Ottawa has been on the wrong end of a some ugly loses this year and obviously there are a number of factors at play. Undisciplined play, inconsistent officiating, underachieving stars and suspect third period goaltending just to name a few.
Some of these elements are out of the Senators hands but the underachieving stars is something that can be fixed. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Cory Clouston and the up tempo, high pressure system he's brought to Ottawa but when it comes to line combos I've been left scratching my head at times.
I've read this suggested in the comment section here as well as on other sites and I really think there's something to it. Here are the line combinations I'd like to see Clouston try...
Michalek-Spezza-Kovalev
Cheechoo-Fisher-Alfredsson
Foligno-Regin-Neil
Ruutu-Kelly-Donovan
Like any line combinations these won't work all the time. With that first line there are obviously going to some high risk/high reward type plays but I think putting Kovalev with Spezza is the best way to get a slumping Kovalev going.
I know the Cheechoo haters will say he hasn't earned top 6 minutes and thats fine. Reality is Cheechoo is/was a very good goal scorer in this league and didn't completely lose those abilities. He's never going to get back to the level he was at a few seasons ago but with his work ethic, he can still be a 20 goal scorer in this league.
Lastly, Shean Donovan need to be in the line up on a regular basis. He's been one of the Senators most consistent forwards the last year or so and has earned a spot on that fourth line.
There may be a reason these lines don't work but I just don't see it.
Just seems like its worth a shot at this point.
Until tomorrow...
40 comments:
why arent people saything this in ottawa - Pascal Lecalire has not been that good! He has, on my count, lost us at least three game - including the againts the devils on sat night.
in the first part of the season PL stood on his head and was awesome, but not over the last 10 games. LETS GO LECLAIRE, PICK UP YOUR SOCKS!!
Agreed. Although I liked.
Mikalek-Spezza-Cheech
Kovalev-Fisher-Alfie
I thought that gave us two lines of threat. I really don't like it when its Michalek-Spezza-Alfie since arguably those are our three hardest working forwards other than Fisher and also our three best defensive forwards - yes this year that includes Spezza - crazily enough. I don't like stacking our first line like that I prefer the balance we were going with before Spezza was out a few games.
First thing they need to do is play disciplined. It doesn't matter what the lines are if they are the most penalized team in the league, if you're killing penalties all night you'll lose more games than you'll win.
yea man agree with u there,, hes been heavily overrated. he look so small in the net but we must give him time. he has the right attitude. anyway chirp i think u are right with those combos.. fissher compliments cheech well and i think that he can open up some ice for cheech to bat in a garbage goal.. and alfie always helps everyone.. anyway im really glad i got my Michalek jerset, 3rd person in ottawa to have it. ordered it as soon as i saw it on tsn. hes unreal! 70 points this year. and chirp, have u heard any rumblings about trade rumours? ie) defensemen? thanks and keep up the good work!
Lets all remember Pascal LeClaire didn't play for a long time before this season started...I believe he thrives playing for a team that is sound defensivly where he is able to make the first save and have the D take care of the rest. I agree he hasn't been what we've expected, but lets remember the Penguins fired their coach after like 30-40 games and went on to win the cup, not that We can compare our team to Pittsburgh, but if we can hover a bit above .500 hockey clouston will have these guys buying into his system and hsould see a significant improvement in the last 3/4 of the season. Here's to hoping that we can stay relatively healthy and that we can get some bounces and breaks along the way, and that SPEZZA LIGHTS IT UP AND MAKES TEAM CANADA GO SPEZZ GO!!
It's gotta be:
Kovalev-Spezza-Alfredsson
Michalek-Fisher-Cheech
I wish everybody would shut up with "Leclaire's the best goalie the sens have ever had". At this point he's still behind Tugnutt, Emery, and Hasek to name a few.
Anon@9:07
Wow, the third person in ottawa to have a Michalek jersey? Really? Wow, just wow. Congratulations. Have you updated your will yet? Who are you going to leave it to?
P.S. I was the second person to have a Cheechoo jersey...my sister (the 1st) and i are still waiting for a third person to join our club. Any takers?
I just REALLY want to see Cheechoo get that monkey off his back. If he can start to contribute, even modestly, then this team gets another weapoon. I think a little confidence with him will go a long way.
With that said, if I were Clouston, I'd be double-shifting him on the PP just to increase his chances. I'd be telling guys 'feed Cheechoo'. I'd have him out there more until the puck is forced to go in for him.
With goal-scorers it's all about confidence (just ask Spezza), and Cheech has none.
Hey Chirp,
You know, in the summer during the heater tribulations when I first came to this post, there was so much rallying around the "team" and around the "fans" to eaach other as a group - and it was great to see that.
Now it seems that there is alot of juveline and childish namecalling and onery posts.
