Binghamton scored the first three goals of this game, got the fans behind them and really never gave the Checkers much of a chance. Robin Lehner was extremely strong in the BSens net and Zach Smith scored three times in the winning effort.
Eric Condra, Ryan Keller, Bobby Butler and Roman Wick also registered goals for the home side.
They now have a chance to close out the Checkers on home ice tomorrow night. Binghamton is the better team right now, plain and simple. Aside from a sloppy start in Game 1, the defensive group has done a great job keeping the Checkers at bay and when they do get chances, Lehner has been there.
Really can't say enough good things about the impact a run like this can have on some of the Sens prospects. It has been an extraordinarily long season for some of the guys that spent time in Ottawa but they are gaining some valuable playoff experience. Perhaps most impressive is the way Cowen has slid seamlessly into the Bingo line up. He has looked extremely comfortable defensively and has helped stabilize the team's back end.
Should the Checkers manage to extend the series, SensChirp and the RSU will be there on Saturday night when the BSens try to lock up their spot in the finals. If Bingo can finish off Charlotte tomorrow then refunds will be issued and we can start planning a trip to the finals!
Sounds like a win-win to me!
I would not like to be Hamilton/Housto n right now.
A hot goalie and unbelievable scoring depth. Not to mention a defence group that is getting healthier as the playoffs move along.
GO BSENS GO!
Zack Smith = Mike Fisher 2.0
Had a ballgame so couldn't watch the game. SHIT! I missed a good one. Lehner 37 saves! Smitty with the Tricky. Caught Hoffman's name on the scorsheet too! he continues assisting on pretty much evey goal Wick scores.
Go B-Sens Go!!! city of Binghamton and Bingo players derserve this after Muckler annihilated our draft picks and prospects.
Well there's more coming in just over a months time. Lots more!!!
thats true however houston have won their games 2-1, 3-2, 3-2 were as bingo 7-4, 3-0, 7-1
ive been saying the same thing especially after his first career goal, beating price on the breakaway wrister assisted by alfie. but i see him more as our hybrid of kelly and fisher. great penalty killing (like kelly), strength and size (fisher) and seems to have a nice scoring touch.
GO SENS GO
Great game by the B-Sens. They have dominated from top to bottom. BSens have 7 players in the top 20 in playoff scoring - Houston has 1 (A busted high draft pick by the name of O'Sullivan).
Murray has done a great job building a strong AHL team (as many people pointed out when others wanted him fired). Got to start at the bottom to win in the big league.
Being selfish I hope the BSens finish the series tonight (Sorry to all who planned the trip) but giving Charlotte any life might bite the BSens in the rear. Finish them while they are down - Killer Instinct.
The sens put on a trip for staff and selected season ticket holders for the game yesterday. They got the afternoon off but were expected in today or to take a day's leave.
Z. Smith will be on the big team next year. If he can get 10-15 goals, beauty.
Go BSens Go!!!!
Thanks!
The future for the Sens is very bright,
Go B-Sens Go!!!
The futue
The way Boston's coach is handling tyler seguin reminds me of the sens when they pulled spezza up for the playoffs with very limited ice time in his first year, spezza lit it up just like seguin is doing when he was given the ice time.
young talented players with huge drive to prove themselves is great to watch.
Half of those kids will make the team next year, some on merit, some simply because we need players...but none of them (except Butler) is 2nd line material.
For that kind of info, please see Joy Lindsey's blogs on www.pressconnects.com. she is the local paper's Sens sleuth.
It pains me to agree with Tookie, but what can you do. I'm glad that Bingo are doing well. I'm glad that our younger players are getting playoff experience, it can only be a positive for them but there is absolutely no automatic good in the AHL/ good in a few years in the NHL correlation.
Condra, Smith and Greening played their hearts out for the sens last year and I have no doubt will do so again next year but they aren't top 6 material. We lack legitimate top 6 offensive players at all levels throughout the organisation.
It's wrong to hang the future on these guys, they will be at best great role players at the NHL, Butler could project higher. To think our future is set because of the current Bingo crop is over reaching.
I wish I was as smart as you Tookie...all these years I wasted playing in a Beer League, when, according to you, I could have been playing in the AHL?
I tell you what, try stepping on the ice with any of these guys - see how well you do. The AHL is the 2nd best league in the world, no matter what you think.
LMAO, you have no clue do you...Its not even worth arguing with you if you think that...Too funny.
It's tough to develop top 6 talent but that's what the draft is for. If we can combine those pieces with a few pieces from the Bingo squad we'll be looking a hell of a lot better than last year, you can't deny it.
We also have prospects lined-up that aren't even part of the current Bingo squad that are likely to make an impact, especially in Rundblad, I think that kid has loads of potential.
Tookie, it`s because you got nothin! It`s post like your`s that give me less faith in our fans!
