A brief look into the future of Ottawa's blue line
With thoughts of the 2012 entry draft still fresh in fans minds, many diehards headed off to take part in the development camp festivities.
This was a chance to see all the prospects as well as the newest addition, D-man Cody Ceci. The camp admittedly is a series of glorified practices and games of shinny. However, this is where the fans and (more importantly) management get to really see the concrete quality of their picks old and new.
This brings us to the scrimmage that took place on June 28/2012.
It was immediately apparent that these "kids" weren't messing around. There were some serious checks, blistering slap-shots, sweet saves and Jordan Fransoo even laid his life (read: front teeth) on the line to block a shot. You could tell that to them, this wasn't just a game of shinny.
Everyone on the ice was playing to make an impression and increase their odds of making the Senators sooner than later.
One match up in particular was pleasantly surprising: Mark Borowiecki and Cody Ceci. Fans should not be surprised to see the Boro Cop's name, given all the accolades he's received lately (hardest working player two years in a row). Neither should it be incredibly unrealistic to see Ceci's name as he is the most recent-highest drafted player in the system. What people should be surprised/excited about is how well they played together.
These two players flat out controlled the play every single time they were on the ice together period. It's easy to agree with Brian Kilrea, who has recently said that if you like Drew Doughty, you will like Ceci. A better comparison could not have been drawn. Borowiecki on the other hand was the calm, strong backup that enabled Ceci to take the room that Borowiecki provided for him.
This is a match up that fans should be excited to see in the (near?) future. Their cycle and chemistry was amazing.
Linked is a video from the scrimmage of a 1 minute cycle which not only did the Boro/Ceci combo control, the other team couldn't even touch the puck. Granted, the forwards on their team were Stone/Hoffman/Prince, it is clear that this was all Blueline (and quiet frankly, mostly Ceci). What is most impressive is that this is just one of the 3 or 4 times that they dominated in the 20 minute run time period.
If you don't buy it and/or disagree, watch this and you might be forced to change your mind:
Either way, a future of
Cowen-Karlsson
Borowiecki-Ceci
Methot-Wiercioch/Phillips/Claesson
could be very promising.
I agree with you, however a tandem of Bernier/Lehner would be pretty nice if management found a way to move out the other 2.
so yeah, he'll be better than doughty. cool
nice chirp. looking forward to seeing those two in ottawa. hopefully not too forward.
Unless we move more around like...
To Ottawa - Bernier, Eberle
To Edmonton - Anderson, Zibanejad, 2014 2nd
To LA - Bishop, Puemple, Regin
Before people say the Oil will never move Eberle... with Nail, they have too many (yes there is such a thing) top liners. They can not keep all that offense under the same cap forever... and the addition of Zbad would give them the grit I think they really require... wasnt too sure what it would take to get Bernier.. might take a bit more.
Pretty sure if you ask Kilrea flat out if Ceci will be better than Doughty, the answer will not be a straight yes...
I'm excited too and he certainly looks to be a bluechip prospect but lets not start thinking we have Doughty 2.0 on our hands.
Doughty is arguably one of the top 5 best defensemen in the world. Especially if you look at his overall game and not purely offensive numbers.
I would absolutely move out any of our current 3 goalies in order to accommodate his wishes. Yes, Lehner could very well turn out to be on a level with him in play, but Bernier is that much further along in his development, and done it consistently at the NHL level. Much akin to the "MZ + for Bobby Ryan" argument in that he is a proven commodity.
There would be teams willing to take Anderson off our hands and give us a good return. There is also the possibility that he would accept playing second fiddle to him for the next year or two while trying to outplay and earn the starting position away from Anderson. Especially if he has come out and said that Ottawa would be an ideal destination for him.
Why would we not resign?
With that said, I'm wondering if there are any other current players that might be deserving of this? more specifically, is this reserved exclusively for impact offensive players?
I wouldn't count on Eberle ever being available. He is their heart and soul player imo. I think it would be easier to get Yakupov, Gagner or Hemsky, though I doubt we'll trade for any of them.
