It certainly wasn't the Senators best effort but last night's 4-1 loss at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins certainly could have easily gone the other way had it not been for a couple of bad bounces. The Penguins scored two weird ones and the second Tyler Kennedy goal was one Leclaire would love to have back.
The Senators got a strong performance from the newly formed Michalek-Spezza-Cheechoo combination but they didn't have much in the way of support as the Kovalev-Fisher-Alfredsson trio seemed to have an off night.
The PP struggled all night and is definitely an area Clouston will want to work on before Thursday's game against the Lightning.
The defence has obviously looked a little unstable at times but the return of Filip Kuba should help fix that. Matt Carkner played another strong game and has been far and away the most pleasant surprise for the Senators thus far. I thought Chris Campoli really struggled last night and has had a slow start to the season.
When Kuba is ready to return I think Campoli may be the odd man out. I've liked the play of Alex Picard thus far (with the exception of a few shifts last night) and think hes earned his spot in the top 6.
Whats most troubling about last night's loss is again the reaction of the fans. I'm not sure if its the same people commenting in here and they are flip flopping after each win or loss or if its just a case of certain fans waiting for the team to fail.
It seems after each loss the comment section is flooded with the "I told you so" type comments. Seems to me we need to work on not getting so down on this group after each loss. Gotta pace ourselves here Sens fans.
Back at it Thursday against Tampa...
93 comments:
I think Karlsson is the odd man out. He just doesn't look ready right now.
hey SC, totally agree with your assessment on the play. the second line of fisher-alfie-kovalev totally looked out and, i hope im the only one who noticed this, but fisher and alfie seemed more off than kovalev. especially on the last 5-on-3 near the end of the game, alfie and fisher just didnt have that sense of urgency in them, they looked the complete opposite of sharp players. this is not a praise of kovalev by any means but they seemed more casual than kovalev himself.
secondly, completely disagree with your campoli assessment. I think the guy who might need to come out and watch is Karlsson. I think the nerves are all over him. The guy has immense talent, but he is literally a scared little mouse out there. he makes good offensive decisions, but nothing spectacular yet. and its totally understandable that he is a rookie. It just seems to me that with the majority of the teams running the forecheck style of play, Karlsson does get into very risky situations in his own zone when he is chasing the puck. just doesnt look poised and stable. its all the rookie nerves, that is why he would be well served by a game or two out, just to watch how the veteran guys on this team do it. no need to send him to bingo.
a defenseman is a defenseman first, therefore, above anything, its more important that he is accountable in his own zone.
With our #1 d-man out, and new line combinations, we'll stumble a little from time to time. But I'm not wishy-washy on my Sens at all. They're playing 10 times better than they were last year and I think we'll be a force to reckon with this season.
For a team that had so much off season turmoil, and had so many personnel changes, games like this happen. Every team gets bad luck bounces, and the Sens got a boat load full last night. Still # 1 in the Northeast and with many home games coming up, I expect good things will happen.
Kuba needs to come back ASAP! he'd be a huge help on the PP for sure. Any word on when he might be making his return? hopefully thursday i'll be at the game!
They lost to a tough team. If the can turn around and take this loss as a good thing, they should remain a playoff team. Tampa should be a fairly easy win.
The flip floppers aren't real fans anyways. Real fans don't do that.
As for the game, yeah there were some bad bounces, but what bothered me the most was Kovalev. He seemed to just coast all night and as a result when he had a chance at an open night he fumbled it.
I really liked the Cheechoo, Spezza, Michalek line. that and the 4th line really seemed to be the most consistent last night. Cheechoo could of had his first goal, but instead made a nice dish to Michalek for a very pretty goal. Either way they both got points and both seem to be gaining more confidence. Which is good news for us,..THE FANS!
ya Karlsson should be sent down before his 10th game. he's just not ready yet, and while he'll continue to improve offensively this year, there is no way that he;ll put up enough points to justify the defensive blunders.
I am by no means a Lee fan and throw up in my mouth when thinking that we used our 9th overall on him in a deep draft, but he should be up here. This is a make or break year for him and he's at the point that he wont improve in the ahl, he should be in the show and prove us he belongs here.
I agree fully about Carks being a rock so far and Ive been especially impressed with his ability to jump into the rush, and actually get a quick release shot off.
Karlsson is a rookie and just needs to go dominate in the A or sweden/world juniors, but man, at 24 years old, Campoli looks like the biggest bag of crap out there ive ever seen. he looks like redden of 07-09 minus the 45+ points...just getting decked all over the ice
HA! kovalev coasting last night? his game is all about coasting haha i've been to all the home games so far and have watched him quite closely, and he's always just floating around, but he backchecks. It's just how he plays, on his own terms, not the teams. If the pass isn't on his stick, he just won't bother trying to go after it. If it's out of reach he'll literally skate the other way. He seems to be unimpressed by everyone else's skill hahaha
I agree chirp. as i said in yesterday's post (with some large grammatical error that may have sounded other wise), campoli doesn't look the same as last year. looks like he's struggling out there for sure. Kuba should get his place.
as for the sens last night bottom line is fleury played amazing. stopped 30/31 shots? pretty impressive. Good to see Michalek get a nice goal. Maybe a bit less swedish and more finish last night from the rest of the team though. but other than that we looked pretty good
There were long stretches during the Pens game, where the Senators looked quite good. They got on the scoreboard first, and they did a good job on Crosby and Malkin.
Goaltending was good as well.
But, where the Sens had the luck and bounces in some previous starts, they had none last night.
Losing to the Pens, is hardly a shocker. The score flattered the Pens, as the game was not that one-sided.
All that said, there were some Sens players that had off nights.
Many have pointed out that the Sens are only beating the teams near the bottom, but hey....at least they're winning those games.
Record wise, the Senators don't look too bad right now. There are a lot of good teams with similar win/loss records.