Maybe people are just excited to see what these young guys can do. There is no arguing the Sens were a much more exciting team to watch towards the end of the season with these guys in the lineup.
Just ignore Tookie. Hopefully he will eventually go away. He thinks it makes him look cool to be such a pessimist or something. Or maybe his life just really is that miserable.
Who knows??????
Half of those kids will make the team next year, some on merit, some simply because we need players...but none of them (except Butler) is 2nd line material.
Glorifed Beer League???
what a ridiculous comment... during the NHL lockout we had guys like Spezza, the much love Chris Kelly, Vermette, Chris Neil, amongst others in this "Beer League" who all turned out to be very decent NHL players, that could not do what these young first year pros are accomplishing the the AHL right now! To win in the AHL, is the second best experience we could put our young pros through...
a few already looked good in the NHL
Tookie your comments are completetly foolish!
Go B-Sens Go!!!
However if the last year hadn't been such a shit storm we wouldn't even be mentioning or getting excited about players like Condra and Greening - but I'm glad we are. We need some feel good stories around this organisation for sure.
Players like Condra, Greening and Smith CAN make the difference when the top 6 players of each team are more or less equal. Unfortunately we aren't in that position yet, our top 6 is easily one of the poorest in the league. Of the players currently in Bingo, only Butler has a legitimate shot of altering that.
What I do like is that by the time we are ready to seriously challenge again our role players will have 200 games of NHL experience behind them and some decent playoff experience at a lower level. This bodes well for the future, just not the immediate future.
I agree we cant be any worse than last year, especially with Anderson playing in 60+ games, he alone will win a us a few games. The youth is a great boost, im not saying its not, it infused energy and fresh faces rdy to learn into the club. If you read carefully I didnt say our 3rd and 4th lines were the problem. We have no legit top 6 players in the Org, Spezza is the only legit top 6 player we have.
Im hoping Butler turns out to be a 20+ goal scorer. Michalek I can garantee he will get injured again, so will Alfie. so that leaves us with Spezza and Butler in the top 6.
Hopefully, Couturier/Lande skog/Strome/Hub erdeau can play immediately and fill one of those spots but we are still lacking in that category.
There may not be many clear cut top 6 NHL forwards but there are at least a handful that have potential to become 2nd line forwards.
Potulny was a great find, and at 26 still has the opportunity to translate his AHL success into an NHL career.
Daugavins and Silverberg both show potential to reach 2nd line caliber. Da Costa may still need some work but should eventually challenge for that type of role as well. I'm not sure Wick will be able to take that next step for a couple years, if ever, but we knew he would be a project when he was drafted.
My guess is that some 3rd liners like Greening, Condra, Foligno, Wick will all have their chance in the top 6.
And that's even ignoring that Regin may get his act together a bit better after such a difficult season.
There are only so many top 6 positions to be had. Though we wish our top 3 was even better, they're still going to be a very competitive bunch.
Im having a really hard time acknowledging that Daugavins and Potulny will ever see NHL action again, maybe Daugavins but he has alot of things to improve on. Potulny at 26 doesnt really have a place in the O-Sens 3rd and 4th line and he aint a top 6 talent.
Silfverberg, Petersson, Sorensson are all wildcards, hopefully 2 of those guys will end up being 2nd line talent.
Closest comparison for Zack smith is chris neil. end of story.
Sure he MIGHT get one 16-goal season in his entire career. But he's and energy guy whose purpose is to hit, play defence, work the boards, and defend his teammates. WHILE (and this is the most important part) NOT TAKING DUMB PENALTIES.
This is where Smith gets dominated by guys like fisher and even Neil. They manage to play their roles without walking to the box every 30 seconds. (in neils case, he always takes someone to the box with him)
not to mention, smith will never have a 20+ goal season, so calling him fisher 2.0 is reallly realllly ignorant.
I thought that 2.0 meant there were improvments to the previous version.
Zsmith < Mike fisher
Wayyyy less than
Asuming Bingo make it to the finals, who wins playoff MVP? Lehner or Potulny? Looking at the stats, you could easily make a case for both but either way you can be pretty sure it's going to a senator which is good news.
We have a lot more of the right pieces right now than we had last season. Solid goal tending (hopefully, this is Ottawa after all), a few legit top end draft picks, solid blue chip D-men coming in and a few promising forward prospects. It's all up in the air still but look at last year's roster.
Brian "Swiss Cheese" Elliot
Alex Slovalev
Jarko "I don't do much" Rutuu
Terrible Coaching
Let's get a decent coach please!
oh man, first Tookie and now I'm agreeing with Conor.
All I need now is for The Tyrant to say something that I agree with and without a hint of condescension and I may have to kill myself.
I think I'm safe.
Haha I agree, those fools dont know much about hockey, even less their own damn team...
