Let's take a look at the numbers that have had a lot to do with the Sens 12-10-2 start.
3.00 Goals Per Game
Before the puck dropped on this campaign, the experts assumed this Sens team would struggle to score goals. In the early going that has not been the case. The team is ranked 8th in goals for through 24 games and have been getting production at key times in hockey games. What's surprising is that the Sens have allowed a league high 3.42 goals AGAINST per game. Obviously this is a number that is a little bit inflated by the 30 goals the Sens allowed in the first six games of the season. Since then the Sens have been allowed a far more respectable 2.94 goals a game.
20.2% on the Power Play
While they have cooled off a little bit as of late, the Sens power play has played a huge part in the team's early success. Ranked 5th in the NHL, only the Oilers, Leafs, Avs and Canucks have been better with the extra attacker. What's interesting to note here, is that the Sens have also scored a handful of goals with the goalie pulled, either late in games or on a delayed call. For all the success they have had on the PP, the Sens have posted a less than impressive 79.8% success rate on the PK. While the Sens have been much better in this part of the game since relying heavily on role players like Zack Smith, Erik Condra and Kaspars Daugavins, there 25th ranked penalty kill is still an area that the team can improve on.
3 Shootout Wins
Traditionally an area the Sens have struggled in, the 3-1 record they have posted in shootouts this year is obviously huge with the standings as tight as they are. Sens forwards have scored on 7 of 13 attempts while Craig Anderson has stopped 10 of 14 attempts. Picking up those extra points has been huge.
15 Different Players With At Least Two Goals
With an offence that seemed to lack firepower heading into this season, the Sens have benefited greatly from contributions from different players each night. When guys like Kuba, Konopka, Condra and the rest of the supporting cast are finding ways to pitch in on the offence, the team is tough to beat.
21 Assists From Erik Karlsson
The Ottawa Senators offence has run through the slick, puck-moving defenceman all season. Karlsson leads the entire NHL in assists and has assisted on 28.3% of goals the Sens have scored through the first 24 games.
36 3rd Period Goals
For me, this is the most impressive number on the list. The Sens have been incredibly resilient this season and have found a way to score goals at key times. Ottawa is ranked #1 in the league in third period offence and have scored an incredible 48% of their goals in the final frame.
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Obviously the numbers listed above only begin to scratch the surface of what has transpired here in Ottawa this season. The team has played with a never say die attitude and relentless work ethic while at other times, like last night in Winnipeg, the Sens have been fortunate and found ways to win.
Numbers never tell the whole story, but the ones listed above have played a huge part in the Ottawa Senators success and failures in the early going this season.
What numbers have jumped out at you through the first 24 games?
- The Sens are in Dallas tomorrow and may have to make a change on the back end. MacLean spoke with the media today and indicated that Filip Kuba is doubtful for the game tomorrow. Brian Lee will take his spot if he can't go. Nikita Filatov, who left after a scary incident in Winnipeg, is expected to play.
Paul MacLean
For me, it's not just MacLean but the entire coaching staff presents itself well. I'm always impressed by what the assistants have to say in interviews.
The players respect him. A huge difference over last season. To a man, they believe in the system he has put in place and it shows.
Any chance Bryan Murray makes a trade for Bobby Ryan? If he actually becomes available that is. The guys on TSN say Anaheim would want a forward and defenceman who could play right now...so why not give something along the lines of Gonchar, Foligno, and a pick?
No chance, is what I have been told.
I think Smith is shaping up to be a great Fisher replacement.
which is useful because i've been looking for a new favourite player
Not that I care about them but stat-wise, the Rangers are only 3 points from being tied for Div & Conf lead yet they have 4 games in hand on Pittsburgh. These wankers stand to sneak up on everybody at this pace.
"The future influences the present just as much as the past."
http://estat.hockeyligan.se/c/LPlayer.aspx?LId=248&PlayerId=3344
for those that dont know much about the SEL league. very few players go point per game over a season. so dont look at it as oh he is below 0.5ppg this year that stinks. and plus as said by mclovin , he has 3 points in 3 games. hope he can continue.
Karlsson - 22 pts on 76 shots
Cowen - 2 pts on 10 shots
I understand K65 only has the 1 goal out of those shots, but those 75 other shots must be bouncing to the right people or being tipped in.
