There are even suggestions that this may not even be the last deal for the Sens Captain. However, when he does decide to hang ‘em up, the Sens will be missing the most important player in franchise history. The longevity, stability and leadership that Alfie brought has given this franchise respectability after so many years of embarrassment as one of the league’s doormats.
Candidate #1 – Jason Spezza
Some may think that Spezza isn’t Captain material. Spezza has been a target for Sens fans and media since the days of Jacques Martin. Criticized for his defensive play and untimely turnovers, there are some in the City that fail to see the growth Spezza has had as a player, and as a leader on this franchise. As an example last year, Spezza was leading the league in face-offs at certain points and had a great face-off percentage (53.5%). In fact, Spezza won the second most face-offs in the league with 909 face-off wins. Now, face-off percentage is not really a criterion of being a great leader, but the fact that Spezza has taken concentrated efforts to improve his game are. It shows a commitment to winning, and that’s the type of culture Alfie had brought to the Sens. We need to continue this.
With all due respect to Alfie, Spezza is a much more vocal leader on the ice. At times during last season, it was clear that Spezza’s role has grown from cocky Mississauga teenager to one of the clear de facto leaders of this team. There were times when the camera would clearly show that Spezza was the guy that was motivating his teammates and instructing them on how he wants to execute plays. With the Sens roster seemingly getting younger, Spezza is a guy the prospects are looking up to going forward.
At 29, Spezza is the perfect age to be the next Captain. He has 9 years of NHL experience and he can lead our next generation of players as the prospect tree begins to fruit. He has been in front of the microphone since he was pubescent and his cliché hockey answers have been minimal in the last couple of years. He’s a media veteran that can shoulder the heat when things are bad for our team, but deserves our praise and respect when things go good. He has proven that he can handle the heat personally and has been able to turn that negativity into becoming a better player. There aren’t many that are as qualified as Spezza is for a hockey-crazed market like Ottawa.
Candidate #2 – Chris Phillips
Chris Phillips is a great person. A family man, an entrepreneur, and a reliable stay-at-home defenceman, he is an individual that has always had my respect. In some ways, leadership is all about respect. The media respects him, the fans respect him, and his teammates respect him. What more could you ask for?
Chris Phillips has played like a veteran for so many years that people have forgotten he still has some good years ahead of him. Under Paul Macleans new system, Phillips has had a bounce back season and can still contribute important minutes for the Sens. However, one of the more impressive qualities of the Big Rig is that he seems to perform in the clutch. Phillips seems to turn it up during the playoffs physically and has delivered some of the biggest goals in franchise history. In fact, during his 1000th game, he seemed to turn on that clutch performance mode and netted himself two goals. Chris Phillips knows what it takes to win and his leadership should be considered for the next Captaincy.
Candidate #3 – Sergei Gonchar
Ok. Three months ago, I would have never considered this to be an option. The reality is that Gonchar is a veteran that has helped many players in the past. His mentorship was glorified during Evgeni Malkin’s acceptance speech during the last NHL awards. Malkin, the league’s MVP, had high praise for Gonchar and this leadership should be noted. Due to his age, however, I don’t think he’s really in contention to lead this team going forward. I just wanted to give him props for what he deserves.
Candidate #4 – Erik Karlsson
Another Swedish Captain? Is he too young? I’m personally torn with this option for Captaincy. Despite being a Norris trophy winner, I still think Karlsson has room to grow as a player. He has been working out in Sweden with our Captain, and would represent our franchise admirably as our Captain because of his commitment to being so good. His evolution defensively gave him the chance to be considered a Norris trophy candidate. It was night and day comparing his last two seasons. He still has some awkward moments during interviews, but I see a young Alfie when I see Karlsson. I don’t think you’d miss with him as your next Captain.
Candidate #5 – Kyle Turris
I still think Turris has a lot to prove, but he’s such a good two-way player it’s hard not to consider him an option. I don’t know what the issues were in Phoenix, but all I’ve seen from Turris is a commitment to work hard and be the best he can be for this hockey club. He’s a longshot, but I’d consider giving him an Alternate Captain role down the road. His chances would have improved had he been drafted by the Sens.
Other
I really don’t think anyone else has stood out just yet to be a future leader. I have high hopes for Cowen and Noesson in the leadership department, but I haven’t seen them enough to make a call. They are so young that they may be replacing the Captain after Alfie. All I know is that our group looks good going forward.
