It sounds like Binghamton could get a boost to their blueline ahead of Game 1. Eric Gryba skated this morning and should be in the line up tonight. Patrick Wiercioch was skating with the rest of the scratches and isn't expected to play.
Another big game featuring a Sens player goes later this afternoon when Jason Spezza and Team Canada take on Ovechkin and Team Russia. Spezza has continued his great play in the World Championships and seems to have found his way on to the team's top line. Hitchcock and Spezza didn't get along so well last year but all that seems to be water under the bridge.
You can expect Ken Hitchcock's name to be among a list of guys included in the Sens search for a new head coach although early projections have him landing in New Jersey.
To this point anyway, I'm really having a tough time gauging who the favourite might be for the vacant position. As I understand it, interviews have not officially begun but I would expect that process to get going in the very near future.
As I think we all expected, Dave Cameron's name has been coming up quite a bit lately. He's definitely going to get a look but I get the sense the plan is to go with a more experienced guy.
Sens GM Bryan Murray was in Gatineau last night to take in Game 4 of the QMJHL final between the Olympiques and the Saint John Sea Dogs. Murray was likely there to get a first hand look at Jonathan Huberdeau, a player that has shot up recent draft day rankings.
Oh and don't forget to book your spot on the Bus to Bingo! Seems to be filling up pretty quickly so book your spot now so you don't miss out. Click here for more details.
You gotta think he's going with a proven coach with a proven resume, or a player turned coach (Muller, Carbonneau)that has a history of cups and some success as a coach.
Please no Dave Cameron, he is not the answer.
I'd rather Rick Bowness. (Not going to happen either)
It's times like these that led to the last duck hunt.
Here's a link if any of you want to see why:
http://es.pn/kAmqwA
I can tell you that there is a fan down in Bingo with an equally inspiring story that I met while I was there last game.
The Zach Bennett story is fantastic though. Incredible strength for such a young kid.
I agree with that to a certain extent BUT BM has to step and be GM and tell Melnyk to sit back and be an owner.
(In the nicest way possible)
It's Melnyk's ridiculous requests that landed us Kovalev and Gonchar.
At some point BM has to be a big boy and tell the big man to know his role.
Easier said than done, but this next coach has to be a pure BM decision.
Cameron should not be made Head Coach... this team needs experience.
Go Bingo..
Okay, I did not know that. Brings back memories of the year the Sens made their cup run, and TSN released that story about the infant (forget the disease he had), and how he passed away the night Ottawa beat Buffalo in game 5.
5 Firsts maybe?
I think his name was Elgin Reid..
I think people believe Melnyk has more influence on this team than is the actual case. If the coach doesn't work out, no matter who it is (even Cameron), Murray
will always be responsible.
He does not get, as you put it, a freebie. No way, no how.
From another perspective, I don't think Murray would stand for much interference. Whether the Kovalev thing is true or not, Id hazard a guess that both Murray AND Melnyk wanted an FA and Kovi was all they could get. It's not like we could have got Cammaleri instead.
That doesn't exactly make sense. If Melnyk is picking the coach there is 0 liability to Murray. Also, if Melnyk was planning to give Murray the opportunity for only 1 more coach, he wouldn't have given him a 3 year deal and then make that 1 pick for him.
I feel real bad for Spezza. He wanted that medal so much.
One of the Russian goals was scored by Alexei Kaigarodov (sp?) -- remember him?
As for Melnyk, I think if he did not have anything at all to do with the FA signings then BM would have been fired by now and not awarded another 3 more years. Melnyk we hope has learned his lesson and will give free reigns to BM.
Have faith in BM he really does know young talent, we will be a force with a few years
Go B-Sens
I'm proud of him and glad that he is an Ottawa Senator.
Oh and go BSens go!
Are you really surprised the Toronto Maple Leafs failed?
If it wasn't for Spezza and Nash, we wouldn't have even made it this far.
Did you see how AWFUL Phaneuf/Schenn were compared to Pietrangelo/Bur ns?
You should people ripping Spezza apart on the TSN boards right now for supposedly "not getting back" in time to stop that shorty by Russia....Wasn' t Pheneuf on DEFENSE???? Pathetic, I hate Leafs fans....
Then you get them saying we would've won with Reimer in net, and that Reimer was 4-0 while Bernier was 3-1. They're so stupid, Reimer played the weakest teams. I can't wait till he comes back down to earth next season and he experiences how fast Laff Nation throws him under the bus,,,
I mean, I'm well aware that the NHL refs are paid off by teams, but really, they don't make/miss as many obvious calls as the International refs do.
Don Cherry hates the Sens... why in hell would he even agree to coaching them -- but it's definitely NOT happening.
I don't think he hates the Sens. He's just paid substantially to 'love' the Leafs.
Glenn Healy on the other hand, is a douche who hates the Sens.
I truly hope whoever the Sens choose to coach will be someone with serious NHL experience. I'd also place a premium on the coaches ability to communicate with players and his understanding of the psychological aspects of the game. It'll be an interesting training camp and draft day. After watching IIHF Silfverberg looks like he'll be a Senator sooner rather than later. Rundblad needs time in the AHL similar to what Karlsson needed.
Had he been given more time in the 'A' He might be an NHL ready coach by now.
For the love of god, I hope Eugene IS calling the shots with the next head coach. We've already seen what BM's judgement is like.
enough already! Someone play defense!
channel is justin.tv/bingofan
password is hfsens
danishh from HFboards is the guy you want to thank for paying it and broadcasting it :)
I thought so too, but he's got Orr in there which clearly isn't a joke.
Don Cherry as a head coach of the Sens would be a joke (and this is coming from someone who appreciates both the team and the commentator).
Is there even such thing as a good coach/poor communicator? I doubt it.
Just seems like a cop put. That we need a coach who's been around the NHL - that I can agree with and quantify.
Take it easy now...
Cowen: 1 A +2
Didn't see the game. Was he solid?
If alfie is truly injured, and can't compete at the level he's used to. I for one would give alfie the coaching job.
He's got more on ice experience than anyone available, he knows todays nhl game very well, and i'm sure his experiences and knowledge of the game would make him a great coach,i'd expect him to have an incredible playbook and everyone would respect him 100%, a guy like dave cameron could be assistant and we also need a very good coach for the defense.
go sens