Would simply be nice to see some players be a little more selfish and shoot more.
I still think EK will be the highest paid sens player EVER. The kid deserves it. He's going to lead our D for a long, long time.
I'd say 5 year, 40M. 8M a year is not bad.
I think ANH will be a scarier team with Bruce behind the bench, especially if he implements a similar system to the one he had in Washington. The difference being though is that the Ducks actually have a more versatile group of top 6 players..
Would've been nice to add him to our coaching staff later down the line though.
Yikes. I don't think he's getting 8 mil off his ELC.
The funny thing that I have always found about Grezky's phrase is that even if he NEVER took a single shot in his career, he would still be the all time points leader.
Theoretically speaking of course.
He's amazing, but we should definitely be able to get him for less than 8m per. I'm thinking more like 6.5m on a long term deal. I don't think he should be earning any MORE than Spezza.
0 as in the number of nights since those early season bashings I have been dissapointed by the effort. im so happy with the sens this year! I wore my new Cowen jersey to my weekly poker game last night because I can barely take the thing off I am so excited. funny enough half the table wore their sens jerseys on a non game night because we are so excited for the team and they way they are playing.
with every game it gets harder to imagine this team falling back to a level everyone originally predicted. At this point, other slumping teams coming on and gaining form will be what keeps the sens out of the playoffs this year, not the sens themselves.
I expect him to get somewhere around 5 on a long term deal. Just look around the league and tell me how many defenseman with newly signed contract are making upwards of 6 million a year.
Being a cap-conscious team is very important when trying to build a contender. We need to be able to fill this team with reasonable contracts, even bargain contracts. If we give Karlsson 6.5 mill then what's going to happen when we have to resign Rundblad, Cowen Lehner and others down the road.
Who would you prefer right now..Karlsson or Doughty/Keith/Seabrook/Myers/Letang
Those are the comparables out of ELC
Karlsson will get 6 I believe
Agreed. We have to keep in mind that Pittsburgh managed to sign Letang to a four year extension at 3.5 million, when he came out of his EL in 2010. I have maintained, in the past, that Letang is a player that Kalsson should aspire to be (in alot of ways), and perhaps the Sens may agree, and use him as a comparable?
No doubt; I have been saying Karlsson is like Letang in many ways for quite some time now.
Another surprise for me has been Daugavins. His skills have been prolific at the AHL for a while now and most of us we're really questioning if he would ever elevate his game to the NHL level or would we lose another long developing prospect? He has made his mark in the NHL especially on the defensive side of the puck. A very pleasant and welcome surprise as we all know he can contribute offensively as well.
Not sure Regin can find a spot on this roster when he comes back.
Letang and other players in Pitts have taken less to help keep that team in tact, I think Karlsson is a hell of a lot better than Letang on the offensive end of the puck.
I'm not suggesting that 3.5 is what the Sens would expect to end up paying him. I'm saying that they will likely point to Letang and try to use it as a comparable during negotiations.
That's all.
He's worth every bit of that and the term isn't atrocious but shows commitment.
I don't want to answer who I'd rather have, they're all fairly different players from Karlsson.
What I do know is that if it takes 6 million per year to resign Karlsson as you expect, that's going to be a very tough pill for Murray to swallow.
The Sens need to be a cap savvy team if they ever want to be a contender again.
Also, is it just me or does Runblad look slow out there ?
I'm hoping we sign him for six years to eat up some of his free agency. Around 4.5 per year with a little front loading he may accept a shade under 5 million.
Do I think he's better than Doughty? Right now, no. Will he be in the future? That's hard to say. They're both the same age. I think his contract sets the standard. If they're going to compare it to anyone elses, it should be his.
And FYI, when the Pens signed Letang to an extension, he was coming off a 27 point campaign .. true last year he had 50 points, but his value has gone up dramatically since then. He's worth wayyyy more than what he's earning.
I think Regin's one way deal is the key. I agree Daugavins has done nothing wrong since he's been here. But as Daugavins was an injury call-up he has to go back down when Regin is fit again.
Regin still gets a shot this year to prove he is worth keeping around for next year. Also a healthy and fairly productive Regin could be worth something at the deadline should the organisation decide to go that route with him. There's very little to gain from having him in the press box. Konopka can sit games if needs be.
