Obviously there are countless story lines heading in to the coming season but this is just a quick list of what I'll be watching for this season. What do you think? Anything missing? What are you most looking forward to about the upcoming season?
- The Beginning of the Paul MacLean Era
After years under Mike Babcock in Detroit and Anaheim, MacLean finally gets to call the shots with the Sens. He has promised an up-tempo game with an emphasis on puck possession. It should make for a far more entertaining product on the ice. It's not fair to blame Clouston for all of the team's struggles last season but he should certainly shoulder some of the blame. MacLean is an excellent communicator but demands a lot of his players. Will be interesting to see how that translates with the Sens.
- The Continued Progression of Jason Spezza
While the team has struggled the past two seasons, Jason Spezza has continued to grow as a hockey player. Down the stretch, with mostly young guys in the line up, we saw Spezza take it to another level. He is a leader on this team and a future Captain in my opinion. I expect that Spezza will continue that progression under MacLean, which should translate into a big season in Ottawa.
- The Debut of Jared Cowen and David Rundblad
While some fans may disagree, everything I have heard indicates that both Cowen and Rundblad will start with the big team. There are obviously going to be some growing pains for both players but I think both can have an impact in their first season. Cowen will get time on the PK and Rundblad should be a fixture on the power play. How quickly these two players adjust will go a long way towards deciding what kind of season this is for the Sens.
- The Development of Erik Karlsson
Development is going to be a word we hear a lot this year with so many young guys expected to be regulars in the line up. Erik Karlsson is one of the players I expect to take it to another level this season. Coming off an All Star Season that saw him register 45 points, I think we can expect more from Karlsson this year. Karlsson should easily eclipse the 50 point mark this season and will be vital to the team's power play. There is still work to be done on his defensive game though (was a -30 last year) and I think we'll see improvements on that end this season.
- Veteran Rebound
As much as this is a rebuilding year for the Sens, the play of some veteran players will go a long way towards deciding what kind of season this is in Ottawa. On the back end, Chris Phillips and Sergei Gonchar are both coming off sub-par seasons and will be relied on heavily this season. Alfredsson is coming off a 54 game season and off-season back surgery. If he is healthy and contributing, the Sens could flirt with a playoff spot. He is expected to be on the ice for the first time since his surgery next week.
I have received the next entry in the SensChirp Search. The article has more of a Binghamton Senators approach and looks at Robin Lehner and what winning MVP could mean for his career. The writer has taken a little bit more of a statistical approach which I think will be popular with readers.
Just working on getting a little bit of editing done on that piece and will have it up on the site in the near future.
http://communities.sportsnet.ca/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/2-116992-1649/423-247/newvintage10.JPG
when they heard Icethetics had leaked the image (they saw the leaked image on Senschirp from icethetics)of the new sens jersey they tried to shut down Icethetics as soon as possible.Check Icethetics now and see that it says no access
fun theory eh?
There was an article not too long ago that had EK near the top of the league in takeaways by a defenseman. So he already is doing the right things defensively. Better goaltending and a defensively responsible partner should see EK's +/- increase dramatically.
Will be coaching a couple Sens prospects in Mark Stone and Jordan Fransoo.
Isn't that a bad thing? I think Clouston would be a good coach, but you have to also think why would he be doing us any favors after how things ended in Ottawa? I know people will say he wouldn't show any favoritism or demote players based off of personal feelings, but I still think its a very real possibility.
Definitely a good one. He is definitely going to get a look with Spezza.
As long as no harm is done, things should be fine IMO.
2 of these have to go...
