With the start of a new season now just four sleeps away, we can begin to look at the year that is to come for the Ottawa Senators.
Predicted by many to be near the bottom of the standings, the Sens will need a fast start if they are going to prove some of their doubters wrong.
The opening weekend figures to be a tough one for the Senators as they take on a perennial powerhouse in the Detroit Red Wings on night one and are in Toronto for a Hockey Night in Canada match up just 24 hours later.
The month of October will see the Sens play twelve games in total, seven at home and five on the road. Road games include stops in Detroit, Toronto, Washington, Carolina and New York. The Sens open their home schedule with a game against Minnesota and will also play host to Colorado, Philadelphia, Winnipeg, Columbus, Florida and Toronto.
Every game is going to be a challenge for a young Sens team but those look like some very winnable games on home ice. The month of November will see Ottawa play 8 of 12 on the road making a fast start that much more important.
If the Senators are going to surprise some people this year, they will need to get out the gate fast and it all starts in Detroit on Friday night.
- Mika Zibanejad, David Rundblad and Stephane Da Costa have all avoided the latest round of cuts but with a few players battling injuries, there are still roster decisions that need to be made. Zibanejad seems like a lock to at least get the nine game audition while the status of the other two likely depends on the health of the injured Sens.
- Sens skated this morning and Rundblad looked to be the odd man out on Defence. Pairings included Phillips-Lee, Kuba-Karlsson and Cowen-Gonchar.
- Forward combinations were as follows, Michalek-Spezza-Filatov, Greening-Zibanejad-Alfredsson, Foligno-Smith-Neil, Condra-Konopka-Butler. Da Costa skated as the 13th forward.
- Peter Regin, Jesse Winchester and Matt Carkner were all absent at the skate this morning.
his skill set is a better compliment to the finesse of the other two. get to the net, work the boards and be defensively responsible.
looks lile greening would have a similar role on that second line.
CHIRP, whats the plan for the hockey pool?
Kuba-Karlsson... hmmm... With Karlsson liking to pinch and move into the play, could we ask Kuba to stay on the red line? He's too slow to come back should there be an odd-man rush towards Anderson.
1) we have a young exciting team of players who want to showcase their skills, show they belong in the NHL and want to play for future jobs
2) those veterans we have on our team are going to play hard to redeem themselves from last year
3) we are rebuilding and therefore no high expectations have been placed on the team (if we are on the bottom that's ok)
4) a lot of talent, so if the Sens manage to make it into the playoffs we have surpasses expectations and fans are happy
5) when we win the Stanley Cup, fans will be uber happy!
SEE - Winning!!!
GO SENS GO!
Going to try to get one up before the season starts on Thursday. Will likely just use a Yahoo format which means the number of spots will be limited. Keep an eye out for details.
I don't think there's truly a 4th line right now... those last two lines are pretty even imo. Two 3rd lines.
He needs some size.
I was amazed he actually got this long of a look. Not many considered him NHL ready going into the draft, but Florida is just so short on high end talent. I'd think he'll make it next year though.
Why are you even a fan? You clearly don't like anything about this team??
LOL I agree, after the game versus Boston, if we continue to play like that, it ain't going to be too exciting... Now to be fair, I think they will get better as the season progresses but I don't think they become exciting this season...
Good point.
Tookie: you must be a real treat to be around..
Enjoy your miserable life.
What's wrong with close games? The Devils play tight D and look how successful they were over the past decade.. I reckon Anderson is no Marty, but any game where he lets in less than 2 goals is a good game to me.. Isn't his job to let in the least amount of goals as possible any way?? These guys are going to be playing hard this year, and I cant wait! I'm not expecting a great year, but it'll sure be fun.
Sad to say, but this may be a blessing in disguise for the team as a whole, and definitely for Lee and Rundblad!
Hey Tookie man, I know a couple single ladies that I could hook you up with. Just seems like you've been in a five year drought or something...jus t remember it happens to the best of us.
You'll bounce back buddy, don't worry!
Exactly, I view preseason as an individual effort, trying to make the team or move up on the depth chart. Regular season is a team game, we'll see improvements for sure.
Especially the first two weeks, yes we may probably see some some lower scoring, not altogether fluid games out of the Sens, but the coach will lead the team to do whatever it takes to win while we build some chemistry.
Beyond that we have a lot of youth energy going on, whether that means some jaw dropping goals goals by Mika and Filatov, a lot of solid hitting, quite a lot of speed or Zenon dishing out a new flavor of knuckle sandwiches, once the season gets rolling I expect this team to be anything but boring...
