(UPDATE 4:17 PM)- Looks like we can put the Forsberg to Ottawa rumours to rest for another season. Bob McKenzie just Twittered that Foppa will not make a return to the NHL this season. Ohhhhh well...
The Senators were back on the ice this morning as they prepare to take on their provincial rivals tomorrow night. No changes to the Senators lines at this morning's skate meaning Ryan Shannon and Jesse Winchester will likely be the scratches tomorrow night.
Michalek-Spezza-Alfredsson
Foligno-Fisher-Kovalev
Cheechoo-Regin-Neil
Ruutu-Kelly-Donovan
Elliott had a strong game against the Rangers but I would expect the Senators to go back to their #1 goalie tomorrow. Leclaire has had problems with soft goals this year but he has also made some big time saves. Missing most of last season has clearly caused some issues with his timing but I expect that to get better with time.
The Senators are hoping to have Volchenkov back late this week but it doesn't look like it will be in time for tomorrow's visit from the Leafs. Clouston said this morning that he hopes A-Train will be able to play by the weekend.
CHIRP OF THE WEEK FEATURE
Not sure what kind of feedback this idea will get but obviously not all submissions can be posted. I'll pick one each week and post it at some point on Sunday. Sunday's are usually pretty slow around here so this would be a good way to fill some open space.
Submissions should be 300-500 words in length and should have your name or website handle somewhere on there. You can send your rants to sensrumours@hotmail.com. The weekly winner will be posted this coming Sunday.
Looking forward to reading them...
52 comments:
Just remember kids, the ENTER key is your friend when writing.
Nothing against scratching Shannon again but I think Winchester could use another game or two, not sure what the teams plans are for that guy.
Spezza has no points in 4 games. Michalek and Alfie have both been far less effective. Somehow Clouston still refuses to change that first line. I seriously cannot fathom how Spezza goes out for 2 games, and when he comes back you don't put the lines back to the way they were dominating when he got hurt.
/slit wrists
So freaking frustrating to watch him do this. How stubborn can you be.
I like the lines although Clouston may wish to consider flip-flopping Alfreddson with Kovalev in order to ignite Fisher (with Alfie) and Kovalev (with Spezza).
It will be interesting to see if the Sens get more penalties than the Truculent Torontos - maybe the refs have forgiven us??
I think you have to go with Leclaire - Ottawa either gets into the playoffs or doesn't based on his play and the next 5 games will go a long way to establishing his true level of play.
GO SENS!!!
WHY DOES CLOUSTON NOT SWITCH ALFFY AND KOVALEV. both lines arent clicking, this coach is starting to frustrate me.
We can't lose to the Leafs, we just can't.
They can't score and while their "D" isn't terrible, their goalies are prone to early goals against.
If we can't beat the Leafs, and beat them soundly...how can we expect to beat Pittsburgh, San Jose and real teams?
This should be a 6-2 rout for us. No way Toronto gets less penalties than we do.
I would love the 6-2 predication to come true. Then we get free pizza!!!
ON a side note, I still have 2 extra tickets to tomorrows game, Section 307 row D. If anyone is interested text me 613-266-7423. $80 per ticket (face is $90 + taxes)
I hope they lose to Toronto, we can then kick Murrays ass out of Ottawa. and start to rebuild. Sorry I am not like you guy's I will pay only to see a winner not a team hopping to make the play offs
yea but the leafs do work their asses off because their coach is a player-eater.
it would have helped to have volchkie back against the leafs with komisarek out lol...i hope you guys know what i mean haha..some more fallen leafs on the ice you know what im sayin'
honestly, clouston needs to switch the lines. and he needs to stop messing with cheechoo's head. clouston thinks he is jacques lemaire and that he can switch up lines midgame,before-games, post games. but he is not. stick with the obvious chemistry lines Cory and get on with it. dont try to play all kinds of styles with this team. it just wont work they havent been brought up that way.
I was at the game on Saturday and was dissapointed with all the empty seats. Ottawa has too many fair weather fans.