Now, granted there may be some times where some undisciplined things may have happened on the ice - but that is no reason to go all chicken little.
And there may times where you disagree with others and get flustered at the thought of what someone has said, but that is no reason to go all rush limbaugh on someone.
As adults, we should be able to express our disappontment in a measured and constructive manner, otherwise there is no rationale exchange, and we reduce this fine post that you have to a name callying schoolyard fracus.
I know you try to post as many different points of view - and I applaud you for that. This is just my wish that posters who read this try to articulate themseves in a way where if they disagree - they can construct their points so that they calmly explain their points - otherwise all you are writing is noice and rehotric and giving ammo to others that we are bandwagon fans.
And if you are disgusted by a game, take a breather - and express your disappointment without becoming all muadelin and hysterical - we are not 12.
I love my Sens and am a die-heart fan - and sure I get disappointed with sloppy play, and sure I get upset when I think things should have gone better - but just like if i was talking to anyone, I wouldn't rip them to shreds.
I would want to point out what could be better and disucss where others are wrong. Lets leave the name calling to the bandwagon fans and get real.
'Nuff said - just had to say this given the recent exchanges I saw.
Thanks again for being a place where everyone can come to. I learn alot from some of the thoughtful observtions of others and think it is the best fan site around - and would like it to stay that way.
Hey Anon at 10:03 PM,
Great post. I can only hope there are other fans out there that see it the way you do.
Very well said...
TOPIC - KOVALEV
(warning: long thread - may wanna take this to the bathroom with you)
I will be the first to say that I was extremely excited when they signed Kovalev. To go ahead and pull the trigger on a signing of that magnitude (and type of player) took some balls. Moreso, it showed that Brian Murray understood that this club needed another difference maker.
Granted he has not lived up to his hype.......HOWEVER, let's drill it down even further and get to the real issue on this team. DISCIPLINE!
This team should have at least 4 more wins in the win column if it werent for poor discipline.
At the end of the day, even if the refs are inconsistent... this team is not focussed on finishing teams. I have sat for the better part of 90% of the homes games so far, close to the sens bench and I will say this...I have never seen a team complain and whine to the refs as much as I have with the sens. I don't care what you think, over the duration of a game....this has an effect on refs. Anyone that has played competitive sports can attest to this.
Which in return brings me to my point in this rant.
KOVALEV is strictly a 1 way player. He's been that way all his carreer and he has earned his stripes and respect in the league because of this and his ability to take over a game. Yes some times it seems as though he is lacking motivation but these types of players are based on momentum.
Regardless if he gets 20 mins of ice time a game, if a team spends the better part of a game in the penalty box.....a player like Kovalev becomes useless because there is no rythm to his game. He can't build from his previous shifts nor can he generate any chemistry with his line mates.
Yes its sad that he's such a "sensative" player (if that's the proper term to use for him)but there is one thing you can't take away from him and that is the fact that he can change the outcome of a game in an instant.
So my point is that if this team doesn't become a more disciplined team and stop whining.
They will
a)become targetted by refs in this league as whiners which is a lot worse than cheechoo not scoring 20 or Leclair's untimely stops
b)will have wasted $10 mill on a player like Kovalev because they can't stay out of the box.
Keep in mind a couple of things:
- a little adversity is good for a team in the long run
- its a long season
Just my thoughts.
Sens24
Frankly, in my opinion, Cheechoo shouldn't have to earn the top 6 minutes, i think for now he should be given a chance to get his game going. We've played 14 games, is that really how long Clouston is willing to give a guy like Cheechoo time to prove he's worthy of the 2nd line before he demotes him? By next week Cheechoo will be our most expensive 4th line at this rate. Clouston, i love you, but you're starting to look like Hartsburg with all these random line combos. I'm 50/50 on Clouston right now. He needs to decide on line combinations and stick with them for a few games, instead he sets the lines, then mid-game you'll see a completely new set of lines out on the ice.
they should try this line, i took cheechoo out I know I know Murray's is hanging on him but this team needs some wins we all know we have to move on and put it behind us it did not work.
Michalek-Spezza-Kovalev
Ruutu-Fisher-Alfredsson
Foligno-Regin-Neil
Winchester-Kelly-Donovan
we have to control the game ice the puck as much as we can.
we relly only have 2 real D-men they will need time to rest, until we can get some trades for a cpl of proving big d-men.
my guess is we will have to rebuild after Murray its going to take some time. Also I am not a big fan of what they call the CORE on the sens sounds like a click/
About Donovan, I agree. He is nothing but a positive contribution for the Sens. He's been a silent leader and a hard working 4th liner. He deserves a spot on the regular lineup.
I totally agree with the two comments made at 10:03 and 10:16 PM.
Let's keep a few things in mind:
1) We've only played 14 games so far this season, and we're hovering around the .500 mark. Based on some of the predictions made prior to the season, I think we're doing better than most critics expected. It's a long season, and there is still plenty of time to improve our game.