How much we win or not remains to be seen, but don't be a plug and suggest we are going to be boring as well as shitty just based on the half dozen pre-season games you watched. Come'on man!
Ottawa: The Sens will be this year's firesale, but end up still being competitive. They will trade Alfredsson at the deadline when it appears they are out of the playoffs, but the young kids will still make a push for the playoffs when they get more ice-time.
Tookie,... it was pre-season? They have yet (I could be wrong) to ice their full lineup in pre-season.
History has shown that Bryan Murray is not afraid of making deals. With the talent he has in the system, especially on the back end and a goalie who is a season away from starting in the NHL, the Sens have the chips available to make things happen. However patience will need to be stressed to all the fans and I think the majority of the fans can see the big picture.
I have to disagree Johne. He's exactly what we need on this team right now. Carkner still has enough hockey left in him to facilitate the transition between him leaving and young guns coming in.
While Rundblad and Cowen go through their growing pains, he will serve as a reliable and steady 6th or 7th D. His low value contract will expire probably at the moment where Cowen and Rundblad are capable of being responsible full time D's.
Plus, if this preseason has shown us anything, its that sound defensive play should not be ignored on this team
With the re-build.. is it not best for these young guys to play? They will make mistakes.. but that is how they will learn.
Have these young guys adapt this year.. with more to be added next season.
Keeping Rundblad out over Kuba is injustice.
Too bad about Carkner... any word on Regin or Winchester, Chirp? Are the both going to be ready to start the season?
Plus think of it this way, when the Leafs were just starting their rebuild (the 'official trucculent rebuild') we made endless amounts of fun at their belligerent fans for thinking they would be making the playoffs and competing for the cup. I feel that we have a stronger foundation (and GM) then the Leafs did, but we're not that much ahead that we can assume competition for a playoff spot either this year OR next either.
We're in a rebuild folks. Don't be pessimistic, but blind optimism is no good either.
http://senators.nhl.com/v2/ext/PDFs/Prospect_Update-111003.pdf
I think Rundblad is just getting an added cup of tea up here to get him on the regimen the team wants. Short of a Kuba trade or another injury, he'll probably only get spot starts at first.
The Boston game was pretty darn close and it was pure domination by Boston... I don't hold the same pessimistic views as Tookie, but some of the overly optimistic views on this site are just as bad...
Is going to be down in Binghamton.
Count me in for that!! ;)
Will have to be done on a first come/first serve basis so keep an eye out for details.
http://twitter.com/GMillerTSN - For every Crosby who thrives, there are many who don't. No one's development was damaged by spending too much time in jr, college or AHL.
Nothing wrong with a close game, 5-4, 4-3, 7-6...Not 2-1, 1-0...You say the Devils were successful doing this, your right, they played the trap and EVERYONE in the hockey world hated them for it, it made for tremdous BORING hockey and forced the NHL to make changes to try and make the game more fun...
This team has problems scoring, its no secret.
I'd rather see the bottom six look like this:
Foligno - Condra - Butler
Smith - Konopka - Neil
But as someone else said, it's sort of two third lines as they have it now.
And as for Eklund suggesting Ottawa will trade Anderson at the deadline - hasn't everyone realized by now he's just a site hit junkie??
Why did you even bring up his name, you actually went on his site?
This worries me too and I wouldn't be any less excited about the season if Mika started the season in Bingo... I hope they are sure it is the best thing for his development, not just to put asses in the seats. Maybe they want to give him a 9 game taste even if they are 80% certain he'll go down for development anyways.
He was just replying to someone else who said they read that shit on that shit site.
Normally 18 year olds that come in this league have only playing against kids close to the own age ..Mika's played in MENS league relax already Mika will be fine are you not watching the games Mika is are best player most nights.. Wonder if Mika could win the Calder :) playing with Alfie and MM9 wont hurt
As for Mika - I'd be happy with a 9 game audition then send him to Sweden but not sure how that whole SEL contract works. I doubt he ends up in Bingo. Let him platoon with Da Costa for the first month or so and by then he knows what he has to work on etc.
Wow. Maybe they are wanting him to not worry right now about a job with the big club but instead focus on playing, but I'm surprised Murray would put that out there publicly instead of waiting to see what happens.
Michalek - Spezza - Filatov
Greening - Da Costa - Alfredsson
Foligno - Regin - Butler
Condra - Konopka - Neil
Smith and Winchester as extra forwards (or dressing as there will likely be at least one injury)
Zibanejad will be in the SEL after a nice showing in his 9-game audition.
