A late season waiver wire acquisition, Curtis McElhinney did an admirable job as the team's number two. He bounced around a lot last season but certainly looked comfortable in the starts he got with Ottawa down the stretch. A UFA heading into next season, McElhinney will definitely be one of the options Murray considers.
The club has made it pretty clear they plan to let Robin Lehner spend a full season down in Bingo. This was a weird season for Lehner between injuries and call ups so a full season in the minors would likely be good for his long term development.
Murray will have a number of options when free agency opens up and one reader thinks Murray should consider bringing back an old fan favourite. Here is what SensChirp reader Larry had to say...
Ottawa will be looking for a backup it looks like. It would be a good move, cheap and I am sure fans would love to welcome back as a backup Patrick Lalime. He wants to play in Ottawa and last free agency he waited around to see if Ottawa would pick him up again. After they signed Auld he went to Buffalo. I think Lalime should be a consideration to back up Anderson.
Lalime is a UFA at the end of the season and would definitely be an affordable back up. Ottawa looked at bringing him back in the past so you would assume he would still be interested. Lalime was a fan favourite during his time in Ottawa and as his NHL career nears the end, would likely be very receptive to the idea of coming back to the Nation's Capital.
Murray will have a few options when he goes shopping this summer. Here is a list of some of the other guys that will be available. Who do you like?
-Giguere, Roloson, Smith, Hedberg, Osgood, Conklin, Turco, Garon, Harding, Theodore, Auld, Boucher
Bingo dropped game three of their first round series and now trail the best of seven, 2-1. Manchester scored just 1:43 in to the first overtime period to steal game three in Binghamton.
Game 4 of that series goes tomorrow night
He's just not allowed to play against the Leafs... okay?
I'd be fine with Lalime as backup. If only because there'd be no doubt who the #1 is.
Yea I think I like Harding too. Young guy with some potential.
With Anderson in nets we finally have an undisputed number 1, why rock the boat with somebody who might potentially challenge him within the next couple of years? We aren't in a position to take a run at the cup next year and it will take a very good effort for this team as is it is at the moment to over-achieve and get into the playoffs. Therefore our back-up should be a good team guy, who doesn't cause issues and can play 20 games and be happy with that. Lalime would be a sound choice I guess but I think McBackup earned first refusal.
Conklin or Garon for me.
Harding will be coming back from major surgery and hasn't played in a regular season game since March 2010. Too risky for me.
LMAO! Who told him about Murray? He's as good as hired now.
I really liked Lalime when he was with the Sens. Notwithstanding his blunders in the playoffs, he was a great goalie. Remember when he wanted to put spikes on the inside of his skates so he could prop himself back up from the butterfly? Genius! Too bad the NHL kaiboshed (sp?) that plan.
Hey OLYMPIQUES, "I see you rolled your way into the semis! Dios Mios man!..." Apparently Couturier was a bit lame. Maybe a bunch of Chirpers should head over to the Booby G arena for the next round and support major junior in the region! GO 'Piques!
Peluso Out.
Harding is a good goalie and I think he'll come cheaper since he's coming off of surgery. I would start by giving him a 1 year deal so he can prove himself and also put something in the deal saying that he has to pass a physical first.
Hedberg is not young. I'm pretty sure he's roughly 37 years old and about to be 38 soon.
Holy shit you're right! Haha man I was way off, I thought he was a young guy....
Unfinished business.. T think a guy with experience is the way to go, he fits the bill.. if not Harding
He will turn 37 this coming July, and even though I always liked him, we need a younger back up !
Therefore, I still believe in Curtis McElhinney , and hope he gets rewarded with a 1 year respectable contract, in a
year of rebuilding !!
I think the success of Lalime is derived from Jacques Martin as head coach. If you don't believe me, what happened to Lalime after he got traded from Ottawa? With no disrepect to Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak (because they are great goalies), look at them when they play(ed) in Montreal under Jacques.
Patrick Lalime played all of 7 games for Buffalo this year. In fact, Buffalo recalled Enroth for a game because they didn't want Lalime to play, even when he was healthy. Clearly, Lalime has slipped and it's time to move on from the past.
Out of the goalies you list Harding makes a lot of sense. Auld would be decent, but really I'd prefer a younger version of him as a backup. No controversy, but at least some potential. Henrik Karlsson is another name I'd like to see the sens consider.
