With the team starved for goals of late, Senators GM Bryan Murray suggests they could look to Binghamton again in hopes of igniting a struggling offence.
Bryan Murray spoke to the media this afternoon and suggested that the team is considering Mark Stone as a potential call up in time for Wednesday’s game in Toronto. Stone recently returned from a finger injury and has looked good since rejoining the BSens.
Unlike some of the other call ups the Senators have made of late, Mark Stone is a little more of a natural goal scorer. He has an ability to get himself to the scoring areas and could add a boost to the team’s forward ranks. Of course it’s a lot to ask of Stone, who has missed significant time due to injury, to step in and help right away.
Murray was also pretty quick to point out that there really aren’t many “scorers” available around the NHL right now through trade and the team’s best chance to add offence is likely going to come from within.
Milan Michalek has progressed well the past couple days and could be ready to make his return on Wednesday night.
- The Ottawa Senators have released the latest edition of the Prospect Report. Pretty good week for first round pick Cody Ceci who had two goals and two assists in Owen Sound’s 6-1 win over Mississauga on March 2. Ceci has 59 points in 64 games this season which puts him second among OHL defenceman.
I'd love to see:
Stone Turris Michalek
Silfverberg Zibby Alfie
Definitely stronger than what we have going up front right now.
Ottawa Considering Mark Stone
Written by SensChirp
Thank you.
yup
MM9-turris-stone/silf
Alfie-Regin-Silf/stone
Condra-Zib-Greening (just because they torched the leafs last time all 3 goals from them)
Neil-Smith-Dzyurzynski/O'Brien
Lots of pressure on Stone but as long as everyone admits going in that it's lots of pressure then it shouldn't be that much pressure. LOL You get my point I hope.
DD59. He hasn't looked that good in the past few games. Maybe sit him for a bit and give Stone a chance.
O'Brien needs to move up the ranks. His game has been more than impressive.
Would have to think dizzy for aure but no idea who else. Id rhink wihhwe daugy or jimmy o. Prob jimmy o because of the C position log-jam. Well then mabye regin also, i have no idea.
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I assume you mean Grant gets sent down - but yes absolutely agree. Kid should be playing and if Stone and MM9 are both ready to go we might see Grand and Dziurnzski sent down.
Silvf-Turris-Alfie
MM9-Regin-Stone
no first line just 2 second lines as no one can handle the first line centre.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqOBYVgmWzk
Chara going after anyone is pretty scary, but a guy that's had one career fight for a check that didn't look that bad.
Mentioned this last week and was just filled with hate comments saying smith is doing his role, is shutting down the opposing team and Smith is not responsible for scoring goals
So be prepared
38 games played- 8G/13A/21 points
Benoit is a Dman and was 34games- 9g/16a/25 points in four less games.
Just don't want people to think he is coming up to fill the net-8 goals in 38 games in a prime role in Bingo
lol i am, thats partially why i sweetened it with the 1 game sit and not an all out hate tirade against him. dont remember what you mentioned exactly last week though. i do appreciate smith's shutdown capabilities, but he is carrying a -4 rating and i think starting to get into penalty trouble. he is getting into mike fisher territory with his cold stretch.
no I love it... that is one reason I miss Chara so much, Emelin gave Seguin a rib shot meaning to hurt.
That is what should have happened to Crooke and to Zinaldo, 2 pieces of crap!!!
But no... we needed our captain to teach Zinaldo a lesson, while Phillips got bitch slapped by Fedetenko... just wrong!
Nope not at all..Seguin is a young stud. I would absolutely kill to have someone on our team willing to do what Chara did.
As for the lineup.
Michalek- Turris- Stone
Silfverberg- Regin- Alfie
Greening- Zibby- Condra
Obrien- Grant- Neil
Also either play Grant, or send him back to Bingo, he should be playing some games.
Also - I read that Edmonton is looking for some sandpaper in their lineup - maybe Zack Smith for MPS??? who knows
nothing wrong in what chara did. the bruins are a big bruising team, but i don't think they go after other team's top players and they have only one real pest in Marchand who i think learnt a hard lesson with his suspension for clipping salo last year. feel the new habs indulge in over-the-top actions - especially guys on their team like emelin, gallagher, white, armstrong, subban and prust. habs tried to run at the bruins, and even though they won last night, they should remember what happened to vancouver.
lol ok i dont think ottawa can afford to rid itself of smith just yet haha, and plus grant go waived. still they could switch JOB with Smith if needed. thing with smith is that he has proven he can do it and he is just riding the worst luck right now.
i also think that he is still adapting to new linemates in Neil and DD. dont forget his scoring run last year was with Greening and Condra, not with Neil and Dziurzynski. in a normal sens lineup, Zack Smith actually centers the senators scoring-shutdow n third line between Greening and Condra.