Go Sens Go,
Chadillac
I too was a little surprised to not see mention of Neil. That guy bleeds Sens. Especially strange when you took the time to mention Gonch and Turris. Gonch is way passed his prime and has only been with the team 2 years, one of which he sucked pretty bad lol While I do agree with some of you assessment of Turris, I think it is way too early. Although, I love the upside and so far he is saying and doing all the right things. (really not sure what happened in Phoenix lol)
Neil will never get the C, he's a goon, he's not the type of player that usually inherits the C. Plus like others have mentioned, he doesnt need it, his style speaks for himself. I wouldnt want him with the C, it would force him to tone down his style.
Oh I completely agree that he would never get it and he is not the right type of player etc. But there is no denying the fact he is a leader on this team. I just thought he deserved honorable mention (especially since Gonch got a shout out lol)
Off topic... but Hockeyy Insiderr is saying Andre Meszaros has had surgery to repair a torn Achilles Tendon he injured while training in Europe.
So for the Flyers.. no Pronger, they lost Carle to UFA.. could not get Weber on the offer sheet.. now lost Meszaros for most of the season (if there is one).. so what now will they do?
Hockeyy Insiderr is also saying the Lightening have made an offer to the Wild for Heatley... why I don't know.. can't see that.. and the Leafs have made an offer to the Ducks for Getzlaf.. can't see that either.
How can you possibly not see the leafs making an offer for Getzlaf??? He would instantly put them into the top third of the east, and if they got a goalie they would be probably right at the top....now Anahiem accepting said offer who knows(I can't see anything worth him barring another Kessel style trade with a tonne of 1st round picks)
I could see the Leafs doing that, they desperately need that #1 C.
Also with Stevie Y at the helm, I wouldnt be surprised they (Tampa) pull off something like that. If there is 1 person who can get something out of Heatley, its Stevie Y.
Of course the Leafs will make an offer for Getzlaf.. the thing I can't see about it.. is the Ducks letting him go...
Phillips would be a step back, you don't become a leader through longevity alone. He doesn't bring that much else to the table at this stage.
Neil doesn't need a letter to make him a better leader. If anything giving him a C would be counter productive to what we want him to do.
Once Alfie leaves there needs to be a complete changing of the guard. Phillips is the old guard. We need to look to the future. That's Spezza and Karlsson.
Took us out of a lingering story on Regin, which was overdue.
Agree 100 % that Jason Spezza should become our next Captain
as soon as Alfredsson retires, be it next year or the year after !!
Do not agree with Tookie's comment calling Chris Neil a "goon" ! ?
To me Neil is the heartbeat of this team, and he is super aggressive, but has never been suspended during career in the NHL.
I can visualize Karlsson, replacing Spezza in 8-10 years as our Captain.
Who are the A's going foward?
So
Philips
and
Karlsson
Phillips
Neil
Spezza as C
Phillips as A (until he retires)
Cowen as A (replacing Phillips)
Karlsson as A
Pretty bang on imo.
Who knows though. By the time Alfie retires someone else off the map could have stepped up or we may bring in a more suitable player via free agency or trade. That's doubtful though. I've given up hope that we"ll ever be able to attract a top free agent player.
I've found out that EB Games will be having two players from each Canadian team attend a release event in their respective city for a ball hockey tournament. One of Ottawa's representatives will be none other than Norris winner Erik Karlsson. The two top teams in each city will also be coached by the players. I'm not sure of the exact location, but I'll be sure to post it when I know. I'm also looking into the chance of having an alternate cover created for each city, but again, nothing is for certain.
I'll keep y'all posted, it'll likely be official by the end of the week
Or Potentially Silfverberg becomes that guy, obviously pretty early to throw that name out there but ultimately, I'd like to see another long serving captain and it seems that a lot of teams are passing the leadership role to younger guys more often than not these daYs.
how do you miss chris neil on your list yet you have sergei gonchar who wont be here next year?
