When asked about the head coach search in the past, Bryan Murray has indicated that he hopes to have something in place before the draft. That really doesn't give them a ton of time to interview potential candidates and make a decision.
With Ruff and Muller (potentially?) off the market, the Sens will have to expand to some additional candidates.
There are a number of guys out there that would suit what the club is looking for but I really think the most important thing will be an ability to connect with younger players. They want a guy with a track record obviously but communication skills is going to be huge on the club's list of priorities.
An interesting name that could soon be available is Bruce Boudreau. His Washington Capitals are on the ropes right now and could be eliminated with another loss tonight in Tampa Bay. You would have to think his job is on the line this season.
How would fans feel about the possibility of Boudreau behind the Sens bench?
Game five wasn't pretty for the Binghamton Senators. The Portland Pirates scored early and often and extended the series to a sixth game on Friday night in Portland. The BSens still hold a 3-2 lead but the next two games will be played on the road but that might not be such a bad thing for Kleinendorst's club.
They have played some of their best hockey on the road in these playoffs.
I say no to MacT. He has had a hard time everywhere he`s gone. I like what Chirp said about the communication part. I truly believe that should be the focus in the search. I wish Dallas would let Tippett go so we could snatch him up.
With the next game coming on Friday, the two days of rest should be huge for Cowen to get accustomed to the system, and be ready to go. As well hopefully some of the injured regulars can get healthy. That made all the difference the other night.
Sorry that this comment is not Sens related. But, I am running a ball hockey tournament on Saturday from 1:30-5:30 and need a goalie. Anybody a goalie and want to play? Goalies are free and the tournament is just for fun. Round robin style with 3 teams and then best 2 teams play for the championship....
Let me know and I can send you my details.
Personally I'd pass on Boudreau, he's done well for himself in Washington, but with that roster most coaches could probably do similarly. And if he's only available cause they lose this round, I'm not sure what original skills it is he brings that we think makes up for him not being able to win in the playoffs.
I don't even qualify him as actual coach. not once have I seen him talk strategy or sketch out a play on a clip board.
he just yells and swears a lot which works when you have the most offensively stacked team in the league.
it won't work with a bunch of youngsters... or 95% of other situations.
not to mention, his team has fizzled pretty badly in the playoffs last year and this year, despite being far superior to their opponents.
When it comes to bruce boudreau, I'd rather have clouston back
Did I mention I like Muller? Young yet experienced. Know the INS and ou of the NHL, a full career and two-way heart-and-soul play. I know he's being sought after by other GMs, but he would be perfect for our team.
PS Is this comments box ever going to get fixed, or is it just me? Not seeing everything I type is exceptionally annoying, as is my difficulty scrolling back and forth. Last time I asked, at least a few others were still having problems. Ugh
It's funny that you would say "huge communication skills" and then follow it up with Bruce Boudreau, have you seen the guy talk to his team?
"common, you fucking guys, score a fucking goal! what fuck is wrong. we're fucking better than they fucking are. fuck shit fuck fuck."
and then ovechkin or semin or backstrom or laich or green or fleishmann or johanssen or Knuble or ferh scores.
...must be the communication
A great point.
Isn't Tippett in Phoenix?
Definite yes to Muller. Let's hope Murray can outtalk Niewendyk (sp?) to get him in Ottawa.
Chirp have you heard that Cowen is definitely going to Bingo? Last I heard they had just asked his agent to see if he would go. They definitely do need him.
Any update on other injured D ready to come back. Next game is Friday... you would think someone would be ready.
Do we know exactly what the injuries are to:
Weircoch
Hale
D Smith
Schira
I know Gryba was an ankle... is he close?
He is in Phoenix. I got ahead of myself. He was in Dallas before Phoenix. Sadly it`s never going to happen. I just think he would be a great fit here in Ottawa.
A better coach would have had a lot more success (even if no cup) with a team of Washington's caliber.
That HBO special certainly didn't make me think he's got a superior hockey brain.
It's next to impossible to really know who the good communicators are unless you're in the room.
Also, I'd rather have a mediocre communicator and a brilliant hockey mind.
Thoughts on the BSENS Game,
I drove to Binghamton from St. Catharines yesterday to watch that game. It wasn't necessarily that Portland played really well, but that Binghamton looked REALLY bad. A couple untimely penalties to begin the game (two delay of games back to back which portland scored) and the wind was quickly out of their sails. The inexperience of the current defense is very clear. They couldn't break out of their zone cleanly once. It appeared that the forwards forgot how to pass. So many turnovers. Mancari looked like a man playing again boys last night, skating circles around the young defense and no one would hit him.
Of the young defenseman in the lineup, Turner was the only one with size who looked to challenge Mancari. The others were mostly weak and couldn't push anyone out in front of the net.
Lehner had problems with rebound control last night, but with the defense that was in front of him, any mistakes seemed to find the back of the net. The crowd really turns on him quickly too and when Barry is put in net, it was like he was a saviour. If Bingo fans had their way, Brust would be in net for the next game.
Other than the shit product on the ice, it was still an enjoyable time talking to the regular Bingo fans and hearing their opinions on some of the prospects.
After replacing Barry Rust and giving solid play all the way into a 3-1 lead in this series the Binghamton fans would turn on Lehner. They fuct up.
Has 3 cups as a player and had a great coaching record with the habs, was even nominated for the Jack Adams one year.
I'd rather him than MacT, Boudreau, Tippet or really anyone that has been mentioned here, except for Captain Kirk, but it seems like he'll be in Dallas.
Any Guy thoughts?
Doesn't Lessard play on Bingo? Is he injured or something?
