That should be an extra special night at SBP as defenceman Chris Phillips is also expected to play his 1000th game in the National Hockey League- every one of them in an Ottawa Senators uniform. And while it will be a fun week with significant milestones and old friends in town, these are going to be huge games for a slumping Sens team.
With just 27 games to go, and the teams behind them rapidly closing the gap, the Sens have to find a way to pick up some points with the Blues, Predators and Oilers coming to town. Ottawa is just 3 points up on ninth place Washington but the Caps have three games in hand.
There was more juggling in the forward ranks this morning as Colin Greening found his way back on to the top line with Spezza and Michalek while Condra joined Turris and Alfredsson. Here is how MacLean lined up the forwards at practice.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Condra-Turris-Alfredsson
Foligno-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Konopka-O'Brien
We have seen MacLean name his starter a day in advance before but after practice this morning he would not announce his goalie for tomorrow night against St. Louis. While he will consider going to Auld, the coach made it clear there is no chance Lehner will be recalled.
- The NHL Trade Deadline is now just three weeks away and the status of the Ottawa Senators remains largely undetermined. I would not classify this team as a seller but I don’t think they fit in with the buyer category either. Have said it a few times but I do not expect Murray to make a significant splash prior to the February 27th deadline.
- Jesse Winchester did not skate with the team at practice this morning. He continues to suffer the effects of a concussion. Brian Lee was on the ice but skated on the extra defense pairing with Bobby Butler.
Michalek is one we need to get going again. We need his point production to pick up if we have any chance. Any word on what is ailing Spezza because he does not look like his usual self and his ice time indicates something is up.
We won't be "selling" Michalek. Or Neil. And I doubt anyone will "buy" Gonchar. Phillips shouldn't and won't be sold or bought.
Otherwise your post was bang-on.
On another note, sorta off topic, but I bought a 8 week old Jack Russell on the weekend and thinking of calling him Alfie :) Any thoughts ?
They gotta sit back, take a breath and realize that we are still in an OK position right now. But the losing streak ends tomorrow night.
Win these next 3 and we went 3-1-1 on the homestand.
A big IF, but they can do it...and it can't be one guy, the whole TEAM has to get going.
After all, the playoffs is what you play for...
Go Sens!!!!!!!
If you were MacLean, what would you do with the goalies? Personally, I think he has himself in a bit of a pickle. He has been giving Anderson EVERY game, and even after an L he is getting a chance to redeem himself. But, in the stretch we are having, it's almost the reverse affect on him mentally. They need to give him a rest, let Auld play. But from a standings point, every point is SO much more critical now than before because we've let the teams below us gain ground. Anderson needs the rest, but we are more apt to get a Win with Anderson in net. Therein lies the problem.
Quoting Hax:
Quoting Hax:
MM9 is having a career year. Doubt he produces like this again and not sure he fits into the long term plan. Neil is great but Smith is the newer younger version of him. I think Kuba can get us something good and you're right Gonchar will be a salary back deal
Neil is a heart and soul guy.. that is really missed when he is out of the lineup.
If the Sens are out of the top 8 by the deadline.. sell. They need that 2nd round pick back.
If you are buying.. defense that can skate.
Did we not see the other night how bad Phillips, Gonchar & Carkner are against speed?
If they play against the Blues the way they did against the Leafs.. 5-0 score will be flattering.
St. Louis has very good forwards, good defense and good goalies.. They are a much better team than the Leafs.. and one of the hottest teams in the league.
Nashville is hard to play against... and with Edmonton.. we are back to the speed factor.
So if they don't smarten up and get back to playing simple hockey.. instead of trying to be too fancy and not working hard and smart.. they will be looking at a 9-game losing streak pretty fast.
Not trying to be too negative.... just realistic.
Also.. a thought.. are they 'scratching' Butler because of his play? or are they showcasing O'Brien?
Speaking based on stats on what other people have posted on HF boards and on this site, Silfverberg seems to be more than just a lock for the big team next year. However, we hyped up a lot of players (ala Rundblad) and was wondering whether Silfverberg will be able to contribute offensively ( and defensively) by next year?