Downside? Ok I agree he's not 22 but for fuck sakes he's 28 and in his prime...Spezza is hardly on the downside, hell, he's got no help and hit 80+pts, imagine with help? He's far from declining.
spezza- might be the guy, needs to show more heart in his play, shows it at times but not every night like a captain should
phillips- Lets just say philips' play will start to deteriorate soon and you don't want your captain being a liability and possible benched because of his performance in the next few years, your captain should be a goto guy.
gonchar- 2013 wont be a sen
karlsson- he should be a assistant before even being considered as captain, needs to demonstrate leadership qualities
turris- A guy who walked out on his last team and he's not signed past next season... will he be a sen in 2013? i'd hope so but we don't know where turris wants to be. At this point i wouldn't even consider him for an assistant until he shows more dedication to the organization and on the ice. He's currently showing he'll dedicate himself to Ottawa but how much $$$ will he want next season? would the sens pay him $6 mill a season if he wanted it? i'm not sure they would.
guys who play with heart, michalek,neil,s mith,cowen,karl sson,daugivins these guys take a beating and keep ticking, a captain is a guy who leads by example and knows the rules of the game, not always the best player.
A-Neil
A-Phillips
in waiting..
A-Karlsson
Gonchar doesnt deserve it at all C or A
Turris, it is too soon for him
you should have posted this in 2009, you would have looked like a genius
Spezza- C
Karlsson- A
Cowen/Silfverberg/ Turris- A
Giving Neil the C would be a huge mistake, it would require him to ease up on his play style and thats not what we want from Neil.
Although I agree with your reasoning...it just doesn't happen that someone who plays his style becomes the captain. I wouldn't want to see him change his style of play just to wear a C. With the A it wouldn't be as relevant, hasn't he been the alternative when someone is hurt before?
A referee needs to respect the teams captain. Some may have respect for Neil but others may completely despise him for all the stuff he has pulled.
Yes Neil hasn't ever been suspended but that doesn't mean he doesn't get on the referees nerves. Neil is one of the very best at approaching the line but rarely if ever crossing it. That may be fine and dandy for us and the guys at the league office but when it comes to the refs making judgment calls with him in their face that just won't be in our favor more often than not.
I like many things about Spezza being our next captain. For one, players like him who have INSANE skill have a ton of respect from their teammates and others around the league. Even Crosby said that Spezza was his idol when he was growing up and having him as the coach for a CHL all-star game was one of his most memorable hockey experiences.
Another is the fact that he seems to have turned the majority of the fans opinion on him. Finally people recognize and appreciate his talent and contributions to the team.
He has also clearly matured over the years and really shows that with his composure on the ice and in the media scrums. He is very much used to the media attention. He is one of very few NHLers out there who are candid with the media. That's a HUGE bonus! I think one of the main reasons for all this maturity is because he is now a husband and a father both of which can really turn a mans life around for the better.
He was captain, and as much as I am a fan of his and expect him to succeed in this league it is an absolute tonne to expect him to be captain of our team in the next few years. In theory if Alfie plays 2 more seasons, wouldn't that put him in line with Philips contract expiry?? If they both were to retire at that point I could see Silfverberg being a dark horse for a A.
Spezza C
Silfverberg/Turris/Cowen A
Karlsson A
Michalik should be the next captain.
Wow
No Spazza
Not at all...Wendel Clark had his best years as the Captain of the blasted leafs. Neil plays the same style as Clark did!
I'm having a hard time believing ppl here are convinced that Karlsson, Cowen, Turris et al should be considered for alternate captain. These guys haven't earned their strips yet. It would be a mistake to give these kids the responsibility of an A or C at such young age. These guys are still trying to figure out the league, let along their role with the team.
C - Neil
A - Phillips
A - Spezza
But Sid the kid got captaincy pretty young. Why not if they've got the work ethic and natural leadership?
PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED, sounds effin sick!
Brian Sutter
Scott Stevens
Dale Hunter
From Twitter:
Robin Lehner @RobinLehner
It felt good to be on the ice today with the guys!:) happy that Alfie decided to keep on going ! Too good to stop !! #lehnerishappy
Ya but he won a cup with the Pens as captain haha, so I doubt they regret making him captain.
My guess is Spezza will be the next captain unfortunately & Phillips & Neil as alternate captains. Sad that we don't have enough good young players with leadership qualities yet on this team who can be captains. We traded our best ones in Fisher & Kelly. Greening IMO has the makings of a good captain but I doubt he gets pick after Alfie. Noesen could be a future captain too or Silfverberg if he turns into another Alfie.
Some teams I do agree make certain players captain for marketing and most especially officiating. Ovechkin for example.
Lazy and unmotivated Spezza? Really? Have you watched him play this past season.. and see the player he really is ((through your hate of him obviously). Yeah a lazy and unmotivated player.. playing with 1 legit top 6 player in Michalek on his wing.. and a rotation of rookies on the other and he still finishes 4th overall in league scoring. Explain to me how that is lazy and unmotivated.