Anyway, gotta love what it's been doing for Spezza though. Don't want Hitchcock as coach, but would like to quote him on Spezza:
"The part I like is that he's always on the right side of the puck now. He's not playing that hope-for game that was there before. He's pushing from underneath, the puck is on front of him all the time. It makes him way more effective."
Jason changing his game in this way would improve our franchise by leaps and bounds. Clearly Stevie Y gave him some of his mojo. I'm as excited about this as even our best prospects. Spezza as a complete player is a dangerous thought in the best possible way.
Lessard wasn't included in Bingo's Clear Day List so he is inelligible to play in thye AHL playoffs.
How are they far superior? I dont get people that think the Caps are loaded and stacked...
Every player you name on the Caps can be replied by a TB player no problem.
Ovie - St. Louis
Backstrom - Stamkos
Semin - Lecavalier
Caps have terrible D an no goalie, TB has decent D and playoff vet in nets.
In fact TB has the edge IMO.
He is in Phoenix. I got ahead of myself. He was in Dallas before Phoenix. Sadly it`s never going to happen. I just think he would be a great fit here in Ottawa.
------------------------------------------------------
Definitely agree on that.. BUT he does have an 'out clause' (which I have heard somewhere) that if Phoenix leaves Arizona he can leave the team -- or something to that effect. In other words, he doesn't want to go to Winnipeg.
No thanks...
K I live in Edmonton, have watched the oilers for years, and I would vomit if he is hired. He only became the coach of the oilers because of his long tenure playing with the team, and then working in the organization after retirement. Not out of qualification. The only decent year he had, the oilers finished 8th in the west, not even a solid regular season. Then managed to fluke through the playoffs thanks HUGELY and almost singlehandedly to 4 players: Fernando Pisani, Shawn Horcoff, Chris Pronger, and Dwayne Roloson. I think they actually wouldve brought a cup here if roloson didnt get hurt. But yeah, their success in 3 and almost four playoff series was of no thanks to Craig MacTavish.
It was a bucnh of players who rose up to the occasion upsetting teams like detroit, san jose and anaheim. And I'm not just saying this because I don't think he's a good guy. He's a GREAT guy in real life. Coaches his sons hockey teams, will never be rude to you if you see and approach him in public and was active around the community. However, one of the reasons he was let go, other than the obvious lack of success, was that he was not the greatest to get along with for some of the younger guys like gagner and cogliano and such.
When I read about those fans turning on Lehner AGAIN it makes my blood boil -- so to speak.
This kid behind a severely depleted defense won the first playoff series and the first 3 games of the Portland series. He was 6 and 1 in the playoffs before last night and he gets treated like that because the rest of the team did not show up last night? If I remember, Brust wasn't very good in the first 3 games of the Manchester series, was he.
I'm really beginning to think having him backup Anderson may be better than being in Bingo and treated the way he is by those fans... disgusting.
Senschirp, what do you think?
Just an observations.
I am hoping for Muller behind the Sens bench - longshot or not, I'm hoping. The commands respect and he's been there.
My other candidates would be anyone from Detroit, could be the video replay guy I dont care!!
Hitchcock, only because he has been coaching young guys for so long. He made what seems like a train wreck in CLB look decent for years now.
while I agree that the tbay and washington rosters are a pretty close match, you can't argue with the facts that:
A) washington was a more dominant force in the regular season than TB
B)if a beat-up pittsburgh team can take TB to 7 games, a healthy washington should beat them in 5
C)Washington WAS far superior to mtl last seaosn, but still couldn't win
D) comnparing players like semin-lecalvali er only works if both players are playing to their potential...und er boudreau, who has no systems whatsoever, semin will never reach 100%
I agree TB has the edge on defence, but rolosson is easily exploitable, and the caps for what ever reason are not playing their best hockey.
Sandy that is easily explained...peo ple here in Ottawa have given this kid so much hype on so little success, this is what happened when you overhype a player. B-Sens fans now have the idea that this kid is superhuman or should be!
He isnt, he hasnt done anything to merit the hype. He wasnt good on the big stage in the WJC. He wasnt good the short time he was in Ottawa, and he sure wasnt good in games he played in Bingo.
Now the fans are letting him have it and I understand them.
if they had proper defensive systems, where the forwards (some of the fastest guys in NHL) actually backcheck and support their defenseman, their overall D would be much better.
and finally, 2 of washingtons loses are completly the coaches fault. Goal called back because of too many men. and OT goal against due to poor line change. take away those coaching errors and washington is winning the series 2-1
Thats funny, myself being at the game, dont recall much of booing directed at Lehner. If im not mistaken, it was directed at the fact the team couldnt do shit. Im trying to think of anytime that a change of goalie didnt manifest an ovation from the crowd. My thought here is, Lehner didnt carry us to the playoffs, Barry did, get over it. He has shown possible flashes of awesomeness. Myself personally am excited to see how far hes come this year, and to see where he could go next year.
Cowan isnt here yet. No contract (ato) signed yet.
god bless you son, god bless you.
They were actually doing quite well on the defensive side of the game for such a long time, but that is becuase the forwards helped alot. Your right.
What I meant by terrible D was they dont have any good defensive zone D-men, all of their D-men are offensively inclined and like to stickhandle too much. They have gerat 's in Green and Carlson, Alzner, Schultz etc... but just terrible at playing D.
The goalie well, he just doesnt have the experience to be in these games, his athleticism will make for some great saves but his will and mental state are just not up there yet.
I'm with Mike, BLAME IT ON THE RUSSIANS!
I don't think they have received word that Cowen will join the team. I really don't know where that stands at the moment.