Are you thinking about Phillips and Neil or Spezza? I think Spezza will definitely be there one day. Though the other two have been great career players, I don't think they deserve to have their jerseys retired, but maybe some other honorary plaque, star or statue or something on the Soctiabank grounds.
A wall or walkway for career senators would be a good idea though.
We could do one for first round busts...
Other players for consideration would be:
Spezza if he finishes his career here
Phillips even without a cup (currently only the 4th 1st pick to play his 1000 first games with his team)
Neil, cause its Neil
Karlsson but its way too early for him yet
The issue is that you can have arguments to hang almost anyone's jersey, well almost. Like 9MM, do we hoist his if he ends his career here and is > ppg? probably not.
Would really like to see him with Spezza... but I don't think he would ever be available.
Bernier would be good.. but I don't think the Sens make that move right now. Unless they could make a deal with Florida to send him back to his 'home'... if Gudbranson comes the other way. Now I know that would never happen.
There will be some growing pains on D to start the year with 2 D out and 2 new ones in... They may need the experience of Anderson in net.
I usually don't take notice of what Eklund writes on HB.. but an interesting tidbit.. I really wish was true:
"CBA Hope? I have been hearing some inner rumblings that both sides may consider playing another season under the current CBA before delaying this season...as long as talks continue to be cordial and they get a sense progress is being made."
I can't remember if it is Montreal or Toronto that does this (or both) but I am a big fan of it. They don't retire numbers from past players - they will hang the number plus player's name from the rafters in honor of the achievments etc. though. So there could be 4 number 9's hanging from the rafters, but they can still wear the jersey on the ice.
The exception for that rule - with the Senators though - would be Alfie. He will have his number retired from the Sens forever. Phillips and Neil should definitely get their name and number honored in the rafters though.
I'm not sure why the Oil would get in on a 3 way deal that would land us Bernier. Why wouldn't they just trade directly for Bernier? Now if we went out and GOT him, then we could flip Bishop to them for Pajaarvi or something like that.
To be honest, Michalek is so far behind ppg right now, if he finishes his career at or above that and the rest of his career is in Ottawa, he would deserve serious consideration.
He currently has 341pts in 526 NHL games. So on average over the next 10 years he'd have to score almost 20pts/season more than games he plays (about 90pts in 70games per season).
I meant ppg in an Ottawa jersey sry, but yes if he scored 100pts/season for the next 10 years then it would be hard not to put him up, unless scoring trends radically change that is...
Ah ok, in that case he has 127pts in 209 games, so he would only need about 10pts extra per season. I think we can only hope he develops that assist side to that level!
Ummm not sure what your smoking but #9, #10 and I'm sure many other are retired in Montreal...You seen anyone in Montreal wearing those lately?? Didnt think so.
They got ceremony or should have one for 1000 games but not a jersey retirement...he ll lets retire Ron Tugnutt or Yashin for that matter or Redden for being our best defenceman of all time! No thx.
That would require us to have a finisher... :(
I think if they can't come to a new agreement the best option for everyone involved is indeed to just continue this current model for another year while they negotiate further. I don't see a scenario where either side let's a strike happen, the NHL just can't afford it right now.
I don't think his lack of assists has to do with line mates. He hasn't shown much of a play making ability. If he was more of a play maker I think we'd have seen a 45+g season from Spezza.
Though he did have a 40assist season with SJ, so maybe once they get a 3rd 1st line worthy player he'll return to that.
You assume Spezza would shot the puck... instead of passing it back...
Sorry if i sound bitter, im actually really excited for next season and want it to start ASAP!
Hence my comment, which you quoted and I will again here:
"I can't remember if it is Montreal or Toronto that does this (or both)"
So if you read the post that I wrote, which you responded to, you would realize that I was not certain if Montreal retired numbers or not. I also listed Toronto as potentially the team that honors players in the rafters rather than retiring the numbers - since you didn't say anything negative or condescending towards my mentioning them in that comment, I assume it is Toronto that does it that way.