I know Rundblad will still be a force in the NHL, one day.
However do you think Silfverberg will have to go through the same process that Rundblad has been going through...Will he be staying in the AHL for a year? or does he really have the ability to contribute right away? he's destroying the SEL as we speak, but so was Rundblad...I know they play different positions , different style, etc..but still .
Has anyone seen him play ? Does he fit in some other players' mold?
I would love to think he'd challenge for the Calder.. but i really don't want to get carried away. What's your opinion?
More than Michalek, I think the sens need to get Smith's line back to its threatening posture.
not too long ago, ottawa thrived on Smith's line coming out and being a significant presence every game. They would create scoring chances, setup momentum, dominate in the offensive zone, play hard and physical and best of all get the sens sweet PPs. But in recent times, smith has dried out, except for his wicked shot against NYI, partly because the carousel they created with his wingers. What sucks for the sens is that due to forward injuries and demotions, they have thin depth at wing all of a sudden. Before, you could always try Regin up and down the lineup, or Da Costa or put winchester in the middle of the 4th. Konopka is decent, but I think he loses focus when he gets into the offensive zone due to ridiculously crap skating.
however, a goalie fix is super necessary now because everyone knows that the capability to win games is there as long as there is decent goaltending available.
as far as D goes, Carkner is super slow and they should really put Brian Lee in. Teams are realizing now that Carkner slows the sens down and they are putting their fastest guys out against him.
Michalek is 26 years old and he's signed at a reasonable cap hit for the next two years. He's exactly the kind of player we should be looking for. Neil will run out his contract here unless he draws significant interest NEXT deadline.
I don't get the notion that Smith simply replaces Neil. Just because Smith is willing to drop the gloves every once in a while doesn't make him the next Chris Neil. Not to mention that Smith is a great PK guy who you wouldn't want in the box 5 min per game.
Carkner will be available at the deadline if there are any takers (unlikely). Would be nice for Auld to put in a couple of solid games so we could move him at the deadline too.
Are you not happy with Anderson? I really don't think he should be carrying the blame for the losing streak. He hasn't been the problem IMO.
Ales Hemskey is in his last year at 4.1 and gonchar could be exactly what edmonton needs. we give a chance to hemsky to prove himself and a second the other way to make up for teh price tag.
With the way STL and NSH have been playing this year, I really don't expect us to do too well against them. Hate him or love him, Elliot has bounced back this year, and is one of the sole reasons for their success. Realistically, should we win these games? Of course. Will we win though? I wouldn't get my proline ticket on it.
Still think we'll make it into the playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed. Can't see us going any higher with the way NJ/PITT/PHI are playing though.
Problem is the Sens don't have a 2nd for this next draft.. they gave that up for Turris... which turned out to be a good deal even though I was against it at first.
2nd -- Hemsky is the second coming of Glascal Leclaire. He may be talented.. but one good hit and he's out with injury.
Anthony Stewart is on waivers. He was a good prospect at one time... could the Sens do something with him?
This year's draft has a lot of defenseman... the more the merrier.
was referring to the backup situation. anderson bears no blame for the losing streak, however he is burnt out and therefore unable to make some of the saves he was making during the win streak. but its probably more because that he is being hung out to dry too much and its finally catching up
Very vaild point but I thought there could be a chance that he maybe over the worse of injuries. Secondly I though we were to receive a 2nd round that was part of the Fisher deal since they advanced in the playoffs? or was it a 3rd?
Since they won the first round of the playoffs we get their 3rd round pick this year. I think they had to make it to the Western Final or the Stanley Cup Finals in order for us to get their 2nd rounder this year.
I think Alfie and Turris are playing too much, they play better with less ice. A "Relaxed" #19 has got to do better!
It's a scarey thought to put Auld in net against a very good Blues team. As for Spezza.. let's hope he is over his flu and food poisoning... he does need to be better.. as well as the Sens defense...
kidding...or am i??
As an aside, it was horrible that over 90% of the fans at the game against Toronto were Maple leaf fans. I encourage every senator fan not to give away their tickets to Toronto or Montréal fans. In fact lets buy more tickets so that we do not have to face the embarrassment of fans in SBP booing our captain.