Most of this season Lehner was shuttled between Ottawa & Bingo. He spent almost a month in limbo due to Visa issues or as a backup in Ottawa without any playing time. I don't think until maybe Feb, he played more than 10 games. He was okay in the WJC not stellar but he had a couple of good games.
But this KID is 19 in his first pro season. What do they expect a shutout every night?
He is playing behind a defense with 1 regular D playing the rest are fill ins.
According to the coach the team played lousy so why were they not booing the whole team?
Brust struggled in the first couple of games against Manchester. Lehner came in and helped win that series and the 1st 3 games of this series.
Going 6 and 1 as a 19 yr old rookie and have 1 bad game.. in my mind does not warrant boos.
Sorry but that's my opinion.
Brust did have a great year no denying that but no so in the playoffs. Lehner had some amazing games.
" Add that to the fact that he completely changed the way the caps played there game mid season, changing his system to be more defensively minded; a bad coach would not be able to sell that switch"
I must have missed that? when exactly did they change their system? was it when ovechkin had a goaless drought and they were winning games 3-2 instead of 5-2?
sure looks like a switch on paper, but rest assured, they were playing the same game.
also, one more post where you call people morons, and I'll rip apart anything you post for rest of your days. you dont want that, just ask the oh-so-humbled tyrant.
However lets not ignore the facts. Tampa Bay has all year managed to have an excellent PP. They have St.Louis, Stamkos, Lecavalier, Malone, Downie, and Gagne forming an elite top six forward group full of game breakers. After that they've got guys like Moore, Bergenheim, and Thomas who excel in 3rd line roles. They've got the offense and the special teams to keep them in the game versus any opponent.
Fans sometimes forget how incredibly difficult it is to win the Stanley Cup even when you have a really good team. Look at Vancouver for instance. This is why I keep telling people how far away Ottawa is from being truly good. It's a long road back.
Is he going to be another young coach to win the Cup in his 1st NHL coaching season -- like Bylsma?
Well maybe you were sitting in a different section at the game, but the people that were sitting around me were pretty clear how they felt about Lehner. Granted, booing was towards the team and somewhat at Lehner, but the extra commentary around me signified how, at least some of, the fans felt in Bingo. I was only there one game, so I'm not trying to say I know everything. Was just making a point.
In regards to the ovation for the goalie change, I agree that fans often clap when their team is struggling and they make the switch. There was just a sense of, thank god Barry is in. As soon as they saw him getting ready in the corner, the fans started chanting BARRY!BARRY!BAR RY!. They really like him and for good reason he brought them to the playoffs.
http://www.senschirp.ca/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=233:locker-clean-out-day&Itemid=13#comment-4508
And really sorry I missed this one.. but apparently Heatley got his bell rung by Kronwell. Hoping to see the highlights..
Senschirp - a link to this highlight would probably bring a smile to 99% of your readers' faces.
hit on heatley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrLhkntCs9c
Maybe it knocked some character into him... but I highly doubt that.
I........ kind of, KIND OF... understand Heatley's stance when shit hit the fan and it was leaked he wanted out. I'm surprised he was the only one and no other trade demands happend this year, I know I'd have wanted out if I had a coach as stupid, shitty, dumb, retarded and (well I'm sure I can go on all night...) but you get the picture,,, as Clueless Clouston was. Speaking of the poster (Tyrant) who mentioned putting Ovie-Backstrom- Semin together... I can literally count on one hand (maybe both hands) how many times in 2 years I seen Alfie-Spezz-Kov alev. That and countless other rookie, inexperienced, dumb coaching mistakes wrecked the last 150 or so games... Worse than Dave Allison. CC rant done. When I'm having a bad day and I need to smile,, I remember.... he is no longer the coach : )
He still left with a winning record, and got a lot out of the young players.
I might be interested.Wher e are you playing this tourney?
What kind of ball are you using how much equipment do I need?
Anyway, no to MacT.... HELL NO. No to Boudreau (Caps have collapsed and collapsed come crunch time) no to Crawford.
Dream coach is Larry Robinson, but I never heard of any rumors of him coaching elsewhere let alone coming here.
I'd be happy with Muller, and Brad Shaw,, Shaw would be interesting. Randy Cunneyworth anyone??? Hitch I'd take (he has a ring and a history in this league
Carbo, I'd be on the fence, was an absolute defensive specialist during his career. Was decent coaching in MTL
I heard Mike Murphy mentioned.... NO.
A Detroit ass. Hmmmm interesting.
Fuck yeah! Knock that selfish, narcisistic, inconsiderate child back into the stone age. So gratifying to watch... over and over and over again.
This comment should hit +30. :)
I just don't want to find out the hard way that BM hired the wrong guy again, and Again and AGAIN! I didn't like Paddock, was on the fence about Hartsburgh, and well I won't go on again about CC, but my hate really started during the Pitts series. I completely fucking lost it when he sent out Smith Donovan Winchester after Pitts iced the puck and a tired group of Pens were stuck taking a faceoff deep in their own zone.
Faceoff.. 10-20 secs later Dupuis ends it. I fucking lost my shit! got complaints from the old folks next door. Ugghhh almost as bad as Friesen.
Have hated him with an absolute passion since that Dupuis goal. Anyother Combo and we probably would have seen Game 7, any other coach and the 3-0 lead wouldn't have been blown.
Not trying to get overly PC here, but 'retard' probably shouldn't be used if you can help it. Again, don't want to make a big deal of it, but think of it these ways:
1) 'Retard' is to mentally ill as 'nigger' is to black
2) Mentally disabled people are offended when you use 'MeTard' because it brings them down to the level of Dany Heatley. That's just not fair!