Silf Zibby Alfie
JOB Regin Condra
Greening Smith Neil
I hate Boston but he just sent a serious message to the rest of the league. DON'T FUCK WITH THEM! or else you'll have a behemoth skate the length of the ice to pound your face in. Do you have any idea how scary it would be seeing him come at you like that? Emilin isn't a small guy either
I love to see Silfverberg-Zib enajad-Alfredss on on the same line, but not sure if I am liking Michalek-Turris -Stone on the same line, it could work but Turris has not been playing his best hockey at all. Michalek would do better with Zibanejad I think.
OR
Its awesome for the league knowing that Bosto's best player is willing to sacrifice himself for 5 minutes+ to atone for alright hits
Time for Dzuirzinski to hit Seguin and let Chara take dumb penalties in a close game
Chara sends msg, and ironically enough Boston lose the game.hmmmmm
Not sure how it works for possible limits on number of call-ups allowed and yadda yadda, so I can't speak to that. But that aside, I think Dziurnski sticks around a little longer, even if MM9 and Stone are both ready to go. Grant is out, and maybe Daugs sits out again in favor of Dzuir!
Anyway, its not really a big deal, its just bottom 6 shuffling, but essentially I think Dzuirnski is playing better than some other bottom 6 peices we have, and wouldnt be the guy coming out just yet.
the bruins are much much bigger than mtl. their top line with Lucic on one side and Horton the other can turn into into a 4th line style wrecking ball. the message to mtl is watch out next time. i dont think the habs would like the result of chara cross checking Plekanec or Pacioretty. i think the bruins as an organization learnt something after the savard incident: the league is not going to do anything to protect your top guys, so take it in your own hands.
if only the sens had kept that man-freak.
Then we wouldn't have the generational talent in Karlsson
Michalek-Zibanejad-Alfredsson
Greening-Turris-Silfverberg
Regin-O'Brien-Neil
Condra-Smith-Dyurzinski
Methot-Gryba
Gonchar-Phillips
Bonoit-Weirchoich
Bishop
Anderson
He's esentially getting the pascal leclaire treatment
We know hes injured and just wont bother asking about him anymore
You go out there to give cheap shots, like that, that was intentional and Chara aint gonna have it.
Usually Neiler goes out and does the Sherriff but if he's on the bench when it happens, nothing he can do, other guys need to man up. We are pretty weak up front on "manly man" power.
Sure, BUT...
I highly doubt anyone has the balls to do it. Which was my point. Chara just scared the crap out of the rest of the league
Vanek has two 5 point games, and we only have 4 players in double digit points
YET
We are still in the playoff hunt and could threaten for home ice advantage lol
the league is not going to protect top players unless the idiots who play dirty are really obvious like that moron for the flyers. the refs - i think they are a gone case - MTL has had a 100 powerplays in 22/23 games, thats 5 per game.
i dont like the bruins at all, but i think they got screwed out of that game. but the habs, they better watch out next game against the bruins lol
They might have lost the battle but I doubt they lose the war!
Also why wold you send DD to cheap shot Seguin, I highly doubt Pmac is that low.
Way to take a comparison and take it out of context lol
Obviously he wouldn't
Good DEF and ABSOLUTELY INSANE GOALTENDING!
A little more goal scoring and some help from or injured stars and we could have potentially had a chance at the Jennings
Which way will it go though - if he scores a couple in his first 2 or 3 games he is the new messiah.
If he doesn't score any in his first 5 he's a worthless bum who can;t skate.
Ahhhhh the interent whatever did we do without you.
Sens need a guy that can shoot the puck, we are lacking in shots on net, so if Stone comes in and shoots the puck gets it towards the net, he is going to succeed at the nhl level. He might not score right away, but I would be looking for him getting the puck on net and getting some scoring chances going. We need to get to those 2nd and 3rd chances from rebounds, we have to smack in those dirty rebound goals in front and I feel we have not been after those rebounds that much in the last few games.
their season is over?
It's sad when the quality of the game is brought down by players and coaches that encourage this type of play.
It should come as no surprise that quality guys like Karlsson get injured in a league that tolerates cheap hits.
Local guy, young, B.Murray likes the local guys and it's always good when you have local talent on the team.
thoughts..?