2) We have a much more balanced attack this year than in past years. Finally, we have scoring depth beyond the top line.
For example, our current top 6 goal scorers are Michalek, Alfredsson, Fisher, Kovalev, Ruutu, and Foligno. I'm sure I'm not the only one pleasantly surprised to see Fisher and Ruutu among those names.
3) We need to stop taking undisciplined penalties. But if it happens, we need to play smarter in our own end, in terms of doing a better job off the faceoff, clearing the front of the net of loose pucks, and making sure to get the puck out of the zone when the opportunity arises.
4) A little adversity never hurt anyone. In any season, you're bound to lose games you should have won, and win games you should have lost. In either case, you need to learn from your mistakes and try not to repeat them.
We saw how the Senators really bonded and played well together during their Cup run a few years. Furthermore, we saw how they played a more cohesive game when Clouston took over as head coach last season.
Therefore, this group certainly has the ability to buy into a coach's system, and I think we will see it as the season progresses.
5) The Senators need to stop whining to the referees over missed calls. I understand their frustration with the unclear standard at times, but it isn't going to change the referee's mind.
Oh and one more thing to add to my list:
6) We play another 7 home games this month, so there's certainly the opportunity to improve our record significantly.
Sens24,
I think that the Sens have become a target by the refs in the NHL. Nothing is going to change until they file a complaint to the NHL about the poor standard of officating they have had in their games this year. Altough I agree that the guys need to keep their composure on the ice if they want to win games.
First off commenting on the previous post. After a loss what happens fans come in demanding Cloustons, Murray's and certain players heads. It sickens me to see fans acting this way after every little loss.
Anyway got to love your line suggestions SC. Although I think if your going to get Regin and Foligno to pick up the 3rd line slack. You need a more creative player like Shannon or even Donovan then Neil. As for the fourth line Until something is done with one of Neil, Kelly or Ruutu Winchester will be sitting out or playing in the AHL.
Also got to like Lee. Just as he does every season. With each game his game gets better and better. Now will he be anything more then a 3-4 defense man. And a 2nd pk and pp guy. Well no but is that not why we have Karlsson and Cowan waiting. Hopefully he continues his play and we can get rid of Campoli. If the guy who Columbus traded a 2nd round pick to calgary to get (his name escapes me currently) then Campoli should at least get that as well. But if there would be any takers or not is debate able at this point.
As for the goaltending. The defense as a whole has not been nearly as good infront of Leclaire or Even Elliot. So you can't really blame them. Once Volchenkov gets back and the defense gets put together right with Lee and not Campoli in the line up. Both Leclaire and Elliots numbers will improve.
Hey SensChirp,
Agree with you on your line suggestion!
Kovalev needs to find himself, and trying this combo might just set him on fire !!
However, when it comes to Jonathan Cheechoo, and after 13 games and only 2 assists, Clouston is losing patience, and has moved him down to move Foligno and Ruutu, who are both contributing much more than Cheechoo. I do not believe in putting a guy on an upper line because of his earnings !!
Agree with you on Donovan, but other players also need some action,to see who will fit better
to round out the 4 lines !!
Defense pairings will be set, once Volchenkov returns, and we certainly have a great 1-2 punch in nets !!
Strongly believe that Clouston will
have his lineup set in stone ,by the 19th of this month,when we play the Penguins ,who have lost 2 in a row to Los Angeles and San Jose !!
Robert Cyr
Wow,
Great writers on this SensChirp post, by SensChirp on line combinations etc....
Many excellent comments, including the long story on Kovalev which makes a great deal of sense !!
Keep up the great work SensChirp !!
Robert Cyr
An interesting stat is that we are the most penalized team, spending an avg of 20.2 minutes per game in the box. That's compared to Detroit who has a 9 PIM/G avg. I think penalty minutes are really something the team needs to address.
As for PL, I think our defence need to work on their game. They are not helping make him look good. A big thing I have noticed the last few games is that PL is being swarmed at the net. Our defense need to clear the net area! Look at how mnay tip-in goals we've had against us (both from the other team and our own players). Clear that area and let PL do his thing.
I agree Donovan should be getting ice time. i'd still stick Cheech on a line with Spezz and Kovy. Cheech has one role...go to the net and wait.
cheech-spezz-kovy
michalek-fish-alfy
then it get's a little foggy. I'd give Rutuu more minutes and make sure Dono is in. other then that we have a lot of 3rd/4th guys.
Clouston and the Senators need to suck it up.
Pierre McGuire (yeah, I know) was on this morning and made the point that word gets around to other teams about Ottawa's penalty disposition.
Basically, teams will goad Ottawa into penalties and so on...we don't want to do that against a team like Edmonton, especially with Penner playing quite well.