I go to about 4-5 games a year (I would like to go to more), and even though it frustrates me when they loose, I still support my team no matter what the result.
We are lucky to even have the Sens in Ottawa. I know we are used to 11 straight years of playoff births but a couple of bad season is no reason to run everyone out of town.
I love the Sens even if they were in last place and would still be going to games. I am not a fan because they are a good team. I am a fan because they are our team!!!
GO SENS GO!!!
And hopefully Tuesday will be a Sens win!
Fisher doesn't need igniting - he's already hot - in more ways than one
Foligno on the 2nd...oh god!
wow allan, i hope that ur a female. on a straight note i think kovy with spezza is unreal. try it
1:35,
your post epitomizes everything that is wrong with our fan base today
It almost seems as there is only one piece in the puzzle missing. A lot of you have made some really good comments and I tend to agree with all of them. Sens will come together though.
I watched the calgary/leafs game Saturday and Toronto but in some good minutes (30-45 maybe) against a solid team. If Toronto brings the game they had in the second vs calgary, we are going to be fighting hard to stay in the game... unless that final piece of the puzzle falls into place.
Just have to go on a fan rant. I'm not in Ottawa currently and, as a result, meet a lot of Toronto and Montreal fans. Both teams are doing far worse than us and fans from both teams have had some negative things to say but NOT ONCE did I hear them renounce the team. Maybe it is a generational thing. Myself and many my friends who are Sens fans grew up with the Sens. We did not switch over from another team when the Sens came to town. You also almost never hear someone under the age of 30 renounce and bash the Sens like some of the comments you hear on this blog. I could go on, but maybe I will leave it for another segment.
WTF IS CLOUSTON THINKING?!
Foligno-Fisher-Kovalev
HOW in the hell is this gonna help our team? Clouston needs to get fired, he's starting to piss me off. His decisions are terrible.
Anon 1:35
I hear Washington, Chicago and SanJose are the hot teams this year, perhaps go spend your money there until Ottawa becomes a contender again.
Clouston will be fired if he continues with his stupidity. Foligno with Fisher and Kovie? really? who are you kidding.....
He really needs to put Kovie with Spezz and Michalek then put Alfie and Cheechoo with Fish. When it comes to shootouts, it's all on the coaches decision, and clearly he's not making the right ones. He can practice the shootouts all he wants, but that won't do anything when you use the same 3 shooters and the goalies watch the tapes to see what their tendencies are. Also, putting Ruutu, Foligno and Fisher before you put Michalek? Or even Cheechoo? What is this fool thinking?! Give Cheechoo a shot in the SO maybe he'll surprise you and win us a game. Clouston's days are numbered if this crap continues.
Fisher has been, and always will be my favourite Sen. Clouston better throw Alfie back with him, great chemistry. And give Fisher props, he's tapping Underwood. Very nice.
Foligno on the 2nd line ? Why ????
Agree 100% with many writers who favour some line change to reflect the following :
Michalek - Spezza - Kovalev
Cheechoo - Fisher - Alfredsson
Foligno - Regin - Donovan
Ruutu - Kelly - Neil
Should go with the above lineup for 4-5 games to see if chemistry is OK !!
Phillips - Volchenkov ( very soon)
Kuba - Campoli
Lee - Carkner
Elliott in net vs Toronto
Leclaire back in for Penguins and following 3-4 games
To Coach Clouston : No more than 6 men on the ice at same time !!
GO SENS GO !!!!!
Robert Cyr
Why would Murray not help Clouston with the lines, Murray was a pretty good at that?
CiCi is BM's and The Euge's puppet. Only does what he is told. Lineup decisions are political....oh the irony of hockey decisions in Ottawa! Imagine that.
Clouston had me wondering on his capacity of making good decisions...
1 - He puts Campoli and Picard on our powerplay and they get scored on. Our 2 worst D's so far this year and TOGETHER on the same shift? Ouch !
