Usually I would advise Sens fans to stay home on Canada Day afternoon.
General Manager Bryan Murray has never been shy about making a splash on July 1. Last year, Murray was one of the first to enter the fray when he signed Sergei Gonchar only moments after the market opened. Certainly not expecting that kind of splash from Murray this year.
When free agent frenzy kicks off tomorrow, the shopping list for Bryan Murray will be fairly short. The team has been open about wanting to add a back up goalie and another top six forward, the latter of which appears less urgent. Even with the back up goalie, it's unlikely Murray will be in any rush to get something done although he will certainly make calls tomorrow.
There are going to be a number of serviceable back ups looking for work so Murray isn't going to have to overpay.
The top six forward is a little different. The market is fairly thin on that front and if Murray does target someone, he may have to over pay. One name that has come up in a couple conversations I've had recently is Steve Sullivan. The Predators announced they would not be bringing Sullivan back which means the diminutive veteran is headed to the open market.
He's a player Ottawa has looked at in the past but would they still consider him at the age of 36? That remains to be seen.
There is an outside chance the Sens could make a serious pitch for one of the "bigger" names like Jokinen, Upshall or Leino but that seems like a long shot. If Ottawa does add another top six forward, they could choose to go the trade route rather than via free agency.
For the first Canada Day in awhile, I think it's safe for Sens fans to head out and enjoy the festivities. Seems like tomorrow will be a relatively quiet day for Bryan Murray and the Ottawa Senators.
Will update the site if I hear anything new on the free agency front.
For those that are interested, tonight is the Development Camp scrimmage down at Bell SensPlex. The event kicks off at 7:00 PM and is open to the public.
If anyone has a chance to head down, please feel free to share your observations in the comment section below. Here is a link to an interesting article over on Silver Seven that looks at each of the players in camp.
Ex.: There's a new rumour today that says Feaster asked Bouwmeester to waive his NTC.
This would be a great opportunity for Murray to send Kuba, Lee and possibly even Carkner (or Gryba) (CGY needs SIGNED D-Men) and in return we'd get Bouw and Jokinen. I don't care much about Jokinen, I don't think he's got value IMO, just a CGY salary dump, plus he'd fill the role of 2nd line center until Z-Bad is ready to fill in the role. In the meantime our D would look like this :
Bouwmeester - Karlsson
Gonchar - Rundblad
Phillips - Cowen
BTW... just an example...
Get R done Murray
I expect a back-up goalie and that's it, the 2nd C spot will probably float all year between whoever is playing best at any one time. Maybe someone later in the summer that's still available and can be had for cheap, but since no one has very high expectations this year I don't expect them to get anything other than the back-up.
Filatov-Spezza-Jagr
Michalek-Zibanejad-Alfredsson
you do realize what we'd have to give up would defeat the purpose of a rebuild right?
Don't believe so
How about Doughty? Send him an offer sheet! then trade Lee and Carkner for nothing and buy-out Kuba's contract.
It's just a hunch and I'm just having a bit of fun. However, I don't see how adding a top end 26 year old LWer interferes with our rebuild in any way. Admittedly, we have two LWers in Michalek an Filotov but perhaps we could send Michalek to NJ. We also need to free up some D'men and we have an extra 3 next year thanks to Fisher. Again, if Eklund can do it so why can't I
also, the only way you steal an rfa is by overpaying them what they are truly worth. Lou isn't Milbury...
dont get me wrong, parise would look awfully nice in a sens jersey but i just dont see it as being a remote possibility.
Here is the list that makes sense that Murray will target for the backup.
1.Hedberg
2.Mathieu Garon
3.Ty Conklin
4.Josh Harding
5.Marty Turco
6.Micheal Leighton (Claim off of Waivers)
UH NO
You know...Parise would take what, 2x1st rounders, a 2nd and a 3rd, right?
For fun...Let's take 2007 as the year we gave an offer sheet (i'm choosing 2007 because it's pretty clear who has made it and who didn't). So, I'm going to take the SENS 1st,2nd,3rd from 2007 and their 1st in 2008:
An offer sheet would have cost us:
1st: Jim O'Brien (Centre)
2nd: Ruslan Bashkirov (Left Wing)
3rd: Louie Caporusso (C/LW)
and...
