I tried my best to deflect the anger following the loss the other night but some of you just aren't in the holiday spirit I guess!
Anyway, there is no official update although the Ottawa Sun did just post an article that suggests the Captain will be out for four weeks. An offcial update is expected in Buffalo tomorrow morning. Alfredsson had his shoulder in a sling after the game against Pittsburgh.
Certainly not great news for a team already down a number one centre for a prolonged period of time.
There are going to be those of you that clamour for a trade after this but I really don't think that's the best idea for the Senators going forward. No trade Bryan Murray can make will replace Daniel Alfredsson and/or Jason Spezza.
They need to come together as a team during this difficult time and just try to win some hockey games.
The Senators have put themselves in a decent position in the East standings and just need to grind out two points whenever they can until the heart and soul of this team can get healthy again.
It's not gonna be easy but if there was ever a time this team needed support from the fans this is it.
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!
GO SENS GO
61 comments:
I'll second that.
It's like we're watching someone who's been given one of those Impossibles puzzles, where you have no border, a common background, and extra pieces that don't go anywhere. We know there's a combination there, but we can't do anything to help him put it together. It's our job to watch him work.
This team's playing to its level right now. And that's the level of a middle-of-the-pack team with one strong line, a defence corps that's maybe two-thirds of the way down the NHL lists, and a goaltender who just got back from an injury that had no right to be that serious.
Having said that, their level is that of a 5 or 6 seed in their conference. That's fine. THIS is the team we have. And this is the team we're going to have even at the deadline. There won't be any magic pieces to add to a Cup-running team because quite frankly they can't afford them and they can't trade what works for us into what works for someone else.
The Sens hit their peak in the mid-00s. We challenged and we won, and then we got hammered out of the Cup Finals by bad factors and a goon Ducks team that knew how to play hard and nasty. Now we're on the way back down and it's going to take a couple of years because the puzzle pieces have to be put back together in the right pattern. And it's bloody hard right now.
But the team is afloat and we're in a position that many other teams would envy. Some of those are Stanley-Cup winning teams. If we don't do our job as fans, then things will begin to sink.
Agreed Chirp, will be at the game tonight!
TOsensfan
I agree, senschirp. Unless alfredssons season is over, a trade wont do us much good. The team will hopefully come together like they did back in '07 I think, the year we went to the cup finals. If we do, we'll be in good shape come alfie and spezzas return. A trade would just tell the team they're not good enough, and would do no good. Here's hoping for a good game Saturday!
GO SENS GO!!!!!!!
Couldn't agree more, Chirp. It's time to prove that we're good fans and that we'll stick with our team through thick and thin unlike a certain other Ontario fanbase. Come on Sens Army...
GO SENS GO!!!
As bad is this is it will be a good test for the boys. A gut check. We will be able to see if they can handle the adversity that has been thrown at them and grind out some wins with their top two forwards out.
This is a good team. Coming into the season how many of us actually expected this team to be a prime Stanley Cup candidate. We are in a decent position in the east and we have had our number 1 goaltender out for a prolonged time. I think that this group of players works hard enough to to keep the boat afloat while Spezza and Alfie are out. All we can do as fans is really sit back and hope they win.
GO SENS GO
I think the Senators will do well without Alfredsson!
I still think that Murray needs to make a move maybe not right away just wait and see what happens.
If Murry needs to make a trade here are three players that I would like to see Murray get one of them.
1. Erik Cole- Cole brings grit and can score some goals and could be had for cheap and brings some vetern leadership and has won a stanley cup.
2.Eric Fehr- Fehr brings size and can score and I think is grity.
3.Andrew Ladd-Ladd brings grit and can score goals and has won a stanley cup before.
Out of those three the one I would like to see Murray get is Erik Cole.
When will the organization give Mike Brodeur another shot?
A trade will depend on what the he has to give up.
For some one decent, he will have to pay a price. Team's dead weight can be had for virtually nothing....But there's a reason for that.