You hit the nail right on the head with the comparison to Neil, Smith is Neil 1.0, haha a downgrade. Only thing going for Smith is his age and hopefully a willingness to learn how to not take stupid penalties.
Daugavins just turned 23 today actually, still lots of room and time to grow and he's definitely a pretty good passer/playmake r at the very least. Potulny may be a late bloomer, but I agree, he'd fit better on an offensive 3rd or 4th line in the NHL so far. But if 1 of these 2, Stone or Silverberg can become a top 6 NHL player, and we draft 1 other one this year, that leaves us with a pretty respectable top 6 going forward in my opinion.
and here tookie continues with is foolishness!!!
First you say that "winning a mens professional league like the AHL means nothing" so do not get your hopes up on those successes,
but instead get excited about the possibility of getting a kid who plays in an under 21 league, that really hasnt proven anything yet like Prince or Pageau?!?!?!?
Wrong again Tookie, you should be excited about what our kids in B-Sens are accomplishing!
pehaps your the one who doesnt know what he is talking about?
I believe that next years Sens will be a playoff team due to our (hopefully) improved goaltending. This will be proven if we can finally start to see a tip in the Sens favour regarding shoot out wins.
Depth is something that takes years to build. Good results in the AHL indicate that this has begun. It needs to continue for at least 2 if not 4 years to allow the Sens to become a playoff contender.
Discipline hopefully will come from the next coach. I hope to see much reduction in too many men penalties and consequences for late period 3 brain farts from the usual suspects.
As these 3 stars (goaltending, depth & discipline) align, we will see round 1, round 2 and maybe round 3 success in Ottawa.
I agree 100%, without the proper coaching these kids will just fall of the face of the earth and be nothing more than just bodies filling a spot.
I agree, Smith is definitely no Mike Fisher, let alone an improvement on him. I think his high end would be a poor man's combo of Fisher and Kelly. He definitely has penalty problems he needs to correct asap, but he's also more offensively talented then a Neil.
All these 3rd and 4th line talents the sens have make me believe the best thing for the sens next year is to have a coach who rolls all 4 lines.
We have two first rounders this year, and mosty likely another high one next year. Defense is all but set for the future, goaltending seems very solid for the future, and bottom two lines with a few guys potentially making the top 6. Defensemen develop more slowly than forwards, that is why Murray stocked D first. He is just not finished yet! Don't downplay 3rd line players, you need solid ones to win in the NHL too. Try figuring out how an NHL team is built and look at what Murray has done. I dont like to insult people but your comments are uninformed and therefore stupid!
Obviously hockey isnt your strong suit. You dont seem to understand that whatever happens in the AHL and our bingo team, NONE of them except for maybe Butler is top 6 talent. NONE of them should be on our 2nd line and especially NONE of them should be on our 1st line.
Pageau and Prince are younger talent with alot more upside than any forward we have in Bingo.
If you cant even figure the basic understanding of evaluating players, stop making a fool of yourself on the other hand keep doing it, its funny!
brilliantly stated Rexx, we will make some noise next year, but the following year we will be a force!
Go B-Sens Go
What are you talking about? And while your at it, explain to us how a NHL team is built, obviously, according to you, there is only 1 way to build and NHL team...and you have the blueprint!!
Show us!
I don't wish to see 15 Boogaards on the team, but we don't need 15 Getzkys either as long as we have decent, capable, reliable goaltending.
Every team deals with players that some don't think are worthy of being there. Today, Fisher can't do wrong but even just last year, many said that he's only bottom sixer. About 5 years ago, some thought Alfie was awful as a leader, now he's got his own church...
Todays kids will mature and improve (or they will be swapped out for new "team" players)...
Don't suppose there's been any word/progress?
yes good point, this is worrisome, any good coach is going to want to have some say in drafting, and building this team, and putting their stamp on the upcoming team, the longer we wait the more difficult in securing the top end coaches
Ok, I'll bite - you imply that I am wrong about the AHL being the 2nd best league behind the NHL.
Enlighten me - what league is better. What league do ALL NHL teams want their prospects playing, and why?
I'm sure I'm not the only one (all the rest of us are fools, right?) who can't wait for your answer...
The full coaching search cannot start before all of the AHL, NHL and Memorial Cup playoffs are completed. There are already strong rumors for Dave Cameron and a few others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mntt05KNA0Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player
agreed, but I am sure the best candidates will not want to start working on this team in August, they want to put in their footprints as early as possible, and even before the draft if possible,
From what I've heard, Cameron is more of an obligatory rumour and not near the top of our list.
Good comeback. You really put me in my place!
I know, im good like that!
Drafting is the responsibility of th GM and the scouts. Unless a coach has first hand knowledge about a pospect, he has no role at the draft.
really, mister know it all!
we have to wait till all NA leagues to finish before we can talk to Hitchcock, or with Mark Crawford, DeBoer, McTavish etc.?