1st 2008: Erik Karlsson (defence)
That last one hurts, but I guess this is a long way of saying it might be worth the gamble...
I thought the price for a RSA was a 1,2,and 3 or something else ... Leafs did 2 1s and a 2 to get Kessel from Boston. We have an extra 3 so technically it should cost us a 1 and a 2 or perhaps it's open to negotiation. Just speculating. Now, wouldn't it be nice to have Parise on our team for several years to come. I wouldn't propose it for Brad Richards (too old) or anyone else this year for that matter ... with the exception of Stamkos ... but unfortunately Stamkos will command too much money (not that Parise will be cheap).
I'll play along with that. I think Parise would be the 1 situation where trading Michalek makes sense. Michalek, Kuba, Wiercioch and a pick for Parise. Don't have to mortgage present or future for it and we still get better today and tomorrow.
The reason I think this may work for NJ is they need a top 6 forward and a puck moving defenceman at the price it will cost them for Parise. This would give them both of those plus a future OFD for when they're tired of Kuba in November, while still giving them a future pick as well.
http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=567816
Team black has no chance ;)
Exactly, but there can be a trade. Stamkos would be offer sheet guy right now, but offer sheets are rarely the way to go with the top end stars because you mortgage too much future for it.
Likely a goalie, as they do go quick.
But I wouldn't be shocked if Ottawa looks in to Jokinen or Fleischman as well. Fleischman would be a big addition I think; he's young, quick and can score. Off year last season due to a long injury.
Yeah I would have done that in a heartbeat! There shouldnt be doubt in anyones mind that Parise > Karlsson. But to do it now, I dont know (ya know Yakupov and Galchenyuk in 2012), just wait till he signs and make a trade for him.
Here's why:
You lose 4 first rounders. But with him in the line up, you instantly become a team who battles for playoffs. You're likely losing a pick in the teens for the next two years. After that, you're likely losing another 2 first rounders that will be in the late teens at worst.
Even if you got screwed and you finished in the bottom 10, its still worth it. Also, over the next 4 years you will be moving a few players and assets that will return a 1st round pick or two.
Everyone is so scared because of Burke/Kessel which massively backfired for 2 reasons - Kessel isnt a bonafide superstar and two the leafs have no depth and sucked thus giving Boston two top 10 picks who will be better than a crappy Kessel. Stamkos is 5x the player and is worth it.
What role do you think they'd be looking at Fleischman as? Contingency plan in case Filatov doesn't work out? Wouldn't they want a true C instead?
TEAM BLACK
Rick Wamsley (Coach)
Pat Cannone
Fredrik Claesson
Jeff Costello
Jared Cowen
Stephane Da Costa
David Dziurzynski
Nikita Filatov
Wacey Hamilton
Darren Kramer
Kirill Lyamin
Max McComick
Stefan Noesen
Brad Peltz
Andre Petersson
Marcus Sorensen
Chris Wideman
Patrick Wiercioch
TEAM WHITE
Shawn Camp (Coach)
Bryce Aneloski
Ben Blood
Mark Borowiecki
Louie Caporusso
Corey Cowick
Jakub Culek
Ryan Dzingel
Jordan Fransoo
Derek Grant
Mike Hoffman
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Shane Prince
David Rundblad
Jakob Silfverberg
Mark Stone
Mika Zibanejad
** Rosters are subject to change. The three goalies (Scott Greenham, Adam Janecyk and Matt O’Connor) will rotate between teams through the scrimmage session.
As for the sens
Theodore or Harding
Fleischmann Jokinen maybe
Have to agree with Bauer, the 1st rounders wont hurt as much as they would be middle to late pick, as much as I want Yakupov, I would take Stamkos only because he is proven.