I don't call him Metard though,,
I call him HeTard.
And there's nothing like a mental midget threatening to unleash a full front assault on the merits of your post. Scary stuff:
"... one more post where you call people morons, and I'll rip apart anything you post for rest of your days. you dont want that, just ask the oh-so-humbled tyrant"
I'm loving his decline in scoring though, and the fact he isn't even with Big Joe and Patty anymore...
I can't believe the caps got swept, I expected a decent fight back... One of Brzy or Vokoun are definitely headed to Wash July 1. And a trade or 3.
And holy shit shit! Sharks just won! Wow! Seto with the trick,
OFFER SHEET BM!!!!!!!!!!!! Seto, Andrew Ladd, or BRAD MARCHAND
Metard, Hetard - my point is the same for both.
THINK of all the mentally ill people getting called a greedy, self-absorbe prick AND a slur all in one go.
For the record, I used to use 'retard' a lot without thinking. Someone pointed out it's as va as 'faggot' or 'nigger' yet it's somehow more accepted. Trying to counter my instincts.
PS Did I hear someone say Muller? That was me? Again? Oh.
I would still take Semin. Think of him as comparable to Marian Hossa. Hossa's early Playoff numbers were lacklustre in his first 3 playoffs, but he progressively got better as he gained more experience in the post season.
Semin looked a hell of a lot better this year than he has in the past, and I expect he will continue to grow, as will his desire to win the cup.
He'll probably shop himself around on 1 year contracts, for a couple seasons, getting better and better, but never winning the cup. by then he will see that the most up and coming team in the league is Ottawa, and he will sign with us 3 years from now, and he-llo stanley!
Seeing that we have no chance at getting Hoss I'd consider taking a chance on that 6.7 1 year contract Semin has, if I'm BM and the Caps decide to shop him
Pre-Draft
To Wash: Michalek, Wiercioch, 1st - Nashville's... obviously (offer 2nd first to see if McPhee bites)
To Ott: Semin, Rights to Laich
Or maybe even exclude the picks on first offer, than offer them up if talks go no where.
If we don't get Laich, I really hope BM goes after Chris Kelly if he's available July 1st 2012
Regardless of them being swept, Boudreau cant be blamed for guys underachieving. They switched there system to more of a defense first mid season. They were one of the hottest teams from that point on too, take a look at the stats and numbers, they dont lie.
Please dont ever put Hossa and Semin in the same category ever again. Sure, Semin is great in the reg season and hell, I'd prob take him too for that alone, but Hossa even when he wasn't producing wasnt as big of a passenger as Semin is.
I hope Heatley wins the cup just to stick it to you. Go Sharks! Seriously though, I hope they win the cup so that they are forced to get rid of a few players they wont be able to afford after bonuses etc kick in from winning. Hopefully Ottawa could scoop up a player or two.
How could anyone suggest trading for Semin, or signing him for $6M after two consecutive years of disappearing in the playoffs. People give your heads a shake! Sure he rips Ottawa every year during the regular season but you will be the same folks who scream about his lack of effort or production in the playoffs.
And I still laugh at you because he had a terrible season, and I laugh at you more because what good would he be to us out of the playoffs...
He's good with young players, he obviously has no problem communicating and he shows a lot of passion behind the bench (something we haven't seen since.... Rick Bowness!?). I think it's pretty impressive what he's done with the Caps this year... Turning an extremely offensive team into a more defensively responsible squad. He hasn't been able to get that group past the 2nd round, which may worry some, but I think that most of that can be blamed on the players attitudes and the lack of defensive defenceman... and I don't think that a coaches playoff past follows them from team to team as much as it does a player.
All in all, i think he's the best coach available at the moment - and if Dave Cameron is in fact brought in as an Assistant, we'd have an extremely talented coaching team.
GO BOUDREAU!
Another possible dance partner because of cap issues would be Philly. After the clusterfuck that has been their playoff run so far you figure they would seriously consider Vokoun or Brzygalov in the off season. To do that they are going to have to unload some players - we might be able to pick some up in the way that Atlanta picked at Chicago's bones.
One guy because he's awesome and his team will be up against the cap, is JVR from Philly. Make an offer BM!
This kid is a stud and still so young. Him and spezz would have a field day.
Semin at 6 Mill, and shuts it down when it counts?!?
OR
Overpay for JVR now, 4 over 4 or something...
PPL who want Semin clearly haven't been watching playoff hockey the last two years. Get it together Semin lovers!
6 pts in 9 games and somehow he's the problem? Backstrom has been non-existent and Semin is supposed to be the 3rd option on that team not the 1st. Interesting that so many think he is the problem on that team. Where's Philly again?
6pts in 9 games, but he's soft as fuck. You see the St.Louis goal last night??
Where was Semin, barking at the ref and taking a lazy change. Yes, pts are awesome, but playoff hockey isn't always about points, it's about heart and willing to pay the price, he's got neither going for him.
Also, JVR 7Pts in 10 games, all goals.
SHUSH!
I agree,
Semin would be hard to swallow...
Yeah and he's losing 3-0, guess he aint good enough either, since thats what you say about Semin.
Semin over JVR anyday of the week.
The thing is that what happened to Ottawa over the last two years happended because Meatley left. This team was built around Alfie, Spezza & Meatley. When he left, the team could't function with half of a first line and two third lines, and an immense cap to manage. They tried, but were forced to blow it up.
Sens put 7 years of faith in Spezza/Meatley and the got shafted by the superstar.
Doesn't make him the problem. He's a finesse player, deal with it. JVR's in the same shitty situation as Semin is right now, so you're kind of just proving my point.
