Extremely class move by the Sens as they have recalled Cody Bass for the final game of the season. He will be in the line up this afternoon against Boston and is expected to take the place of Francis Lessard in the Ottawa line up.
No other line up changes are expected for the Sens meaning all the call ups from the other night will be in the Ottawa line up. I would also assume Clouston starts the trio of Greening-Spezza-Butler together from the get go tonight.
Still a little bit to be decided at the bottom of the NHL standings.The Islanders are in Philadelphia in a game that could impact where Ottawa finishes in the final standings.
| Ottawa | 81 | 32 | 39 | 10 | 74 | ||||||||||
| NY Islanders | 81 | 30 | 38 | 13 | 73 | ||||||||||
| Florida | 81 | 29 | 40 | 12 | 70 | ||||||||||
| Colorado | 81 | 29 | 44 | 8 | 66 | ||||||||||
| Edmonton | 81 | 25 | 45 | 11 | 61 |
During the back half of the season we have all talked about how a high draft pick will be good for this team and it no doubt will. But as the weather starts to finally warm up, and signs of spring are all around us, the harsh reality of a year without playoffs really starts to hit home.
As die hard hockey fans, this is the time of year we live for. Our Senators won't be there this time around but I have a good feeling we will be pushing for a spot next season. The future is bright for this team and better days are ahead for this fan base. I want to thank all of you for your loyalty and dedication to this team and to this site over the past season.
GO SENS GO!
It's about rewarding hard work and dedication to the organization.
Bass, 24, who is being recalled to Ottawa for the first time this season, has had 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and 111 penalty minutes in 58 AHL games.
He was recently recognized with the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as the American Hockey League's 2010-11 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year.
That being said, I believe the fact that he played 21 games in the NHL in 2007/2008 as a testament to how bare the Bingo cupboards were when Murray took over.
another 3 point night for Hubby. thats 15pts in 5 playoff games....
might have to trade up to get him
That being said, I am incredibly eager to see the team that Murray's staff will put together next season.
The fact that we are winning with 5 AHL call ups, and have injuries to Alfie, Erik Karlsson and Sergei Gonchar says a lot.
I'm so impressed, and hopefully this same winning mentality carries over to next season.
I'm rotten to the core
I post an insult every day,
and sometimes three or four.
I can't stand fun for anyone,
I think good posts are sappy,
I laugh with glee, it pleases me,
when everyone's unhappy!
Could it be, that he convinces the Sens to sign him as the backup for next year ??
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know, its scary. When the first draft rankings came out I think he was at number 23-24. He's consistently moved up throughout the season, and now its looking like a steal if we get him at number 5.
This guy is the SECOND youngest in the draft, and he's making a mockery of the league.
So basically what you're saying is that you are willing to sacrifice a good prospect to move up in the draft ang get Huberdeau all for the sake of an effing meaningless win? Are you nuts? What some people don't realize is that this winning is gonna cost us a young player from the organization if we really have our sites set on drafting a particular player (Lando). That sounds like moving backwards in our quest to rebuild.
LETS GO B's AND ISLES
I like Huberdeau but please don't post misinformation. Strome is one month younger, barely eligible.
Not too shabby a start.
Lehner got the win.
my bad!
check the edit ^^^^^^
I can't even take you seriously
you want the team to lose.
Hey if you like meaningless eond of season winning, the Leafs' bandwagon is always open to newcomers. There you can have fun watching them do it every year...
we dont need two points today.
jay
I actually have to thumbs up this one. We could use a loss, and an Islanders win.
Choosing 4th versus 5th overall can go along way. This single game pretty much decides that.
UNFURL THE BANNERS !
RELEASE THE DOVES !
ROLL OUT THE CEREMONIAL CARPETS !
GODOT HAS LEFT THE BUILDING !!!!!!!
You should have tried to hire Julie Robenhymer instead.
1. You have that backwards (Isles play Philly)
2. Florida cannot mathematically pass us anyways
3. The isles are a better team than people give them credit for, they pulled out a point against the Pens last night who are still winning without Sid. They have some real talent in Grabner, Tavares, Moulson, Okposo.
Haha I knew you were going to all over that.
Yeah we have been really lucky to sign the top rated NCAA free agents the last 2 years and BB16 is legit.
Excuse me for being naive but who is Godot?
I think after the isles picked up a point last night, its a little more of an incentive to lose, we all know this team isn't gonna quit, but McBackup will let in more than Anderson.
Ok, thanks for clarifying. Was GODOT a username or something? Why is he called that?