Like Mike said Stamkos would make us IMO instant playoff bound, and with him locked longterm, you move pieces in and out and keep developing your assets we got in this years draft. To me its a no brainer, doubt he would come to Ottawa but its worth a shot. I dont even think Tampa can match 8+Mil.
or if not why not through an offer to Nick Bergrors, he was very highly regarded, and his numbers are not bad for playing in NJ and Atl?
if we do not pick up a top 6 forward, I would hate to say but next year might actually be a long year
thoughts?
This is the only time I've read something in regards to Ottawa taking a shot at Stamkos that made sense. Considering Ottawa did and actually landed Stamkos, our rebuild would really be over. We just landed a load of talent, our depth in Bingo is rocking. We'd be on the immediate upclimb and we wouldn't need to hear from people complaining about how going through a long rebuild sucks.
Stamkos is a top 5 player in the league. As such, any team trading for him would have to cripple themselves to have any shot at him. We're talking Spezza, Karlsson, Zibanejad and 1 or 2 first round picks. No thanks.
Wrong Jokinen...
He had a bad year last year but if you look at his career stats, its pretty much an anomaly.
He's certainly worth considering.
Melnyk seems to be the kind of guy that would push for it to happen.
On the other hand, look at the Islanders: pretty painful looking last decade.
What I'm saying is that the turnaround for teams that have been in our position before us has been incredibly unpredictable.
The good news is that we have a full cupboard of strong and skilled prospects, many of whom came together and won a Calder Cup last year (how many of you predicted THAT), we have a #1 goalie who is capable of winning games when they mean the most, and we have a new coaching staff that looks like they will be able to get the most out of these young forwards.
The problem isn't so much that it's 4 1st round picks, it's that it's 4 consecutive 1st round picks. Our current prospects would pretty much still represent ~85% of our prospect pool in 5 years without those picks. However rebuild timing wise, if the sens were ever to do it, the time would be this year or next with our cupboards pretty full. Burke did it with an empty prospect cupboard and that will always be his problem.
Buy low, Sell high, Develop from within=Keys to success
Stamkos
Cowen
Karlsson
Filtav
Runblad
Zibanejad
Silfverberg
lehner
puempel
Noesen
I'm generally fairly optimistic about the Sen's chances of success for the new season, but there is no comparison with the Lightning situation. Ottawa does not have St. Louis, Lacavalier, & Stamkos as a core.
Great call.
Its open to the public, only the meet & greet is priority to STH.
Did you also happen to notice that Tampa still had Vinny and St. Louis while they were a lottery team? We don't have that kind of talent. And the "magical" turnaround was made possible by a kid named Stamkos drafted 1st overall. Add a 50 goal scorer on this team and we won't be a lotto team either.
Bouwmeester is a killer minute eater and could help moving forward. I would build a deal around Kuba and Regin. But as mentioned I am not really buying it.
He JUST starts to mature (physically and mentally) and so many fan here are ready to throw him out the door.
It's one thing to suggest trading him for something of value but it's something else to just want him off the team for nothing, especially in a rebuild.
What the fuck is wrong with you?
Stamkos isn't going anywhere. Steve Yzerman will match any offer. Some teams may know that and submit offers just to screw Tampa's payroll. It happened with SJ and Chicago last year. SJ made an offer sheet for Niklas Hjalmarsson; Chicago matched the offer and it forced them to release Niemi because they couldn't afford him anymore. Then SJ signed him. Genius.
I think you're mistaking the voice of a few there. I haven't seen many anti-Lee statements on here since the first half of last season. I think we all saw that he does indeed have something to contribute and is working hard to improve his skillset.
Goalies are Lalime, Theodore.
What would people say to Emery coming back?
Would love to have Rayzor back... but I think he's pushing (althought will be hard) for a #1 job...
And Ottawa DOES NOT need another goalie war. Someone has mentioned that before... Anderson is our #1 end of story.
Dork
I completely agree with you, defensemen need a little more time to mature, and he improved incredibly in the last part of the year, so much so that was a better D-man then the beloved Phillips by season end.
He will have a strong year this year, do not give up on him, he has been unfairly punished for being picked 9th.
Replacing Kuba with any dman currently in our system or playing anywhere else on the planet does not make this team a legitimate contender. Kuba playing on this team next year in place of either Cowen or Rundblad, whilst not ideal, does not sound the death knell for that player's development. Kuba leaves here when somebody decides that they want to trade for him.