What I heard was that Lalime's wife was involved in a car accident the afternoon of said game 7. IF that is true (I only heard it once) he should have been brought back after 04. Minus that game 7 Lalime was the most consistent goalie we ever had. Let's not forget about the Philly series where he only gave up 2 goals in a 5 game series. There wouldn't have been a game 7 if it wasn't for Lalime (honorable mentions to Z and Fish for scoring the 2 goals in the 2-1 O.T win,) Fish with the GWG thanks to some nice board work by Vermy.
What I'd really love is for Murray to make Brad Marchand an offer he couldn't refuse and one the Bruins couldn't match but with Ryder and Kaberle coming off the books that might be a pipe dream. There are some names to choose from in the pool who could help us though. Fleischmann, Arnott, J. Jokinen, LaRose, Hejduk, Cole, Sturm, Gagne (winger for Spezz) Glencross, Svatos or even Brendan Morrison.
Some of those names are not good options or at least not better then our 3rd liners we already have. Gagne may sound nice but his history and salary do not scream good bang for the buck. Out of all the UFAs available the only names that still sound worthwhile in a 2nd line role are Fleischmann, Tanguay, Upshall and Laich (more 3rd line then 2nd). Maybe Connolly if he takes a pay cut. None of the UFAs available are clear cut 1st line players though. It'll be interesting to see who the 1 signed is, but if not one of those I've just listed, I hope it's an RFA instead.
Garon or Harding, although Harding is coming off a serious injury. But, you may have to take a chance like that on a talented guy who is a little under-valued because of a past injury. Most legit teams have a great starter and an above-average backup (e.g. Luongo/Schneide r or Thomas/Rask) and that's the type of thoughtful GM'ing I expect out of the new-and-presuma bly-improved Bryan Murray.
Tim Connolly? No WAY! the most injury prone guy in the league today. and Upshall SUCKS! I don't understand the love this guys gets here... Zack Smith is everything he is and more. All about leadership with the names I mentioned. Arnott, Cole, Hejduk, and Morrison can bring that. I'm sure Arnott would consider finishing his career in Ont. I personally think it would be a great signing. Gagne at 3 million would look mint next to Spezz. Chad Larose is one of the most underrated players in the NHL, Fleischmann as well. Marco Sturm has proven he can score in this league 8 20+ goal seasons. Jokinen isn't too bad either, would drastically help our piss poor record in SO's. Last I checked Brad Richards was a 1st liner and he's available
It would be nice to have a back up that is decent, if Anderson gets injured or anything they can carry the load and give him a rest now and again.
kind of leaning towards an older guy that can play really well well but is not looking to take the starting job.
Want to see Lehner up here with Anderson if not next year the year after so a 1 year contract or a two year and deal them at the deadline.
Giguere would be great working with our young guys, not sure what I think of him being a Laugh.
He did a good job of backing Steve Mason this season.
An Anderson-Garon tandem in net should be a solid one!
However, I do believe as someone has mentioned, that McBackup deserves first refusal. He's played well in his role.
Quoting Rundbladsson:
Umm.... Leclaire?
I didn't realize we were making up salaries and hoping players took it. Gagne at 3 mil ... really? Connolly definitely has injury problems, which is why he's in the maybe category, but he is a definite point producer, one of the few on the list. The sens don't need leadership for a cup run here, they need quality players. Brad Richards is not a 1st liner if he's signed on a Sens team that already has Spezza, I really hope I didn't have to explain that to you. You want to sign a bunch of has beens at a time where we have no need for those type of players. We need young players with offensive skill and upside.
As I said the list this year sucks now that Semin is signed. The best bet is trading for a better RFA if we're looking for 1st line talent.
Tim Connolly would be an ideal second line centre. again, not sure if we'd get a guy from buffalo; a divisional rival..
I really like the upside to Couturier @ 6'-4" he would fit pretty good as second line center give him a few years to fill his body he could become a big force @ 6'-4" maybe 210-220lbs.
He is quite possibly the worst goaltender in the NHL, so bad in fact that Buffalo doesn't have any faith in him and has to call up Enroth to start when Miller went gown to an injury.
We need a capable back-up who can play 20-25 games and Lalime just isn't that guy. I'm interested in winning hockey games, not bringing back a guy who liked it here just to finish off his career. I wouldn't be surprised to see him hang up the skates,
I'm still not over him blowing our last series against the Leafs, although Ricard Persson can shoulder some of the blame. Patty Lalime has more holes that swiss cheese.
-Giguere, Roloson, Smith, Hedberg, Osgood, Conklin, Turco, Garon, Harding, Theodore, Auld, Boucher
Hmmmmmm... None!?
Stick with a solid back up in McElhinney.
VOTE ON TSN for that goal as the goal of the year! You can vote over and over (slow day at the office?...)