I think we make it in as 7 or 8 seed, but we have to be smart with our moveable assets right now.
if they won all those three games: 30-18-7...67 pts..that probably puts them up in 4th or 3rd east.
if they even get OTLs in each of those three games: 27-18-10: thats 64 pts, still good for upto 5th in the east.
sens need to right the ship NOW. game against toronto was the last margin they had. now the loss margin is gone. any more losses and its going to push us out and keep us out. wins from here on in and we are in the dance.
and I think this team can do it. to me atleast, all they need to do is whack some sense into themselves. then bench carkner because he unfortunately is just wayyyy too slow, i think hal gill probably looks like a cheetah compared to carkner. then before the 27th either get lehner up or get a backup. and then slam the door shut, get the recipe from december going and enjoy the fun.
Silfverberg has been compared to Zetterberg strong 2 way game has a rocket for a shot could honestly be one of the best picks Ottawa Senators have ever made
Sell high ! Sell Michalek. We have young guns coming in the future. Keep Neil. He's one of the few vets on this team with heart game-in-game-ou t.
It's not an enjoyable experience to sit there when the fights happen all the time. The Leaf fans are confrontational & arrogant.. when they get drunk they are even worse. Add to that the Sens fans that get drunk and the fights happen.
There is more police presence at those games than at any other...
There was a 'drunk' behind us in a 2nd level box the other night. When they were doing the ceremonial puck drop for DIFD.. he stood up.. kept pointing at Alfie and screaming obsenities about him at the top of his lungs. (Even the Leaf fans were shaking their heads). There was so much utter rage in his face.. we were scared with what he would do if approached to shutup. That's not an environment you want to sit a whole game in and also not to take your children.
What gets them so angry?
Alfie's hit on Tucker about 10 yrs ago.. who sold that good? Neil has had more questionable hits against Leaf players and they don't boo him.
Are they angry about the fake throwing the stick in the crowd? What is worse.. pretending to throw your stick or ACTUALLY throwing your stick.. like Sundin did -- into the crowd of Leaf fans a lot of whom have their children with them.
Have they had so little to cheer about in the last 10 yrs.. that the only thing to keep them going is their hate for Alfie? What pathetic lives they must lead.. full of so much hate and anger.
There is one more Leaf game left at SBP this season.. Mar 17th.. (Unfortunately I have tickets for that as well). It's probably too late for Sens fans to buy tickets.. but next season... take back our arena. This is getting ridiculous. IF Sens fans buy up the tickets before Leaf fans get them... then all of the above just about becomes a non-issue.
Could not agree more I was at the game on the weekend and it was enfuriating to see those filthy classless leaf fans raid our building and boo our captain. It pissed me off more than the loss. Leafs Suck!!!
The Leafs had a decent January when the Sens were losing... one of the reasons for that is that they only had 3 road games in all of January.. It gets a lot harder for them in Feb & Mar... we will know if they are for real by the trade deadline.
Still think they took it easy on Reimer. Kept shooting low or into his chest... They needed to go high.. and they never did or they missed the net..
yea. i think they shot way too much high on him based on last game's turris sneaker that got past him. it was too late before they realized that shooting hard low can yield some juicy rebounds because all reimer was doing was dropping and blocking. Only Alfie with the first shot of the game tried the earliest low shot.
i dont agree with people saying the team is out of gas, they were not out of gas against Boston, just two games prior.
then out comes carkner, gets caught against kessel. sens then absolutely bomb the pk, much like they did against boston on the tying goal (marchand on phillips). and the momentum is all but gone. but still, i think the sens tried hard. in the end the leafs were good at playing the trap and making sure the sens did not get to play their speed transition passing game therefore keeping the sens to the outside mostly. all reimer had to do was just block the shots.
this is where i blame the sens for not getting smart, they did not at this point try hard enough down 2-0 to get to Reimer's front.
if people don't believe me, thats fine. i just feel some people here are over analyzing the situation and are getting carried away with a loss to the leafs. take the full six game losing stretch as one and you will see the glaring deficiency really has been:
1. slowly getting lazier and not digging in enough -not changing strategy against the leafs.