Phillips Lee
Cowen Karlsson
Rundblad Gonchar
Kuba/Carkner - if there are no injuries, one will be gone, the other in the press box. Possible exception if Rundblad ends up in Bingo (and he's cool with it). I don't think the team will "force" him down to Bingo just to keep Kuba and Carkner on the roster.
But like someone said on that site in response: Unless Alfie asks to be traded, it probably won't happen.
He (Murray) said ... Does not matter what he does in those 9 games, his game will improve significantly in the second half. The expression he used is that Zibenajad is a "player." The same words used by the other players during his first days in camp.
Z-Bad played in the SEL -- a men's league. He did not play in Jr... probably what Gord Miller was referring to...
If these young players have the mindset and the 'body frame' to play NHL hockey.. then why in the hell not. Especially in Ottawa's case with a re-build.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Travis-Yost/Scouting-Edmonton-and-Vancouver/134/38561
I wonder if Mika will be the new babysitter for the Alfredsson's?
I think Carks still has a place on this team, has anyone noticed his shot when he gets it off? He can really bring it, but you just don't see it much. That said I like him here as a 7th for games where toughness might be required. Smitty, ZK and Nailer can obviously more than hold their own, but having Carks some nights wouldn't hurt,
Really hope Rundblad plays Friday. I had already watched vids of him b4 he was a Sen. Couldn't believe (AND LOST MY MIND) when I heard BM pried him away from St.L at the draft. Hes got work to do, but he'll hold his own. Just wait, the kid can hit too. Got to love the options on the backend when on the PP.
Just thinking as I finish up here. You know who Kuba reminds me of now, Former Leaf
Cory Cross
Johne,
I enjoy your posts and look forward to your comments, but Carkner can still play, and he must be ahead in your lineup over Kuba... the real question is how do we get rid of Kuba?
He can play but we are DEEEEEEEEP with dmen and yes I'd put him ahead of Kuba on the depth chart, but here is why Kuba is here to stay: No one wants him, he is paid $4 mil.
Carkner is easier to get rid of, simple as that.
ok I get your resoning now, but who will fill in for his toughness, when opposing teams take the runs at Rundblad, Karlsson, Gonchar... will Phillips...No.. .Kuba, thats a good laugh... and I do not want Cowen in the box at all, so I say we find a way to keep him, and sit Kuba...IMO
First of all PM really does skate the boys, and is putting a stamp on conditioning, and skating at both ends, so expact fast pace, forchecking hockey. But more importantly, there really was an obvious sense of FUN, by most if not all the players... after just being skated into submission, most if not all of the players stuck around after practice, shooting, passing, keep away, and the fun shootout. They were interacting with the fans, and unlike last year they were really enjoying themselves.
If anything, I really believe that all that talk of problems in the room after our cup run, is all gone, and these guys will, if anything, fight for every point this year, and at the very least put in a solid effort every game... which is a lot more than most nights last year!
and Konopka/Neil
This team won't be pushed around.
Unless Lessard is called up to practice with them again ;)
Magnus Pääjärvi would look good in sens uniform
Pääjärvi-Zibane jad-Alfredsson
Edmonton is beyond desperate for D right now, might be the perfect opportunity to move someone. Paajarvi would be amazing, but I doubt they'd move him without Karlsson or Rundblad going back to them. Maybe Linus Omark though, or Sam Gagner, or even just a pick because we know it will be high.
tookie man, any hockey is more exciting than no hockey...we have so many kids on the team that are here to skate their asses off...possibili ty of tons of breakaways in either direction...whe ther the break away is for us or against us its bound to get your heart pumping...Some of us haven't had a chance to see the team grow from within...the fact that we have so many possibilities/q uestion marks makes this team exciting to me...
These guys will make plenty of mistakes. Sometimes Anderson will make the save and bail them out, sometimes he won't be able to. Sometimes they'll take a chance and it will pay off with a sweet goal, sometimes it will backfire and we'll look stupid.
I don't expect Tookie to enjoy the games much this year, but I know I will.
lol. Atta boy Big Country for stepping in.
I think Z. Smith is Mike Fisher 2.0, better grinder and fighter, not as good of a shot, but he still can fire it. He'll score 20+ goals in this league
Speaking of which FOLIGNO BETTER SCORE 20 this year.
Zibanejad has to stay at #2 center, and play at least 15 minutes a night. Kid is FEARLESS! We have never had a player quite like him as our #2 center, he seems EXPLOSIVE! Could very well put up 50 or so points!