Think one has to go and then they carry 7.
how old are you?
while you seem to have SOME hockey knowledge and genuine interest in the team, your posts are 75% trolling or ridiculousness.
no one cares look I already have a plus one
That being said, I was wondering if someone could let me know who the definite players are for next season? As definite as can be at this point I 'spose.
lee is garbage if we got rid of lee that would do ottawa a whole ton even now hes almost the same type of crybaby crosby was 21 years ago quote this and tell me how lee could be a utility
cry baby what? did u even follow last season, this guy bench almost have of the season without saying a word and u calling him a crybaby what?! and no i wont answer u question
I am looking forward to all the storyline that Chirp mentioned. I am also deadly curious, almost in a train wreck kind of way how good or disappointing Filatov might actually be this season, and if he winds up leading our team in scoring what sort of contract extension fiasco we may have to endure. :)
thats a problem I want to see.
leading the team with scoring and contract negotiations.
its interesting to think we landed a top 6 player for a 3rd round pick. if it pans out, is this the kind of player we want long term? or was it a fluke and should we trade him at the deadline for a high pick?
I really think he could be on our top line for a long time if his work ethic does not decline. Just throwing it out that if he's had a hell of a season and we're not playoff bound, why not flip him for a 1st rounder or more?
Yes this could pan out in a myriad of ways and could prove to be deadly interesting and exciting.
For example if he does well but the team sucks, we could very well draft Yakupov next year and start a little Russian connection again.
I agree, but given our history with Russians, you never know.
I agree especially given that our top 6 forwards are not so deadly of a group.
Speaking of possibly resigning Filatov though... one thing I hope for this season is ZERO no-trade clauses. :)
A good thermometer I am sure for which teams are fed up with which players.
Most Popular Buyouts (Past 7 Days)
1. Gomez, Scott »
2. Luongo, Roberto »
3. White, Colin »
4. Hunter, Trent »
5. Kovalchuk, Ilya »
6. Komisarek, Mike »
7. DiPietro, Rick »
8. Wolski, Wojtek »
9. Olesz, Rostislav »
10. Redden, Wade »
Is that really necessary? Just don't give an attention starved person attention. Not even negative votes.
That being said these already IS an ignore function and I already used it on that person. ;c]
Any idea or rumours out there Chirp -- on who it may be. No sucker will take Kuba. Maybe Gonchar does not want to play with a team re-building for the next 2 yrs..
Lee spent most of the 1st part of the year in the pressbox.. and no whining or complaining. When he finally got a chance to play with the injuries and trades... he played good on the top pairing with Phillips. He doesn't have the skill of Cowen... but he could be a decent player for the near future. Sooner send an older D away than a young one.
That is why it is inevitable that they start the season with Ottawa and we pray their performance goes through the roof. Here's hoping to Kuba making the Molson(tm) first star of November with his air-tight play! Otherwise as we all know it boils down to a potential buyout, and I don't think the Euge is going to waste the $$$$.
Think Silfverberg & Zibby coming into the lineup in 2012... that may make any contract scenario with Filatov a little better.
Wouldn't it be nice if he could SOMEHOW pot 51 goals and 106 points? Frig I want that idiot Heatley off our record books...
Speaking of which. Of all the following individual Sens records, which one does everyone think is the most likely to fall next season?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ottawa_Senators_records#Individual_Records
I'll go for most points by a defenseman in one season.
Countdown till the season starts?
Yess
If that's the case better fix the time on the server first, I'd hate to miss the first hour of the game. Hahaha!
Hahah good point. I've been meaning to ask about that. Thanks for the reminder.
That is a nice little game RUSH, I'll go with the .925 Save % for the season. I think Anderson will be able to beat that, I still think we will lose more than win but they will be close games. I say Anderson finishes the year with a .927 Save %!!
Nice positive post.
It sure is going to be interesting to see how we do on the power play with the new coach.
I would have to go with Karlsson most points for defence.
sure would be nice for Spezza to put up 51 in the next couple of years.
(or filatov butler)
A agree that is a great one also, I was torn between that and the points-by-defenseman.
Man if that happens... even if the team isn't incredibly great this season, it will bode really well for the season after when we have an influx of Silferberg / Zibanejab / DaCosta / Wiercoch etc etc!
Twitter can be cruel. Largely sarcastic replies submitted so far. I suppose I should have seen that coming haha.
GO SENS GO!
Did you hear Cyril Leeder's announcement that the jerseys will be unveiled in the first week of October? Man, such a long wait.