2. the weak points in the defense getting exposed: carkner and phillips
3. anderson getting burnt out.
4. the powerplay absolutely shitting itself. this probably is one of the biggest underlying causes.
Again: 26 isn't young enough to qualify as a "young gun"?
Then why not dump Spezza too and replace him with some 14 year old?
Murray needs to trade for someone who is young and fits long term in this team and just the playoffs.
Here are some names that I can come up with.
Forwards
1.Chris Stewart
2.Eric Fehr
3.Tuomo Ruutu
4.Rick Nash (Offseason move I know it cost allot to get Nash
but would look good playing along side Spezza.)
I wonder what it would take to get Chris Stewart out of St.Louis?
Here some options for defencemen.
1.Johnny Oduya
2.Niclas Grossmnan
3.Joni Pitkanen
4.Bryan Allen
5.Andy Sutton (old but I would rather see somone younger)
6.Hal Gill (I know he is slow like a pylon and old but
might be good same as Sutton rather see
someone youner like for example Niclas
Grossman.)
I know that the Senators are one of the bigger teams in the nhl this year and one of the mor physical teams but I would like to see Murray add one more play with size.
They should be happy about the hit 10 years ago since (I thought it was on Domi) it won them the game when Domi/Tucker ripped open his own face to get the extra call.
As for the stick toss - Alfie and Sundin were and still are very good friends. He made that jesture actually to sort of support Sundin in that the suspension was a bit silly. Leaf fans took it as familiarity with one of the few classy guys to wear the blue and white in the last 30 years so it angered them.
I hate the booing too but I've seen enough interviews with Alfie to know he doesn't mind it and even sort of relishes it at times - so let them boo one of the greatest gentlemen to ever play the game. It just proves why 95% of leaf fans suck. The guys booing Alfie with such rage (nothing wrong if they want to boo in general IMO) are the same losers that you see wearing their Tucker jersey to a Sens/Blues game.
Mark my words, there will be at least a dozen leaf jerseys there tomorrow night. THOSE are the guys that other leaf fans are ashamed to be associated with. Those are the guys that focus more on being the center of attention than on supporting their own team.
I actually don't hate leaf fans when it's Sens v. Leafs as much as I hate them when they're trolling our barn at non-leaf games.
We all know Elliot doesnt play well here so if the sens can actually score a first period goal and get in his head early, they can break this streak. all in all this losing streak isnt too bad, as long as it ends NOW. after six straight losses and only one point we sit in 7th and if the other teams get every point in the games in hand, 9th (barely) with a fine chance of keeping pace with Washington or Florida. Considering the inexperience of the rookies and that our vets are all prone to inconsistent play, this losing streak isnt all that huge of a surprise. I think that pitiful display against the leafs was rock bottom, the team realizes it and the climb starts again tomorrow.
Anthony Stewart is on waivers... Is it worthwhile to pick him up? I know he's not have a good season..
Yeah 5-0 I know and we played brutal in our own zone, but we had like 50 shots. That's got to count for something no?
Not saying we deserved to win, but if Reimer had let one through early on it could have been a different game.
totally agree with you. basically same thing i said in post above. if sens bury even one of those first two PPs, we would be like cheerleaders right now.
out of the 49 shots, how many were scoring chances? Reimer had the easiest 49 save game in NHL history.
How does it make me not a fan for wanting to get assets for players that are either valuable in a trade (Neil) or not an asset to the team (Phillips). Ask yourself if you are comfourtable having Phillips on the ice in a 1 goal game? For the money we are paying him, he is not pulling half his weight. Sens need to sign their RFAs this summer (Karlsson, Foligno), next summer is Turris and Smith. We need to allocate our money wisely. I am just saying to treat the team as a business. What matters is winning, maybe not right now but eventually. Get assets when you can and maximize your return on players playing way above their mean. While I don't want to trade Neil, he is a player that can be replaced and can also get assets back to the Sens in terms of picks that we need in this draft. We only have our 1st and Nashville's 3rd in the first 3 rounds at the moment.
FREEBIRD !