By no means am I saying we should hire any of these, but the talks should begin... and also wanted to point out once again that Tookie is wron agan and talking foolishly! Hey Boom have you heard back from Tookie yet? Chances are it will be foolish talk once again!
I'm sure the goal is to have a Coach in place by the draft ... latest June 30th. Without a Coach set, convincing a UFA to sign in Ottawa (acknowledging that Murray won't be a big player) will be an even bigger up-hill battle.
I would think that with the handful of games with the large numbers of goals against will sway the decission towards Potulny. Will need to see what happens in the final to know for sure.
That said .... shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves. The B-Sens have got one more win to get before they need to worry about the final.
Miguel, I in no way want to be defending anyone here, but it should be pretty obvious to you the talks have already begun. It's not like Murray is sitting on his hands until the playoffs are over. But it would be a disservice to settle on your coach prior to seeing who all is available and how they performed in the playoffs this year.
As for the names you mentioned, Hitchcock doesn't give prospects enough room to learn, DeBoer did something that pissed off the organization (I'm guessing he picked Florida over Ottawa?) and McTavish is a terrible coach. Crawford is a decent option at best, but the trend is to go for younger fresh blood these days.
The truth.Ppl are just getting over excited because he's scoring in the AHL. Fans need to realize that while he may be a scorer in the farm, he's limited to a fourth line checking role in the NHL.
I like his energy, but he's not what the Sens need moving forward.
THIS! I cannot stress this enough. The coach doesn't put his "stamp" on the team, that's the GM's job. The coach takes the players he is given and works with their strengths and weaknesses. In no way, shape, or form should a coach have any impact on the assembling of the roster...EVER!
agreed, and I know of all the love-in for Fisher here in Ottawa, but at the same age Fisher was no better than Smith. Fisher has proven he is not a second line centre, and neither is Smith, but as far as finishing around the net, time will only tell. I truly believe the kids that are kicking butt in the AHL will add a huge component to our Sens at a better value, then what we has last year.
Prime example: Corey Locke. He won League MVP in the A this year and not a single one of you have mentioned him cracking the line-up next year. Gee, why is that? Certainly since he had 86 points in 69 games in "the world's 2nd best league" and WON MVP, he should be in the line-up, right? lol
And the AHL is definitely not the second best league in the world. There's a reason why guys stay and play in the SEL and KHL.
There's 1 thing the GM has to take into account with his coach when assembling the roster and that's the coaching style. Some coaches need certain types of players for their system to be most effective and it would be the GM's job to ensure these players are brought in. This is sometimes why GM's like having their coach in place before the draft and FA period. But as was said above, the real deadline is July 1st as UFAs want to know what coach and system they'll be working with.
I agree with Rexx!
Chirp - Next site, you should be able to ban stupid comments, or vote. Let the annonymous person have a say at least by voting for the comment the agree with.
Im sure Tookie is just upset with his job at McDonald`s.
Yeah it's really great to see these 3rd & 4th line players outplay teams that boast Tyler Toffoli, the great Braydon Schenn and currently the team with Brett Sutter.
Give me a break. How can you tell where these players will fit into the Sens lineup. Z Smith, yes 3rd or 4th line.. but the rest of them have about 30 NHL games between them... give it a rest Tookie.
With regards to my assertion that the AHL is "2nd best league in the world" - why is it that GM's constantly want their European prospects to come play in this leage rather than the SEL or KHL?
When was the last time yiou heard a GM say "he's done well in the AHL, but I think it would be good for his development if he goes to Russia or Sweden for a season or two"?
I didn't just make it up - unlike Tookie, I know I'm not always right, but in this case, if you disagree with me, then you are also disagreeing with almost every GM in the league.
disagree,
any sought after coach ie Muller, will undoubtedly want be a part of building up the team that they will coach. If you are like the previous 3 coaches we have had, with little to no experience, then yes you will be lucky to have the job, but if you want to try to win over a successful coach like someon like a Babcock, they will have a say on who plays for them
Did you seriously just say that? I'll give you the #1 reason why they want them to play in the AHL, because they want them to get used to the SMALLER ICE and more PHYSICAL playing style that is the NHL. That's the reason why, it has nothing to do with the AHL being the world's "second best league". I guess you don't really take into account how much players in the SEL and KHL get paid compared to almost everyone in the AHL either. $500k compared to $5M, hmm, I wonder which league has more talent. Nice try though kid, keep your stick on the ice and your head up....
The coach doesn't build the team period. When, if ever, have you heard a coach or GM claim the coach had anything to do with the Free Agent signings or drafting?? I'll agree to a certain extent with JABZ, the coach brings his system and the GM finds the pieces that would most likely work within that system, however, you wouldn't turn down legit top 6 talent because you didn't think he'd "fit in" to a coaches playing style....That's just foolishness....
