The Sens are expected to go with the same line up that beat the Caps on Friday night. Alfredsson joined the team on the road trip but won't dress this afternoon. Here are the forward combinations.
Greening-Spezza-Butler/Michalek-Shannon-Condra/Foligno-Winchester-Neil/Svatos-Smith-Lessard
While the Sens are busy on the ice this afternoon, you can bet Sens GM Bryan Murray will be busy off of it. Stephane Da Costa and his Merrimack team were elimanated from the NCAA tournament, meaning Da Costa is officially a free agent.
The Senators are extremely interested in his services but the word is there may be as many as 15 teams looking to sign Da Costa. Ottawa can certainly offer Da Costa an attractive option both financially and in terms of playing time.
Definitely something to keep an eye on over the next few days.
And its at the wrong time against the wrong team, when we are outside the playoff run by far. Cloutson stop throwing hail mary's to save your job!
The only change in this lineup is that Winchester centres Line 3, and Smith centres Line 4
Defense Pairings should be :
Phillips - Lee
Hale - Karlsson
Kuba - Wiercioch
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!
It seems to me that we want the best of both worlds. If we were losing a bunch of games because our team was not playing well people would be talking about trading Spezza and the huge mistake it was to re-sign Phillips. But now that they're playing well we're upset about our draft position.
Just sit back and enjoy the rest of the season and be excited about our young prospects development and some of our veterans stepping up to a new challenge. I understand we are rebuilding but, you have to admit, the rebuild is already well underway with what we are seeing on the ice recently.
I am a Sens fan first and foremost and am looking forward to this draft but not at the expense of what we already have.
GO SENS GO!
Chirp, are there any other worth while college Free Agents out there?
found a great video from the matrix that i think would be pretty cool if they were to show it at SBP from time to time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YC7TMi0l68&feature=related
It's also looking more and more like Nashville is going to be a playoff bound team, everyone better be first round Nashville fans so we can grab another 2nd round pick.
If there was a runaway top prospect or two I would totally agree with you, but there isn't. It's anyone's guess as to who the top player in the draft will be. It could be anyone of the top 5 most talked about players.
Paul Thompson
Paul Zanette
Justin Fontaine
Yes it would be great to get da costa, but he won't be playing with the big club this year, he'll have to play for bingo since its after trade deadline.
No he can play for the Sens, look at Butler last year, he played the last couple games for the sens
Are you sure about that? Butler played 2 games for us last season if you guys remember. Even so, if he can't play for the Sens this season he will help out Bingo, and give us another player to be excited about going into next season.
You are right that these games have little meaning overall and they may not be able to carry it over to the following season. However, to say this is the same as the Leafs or Panthers is simply not true. The Leafs and Panthers kept their same tired team intact each year to make their playoff push vs the Sens who are already in re-build mode and are still showing promise.
We weren't guilty of hanging on to our broken team with the hopes that one or two additions would somehow push us over the top (which we have been guilty of in some previous seasons).
the day can't come any sooner!
sign him Murray
To those who want Clouston replaced, who do you want as head coach next year and why?
i believe that was an emergency call up situation, and alfie is injured so he might be able to be called up but i believe there is a 1 or 2 game max. I don't believe we could send somebody down to call him up and somebody would have to get injured on our current roster for him to get the call up.
Something you "spoilers" have got to realize is that the Senators, with our current roster, are one of the most talented team's in the east. In west, we'd finish 7th or 8th, but in the east, a healthy pittsburgh team, and philadelphia (if they had a goalie) are the only teams that compare to Ottawa right now.
Next year will be a rude awaken for those of you who think this is a fluke and we are in store for another lottery pick.
If you're interested in watching Sens-less playoffs, I would stick to watching the west this season. Nothing interesting will happen in the East, its just boring hockey.
But I'm enjoying these games, and even tho they are pros, I think a winning mentality matters and carries over to next year. And CC is on a tryout too, so unless Murray fires him now, CC will play Anderson and hopefully get more wins. And I don't blame him.
I wonder if "we" want to sign McEl as back up goalie? I think if yes, he'd get more playing time now. Or maybe we should sign him now before price goes up?
Just some random thoughts.
He's a good coach with a renewed philosophy that seems to be working. I honestly believe that the new roster next year will succeed under him. I don't think the expectation next year is to win a Cup or anything, so why not keep him for one more year?
Either that or hire Dave Cameron if he can. I think he would make a good NHL coach. Excellent experience at the youth level, would do the young team next season some good
I really don't care as long as he isn't mentally deficient like Clouston. Reasons: The fact that Alfie still hasn't been shut down this year is absurd, why Anderson is still playing every game is incomprehensabl e, and lastly there is no logical explanation as to why we keep Greening, Condra, and Butler up while Bingo are fighting to make the playoffs.
i laughed at this. like come on buddy. let's not get ahead of ourselves here because the team is having some last minute success.