Haha, no it's all good, it's pretty funny because it used to be so true. I'm glad to see he shot a bit more in those situations last year and hope that trend continues.
As the article implies, I was really glad when Ottawa grabbed Ceci at the draft. So to see him and Boro tearing up the rest of the prospects was awesome seeing as we are kind of worried about the need/lack of top notch defensive prospects. To expand upon the Doughty comparison, as you can see by the video, we were right beside his point position and literally every time a forward challenged him on the blueline, he absolutely undressed them and either made for the net himself or was able to set up a play.
I also wanted to share a quick story about Boro. During the meet and greet/autograph session, my cousin and i talked to him briefly. I said how well he and Ceci played together. He lit up a big smile and said "he's a good kid". I just thought that was such a cool and confident thing to say. Boro was also, by far the friendliest and most happy camper that day. If these two panne out, Ottawa has nothing to worry about.
Thanks again Chirp
Some actual reporting, analysis AND video?
Amazing.
Boro sounds like quite the character guy. If his skillset is anywhere close to being NHL ready I sure hope the Sens give him the shot, even over Lundin.
Eberle and Hall are entering the final year of the respective ELC's, Nuge has 2 years left on his and Yakupov obviously has 3.
If the cap stays at 70.3 million or continues to go up, Edmonton will have no problem keeping all four of these guys. If they do have to move one of them, don't expect it to be Eberle, and don't think we could acquire jim for Anderson and Zibanejad lol
They would move Hall before Eberle
same goes to neil.
spezz still has his best days ahead of him.
most of the fans didnt even think alfie deserved to be captain let alone have his number retired one day in ottawa 10 years ago.
My question to you is how do you fit another top 4 D in this group? I think it would have to involve sending Gonchar out.
Cowen-Karlsson
Methot-Gonchar
Phillips-Lundin
Borowiecki/Ceci (Ceci is either NHL or OHL)
Wiercioch-Claesson
Benoit-Blood
Eckford-Wideman
~Gryba
So now we have too many forwards... too many Dmen and too many Goalies?
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF oh wait...
STAY THE COURSE!
In PM we trust!
Agree with you Tooks. Usually retired #'s go to guys in the HoF but even if Alfie doesn't get into the Hall, he has impacted so much the city of Ottawa that he rightfully deserves to be hanging up there in the rafters.
I have been praying daily to the Big Man above that he finds a way to let Murray get rid of Sergei Gonchar. He is by far the worst player on the team and an absolute eye-sore to watch.
wasnt aware that his all time leading goals, assists, games played for ottawa including POs, as well as bringing the first major NHL award here have nothing to do with him deserving it ?
It's Alfie and our Number 11 to the rafters and then let's win something (the Cup) first!
Bernier is a big league first string goalie, he's looking at Philly!
Does your dawg bite, mine does...one way, $750K and we shall be glad to have him.
Gee Philly is in on Bernier? But they are in on Doan.. in on Ryan... in on Nash.. Do they have that many assets to trade?
Was in Montreal for a few days last weekend, and Canadiens have about 6 Bronze Statues Morentz,Richard , Beliveau, Lafleur and a few others.
They also have 15 retired numbers and names, lined up side
by side at Bell Centre main entrance.
I can see a Bronze Statue of Alfredsson, along with his numer 11 retired, but do not know for now, who could qualify
other than Spezza when he retires.
Just wanted to chime in and say that was an excellent little piece you wrote up and a great video you got your hands on. I'm as excited as ever to see both of those guys patrolling our blue line, the question is just WHEN!
Cheers.
Also Snoopy - we should have a nice statue of Neiler out front!!
And to center the front of the Bank... we need a nice bronze bench in the shape of a stache!!!!!!
hope thats some sort of joke right? 7.5 for doan???
apparently this was broken by some sports radio in pheonix.
source:
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/13/report-doan-gets-four-year-30-million-plus-offer-from-eastern-conference-team/
my wild guess would be jets sent that offer or the usual suspects (one of the orignial 6 team in the east)
Sounds like something Burke would do...
Some are saying it's the Isles. They need to get to the cap floor.