Man oh man Smith is one tough cookie! I love how he just stepped up to the plate there! lol
Not sure where all of the recent hate for Smith was coming from. Guy needs a chance. He's young, scrappy and energetic. Forgive him if he has a few bad games and a learning curve...
All we need on that line is a LW player [Jokinen/draft pick?] to complete it.
Really like Bulter and Greening though.
Condra ain't quite there yet.
Funny, I see Condra as ahead of Greening, but I do think Greening has a higher ceiling with his talents. Condra still impresses me 20 something games later. Greening is definitely improving though, I'd say offseason and maybe by December he could be a big difference maker. Imagine Greening/Da Costa/Condra as our 3rd line next year, college kid line that could easily be a 2b line. I think a high energy line like that with nothing to lose and everything to gain would be a nightmare for alot of teams and they're all fairly responsibly defensively.
Speaking of defense, how about Jason Spezza's work on the PK. You have to credit Anderson mostly for turning the PK around, but if you watch Spezza work the PK, he works and gets on the puck with relative ease. Big time season for Spezza's maturity. Looking forward to seeing alot more of that next season.
Potential wise I think Butler has the highest ceiling because he is the most natural goal scorer among the three. Greening and Butler are more consistent than Condra, but Bobby is the best scoring threat, which is what the team needs most.
Grit, hard hitting, and heart are always admirable traits, but the roster needs goal scoring more than anything moving forward next year.
Which is why I give BB16 the edge over the other two. Talent wise, he is a top 6 forward. Condra is best a 3rd line player imo. With all due respect to the kid.
I definitely see Condra in the A come next season
Agreed about Butler, I consider him to be a lock and NHL ready. Greening's frame will hopefully turn him into a top 6 mainstay. He's a power forward with some serious wheels and what's not to like about that.
I think what I like most about Condra's play is just that everything he does is "smart". Bit of creativity in his game and a high hockey IQ makes him a winner to me.
Respect.
The only thing I worry about Greening is the probability of him making the NHL squad, but turning into a grinder. Oftentimes, not to the fault of the player, it happens. I hate it when that happens; when talented players who have the ability to score turn into grinders and hitters because of the step up of the NHL, which is unfortunately what I've been seeing from Greening over the past little while.
I don't see Greening as a top 6 forward, as much as I like him. We need a proven, goal scoring NHL'er. And to be honest, I would be shocked if Greening makes the roster next year as a top 6, knowing very well that Murray wants a better goal scoring roster.
any rumblings about Murray's plans this summer? Is he going to work the UFA market or fill this team with inhouse players? I know its probably too soon to know, but the guy did just sign a 3 year contract
Maybe his doctor advised him to get off to reduce the swelling
Find myself asking the same question. I can't flippin wait.
For goodness sake I have Tuesday marked on my calendar for the lottery! *Go Islanders*
Anything can happen with those ping pong balls-- Chicago ended fifth last and picked first for Patty Kane. It can happen.
I would love to see Murray go hard after Jussi Jokinen in the OS.
Foligno/Regin/Alfy
?/Winchester/Neil
?/?/?
Those aren't the lines I predict, just the depth chart for locks to make next year's team and room for UFAs.
We also need a backup goalie and I really think McBackup is a great choice. Nowhere close to being a #1, but has proven to hold his own as a backup.
Found this from HFBoards
Once he plays one NHL game, he is ineligible for the AHL playoffs.
Thats what I'm talking about with Condra, he's been putting himself in the play every shift, with time he will hopefully learn to bury those chances, but what more could you hope for out of a 7th rounder in his 1st NHL season.
And just as I typed this, he gets scored on...oops!
LETS GO ISLES!!!!!!
And he proves again why he is McBackup. 3-1 Boston.
Boston is a superior team to Ottawa with our injuries and without Anderson, but McBackup has played solid for a #2, I don't want a 1a 1b goalie, as that always turns into a 2a 2b goalie.
Seriously though, good season by the boys. As a huge sens fan I find myself being very cautiously optimistic, there are a lot of things to look forward to next year. I am also very happy that the man who deserved the "A" on his jersey for two years will finally get it. Toss the torch to Spezza.
Its going to be a boring summer there boys. Who you cheering for in the playoffs? For me, I am going with Philadelphia because they have a lot of Canadians :P.
CBC's comments on the matter was that BM had talked to Clouston about getting Mcbackup one more game in before the end of the year (with 6 games remaining), this one being it i guess.
I don't mean to whore the comments, I just have alot of thoughts
I may be in the minority but I want Clouston back for at least one more year.