Sens need to bounce back and beat Tampa!
the turnovers killed the sens but they are playing much better then last year and they need to seriously work on the PP
I say if the Montreal fans miss Kovalev so much then lets trade him back there, cause he has shown me nothing and I do not like his attitude at all.
I definetely like the Mich Spezz Cheech combo too and hope it stays for at least a couple more games, I'm liking Cheechoo's effort and sooner or later its going to pay off.
Kuba desperately needs to come back soon, any updates on his status Chirp?
Clearly another top 4 D is something we should be looking at around deadline time (other Michalek perhaps?).
Karlsson should be sent down to the AHL and Lee brought up, Karlssons close, but needs to work on his defensive game, I could see him and Cowan being the bottom pairing D next year.
Tampa will be a good test. As much as I love the Sens, I had a feeling that Pitts might be a little too much. Malkin, Crosby, and Fleury are all playing as though they are in the cup final right now. Our team is still tying to gel and play a system, and it is often easy to exploit such a team as they become a little more quick to panic and abandon said system when they become overwhelmed. Tampa is a team we should be able to beat. I was happy that Milan scored his first goal last night, hopefully that gets some of his jitters out.
The problem with Ottawa is that 90% of the fans are "bandwagon fans".. all happy go lucky when we win, but when we lose, we kick them when theyre down.
Ive been a hardcore fan since 92-93 when they first came back, and since then, the majority of fans are pretty pathetic. When we dont win, we dont cheer. Thats why CFL didnt last, Lynx, etc..
We didnt even get a sellout for the season opener!! only 18000 people.
Grow up Ottawa fans, cheer them win or lose!!
"Forever Red" doesnt have fine print that says 'only when we win'
Hey SC, been a fan of this site and the team for a long time and would hardly call myself a "flip-flop" fan, however, the emergence of Kuba doesn't mean he will be the saviour on this team...
We are in for some growing pains, and every game it seems the team is getting better. However, our back-end needs an improvement. Relying on Carkner, Picard, Campoli, Volch, Phillips or yes even Kuba to provide scoring is wishful thinking at best...Karlsson is struggling mightly, as he should he is on 19...so that leaves basically no real scoring threat from our back-end....
I love how the team played last night, despite the loss, however, there is a glaring need on our backend for a strong top 2 dman, and until we finally get one, we are going to struggle and teams like Pittsburgh are going to pressure our young D and make giveaways happen all year.
Hence why some of us fan are frustrated after last nights loss, granted there were a few bounces that cost us, but there were many times that Leclaire had to bail us out or was burned due to poor defensive play...
I think people are correct in saying that Karlsson should sit out and watch a couple of games. Campoli and Karlsson where terrible in the defense game coverage. I think they were on for most of the goals against. They seemed small when the Pens forced the play to them.
But people were right on the money with using Cheechoo and Michalek with Spezza. They played well and will only get better if they play more.
Also Leclaire and Fleury kept the score a lot lower than it should have been. Lots of great saves for both sides. It's great to have a good goaltender for a change.
There are fans and then there are those who are waiting for failure so they can throw out the "I told you so" lines, no matter how horribly out of context they might be.
There certainly were mistakes last night, and the Senators lost by making them, combined with a few unlucky bounces. However, those mistakes aren't happening every game, and there were enough positives last night for them to go away and work with.
Negative people are going to be negative no matter what. The problem is that even though negative people tend to be the minority, they also tend to have the loudest voices. They certainly come out of the woodwork when a loss happens, but they get all quiet when the Senators end up winning one. It's in their nature, they're never going away, so we'll just have to live with them and hope that their opportunities to cry and whine are minimized by a good season.
Actual fans can easily admit when things don't go well, or when the team ends up stinking, but they don't have an emotional meltdown every time something goes wrong. Folks who make sensational comments after every loss are neurotic and need therapy, or at least a big hug.
We can ignore them, but they'll never go away.
It could always be worse. At least we're not Leafs fans.
It could have easily been a different game if the Sens' momentum wasn't sucked away by the two lucky goals by the Pens.
Karlson looks like he may need some seasoning down in Bingo. He looked very apprehensive about handling and dishing the puck. He did not have a confident night.
I think this loss may be a blessing in disguise. It will keep the sens from getting over confident and too comfortable. The loss gives them room to grow.
Karlsson may be struggling more than Campoli (though sometimes I wonder) but keep in mind: Part of the reason we're trying so hard to break Karlsson in this year is so that we can afford to break in Cowen and/or Wierioch next season. So I think Karlsson will get a longer leash than Campoli will. He'll need to improve of course, but I think he'll get more time.
This is going to be a .500 team or slightly better until Christmas guys - get used to it. If we have more than 35 points after 30 games it will be a bonus. The key is that after those 30 games we need to have the lines figured out, the top 6 D figured out, the power play clicking and the bubble players firmly in their roles (i.e. Regin, Cheechoo, Shannon etc).
As long as every couple of games we're improving and working towards those goals I'm happy.
Go Sens Go
Chirp, I agree with your comments about some of our fans. Unfrotunately some of us love to jump on the hate wagon! It's terrible. I just wish our fans could cheer regardless!! Or at least have some constructive criticism!
I'd like to see karlsson play a couple of games with Kuba as his partner before demoting or benching him
Leafs suck.
I agree chirp, i dont know why a bunch of fans are saying i told you so after this loss. My guess is, its a select few + leaf and hab fans.
I thought ottawa played pretty well yesterday considering they were playing the best team in the east.
Karlsson really needs Kuba, I hope he comes back soon.
I was really impressed with the spezza line. But so far I think this will be a very interesting season to try to make the playoffs. I think we have a solid shot.
yes Hax, you are correct.
Habs suck
I agree with most of the comments so far. Nice to give Karlsson some experience but he just isn't ready. Unless he greatly improves over the next couple games he should be the odd man out.