In my opinion, Doughty is always better. I love Karlsson, but Doughty is an all around franchise defenseman and player.
Regin really needs to step up his game to take Konopka's place IMO. Sure Konopka doesn't score much, but his presence on the ice, willing to go into the dirty zones and his attitude in the dressing room more than make up for it. I think that's why certain players thrive around Zenon... Not sure Regin can compete with that unless he gets back to his true form.
I LOVE his press conferences !
Pithy answers to mostly insipid questions and without
the New York Rangers coach's tennage girl drama.
he's not comparable to Doughty, Webber, Chara for obvious reasons and he hasn't been around anywhere near long enough to be compared to Dan Boyle or Lidstrom (from a salary perspective)
I think a more realistic comparable is Mike Green or Kris Letang
I agree that Regin needs to improve if he is to stay long term and for this season we can juggle lines around with Daugavins, Regin, Filatov and Da Costa.
In part though, this season is about finding out who should be with us to complete the rebuild. With all the forward prospects in the system those with one year left on their deals need to prove this year that they should be kept around. To do that Regin needs to play and I think the organisation will give him that opportunity.
Kid is out of this world good but I think you're forgetting how next level terrible the Oilers were to earn that last place spot
Any word on Filitov Chirp? is he plaing tonight?
Are you kidding me, comparing Karlsson who gets all the PP and offensive situation time in the world, to Cowen who is asked to only play D? How about Konopka vs Spezza next!
I agree that giving them 10+ years is way too dangerous. I think 4-5 years is good.
As a sports fan in general though, I kind of feel sorry for NHL players. Let's be honest here. Do you really think 1.5-2M a year is fair for an 82+ game schedule? These athletes make wayyyy less than their MLB/NFL/NBA counter parts.
Are owners of NHL franchises just stingy with their finances? Or is it in part of the players not asking for enough money? No one wants to spend to the cap, which isnt even that high to begin with..
sounds as though the NHL may try to copy the NBA on the next agreement by limiting the allowable length of contracts. To your point, these long contracts rarely work out.
funny part is the teams that sign these long deals think they are protecting themselves from an ever inflating salary but they are generally only protecting the player.
I completely agree! Foligno is a playmaker, and since before the preseason I've been saying out of our current group of players he's the best suited for the 2nd line C role right now ... over Da Costa, Regin, Winchester and even Zibanejad (for now). Great to see him finally get his shot and perform!
I think Condra has a bit more offensive upside than Kelly. Not sure if he's quite as smart as Kelly as I think Kels is one of the smartest guys in the league, but Condra seems to have a bit more ability to finish than Kelly. But it's a decent comparison.
He makes 1.3M (not including bonuses) now.. a jump to 8M coming out of his ELC is just too much for me.
Go like a Letang contract at 3M to 4M for about 3 or 4 years... then go the big bucks after that.
The NFL has the biggest tv contract and arguably fan base, as well as huge stadiums. Though NFL rosters are bigger, the fringe players don't make much and the contracts are not guaranteed.
NBA only needs 8-10 real players on a team compared to 20 in hockey, and most of that is spent on 2-4 main guys.
MLB has twice the number of games and stadiums that hold over twice as many people.
It's not the NHL owners, it's the sport itself (roster size + fan base) that creates the market for the players and salary cap thresholds.
Did you mean the reverse of that? Kelly has more offensive skill then Condra, neither of them have much finish.
I'd go maybe 7 years at $4.5M per year or somewhere in that range. Gotta leave cap room for all the other young guys we have coming up plus a UFA or two when we're ready for a cup run.
Neither is a "finisher" of course, but I do think Condra will end up with more points than Kelly. Maybe not by a lot though. I can just remember too many times Kelly was in all alone and hit the post or missed and Condra doesn't give me that same feeling.
Condra had 47 points in 55 games with Bingo last year. And 17 point in 23 playoff games.
Kelly had 60 points in 77 games his last season in Bingo, but never came close to that sort of pace in the NHL.
Not saying Condra will necessarily do better, I just think he might.