2- Kovie had a great first period and Clouston kinda benched him in the third with no shift on PP in the OT? Are you kidding me? PP IS THE REASON WHY MURRAY SIGNED HIM. We had a 4 on 3 and he puts NEIL and FOLIGNO before him????
3- Kovie needs to have players who can finish the perfect passes. Kovie could easily have 7 to 10 more points. Bring back Alfie with him or put Kovie on the first line with Spezza and Michalek.
Hey coach, wake up already.
anon @ 2-25
accept the mancrush as a way of life and it will free you
where are the rumors? thats why i come to this site so (too) much.
its fun to play coach and mess with the lines, since the coach is a knob based on some of your comments here is what i would do as the coach
Michalek-Spezza-Regin (speed)
Alfi - Winchester -Kovy (skill)
Pignot Folignot-Shannon - Fisher (proven success)
Donno - Kelly - Ruutu (grinders)
Scratches: Sheshoo, Neil
Discuss
To Anon at 4:01 PM,
I can only post the rumours when I get them.
Glad you visit frequently though!
People who are saying Clouston should be fired are fucking morons. If you guys think you guys think that you can so much better than Clouston. Why aren't you coaching in the NHL? Thought so, I bet the people that post comments how Clouston should be canned are people who play 2K10 and NHL10 all night after work or school. Or Peewee hockey coaches. There is a reason why Clouston is coaching in the NHL and you idiots are filpping burgers, cleaning toilets, or coaching peewee teams.
P.S. Kovalev and Spezza have been put together a few times during the season. Spezza doesn't like a RW who shoots left.
I am driving from Barrie to Ottawa tomorrow morning at 7am, bright and early, to take in some sights in Ottawa and see the game. I just hope the Sens pull out their A game. I have seen Ottawa play twice in the last couple years, once to Mtl (a win) and once in Toronto, (an OT win, with Phillips getting the winner a couple years back.)
Don't want to drive all this way to be disapointed! Go Sens Go!
Michalek - Spezza - Cheech
Ruutu - Kovy - Alfredsson
Foligno - Fisher - Donovan
Winnie - Kelly - Neil
How about trying Kovy at Center for all Offensive end and let Alfy come down low in the defensive end and do the hard work and kovy can wait by the point.
I think we need a second line center. As good as Fish has been playing i think a little more skill would make a huge difference. Our D is a mess and very slow.
In the shootout the other day i think our lack of skilled players took front and center. I was ok with Mich not being in the top 3, like fish their speed is their asset not their hands.
I have 2 box tickets for thursday Pens game I get them from a suppier comes with free beer and Wine name your offer and ur email or phone number
To Engin,
Spezza might not like a RW like Kovalev who shoots left, but one of the greatest players of all time in the NHL was Maurice (Rocket) Richard of the Montreal Canadiens !!
He was a Right Winger, who shot from the left and scored 544 goals in his brilliant career !!
Finally, Kovalev loves to park himself on RW boards, and shoots many direct hits from his left hand shots !
So what if Spezza passes to Kovalev
on his backhand side, he is quick enough in his release, as to receiving puck on his right hand side, if he was a right hand side shooter !!
Not really a valid excuse !!
Robert Cyr
I couldn't agree with Justin more, see my previous posts to understand what I mean. It could quite possibly be a generational thing, because, like you, I grew up with the Sens, and am in the same situation when talking with Leaf and Habs fans. But I digress.
I would jump on to defend Clouston and Murray, but at this point, everyone seems to be a step ahead of me, good job guys. Although I have to agree that getting rid of the lines that were gelling before Spezza's injury is a little strange, perhaps Clouston saw something he didn't like, or potential for better lines. At any rate, I have confidence that he'll pick his permanent lines in the next few weeks.
Dave
Regarding Clouston's picks for the shootout, here are the actual stats from NHL.com:
Ruutu 8|18 44.44%
Spezza 9|24 37.5%
Kovalev 11|31 35.5%
Alfie 10|29 34.5%
Cheechoo 6|18 33.33%
Fisher 4|14 29%
Michalek 2|8 25%
Foligno 0|3 0%
No other Sens have shootout stats.