As far as the attitude goes from Sens fans, this is nothing new. Other than the first couple years when we knew we were going to lose most nights, it seems Senator fans have always been a fickle bunch. We still have a lot more maturing to do as a hockey market. Montreal and Toronto fans have extreme highs and lows, but they always start out as being incredibly optimistic. I don't think this is a bad thing. Have high expectations, but don't crucify when things don't go perfectly.
The cast of "trouble-makers" is gone. I suggest we support the team as much as possible while they are getting used to the new faces and finding chemistry. It is a long season and hopefully we will peak at the right time.
It has been brought before, but I'll mention again. The year we went to the Finals we were 8-11-1 in the first 20 games. Have some patience Sens fans...
They deserved to win that game. A few bounces the other way, and the Sens win easily last night. That's the way it is though, we got some good bounces in previous games, and it was our turn to get all the bad ones... This team is good.
ps - how about that first penalty call about 5 seconds in? Rediculous.
Hey SC,
Do you perchance have Clouston's email address?
I'd like to email him and ask him to put Kovalev back on the RW, his natural wing, where he plays his best hockey.
As good as the Kovalev-Fisher-Alfredsson line looked on Saturday, there was nothing from them last night.
Kovalev should be on the RW and, IMO, if the Michalek-Spezza-Cheechoo line comes out flat against Tampa, Kovalev should play on the RW with Michalek and Spezza. They had chemistry in the preseason when they played together and whenever they're on the PP together (if it happens that way) they usually generate at least one scoring chance.
Put Kovalev back on the RW.
This town is really not a good sports town for supporting the teams. They might show up and pay money to watch, but the negativity that oozes from so many of the most vocal fans is irritating. I sat behind a guy last night that criticized everything Spezza or Phillips did like they were both deserving to be in the AHL and when something good occurs, I hear "about time". I'm not sure what the real deal is, an unhappy life at home, a boring govy job in a cubicle... who knows, but it seems to me that this town just wants to see our players fail. Why do these people even go to games? Sit at home and yell at the TV or watch CSI.
I celebrate the fact that we have a great goalie, yet so many people don't want him to be good. They boo the silliest things, like a goal off one of our own guys skate and suggest he should be ready for that sort of thing, or have longer legs. I feel for anyone who wants to be positive about our team because for every person like that, me for example, there are 10 others who already have their 'told ya so' comments ready to attack, even if it isn't justified, like last nights off the skate goal for example.
I appreciate the positive spin this site has, its refreshing, especially when there are so many people always pointing out what’s wrong with the team rather than what is right.
As for the topic on hand, I'd say Karlsson should get to spend some time watching. I think Picard has earned his time, and I don't think Campoli has played bad. The goal off his turnover was just unfortunate. I thought it was the right pass when I saw it, and when they showed it again, it was just a missed pass. It happens. Overall, he hasn't done anything
to warrant being out of the lineup. I think Karlson, as a 19 year old rookie, has made some mistakes which is expected. Some time off now and again to reflect was never a bad thing for other talented rookies in their days. Let him adjust, reinforce the positive and allow him to develop.
Oh, and go Sens!
I have the feeling the season ticket base is way down. As a result the attendees are not the real Senators fans. Campoli struggled badly. Karlson needs Kuba but he has great vision. Personally I love Kovalev. I like the tremendously skilled players. They make spectacular plays and they know where to be. Kovalev made 3 unbelievable passes that others could not connect on. He also nearly scored if the puck had not had a strange bounce.
I am just so grateful htat I do not cheer for the Leafs. They may be very very bad for a long long time. Montreal also seems to have some very big holes. The Sens have a ton of upside. Be patient and enjoy Kovalev and Spezza. I have never seen Spezza skate this fast. It seems like he got an extra gear during the summer. He is flying up and down the ice. Once Michalek gets his timing down it could be very scary for other teams.
Maybe Karlsson doesn't look ready but he has to start somewhere. I'm not worried. This is going to be a learning experience for him this season. He's going to be stronger next season, when it's going to be Cowan's turn to learn the system.
The Sens played the defending Stanley Cup champs... The Sens aren't even in the playoff picture according to most analysts... Why are some of us freakin' out? I though it was encouraging to see. I would've been a closer game if the bad bounces we had went the other way around.
Marc
Chris Kardy, I agree with you 100%
We have been spoiled with our team over the past 10 years (prior to last year). Relax fans, we'll be ok and be thankful that we have an owner like 'Gene' and the drafting job Murray's done.
i think it goes both ways with the fan comments/feelings. the thing to note is that senators fans have been spoiled with contending teams for a good 11 years. teams that would break out of the gate, teams that would dominate the northeast, teams that would stay close to the top of the east. a certain level of regular season performance has always been a standard for senator teams and fans. only last year was the big bump in that constant system of expectations and standard results.
most senator fans are geared still with that mentality that we have a team which is just a piece away from the stanley cup. while that was true before last season. the reality has gone drastically far from that fact over last season and now. we dont have a stable defense anymore with 4 top D and 2 role playing D. outside of Phillips and Volchenkov, you never know whats going to happen on the ice with our D. and thats going to be a growing process for the new D, the team, and the fans. we have good hope with Kuba, he is a stable poised big offensive defenseman who is good at eating up minutes. very serviceable. we can take our pick out of campoli, picard, lee and karlsson. Carkner has been an amazing surprise really and he is a lock to stay. good, reasonable hard working defenseman. and then Cowan should be able to join next season. so going forward it looks good. but it will ofcourse take time.
one thing Murray can do really is give Karlsson some pressbox time. he needs it. the guy has no defensive aspect to his game and he quite frankly is atleast 5 seconds off the pace of the game. and that is not good. with the kind of teams present in the east, he would get chewed alive. he has an amazing potential, it needs to be honed. Murray needs to bite the bullet and trust what he already knows: the guy is not ready, yet. he needs time to see and get more defensively reliable.
the thing with Lee was that he was defensively still more reliable. sure he sucked offensively, but still. plus Lee had a slight edge to his play too where he would get into players' skins sometimes. Karlsson just pure gets shit scared the moment someone is chasing him. and ......they need to get him to eat more, he looks literally smaller than Ryan Shannon at times. OUCH
dont take the above as a Karlsson ripping. the kid needs to get the basics of being a NHL defenseman right and then his offensive game would be amazing to watch.