I'm originally from Halifax. Saw the NS Voyageurs win the Calder Cup back in the 70's (yes I know another era) BUT players on that team included.... Larry Robinson, Yvan Lambert, Mario Tremblay and for a short time Ken Dryden, Bob Gainey. I could go on.
So I guess you call players like that 'beer league'?
What I'm saying is that players in the AHL are not all 'flops' or bottom 6 players.
Spezza spent a couple of years in Bingo did he not? Just saying.
Cary Price in Mtl spent time in the AHL. James Reimer in (you know where) spent time in the AHL.
They go there to LEARN period.
He is a huge part of the wins.
The goalies for the other team are not as good.
kind of makes it seem like the goal scorers are way better.
I am not saying our guys are not good but lighting it up in the AHL needs perspective.
I think we will have top six players on the ice next year for Ottawa.
Spezza will have a new 30 goal scoring winger by FA or trade, you put Butler or Petersson on the line you have a legit top line that will light it up.
Second Line could be Alfie Silverberg Butler Petersson or our new draft pick.
Condra Foligno ZSmith and others make a nice third line, I fail to see the problem, we have lots of great call ups for injury.
disagree again... are you really Tookie 2.0?
Well said Boom and Rexx
lets all take the advice from someone who worked in the NHL ( Jason York, Pierre Maguire ) and not someone who has trouble spelling NHL!
Winning at any level is tough be it from novice to the pros.
All coaches GM's ex players announcers, say that all good prospects, should spend time in the AHL, and some even say that having a career in the AHL is extremely difficult to accomplish. Even better is having young prospects have success as a team, and winning as a team. Some of our best young prospects are not only playing well, but are having great success. This becomes contagious, just as losing did with some of our departed Sens. This succuss will translate to future success for our beloved Sens!
Go B-Sens Go
Yes, back in the 70's when there were 14 teams, WAY less Euro players, and a undiluted talent pool. That's a pretty bad comparison for today's AHL I'm afraid....
Look, I"m not saying the AHL is the worst league, but it's called a "farm league" for a reason. Crops (players) go there to grow into NHL players, or die...Case in point, Jonathon Cheechoo...
HAHAHAHAHA! Oh man, right there, you just lost all your credibility. Not gonna argue with you anymore, I'm sorry....
So by your logic, Corey Locke will be in the top 6 next year??? Yes or no??? lol
" Nice try though kid, keep your stick on the ice and your head up"???
Hey Alfie, does your arrogance come naturally, or do you have to work at it?
I see that most others (not all, but most) seem to agree with me, so I will just have to live forever knowing that I'm not as clever as you and Tookie. I think I'll manage...
Boom, its called the farm system, its the minor league, the NHL has a contract with the AHL. It was made this way a LONG time ago and if you could ask any GM they would probabaly admit that they would much rather have them playin better hockey in Euro/KHL. Maybe not KHL since its competeting with NHL. The AHL hardly develops NHL superstars.
Like many smart people said, any Euro League and the KHL are better than the AHL.
Wrong again, the coach has nothing to do with the draft...Go watch soccer or something, obviously you are out matched here kid.
Any new coach for the Sens would likely not see more than *maybe* 2 players from this year's draft on the ice next fall. Most draftees won't see his dressing room for 3 to 4 years, if at all. As with any corporation or team, each player has a role and any player that tries to do another's role is only going to create confusion. Outsiders are only consulted when they are known to have first hand knowledge on a topic.
GMs recruit. Coaches coach.
I'm not arrogant but holy shit, if you want to have a debate you better be able to handle a decent rebuttal. The AHL is not a fun lifestyle for these players, riding the bus everywhere, long days, call ups, etc...I'm not sure where you got the idea it's some glorious super league.
I will admit, every player save a few that play in the NHL should spend at least a year in the AHL, to get used to the pace of NHL style hockey. But if you put the AHL all-star team against the SEL or KHL all-star team, you would have the blow-out of the century. Imagine, Corey Locke against Jamoir Jagr....HAHA!
nuff said.
I like the kid... but not that much.
Thank god someone else here gets that haha....
You just named a handful of players, out of millions of players, your argument is terrible. And as for Spezza, what did he learn from the AHL? How to make blind drop passes?!?!
Come on now, Spezza didnt learn anything from the AHL, just like the rest of the top 6 players now. Good players only go to the AHL for stints, otherwise the AHL is a league where the NHL can dump players that are not needed or not good enough.
Really? you have 2 unknown posters agreeing with you, that is not most. Miguel keeps diggin himself into a hole, quoting Pierre McGuire and Jason york, dear God help him and Rexx is just babbling, not offering any insight to what he's trying to say "you have to build a team like other teams, WTF?"
Its crazy aint it....
NO NO! you guys are right, we should all take the advice of two fools named PraiseAlfie84 and Tookie19, not the advice from proven NHL allumni, that have had proven success and credentials. And these are only a couple of the many NHL execs that say, all good prospects should spend time in the second best league in the world.