Look what he has done for Spezza since he came back from injury. What he has gotten out of this basically AHL team down the stretch.
His 1st yr he almost got the Sens into the playoffs. He needed about another 2 wks to succeed with that.
Last season considering the injuries going into the playoffs he got them to 6 games against the Pens.
This season mostly crappy goaltending & the Spezza injury did this team in. These young guys thrive under him. Spezza is so much better. Why not give him 1 more year. What is it going to hurt. It's not like Sens are going to win the Cup next season.
Seriously though, good season by the boys. As a huge sens fan I find myself being very cautiously optimistic, there are a lot of things to look forward to next year. I am also very happy that the man who deserved the "A" on his jersey for two years will finally get it. Toss the torch to Spezza.
Its going to be a boring summer there boys. Who you cheering for in the playoffs? For me, I am going with Philadelphia because they have a lot of Canadians :P.
For me.. Philly has probs lately. Wash has offense but unsure of their goaltending, so going with Boston who has best goalie, great dmen esp with Chara, and playoff grit.
West..Van goalie/offense, Detroit..Team game, work ethic and skill. Perhaps SJS but will never cheer for them when Heatly is there.
So for me Boston/Vancouve r in cup finals.
Congrats to all who stayed/cheered for Sens all year
Can't see them on the ice as a team any more this year. Missing going to the games..
I will definitely be watching Spezza, Michalek, Shannon at the worlds. Do we know who else if any from the Sens will be in the IIHF WC -- other than DaCosta. He looked a little more comfortable out there today.
You know I am just joking around haha, better you posting than tookie or the tyrant :p.
I certainly hope SJ meets Anaheim in the 1st round. I can't see Marleau-Thornto n-Heatley being able to stand up to Perry-Getzlaf-Ryan.
As long as the Habs or SJ don't win, I'm okay with that.
We have to start cheering for Nashville -- the further they go the better the draft pick in 2012.
Future Prediction
Regin - Spezza - Butler
Michalek - Da Costa - Shannon
Greening - Foligno - Alfredsson
Winchester - Smith - Neil
Extra: Condra
Rundblad - Gonchar
Phillips - Lee
Kuba - Karlsson
Extra: Cowen
Anderson
Broduer
Ideally I think the 2011/2012 Season will be played out with AHL players in draft picks to fill in injuries much like the end of this year. I know Murray said one of there top 30 picks will play for sure. I'm just not sure how all is possible with all these players in the equation. I doubt Murray will buy out any body to save cap room. Which I believe is the right thing. stop playing players not on your team.
http://twitter.com/SunGarrioch - Clouston told me, as a result of question I asked, he'd like his own situation settled quickly. #sens
It's a re-build. That means getting rid of veterans to replace with youth.
To me that means Butler, Greening & Condra are on this team next season as part of the youth of this team. Where they fit in is the question.
The surprise signing (to me) of Petersson may be used by the Sens to get leverage to sign Silfverberg, who intended to play in the SEL next season. Maybe he can have a change of heart. Getting Silfverberg in Bingo for a few months (like with Karlsson) may go a long way into getting him in the lineup in the NHL some point next season.
Question is which of the forwards is gone next season to make room for Condra, Greening & Butler.
Would it benefit the Sens to pick him up -- he is an RFA after this season. Made 550K this year.
Would he be a better backup tham McElhinney?
Would really like to put the screws to SJ and pick him up.
Not sure that he fits if its true that Murray is looking for a veteran backup though.
Honestly, I don't see many viable veterans available as a backup this summer, so I don't really understand that position as a whole I guess.
It's a re-build. That means getting rid of veterans to replace with youth.
To me that means Butler, Greening & Condra are on this team next season as part of the youth of this team. Where they fit in is the question.
The surprise signing (to me) of Petersson may be used by the Sens to get leverage to sign Silfverberg, who intended to play in the SEL next season. Maybe he can have a change of heart. Getting Silfverberg in Bingo for a few months (like with Karlsson) may go a long way into getting him in the lineup in the NHL some point next season.
Question is which of the forwards is gone next season to make room for Condra, Greening & Butler.
Great points Sandy. However today I don't want to think of anyone going next season. I'm a bit melancholy just now. One season over and another starting now. Just enough time for me to relax on my terrace and think about the season. Beer helps!
http://twitter.com/SunGarrioch - Just got word from @Legault_Phil: Training camp opens Sept. 16th. #sens.
How would Greis cloud the #1/#2 situation? The guy has been a backup his entire career thus far, and doesn't look to dominate the league any time soon.