I agree with all your comments Senschirp. Unfortunately, Sens fans panic automatically when the team has a bad game. Spezza, Cheechoo and Michalek had a great game. When Filip Kuba returns, Chris Campoli will be the odd man out. The Sens will come out with a great game on Thursday against the Lightening. Go Sens Go!!!
Personally I really want Karlsson to stay with the big club. Yes he makes the Defensive mistakes once and a while and that stupid move he made trying to stick handle around crosby and malkin coming out of his end.. leading to crosbys break away... but players like him need time.... look at stamkos... miserable start last year but got better at the end and this year he is dominating...
it is hard to compare those to guys as a d-man is harder to break into the league, im just saying some skilled guys just needed time to get there game on....
as much as i love clouston and how he has handled this team, i really dont think he is using karlsson's strengths enough... all through the preseason karlsson ran the power play and did it effectively that is where he thrives... why does he rarely get time now... i know preseason is waaayyy different but point karlsson on the point let him use that shot... he is great at keeping the puck in... that is when he is in his element, why insist on trying to make his minutes on 5 on 5... give him bottom 6 minutes on 5 on 5 until he is comfortable and load up his PP mins... he is better back there than shannon?? even when shannon was out you didn't give him a shot you put the lazy kovalev on the point who can't keep it in and when it is cleared he saunters back into his end and waits behind the net and the stick handles it back himself... at least karlsson cooks back to get the puck to try and get a cycle going again...
thats just my opinion though... put karlsson on the power play! that is where he will earn his keep, and it may just give that shot and jump we need... makes no sense when we have a guy like that who can run the powerplay and not use him (Especially! when our PP has been so SHITTY! if you have the tools use them... lumber jacks dont use axes if they have a chain saw just doesn't make sense)
anyways other than that... michalek spezza cheechoo awesome line im really glad they clicked, im pretty sure spezza wants to play with cheechoo, all his interviews seem that way anyways...
alfredsson needs to spot "watching" kovalev... im sorry i love alfredsson, one of my favorite senators of all time and players of all time... but i find he is off his game playing with him... he kind of skates the way kovi does on the power play they were trying to be fansy passing back and forth from the points... if alfie just plays his game, skates hard, creates those chances, shoots he is much more effective... (i saw watchs kovi, because all the interviews he was like kovalev is my favorite player to watch etc.. etc..) not saying that he is just watching him but i feel kovalev brought the worst out of him last night... kovalev needs to go to the half boards where he is best fisher in front of the net/or corners and alfredsson playing his game has he always has doing everything hahaha corners, slots, half boards doing it all.....
hope regin gets better soon he is really missed.
i love that we have to solid goalies.
(Go phillips! love him... volchenkov is playing they way he should aswell)
SC,
Not sure how you can say Campoli struggled....unless you meant to say he struggled with Karlsson. The kid isnt ready. I was at the game and watched him behind the pplay and he just looks lost, he is not reading IMO. Whoever plays with him is going to have a bad game. The 2nd goal WAS his fault, not because it went off his skate, but because he refused to go into the corner about 30 seconds before that and just let his man walk out with the puck which led to the bad goal. The 4th goal as well, even though it was Campoli who turned it over, Karlsson gave him a pass that Campoli wasn't expecting which caught him offguard and led to the bad pass.
Bottomline is that Karlsson just isnt ready to make the jump yet, with a little time in BINGO, he will become a better player and maybe after the Olympics could be ready to play.
The Sens competed very well last night and with a couple of months to work out the kinks we be a very good team that could do some damage in the playoffs.
As far as fans go, great comments SC. I have actually stopped visiting most of the sites where Sens "congregate" (this one is the exception) after a game because I just can't stand the extreme highs and lows that follow each win/loss.
This is a marathon folks, not a sprint, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. I have complete faith in Clouston and the boys and from what I have seen, this will be a well oiled machine by late November, early December. He just needs to get all parts on the same page and the keyword here will be CONSISTENCY (this applies to the team and fans). Night in, night out...
-kw
Cassie - maybe you should ask for Kovalev's email address. He'd probably tell you that he likes to play the off wing. Watching the last two games in person with that line, he and Alfie would pretty much just go with the flow and play whichever wing they ended up on anyway. The Atlanta game they showed lots of potential together. Last night was just an off night.
And for the 100th time people - Spezza and Kovalev can't play together full time - unless they play with two pucks.
Save that scenario for the power play or late in a close game.
I know its early and players need time to find chemistry, but with the injuries and line juggling, I don't think that bids well in chemistry. Players barely know each others tendencies and they're forced to suit up with a new linemate every night. I think Regin out last night really hurt the Sens. Regin on that second line makes Fisher a much better player. As for Kovalev, I see all the skeptics are out now, but I still think you give him time, are you gonna bitch when he scores 25+ goals? He, just like every one else, needs time to find the right chemistry and I still think he needs to play with Spezza, so much open ice that magic can be made with those two.
I agree with the second poster that a loss might be a bit of a blessing in disguise. We're not playing great and the tendancy with athletes is to pay more attention to the coach after a loss than after 4 wins in a row. Like two seasons ago when we kept winning despite mediocre play.
Having said that, it did seem last night that every single time the Pens waved a stick at one of our passes or shots they got a piece of it. And every single time we put the puck towards their goal it hit a skate and bounced onto a Pittsburgh stick. Plenty of rough luck for sure.