People can debate all they want but if you base yourself on stats, Clouston wasn't WAAAAY off as some seem to insist. The first 3 picks were bang on. For the rest, what are you going to do? Ruutu, shot 4th and with the highest percentage looked like a turd out there. Foligno shot late, which is where he should be. Maybe Michalek should have been before him but his stats aren't that remarkable and he wasn't clutch when he could have been.
The only question mark is Cheechoo not shooting but as far as I'm concerned, he had his "shootout" in the first period and shot 1m above the net. That's not inspiring to a coach...
Clouston didn't fuck up in his picks folks, his mistakes were his PP units in the second, and the too many men on the ice penalty at the end of the third...
Kovalev back to MTL for both Kostitsyn's.
few things lol.
although that comment that spezza doesnt like an RW who shoots left...was hilarious and ridiculous haha
how does it tickle spezza where the sun don't shine if his RW shoots left. all he should care about is the goal going in lol.
secondly. you can so see through the veil of PR defence that the senators are putting up for kovalev. clouston to a word in every pre-game and post-game says that Kovalev COULD have easily had 7 to 10 more points. well coach clouston, this is not a league of "COULD HAVE BEEN". we have had enough of could have been now. we had the most we can have from the "could have been" when the sens went to the final. so please stop making the excuse and stop being apologetic. there are no points for NO POINTS, which in clouston's words is "POINTS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN". similarly, this league is about what you have done and what you are going to do. if you havent won, you have to win, and if you have won, you have to keep winning.
lastly, foligno on the second is not too bad. but cheechoo on the third is just not right. he should be up there with spezza, standing in the blue paint to bang in those cross crease sweet passes that spezza dishes like 10 times every game.
maybe Kovalev, should see time on the third line. or maybe even the fourth. im sure the bangers will open enough space for him to have his time alone with the goalie, his own stick and the puck. what a bad signing. i mean i get all the plus points, but really, 5 million could have been much better spent: how about a bonafide stud defenseman. he has been no factor in any of the games the senators have won.
alas.
here is to hoping he feasts on the lamely leafs tomorrow.
To Anon 2:00pm. The reason a lot of seats were empty is because Ticketmaster accidentally put a 7:00pm start on some of the tickets instead of 2:00pm.
On a side note, I agree with a lot of the posts talking about bandwagon fans. The "fans" that won`t go to games because the team is losing are pathetic. I live in Tokyo, and wake up early all the time to watch games (or watch the game at work, knowing I can be fired for it). You have no idea how lucky you are to be able to watch games on TV.
As for the lines, I agree with going back to the winning lines from the start of the season. If it ain`t broke, don`t fix it.
Volchenkov, come back.
4:01
Those lines are horrible...
Regin is a centre, of which Ottawa lacks, so there's no sense in wasting him on the wing.
And I'm shocked anyone used Winchester and 'skill' in the same sentence. Oh, and he isn't a centre.
synthetec........are u serious?.....I dont want another zubov
Lol at people suggesting firing Clouston. I really don't think Ottawa wants to be paying 3 head coaches who aren't even with the team.
Aaaand to whomever suggested Kovalev at centre. No. We have better centermen on this team already. Kovalev just needs the right linemates. I'm not saying Fisher and Alfredsson and Cheechoo aren't good players/linemates, Kovalev just doesn't have as much chemistry with them as he could with someone like Spezza or Michalek.
I really think Clouston should put Kovalev with Spezza and Michalek. I'm getting tired of not seeing this line. I really believe that these 3 could generate so many chances and bury a lot of them. Kovalev could probably get Spezza more goals and vice versa. Michalek could finish any pass he receives from either Spezza or Michalek.
Next time Clouston is on Team 1200 I'm going to email the Team and have them ask Clouston why he hasn't tried those 3 (if he hasn't by that point).
the line that would work the best for the Sens is: Cheechoo Ruutu Kovalev. Ruutu can play Centre he did before he has that ablity to demand attenion they always keep an eye on him, Cheechoo has soft hands and can play downlow, this would open up Kovalev short stick and give him the room he needs and time.