Anaheim Ducks Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
There appears to be a growing belief that Anaheim Ducks star winger Corey Perry wants to test the free-agent market this summer and that even if he wanted to stay Anaheim simply couldn't afford to keep both he and captain Ryan Getzlaf.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Steve-Palumbo/Why-Corey-Why/166/49726#.UTVGGFfwjAE
There is hope there is hope there is hope! Come on Bryan!
Source ?
I find it strange that a team with 3 first round picks in the upcoming draft wants evev more picks.
Leafs will offer CP a max year / max $ contract.
Ottawa will not.
Be careful what you wish for.
Michalek and a 5th pick to San Jose
Havlat to Ottawa
I disagree with the premise of this trade. The team needs to ADD scoring wingers, not trade one for one.
My only concern is his foot speed. Is he a fast enough skater
why would we give away a 35g scorer for someone that has struggled to get over 25 since 2008?
Oh, alright Mr. Murray. Didn't know you hired someone else to speak on your behalf.
Quoting team owner:
Or what?
i think what he is saying is that be careful wishing for Perry hitting UFA market as its more likely that the leafs offer him max $ for max term instead of sens. only plus ottawa would have with its lower $ offering would be that it has:
1. spezza+karlsson
2. more cup worthy goaltending tandem or tandems
3. better coach - although carlyle has more familiarity and they won the cup together.
4. closer to winning organizational depth that the leafs
So we don't want Perry on our team anymore?
i think every fanbase/GM/coac h/player wants perry or a perry on their team. sens no different. but noone always gets what they want.
you tell me, if you are perry and the choice boils down to ottawa vs toronto where toronto is offering more money for longer - where would you sign. assume the teams both get into the playoffs this year like they will if it started today.
Holy smokes, with Karlsson will be a scary tandem.
Please convince me that any GM will take the risk of trading for Michalek who's about to undergo his 5th knee operation.
It's a tough situation for MacLean. If Spezza was healthy maybe he could sit Smith for a game or two (I see the need). But since our only hope to win games is to try and win 1-0 or 2-1 I think he has to keep playing Smith.
Look at the minutes he's playing and look at how our other centers are getting pushed around or run around more. Sit Smith and we give up an extra goal per game maybe.
To back up Hax here are the figures as in
today's Sports Section of the Ottawa Citizen, Senators team scoring :
With Spezza and Karlsson : 3.20
Without Spezza : 2.11
Without Spezza and Karlsson : 1.56
These above statistics are showing why
we are lacking in firepower!!
With Smith out, JOB moves to his spot, but who picks up the slack...?
Comment #2: Havlat for 9MM - I wish we would have had Havlat when we lost Karlsson. Havlat would have kicked Cooke good! Slicey-slicey
I agree with Turris, but not so much Smith. Smith has been doing this since last march, even when we had our full lineup.
He is getting chances, just not finishing, and Smith isn't playing over hsi head, he should be welcoming this additional pp time, not crapping the bed with it
NHL stats aren't fantastic, but his AHL stats are decent.
Think someone like that works well within Ottawa's development system?
And, Bobby Butler is now a Nashville Predator.
Agree to a point - Smith's offensive game has been stalled for a LONG time. Worst thing that ever happened to the guy was those early goals last season.
But my point is just that his defensive game is still top notch and we can't afford to sit him for that reason.
And I think his PP time is more because he's able to win face offs (Spezza is missed in many ways). Though maybe MacLean hopes he pots one on the PP and gets a bit of swagger back too.
Bring him up and see what he can do! Maybe even Shane Prince
Smith isn't that great defensively. He's not this premier shutdown guy people make him out to be.
Put it this way. Smith is one of our worst guys at -4(hate this stat) but we have had a team svp of .945
We are basically tied with buffalo and Edmonton for most shots against per game at 33
Now my point is that if we werent getting Vezina caliber goaltending from 3 goalies, and had league average of lets say .910 to .920 svp we would be losing much worse, and Smith +/- would suffer as a result
I'm not just dumping on Smith, as many other players of ours are letting up alot of shots, but reality is thatw e are spending way too much time in our own zone, and thats from the fact we can't generate sustained offensive pressure anymore
It would be nice if Smith added more offense, but if you pro-rate his 0G/7A from 23GP you get 25P over an 82G season. Smith had 26P in 81G last year. So that's not too bad, all things considered.
He's a -4 with 0G this year; definitely room for improvement. Still, he's never going to be an offensive juggernaut.