Karlson is used to playing on the bigger ice surfaces in Europe. The NHL game is fast and on a smaller rink size -- and Karlsson is struggling with this right now. As for Campoli he may trying to overcompensate for the struggles of Karlsson. I agree that Kuba is missed. Hopefully he is back soon. There are a lot of fans that say we need better defensemen. What we have is what we have. Not all teams in the league have 6 superstar defensemen -- it's called salary cap.
I was at the game last night -- actually was to all 3 this past weekend. The game last night was closer than the score indicated. The PENS go two 'lucky' goals but they all count, I guess. I could not believe the chances the SENS had with two open nets - 3 goal posts, etc. Our PK was good and congrats to those defensemen people say we don't have for shutting down Crosby and Malkin -- not too many teams can state that fact. What I was disappointed with was the 5 or 3 the Sens had late in the 3rd period. No intensity, they had a chance to get 1 or 2 more goals to make the score closer. I assume Clouston will be working them hard the next couple of days to fix the power play which is lacky very badly. Other than that, I'm pleased with the way the SENS played last night. They didn't get the points but they did hang in there and put up a tough fight.
I ain't worried. The Sens played well in all the games I've seen so far, including the Rangers AND Pittsburgh.
The Senators first 30 or so games will be characterized by inconsistent play with both line combinations and rosters to be optimized (to say nothing of injuries). And yes, the power play looks like it really needs practicing, as we have so much more potential than the current results suggest. Good on you Hax for pointing this out.
As for Karlsson, -3 on the night paired with Campoli, that's a downer. Maybe pair Campoli and Picard instead? Carkner's steady presence might cover for some of EK's rookie mistakes.
You want to get rid of the negative nay-sayers? Get rid of the anonymous comments! Get them to put their name on it! Oh, how easy it is for them to criticize without thinking, to moan and complain and make loud noises without having to back it up by being personally identifiable. Even pseudonyms are fine, just as long as the poster needs to sign in and put a name to their post. You'll end up with a comments section that has a much higher level of intelligence and critical thinking than you get now when you have the "fan" that is going for the easy, anonymous flame.
I thought the team played with/slightly out played the Pens for the first 2 periods, 3rd period they seemed to lack any desperation for a team down by 2 with plenty of time to make something happen.
Kovalev.. im baffled at how lazy and lethargic he looks out there. Everyone is making a big fuss about who he should play with it doesn't matter he has enough talent to make anyone look good when he plays hard. I have yet to see anything resmbling him giving it 100%
I would like to see him on the wall on the PP not the point how many times have we seen him step off the wall and snipe on a Hab pp
I agree with those saying Karlsson should be sent to Bingo, let him tear it up and get some confidence.
I have been loving Volchenkov's inspired D this year but PLEASE can someone pull him aside at practice and show him how to get a shot on net?
He has had a bunch of quality scoring opportunities but has been trying to get everything he has on the shot and is missing by ALOT.
Sometimes a snap shot or wrist shot is a better shot selection....and they are easier to get on net....
Just a thought.
From what I have heard, do NOT hold your breath for Kuba to return.
There is no timetable for when he will be ready.
with out Heat
You can really start to see how much the BM trade, has effected Spezza an Alfredson and in turn the rest of the team. He was a great setup guy now we will be lucky if we get 20 goals out of the 2 of them put together, he came back he was going to play his best we should of kept him , until time we got a better deal. and not only on top of all of this we have to carry Cheecoo for what 2 more years, at 3,000,000 per ?? he is a nice guy but come on really? Murray for that deal alone should leave, with out getting into the other bad deals.
karlsson has gotta go, just not ready
i like what someone said about about stamkos earlier, he had a miserable start, but lit it up at the end of the season, maybe that's what we'll get, but i don't want to take our chances with a playoff bubble team
otherwise, the sens played fine last night, easily could have won if they got better bounces, leclaire's leg speed is crazy, he looks small in net but he's SO quick!
and michalek is pretty much going to make any line look good, spezza was quicker just because he was trying to keep up with him
Again this Anon douche Heatley lover.
GIVE IT UP! Heatley was gonna be a problem in the locker room that needed to be taken care of as soon as possible. HE WASN'T THE SET UP MAN! god you're a douche, he was the finisher! He relied on spezza more than anything. Stop blaming Murray you retard. Just shut the hell up about Heatley already, he didn't wanna play here he told Murray that when he came back for the first day of training camp, that is why Murray made the trade. JUST SHUT UP ABOUT HEATLEY!
Spezza and Alfredson seem lost with out Dany Heatley but looks like he is doing OK with out them?
LOL @ ANON 1:58pm - go back to EA Sports jackass. Really, really not interested in your constant anti-Murray BS.
Karlsson is NOT ready! he has no confidence and his hockey sense is lacking!
As someone also commented on, Kuba has a bad groin pull so he's not going to be available for awhile.
bring back Luke Richardson and Jason Smith
Kovalev to Bingo.
I agree with Anoymous comments posted at 2:14 pm. Heatley did not want to be in Ottawa so Bryan Murray granted him his request. Cheechoo and Michalek will be great for the Sens. I wish people would stop talking about Heatley. He is gone!!!
I was at the game last night and man did the Spezza line ever look good, especially Cheechoo.
Karlsson will not make it past nine games. He just looked out of place when he was on the ice except for PP time. He wasnt making smart passes, was trying to deke players to break out instead of using the wingers and at times just stood behind the net not really knowing what to do until boos were heard. He was also the reason the 4th goal happened... very bad play.
He is going to be a great player but I dont see the point in wasting a year on his entry level contract when he is not ready. When Kuba is back I think he will be sent back to Sweden and Lee will be called up.
