It looks as though rookie Peter Regin will be ready to go tomorrow when the Senators host the Nashville Predators. Regin has played well early this season and deserves a spot in the line up even with the Senators playing well in his absence.
Question is, who comes out of the line up?
At this point it looks as though either Shean Donovan or Ryan Shannon will be scratched. If Shannon does stay in the line up he will likely be shifted to the wing, likely on the fourth line.
With Jesse Winchester almost ready to go and Filip Kuba getting closer, there are a few decisions to be made in the coming days. According to TSN's Brent Wallace, the Sens aren't sure when Kuba will be ready.
At this point I'd like to see Regin draw back in on the third line between Foligno and Neil and Donovan to keep his spot on the fourth line. For the time being Shannon and Winchester should stay out of the line up until someone plays their way out.
The benefit to having so much depth up front is the Senators are able to dress the players that deserved to be dressed. Once Kuba is ready to go the Senators will have 23 healthy bodies on the roster.
Decisions will have to be made at that point...
Brent Wallace said that Spezza left practice this morning with "bumps and bruises" and is probable for the game tomorrow.
52 comments:
I agree 100% with the lineup. Dono deserves to be in there and brings much more energy and grit than Winchester or Shannon.
That's twice Spezza has been out of practice with "bumps and bruises". Its obvious he has something more serious than bumps and bruises, but good on him that he is playing through it
Anon 12:10 I completely disagree, with guys sitting, and so early on in the year, if Spezz is hurt, I think he should sit.
I like Shannon more than Donovan, but Dono has been playing so well he deserves the spot for now. Shannon, if he plays, should be on the third line with Fisher and Foligno (remember the magic from last year?) Neil can drop down to the fourth line (if Shannon plays over Dono).
And if you've watched any games this year, you'll have noticed that Spezza is actually hitting and playing more physical - so the bumps and bruises could be legit.
I doubt it's anything more serious than bumps and bruises, this is the first year Spezza is actually throwing his body around, his body just isn't used to that so he's probably a little more fragile than a guy like Volchenkov, if it was more serious i doubt the team would risk losing him long-term by letting him play through it this early in the year when they'll need him down the stretch.
Hey SensChirp, just wanted to compliment you on the great job with this blog. Started coming here during the Heatley ordeal over the summer to hear the latest rumours and have been coming back ever since. Definitely liking the look of the team so far!
Anyway, I agree with scratching Shannon and keeping Donovan on the fourth line, as he has played very well in my opinion.
I've yet to see the Ryan Shannon that blew us away last year. I think Dono deserves a spot in the lineup as I've yet to see him not make an impression on a game, whether its grinding it out on the boards or just getting in front of the net, this guy wins battles. Winchester will get his shot eventually with inevitable injuries. All this depth is so nice :)
I like regin, foligno and neil. Good bag of players. I am interested to see how Kuba plays this year and how he fits in to the D. Hopefully he is back soon.
I am glad Spezza is hitting, he is one of the biggest players on the team! Watching gim and Heatley last year and the year before (I think they were #2 and #3 for size on the team) make NO hits was sad. I find Spezza's skating to be a lot better this year and I heard that's what he worked on this summer. Maybe he didn't work out enough for a physical game and that is why he is hurting a bit with his more physical play.
Shannon needs to sit while Donovan is playing well. Shannon's concussion problems have slowed him down. If he can shake off the cobwebs he'll be back in the lineup.
12:17
If every player that was hurt sat out the NHL might as well be called the AHL.
Shannon has done nothing this year and they better keep him off quarterbacking the PP. Some time off might help him get back to where they need him to be. Winchester is a decent player but does not bring any energy to the team like Dono.
Are we going to put Kuba on the LTIR soon or what?? Announcement of season ending surgury perhaps?
I agree with most here, Shannon should be in the press box, he's not a 4th line player and he hasn't done much this year to be on the other lines over anyone else.
Is anyone else worried kuba's injury is more serious than we all have been told?
keep donnovan in and give shannon a few more days to rest-its nashville.
alfie fisher kovalev
michalek spezza donnovan
foligno regin cheechoo
rutuu kelly neil
annon 12:17
I wouldn't even have Shannon QBing the PP. I think he's deserves a lot of the blame for our poor numbers with the man advantage. When the others are healthy, I do not see a space for Shannon - he is the only one so far who has played himself out of a roster spot.
sorry - screwed up my post - I agree with annon 12:38, and don't know who annon 12:17 is. Crap. this is annon stuff is confusing.
12:49,
You have donovan at spezza's wing?? Reallly??
I just wanted to point out that its been a while since we've heard from the nay-sayers about how shitty the sens r gonna be this year. It's nice to not have to listen to that crap, although I guess we've moved onto our next topic of phillips being "old and overrated"
Annnymous 12:49 - I like Donovan as well - but really second line come on, and playing with Spezza - not gonna happen. Keep him on the 4th line and his 6 - 7 mins a game are valuable - dress him for 14-15 mins and the warts will start to show.
it appears Zubov is gone to Russia after all
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/hockeycapital/archive/2009/10/21/zubov-off-to-russia.aspx
As I have said before, trade Kelly while we still can. The resulting cap space(assuming he is dealt for pick or prospect) gives BM more flexibility this year and next.