But you have to look at ice time. 15 min a night, you need more than 25pts over an 82 game season. If we want to be successful Smith or whoever is our 3LC is, HAS to no questions asked be able to contribute 10-15g and 15-20assists for about 30-35 points
Personally I'm starting to wish we kept Foligno for the 3LC and tried to get CLB to take Smith
if anything, Smith needs to get his shots off sooner and stop trying to pick corners. a sniper he is not...
dirty goals are what he needs to focus on. put the puck on the net and drive...
goals will come
I do realize Smith has been one of our better PKers and a reason why we are 2nd in the PK
Although again that stat has more to do with our godly goaltending than it does those who are blocking the passing lanes
Check out some advanced stats (which I hate) before making these comments. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not true. You're less likely to notice a great shutdown play (ie, taking away passing lanes, skating someone into an non-scoring position, etc.) than a goal.
Smith has some of the toughest minutes (high quality of competition), with a majority of starts coming in his own zone and STILL has a positive shot differencial while on the ice.
Or where you only judging his +/-?
cant see them accepting that trade...however they did make some pretty shitty trades
Not quite true. He starts 45% of all his 5 on 5 shifts in the offensive zone. (Yes this is lowest on the team I acknowledge that)
He is playing the tougher minutes of our team as it stands. But all I'm saying is that right now our goaltending is saving hsi bacon because of our close games.
If our goaltending resorts back to league average and we start losing 3-1, 3-0, 4-1 more consistently, Smith wont have anywhere else to hide. We need production and can't wait this shit out
We need a minimum of 2-3 goals per game to win, and we are averaging 1.5 since we lost 19+65
Agreed. But remember, without Spezza, Smith isn't exactly getting to play his 3LC minutes/role he normally would. Idealy, a player like Ryan O'Reilly would be our 3LC so that he could fill in as a 2LC if need be.
I recognize advanced stats and use them. I see that he starts half his shifts in the D-zone and against top lines.
My point is that right now our goaltending is allowing us to ride out this epic cold streak. If we let in 3 goals, we don't win. easy as that
So if we start letting up 3 goal games more consistently, how long can we let this go from a guy playing 15+ min a night
UMMMM......he was on a line with Malkin and Neal and couldn't put up points......how do you think he would fair here.
Right, but that has little to do with Smith or his play... he's not there for offense. Rag on someone else. Smith is doing his job and shouldn't be thrown under the bus.
Didn't know Fisher was still a Senator...
Excellent points, you should not be criticised for the truth!
Touche, though he was a goal scorer all throughout Junior, and produced in the AHL. Players don't just become NHL goal scorers overnight. Though it is concerning that on that line he couldn't put up point.
For the cheapness of his contract (625K I think) that seems like a decent risk to take on maybe a new chance with less pressure to perform.
The thing is he is not doing his job, thats my point
His job is to defend and score. If we are letting in 3 goals or more then it is his fault because he is allowing pressure and shots against
As I already mentioned we are the worst team for shots against
Our goaltending is bailing our team defense. If we are letting in more than 3 goals a game and losing its cause we aren't scoring enough AND allowing too many chances
Essentially its ok to employ a player to play 1/4 of the game to just defend
That goes against our system and goes against the debate we had last year for those saying karlsson shouldn't win Norris trophy
Its your job to always try and score. Its not a job to defend
If your out there against the top lines, your job is to make THEM play defense, which Smith is nto doing, we spend time in our own zone and give up 30-40 shots a game. Quality shots to, and our goaltending has been out of this world
using this from a yost blog to help prove my point
That shows how our goaltending stacks up versus league average
If we didn't have that type fo goaltending which is unbelievable our goals against would be probably 1 goal against higher per game. Which means we would be letting in 2-3 goals against per game.
Now knowing we have to scor 3 goals per game to win, you want only our 1st line to be responsible for that, since as many have pointed out Smith is now our 2LC
stop defending him because he is on the ice against skilled players when Bishop and Anderson stop everything
The truth? Smith has a positive on-ice shot differiential; ie, his lines are sending more pucks to the net than shots allowed. If we're talking about the numbers trending back to 'normal', then we should also expect Smith's output to rise as well.
Great on the PK, your right. But lately hes been taking stupid penalties. Seems to offset...
We all know Smith has been struggling this year with offensive production...to be fair so has the whole team, but Smith does stand out a bit with so many sketchy plays and wild shooting over under and around the damn net! (sigh)
I catch myself lately yelling "ah c'mon Smitty!" during the game. That is one nasty monkey clutching to him that won't go away. We know hes not an offensive jaugernaut, but we also know that once in a while this kid can score a beauty.
No one is questioning his heart, or hard work, but for a 3rd line centre, especially with some of our stars out, we need some production from him.