The West is HARDER to make the playoffs compared to the East. For goodness sake, the BLACKHAWKS are 7th-8th in the West. there's no way we would finish there.
WHL winner
AHL winner
NHL first year good, second year lots of veterans cant coach, now we have rookies we have a great record.
8win 5lose, since the trade deadline pretty good in my opinion.
Boston? Buffalo? Tampa? the Capitals?
Are they not good teams also?
they're all good, but they wouldn't beat OTtawa in a best of 7 right now. guaranteed
I actually have Buffalo-Tampa to make the finals, if thats possible.
This is one of the most absurd posts I have ever read on SensChirp haha
Indeed. This guy needs a bat over the head
DO you think we will see Ilya Zubov sign and perhaps play for bingo or sens next year.
maybe because you have rarely watched any other teams play, and base what you know about them solely on their stats?
Teams in the East don't stand a chance this year. I can't believe Ottawa did so poorly considering the competition.
Oh wait.. brian elliot... ok, now I believe it.
When Alex Kovalev was traded this team suddenly found some spark again. I believe that AK was a huge mistake from the beginning as he didn't fit with CCs coaching style. CC likes a pressure game forcing the opposition to make quick decisions. Obviously AK did not buy into this system and, quite frankly, broke that system.
Now that he is gone CC can get back to the system as he now has a young fast team to work with. AK wasn't only a bust on the ice but off as well as his work ethic probably had an impact on other players. And for those who say that CC should have benched him ... it's hard to bench guys who the owner hand-picked to play on your team.
Some people just don't get it do they? You're right I guess? It's totally on Clouston that Alfie hasn't been shut down yet. Murray and Alfie himself have no say in the matter what-so-ever do they?
You're right about Greening, Butler, and Condra as well. Clouston has them playing incredibly well in his system and they're trying to earn spots on the team next season and get as much experience as possible. Meanwhile, Bingo has won 5 straight games an is pretty much a lock for the post season. Shame on you Clouston!!
Ridiculous.
Not Clouston's doing. He's been doing a great job. The entire organization has, including Bingo
haha you're a funny guy. Now I know why the Tyrant is the way he is, because of posters like you.
Tks
http://www.nhlscap.com/draft.htm#lottery
Gracias Johne.
You're right, I know nothing about hockey...
I went 12 for 12 on proline picks yesterday and won a total of $9,000 on 3 separate tickets, but it was probably just a fluke..
I won big last weekend too.. and the weekend before that. probably just more flukes
So, what are we crying about? Picking no worse than 5th overall?
Look, I get the fact that some fans really had wood for picking Landeskog (they may yet, by the way), but I challenge any person on this board to tell me why they think that Landeskog is going to be a better NHL player than Ryan Strome or Jonathan Huberdeau.
Regardless of who they pick, Ottawa will be getting the best forward prospect in their system. So stop crying and try to be happy that your team is winning some games!
F'n crybabies. Get over it.
Players may be different unlike the leafs but at the same time those are NHL players while we're pinning our hopes for next seaspn on many unproven kids who are playing with little pressure. People saying there are no sure bets in this draft may be right, but to me Larsson looks pretty good and everyone seems pretty high on him. If there is indeed little to seperate the top 3 or 4 players in the draft - which I doubt is the case - then the team having the chance to pick earlier will be in a position to fill in a need rather than picking the player the other teams wanted less.
There would never be a clearcut winner, with those 2 going at it forever ! Unless...it's a Proline battle !
Haven't been able to catch many of these late season games which is a shame, as I've heard so many good things about the play of the team.
I'm not sure, but I think that you have to play 8 or 9 games in the season before it counts as a year off the entry level contract, so last year shouldn't count for Butler.
good point, we have clear information that conor is the proline champ - but I like the tyrant's chances, after all he can always get a second wind by changing his name back to bejamin
stream suck and totally unreliable, poor definition and free ones lead to virus' ad computer problems.
Streamed last year with major dissapoitment.. . Bought center ice this year, i don't miss a game and can pause and rewind to make my own judgements on my own replays without bias.
ceneter ice HD + pvr = satisfaction
i'm sure Murray would have loved to have moved Kuba at the deadline but there was little chance of that. There is always the possibility of a buy-out or burying him in the minors but I doubt that EM would be willing to spend his money that way whilst we are in a rebuild. A pleasant part of the logjam is that Lee has been playing so well, I think most people expected Lee not to really be a factor, but his play means you have to consider him for next year.
Jason, you are my favourite person today. WASF, you and NHL centre Ice can suck my cheap ass ;D
For people who have asked, the NHL draft lottery will be held on Monday, April 12th - two days after Sens play their last game.
Anytime my friend.
I too do not believe in paying money for something I can use for free ;)
cheers
"If a defending player carries, passes, or otherwise intentionally sends the puck into his defensive zone, any attacking player in the zone is not offside"
Michalek didn't intentionally send it back = offside.