Noticed the Stash is doing something (involuntary shudder).... CC did that drove me insane. So far Stash rolled the top 2 forward lines while on the PP. Breaking down to, Spezz on one unit and Alfie on the other. I really hope that doesn't continue. Alfie and Spezz should be together on the PP. But it was preseason so time will tell.
no wonder you enjoy watching the Leafs play. With Reimer in net this year, that's a guaranteed 4 goals against each and every night. Makes for exciting hockey.
As for guys to bring in. Not getting Hall, Eberle or RNH. Be sick if BM could work something for Paajarvi, Gagner or Hemsky. Any of the 3 would be awesome to have here. Hemsky is a UFA so if it doesn't work and he gets hurt again, See yea, no hard feelings. Gagner might be expendable now with emergence of all the young talent. Would have to be a blockbuster if MPS was involved, Any trade involving Blads would infuriate me. I think Cowen to is a rare commodity so he stays too
As for the Nucks unless they want to dangle Burrows I can't see a trade happening that would help both teams. Sturm however looked good in the preseason for them, he was on my list of FA that I'd sign if in BM position.
But if they were to do Kuba for Higgins. DONE
They are close to cap so we'd have to take salary back.
So Gagner,Hemsky,M PS,Burrows,Stur m or Higgins. As long as we trade Kuba in WHATEVER PACKAGE
Maybe he should move to Toronto. After all some of their fans think they have the best team in the NHL and they are going to the Cup Final?
as far as Calder voting is concerned ?
Nope!
Unless we start adding players to make some sort of package including Kuba. Maybe someone like Butler, Regin, Winchester, Foligno, Neil, Carkner. Any one of those players along with Kuba could get you a solid player from Edm. I would love Paajarvi. His speed would help him fit in under PM's new fast hockey style. Imagine a second line with Paajarvi-Zibane jad-Alfie. And eventually have Silverberg replace Alfie. That would be such a fast and tough line to play against.
But of course these are all dreams of mine.
But the sens really do have an unbeleivable amount of talent in the organization
Roberto Luongo
Mason Raymond
for
David Rundblad
Craig Anderson
Peter Regin
Chris Neil
This is one of those comments where i wish i could give more than one thumbs down
Based on the above B. Murray comment , it suggests that an earlier comment from Tim Murray, stating that there was only 1 spot available, was premature !! To me there are 2 or more spots available on this team this season .
Rockin Robert
Love too see what u had in mind kid lol Van would never do it cause besides Rundblad there's no value in that trade for the nucks ..
Nizzy, your posts don't usually bother me at all, but that Van trade proposal is fairly insane for a bunch of reasons.
Can't find any boxscores online...
Lost 3-4 in OT after leading 3-1
Outshot 43-14 lol
I'm simply stating which players I'd be interested in if I was BM. And that any trade would be a package involving Kuba.
Expendables (IMO): Regin, Smith, Winchester, Carkner.
Tradeables (IMO): Foligno, Gonchar, Lee
And to clarify, I don't particular want to see any of those guys go (some less than others) but if the return was right...
Of course, it won't happen.
Im just bored till friday come's its been a long off season ... To be honest I dont think Ottawa needs too make any changes I think this season isnt going to be as bad as people think ...Honestly the only player I think Ottawa should make a pitch for is Kyle Turris ..So dont go insane bud the shows about to begin
Hey Nizzy and Hax,
I think that we should start the show,
with what we have, and not trade for
any player!
The Rebuild is on, and we can adjust as we go,
and somehow either trade Kuba, or sit him for
a bunch of games. Could also send him to Bingo
for re-development and conditioning ( ha ha )
Rockin Robert
Honestly, I prefer Sportcentre over Sportsnet, but sometimes, it's frustrating how much they dislike Ottawa.
A little bit of Tuesday morning venting!
Hits are only from his Mom upstairs... Why would we trade Alfredsson OR Spezza?
You know what's exciting? - our new Blue Chip Goaltender getting a win, with a .950 save%, against the defending Stanley Cup champs. OR, our new blue chip D-man, former defenceman of the year in the Swedish Elite league, getting the GWG from a point shot.
That, to me, is as exciting as it gets in Pre-season.
PS - the Cowen/Phaneuf fight...totally boring... I hate the thought that our rookie d-men would even think about defending each other.... BOOORRRIIINNGGG G (*tongue wedged in cheek)
as far as Calder voting is concerned ?
senskarlsson says Nope!
Do you really know this or are you just making it up as you go along ?,He has only played 24 NHL games and is only 24 years of age which fits the requirements set by the NHL
So if you know ,state how you know
Pretty sure he will be eligible but it's a moot point, Greening won't be competing for the Calder, I'm starting to compare him to Ryan Clowe a bit. Let's hope said comparison comes to fruition.