There is no desire for this team to spend up to the cap this year and I would be really surpised if EM agreed to buy out yet another contract. I read somewhere that BM has bought out more contracts than any other GM, why would he want to add to that list?
I'm sorry to all the Kuba ill wishers but I think he's here until the deadline at least unless he's traded.
Shit!
The thing is it does make us significantly better and Melnyk has been a great owner when it comes to spending money. I wouldn't begrudge him saving some this year.
In other news I spoke to a friend who works on the money sie of things at the sens who confirmed they are looking at getting a new scoreboard in "the near future" but were in discussions about how to finance it.
I'm pretty sure I didn't say it would make us a contender. All this talk about EM not wanting to buy out another contract, but look at the actual financials, it would be cheaper or the same cost as having him play the year out. And it's not just Cowen/Rundblad he's taking time from, it's also Lee, Carkner and possibly Gryba or Weircioch. There are more reasons to get rid of him then to keep him, and the only reason to keep him is what, not to have another buyout on BM's track record?
D'Agostino
Berfors
Pouliot (ottawa connections)
or at higher cost Leino or JP Dumont,
And I could not disagree more on the Kuba front.
He is not as good as our top 6 D-men. In fact David Hale is better then him so I would have to say that he is not even in our best 8 or 9 D-men. How can you justify haveing him in your lineup, when people are paying top dallar to watch your best? And what does that say to the better players who have to go to the minors?
Clean up that mess whatever it takes!
JP Dumont will not cost too much to sign.
Scenario 1 - Keep Kuba
Kuba makes $3.7 million
Total = $3.7 million
Scenario 2 - Buyout Kuba
Cap hit of $1.233 million each of next 2 years = $2.467 million
Cowen - $1.265million
Total = $3.732 million
This year we don't need to spend to the cap, next year with Kuba gone, our prospects a year or so better and readier we might have more incentive to spend money. Why have Kuba buyout money working against us.
Your reasons to get rid of him are mostly valid although I think it is a stretch for some of the players you mentioned to be significantly hampered by him taking up a roster spot. Gryba and WireCock are only getting significant playing times if something pretty drastic happens with the 8 or 9 dmen ahead of them on the depth chart.
I just don't believe that either EM or BM have the desire to buy him out. that might change if Cowen and Rundblad blow the roof off at camp.
I don't see anyone older than 28yo coming (except for goalie maybe)
Guys like D'Agostini, Anthony Stewart, Bergfors are most likely targets.
Never said we had the talent that Tampa has, I only used them because they were the best example of a team that was in our position and got out of it really fast. Besides, Tavares was hyped as much as Stamkos as being a generational player and the Isles are still awful.
And Lecavelier is a husk of his former self... not the difference maker he used to be.
Players that Murray should stay away from and that will cost too much to sign.
A List
1.Brad Richards
2.Ville Leino
3.Simon Gagne
4.Tomas Fleischmann
5.Tomas Kaberle
6.James Wisniewki
7.Tomas Vokoun
Players that might be in the Sentors price range and Murray might look at.
B List
1.Micheal Ryder
2.Tim Connoly
3.Erik Cole
4.Anti Miettenen
player that are too old and maybe Murray should stay from a few but may look at because the price will be right and will be around for a couple of days.
C list
1.Jaason Arnott
2.Bryan McCabe
3.Chris Drury
4.Ed Jovanovski
5.Jamie Langenbunner
6.Chris Drury
7.JP Dumont
8.Roman Hamrlik
9.Marco Sturm
10.Cory Stillman
11.Sami Salo
You put Drury twice and left Sullivan off.
one team.
D List
1.Matt D'Agonstino
2.Nicklas Burgfors
3.Benoit Pouiot
4.Athony Stewart
5.Tom Pyatt
6.Cam Barker
Ah ok, thanks for the clarification. I think his minutes could just be better served elsewhere. I agree Weircioch and Gryba would be long shots, but with Phillips, Gonchar, Karlsson, Cowen, Rundblad, Lee and Carkner we already have a full D.