I'm going to take exception to calling Spezza unmotivated. He's our best forward and I would argue he's one of the guys that cares the most. He's not as physical as some players, but that doesn't mean he's not motivated. Unfortunately, he's a scorer and will be judged on points. There aren't many players that put up points in every single game. A point per game average that Spezza puts up is still pretty amazing.
Its a fucking joke, what Canada should do is not show up for the Bronze and make a statement regarding fix matches in Soccer. Maybe show up to the game dressed as Refs with protest signs...lol
I'm not typically one to call people out but that comment about Spezz being lazy and unmotivated is just plain fukn stupid.
PPG player that has made improvements to his game yr after yr.
Really? I would hate to see where this team would be without him
Dear God man, even I know Wendel Clark was 5x the player Neil is and ever will be. Clark is a 3x 30 goal scorer and once scored 46 goals brah...Neil can only dream of that.
Yes they played the same style but SKILL is a huge difference.
And who will take up Spezza's #1 C? Turris? Regin? haha come on man you cant be serious. Alfie is so far only playing this year, he is not playing 2-3 more years.
We are rebuilding now and in 2-3 years hopefully some prospect will have hit impact status with us and make us contenders, without Spezza, that puts us back atleast another 5 years to find and develop a legit top line centre.
You mad bro!
Whoever they pick will likely struggle to live up to the expectations set by Alfie...
The other option might be to go without a captain for a season following Alfie's retirement (ala Leafs following Sundin's departure) to help ease the transition for whoever the next captain might be... and to give the youngsters another year to mature to see if one of them is worthy.
There really is only two choices Spezza or Karlson. There isn't a chance anyone else on the team gets it. As for A's well, who knows who they trade for or sign as a free agent.
Huge slap in the face for Spezza, guy has been busting his balls in a city who booed him when he struggled with no help.
I though Spezza could have been the captain this year even, Alfie mentioned something of the like but Spezza refused to take it of alfie was around. Spezza is as much class as Alfie and has carried this teeam on his shoulders as much if not more than Alfie. He deserves to be Captain.
If they do suspend the coach and Sinclair (who is downright amazing) and there were some comments by another player.. than they should just boycott the game for principle sake. FIFA will do nothing about the incompetence of the ref.
By the way.. Canada won another bronze medal in the men's high jump.
It amuses me that you read my post and got "Huge slap in the face for Spezza" out of it... wow! You really are a glass half empty kind of guy.
Did I say he didn't deserve it? Did I say he didn't bust his balls or carry the team? No, I said picking him would be "obvious" and "safe".
You really are a tool.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/424363_3702491553478_133280165_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/392295_3702415471576_678150325_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/582063_3702523514277_1525387949_n.jpg
I dont think you meant it to be negative against Spezza but it certainly could be perceived that way.
Tookie always finds a way to create confrontation and controversy !!
He is an expert at also focussing on "negativity" !!
His ultimate motive is to instill debate and discussion !!
His ultimate motive is to instill debate and discussion !!
At least we hope it's his M.O. the mind of Tookie i doubt is so black and white.
looking for updates on sweden finland game. so far i know zib started on the 2nd line but was bumped to the top line to play LW with karlsson and forsberg. got an assist playing on top line and is used on the first PP unit.
reports suggest that sweden is dominating this tournament and look to be heavy favorites. not hard to be favourites when you have not lost in regulation in 41 straight games.
Thanks for the update as usual moe, much appreciated.
Does this mean noeson made the world junior team?
they look great, i was hoping anderson would go all white which seems to help goalies since players only take a glimpse of the net before shooting. they just see white and let it rip without thinking.
love that anderson likes to have team colours while keeping the colours narrow should still give the shooter the open net effect on 5 hole, corners and butterfly.
If they did a camparison i'm sure all of the top goalies with the top save percentage use all white pads, its almost cheating but its just an illusion for the shooter.