As far as I know the Heritage jersey will look something like this:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sfxLJhIVnFo/SJDWJSVLWHI/AAAAAAAAAAc/KZSYVchsUDA/s400/jers_black.jpg
or
the one at the bottom
http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz265/Lightningfan/OttawaSenatorsconcept.png
I'd go with the longest road winning streak of 6, I think we can beat that this year. Another record that may be within reach if things go really south would be the most PIM in a season.
I hope Carkner stays too. He's too cheap to let go and he will have some value around the trade deadline. It's too easy to sit him in the press box when the Sens are playing finesse teams and then ice him against the Laffs and other truculent teams. Lee showed potential down the stretch and has 3 seasons to go before he is unrestricted. I say he and Carks take turns being #7 and I pray that Eug won't mind paying Kuba to play in the AHL this year as the buyout window is long gone. We need Garth Snow to take Kuba off our hands.
And as for Lee: it really is a case of there being too much expectations on him because of how high he was picked, which isn't his fault. February on most people thought he was our most consistent (and some would even say best) defenseman. Sure, he's not an offensive stud... but guess what? Karlsson is and Rundblad has a good chance to be. Don't trade Lee!
Rundblad - Phillips
Cowen - Gonchar
Carkner
Can't put a rookie on the top pairing or two together. Karlsson is the crown jewel of our D and has earned the minutes. Lee needs a vote of confidence from coaching/manage ment and hopefully would compliment Karlsson's juggernaut offense. Phillips and Gonchar are relegated to a mentorship role for the two rookies.
Clouston is set to develop a late draft blooming prospect in Mark Stone which I don't think will be a bad thing. Clouston has been successful at every level under the NHL.. The WHL is where Clouston belongs.
We have 2 very talented forwards that show a lot of promise in Filatov and Butler. Butler has already shown some chemistry with our next captain, If Filatov can do the same I think we are looking at a very short rebuild.
Lefties
Phillips
Cowen
Kuba
Righties
Gonchar
Karlsson
Lee
Carkner
Rundblad.
See the issue? If Sens get rid of Kuba... who plays on the left?
To me that makes Gonchar the number one priority to move right now, obviously going to be very hard until the trade deadline so I say the best option would be to keep 8 D for the healthy competition between Lee and the rookies.
Come trade deadline it would be really nice if Wiercioch was having a stellar season in the AHL, as well as already having impressed at training camp. We could then ship both Gonch and Kuba and give him an opportunity to take fill the number 5 D spot.. Lines looking something like this:
Phillips-Lee
Cowen-Karlsson
Weirdcrotch-Runblad
Carkner
We also don't know how comfortable Runblad and Cowen are at playing on their off-hand sides, but like buddy on HB said, it would probably be unwise to have them playing big minutes in their rookie seasons on the wrong side.
These are some of players that are going to be playing there last season with the Senators.
Jesse Winchester
Peter Regin
Filip Kuba
Brian Lee (Maybe)
Also Murray will proballly sign a big name free agent next summer because Murray was so quiet this summer.
Here are the players that Murray will look to sign one of them next summer.
1. Zack Parise
2.Dustin Penner
3.Ales Hemsky
Rundblad he plays left in swedne anyway
Sandy is dead on with this situation, which killed us a few times last year. Tookie and some other posters, think that defencemen should play both sides of the ice, but I do not agree ! Brian Lee was totally burnt by opposition goal when Clouston put him on Left Defense with Carkner. Should trade Lee or Carkner for Left Defencman. Had this discussion with Campoli, last year, and he agreed with me ! Just saw that Rundblad is a Leftie , so we now have 4 on each side !
Parise will have 29 teams chasing him if he goes to FA. Big auction on him. But a lot of teams spent stupid this offseason for big money and long-term contracts... so that may limit some of the competition.
Penner -- if he has a good season... fight between Leafs & Sens to get him and probably more.
Hemsky -- IF he stays healthy... a big maybe.
Thought I read he play right... but then don't know if the source is accurate.
LD Chris Phillips 4 - RD Jared Cowen 2
LD Filip Kuba 17 - RD Erik Karlsson 65
RD Brian Lee 5 - RD Sergei Gonchar 55
LD Matt Carkner 39