I also started to understand Kovalev's game... He is just so smooth at everything it looks like he is coasting and not trying. There were a few times where he backchecked hard and stole the puck but it still looked like he was coasting... it just the way he moves. I definitely dont think its a lack of effort or taking nights off.
He also needs to be on the wing on the PP... having him on the point is useless. If you watch his MTL PP goals he is RW at the top of the circle playing a puck possession game and giving teammates time to get open and he finds them with nice passes, or vise versa. Thats the one thing thats bugging me about Clouston, not utilizing his new players enough. He did the same thng with Cheechoo until last night, and as soon as Cheechoo is playing on the top line he created 4 good chances and had a nice assist.
SC, stop letting idiots post about how Murray ruined this team by trading Heatley, it's just really annoying and the same idiots keep commenting about it, STOP THEM! it's ridiculous. If they don't understand that Heatley WANTED to leave and WASN'T willing to play here then they shouldn't be allowed to live let alone post about Murray's decisions as a GM. If you're gonna keep the option to review comments then ACTUALLY review and filter out the idiotic ones too.
I'm doing my best. I have no problem with people criticizing the Heatley trade if they can back up what they are saying.
The filter was there to keep people from posting personal insults and inappropriate language.
Trying to encourage discussion and prevent the standard internet crap you find on most message boards.
For the most part, I think the discussion in here is quite good.
Here is my two cents on the "fickle" fan situation. The Sens are a young franchise. The fan base is known to be of a younger generation. And ever since the Sens came into the league they were great (Ok, maybe exclude those first 3 or 4 seasons haha). And now that our 10 years of good fortune are up people are getting frustrated very easily. I know this is rather dissapointing at times but come on guys. What, we just lost to the Stanley Cup champs and we aren't even supposed to be making the playoffs this year. We're in a re-building stage. Ever since Muckler threw away our future (the AHL players) and traded away Gold for garbage, we knew this day would come. But why so down after one game which we honestly would be lucky to win. Sure, I'm optimistic, but not a fool. Marc-Andre was solid last night, and it was hard getting anything past him. We got VERY unlucky last night, as the first two goals were ones to remember. We missed two open net shots. And our PP wasn't generating anything worth while. But, we're 3-2. 5 games into the season, in a season where we are being bet against. I'm getting a little sick of these comments on here after a loss. Everyone is up in arms. And then a win, nothing bad to say? Ridiculous.
Now, Defence. The A-Train has been relentless. I am loving Volchenkov more then EVER this year. He is by far, our top Defenceman. Phillips, has been off and on. Sloppy some nights, but other's he can shut down the opposing offence. Carkner, has been the best surprise so far this season. This guy is exactly what we need. A big guy on the blue line to play the body and can even create scoring chances. Kuba has been out, but I am glad that he is now returning to the line-up as he is a big part of our defensive game. Now, Erik Karlsson is going to be a great player. "Going to be", is the key phrase. Right now he is still adjusting to the NHL and made some brutal plays last night. I say give him some more time in the NHL and he will adjust and adapt to this new league. Leaving one more spot left: Campoli or Picard. Picard has been decent recently, managing to rack up some points. Although, he has looked a tad sloppy. Now Campoli... oh boy, he has been BRUTAL! Not one play I can recall where I saw something positive out of him. It does sound a little harsh but it is true. He is the odd man out in my eyes, and quite frankly, I'd rather see Mr. Brian Lee get a call-up.
- oO Karlsson Oo
Have people lost their minds? I was at the game last night and Cheechoo was not impressive. He had a shift 3:30 into the second where he coughed up the puck 3 times and looked lost. I saw nothing in him after his good play on the first goal that made me happy with him. I love Michalek but not at the expense of having Cheechoo in the lineup. Cheechoo looked like a bad 4th liner.
All of a sudden The Sun writes the Spezza line is great and the rest believe......
Karlsson should NOT go to Sweden he should go to Bingo if they aren't going to keep him on the Sens. He has to learn the North American game on smaller ice surface. The game is fast and with the smaller ice survace - he has to get used to the pace and less room to move around than he used to have.
We played well against the Pens last night, considering we have about 2 experienced defensemen in Phillips & Volchenkov. Karlsson & Cartner are rookies. Picard & Campoli both don't have a lot of experience. So to shut down both Crosby & Malkin they did pretty well. I thought Kuba's injury was a minor one... not a bad groin pull. That's not good at all. We need his experience on the blue line.
Let's hope the power play starts working. We need that going forward.
First, in response to Clark, adding a name to your post won't get rid of the negativity; it will still be there...If I post under "Fred" or "JackTheFan", how is that NOT anonymous?
I REALLY don't want to continue the ageold fan debate, but you're just getting an even and opposite reaction here. With Ian Mendes, the radio and print media waving pompoms and the owner with blinders on, you need SOME balance.
I'm not saying trash the guys every shift, but at least criticize them every now and then.
A little negativity is GOOD, it strips these guys of ego and reminds them they have a long road ahead, to be winners!
I mean, Lee Versage and Glenn Kulka are comparing Spezza to Yzerman LOL...can we get off the drugs please guys?
As for the last game...it's nice to see Spezz and Michalek get some points and Cheechoo to gain some confidence. Campoli is a dud and it's scary how much we need Kuba...
seriously ottawa .... we have to say GO SENS GO ..... EVERYDAY !!
my god, 5 games in and sens "fan" and I use that term very loosely, is already jumping all over the team - take a FUCKING pill!!!! Were 3-2 and first in our conference. Now Leaf fan, that's another story all together ;)I said it before, no wonder no one wants to play in Ottawa - buncha whiny ass losers thing they have all the answers - cheer your team and keep the senseless babble to a dull roar or go cheer for the leafs
and furthermore - you have 6 defenseman so you can baptize by fire, leave Karlson alone, let him paly his 12 mins a game as a #5 or 6 guy, even a #7 some nights up in the press box to "observe" a game from another perspective. His guys absolutely needs to be practicing with the Sens and under the with the pro staff, not driving around on buses in the "A"
We've got a good team and I like our top two lines. When Regin comes back we'll also have one of the best 3rd and 4th lines in the league. Kuba should help stabilize thing and improve the PP dramatically. Carkner is certainly earning his spot.