Zubov is gone to russia according to Ottawa Citizen!!
I agree that it's not to hear from the naysayers recently -- it was unfounded pessimism anyways.
Also, I think suggesting line combinations on here seems futile, as while they may sound good on paper, they may not actually work in real life. Besides, I have more faith that Clouston will match up players that work well together, than some random guy on the internet. Also it seems like Clouston's done a pretty good job so far anyways -- thus, rendering the chatter moot and pointless to begin with.
As for who should get dumped out of the lineup, I think the case could be made for several players depending on what the criteria is that people deem to be considered as "playing poorly." All the lines seem to be contributing in some fashion, whether in terms of offensive or defensive. So, really I think we're splitting hairs at this point -- sure, players have made some mistakes, but no one's played an abysmal game that hindered the efforts of the team as a whole, and it's still early in the season too.
Is anyone else worried kuba's injury is more serious than we all have been told?
Right here. When Clouston said he'd be ready for Thursday, and now they "don't know when he'll be ready", that seems like he's in worse shape than we've been lead to believe. I would not be surprised if he ends up on LTIR. Paging Brian Lee!
FYI: Picard (+7) and Carkner (+6) are the leaders in the+/-. Karlsson (-4), Kovalev (-3), Campoli (-3) and Shannon (-3) are the worst.
Karlsson's and Campoli's defensive issues are hard to miss. Kovy is a PP point guy and a defensive liability so his minus status is not a shock.
Since Karlsson, Campoli, Aflie and Picard can all play the point on the PP, I say take Shannon out. He can't play a physical NRG game and he has not been the player he was last year.
anon 1:41
part of the fun of this blog and the comments sections is speculating and 'playing GM'. Splitting hairs and analyzing the team down to the absolute core is what fans do. Not getting into the game and just leaving management and the team to do their thing makes for uneducated/idle fans (leafs fans anyone?).
I just got back from the SENS practice & lunch for season ticket holders, Spezza spoke after lunch and he said that he hasn’t been 100% since the beginning of pre-season. He said bumps & bruises with no details.
Check the posts.
I told you last week that Kuba's injury is a mystery & more serious than a simple groin pull.
I know Kuba is supposed to be our PP QB, but I wonder what the impact will be to the current team chemistry? I'm pretty happy with the level of play we're seeing.
Wouldn't be surprised if it was spezza's back that is acting up.
Anyone know if they will wear their 3rd jerseys at all this year?
Donovan on the 2nd line, hahaha come on now!!
the latest line combos are working great, minor changes required only.
Michalek Spezza Cheechoo
Alfie Fisher Kovy
Neil Regin Foligno
Ruutu Kelly Donovan
I dont know what Clouston is doing with his defensive pairings, I mean even after 7 games I can tell Karlsson and Campoli DONT belong together, yet he keeps them together. I say
Phillips Volchy
Carkner Karlsson
Campoli Picard
Give it a go and see what happens!
I agree with Shannon riding the bench for awhile - he just hasn't been effective so far - Regin should be able to play a strong third line centre
I think Cheechoo should also be on the third line - Foligno should have a chance with Spezza and Michalek to see if that line can go to another level
Kuba's problems do seem worrisome - the Sens will have to come clean if he doesn't play by the week-end.
@Anon 3:22: Ugh! Those tacky things? I certainly hope not. :D
I say you leave the team the way it is until someone plays themselves off it. If a change has to be made then you take out Shannon and replace him with Regin. Donovan, has earned his spot this season.
Don't expect Kuba back anytime soon, and Winchester wouldn't upgrade us that much especially since we are building some pretty good chemistry amongst the lines.
Is Winchester on a 1 way contract? if not, perhaps a few games in the AHL would help him get back into game shape. My sources say, BM is still on the look for a trade for a potential power-play quarterback defensemen.
With all the early injuries i'm very happy that we have some depth for once. We can win games with any number of combination of players in or out of the lineup.
Going off on a tangent here... i'd like to know where the best shawarma is in town. I'm new to town and I just love the garlic.
poor shannon but i think he'll be the odd man out, i was really hoping he would play the full year and i kind of thought he would reach maybe 20 some goals this year. Oh well though, this is a good thing isnt it?
@ Justin,
I don't think it makes a fan uneducated or idle, simply because they think engaging in idle speculation about possible line combinations is a waste of time. The point I think trying to be made was certain line combinations may seem to work or not work on paper, but it might be totally different in reality -- it's hard to predict chemistry between players without actually trying them out in practice or in game. So, I tend to agree that suggesting player X should be paired up with player Y is a bit of a futile endeavour. However, I think you can analyze actual line combinations, like the pairing of players X and Y in the game wasn't working because of reason Z -- and then, maybe suggest a solution. At least, in this case, you're making a constructive criticism that's of some use, rather than throwing out line combinations for the hell of it, without rhyme or reason, and dissecting them apart, again without rhyme or reason. A good example of the silliness is the banter about whether Donovan could/should play on the second line with Spezza and Michalek. Bottom line is I think we both having differing opinions of what being a (good) fan is.