What credentials do you two have? Where have you played OHL?
Outdoor Hockey League... fools!
Chirp I believe these two are Leaf fan spies. they certainly behave like them!
Go B-Sens Go!!!
He hasn't even hit camp yet... how can you say this.
Just wait and see man.
And actually thinking the AHL is the worlds 2nd best hockey league...
.....are you seriously still referring to Pierre McGuire and Jason York? If so...O-M-G
I'm not "giving" advice, I'm stating an opinion. Yeesh. These Senschirp noobs have a thing or two to learn about posting on here....
"He hasn't even hit camp yet... how can you say this.
Just wait and see man."
OK fair enough, but if he was that good why would Chicago give him up? And more importantly if we do sign him, why would they only want a 7th round pick for him? If he was worth more than that, I can't see why the Hawks would part with him after only signing him 2 years ago. He was a 3rd round pick in 2003 and hasn't done much since joining the Bingo squad.
But I'll give him more of a chance than I give Locke. he could be a late bloomer.
Ridiculous talent is being shipped out of those leagues every year.
The AHL is really only for prospect development and as a career for those who couldn't crack the NHL. Once the prospects leave it doesn't make the A the second best league. Färjestads or Skellefteå for example would spank the best teams in the AHL.
"The AHL hardly develops NHL superstars"
Really? ...Martin St. Loise, Patrice Bergeron...Ryan Kesler...Logan Couture
I'd take any of these guys on my team. How about you?
"The AHL is not a fun lifestyle for these players, riding the bus everywhere, long days, call ups, etc...I'm not sure where you got the idea it's some glorious super league."
Yeah, you're right - only leagues that travel by plane can be good for player development. And where did I say it was a Glorious Super League"..
All I was saying was that if players aren't in the NHL then the best place for them (assuming they are ovwe 19) is the AHL - hence the "2nd best league in the world"...
No No Tookie, you must be right because...Tooki e said so!!!
why on gods earth should I take your BS over people who have experience playing and coaching in the NHL... what credentials do you bring to the table... your google diploma?
I know you are really a leaf spy... I am on to you and PraiseAlfie, or should it be PraiseKessel?
Enough of this, do you even know where McGuire played hockey you fool? and then you go as far as to talk about credentials, hahaha, yeah im pretty sure I can coach a team to .396 & .486 winning %, LMAO!
You are truely the definition of a homer...
You can't say Spezza is not a top 6 forward. Or Carey Price is a bad goaltender. Cody Hodgson is not a good player. Logan Couture is no good.
Loui Eriksson, Ryan Kesler, Martin St Louis, Duncan Keith, Keith Yandle, MA Fleury, Patrick Sharp, Dustin Byfuglien.
These are just some players who have played in the AHL - most of them, longer than one year.
So I guess all of these players were not good enough and not needed on their NHL teams.
Just like I said, the NHL sends MOST of their prospects to the AHL to LEARN the pro game. Whether it is 2 mos, 6 mos, 1 yr, 2 yrs, etc.
Or are you going to state again.. this is only a handful of players. I'm sure there are a lot more that I have not named that have gone from the AHL to successful NHL careers.
I agree some players in the AHL will not make it to the NHL.. but a lot of them do.
It is NOT a beer league.
Do you talk to Pierre McGuire personally? Or any GM for that matter? What you here in the media is mostly hot air, their actual opinions are probably different but you have to be politically correct when speaking in public.
@boom
If you're planning on playing at any point in your career in the NHL, then I agree with you that you need at least one year in the AHL. I'll give you that, and only that.
Notice how badly Canada and USA did in the worlds this year? Notice how the other teams players don't play in the AHL. Not the best example but still, it says a lot when teams like Finland/Sweden/ Russia and their KHL/SEL/EuroLea gue players beat our NHL/AHL players.
Ugh Sandy, most of them DON'T! Look at the actual ratio of guys who get drafted that end up playing in the NHL. Most of them get stuck in the AHL.
I'd say, just a guess, that 85% of guys who have played in the AHL longer than one season have not played more than 100 AHL games....
2nd Best League for making $$$$ - KHL
2nd Best League for developing high-level skill - SEL
2nd Best League for learning the NHL game and becoming a part of each NHL teams system/culture - AHL
I think there is also an argument to say that, despite the amount of high-end talent in the SEL, the overall depth of talent (top to bottom) is greater in the AHL.
Best depends on how you define it.
"If you're planning on playing at any point in your career in the NHL, then I agree with you that you need at least one year in the AHL. I'll give you that, and only that."
To be honest, that's the only point I was making - the ongoing debate was whether the fact that the BSens are doing well in their play-offs was good news for Ottawa. Tookie was saying that it was irreleveant blah blah blah, so I was merely defending the AHL. Perhaps I phrased it badly, but at least you can see the point I was trying to make. I give up on Tookie, however...