Good point on it possibly hurting us next year if we want to spend to the ceiling, but fortunately by then the Cheechoo, Emery and Alfie buyouts will be off the books.
I do agree the preference should be to move him though.
I would be delighted if both Cowen and Rundblad both make the team next year and we were forced into moving Kuba early in the season or ideally before the season starts (tomorrow in fact, trade him tomorrow) but I don't think they do. I don't believe they will be seen as 2 of our best 6 dmen at the start of the season next year.
Kuba isn't the only spanner in the works. Lee's significant improvement towards the back end of last year creates problems (albeit pleasant ones to have).
This^^ Short contracts for both and let the kids take their spots
Just take anyone who plays defence off your lists ... No way BM brings in a defender unless it is through trade where 2 go out and 1 comes back.
I agree no defence Kabrele will cost too and Wisneinoski and McCabe and Salo are too old.
He's received a qualifying offer. There's no rush. It will get done before training camp.
That's cool. I thought they had to do it before 5pm today. Thnx
Kuba will not be bought out - book it.
Murray will not sign a UFA top 6 forward - book it.
Shannon will not be able to wait until Sens training camp to see if we have a spot for him and will sign elsewhere - book it.
Murray will not spend $1M or more on a backup goalie - book it.
Murray will sign a top six forward - book it.
Murray will sign Hedberg or Turco as the backup - book it.
Agreed.
Filatov was our top 6 fwd.
IF..if he signs another fwd, it'll be a 1yr deal that he can turn into a draft pick at the deadline
That might have been me - the deadline to make qualifying offers was 5pm today. Not to actually resign RFAs. We actually have until Dec 1st or something but realistically it should happen before camp starts.
It doesn't really matter who we get. However whoever we do get if we add a forward I'd prefer a one year deal, a guy coming off a bad year, and a guy that could be shipped for value later on. So someone like Ryder although after the playoffs hard to say he had an off year.
Which of these guys (the only real top 6 UFAs out there) can Murray possibly sign? Are you claiming to be connected to some insider or are you just unable to admit your assumption might not be correct?
Richards for $7M+?
Leino after one decent season?
Selane at 41 years old?
Jagr at 39?
Gagne so he can be injured?
Vrbata at 30?
Cole so he can be injured?
Connolly so he can be injured?
I just don't see that many bonafide top 6 guys (the above list is suspect even). The few that are out there will get overpaid big time.
No thanks. For what they'll cost versus what they'll add to our team I don't want any of these guys.
I see what you're getting at but not sure it's worth it. If we get someone that translates to any value at the deadline that likely means we finish higher than we would have without him. So all we'd do is make all our picks worse just to get a late pick from some contender?
you're kidding right? Bouwmeester has 7 goals and 53 pts in two years with your team. Karlsson almost had that many points last year (45) in an injury shortened year for the lowest scoring team in the league. He's also only 20 with nowhere to go but up.
I get why you need to take out some frustration. Calgary has the worst outlook of any team except maybe Dallas. Want Erixon back? yea I thought so...
It seems pretty logical, and the kid can score. The only thing is, is he still injured or something??? Why hasn't his name come up?
I'd rather have him than Gagne/Leino or any other wingers that are out there.
check it:
Filatov-Spezza-Butler
MM9-Zibby-Alfie
Fleishmann-Greening-Folgino
winnie-z.smith-neil
Extras:Condra/dacosta
Gonchar-Runbland
Karlsson-Kuba (puke in my mouth)
Cowen/lee-Phillips
Extra: Carks/lee or Cowen
The Andswer
????Back up
Not bad.
ps stop with "injury probe" people get injured deal with it, but the fact they come back and keep it going is worth signing any injuries horse for. Would you throw Alfredsson under the bus too? Then lighten up Simon Gagne would be an awesome addition to this team.
Really like him I must admit. He's actually a very skilled player, but there's not really any room on the roster for him.
There's still a logjam in the bottom six and in the D, surprised trades haven't been made yet.