The way he is playing right now, he is a good 4th line Centre, not a #3.
As Alcatraz states we are hiding behind some incredible goaltending that is sheltering our brutally boring offense, and Smith is a part of this.
Our PP is horrendougs. Please stop the Gonchar Phillips pairing on the PP. They are the oppositions best Penalty killers.
Weircioch and Benoit had great success in the minors, let them start off an see what they can do.
Our top 6 right now is made up of rookies, and some bottom 6 players.
I would love to give DaCosta and Stone a run in the top 6, and see if we can generate any form of pressure in the oppositions end.
I'm defending him because he's doing a good job, all things considered.
I'm defending him because he's not our main offensive threat.
I'm defending him because he doesn't desever your criticism.
Again, Smith is carrying a positive on-ice shot differiential. He's sending pucks to the net... he's doing his job.
Truth be told every dman but Lundin and Gryba has scored for us this year
Smith is getting chances, but he has to finish
My whole point is not that Smith is a bad player, or that he isn't good defensively
Its that just because he plays tougher minutes, doesn't mean he is excusable to our scoring problems
We need goals, and if he wants to be a quality shut down guy he has to find a way to get to the back of the net
If he can't then why hire him when there are jay mcclements, alex Steens, Brandon Sutters, Matt Cullens, Chris Kellys, Rich peverleys, Antoine Vermettes out there who can all do the same thing while producing
When you lose your entire scoring threat you have to look to the secondary lines.
If Spezza+Michalek were around then sure, but right now he has to step up and find a way to finish
Completely agree.
I haven't gone against this point. Ive commended him for what he brings, and I am merely saying he can no longer be excused for what he no longer brings, which is goal scoring
Those are his career and junior stats
Everywhere he has been he has been relied on to play gritty, help defend but also chip in and help win games offensively
All I'm saying is he has to start doing that again, or else he is more of a liability. We need goal scoring
Turris is in a slump and needs to wake up as well, so is regin, so is alfie, so is our ENTIRE team
We need scoring, and I'm looking to the guy who hasn't scored in 1 calendar year who has seen his ice time increase and who is now playing on the pp. It has to start with Turris, and be followed up by with Smith
Post #80... you say, and I quote
Quoting Alcatraz:
So we agree... it isn't Smith's fault. I would say this whole thing is MATT COOKE'S FAULT!
Cheers,
Well to me good and great are different
He is good defensively, but by no means is he sooooo good and great that he is allowed to go a full year without a goal lol
If I could hire a guy who will never score but I know 100% he will never be on the ice for a goal against then ill do it, but Smith isn't that guy
If Spezza was on he goal-less drought that Turris is on, this blog would be filled with trading Spezza the bum.
Regin doesn't score, well this is his last year he is done.
Phillips play has sucked... but he is a leader, whereas Gyrba with 10 games NHL experience is lost... different rules?
Smith needs to contribute offensively, he simply has not, so as is the case with Regin, is this his last year in an Ottawa uniform?
Different set of rules I guess...
(1)michalek-turris-alfie
(2a)stone-regin-sil fverberg
(3)greening-smith-neil
(2b)dizzy-zibanejad-condra
I'd assume the 2a and 2b line will see ice time dependent on play, but the stone-regin-sil f line has loads of potential
Greening-Smith-Neil will be used to generate offense, not score but make sure to defend against tough lines :)
I hope regin can click with those young guys
maybe you should try throwing out a little positive energy.
example;
next game Smith will run over Kadri seperating his shoulder, beat the crap out of whoever decides to fight him, assist on the winning goal and pot an empty netter to break the curse!
PRESTO
This whole full year without a goal thing is the biggest load of crap I have ever heard as a reason to dump on him since only about 4 months of that year there has been hockey. I'm sure there are plenty of third line guys in the NHL that haven't scored a goal in over 4 months.
Smith has done his job responsibly and the little things he does that don't show up on stat sheets is the reason he is where he is.
The only thing I would like to see more out of him is getting under the skin more of the top guys on the other teams and goading them to drop the gloves with him forcing a good trade off. :)
Year GP G A Pts Pts/G
2011-2012 81 14 12 26 0.321
2012-2013 23 0 7 7 0.304
His pts/gm is down only slightly from last year (6% down). Yeah, he isn't scoring but he's generating chances and getting assists.
http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/03/05/high-tech-glasses-helps-little-girl-see-clearly-for-first-time
p.s. Completely non hockey related. I cant wait for my little girl to get these glasses and be able to see a Sens game for the first time.