Did they count the shots that missed the net or something?
was it a leafs fan taking count?
Quoting spezzerman:
so to clarify because again people seem to have watched only the parts of the game where the sens got scored on and not the rest of it. paul maclean himself said that the sens got good chances, they just didnt get any second chances. what does that mean? that the leafs were trapping it up and boxing it up. it was a good risk because they have big d-men and a big goalie, so they took the gamble that no senator would sneak to the front of the net. and thats exactly what happened. the other thing: sens only shot high, no low shots until very late in the game. shot would come in, drop and get cleared instantly. i have been saying it repeatedly, the sens started the game on a strong note, much like the oilers started today against the leafs, its the stupid mistakes the sens make and the fuckup of the PP that cost the game.
and yes the sens did take that many shots.
btw i'm a craig anderson fan and i'm happy he's here, and his value is what we thought it would be.
We don't have a 2nd round pick, and it would be nice to replace that.
I think we should give Gryba, Borowiecki and Wiercioch some time down the stretch to see where they stand going into next season.
i would rather the sens try to sell gonchar to a cup contender, he is closer to retirement and the perceived value is much higher than Kuba. obviously at 5 mil per remaining for one more year is a hard sell. But i think he is not earning his full keep on this sens team. he is making money karlsson should be making yet he is producing at 1/4th of karlsson's pace.
honestly, i think the sens should keep kuba around.
i know im going to get flack for this but somehow phillips needs to go too. the longer he stays the more he will damage the sens blueline because his play is on the steepest decline of all sens defensemen. even though what shocks me is that he has surpassed his point total from last year.
watched the toronto game and if only the oilers had better D...Hall has some crazy acceleration and a wild wild release on the rush. this guy is already terrorizing defenses and one day he is going to be the real bull, people will forget ovechkin.
FREEBIRD !
That would be all too familiar of last season's selling of all old vets(fisher, kovalev, kelly, ruutu) except on defense.
In doing so, we would almost have the calder cup champs playing in ottawa! Just bring up Lehner, then fill the cast with stone, silfverberg, and zibby... Build the chemistry and make a cindarella run for the ages!...
and back to reality. None of that will or can happen. we will trade carkner or kuba. Mid 3rd or 4th rounder. Maybe a late 2nd from someone desperate. If we aquire a decent prospect instead, i would be amazed. But as proven above, i can dream.
Trading for nash or trading/signing off season for parise i say is the ultimate goal. But again, dreaming. Geez, must be time for bed.
As for the Sens right now, they are not this bad. But Anderson is tired, the pp is struggling and a few bad habits have creeped into their game.
1. Not back checking.
2. Not moving their feet leaving little options for passes in all 3 zones of the ice.
3. SLOW decision making.
Example: Against the islanders, when we were in their zone NOBODY WAS MOVING and whenever we needed to pass it quick to the blue line to have them chip in back in deep we didnt make that pass right away. Instead we'd wait too long then try and by then the Isles forwards were attacking our d.
4.Net presence. We haven't had any for a while. Need to get back to gritty cycle game that HEADS TO THE NET, instead of just cycling and slowly retreating to the blue line.
5.PLAYING SMART. Against the Leafs they shot too much from the peremeter. Worse is when they had the odd chance they shot low middle right into Reimer. The only place the guy can make a save.
Sens just need to work on these areas and theyll be fine.
GET TO WORK SENS!
I haven't gone to one of those games in forever... Ever since a flag waving Leaf fan incident..
It's worked out better anyhow, with the 6 games between the Habs and leafs, I basically pay my entire season ticket for the rest of the year..
It's ridiculous the amount people will pay to go to those games...
Phillips play is falling fast. Soon he will be treated like Corvo, Kuba (last year), and Lee. Do you really want to see that?
So corny and lame, plus it would be an insult to Alfie.
Nash would be worth the price, and the Sens have the assets to make such a trade. I'd love to watch Nash play regularily.
Knowing this, should Murray make another trade to shake the tree to get this team going again? I say DO IT.
You might call me crazy but the player BM should get is Andrei Kostitsyn. This guy never had the chance to play with a real number 1 center in his career. I'm sure MacClean would find a way to get him going. Do it BM.