I can't believe the same people that complained about secondary scoring or depth, are now asking why the coach doesn't put the teams best 3 players on the same line.
Make up your mind would you?
Anon 9:12 - I would hope you're not serious, but it sounds like you are. Ruutu is best as a 3rd/4th line guy. You are either calling Kovalev a 3rd line player or Ruutu a 2nd line center. Both of which are laughable.
Ruutu is not skilled enough to play with Kovalev.
This site needs a forum, badly.
So much easier to follow along with conversations etc...come on SC, do it!
ugh whats with the lines?
not sastified ... alfie and fisher both need to reunite... i dont like having all three of our top players first line need to balance it out
another line combo id try would be to have cheech spez kovy and michalek fisher alfie.... kovy showed signs of chemistry with the two of them and michalek would be a good speed addition to fisher-alfie.
we need to get rid of kelly shannon picard and insert winchester and donovan on teh 4th line with ruutu and have neil play on the 3rd line.
clouston was sorta disappointing but seeing the stats for shootouts posted above the %'s i guess that is somewhat understandable but not the cheap tooo many men on the ice penalty and try to leave the lines the same so they can develop chemistry rather than constantly switching it up!!!
heres hoping for a better effort from leclaire tomorrow night!
LEAFS SUCK LET'S GO SENS!!!
I realize we have been a one line team for the last 3 years but some nights they were magic and won us games. Its like we're afraid to go bac to that. Am i the only one who wants to just load up a line, get some guys going, and get on a role? Obviously this will not work all year...but i say give this a try and ride it if it works.
Kovalev-Spezza-Alfie
Michalek-Fisher-Cheechoo
Foligno-Regin-Neil
Ruttu-Kelly-Donovan
Watch that first line dangle!
Let's trade for Filatov!
I think Clouston needs to go back to what he had before the Spezza injury. Just swapping or keeping Kovalev and Cheechoo. And putting Shannon with Regin and Foligno. I do like Clouston giving guys like Shannon and Foligno chances. But that will have to be done and everyone fixated by December. Which if you look at is going to be a brutal start towards the olympics for all teams. And will really help weed out the weak and strong teams before even getting into the final run to the playoffs. Hopefully the Sens are in the latter group and squeak in this year.
Nikita Filatov is possibly being sent back to Russia. He doesn't seem to fit into Hitchcock's system and has been a healthy scratch or a 4th liner, playing very low minutes. This could be a good kid to try and make a trade for to replenish our offensive talent.
I'd like to offer something like Kelly, Lee and our 2nd.
It is a huge game tonight. I hope the Sens continue to improve. Lee played much better against the Rangers. Donovan and Neil caused a ton of problems. They will have to be huge tonight if the Sens are to win. We must avoid stupid penalties. I just hope that there will be more Sens fans than Leafs fans.
michalek with cheechoo might be a good speed line haha. but cheechoo will look like a slug on that one.
i would leave cheechoo with spezza and just force cheechoo to become the senator's version of thomas holmstrom. plain and simple.
clouston needs to stop tinkering with the third and fourth lines. they are sound, effective and they get their roles right. he needs to get the first two lines right without touching the bottom two. and lastly, when volchenkov comes, BM needs to eat up Campoli or Picard's salary. i would say campoli. and please dont send Brian Lee down. he has played a decent role since he got called up.
I have been a fan of the following.
Michalek-Spezza-Cheechoo
Alfie-Fisher-Kovalev
These are the lines that had us winning. Two lines of consistent threat taking advantage of our depth. They created loads of chances. If you shut down one the other gets more time and space. Just how it should be.
Not a fan of any suggestions that involve Cheechoo and Kovalev on the same line. These are two guys who haven't shown a tremendous amount of speed. Better to split them up rather than having all the slow top 6's on one line. It works to have one slower forward because it's like an off-speed pitch it throws the other team off and they can find the backdoor plays. Having two on the same line just makes the whole line slow.
Bejamin1
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