Go here - http://www2.tsn.ca/showdown/2011/
DO IT! Don't make me Mullet-Slap you with my Peluso-esque lock of party-at-the-back!
http://www2.tsn.ca/showdown/2011/
Peluso out
Doesn't Lalime still hold the Sens record for the most playoff wins or shutouts?
Thanks
I don't see Gagne getting anymore than 3.5 - 4 MAX (if there is a GM dumb enough), his production has seriously dropped, pair him with Spezz and he might find his offensive game. I don't think BR would come to Ottawa at this point, I was just saying: he's a 1st liner. Bringing in guys like Hejduk, Cole and Arnott would not hurt the team, and I wouldn't label any of the 3 a "has been" all are still very effective Quality players who can still produce. An offer sheet to Marchand and signing on of, or both Laich and Fleischmann should REALLY be looked at by BM
Don't be fooled or don't underestimate Ottawa, We will make the playofs next year, and once you're in.. Anything is possible. Ask Tampa, Carolina.
Don't know about you, but I got faith and it's not blind. We have a good hockey team and BM is going to put the rest together on Draft day and July 1. We had a playoff calibre team this year, (B4 Fish trade) just not an NHL calibre coach.
I think Lalime holds pretty much all of the Sens Playoff and Reg season goaltending records
lol except.. record for goals scored lol
Start spamming the votes!
http://www2.tsn.ca/showdown/2011/
Yea I mentioned it on Twitter! You can vote as many times as you like. Let's help Bobby out!
Does anyone ever know if a ahl goalie is ready to take the next step??? After watching him all season, my heart is saying "absolutly" but my head is saying "probably not". I think he both fits and benefits from CKK's system. Hes definately a high risk goalie. Takes alot of chances most goalies wouldnt. When they work, its a work of art. When they dont, its a blood boiler.
I can understand peoples' love for Lalime. Although I find his worst errors indelible, he had extended stretches of brilliance (think that Philly series) and seems like a nice, happy-go-lucky guy who took a beating from fans and the media.
Still, he IS a #3 in Buffalo and I've watched him play twice this year. I know it's only twice, but there are TWO reasons Miller plays all those games: 1) He is amazing 2) They are scared of putting in their backup.
His good games still happen, but are much fewer and far between. I just can't see him as a reliable backup who gives us a chance to win 10-20 (or however many) games he plays.
Sorry Patty!
With all of the failed goalies we've had and complaining we've done about it, I'd hope not to bring back any of them (this includes Lalime, Gerber, Emery, Auld etc). Call that a bonus.
A second bonus would be some good NHL experience. This is why I'd rather not callup Brust, as someone had suggested.
It shouldn't be hard to find a cheap, relatively competent backup with NHL experience that hasn't played for us before.
I agree that Ottawa has a shot at the playoffs next year, but role players are not worth signing this offseason. If we're in a good position and need 1 at next year's trade deadline, but none of those older players you mention would actually fit on our line combos in my opinion. Also I think we have a shot at the playoffs, not the cup, so might as well give younger guys a chance to learn and become leaders themselves instead of forcing one on them ... again just my opinion.
I think we're on the same page with Laich and Fleishmann. However, Laich has proven he is not a dependable 2nd line C so far, he's more a 3rd line type with some potential, and we need 2nd line. Gagne at 4mil is not smart money for me, and that's a significant pay cut for him to take.
Whoever is signed has to at least be good enough to play 2nd C or LW if not 1st line wing. At some point some names are just not enough of an improvement to impede the path to more minutes some of the young sens players are currently on.
Looking at the available keepers, and our bad luck of bringing in guys to hold # 1, I think we should sign someone who had # 1 duties in the past and can fill in for a stint if/when it's needed. Guys like Giguere, Roloson, Hedberg, Osgood, Turco for sure. They've been down the road, won big games and know what it takes. The others like Garon, Harding, Auld, Boucher... they've filled in but never really had that #1 role as an expecation before. I think a known name as a backup would be good for Ottawa and hopefully lay to rest the Goalie Graveyard label.
Tried to vote.. but my computer must be blocking something as it did not work. Tried to vote for Butler.. but if most of the people on the site are Leaf fans.. then the vote will go to Eberle... who I also really like as a young player.
IMO Regin is the 2nd line center next season, he is better than any option we have in the organiztion right now. If he can't handle it than Regin will be on the trading block. They may get lucky & draft a very good center to play on the 2nd line next season. Did you know that Landeskog can play center? Couturier behind Spezza would also be an interesting choice as would Mark Scheifele with the Nashville pick. I just don't know if they would be able to handle it in their first yr.