The only one I would be mildly interested in would be Frolov as he has a expiring contract.
The max I would be willing to give up though is San Jose's second round pick. Even that may be too much at this point in the season.
Let's hope the Sens can play for 500 until the olympic break and they should be in a good position to battle for the 6-7-8 position for the playoffs.
We need Pascal Leclaire to steal some games like Halak does for the Habs.
Go Sens
I completely agree that this would be a bad time for a trade, and you're right that he can't replace those two guys by doing so, but facing a full month without two of their best forwards does put the playoffs in jeopardy. If Murray doesn't decide to make a trade, then Fisher, Kovalev, and Michalek are going to have to carry the load, and guys like Regin and Cheechoo are going to have to do some serious filling in. Doesn't bode too well. I won't get discouraged at this point, for all we know they'll show up and be awesome for the next month.
I am all for getting behind the team, if the team is willing to put the effort in and not surrender like they did in Pittsburgh. Its a two way street.
I am very nervous to see how we approach today's game!
Well said, any move made by Murray right now would just be a panic band-aid move and we'd end up giving up way to many assets to get anything worth while, just play hockey and hope for the best.
GO SENS GO!!!
I agree Chirpie. It’s not a good position to be in but we still have enough talent to win. I think Fish can play a very important leadership role, along with Kelly. I expect Michalek and Kovalev to get more ice time and step up thier games.
Sens are not out of this yet. With Neil, Donovan, and Leclaire back we are in ok shape. The only way to win is to play as a team and Clouston has been preaching that all season. As long as they hang in there and play tight on defense I see us above .500 until Alfie and Spezza get back
"
1. Erik Cole- Cole brings grit and can score some goals and could be had for cheap and brings some vetern leadership and has won a stanley cup."
He has not been the same player since he hurt his neck. There are several reasons why the canes are where they are right now and he is one of them. He is not what the Sens need.
As far as the other night, the most disappointing thing I took from the game is nothing was done after the hit. Neil and Carkner waited till the game was way out of reach. Something should have been done right away. Nothing was ever done to Cooke for his hit on SD. It really seems like this team has lost their toughness/heart. Even with Neil back they have been playing soft. Fisher has an A on his chest for a reason he should have done something the other night.
This team is missing a Brenden Shannan type player leadership wise and would drop the gloves, I know someone mentioned Cole but living here in NC and watching the Canes Cole just has not been the same since his injury and he will not drop the gloves when needed.
NCSENSFAN
Hopefully Kovalev will show up to be that all-star game MVP and 5-million dollar man we signed. Here's to an awesome Comeback by Kovalev!
Honestly, if Cheechoo, Kovalev and others cannot carry this team to .500 or better while Alfie and Spezza are out then we're not going anywhere this year anyway. So either let these guys show up (Fisher, Michalek etc already have) and build some swagger. Then when Alfie and Spezza are back it's like adding to an already good team.
If these guys can't step up then there's not much there to trade away and not much point in it anyway. Let's hope the "secondary" scoring guys carry the mail for a bit and then we can get really excited when we're back to full strength.
Think of it like a 4 week penalty kill.
I have to keep this short because it's Boxing Day and Im at work: very well said. Too often do we Ottawa fans hit the panic button without good reason. As it is, we are in the playoffs...the boys just need to come together and play some good hockey. I have full faith that they will get it together...and as fans, we need to cheer louder than ever ( without the help fromthe jumbotron, guys) we are a canadian city...you certainly couldn't tell while attending a game at The Bank. The boys need to do their job ( which is winnig hockey games) but as fans we need to do ours. Let get'er done in Buffalo tonight, lads!
NCSENS FAN" even eith niel back they have been playing soft..."
hes been back for ONE game you idiot!!!!
GO SENS GOOO!!!
Although I do agree with your comment. I do feel though that Murray will have to make a deal. Not just to make the team better but to entice fans. Attendance is quickly slipping partly due to the economy but more importantly, this teams' recent shortcomings.