And his idiot agent is already defending it and starting CBA grumblings by saying it shouldn't be surprising, NHL revenues are up 50% since the last CBA started.
Here we go again! If hockey strikes again this year, I am very very seriously going to consider relinquishing being a fan and moving on to something else.
Wow! I'm not sure that's enough money to get someone to go to the Island
BUT there is nothing else to watch. Yes revenues are up in the NHL.. but some GM's are just plain stupid.. overpaying some players drive the prices up for every other team trying to sign similar players. Some GM's are smart with their spending... but some like Buffalo and what they did in 2011 with a new owner.. is just plain stupid.
speaking of buffalo, im not sure if its just their fans tweeting it but it seems as though its mostly sabres and flyers talking about adding him.
1. Play 800 games as a Senator or score over 700pts as a Senator - get a star on the front Scotiabank walkway.
2. Play 1000 games as a Senator or score 1000 points as a Senator - get a statue on the grounds.
3. Play 1000+ games AND score 1000+ points - you're likely getting into HOF and will have your jersey retired by the Sens.
Thoughts?
Looks like a promising blueline.
I seen on the twittor that HockeyyInsiderr wanted you to work for his site... I like their stuff. They tweet a little too much but overall they provide some good insight. I dont know who this Insiderr is obviously and he goes a little crazy on the mystery behind it but seems like a good team. DO you think you would join their stuff on the side of this site? I highly recommend. SensChirp as SensBlogger would be nice.
Solid stuff man, very nice combo of opinion, facts and a video to back it up. I honestly hope both these kids can play when we ship Gonchar out at the deadline for a 2nd... or low 1st round pickkkk.
Senators asst GM Tim Murray says D Andre Benoit is "not automatically destined for Binghamton". "
I wonder if this is one of those standard, we'll give everyone a shot scenarios, or if they're serious about Benoit playing in the NHL. I've always thought he had some good game and potential, so it was nice to see him come back, but I had no clue he'd get much of a look beyond injury callups.
i liked him in his call up to ottawa 2 seasons ago, however due to his size (or lack thereof), he may not get a spot. need as many big physical tough players we can get.
the reason many of us truly believe he is overrated is because he was a 2 time 40g scorer (yes i know, he has no real offencive support) but he is talked about as though he is on crosby's level of talent and accomplishments . Nash is just at his prime level and is not going to improve much more at this point, he is only a few years away from his decline. Add on top of that what howson thinks nash is worth, just makes it look even worse.
no one questions this guys ability to dominate games with his skill, but he is no stamkos/crosby/ malkin etc.
Quoting Spinorama:
The problem here is that none of Tugnutt, Yashin(yikes might as well of said Heatley), or Redden have played their entire careers with the team.
In this day and age, very few organizations end up having players who are drafted and retired by the same team when having played full careers. (The one year wonders don't count). I think it would absolutely be a class act for the organization to retire all 3 of these players jerseys since they have stuck with them through all the years, good and bad. What a better way to start a new history of players striving to become the true meaning of a franchise player who play his entire career with the Sens.
Ian Mendes @ian_mendes
Out with @SunDoniB for his birthday. As a gift, the media chipped in and bought him a framed copy of his "Karlsson Is Wasted Pick" story.
Based on what both sides went through in 2004, I certainly hope that there will be some compromises by both parties.
I read the opening proposal by the NHL on TSN, and it is
a tough starting shot at the NHLPA, but it will create very hard barganing by both sides.
I can see a negotiated settlement around Sept 15th !!
Only reason I hope Chirp joins them is so some asshole like Yost doesn't instead. Though these guys with HOckeyyInsiderr will definitely sink hockeyBuzz. Much better writing.
But I def dont want this site to disappear or be pushed aside
Revenue sharing from 57% to 46% share for the players. They will probably agree to 50-50 split.
Free agency after 10 years will probably be agreed to around that lenghth as long as the lenghth of contracts remain as they are now with no limits.
There will have to be some give and take but i think some of the owners have already shown their hand with some of the deals that have already been signed.