Anon @ 3:22
I think you might be right. I've only been to two games at SBP so far this year but in both of these Spezza has been on the ice and stretching every TV break - i don't remember it being that obvious before.
Donovan plays a high energy role, and he plays it well. He is probably one of the most consistent players on the team if not one of the hardest working.
There is no way under the current coach's hockey style Shannon is as valuable as ANY other forward on the roster. From what I've seen so far up front we're bigger, feistier and now will be able to compete in the nail bitters.
Ottawa having too many smaller skilled players versus the big grinder types during the 07 finals showed.
I'm really happy with the make up of this club and think we have a team that can compete every night. I also think Murray has done an excellent job collecting enough valuable assets to build a solid roster and with still lots of talent waiting in the wings. What a lovely predicament!
I agree with you Mike. I was aiming more at it from an interest in the team perspective.
Surprised Kelly's name hasn't come up as the potential healthy scratch.
I think the defence question is the more interesting one - if the intention is to keep Karlsson around, then someone has to come out when Kuba gets back.
I disagree with the decision to keep Karlsson up - but if the point is to have him play games, I think the odd man out should be Campoli (as opposed to Picard).
annonymous at 3:31 is right
These were the lines working out in practice today
Michalek Spezza Cheechoo
Alfie Fisher Kovy
Neil Regin Foligno Shannon
Ruutu Kelly Donovan
More than likely shannon sits
Anon @ 12:49
I'm assuming this is directed at me as I was the one who brought up the entire Phillips ordeal. Heck, i love phillips and believe he and Volchy are and have been our best defense for quite some time. However, when I made that comment it was merely for speculation of the future of the team, nothing else. If anything, it got people talking anyways.
Go Sens go!
Does anyone know what happened to Steve Kouleas's show on the Score. I can't find it anywhere. I like his pane; and is non TOronto centric take.
Thanks
We all know what has to be dune but dare we talk about it Cheechoo is a nice guy but we all know he should be sent down. I would much rather see Donovan play, again I like Cheechoo he seems like a real nice guy he is not going to help us win 2 many games. how many years left on his contract?
I know BM said he would keep Karlson up but when Kuba comes back I think it would make sense to send him down... both for the team and his confidence
Campoli should sit once Kuba returns. He's been terrible since the start of the season.
Picard has played well with Carkner and should stay, but Bruce Garrioch thinks otherwise.
haha....leafs are now the only winless team
Whomever made that comment about Cheechoo. Have you been watching the same game. He's had his chances it'll only be a matter of time before he, Spezza and Michalek get going. Regin is fine as the 3rd line center but I think he deserves an oppurtunity to play with Kovalev and Alfie. Regin is the future 2nd line center on this team he should be given the oppurtunity to be that guy.
Oh, there are still plenty of naysayers around...some people just keep squinting and won't put their glasses on.
I think it's great to have a few bodies too many. I can't see BM making any "rash" moves...he'll wait for one of his colleagues to get a little more desperate. It's kind of like waiting for closing time at the bar.
I think in the meantime, little injuries will get "extra" rest (like they haven't already?) and Randy Lee will make sure there are healthy snacks for the players in the press box.
Shannon hasn't done too well since his brain got rattled in NY, but I also think trying to make him a centre didn't help at all. When the Sens have 13/14 healthy forwards, he might sit a bit, but I also think when he gets in and has a chance to fly up and down a wing he'll impress again and complicate Clouston's life.
@ anon 9:36, Donovan for cheechoo are u sure u are ok.get help. Donovan is not bad he has heart and skates fast but he cant play a pass to another guy whos further away than 2 meters but whatever the team ^fights and wins games so i dont know why some wankers still complain all the time. get a life twat
Cheechoo has two more years left on his contract at 3 million a year. I think he should be swapped for Foligno on the 1st and 3rd lines - if there isn't a significant contribution from him this year then I think the last year of his contract should be bought out
@ Anon 3:37, I agree, the third jerseys are pretty tacky...Now THIS should be our third jersey - everyone checked out the idea? Sign the petition maybe we can get it put in! http://sensheritagejersey.blogspot.com/
to bad Shannon doesn't have his wing man Zubov because it would be pretty obvious for us fans to see
that both Foligno and Regin should both be sent down.Foligno hasn't done squat this year and is not playing like he did the second half of last year....
for anon 4:06: The Best Shawarama in town is Shawarma Palace at 464 Rideau St. Garanteed, best place in town... everyone that I know at least agrees...
Geez, some real bone head posts I see.
send down cheech, send down kuba, send down foligno and regin
of course everyone is entitled to their opinion but please try and get real would you.
not even worth commenting further.
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