Hahaha are you just throwing names out there, LOL.
St. Louis didnt develop in the AHL, haha, he hasnt even played 1 full season in the AHL, 53 games was his longest, he developed in the NHL with the Lightning.
Couture was a star even before going to the AHL, where he played in a WHOPPING 42 games... LOL again, major fail!
Bergeron played 1 AHL season, so much for developing him...
Kesler played 1 season in the AHL, again, not much done for his development which he got from the Canucks.
Anything else you wanna add to prove your ignorance?
Really? Really? is that all you have?
do I talk to Pierre personally...ah no... so?
do I know where he played hockey... yah...US college...and asstant coach on the penguins... Jason York many years in the AHL and NHL!
back you you Joker or Tookie, give me one reason to believe any of your BS has an ounce of merit, what do you bring? Your Dan Daoust leaf jersey! what a fool
@ PraiseAlfie84
decent argument on the Worlds, the Euro's have really improved recently, and I will agree that their leagues have also improved, however I am not so certain that the AHL could not compete with the SEL with regards to the level of hockey... not saying which may be better, I am not sure, but would be interesting if the AHL winner were to play the winner of the SEL.
Notice how badly Canada and USA did in the worlds this year? Notice how the other teams players don't play in the AHL. Not the best example but still, it says a lot when teams like Finland/Sweden/ Russia and their KHL/SEL/EuroLea gue players beat our NHL/AHL players.
Would you think that if Luongo, Toevs, Crosby, Price, Keith, Seabrook, Weber, Getzlaf, Perry -- would have played in the World Championships -- Canada would have lost? Yeah right.
The AHL is kinda like a winning streak to close out a season; it doesn't mean anything unless you follow it up with success. People want to see Bingo succeed; it's a positive thing. However, it's ultimately inconsequential unless you perform at a higher (NHL) level.
So yeah, I'd rather they win than lose, but unless it serves as a stepping stone, it means nothing. For instance, good for Locke if they win a championship, but he's never making the NHL. Perhaps Greening or Condra, as examples, are better off if they win it all in the AHL... perhaps, but regular season NHL, which they've already played, is tougher, faster and harder than playoff AHL. Any day of the week.
Also, the SEL championship team would CRUSH the B-Sens, are you NUTS? They might be able to play the same level hockey but it doesn't mean they will be any good. Although I would love to see that just for the jokes....
Again with the arrogance...
How about you check the rosters of the teams remaining in the NHL play-offs and count the number of players who spend some time in the AHL compared to those whp spent time in the KHL or SEL...
I'm trying to be civil, but you are really being a dick.
1) AHL is a beer league? C'mon,classic Tookie comment to insight anger, I used to fall for it.
2) People overvaluing our prospects...hap pens all the time, people need to come back down to earth. Having a good AHL playoff run isn't a bad thing is it guys?...it doesn't mean we are a year away from a stanley cup either....
Where's the moderator in here? Chirp, help!!!!!!!!
Listen, your a longtime poster and I respect and actually like your posts most of the time. I wont go into details with you as PA84 already mentioned most dont make it and were talking only top 6 talent here. The list you just provided, agreed most played longer than 2 years but it is not where they were developed, they developed with their NHL club, most guys, infact all of them only started to show success in there 3rd or 4th year with the NHL club, do you really think having played AHL 5-6 years ago, really had anything to do with how good they are now?
@Sandy
"Would you think that if Luongo, Toevs, Crosby, Price, Keith, Seabrook, Weber, Getzlaf, Perry -- would have played in the World Championships -- Canada would have lost? Yeah right."
Are any of those guys in the AHL? I only included NHL in my previous post because we had a bunch of NHL guys. The argument is who would win between SEL/KHL VS. AHL....Are you honestly going to tell me AHL?
You and Miguel are getting me and the Tookster mixed up I think....
I like to see us keep him and give him a chance to grow - he's still only what, 22? 23? If/when we get a playoff team again, his style will suit a 3rd or 4th line well. Call me crazy (...), but I think it could pot him some goals too.
He doesn't have great hands, but they're also not the worst and I really think with some reform and small, steady improvement, his would be a great playoff guy (you know, the gritty kind that Cherry likes because they thrive going to tough areas).
I guess patience is the badge of our sens tribe now.
I have yet to see you make any good points. All you do is put down others without anything to back it up. You say I am babbling.....so rry if you can't keep up with what I am saying, others can just fine. Do us all a favour and become a fan of another team. You sure seem to not like this one.