Those playoff losses to the Leafs were not all Lalime. The team in front of him did not help most nights. That game 7 against the Leafs should never have happened. If the rest of the team had of showed up Sens should have won the series in game 6. But that's history.
As for UFA's.. Murray said he will bring in a UFA or by a trade a player UNDER age 30. So I think he will look at teams in cap hell to get that done. The only player OVER 30 that I would want in Ottawa -- is now with Chicago.. his name is Marian Hossa -- but that ain't happening. Of course, it appears Chicago let the wrong players go..Ladd, Byfuglien (sp?) they are missing them, big time.
Wow.
Any rumours around about who they are looking at for a head coach?
Great game by the LA Kings on Saturday.. I personally loved every minute of it. Down 2 impt players and shut the Sharks in their arena.
Let's Go Kings.... bury them.
What is that?
I heard (once) that when Muckler signed Redden and let Chara go, his dog died and he was severely depressed. IF that is true...
Do you think Ottawa has a chance of trading either of those? I think Gonchar stays unless he wants out. But new team, basically, new coach.. it may turn his game around. Even if he gets back to 75% that's still good.
Kuba.. bye...
I heard (once) that when Heatley requested a trade, he was mugged (and possibly ass fucked) at Major's Hill Park the day before. IF that is true...
I think Gonchar is basically untradable with his NMC, he's got it made easy and will likely keep it that way. Kuba on the other hand, I think he can be had on a team that wants to really improve their powerplay.
Don't you know teams are scratching their heads after passing up on Brian Lee, he will always be a disappointment for where he was drafted, but he is a multipurpose dman who 50% or more of the league would love to have in their top 6.
As much as Leclaire is probably a fine human being, he is not a reliable goalie at #1, as a back up, or even as a pratice goalie.
He will probably not find an employer in the NHL, and might land a job as a goalie coach in some league.
To me is career is over !!
However, I really do believe we have a young gem, that none of us is talking about that will surprise a lot of people. 6th round draft pick Mark Stone is my surprise for next season. This kid was tied for 3rd in WHL scoring [same amount as RNH], and has more points than former 8th overall pick Scott Glennie on his team, who is also a year older.
This kid is a huge surprise, and I hope he makes the roster next season because I think he's ready. A shame he won't be age eligible for the AHL yet, because sending him back down to Brandon next season would be a colossal waste.
Go Stone! :)
It will be hard for Stone to make the Sens lineup. He would have to beat out one of Z Smith, Condra, Greening, Butler.
But never say never...I guess
Cowen was sent back down because he wasn't ready yet. He only played a handful of games when he got drafted because of injury, and needed to get more defensively sound.
Mark Stone has just found his offensive potential and sending him back down to put up another 100 points won't make him better. Of course, it's highly likely that he will be.
If Stone was in this draft class, he would be considered a top ten pick and probably expected to break out into the NHL. I think he has the potential, and has a higher ceiling than Greening, Condra and Smith.
I consider Butler already on the team.
I did -- but for some reason I could not get it to accept my vote.
I had the same problem
but reloaded the page and it worked.
Speaking of $, in my book Hasek owes us 1/2 season, Leclair 1 and Emery 2; all free cos they were paid in advance for no service!
Re: Stone
How have formed your opinion on Stone? Stats?
Have you seen him play?
I have and he needs work on his skating. He may be ready next year but I wouldn't count on it.
Mark Stone:
Regular Season
GP G A Pts PM +/-
71 37 69 106 28 14
Playoffs
GP G A Pts PM
6 1 9 10 4
3rd in the league in Regular Season WHL scoring.
Went out West to see some family a month ago and had a chance to see him play. Big sized young man that has a knack for scoring.
Never said that he will make the roster next year, but that I would like to see him on the roster, and that he would surprise a lot of people. You're not an average player when you put up 106 points in Junior.
We will have to wait and see how he does in camp and the Rookie Tournament [if he participates].
I know size is an issue.. but success in junior hockey does not always translate to the NHL.
But for Stone's sake I certainly hope it does. Big body... that is needed.
The only thing to keep in mind is that Hoffman was 21 when he played last season.
Mark Stone is 18.
not really but I would love to see Lalime back here.. he was definitely one of my favourite players and he was the goalie I modelled my game after. Boucher has had some solid seasons and I think he or Harding would be one to push Anderson to always be awesome.
This guy is a siv. He chokes under pressure.
My vote is for Boucher and Hedberg.
Go sens go+B-SENS