Would like to see Murray get a second line centre on a one year deal to give Big Z one more year in Swden. Regin imo shouldn't be risked at the second line C, and Da Costa I would love to see there, but that's uncertainty.
Fleischmann would be awesome. Connolly would be okay.
Gotta love the off season!
Who would have thought, wonder who scored the goals for each team
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/29/three-players-from-2011-draft-who-could-make-the-nhl-next-year/
He's got Big Z on there. Honestly, I think Zibanejad would do fine if he plays next season, but even better if he stayed in Sweden.
Black had 2 goals from Dziurzynski and one from Petersson. White goals from Hoffman and Grant.
Black's top 5: Petersson, Cowen, Da Costa, Dziurzynski, Filatov
White's top 5: Zibanejad, Pageau, Rundblad, Silfverberg, Borowiecki
Da Costa was surprising, I thought he looked weak in the previous two days, but he was very strong in the game.
Zibanejad won nearly every faceoff, finished his checks, was offensively dangerous and defensively responsible. He took a high stick and appeared to lose a tooth, and he did not return to the game.
Afterwards, the first question came from a guy who, in his own words, knew that Zibanejad was not NHL ready but felt that Mark Stone was a darkhorse to make the team. I don't know what game he was watching, but that's about the exact opposite of what I observed.
Anyways, I saw that whole thing becoming a gong show, so I took off. Good game though.
petersson had lots of really sweet moves protecting the puck and he potted a goal too. filatov had a few chances to explode down the ice and e took full advtange but couldnt score.
cowen was pure dominant, an awesome D pairing today was cowen and weircicoch, i believe if wierdo can put on 10-15lbs in next year or so. that can be a true deadly pairing.
zibanejad took an elbow to the face, he right away skated off and went to locker room and never came back. however i know someone that spoke to dorion in the meet and greet after the game. and asked about Z's condition and dorion said it was nothing more than just a cut lip, no injuries (thank god)
thanks for all the fans that showed up
silfverberg is for sure NHL ready. zibanejad also looked very ready but if it was up to me, i would let him develope one more year in the SEL.. but im just a fan i cant convince them to do that.
cowen was as pierre puts it a "monster", the guy was puck handling from end to end, surprising puck control. he also was shutting down players like no bodies business
kramer was very impressive, i see him being on the 3rd/4th line taking neil's spot in next 3 or 4 years.
rundblad had a few sweet long stretch passes but to me, he is still a little rusty but i think he needs time in bingo. he did have several give aways and couldnt deke by anyone.\
da costa is also very ready for the season.
Erik Cole is the only player that I want to see Murray sign Cole brings speed and can score goals and was healthy for the whole year and brings grit.
Hell no to Vrbata and Jagr and Selanne.
Thank you for validating my opinion of him, I thought he was excellent tonight. Something about his calm during the game situation, very impressive passing and effort.
Top White: Zibanejad (until he took a stick in the face); Silfverberg (damn you for going back to Sweden); Prince (probably benefited most being on a line with Zibanejad and Silfverberg) ; Borowiecki; Pageau
Top Black: Cowen; Filatov; Petersson;
Hardest workers: Blood (skates like my grandma, but the kid was working); Kramer; Dziurzynski; Hoffman; Hamilton; Sorensen - I felt these 6, although not standouts, they were working every shift. I was quite impressed with Sorensen.
Underwelming: Rundblad (didn't do much offensively, but was solid defensively using his stick and positioning. Expected more though); Noesen; Stone; De Costa; Wiercioch (At this point, I'd put Borowiecki ahead of him on the depth chart).
He had a terrible year. Year before he was good.
One of the attendants heard they took him to the hospital.. Asked one of the players what happened to him and he said he chipped a tooth...
Also found out why Lehner is not at the Camp... he just had his tonsils out...Found that out from Randy Lee... we were talking to him before we went into the scrimmage.
We also heard at the Hot Stove with the management team, that Gryba had minor surgery as well.
Ben Blood is huge...
Free agency tomorrow... I will be glad when someone signs Richards tomorrow -- I'm getting really tired of Richards to the Leafs...
What do you guys think of the Erhoff contract?