C
Where is today's lineup ??
Ottawa Sun has posted a real wild lineup !!
obert Cyr
Anon at 11:02 AM... What on Heavens earth are you trying to say.......? Proof read your post or something...
Shean Donovan tried to go after Cooke.. but Cooke -- 'chickened' out and Donovan got a 10 min misconduct and got kicked out of the game.
As for the Alfie hit -- Michalek was the first to jump on Adams.. and Carkner tried to get him in the 3rd but the linesman did not let him put a good pounding on Adams.
The next 4 weeks will show what kind of character this team has. It is time for the goaltending to start stealing games as that's the only way the Sens have a chance. Defense has to be better as well.
If Kovalev does not step up in these next few weeks -- trade him at the deadline and move on.
Let's hope Foligno is at least back withing a week.. that will help somewhat.
Sens will be in tough against Miller tonight -- they have to come out hard and hopefully get an early goal.
Go Sens Go
Look at Montreal's record without Markov. This is the situation the Sens now find themselves in. We have lost two of our elite players. Peter Regin, Winchester, Checcho and others won't be able to step up enough to make up what were missing. In Cheechoo's case less is more, he looked awful with increased ice team against the Pens in the first two periods taking 2 straight penalties while being slow to get back on a goal. I see a lot of games like the Boston one in the future where the Sens try to limit the opposition scoring chances while trying to win the game in low scoring affairs. Unfortunatley we are on the most penalized teams in the league and our pk has now lost a major cog. During our 07 cup run the Sens lost a few Centers to injury, Murray went out and grabbed Comrie from Phoenix for almost no cost and the team became stronger when the injured players returned. Offense has been a problem this season, if Frolov or any other players Murray deems undervalued, now would be the time to pull the trigger. Our cap issues will make this very complicated. While this team is in 7th, we only have 6 points between us and 14th, a losing streak now could put us on the outside very quickly. The Sens have been dominant at home this season where they've played the majority of our games, it is a different story on the road, where the only team worse on road then Ottawa is Carolina!. If last change is that important to this team, it clearly indicates a weakness in some of our line combonations/personel. I hope Clouston and Murray can adjust during this difficult time of the season. As always I will be watching and cheering for the Sens, but I have to realistic about thier chances for the next month, if they can tread water we'll be in good shape for the playoffs, if they can't it might be time to be a bit more aggresive on the rebuild. Last year's winning streak at the end of the season cost us premier talent for this season and I would prefer not to see that happen again.
we have been spoiled in the nation's capital. many of you fans dont seem to realize how a team goes back on top (washington, chicago, pitsburgh) you draft top picks. we already got karlsson and cowen. if we finish 8th and gets swept by pitsburgh it wont be a success but if we get a top 5 pick and 1 of seguin, hall, gormsley, mcfarland or that really good russian then we can start building a team again. Alot of ottawa fans dont know what it takes to rebuild they just want to sneak in the playoffs and head nowhere in the next 5 years. by sacrificing the present, we can be the top team we were before. dont forget alffy is retiring in 3 years and we need great young talent to come in the system to try to replace him.
See told you. Not good news, 4-6 weeks. Called the injury time line exactly bang on. So damn obvious.
We will be lucky to make the playoffs with an injury like this. If it does get to the point where we are 10+ points out of the playoff picture we should go for the lottery pick. It's not their fault we've had injuries to Leclaire, Spezza, and Alfie. They might be able to keep winning but if they can't we go for the pick and keep getting better.
These next few weeks are going to be real interesting. I hope we are ready for the challenge. Fishie, Kovy, Leclaire, Michalek all need to be at the top of their game. It might be hard for Leclaire since he's just returning from an injury but I have confidence in him!
Sens Army put all tohse negative comments behind you, our awesome team is in need for our support.
Chirp, is there any website I could visit to have a look at the bingo games?? Thx in advance
GO SENS GO!!!!!!
