more valuable to the team as they go into playoffs than he is in a trade.
Actually, yes, there's no reason to think the Sens cannot only make the playoffs( they currently are in them) nor to think they cannot go far. They have beaten pretty much everyone they need to as playoff contenders.
I wouldn't sell (unless it was a Bishop trade, since as I have already said, when Andy is back, we have 3 NHL goalies, and I don't send Lehner down, so that leaves Bishop the odd man out). I also wouldn't buy, since I'd rather the Sens give the players they have now the experience, since they will be a part of the team for a long time coming.
The truth none of us know if Ottawa will win the cup. Not even you! Do you have a crystal ball or something! How can you say something like that! Its ridiculous! YOU DONT KNOW WHO WILL WIN THE CUP! But what we all know if your FAVORITE team or the TEAM that you manage is going to make the playoffs then you know they have a chance to win the CUP. THAT IS ALL YOU NEED IS THE OPPORTUNITY. SO you don't go and trade your BEST DEFENSEMEN for draft picks! STUPID STUPID STUPID.
I remember in 2010 when Habs beat both Washington and Pittsburg (both favorites in our conference). Nobody gave a chance to Montreal but Halak played out of this world. We have that goaltending.
This group will do some damages !
First: It wasn't an ad hominen attack, as I went after his logic and reasoning. However, I did point out the fact that Tookie's a troll - which he is. Can't argue that one - he posts 100 times a day, and has several deleted posts for attacking other posters. So but out.
Second - You're right about Fisher's UFA status, but that isn't the point. The point is we moved those players in a completely different circumstance - we had almost no chance of making the playoffs.
And I'm not looking for Gonchar to resign. I HOPE he walks in the offseason... AFTER our playoff run.
This all speculative for sure
> Can we get a real good replacement for Gonch that will make immediate impact in this shortened season? of course without really ruffling any feathers in the locker room you gotta look at the entire teams impact on a trade for sure. IMO you dont he is more valuable on the team than not right now. You let him walk then its stupid move BUT...
> You trade him get some pieces, ruffle some feathers and probably dont get the impact you wanted immediately then we all go crazy on the trade not working out and it becomes a stupid move...
HMM.... they are both stupid moves... basically which stupid move would you make? :)
I like my glass half full so keep him while we can... but also keep an eye on someone who MAY improve the team today...
2 shillings worth :)
Tookie = Troll
And with that, I'm off the site for the day.
Cheers,
Just watched TSN top ten and it showcased Bobby Orr moments, watching him skate reminds me of a special player that plays for Ottawa. Imagine King Karl someday being recognized like the great Bobby Orr. Can't wait to see what this kid will do for the Sens and the NHL.
King Karl can't be compared to the great Bobby until he starts winning the scoring title and accumulate the Norris trophees.
We all know he is out of this world good and will keep on improving. We are extremely lucky to have him.
Hope he's ahead of his rehab program and will surprise us with a comeback in the playoffs. Hey, we are allowed to dream, right?
Remove mine all you want, I get it but atleast keep it fair. I was only responding to him bashing me and never used an insult...yet you delete mine...
We wouldnt have these arguments if people didnt bash me for my opinion, wether they like it or not, they simply dont bring anything to the blog.
I bring discussion, controversial or not, debateable or not. People responding to me just bashing and bringing nothing other than insults are the one you need to clean up.
To me your doing great job moderating this site, its the internet, people say what they want, especially on a blog but it can be bothersome to other who come on and constatnly read "Tookie suck" or "Tookie = Troll" I mean I dont care but really, what that does that bring to the blog...
did u see the first two years of his contract where we paid him more than 10 Mil?
this is his contract year and he decides to show up, like Kuba did.
Kuba gets his deal for 12 Mil in FLA and he is sitting... cmon guys I get the keep him for the run, but resign him... really?
Ahem... http://senschirp.ca/chirped
I agree with you Miguel, Gonchar has not been worth the money we paid him. He shouldnt be re-signed and I dont think he will, he doesnt fit into our rebuild.. As for the Push, I'm indifferent.
I know they cant be compared, not yet anyway haha. But watching how Orr skates down the ice, end to end while making it look easy, just looks quite similar to how Karlsson was playing the game this season. Very Exciting!
Just ridiculous...
This whole Gonchar debate sounds like a great topic for ChirpEd.
Tookie should right up his opinion and there and let the discussion move off the main board. People who want to disagree / counter argue / name call / etc. can go there to do so.
Just my $0.02
Agreed.
So if Tookie wrote one side, it would be great if the user "Roar" wrote the other. Really think he was spot on with his take.
Like this ^^^^.
New post up btw...good move SC.
No kiddin.
This would make for a fantastic blog post.
And how many have made an immediate impact right out of NCAA? You also have to consider that D take much longer to mature, we've seen and heard it time and time again.
You have this "You may be right but I know that I'm not wrong" modo and we are getting a little tired of it.
Don't be surprise if we just start to ignore all of your posts from now on.
Enjoy the rest of the season.
Go SENS Go
Great idea to isolate Tookie, and let him spew out his hockey expertise with any poster that does not agree with him.
Call it simply "Tookie's Blog "
This way, we could all enjoy postive discussions on Senschirp's Main Blog !
De ja vu. This is exactly what Anderson said...30 days ago.
Lets hope its not a trend.
Ceci will NOT be in the NHL next season...