Go SENS Go
No doubt we do have the pieces to make this happen!
Michalek
Foligno
Z-bad
Puemple
for
Nash
People who think its not worth it, need to give they're heads a good shakin!
It makes this team instant contenders while still having plenty of prospects to develop or insert into the line up next year.
Nooooooooo Andrei Kostitsyn!!!!!
If there is a way to keep Zinby that would be great. But ya Nash would look awesome with Spezza
Michalek being traded or not should not even be a discussion. We need him. He's our biggest scoring threat and one of a very small group of top 6 forwards we actually have.
It's just like last year. Happy fans when we're winning. As soon as we're losing and EVERYONE (more or less) is playing poorly, people somehow start heaping it on guys like Michalek, who as we have seen, is sensational when he's healthy and playing with good linemates. People also seem to forget how hard it would actually be to IMPROVE upon Michalek in a trade...
No, we are not trading Michalek. End of story.
Only if the Sens go out and get Ben Bishop.. then run with Bishop & Lehner...
Those 50 shots were mostly from the outside.. and no real chance at rebounds.. other than a couple. They were outskated big time other than a few spots.
All I know is the league has to start reviewing goals called back for goaltender interference. That Smyth goal last night was a good goal.. but the refs waived it off due to goaltender interference... but considering Smyth was cross-checked into Reimer.. not any other place he could go. Would have made it 3-2 for Edmonton.
With the standings real close -- those mis-calls can't happen.
Usually I don't pick on Tookie like everyone else, but this is silly.
On paper, that trade makes us a contender, but it's not like getting Nash would solve our defensive issues. Also, Foligno is finally hitting his stride. Zbad has a very high ceiling and who knows about Puempel. Michalek could be a 40 goal scorer under the right circumstances.
I shook my head. I love Nash but I still don't think he's worth dismantling a rebuild for and I don't think he instantly makes us a contender/elite ).
Contenders? It's not like we aleady have a solid defense core. Other than Karlsson and Cowen, we don't have much back there next year. I say we are more in the needs of 2 solid stay home defensemen to solify our top 4 D's for years to come.
With the offensive talents coming in next year (Silverberg, Zibby) and possibly (Stone, Pageau etc), we are set in the offense for years to come.
If you want to sign a free agent and pay big money, try to get Shea Webber.
Colorado has a couple of extra defencemen & need some young forwards since they are also rebuilding. Filatov, Butler plus something else (Regin) might be able to return Quincy. Quincy is in his prime & younger than Kuba with a few more pts & plays the same position LD.
Konopka, Carkner & Auld could be moved for late round picks to use at the draft. thos would be the lineup for the remainder of the yr & whoever else gets healthy enouh to play or doesn't get traded. Next yr Zibanejad & Silfverberg replace Daugavins & Winchester in the lineup.
Greening - Spezza - Michalek
Voracek - Turris - Alfredsson
Foligno - Z. Smith - Condra
Daugavins - O'Brien - Neil/Winchester
Quincy - Karlsson
Phillips - Gonchar
Cowen - Lee/Boroweicki
Anderson - Lehner
Yes that would be great aswell!
Ending up in 9th place will be painful but at least we proved all those "experts" wrong...
One thing do worries me, it's Cowen's play of late. He seems really tired and his decision making on the ice is nowhere he was one month ago. Give him a few extra days of rest from time to time now that Lee is ready to come back.
Can't wait to see which Sens teams will face the Blues tonight.
How are you going to pay for Karlson's contract and Webber as well.
Rick Nash is a once in a lifetime "Franchise Superstar", not just a highly touted prospect. He is also signed for another 6 years. Picking-up a couple of better than average stay-at-home d-man is not even close to impossible task to accomplish. Getting Nash probably is.
A player, a first round pick, and a good prospect could do it!
If you as a player could not get up for that game, then you should have your heart checked.
Truth is they were the much better team that night, also truth is if it was not of Anderson this year to steal about 10 wins we would be well out of the playoffs.
We are well above expectations, and plenty of our youth has also been the main reason for this, so keep on the plan.