I think it's an interesting comparison for sure, though Kelly seems to be having a career year so far this year. Good for him! Kelly's thing was he created more opportunities then just about anyone, so his lack of finish was very obvious because of how often it came up. I don't find Condra creates as many chances, but I do agree his lack of finish is not necessarily as obvious/reminde d about constantly every game.
Either way I look forward to seeing Condra grow and hopefully expand his offerings.
Just a thought, longer contracts end up buying out his years of UFA eligibility, so they likely will make the overall contract more expensive, not cheaper. For each UFA year a player agrees to give up, he'll expect something more now.
I'm hoping 5 years at 5mil (+/- 0.5mil) per year.
I think Condra will have a good chance at beating that number sometime in his future.
Neither of them will ever be mistaken for a sniper though...
I don't think anyone said offensive upside. But Kelly does create a lot of offensive opportunities for himself and linemates and gets a lot of partial and full breakaways. He has good stick handling skills, good passing, great defense and great positional work, he just has little finish.
Put another way, if he had finish, he'd easily be a 2nd line C.
Way off base, the NFL in terms of players could actually be defined as the poorest of the leagues. If you play a perimeter position you make big money. You play interior god help you. Its comparable to 4th line NHL players. In addition their average age of death is like 50-60 which is unbelievable. Don't even get started on non-guaranteed contracts also(great idea but sucks as an athlete)
If I'm a star athlete and can have my choice of any sport to play of the 4 in terms of salary..
1-MLB
2-NBA
3-NHL
4-NFL
Funny how that also probably is same order of chance of major injury
By that do you mean that MLB is sport where you're least likely to suffer an injury and NFL the most (which I would agree with - but it reads like you mean the opposite).
If you factor in career length I think the ranking is about the same as well. A star in the NFL might have a five year career whereas an MLB/NBA star could play for 20. NHL can play for 10+ easily.
exactly ya, It should probably read "funny how that is probably the same order of least likely suffering a major injury"
NFL star's come and go, no better example than at the RB position. The Bears don't want to pay Forte huge money over several years because of the amount he has already played and his age which is 26. unreal to think. Case in point look at Shaun Alexander. League MVP to being cut within 3 years
Yeah even more extreme when you look at games played:
Pete Rose - 3562 career games
Gordie Howe - 1767 career games
Robert Parrish - 1611 career games
George Blanda - 340 career games (excluding kickers)
Average Career Length in leagues:
MLB - 5.6 years
NHL - 5.66 seasons
NBA - 4.82 seasons
NFL - 3.3 years
The NBA is actually a lot harder on people's knees and bodies then some people realize. I would say it actually leaves it's player's in worse health then the NHL, though the opposite seems to be what most expect due to the contact and violence in hockey.
Note: These numbers are taken from various sources through a web search, no guarantee they are 100% accurate.
http://www.ramfg.com/RAM-Financial-Group-Solutions-Professional-Athletes-Athletes-Services
NFL- 3.5 years
NBA- 4.8 years
MLB- 5.6 years
NHL- 5.5 years
I'm a former bball player myself so I definitely agree but at the same token I would amount the average length in years to the low roster size, with large prospect pool, especially in comparison to NHL with more spots to fill so you can have guys hang around one extra year
That makes sense as well. Probably some combination of the two reasons accounts for most of the difference.
I would also submit that some sports have a huge swing from one position to another. Compare a catcher to a firstbaseman or a kicker to a running back etc.
Another good point - that's why I looked more at the all-time leaders than at the averages thinking that it would sort of remove any influence of smaller rosters etc.
The NFL is still pretty much the only league where nearly every player goes through college first. NCAA basketball is till huge, but so many players come out early and/or go direct to the NBA and for MLB and NHL going the college route is fairly rare (compared to NFL).
what's the average lenght of a career there?
I'm taking a wild guess, but I'd say golfers are able to have a pretty long career, assuming that they are in good health. Aren't some of the top ranked 100 in their 40s-60s?
While on the topic of career lengths, I'd also like to mention the ludicrous amount of money that soccer and tennis players are able to make as well (well the highly paid ones). However, the lower ranked ATP players on the tour make even less than 4th line NHLers.
According to Tiger, it's 4 majors short of being the all-time leader haha.
In reality it's probably about 20 years. Are we including Senior Tour?