I'm not talking about teams, Wash was swept and Philly will be swept.
I'm talking about comparing the two players and who BM should take a look at.
I would rather have JVR over Semin. You brought up Semin's pts, so I did the same about JVR's.
Would you rather have a heartless Russian who produces or a power forward who produces?
Both good players, but if I'm BM, I'm tossing an offer sheet at JVR before I even think about Semin.
i'm real sorry to say but as a huge sens fan and sens news fan, this website has been a disappointment. It's way too unorganized. the color scheme is not good and it is a pain to get around.
This was a big opportunity lost. The work should not stop on the design because there are some good ideas here but it REALLY needs to be cleaned up. This is meant to be CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, cause i love senschirp otherwise.
Remember the other day when you opened a post with "Excuse my ignorance on the subject but..." You should probably just start every post with that. At least then you'd have an excuse for becoming completely fucking stupid and wrong in almost everything you say every time you post.
I think we should agree that conor can put that in every post as long as you start every post with "I know I'm a condescending prick but...."
Hossa Playoffs - GP-127 G-36 A-61 Pts-97 +11
Semin Playoffs - GP 30 G-12 A-18 Pts-30 +3
The higher GPG goes to Semin. We all know the Majority of Hossa's success came when? Playing on stacked teams as secondary offense like with the Pens, Wings, and Hawks. Must be so hard to be a secondary scoring threat with Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetter, Crosby, Malkin, Toews, Sharp, and Kane drawing the majority of 1st pairing defense attention.
Hossa has always been a guy that come playoff time gets stuck on the perimeter and struggles to produce. This guy is a 40 goal scorer who clips away at 20 goal pace during the post-season. He does lots of other great things but don't pretend he hasn't had big struggles. He's not a golden boy by any means.
Always looking for feedback. Anything in particular you have issue with? Suggestions for a different colour scheme?
What is the organization issue? Really didn't think I added that much actually.
Feel free to pass along your suggestions.
We were a poorly coached and motivated team last year, that cant be blamed on a guy who left 18 months earlier. The core of this team was the very thing wrong with it and that's why it needed blowing up. I think Heatley was a rat leaving a sinking ship.
One player's departure should not make a team implode the way we did. That's just evidence of over reliance on one individual and a sign of a badly built team.
You dont even take into account their previous seasons. Semin clearly has the edge in regular season play, even this year he put up 58pts in 65 games playing on the 2nd line, JVR only had 40pts in 75 games playing on the 2nd line.
Last years playoffs were the only time Semin's numbers were terrible but it sure wasnt of lack of trying, Halak stood on his head all series! JVR isnt even in the top 50 and PHI made it to the Cup finals 6pts in 21 games...
Next time you decide to make a fool out of yourself atleast bring facts!
Your site is much improved, contrary to comments from post
of senswatch.
You should seriously consider requesting that TheTyrantWee
cease posting such comments as the one above.
His posts are really 97% garbage, and 3% positive.
With regards to selection of Head Coach, I'm sure that Bryan Murray, after having so many coaches fired and bought out, will take as long as he wants to get it right !
I had mentioned Muller, Lemaire, and Larry Robinson, but there may be others who are experienced NHL coaches, who want to come to Ottawa !!
JVR was a rookie last year!
The fact he was getting quality minutes on a cup finalist is impressive in itself.
So your a stat guy eh, check these stat out:
JVR is 22 years old!!!!!
5 yrs younger than Semin, gets less ice time avg 14.31 a game.
Let's just agree to disagree, that you would rather have a floating, on the decline Russian (Kovalev) rather than a scoring power forward who hasn't even peaked yet.
BM would never, NEEEEEEVER go after Semin.
We won't sign a Russian for at least another 4 years, so I don't know why the soft plug's name is even brought up.
What's the furthest Semin's ever gone in the playoffs? 2nd round?
Awesome.
The first time I saw a Kurt Kleinendorst interview at the start of the season I thought "whoa, what a breath of fresh air on the farm"...not suggesting KK gets a serious look...but I got similar feelings watching his oppositions coach, Kevin Dineen, speak. I expect Ottawa may be watching him closely.
JVR=More valuable/WAY less of a pussy than Semin
Second, they will retain JVR guaranteed, end of story.
Next, Hossa is twice the player Semin is. Semin can score, but Hossa is a complete player who balchecks, rushes and goes into corners. First backcheck of Semin's life was this season. Hossa been working on his defensive game since he was a Sen, not to mention he knows a lot about going deep in the playoffs.
I couldn't agree with you more that building a team around one line is not the best way to form a team. It cost us in the cup finals. Once Anaheim shut down that line, there was no one to step up and take the reigns.
I guess my point was that when Meatley quit, I think it was impossible for this team to succeed without being restructured. CC's coaching just made a bad situation worse.
We have an accord.
NO WAY..
Sorry Conor... disagree.
I just can't see him as a guy you can rely on in the playoffs. I also don't think Murray will go after another Russian. Maybe a Swede.. Backstrom.. but I very much doubt if he is available. He was uncharacteristi cally (if that's a word and spelt right) bad in this round.
Wash will make changes.. and I think it will be Semin. They will do what they can to re-sign Laich.. that's a guy with heart & grit that they desperately need on their team.
Whoever the next coach is has to get Ovey to play a TEAM game. He doesn't use his linemates, tries to do too much himself and that is hurting his team.
I guess coaches are scared to upset him or something?
The problem in SJ is the big 3 - Thornton, Marleau & he who I won't name are all high salary, no-trade clauses. They are screwed with those contracts. It's mostly their young guys carrying that team, but Thornton is better this playoffs.