I sitll maintain that Clouston needs to staple some butts to the bench when they start acting selfish, then send them to the press box if that doesn't work.
Time to stop being Mr. Nice Guy and time to start setting some strict, unalterable standards of play and discipline.
As for Kovalev and Spezza, won't happen. Both are massive puck hogs and it just wouldn't work well.
If Cheechoo can't produce with Alfie, you know he is done like dinner. The idea is worth a shot.
couldnt agree with you more SC.
I think Clouston is a good coach and has some great systems, but the reality is that his line combos for the most of this season have been real head scratchers....
I think they will be OK, but alot needs to be rectified, quick. Leclaire being my first target, he has been great at times and shows that he is the best goalie we've had, but it never seems to fail, he will let up a weak goal when we need a big save...I can think of a few games like this.
Kovalev, needs to step it up, we all know he can bring it, and I think he is still adjusting to his new line mates...but he needs someone to play with that compliments his style....
The Senators number one problem is that they take too many penalties. This reduces their ability to score goals, and it wears out the defence. Leclaire might have let in some softies....but he also stopped some sure goals. He hasn't been lights out, but he isn't the reason for the losses in my opinion.
As for Kovalev.....I say put him on a line by himself, because he plays like he's all alone out there. I was excited that he was a Sen, but that was before I watched him play. I'm not impressed.
Cheechoo looks shot. I was hopeful, but he just doesn't have it anymore. It's not that he can't skate well, or that he seems off balance that's the biggest of his problems. It's that he's lost his ability to shoot the puck.
Sens are closer to a .600 team than a .500 team, and not out of it by any stretch. But they need to string a few wins together, and they need to do that now.
The best way to ensure that, is to stay out of the penalty box and stop taking cheesy hooking, holding and interference penalties. It seems to always be the same guys doing it as well.
I like Senschirp's lines. Kovy needs to play right wing. What is clouston thinking not dressing Donovan?!!
ChhChoo's horrible playing off-wing.
Lines:
Michalek Spezz Kovie
Fish Regin Alfie
Foligno Winnie CheeChoo
Ruutu Kelly Neil
the obvious problem with the sens this year has been kovalev and cheechoo + our non-experience defense after the big 3 that we have (kuba, volch, pillips)...but the less obvious concern is shannon and foligno. These two guys played great at the end of last year but are really struggling this year. If they dont get going we dont make the playoffs
We have a very poor Dcore....Murray needs to address this or admit mediocrity is acceptable in ottawa.
I am so sick of yelling at the refs through my TV...
GO SENS GO!
I just wanted to comment on the Kovalev/Spezza line suggestions. There were about 3 times in the last game where Kovalev and Spezza were on the same line during a rush into the offensive end. I remember twice Kovalev breaking out with the puck and skating into the other end. First time Spezza was perfectly positioned in the slot and no pass. Second time he was coming up in parallel to kovalev and no pass. Both times Kovalev got pushed off the puck and got a half-shot/half-pass to the back board off.
I don't think Spezza and Kovalev would work together just because both are puck carriers. I like spezza working the open ice with a good digger and a finisher. This is why the pizza line worked. Kovalev basically needs a digger and a net crasher. His shots give off a lot of rebounds and he just needs someone heading to the net to finish them or screen for him.
Justin, I think Ottawa's D is terrified to touch anybody (even in front of the net) for fear of the almighty zebras.
Anonynous 9:56.
Your an Idiot...I can't believe you think Spezza is a puck hog...He's a playmaker and a playmaker passes before shooting...start watching some games before posting stupid comments!!!
The Sens are a middle of the pack team, so I can't see getting upset that they are in the middle of the pack. They will lose games that they could have won, but that is part of being in the middle of the pack. Hopefully if they stay out of the box in the future they can be in the upper middle of the pack and make the playoffs.
I just looked at the lineup of teams the Sens are playing in November, compared to last month. Things are going to get worse before (or if) they get better.
Why oh why would you put two players like Kovalev and Spezza together?
You would need two pucks to satisfy both of their puck moving abilities.
And the line would be weak. The top line needs someone who can dig in the corners for the puck.
The line of Machalek-Spezza-Cheechoo was great and just needed more time to score some goals. They registered dozens of shots on net!
Kovalev is the type of player who can make his linemates look GREAT. You could technically put him with anybody and that line would be ok. He just needs a bit more time to learn the system and get confidence back.
JD...
Spezza likes to maintain control of the puck. Kovalev likes to maintain control of the puck. Do you see a problem here? You would need two pucks on the ice for that line to work.
This generation of Sens will not win us the cup. They had a shot in 2007 and the screwed it up. Murray really needs to look towards the future. We need more speed, more skill, better attitude. Time to get rid of players that have gotten used to loosing here in O-town. Time to make BIG moves that will pay dividends down the road (5 years from now).
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