I was more impressed with how big Cowen was. With his skates on he was pretty close to his head hitting the door frame, coming out of the locker room.
I'm tired of all the Richards crap too. At least its not as bad as all the Kovalchuk garbage last year.
Surprised Erhoff signed. Weird numbers though 10yrs x $40million.
The guy is a sniper!!
"Talk at Hurleys in Montreal is that Steven Stamkos should, I said should, sign a offer sheet with Sens. Read it in Fridays Sun"
hahahaha I wish
Was real pleased to read the recap of the scrimmage. I'm pissed off I live all the way in the freakin GTA and can't take advantage of these things... >:(
Anyways, overall, how did Big Z look offensively and defensively? Could Da Costa play this season you think? And Silfverberg: is he NHL ready?
Thanksss!
I like your thinking bud. Turn a 1-year "filler" type of guy into a potential draft pick later in the year. First on my list for this type of player would be Jason Arnott. However I have a feeling he wouldn't want to sign a 1-year deal with a team at the age of 36. But who knows...if hes available as the days tick tock away into the summer...he just might do it.
Re: Your questions, my opinion:
Zibanejad - offensively strong, defensively strong. Backchecked like crazy, won almost every faceoff, finished all checks, went hard to the net. I thought he was excellent, looks just about NHL ready to me.
Da Costa - Very strange. During practices, I feel like something is missing, yet in the games, he looks very comfortable and capable. He was truly one of the best forwards on the ice tonight. If he can get a chance to play with some good wingers (Alfie and Michalek for example), I think maybe he could play. But he'll be no good if they try to play him with grinders.
Silfverberg - will jump straight to the NHL next year. No question, he will bypass the minors.
Thanksss!
Zibanejad looked solid in all 3 zones. He had a number of scoring chances. He definitely stood out. I think Da Costa could benefit from some "seasoning" in Bingo, just like Butler did, but he could be on the roster by the end of the season. I absolutely think Silfverberg could make the team this year. Definitely NHL ready. Every time he was on the ice, you noticed him, and for the right reason. Maybe with another year in the SEL, he'll get stronger and come here next year and dominate. There's no question, he's a Top 6 forward.
Has he actually committed yet?
He sounds legit
"I feel like, for myself, that I need to get bigger and stronger, and better in every aspect of the game," said Silfverberg. a second-round pick (39th overall) by the Senators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. "The Swedish Elite League is a very good league for development, so another year there and then I'll come over and try to make the team."
i would be happy if he goes back or if he decides to stay. either way better be safe than sorry.
in a year we will be very happy to have him
He seems to be nhl ready though. Even Tim Murray thinks so and he mentioned on the 1200 that he's "pissed" that he's going back to Sweden. I think it's because J.S. doesn't like the possibility of playing in the AHL.
Anyway what can I do.
I think the biggest turnaround season for the Sens will be the season after this. We will have a lot of cap space due to expiring contracts and a possible retirement, as well as ready prospects and a better FA pool.
Kinda skeptical about this season I must say. I thought Murray was all about change. Clearly that isn't going to be the case.
In the second half of the scrimmage, there was a chance when Team White hit the post on a great chance set up by Rundblad. He received the puck at the point and, with his head up the whole time, ripped a low shot along the ice for a rebound. The player, it might've been Silfverberg, ringed it off the far post. Baaah! Team White finally got some momentum from that play and then scored on the following shift.
I want to remind everyone that most of these players are still rusty, even though it was their third day of the development camp. The prospects will be bulking up, improving their skating, etc. before coming back to Ottawa for the real test in September (or is it August).
Nope - Neil's not going anywhere. The rebuild is being centered around Spezza, Alfie, Phillips and Neil.
Neil ain't going anywhere.
Um, you don't think getting rid of Fisher, Kelly, Ruutu, Kovalev, Leclaire, Elliott, Shannon and Campoli is enough change? Pretty much HALF our opening day roster will be different than last year.
I hate this phrase but "give your head a shake".
and O'Brien fight for the last 2 forward spots
I'm sure BM has spoken to Anderson about Leighton
and their past relationship if its good he's in
if not I like Garon
2012-2013:
Winchester, Kuba, Carkner, and a possible Alfredsson :( retirement would allow for a ton of cap space for the Sens in this year.