I've seen this play called correctly very often, don't know how they got it wrong.
I can't figure out how to reply to your PM, or find it. But thank you very much!
LOL. Ummm no.
We have a #1 centre, an aging first line RW, very little offensive depth and a very average defensive corps. Oh, we have a good goalie. This team would get murdered in the West, a MUCH stronger conference than us. This team isn't better than Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, Rangers, Detroit, Vancouver, San Jose, etc. etc.
We've just allowed 26 second period shots. When was the last time Boston, Philly, Detroit, etc did that?
He can't play for Bingo in the playoffs unless his name was on the 'final' roster submitted a couple of weeks ago. He can play regular season games only. I would play him in Ottawa for how many games are left... and send back one of Lessard, Butler, Condra or Greening to help Bingo.
Right now Bingo is 7 pts above the 4th place team in the other division... looks good for the playoffs for them for the crossover.
Our draft picks will have to be 20 yr olds to play in Bingo.. unless they are from Europe.
At least it's fun to watch.
karlsson is sick.
kuba's actually been playing well the past month
What a fucking move! Sensational.
Kalrsson with 3 dangerous pinches that lead to a goal - entertaining.
I want a good draft pick like all fans and I've always been extremely tentative about late season win streaks, but I'd MUCH rather have our kids playing like they are and winning than have them continuing our losing ways - even if it DOES turn out to be an anomaly.
The entertainment value alone is worth it. The last few games have been especially exciting, especially compared to both our start-of-year roster and the first bunch of games as the NHL Binghampton Sens.
Side note: I'm sorry but if Jesse Winchester is one of our top 12 forwards next year, there is something wrong. This guy may win faceoffs but he can't play at the NHL level in my opinion
The young players are getting good NHL experience and don't have to worry too much about every mistake they make goes into the back of their net.
They are not 'folding' in a game when they get 2 goals down. They were down 2 goals today and have tied it up late in the game. Svatos has 2 goals.
Playing games they are winning is better for these young guys than losing just about every game.
I'm hoping Butler can talk to his friend "Thompson" and Murray can get a crack at signing him... along with Da Costa. Just hope Da Costa does not go to the 'blue' team.
The draft will take care of itself.
Remember, the rookie of the year this year is probably Skinner who was drafted 7th....
What in particular do you not like about his play? He was never intended to be a high scorer. Defensive play, face off wins and hits are what he's on the team for and he hasn't really disappointed in that regard.
And at $750k, I suspect he'll stick around next year as well.
I just don't think he has the skill level to play in the NHL. I know a role player like that isn't expected to light it up but Winchester can barely take/make a pass. It's great that he can work hard and win faceoffs. I look at it this way. Smith or Winchester? One should be our 4th line center. I think Smith brings a lot more than Winchester does for the same price.
He makes the team because he is under contract. Also he is a really good 4th line player. Tough guy that can play defense, win some faceoffs and always plays hard. I dunno what more you want out of a 4th line guy.
I can understand that. Smith will more readily fight, and that in my mind is the biggest difference between the two.
But really, I'd rather grab someone like Z. Konopka to center the 4th line if thats what we're looking for. 5th in the league in face off wins, good character guy, very solid fighter, good defense.
I know WHY he makes the team. I'm just saying on a lot of NHL teams that Jesse Winchester wouldn't be a top 12 forward, and I don't think he should be. Zack Smith is tougher, more physical, fights more, is more of a threat around the net, and has nearly the same FO % this season as Winchester. Look, we are arguing over a 4th line guy here, and all I'm saying is that I don't think Winchester is an NHL calibre player in any role, and that Smith is better suited for the role Winchester plays on the team than he is.
That's exactly my point, and Konopka is a good example. It just seems that b/c Winchester works hard, he should have a spot on the team. I could go in there and work hard then if that's all they want. A guy like Konopka brings a TON to a team in a 4th line role. Winchester just doesn't seem like a guy who makes a difference out there in any way. A guy like Konopka, or a Shawn Thornton in Boston, Brandon Prust in NY, and even Neilsy here in Ottawa. Those are effective fourth line players that make a positive difference for their teams in the game. I just think there has to be somebody out there who would make more of a difference out there than Winchester does (and im not talking about scoring). To me he's usually invisible.
This would be an interesting lineup for next season:
Frolov - Spezza - Zherdev - all 3 are capable of 50 pts plus
Michalek - Couturier - Alfredson - rookie plus vets
Greening - Regin - Butler - Regin may be better with these 2
Foligno - Z. Smith - Neil/Winchester - this should be the 4th line. Condra would be an injury replacement callup or replace Winchester. Frolov & Zherdev would have 1 yr contracts, same money, based on team performance.
On another note let's hope Murray is trying his best to sign Paul Thompson of New Hampshire, he seems like a Bobby Butler clone & is bigger than Da Costa.