You know what, we still have Fisher, Michalek, Kovalev, Neil, Kelly, Donovan-These guys can score and if Leclaire plays well, I'm not worried.
After the olympic break if we get Alfie and Spezza back it will be like getting a great trade.
GO SENS GO
NCSENS FAN" even eith niel back they have been playing soft..."
hes been back for ONE game you idiot!!!!
And he did not do anything until we were down 6-1 in the third. That hit should have been answered right away not when the game was out of reach. How about at 3-1 or 4-1.
NCSENSFAN
Does anyone know if there is a live stream for the game tonight. If so, where?
Thanks
Why couldn't they have a morning skate today? If they arrrived in Buffalo this morning why couldn't they skate? You'd think after two days of not skating they'd find away to schedule it. Clouston said he and Alfie were at the rink yesterday I wonder if any of the other players who were in down came in for a work out.
hoping for a perfect day in hockey, canada routs lativa sens handle buffalo and the leafs get shit kicked... only games I actually cheer for the habs.
go canada/sens
i told you this 2 days ago chirp why not to post my comment
Well I guess we needed to start transitioning to a world without Alfie at some point. I think Alfie's value is quite often underated by Sens fans but I am hoping that we can weather this storm better than previous years.
Go Sens Go!
Sorry folks. Haven't seen the forward combos listed anywhere today.
also would like to wish good luck to our boy jared COWAN!!!!!! hopefully he just shines!!! go canada goooo!!!!
whats gonna hurt more is that the Leafs will make the playoffs, and we won't...granted they won't win the Cup but its still gonna hurt.
belave-or-not : Not all fans are like you guys, I will not support a loseing team. I will not spend my hard earned money on a team that does not compete... Murray has been killing this team for the last 4 years, did not take Burke that long to make a loser they have a winner now.
Mikep
You can't compare Markov out to Spezza & Alfie.. It's best to compare if Montreal were to lose Cammaliere (spelling?) & Plekanec --
Missing a #1 Defenseman is not the same as your two top forwards.
Sens were without Volchy for 4 weeks... their #1 goaltender for 4 weeks... two of their energy guys in Neil & Donovan for 4 weeks +... Let's hope Foligno is back soon... and that this is the end of the injuries. We just get 3 key players back in the Pittsburgh game and lose our best player on a hit by a goon punk.
No choice now but to play and play hard to at least stay insight of 8th place. I don't see Sens staying in playoff picture.. but hopefully won't fall too far back.
http://www.atdhe.net/
@ 4:06
Well the Leafs have been grinding it out all season. Which kind of forced the team to rely on every forward. I'm surprised at their depth this year. As much as I hate to say it, we could learn a thing or two from them. We need everyone to step up!!!
Anon 5:02 zzzzzzzz and learn to spell
Game on TV in Ottawa or no?
Does anyone know?
Love the Leaf fans sounding off on Sens woes.
Just remember. The Sens have a GM known for building amazing teams. The Leafs GM has a history of taking other GMs great work over. I give Burke credit for winning a cup but it remains to be seen if he can build a great team from scratch.
Watching the game, and Karlsson has been scratched to make room for Campoli. Seriously.
Anon 7:49PM... really? Strange.
The second goal on Leclaire was fucking brutal. A team missing its two best players out-shoots Buffalo 30-15 and he lets that shit in to tie the game.
Seriously that's so demoralizing as a team. I know he's been out for a month but this is pathetic. It was only a broken cheek bone the guy should have been practicing like mad. He looks sluggish as hell.
Campoli, yay, a career ahl defenseman! Great job Clous!!!!
Who is playing up front?
After the end of next Season. Kovalev will be done. I hope we go after Semin. Overpay if we have to. Another young star would be a huge pickup for this franchise. Also have to hope the Caps don't have the cap space to keep him.
Did Clouston say why he scratched Karlsson??
yeah but we still won!!!!!
Big W in OT though.