But it may have been a blessing in disguise, getting that contract off the books.
The Sens needed re-building and are more flexible cap wise going into the next CBA.
SJ is or will be in cap hell. When those young guys need contracts they will be due big raises. With 21M in salary in the big 3 -- something will have to be done to make room for raises to those young players.
They have 51M tied up in 14 players for next year. So they have about 11M (if the cap goes to 62M) to sign 7 or 8 players. It will be worse in 2012.
as long as we're doing "remember whens"
remember when you were praising Semin 2 weeks ago, saying that he is a huge playoff performer due to his first round success and I said wait til he faces tougher opponents?
he was invisible in the 2nd round. remember that?
I said he was comparable to Hossa, I didn't say as good as, just comparable. his playoff numbers are increasing with every appearance, and I fully see him moving to more stacked teams in the next couple seasons to tear it up and increase his value.
enough with the name calling, you can prove your point without being demeaning to others. you've been wrong more than I have. and you will continue to be.
I totally agree with you Tyrant. Conor Smythe proved in his comments about Hossa/Semin he knows nothing and also backed it with his uneducated remarks regarding the capitals changes mid season. You're a tool Conor - now rip me to shreds!!! hahaha, loser.
Heartless? I know it's the accepted expectation of Russian hockey players, but I'm pretty sure you don't know him well enough and he's still too young career wise to make that kind of assumption. The only playoffs he did not put up points he was injured, the rest he has done about the same if not better then the rest of his underachieving team, of which he is not the centerpiece.
If you're only question is who is the better player JVR or Semin, in my opinion it's Semin hands down.
Id rather be a condescending prick than a dumb idiot who pretends to know what he is talking about, such as Conor
remember when you said he would struggle against tougher opponents and he hasn't? 3-0
Your arguments are terrible and your assumptions have no basis. When did the sens say no more Russians for 4 years? When did BM say never about Semin? I'm really not interested in debating at a high school level here.
Also comparing Semin to Kovalev is so misguided it's hard to know where to begin. Kovalev has a cup, was 1 of the first Russians to get their name engraved on it and was pretty instrumental the year he won with the Rangers. I'm assuming you mean the almost retired version of Kovalev the sens got ... well Semin may get there in 8 years, but he ain't there yet. It's hard to be that complacent when you haven't won anything. So again, your assumptions and comparisons are way off base.
You sound like a product of the media, the same media who didn't look at his past production levels when after last year's playoffs they labeled him as a playoff no show. Try and make your opinion based on reality.
I can't see him signing a russian either, but I do think Semin will just get better and better for the next 5 years or so (playoffs included). I really think he would benefit from a brilliant passer like Spezza. Nothing against ovie, the guy is great, but he's not the prototypical playmaker that a guy with semin's sniping skills can benefit from.
1. I would make the "highlights" the default so it's not just a black box with "sponsor" highlighted
2. If possible, put the whole story on the home page next to the highlights
3. Maybe get rid of one of the similar "recent posts" or "Senschirp blog" boxes. Recent posts could be incorporated into the latest blog box.
4. lose the blue. there's no blue in sens uniforms
I might be way off here. if people like it then people like it. In the meantime i'll just bookmark the blog page instead. The only thing i'll miss is the highlights which i think is a nice addition.
still the best spot for sens news, so thanks for the work chirp.
And btw Semin was resigned during the season for one more year.
His cap hit is going to be 6.7Mil. Highly doubt he's being traded to anyone for that money.
Could Tookie and Wee be the same guy just annoying everyone?
Cowen is on the ice in Bingo wearing #4..
Come on Bingo... get 'er done tomorrow. Don't want a game 7.
Question is -- who does KK put in goal?
I for one wouldn't mind one. It can only help the team. We need a top 6 forward [centre, or LW; or both].
I would rather fill either voids with a player who can play at this level, then rely on inexperience, because nobody knows how the young guys will show up next year.
FYI - BM already said he's looking for a top 6 if not top 3 forward FA.
I'd give Lehner another shot considering how well he had previously done, but either way can't fault the coach for whoever he puts in between the two.
Sens are down Fisher, Kelly, Ruutu, Kovalev in the forward position. Fill that with Butler, Condra & Greening - either re-sign Shannon or maybe a UFA or another young player.
Let's face it, after watching the playoffs this year... there is no way right now that the Sens could compete at that level and be successful.
I truly believe they have the goaltending needed.. but let the young guys play for next season to see what you have. Then if and when a UFA is needed, wait until 2012 when there is a better choice.
That's just my 2 cents worth.
Get a coach that has an aggressive playing style as I think the Sens are better at that than defense first.
Okay, name five UFA goal scoring forwards who can hit. Give me that.
And also, Shannon, imo was one of our best players last season. He's actually really good and I would take him over Zenon Kenopka any day of the week. Kenopka scores maybe 1 goal every five years and takes 400 penalty minutes. Why the Sens need that is beyond me.
With all due respect, I saw VERY little team chemistry this last season. Spezza and Butler meshed the best, and that was really it.
It's also very difficult to extrapolate junior and AHL success to the NHL. Cowen and Gryba have never played with each other, let alone play one game in the NHL between them.
I like Mark Stone a lot too, but let the kid at least wet his feet in the A before saying he's that guy for years to come.
My God man, do you even read the shit you put out?
1st of all the Sea Dogs will lose to Hull in 6 games, Huberdeau will be nowhere to be found!
2nd of all Murray SAID he was going to get a top 6 UFA.
And most importantly, how will we be a force with a bunch of 3rd line players and no real top 3-6 talent. Our only shining light is Spezza. Your comparison of Greening to Leclair is downright stupid! Greening is never gonna score 40+ goals, LMAO!!! He's a 3rd liner at best.