Leclaire gave up one soft goal, but he was due for that and otherwise he was flat out brilliant. The Sens were super unlucky not to bury 6 or so goals tonight the bounces were just insane. The Pens got 2 goals purely off lucky bounces. It was just one of those games where the puck-luck was all on one side. We completely shut down Malkin and Crosby all night long while getting lots of significant chances of our own. Alfie had a bit of an off night.
Karlsson made some major errors especially on the 4th goal but that's to be expected. He will probably be moved down after 10 games unless Kuba can help settle him down a bit. He's definetely trying to do too much rather than just sticking to what he's good at and being a little more conservative. His size and NHL foot speed will come. I trust the brain trust of the Sens will make the right decision in terms of whether he stays or not.
I honestly see us winning basically 80-90% of our games vs teams ranked 7th-15th in both conferences, and 50/50ing vs teams ranked 1st-6th. We'll probably clip away at a 2 Wins:1 Loss ratio for most of the season. We have a good team with lots of depth.
One thing I would really like to see is less tinkering with the PP. Get the back end sorted out so that we have enough threats back there. Kuba, Karlsson, Picard, Campolli probably the likely group - that or 2 of them and let Kuba play for 2 minutes. Then just roll off our first two lines of Michalek-Spezza-Cheech, Kovalev-Fisher-Alfie, for our 2 PP units, and then let Regin/Foligno/Shannon clean up on a short 3rd unit when neccessary. Much better than trying to mix and match guys that aren't playing together very often. I'd rather have two strong PP units used to playing together than mixing and matching with Foligno and Shannon playing the point or other awkward spots.
Would love more info on Kuba. TSN has him as "day to day" and he skated the other day. So hopefully he is back soon. He helps solidify the D quite a bit when he's there.
Thank God Volchie and 'lippy are off to a great start this year.
One more thing - I predict Wilson gets canned Sunday, Oct 14 after the Strangers trounce them Saturday night (17th) on home ice following tonights loss to the suddenly surging Avalanche to make them 0-6-1. They don't play again until the following Saturday (24th)which gives the new coach a full week of practice to put a new sytem in place for the upcoming 5 games in 7 days the following week (WTF?)
How desparate is Wilson???...
Tyler Bozak also was recalled and he'll join the returning Viktor Stalberg in the lineup. To make room, Matt Stajan and Niklas Hagman will be healthy scratches. "We have to shake things up," said Leafs coach Ron Wilson. "We've got Stalberg coming back and we brought up Bozak. It can't always be like the movie 'Usual Suspects.' It's easy to pick on four or five guys, but we need more from everybody. Although they've scored some goals, their overall play hasn't been what we need it to be.
"We're giving opportunities to younger people. It's as simple as that."
see you on the unemployment line there Ronny - nice knowing you dumb ass
As shaky as our D are, there's only two teams in the conference that have allowed less goals. One of them, the Sabres, have only played 3 games.
So our D can't be that bad.
Just sayin'
Leafs Suck
Hey Markolm X,
wouldn't that imply that you're unemployed or soon will be?
alot of people here are saying that karlsson needs to get used to the pace and the smaller surface. while that is true, but above all of that he needs to get used to the physical torture that forechecking teams inflict on defensemen. i think its the physical part of the game thats really got him busted. he really does not know what to do when an opposing forward is
1)chasing him from behind
2)coming right at him
3) when the guy is lingering around the net and karlsson is behind with the puck
seriously needs to bulk up, i think the knock on him from before stays: very low weight for NHL.
and its atrociously visible too. they need to get him on conditioning and also get him used to the physical play and then bring him back on the NHL team. the guy has great offensive talent, he just needs the other bases covered to fully exploit it.
@ James Ray regarding Kovalev: so true, if people only notice his skating, he will sometimes look like the slowest slug out there, but if you carefully notice what he does with his stick, he literally is a magician. i think thats why he really catches opposing players off guard too because of subtle skating and sudden stick dangles. he is an asset.
i dont know if people agree with this over here, but sometimes I feel Clouston plays the favorite game with his line combos and PP selections. for example: I have no clue why Ryan Shannon is on the point. All teams put a big guy with a big shot on the Point or a guy with a seriously big Shot. Similarly, loading up with people like Foligno on the top PP. while i know the Nick has the ability to crash the net, he is no Holmstrom or Franzen. So its not the same thing. you want to load up your first PP unit because most of the time your first unit will eat up most of the PP anyways. He has enough weapons to choose from to make a very lethal first PP unit: Alfie, Spezza, Michalek, Kovalev. And if there is one consistent thing about Kovalev: ITS HIS PP SKILLS, yet Clouston is putting him on the point. I just dont get some of the decisions. I mean i know he is trying to balance scoring and all, but you have to keep some difference between your top line/top PP pairing at the same time too. trying to make both PP units even is impractical because then you are assuming that both PP units will play 1 minute each. not going to happen.
someone said on this forum today or i think the CBC chat with Silver Seven Sens, that they need to get PP specialists/strategists for Clouston. and i think its becoming clear. Clouston is a good coach with good attitude, but sometimes his lack of tactical experience shows. and its showing on our PP. He needs to load up the first unit, and load it up from the start of the game, not when the game is over and we have a 5on3.
The best way to get rid of the childish posts on this site is to simply ignore them. I don't know why some true Sens fans engage with these childish posters, you just encourage them with your outrage. Please please let's make a pact to just ignore them.
GO SENS!
It is pretty disturbing how the band wagon rocks back and forth here. It's an 82-game season, there'll be many ups and downs, the sens had a horrible year last year and are looking like a team with much more potential this year. I for one like the direction the organization has taken.