Note: In the Old South you could not contract a "Free Slave" for more than 5 years!
People are freeking out because of that first proposal. Chill out!!
Its called a barganing agreement for a reason. They will be barganing over the next few weeks. Clearly Betman has to low ball them somewhat. He's not gonna start with a proposal exactly where he wants to actually settle. All this proposal shows is exactly what the nhl wants to adress
I actually think every topic they brought up is totally legit. These 13year contracts are ridiculous. They won't settle on a max of 5 but prob something like 7 or 8. And everyone knew the front loaded contracts were over with. Also the 10years before ufa status isn't even that bad. Its already 6 or 7. And I think having longer entry level contracts would be good. Hopefully they settle on 4 years. The revenue sharing will probably be 50/50
I actually see this proposal as being very positive news. If they can meet in ythe middle on every one of those topics it will be great news for the league.
I've been saying for a while now that Webber will get traded this offseason not only because he won't sign long term in Nashville but because the days of long term contracts will be over come Sept. If you're Shea and you're seeing that the max length contract you'll be able to sign will be somewhere in the range of 5 to 7 years and your buddy who is not nearly as in demand just got 13 years and 98mill you'd def want to sign this contract asap. I bet his agent is talkking to Poile right now demanding a trade. Its just a smart business decision
I completely disagree. Yes betman has made some bad decisions when it comes to certain teams and what not. Obviously Pheonix sticks out. However absolutely nobody can argue that the league isnt in the best shape ever. They are by far more profitable then ever before. There is more parity then ever before and more than in any pro league in the world.
Yes there are some issues but I think everyone agrees that he's bringing up some of if not all of then right now. These long term contracts are ridiculous. A big thing that attracts attention to the leagye is superstars being free agents. With players signing 13 year contracts that would have soon been over with. Even the Minny owner was saying its ridiculous that he had to commit for 13 years just to get two players. Now he's straight fucked if something happens to them in the future.
I'm not the biggest fan of betman as I actually think the pheonix situattion is enough to get him fired on its own. But nobody can deny that this league is in great shape
Long without playing last CBA they had can't help , believe it or not they are all linked .
Wanting the HRR from 57% to 46% is crazy. It may end at about 52% in the players favour.
ELC's at 5 yrs. For the young superstars they won't like that.. but for the majority of the young players it takes them that long to develop into NHL players and teams will know more of what they have by that 5 yr term.
No more salary arbitration. No bonuses.
10 yrs before becoming a UFA.
New contract length is 5 yrs with the same salary every year.
All they need to do - is to limit the contract coming out of the ELC to a certain percentage with an exception for the superstars (a la Crosby, Stamkos, Toews, etc).
Limit to the contracts @ 7 yrs with the salary across the contract length within a certain percentage of the high amount. That will limit the ridiculous contracts like Kovalchuk, Parise, Suter.
Some of these owners have to be protected from themselves. Like Leopold on the Wild saying the contract amounts for both Parise & Suter were too high.. but yet he signed them anyway.
While I definitely agree owners need to be protected from themselves, it is legitimate for Leopold to make that comment. If he didn't sign them at that amount and term, someone else would have. The alternative is never getting good players which isn't an option.
there has to be some motivation in that you'd think...
I think both sides need to realize the damage they could do to the league by losing it's fans... if again they can't settle a new CBA without going to a strike or lockout. Neither side will be favoured by the fans... they will certainly lose a lot more than they gain.
I think it's a joke when some of these Owners/GMs cry foul when they are the ones responsible for what has happened.. yes you Mr. Sather, Mr. Lou Lamarello, Mr. Pegula -- you 3 are the main culprits in all of this...
I have no idea what this means apart from the league being in good hand "despite" Betman
That's just nonsense. Yes Bill daly has a say but the final call is on Betman. He is a business man. Anyone who knows anything about business knows that if you move one of your locations it looks extremely bad on the entire league. That's why he's been trying so damn hard to keep the team in pheonix. I'm not saying it should stay there but he has very good reasosns for doing what he's doing. I think the only problem is that it has taken this long. Its gotten to a point where yhis now looks worst on the league than if he has moves the team 5 years ago. But as we all know business is not easy and shit always comes up.