Stop the "we should be buyers" theories we had from before the break and get back on the rebuild.
Yes I still believe that we can make the playoffs, but I want to make it with this group, no new rental, top 6, top 4 d-man.
In fact as some have said lets dump our vets who will not be here when we have our dynasty in a couple of years, and who could give us something in return.
Kuba - will get us a strong return, playing well and at the end of a contract
Gonchar - might get us little in return, but would be happy to get rid of his contract, and see what a young propect can do
Philips - his time has passed, he is a liability out there, doubt he can be moved, but we should try
Carkner - hate to see him go but may yeild something
Lee - make a decision one way or the other, he has proven to be an NHL player, either play him or trade him
This will allow us to continue to evaluate our young prospects, keep trying to make the playoffs, and see where we end up... IMO of course
Completely agree,
dollar for dollar he is a great player and signed for a few more years... a bargain!
It is hard to count them out for sure. While the teams that were below us are on a current surge, there is still a position available for the final spot. I'm not expecting they will be claiming back the 6th or 7th. Nobody can doubt they've had a great season, and if they've been able to pull off the win streaks before, they can do it again. Remember, the teams like TO and NJ that are doing well, will eventually hit the wall again and slide back. It happens, it's the way it works. I expect in the next week, TO will hit a bad string of games again, along with NJ and even Pitts (depending on Crosby's situation) and Ottawa will find it's wheels. In the end, it'll be a battle between 7th and 8th right to the last game. But don't count out Washington making that push as well. I think it'll be a toss up. The Jets haven't played 500 hockey all year, so I don't expect them to make a push. Tampa is a gamble, but as strange as this sounds, I think if anyone will make it interesting come game 82 it could be the Islanders.
Cowen like so many players on the sens don't have the experience to deal with the long grind of an NHL season. This team thrived on the energy the youth contributed. Combined with a loosing streak the wind has been knocked out of their sails. Its time for the vets to step-up their game and provide the spark the younger players need at this time of the season.
I have a theory about why Leafs fan hate on Alfie so much. I don't think its Alfie, it's the symbol that Alfie is for this Senators franchise, and how much they have accomplished in the last 20 years. THAT...is what the Leaf fans really hate, not Alfie as a player per say.
Lets face it, they are fans of an original 6 six team that hasn't had much going for them in the last 45 years (except for a couple of good playoff runs in the early 90s). Modern day....this team really has no identity or more specifically say franchise heroes/captains . ALFREDSSON is exactly that for the Sens, and for that reason the Leafs fan base despise him. They latched onto a couple of ridiculous circumstances (Tucker hit, stick throw) to jusitfy the booing and rage they display, But in the end, they are just jealously hurting inside and wish they had a similar symbol to cheer for on their team.
Phillips play is falling fast. Soon he will be treated like Corvo, Kuba (last year), and Lee. Do you really want to see that?
Yea, they NEED to trade him. Phillips and Gonchar are the most overpaid and useless D on the sens D-corps right now. Phillips is a shell of his former self. he is absolutely easy to play against. He is easily beat in the most ridiculous spots. whats there to like? seriously? a team like edmonton could really use him. sens have no use for him. he actually is an example now of exactly what not to do on the ice.
agree with miguel's post about trading D. its funny, at the beginning of the year, sens defense depth looked rock solid. but right now for some weird reason it just looks so thin. maybe its because wiercioch hit a thud, rundblad got traded and we have not seen much of Gryba up here. It seems like BM finally got his puck mover(s) but lost his shutdown D.
I was saying just this weekend that if we were to get a dog I'd like to name it Alfie. Perfect name, go for it!
PRAISE ALFIE.
Agreed, and I wrote a plee to Chirp for help
I'm sorry..."we all know Elliott can't play well here"? I assume you mean he didn't play well for the Senators, right? Cause if your implying that somehow the layout of SBP or the condition of the ice or arena lighting or even the distracting ice-girls is somehow responsible for Elliot not "playing well" in this building as a visiting goalie.... then I'm confused at your logic.
I expect Elliott to play as good as he has all year with St. Louis, regardless of what "building" he is playing in.