Glad to have andy back! Go Sens
hey moe can you post links on rosters and game when you find them? thanks in advance.
sweden raped the fins 8-2.
zibanejad had 2 primary assists, including one on a 2 man advantage pp.
forsberg did not make the scoresheet yesterday, but got 1g 2a all in the third period.
this site has all the teams competing and their rosters:
http://eurohockey.com/games.html?id_season=2013&id_country=&id_league=1136-u20-national-team-games.html
so it is offical, noesen is on the USA roster.
sens now have noesen, ceci, puempel(possibl y, needs to have a strong start to the season since he has not earned a spot from his performance last year due to injuries), wikstrand and the biggest question mark for me is zib. It all depends if he makes the roster here or not. I assume the sens would send him to the WJC if he plays this season in bingo.
cant find info on why prince wasnt invited/chose to not go. I assume he still has negative feelings towards the US dev. program from last year.
prince can't play because he is 1992 born kid.
Spezza if Alfie retires after this season.
I love Neil but I can't get there seeing him talking to the refs on the teams behalf.
I don't see anyone else at this point other than Spezza.
Gonchar will not even be a Senator after this season, kind of have to be on the team.
Phillips no
Karlsson no (my favorite player)
Silverburg??? in time could be.
Could be a player that is not even thought about playing here yet.
Not to pick at straws but he's actually 29 not 28 and if Alfie plays healthy this year, it's a good bet that he's back again next year and potentially the year after. Given Spezza's back history, how long do you realistically see him playing? I would imagine that he's done by 35. if and I realize it's a big if Alfie plays another couple years, Cowen may well be that guy.
I have no issue with them handing the c to Spezza, I'm just not sure that it's the slam dunk that others believe. Furthermore whether he's the next captain or the next next captain, I believe Cowen will wear the c at some point during his tenure in Ottawa
brain fart on prince, thanks.
and looks like i misread it, it isnt the 100% final roster but odds are, with him playing top line in most of the tournament games, he seems like an almost lock.
^^^Trolls ^^^
Peter Regin of course
Haha no but seriously, Spezza is next captain 100p
No - Mockers.
I am not too sure how Spezza's performance was soo far below Alfie's during the 07 Playoffs when they finished with the same number of points (Alfie 14/8 Spez 7/15). While I will admit points don't tell the whole picture his performance during the 07 run was very good. Nobody impressed during the finals. The whole team was outclassed by the Ducks. We were not deep or tough enough to win that series.
I will admit that his game does not translate well during the uptempo and tight checking playoff hockey and this team will need a very good 2nd line and perhaps even a strong scoring 3rd line to allow Spezza to prosper during future playoffs.
He has impressed lately with his growing maturity and his handling of the media (an important captain duty) has become very professional. The younger players obviously look up to Spez and the coaches have now included him amoung the "Leadership Group" of the team. He will be the next captain especially if Aflie and Phillpis retire together.
I love Karlsson. But he's not quite ready for that.
C - Spezza
A - Phillips (til he retires)
A - Neil
Turris or Cowen after Phillips
I would be all for it. Gonchar is easily the worst player on our team.
Would be nice...but I suspect we will be able to get slightly more for him at the deadline, so although unloading him would be nice, i don't see the need to rush it.
NTC, cap floor and hole on defence would all be issues in a Gonchar deal.
Also hearing Gonchar is garnering a lot of attention from some Western Conference teams. For the right return the #Sens could move him.
Interesting
Noesen
Ceci
Zibby
Are basically locks to make the team.
Good chance to make it
Puempel
Wirkstand
And an outside chance and dark horse to make it is Iron Maidens, thats if he starts the season on time and lights the lamp. Big Ifs.
- He's our only puck mover after Karlsson (Imagine if EK gets hurt or struggles as teams will be focusing on him more than ever) Remember our days before Karlsson/goncha r/Kuba when we struggled to get the puck to our forwards, well we're going back to it.
- He could still play top 4 minutes
- Has good chemistry with Cowen
- Hes our only option for the powerplay after Kuba left
- We have no one to replace him with
- We need his cap hit to reach the floor
- Plus I think he will have a better season since he said when signing a contract with us was his desire to play in Sochi in his home country, plus its a contract year, 2 big motivations.
Only trade him if Ceci comes in and has an incredible camp.
Reasons it makes sense
-He is 38
-He is on the decline
-He was brought in prior to our team realizing we were rebuilding
-We are rebuilding and at this point don't need a 38 year old declining defenceman(we already have our homegrown Phillips)
That being said, I can't imagine we move him prior to the trade deadline as no one will want to pay him 5.5 mil for the whole season, when he will likely be available for when he will be needed most trade deadline/playof fs. Our biggest hickup will be needing to bring salary back, I suppose we could try another change of scenery type of deals, it worked beautifully for Turris so far.
Nerd
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