Unless he plays lights out and kicks some ass, and how could that actually be a bad thing?
The whole idea of a goaltending "controversy" is ridiculous, and perpetuated by idiots on TV pretending to be experts who need to fill time by making up this crap.
Dunno how its ridiculous seeing as we've had one ever since Hasek left.
He played pretty well with SJ a year or two ago.
I think he would be better than McElhinney as backup. But that's just me.
It would not cost you a lot.. but if Anderson goes down with injury, who would you rather have as a back-up?
Just to put the screws to SJ would be justice in my opinion.
Sept 16th -- training camp..5 mos & 7 days.. seems like forever.
Draft June 25th -- rookie camp late June/early July.
Let's go Isles.
Eh, I guess by goaltending controversy, you just mean we have had shitty goaltenders then?
There has been no "controversy", they have just sucked.
You also ignored my point about Greiss being a career backup. Nothing in his background says he is going to vie with someone like Anderson to be our number one. He certainly couldn't take the job from Nabokov while he was there, and lost out to both Niemi and Nittymaki this year.
You are correct of course. There are people like Johne on this site, however who want to make sure the backup goalie is so limited in skill that he will never pose a challenge to Anderson as #1. Much better to have a half-assed backup losing games than have a healthy competition for playing time. It boggles the mind.
You still have not responded to my comment about Greiss' history as a backup, and the fact that there is nothing about him statistically that says he will outplay Anderson, or even "compete" against him.
Let's just ignore the fact that having 2 great goaltenders is always better than one, that competition is healthy, and that you're proposed treatment of Anderson is essentially treating him like he's a fragile 13 year old boy with confidence issues.
What about Greiss, statistically, makes you think that he will cloud the goalie 1/ goalie 2 situation more-so than the free agents available this summer?
EDIT: Not "fired" but they will not be back. Press release puts it as "dismissed".
Thats amazing! I had no idea that Clouston would be re-signed then immediately fired, all in the same day!
Wild.
Okay, not "fired" but confirmed as not returning. Feel better?
2 1/2 years.
Coaches/GMs etc are almost always let go as soon as the last game is over (or the next day) to provide them the best chance of getting another job before the next season. NFL has "black Monday" for example.
glad to see the entire regimen get axed. Nothing personal, just think theres better assistants out there.
Dave Cameron should make a great NHL coach.
Actually, since the NHL season isn't technically over (Sens is, NHLs isn't) Clouston is still under contract. Therefore, him and the assistants got fired.:)
YES.
Completely agree Johne. I still like the guy and wanted him to stay. But I think the Sens HAD to fire him, because it would have looked really bad on management is they kept him.
Still like him though.
Gonna look bad on his resume now when it says "fired" only days before his tenure was up anyway lol what a dick move by Murray.
Good luck Cory. You will certainly find another job soon enough.
Dave Cameron better not be the next coach or this franchise will become Melnyks fantasy team...
Wild game in philly!!! 3-3, Isles with the comeback
Also fuck Dave Cameron. Please Murray/Melnyk DO NOT hire Cameron.
What is the point of replacing a coach who is supposed to be "too young" or not have enough experience with an even more in experienced coach. Why replace Clouston with Cameron. NO PLEASE NO!!!!!!!
It's the opposite of a dick move. It gives him an extra day to be "on the market". It's not like some GM is going to interview him and say "so I see on your resume that you provided that your contract simply ran out in Ottawa - phew, glad you weren't fired!"
Richardson wasn't fired.
Also, Dave Cameron has won at almost every level he's coached.
I gotta say, I really don't have a good feel for coaches. Who...that is available...wou ld make a good one for the 11/12 Sens and going forward? Young team in transition with a couple of marquee players that need managing.
Dave Cameron has won at almost every level he's coached.
He is, in essence, the perfect guy for a young team; considering he coaches a Junior club and coached the Canadian Juniors.
I don't see how this guy wouldn't be a good fit for a team full of youngsters. He got experience coaching young hockey players written all over him.
He's been coaching since 1995. I wouldn't call that inexperienced.
I meant what was his position?
If this is to hire Lindy Ruff... great move.
Just sayin.
I hope we hire Ruff. That would be dope. I doubt it though, isn't he still under contract?
Super scout Jim Nill, who has uncovered many treasure groves for the Detroit Red Wings, is considered to be the best GM-in-waiting, and the whisper winds say he is ready to leave Detroit for a bigger challenge......
Hope we didnt miss this !!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Cameron
He coaches the D-men. And he has one more year on his contract.