Now, I have NEVER ONCE agreed with Tookie in the couple of years I've been on this site, but I have to here.
He's right.
PEOPLE, MURRAY SAID HE WANTS A TOP UFA. ACCEPT IT.
I like Greening as much as the next fan, and want to see him on the roster next season, but be honest, on a competitive team, you want Greening to be a 3rd/4th liner. Which is GOOD, because it means you have a solid top 6. I would love to see Greening play for the sens next year though.
A day after Alex Ovechkin and the top-seeded Capitals were swept by the fifth-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference semifinals, McPhee said Thursday he doesn’t “see major changes” coming.
I wouldn't mind absorbing JVR's contract, but there's no way we should swallow Semin...
Work with me..being immature helps...
okay 5 ufa's that are physical players aswell as players who can score.. glencross( being my personal preference), laich, upshall, less prefered but still impact players arnott and eric cole. theres 5 but were only looking for one top 6 ufa from what i know.
Carkner, Neil and Smith have all fought great fights this year. We have enough guys who can drop the gloves man.
Now I respect the fact that you don't like Shannon, but from an objective point of view, HE IS A BETTER HOCKEY PLAYER THEN KENOPKA.
How is his speed overerrated? I don't understand this statement.
He has great puckhandling skill, isn't afraid to check and grind at all, has good hockey sense, and is an incredibly UNDERRATED skater.
Also, Ottawa was one of the more improved faceoff teams in the league as well. We were not lacking in the least. Spezza, Smith, Winchester have all been great on the draw last season.
Kenopka a leader? He's notorious around the league for being a joke! Players and fans all around the NHL make fun of him!
Murray ain't gonna sign Kenopka.
NOOOOOOO THANK YOU
When was the last time a Russian player worked out in Ottawa?
Yashin? NO
Kaigarodov(sp?)? NO
Kovalev? NO
Butsayev? NO (I admit I have no idea who this guy is)
Igor Kravchuk? NO
Saprykin? NO
Volchenkov? Yes BUT he isn't here so....
Gonchar? That has yet to be seen BUT he was pretty awful this year.
Did I miss anyone??
Keep that in mind.
I'm guessing that the only reason Semin is in the NHL is because of Ovie... And 6 mil a year.
We do have some decent forward prospects but I haven't seen an elite forward prospect yet. What we have at the moment are a lot of players that would fit will on the 3rd and 4th lines, one of them might surprise us if we are lucky. This was a major problem last year our top line was in reality a 2nd line, our 2nd line a 3rd and so on.
I agree with the fact that we should give youth a chance, we aren't going to be competitive next year and I would much rather see Greening and Condra play than somebody like Svatos who we KNOW is NEVER going to be a top 6 guy. But the expectation that we have a 2 or 3 top 6 guys in our prospect pool is insane. Greening and Condra could be part of a great 3rd line but that's it.
Why Murray would want to sign him is completely beyond me.
/rant
Semin is in the NHL cuz he scores goals, and plenty of them. He doesnt play with Ovie or Backstrom but could you imagine if he did?!?!
He's a PPG player in the playoffs, so cant fault him there. He's a shooter and believe me with Spezza, he would make us forget Heatley real quick. But he's signed through next year.
I just dont get when people say he's soft, so what, so is Spezza and he's 6'3.
Point blank.
Yeah, that's right. It's all of us who must not watch hockey, and it's only Geniuses like yourself who want Semin on the team who really know hockey. Semin was awful in this series, and quit on his team. That's what I saw, and I watch hockey...do you?
Sooooo bringing in Konopka, who is one guy, gonna make us tougher, lol.
I have a feeling you dont even know who the SENS are, the only thing we did well this past miserable year was hit and fight! and win faceoffs!
Konopka is a scumbag, a repeat offender, a joke and a bum!
Did I say he was scum?
Can we stop the Boudreau talk??????
So did Backstrom, Laich, Green, Carlson, Arnott, want me to go on?
Couldn't agree any more.
bringing in tougher players makes us tougher. i know one guy isnt gonna make us tougher but bringing in tough players will. once again zenon konopka a suggestion. once again 25th in hitting last season and 14th for fighting. so take the tampon out your ass and clean the sand from your vagina you ball juggling queen. and make sure to take that cock out of your mouth the next time you speak.
Anyone who doesn't want Semin, that's cool, but you can't say it's because he's not a skilled enough player or doesn't produce, as those are both factually wrong statements. Simple as that!
Exactly!
This is what he can't get through his head.
WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE 3RD AND 4TH LINE HITTERS. There are too many of these type of guys in the league. The Sens are NOT soft.
WE.NEED.GOALS.IN.THE.NET.
and keep the posts clean man. That's way too explicit. Chirp?
Next time you post stats use a credible source you idiot.
NHL.com
9th in hits with 1939
11th in faceoffs at 50.1%
Glad you admit you are wrong with your comparison to Semin of Hossa. Not even close there, not sure why you would say that, clearly you play too much NHL 11 or something.
Now all you have left to admit is that you're way off base with your assessment of both the Caps and Boudreau.
Still waiting for you to rip me to shreds too BTW....
No one said Butler, Greening or Condra were going to be Sens saviors. But in a re-build you go with youth & that's what they are. Until they play in meaningful regular season games, we don't know what we have with them.
They could be 1st, 3rd, 4th line we don't know yet. Same with Mark Stone. He had a great year in points & they guy will fight.
The blueline looks set for years IF the success these young men have in CHL/AHL translate into good NHL players. But it will take a couple of years before we really know that.