Great test coming tonight in one of the better all around teams in the league.
It's going to be a difficult decision for Murray at the deadline because, as has been said, we're not really buyers nor are we sellers. I'd suggest we get rid of the dead weight in Kuba and Carkner, as well as Winchester & Regin if there's any interest in them. This team still needs a scoring top 6 winger and a strong defensive top 4 dman. Not much point getting anything other than that these days. Let Boro, Gryba, O'Brien, Peterson, Lehner, Da Costa and Weircioch get some time over the last 25 games to start preparing for next year and let the standings fall where they may.
Do we know who is starting in nets? for both teams?
Halak is the starter for the Blues and I would assume we see Anderson....aga in...
Except the Leafs had done that floating show for a number of years now. Even if that was the Sens fate this year, I don't see us doing the same dance (9th or 10th place finish) year after year like they did.
What do you expect Chirp to do? Buy 5000 tickets and give them away to Sens fans?
Buy your tickets and go to the games, its the only way it will get fixed!
Well if we have the same players, what makes you think we get any better? We need to solidify our top 4 D alnong with our top 6 with skill players. Right now we are lacking in both...
Unless Murray fixes that, we should be at the same level or worse next year (if you take into account that alot of players have overachieved this year and might not next year.)
Thx fellas, watch Elliott steal this game, haha would be fitting and big F U to Sens fans/Management for shitting on him!
This is not at all the impression I have recieved on the Blues.
I have not seen a whole lot of them, but I have heard that Hitchcock has them playing a very responsible defensive game, almost boring hockey, like he has done with previous teams in Dallas and Philly.
Which is part of the reason their goalies are having so much success.
But I thought it was confirmed that Elliot is playing tonight, and most likely Anderson again... I am sure Elliot will want to prove something tonight against his old team.
somethings are better left unsaid....thank s for attempting to jinx the game already
Don't you think adding a player like Nash is part of a rebuilding strategy? Generally you'd want to build around a player of his talents.
problem is that most Sens fans who have kids do not want to expose them to that brand of hooliganism, that is displayed when TO plays here.
Look we all have friends who are Leaf fans, and we all have some fun banter with them.
The problem is that some of these people who go to those games, are not going for the hockey, or the team, they are going to raise hell, and cause shit. Those are the problem ones
I even know leaf fans who do not want to go anymore.
No I do not know the answer on how to fix it, but I was hoping Chirp, or anyone else can devise some plan to keep those hooligans out.
I know it is easier said than done.
Sportsnet has been running the HOCKEY CENTRAL Trade Tracker for a few weeks now in anticipation of the Feb. 27 deadline. It comes as no surprise that some of the players discussed will not be moved. And I think we've been pretty honest in saying that. But one player who just might be in the mix is Columbus Blue Jackets winger Rick Nash, who continually plays down the fact he will never ask for a trade.
I have received a couple of calls from friends of Nash, who claim that Rick is very unhappy with the way the franchise is going and realizes it will take five more years to rebuild, again. Nash is now telling people close to him that he would entertain being moved, but still will not be the one who asks for a trade.
This would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Sens.
Yes. And while I know this will be a controversial statement, those season ticket holders who hand tickets to Habs and Leafs fans are part of the problem too. Shame on them, the least we could try to do is get ONE home game per year where the money grubbers actually hold their tickets or get them to Sens fans instead. We should organize this, one Laffs game and one Habs game per year. We could call them "Stop being grubby scalper retards and support your team" nights.
Being there on Saturday was BRUTAL. While I know it is immature I got into several scuffles with the Blue&White retards and my friend got kicked out, but at least we were there to cheer the Sens and fight the Blue & White.
For what the price would be I'm not much of a Nash fan. IMO we need a grittier higher tempo player like a Bobby Ryan.
That being said it is hard to predict how much crazy chemistry him and Spezz might generate.
The upside of landing nash would be it would *infuriate* Leafs nation.
We do have better prospects than the Leafs, no doubt about it, so if we wanted him, we should be able to outbid Burke...
Yeah I'm just worried by teams like LA, NYR, BOS, VAN who have tons of valued players.