Regin, Da Costa, Filatov, Foligno, will all be restricted.
This season would also have Silfverberg and Zibanejad likely to make the jump. Also, our young D prospects would have had a year of NHL experience under their belt. Couple that with a stronger Free Agent pool: Kunitz, Semin, Sharp, Samuelsson, Penner, Stoll, Hemsky, Grabovski, Liles, Suter, David Jones. Murray seems to be comfortable with little outside change and more of it internally. I think this is appropriate for the time being. We aren't expected to make the playoffs, so this season will be a learning curve for the top prospects. We would also have a high DP.
This year will be fun to watch, next season should be a push to be competitive again.
These guys are clear cut keepers. I would especially hate to risk Butler recieving an offer sheet...
I meant change to make the team better.
i thought with the right moves we could be playoff competitive this upcoming season. But it's more going to be a learning curve and a "fresh start" if you will.
I think the season after the next will be in the favor of the Sens.
Try this instead - Something I heard a drill sargeant tell a guy in the ranks once (after he messed up).
"Troop..hang your head...look at your right foot...and now your left. Good...now repeat the process again and again....good. Now think about what you did son!"
Sorry...it may sound lame but it always stuck in my head when I saw it. We all got a laugh out of it.
good backup goalie.
Go sens Go
Go get Garon
Don't feel bad for Leclaire he raped us for years, even if it was not intentional.
I feel sorry for Melmyk.
Silfverberg looked like he was hurting big time. I think he was breaking in a new pair of skates because he was limping a lot and looked to be in a fair amount of discomfort every time he came to the bench.
One more thing... How sick are Petersson's hands? Kids got great skill he just needs to take some miracle grow or something lol
1.Erik Cole
2.Athony Stewart
3.Matt D'Agonstini
4.JP Dumont
4.Micheal Ryder
5.Steve Sullivan
6.Jason Arnott
7.Marco Sturm
8.Jamie Langenbrunner
9. Ville Leino
1.Mathieu Garon
2.Hedberg
3.Marty Turco
4.Ty Conklin
Absolutely agree. Why give up on a 21 yr old superstar when your vets are aging. They will match any offer sheet and try to trade Lecavalier -- would be my guess.
Now would you take Lecavalier in Ottawa?
Agreed. This season will be about the young guys getting more experience with the NHL game pace.
Then in 2012/13 (hopefully there is one) season.. adding in Zibby & Silfverberg will be even better.
Question is... who goes so they can make room? My first guess, if he doesn't up his game this season... is Regin.. after that.. who knows?
It's called a re-build.. and to do it right.. takes a few years, not overnight.
Not line combos just an observation that's easier to read:
X - Spezza - Butler
Michalek - Zibanejad - X
The Senators probably hope and expect at least one of Noesen, Filatov, or Puempel to fill one of these two open X spots within the next three years. I fully expect Bobby Butler will establish himself as a regular top six forward on the Sens roster this year and I think the organization expects this as well. That basically leaves one remaining forward slot for the likes of Foligno, Regin, Hoffman, Wick, O'Brian, Greening, Condra, et all to fight over during the next three years of team development - and in all likelihood we'll draft someone better than those guys eventually. The future T6F in Ottawa is being built right before our eyes.
Alfi ,Spezza and Michalek
Butler ,Regin and Filatov should be good for 17
after Neil, Foligno and Winchester suck up their time
Zack Smith ,Condra and Greening and the 13th forward
will have to take rookie ice time until 1 of the top 9
excludes himself or has himself excluded
All this talk about the prospects taking over the team
has got me nervous about this years expectations
There just isn't that much room yet.
If Butler and Filatov threaten Alfi and Milans ice time
and 1 rookie d-man makes the jump I'll be happy
But I don't expect to see more than 1 of the "real" new guys
until another spot opens up,if Regin ,Foligno and Winnie
step up big this year I won't be disappointed when only
DaCosta or Daugavins sees the NHL