I presonally hope we don't burn a year of Karlsson's eligibility, because I really think he could use some seasoning in the AHL. He's obviously gifted in some aspects of his game, but others are really lacking, IMO. But, like SC pointed out, Campoli has really struggled. Based on what we've seen so far and the pre-season, I would expect Lee to be getting called up in the not-so-distant future. I think he's earned it. I must say as well that the much-maligned Picard has looked good, and volchenkov has been amazing.
All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised by this year's edition.
Shannon is on the point because he's so bloody quick. There's literally zero chance of a breakaway if he's on the point as he can pretty much catch anyway. I'm aware that's not the only thing to consider with someone on the point, but if the other point guy has a big shot (i.e. Alfie the other night - 5 forwards LOL) then a quick guy makes sense.
Power play, soft D, struggling rookies, veterans not yet producing ... heck we could have 99 problems but at least that bitch (Heatley) isn't one.
Hit me.
Anonymous 6:39
Markolm X is only a clever alias.
Best Regards
Alain Vigneault
Laffs getting spanked 4 - 1 by Avalanche :) - Tucker has a goal and as assist - Duchene (Calder) has an assist.
Soyanior Wilson - congrats you've lost the pervbial "room" - benching Stajan and Hagman was a BIG MISTAKE - Bozak and Stalberg are -4 combined... You DUMB ASS power monkey.
vermette got the A for the jackets... cool. i miss him i wish they hadda taken kelly instead hahahaha
Leafs on pace for 14 points and about 325 goals against this season. I know it won't last, but it still gives me a warm fuzzy.
Leafs losing again makes me all warm and fuzzy too. I love walking into work now.
TOsensfan.
Colorado - 4 Leafaroos - 1
Tomorrow's MegaHog columnists will be SOOOO entertaining
everybody seems to stress about this year and that is fair, but its somewhat short sighted... we are a fringe playoff team and whether you like it or not, its time to look at the old gaurd moving on and focus on rebuilding... Alfie and Kovalev are 36 and likely both gone in two years, even if they are still here, their best days are far behind them... we are even seeing them fading as we speak.... Kuba and Phillips on the upside of 30... Neil, Ruutu and Fisher can see (or will see shortly) their 20's in the rear view mirror.... are we gonna make a run for the cup in the next two or three years?... not likely given we haven't gotten any points from teams in the top half of the conference yet.... and considering the performance over the last year and a half, well you know that story... Muckler's draft picks were not great and though Murray has made a couple of nice selections in the last couple of years, our fingers are still crossed on them too.... I just think its time to start making some hard decisions... start considering trade packages that include vetrans for some younger key players while our older crew still have some market value... are Patrick Sharpe, Cam Barker, Nathan Horton, Brandon Dubinski, Jordon Stall available?... anyways, so what the fuck are you saying T-bone?... I'm saying (1) get a # 1 d-man and re-sign Volchie... this is our top priority... d-corp in two years is #1 d-guy/Karlsson and Volchie/Cowan... if we stablize our D-corp along with LeClaire, that is a great start... (2) get a bona fide 2nd line centre (Sharpe, Horton, Stall?)... our top six should be built around Spezza and Michalek... hopefully Foligno can make a big step forward into the top six.... (3) third line needs to be our checking line... Winchester is the perfect guy for this type of game, a poor man's Chris Kelly... build a third line around him... (4) our fourth line needs to be fast, big, enthusiastic, young and cheap... Zack Smith looks like good start there... I even had my fingers crossed for a shot at Zach Kassian during the draft in the summer... I think he is gonna be a force sooner than later... try to pry him from Buffalo... anyways, as you can tell, I never will be a GM anytime soon, so take this with a grain of salt... I just think we need to make a couple of painful but smart decisions to cement some key positions on this team... then role the dice on some UFA add-ons... not run out and hire some high priced older guys hoping thats gonna cure everything... otherwise, we're just spinning our wheels... ciao.
Time haul out the "it is a man's league" quip and give Karlsson timme to grow and mature outside of the NHL when his 9 games are up. Great potential with the kid but I don't see getting ravaged night after night as good developmental work. Lee is very hungry and has some good experience now, bring him up.
T-bone, take a look at the past Stanley Cup winners and how old their core players were. With some exceptions, they are built on veterans in their 30s. Your old guard theory doesn't hold water. And while Alfie has been off so far this year, he'll put up more points this year and next than he did the last two years - bank on it.
Another truculent performance last night by the leafs.
T-Bone, you make some great points but don't count on Senators management to rock the boat or make tough decisions. Basically, Fisher, Neil, ALfredsson, Phillips, Volchenkov and anyone drafted by the team are lifers.
The only changes will be to peripheral, non-Senators drafted players as Ruutu et al.
The Senatos are an extremely stubborn management team. They'll miss the playoffs 3-4 times in a row before admitting this team can't get it done and a youth movement needs to happen.
5-2 Sens over Tampa!
Sorry for the anon. Following the Sens practise right now via NHL_Sens (Twitter), and Kuba started skating Monday and he injured his knee, not his groin. Rumour is he should be ready for Saturday. Also Winchester and Regin are both practising with the team this morning. Good news.
Louise
I think we have enough pieces in place here to build around. Spezz, Michalek, Foligno, Karlsson, Leclaire, Regin, Cowan, Weircioch, Volchenkov - these guys are all young and will play at the same or better levels for 5-10 years. Bryan Murrays main strength is drafting, he has very few complete misses during his time in the league, most of his picks are at least serviceable. This team could draft one or even two forwards in the next two years, and when they develop should be around the same time our current crop of D prospects mature, as D typically take longer. We could then have the perfect mix of youth and veterans for an elite team. And the best part about all this is that we get to stay somewhat competitive in the meantime
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