The Sens need a coach who will teach and be patient with these young players & not bench them every time they make mistakes.
I also don't want Murray wasting valuable cap space for one-dimensional fighters. There are a lot of very good teams that don't have that dimension on them.
Yeah but would he bench the young players when they make mistakes.. and they will. That certainly would not help their development.
To me that's not the right kind of coach the Sens need right now.
The name calling has got to stop. You can make a good point, win an argument and prove someone wrong without tossing in the insult.
Cmon guys
IN other news, anyone see this badboy yet?
Enjoy, Sens fans!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwatAgrGE9w
Score is 2 - 1 for Saint John.
Forget the question.. the game is over...
How long has Wash been defeated and out of the playoffs? Less than 24 hrs.
Brooks Laich to Mtl (E3) -- like to see how they fit that under the cap.
Well stated Chirp!
Only problem is, that the culprits will continue with their never ending attacks at each other, especially Tyrant and
Tookie.
I'm willing to venture that 30% of the 170 comments, or at least 50 come from these attacks !!
May I make a suggestion?
Have an option where you can delete a post. It was on the old site, but I don't see any here.. [Is there?]
1) i never admitted I was wrong about Semin
2) they ARE compareable, in the playoffs (steadily progressing from no production to good performers)
3) siding with Tyrant? really? I dont even need to rip you apart, you seem to have managed that by yourself
4) just because they made an HBO special about it, doesn't mean there was actually a change.. where was the defensive system vs. Tbay
5) I don't play video games, I watch and read.
6) siding with tyrant???? reeeeaaally? whats the strategy there? You want people to respect your opinion so you take sides with the most disrespectful/u nrespected person on the entire site? goood play!
7) waiting for me to rip you apart? waiting around, online, constantly hitting refresh for my rebuttal? and I'm the loser?
See, I didnt even have to call you names to insult you, its easy, give it a try.
you know me: I just keep it real... no more, no less.
Chirp, I agree, that is why I (and most) can't stand TheTyrantWee, he degrades everyone all the time. It actually started with him and he continues to do it. I say nip it in the bud....get rid of TheTyrant and let cooler heads prevail. You have an AMAZING sight here and no one would object to you tossing the trolls out.
Michalek- Spezza - Butler
Greening- Couturier- Folingo
Regin- Silfverberg- Alfredsson
Carcillo- Zack Smith - Chris Neil
Philips-Gonchar
Rundblad - Karlsson
Kuba- Lee
Anderson
Brust
I think this is a good start for a re bulid Size Toughness 2 way skill with that said I do think Dave Cameron will be the Coach I think the Melynk's love for this guy will trump Murray ..
Wow, you further showed your out to lunch, on bad drugs or both. I checked back about once every4 hours, not hitting refresh - unlike you, I dont post here every day and live and die by this site. 2nd, Hossa is far and away not even close to Semin, Hossa blows Semin away - again - youre out to lunch. 3rd, I dont know tyrant, but if he put you in your place, he's right, because youre a clown. 4th, they did change there system mid season (after hbo special) spite what you think, you clearly know little about hockey and basic strategy and tbay was just better but mostly due to underacheiving by wsh. 5th, you better keep watching and reading, because whatever you look at is wrong and makes you sound like a douchebag.
He's not going anywhere unless he wants out, but from listening to him talk about Nashville - he loves it there.
Cotourier (if selected) will likely not make this team right away
Silfverberg wont be either
Kuba will be gone, one way or another, he's likely played his last game in OTT, maybe NHL
Brust, zero chance he's full time backup
Alfredsson wont be playing 3rd line
But he did only get a one year deal. Cluston wanted to stay in Ottawa and that didn't happen. ;)
But as a coach I think Trotz would be a perfect fit in Ottawa.
Go BSens Go.
Edited a lot, sorry if I attributes the quote to the wrong person.
Hossa is just plain better than Semin. Forget points for a second. Hossa pays the price frnhis team in the playoffs. I've seen him finishing checks, forechecking, backchecking, going to 'dirty' areas and blocking shots. Most of those things, Semin does not do.
It's a cliché to say the playoffs are about sacrifice. Neither Semin nor Hossa are Gilmour, Sakic or Yzerman, but Hossa, while not a sniper, is he FAR more complete package.
I thought this stuff was all obvious. Semin still spend a lot of time playing not to get hurt. Scared to take a hit to make a play.
Role with this Lineup next season:
Filatov-Spezza-Butler
Michalek-Regin-Alfredsson
Foligno-Da Costa-Greening
Eager-Smith-Neil
Shannon/Condra
Phillips-Lee
Cowen-Karlsson
Rundblad-Gonchar
Carkner
Anderson
Theodore
GO SENS GO
i hope you get it now, mike.
and if I "sound like a douchebag" its only because you're reading out loud.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Adam-French/Mock-Draft-Part-2--15-20-Consolation-Prizes/155/35693
What do we do with it??
trade nash 1st and our 2nd to move up????
Nice call out, problem is posters were agreeing with us and not Conor or 383 (whoever that is).
So next time before making an uneducated guess, read up a bit.
Respect!
What a lame excuse, as you are just like Tyrant, Tookie
and their followers !
Hey NothingWorseTha n ADaigleNurse,
I ended up finding a guy to play! Sorry man. I am running a tournament every month this summer so the guys in my league can stay in touch get a few games in this summer. But, we are always looking for players so email me at riaz_r
Riaz
Whats happend to Ottawa over the least 2 years isn't on Heatley, or anyone else for that matter. (Players)
Thank Clouston.
Like I said before Dave Allison would have been better