When you say the league is flourishing despite him it makes no sense. He's the one who wanted the salary cap along with everything else that's been changed. I agree there shouldn't be hockey teams down south but that's over with. You can't just pick up and move 10 teams. Even if you did there would always be rich teams and poor teams. That's why you need a salary cap along with max contracts. He's doing this to protect the poor teams. And you can't argue it didn't work. There is so much parity in the league its actually crazy. Even we had a chance to win the cup this year while spending the minimum.
Betman knows what he's doing. There's a reason the owners like hi and have kept him for over 2 decades
People shoukd stop junping on the "I hate Betman" bandwagon just because their buddy did too. The league is flourishing and its mostly because of him.
If he wouldn't have poushed so hard to get a salary cap back when we had the lockout the league would be in shambles. It would be exactly like the nba. The Rangers or one of the other rich teamns would have guaranteed gotten both parise and suter and there would only be 5 or so good teams.
The sport has never been more exciting to watch and again that's because of Betman. No it wasn't him per say that implemented those specific rules but he was the one who brought up the fact that the game itself nbeeded to change and hired a group to ldo their due diligence and come up with a solution. Its because of him that they hold the weekend during offseason where the try out new ideas for rule changes.
Our game is great and people should stop complaining because they are complaining about the man who made this league what it is today
But if they walkout/lockout again.. the fans will be on NO SIDE. Enough is enough.
You have extremely wealthy owners & players (for the most part) who can't settle a contract without a strike.
These players (generally) who make more in a year than most of their fans make in a lifetime.
They will lose viewership in the States.. but the Canadian fans have always come back. But will it be enough is enough? Will some Cdn teams lose their fans if another strike or lockout happens?
They had better tread very carefully....th ey risk a lot. Like the loss of franchises where some of the membership suddenly have no job.
I honestly don't think any of the teams that are apparently on his list will be willing to give up the assets needed to get him. Simply because the can't. They would all be left with massive holes
I still think we have a chance as I'm sure Howsen will get Nash to reconsider going to ottawa. Bryan Murray saying he's not gonna chase after him doesn't mean he's not interested. What it means is he made his offer and its now up to Howsen to get him to accept the trade
It really bothers me that peiple say Nash is overrated. Yes Howsen is asking a lot but I think he has good reason to. In my opinion there is nobody that comes even close to being as good/dominant a power forward. The way the game is going, that's exactly what you need to succeed. Plus he has scored over 30goals for 6 straight years on a terrible team. That's so unbelievably impressive.
butler
Welcome to capatilism. You'll be back in 2013.
Have to agree, despite all the nash drama and butt hurt, i still want him. Could easily see this debacle go on into the season with nash still in columbus, and nash finally relinquishing adding ottawa to his list. I pray to the lard that this is so.
Still waiting for the quantity for quality trade.
I would however go as we are over giving up Lehner
Youre kidding right? That was a first offer to get the ball rolling. Revenues will go 49% to players. Max contracts at 6 or 7 years. No arbitration will pass but UFA status will not change. Entry level deals will move up to 4 years.
Its called negotiating
Oh and before I hear the everyone loved the Heatley BS after a few games....No not everyone did, I have hated that trade since the day it occurred, and think it is by far our single worst move we have ever made as it directly led to Chara leaving as well.
The league wants to change what is defined as HRR which will lower the revenue going to the players. That could be a real sticking point.
Checked out the definition or meaning of HRR, and on TSN it is : players' Hockey-Related-Revenue.
The NHL is trying to reduce it from 57% to 46% ?????????
This might be the sticking point that Sandy is talking about.
Blogger Free Agency haha.
Did you hate the trade when we made the finals? Do you remember that feeling across the city, knowing that after a long season, we had made the Cup final with at the time, an elite top line...? You might have thought it was a bad trade, but it really wasn't our worst. It was also a good move for Chara... he's now wearing the C on an original 6 team, and has won the cup. Had we won that year, it would've been an even better move for us as well..