These are the kind of wins we need in the absence of our stars.
KJ
I can't believe some of you "Sens fans" actually WANT the Sens to "try" for a lottery pick.
Losers.
Comments like that make me sick.
Oh, by the way, congrats to the Sens for getting two points tonight.
Go Sens go.
Spendzza
All these people keep saying that we aren't going to make the playoffs when we actually have a good chance. Think of what this team has been through.
1) 2 energy guys lost 4 weeks (Donovan Neil).
2)Leclaire gone 4 weeks.
3) Spezza injured 6-8 weeks.
4) Foligno out for 2 weeks.
5) Alfie out 4-6 weeks (we all know that we can always count on him playing in half that).
And after all of this we have stayed between 5th-7th seed. Once everybody is healthy, I'm confident we can compete in the playoffs. Go sens Go!
Anybody see the stats of the Sweden and Canada gamescin the world juniors? Petersson had 1 goal 2 assists. Silfverberg had a goal (I don't know if he had any assists). Lookin good for our Swedish forward prospects. Go Sens Go! Keep up the good work Brian Murray!
I watched last nights game and I found the Senators played like a team if they can play like that the whole time that Alfredsson is out and Spezza then I think they will be fine and if they can good goaltending from Leclaire then I think they will be in a good postion when Alfredsson returns.
One player that I found that stood out last night was Ryan Shannon he played very well I think if he can play that the whole time I think it will be good.
Anon @ 6:59, not a fan of Burke but if I recall he drafted the Sedins and helped the Canucks on their way; he also rebuilt the Ducks Defense and forwards to complement Getzlaf (Murray's pick!).
To me, as a fan, I'm still waiting to see Murray produce anything of worth in this town (that would be a Stanley Cup).
As for Karlsson, he's extremely error-prone and Campoli is likely steadier back there.
Nice character win last night despite some unsteady goaltending from Leclaire (2 goals on 20 shots? Yikes...neesd better than a .900 save percentage to go deep in the post-season).
You're right Spendzza, letting off on the gas to get lottery picks is stupid. I mean, let's ask Pittsburgh, Washington and Chicago how its working out for them... You're absolutely right, barely missing the playoffs year after year after year is much better, its doing wonders for teams like Florida and Columbus.
Spendzaa if we are 10+ points out of a playoff spot at any point during Spezza/Alfie's long term injuries going for the lottery pick is exactly what we should do. There is a good chance the Sens will find a way to keep their heads above water and stay in a playoff position or within 3-4 points of one. If they can't and they fall back to the point where we are 10 points out or more during this stretch that is when you let the team sink.
What I would dread is to do is what we did last year. Make a terrible impossible run for the playoffs and miss out on the pick. We would have picked at least 2nd/3rd overall if we hadn't made a ridiculous recovery.
Think how of much better Ottawa would be with Matt Duchene or Viktor Hedman playing for us right now/2-3 years from now. Hell with a great young guy of that caliber we might even be talking about another cup run this year or next. That's what should make you sick to your stomach. Look at the type of incredible player we missed out on.
1) Top picks don't always work out. They don't come with guarantees.
2) Good scouting can keep teams in perpetual play-off positions. One example is Detroit (riddled with injuries this year and still in the hunt - and when was Zetterberg drafted?)
3) Tracey pointed out the current success of Pitt, Washington, and Chicago. Crosbys and Ovechins don't come around every year. THose three teams shit the bed for 4-5 years before they got to this stage. Can you imagine all the BULLSHIT comments and tears on this website if we had to undergo 4-5 years of basement hockey? Cottonelle would have to become a Senchirp corporate sponsor so that people could wipe up their tears.
4) We've missed the playoffs once in 10 years.
5) Finally, yes - quitters make me sick. I'd rather see the team play hard and lose then pack it in in January like a bunch of pussies.
Anyways, I'm not here to argue with any of you. It's my opinion. You have yours.
Go Sens go.
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