Ummm. Chara leaving had nothing what so ever to do with the heatley trade!!!!! Chara left, because he wanted to be top dog, and that was not going to happen while Alfie was still here, and our captain. Yorkie admitted as much on the healthy scratches. So, please don't associate Heatley trade to Chara's leaving.
KJ
Not only that but it is WHAT IS Hockey Related Revenue. The league wants to change what that is defined as... Not only the percentage.. but what revenue received is actually Hockey Related Revenue.
Chara was pissed at Muckler for the treatment of Hossa -- who is Chara's best friend.. I believe. It did play into Chara's decision. I don't care what Yorkie says. Chara cried when he realized he was leaving Ottawa.
Losing Chara hurt more than losing Hossa. They would not have been pushed around by the Ducks so much -- who knows what would have happened... but in the long run I would have sooner had Hossa than Heatley..
I'm happy for Chara in that he has found a new place he is happy in and has won the Stanley Cup and the Norris Trophy... but it should have been in Ottawa. Muckler was an idiot.
Ummm. Chara leaving had nothing what so ever to do with the heatley trade!!!!! Chara left, because he wanted to be top dog, and that was not going to happen while Alfie was still here, and our captain. Yorkie admitted as much on the healthy scratches. So, please don't associate Heatley trade to Chara's leaving.
KJ
Chara was pissed at Muckler for the treatment of Hossa -- who is Chara's best friend.. I believe. It did play into Chara's decision. I don't care what Yorkie says. Chara cried when he realized he was leaving Ottawa.
Losing Chara hurt more than losing Hossa. They would not have been pushed around by the Ducks so much -- who knows what would have happened... but in the long run I would have sooner had Hossa than Heatley..
I'm happy for Chara in that he has found a new place he is happy in and has won the Stanley Cup and the Norris Trophy... but it should have been in Ottawa. Muckler was an idiot.
*****************************
I don't disgree with you there about Muckler. I was surprised at the Hossa sign and trade. But anyone thinking Chara leaving was accosiated with Heatley is misinformed. No offense. I will take Yorkie's word over yours, simply because he has actually played with the man.
Hossa is one of my favorite Sens, and I have a signed photo of him. I wish he wasn't traded.
Chara had his own demands. Good for him. But I (personally) would rather have Alfie as Captain. Thanks.
KJ
That's a lame excuse. An article does not consume 100% of your time.
You have a business to run and it's really annoying checking the site and seeing nothing new for so damn long.
How hard is it to write 1000 words about any random topic related to the Sens or the NHL and then go back to this oh so important article.
I don't care how many times people minus this comment as I know everyone feels the same way.
pretty sure you need to get a girlfriend or a hobby or something to spice up that boring little life of yours , like come the f&$@ on buddy !
Luckily we have your post to read and work out how idiotic you are.
I didn't realise that chirp was in breach of his contract with us - you know the one we haven't signed.
If he charged us money for using his site you would have a point. But he doesn't so neither do you.
I suppose part of that is my fault for setting an unrealistic standard of a post a day. Fact is it's the middle of July, sun is shining, and hockey news is hard to come by.
And for the record, because the site is currently without ads, this is a hobby not a business haha.
People that have been on the site for the last couple of years routinely steer the conversation regardless of the post.
Lots of other sens sites out there posting original material
Completely agree. It's about the community more than anything. I know that I can take a day off here and there and have the conversation continue.
Hey assclown, if it's so easy to write 1000 words a day about the Sens, start your own blog and send us the link to it. That's what I thought, dick.
Glad to see others have already ripped into Zach for his douchebag post.
Zach, your post is like complaining that the person in front of you is turning the page on the newspaper before you're done reading over his shoulder. You're not paying for this site and you're not even contributing to meaningful discussion. If you want to read something for the sake of reading something try google.
In all seriousness though, there are other good Sens sites/blogs out there if you're jonesing for something to read. 6thSens is a good one for example.