Not to mention you making fun a McGuire and York. They have forgotten more about the NHL than you will ever understand.
well said,
the only point I want to make here is that
- winning in the AHL is not easy, winning it all will breed success that requires and builds leaders, lets hope our kids get used to that type of success
- do we know that this success will undoubtedly lead to NHL success? We cannot say for sure, but I am proud that many of our young prospects are a key part of this success, and will only build their value when they come up. Those kids will force guys who have maybe floated along ie Foligno, Shannon, Winchester, Regin, to be better, or these kids playing with determination to win, will take their place and perform better, and in all make for a better Ottawa team.
Go B-Sens go
I'm through arguing the point.
The AHL is what it is. A developmental league for NHL teams to have the prospects learn the pro game. That's why those teams exist. Some players succeed to the NHL and some don't. It's as simple as that.
That is why Detroit leaves ALL of their prospects in that league for 3 yrs to develop -- before they bring them to the NHL to play. That is the way they run their team... and no one can argue that it's not a good system and successful.
But the success of the B-Sens will translate for a few of these players into successful NHL careers.
Lehner has been amazing for a 19 yr old rookie playing behind, for most of the playoffs, a patchwork defense. A .932 save percentage is nothing to complain about.
I don't think I would call him beer league.
B-Sens have won 10 out of the last 12 games going back to the 1st round. That is against some very good teams whether you believe it or not.
Your not being civil at all, you know the NHL sends their players to farm teams so its obvious there will be mroe AHL players in the playoffs right now, the question you need to ask your self is which of the SEL or AHL players are having the bigger impact in the playoffs...I think you would be most surprised.
HAHA! You do realize that about 80% of the posters on this board make fun of these 2 media clowns right? They probably have a lot of knowledge, no denying it, but does that mean we have to agree with them? Talk about the Sheep and the Shepard, yeesh!
9.32 save percentage.... lol
Now you are really showing your ignorance. Hahaha
See Tookie, you are teaching me how to respond with valid posts!
What?!?
Seriously Chirp, are these people for real? Did you create bogus accounts or what?!?!
I did NOT say the AHL teams would be the SEL teams. They probably would not as quite a few of these players are in their 1st or 2nd yr of pro hockey in the AHL. The SEL is a pro league with a lot more experienced players for the most part.
Also the SEL, KHL & other Euro leagues had their seasons finished. A lot of team Cda & US better players were injured or still playing in NHL and could not compete. That was my point.
Yeah, just like 90% of the people make fun of the GM's.
Make fun of them all you want, they both know a hell of alot more than you, and the person who has proven that is you!
Really? your going to use Detroit? last time I checked, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, Holmstrom, Kronwall, Ericsson, Hossa (when he was there) never set foot in the AHL.
Im sorry but you are losing credibility with weak arguments like that.
great points and great chatting, and yes you are all correct in believing and enjoying the success our young prospects are having to date in the AHL.
It is like having your kids come home with A's, and then have some fools say "they will never have any success in the real world!" Maybe, but if they continue to bring A's and get used to A's chances are they will become successful.
PraiseAlfie, yes I know you enjoy the debate, but I am sure you know that some of that success will spill over to the NHL, and as much as you hate Maguire or York, you had better listen to what they say, because they have made it to the top, whereas the likes of you and I can only speculate.
Tookie go back to leaf nation... there is no hope for you!
And nobody makes fun of the GM's unless you're talking about Burke or Bryan Murray's famous Lisp, so you're about 90% wrong there...
@Sandy
I agree with you about the worlds. I think it's a joke that the IIHF puts them during the NHL playoffs, it keeps our best players out
Right now it's a 2 way tie for 2nd, with Mike Milbury trying to take Don Cherry's spot....
Honestly people, do you have any opinion about what you see on TV or do you just smile and nod?
And Miguel, I hope to god with everything I have that you are right, and that all these kids turn out to be legit and take us to a cup but I'm more of a realist....
Oh and you should know I get an email notification for every comment. The way the blackberry was going off I thought the Sens had hired a new coach and I missed it or something :)
I corrected that to .932 save percentage..
I was NOT referring to the players you mentioned. Helm, Abdelkader (Sp?) Howard and other that CAME THROUGH their AHL systems.. spend 3 yrs in the AHL to develop.
FYI -- Hossa was a free agent signing not a draftee.
The others are mostly superstars that go directly to the NHL (a la Crosby, E Staal, Malkin, Ovey, Sedins) -- those type of players are an exception.
But the overall way Detroit develops it's prospects is with 3 yrs in the AHL.
there you go blowing steam again,
c'mon man Maguire, York, have credentials that say NHL on them. I am not saying that we all must believe all they say, but man they have credentials to back them up... agan I ask you... what gives you any credibility whatsoever? name one thing, did you get 2 assists in a ball hockey game one time? Did you win your hockey pool one year? Cmon this is what makes you sound foolish! Anyone who has made to the NHL deserves some credit, and it does not matter who, and you are sayinig you know more then them, why?
Those bottom 6 players are not whats keeping Detroit afloat im afraid.
"Anyone who has made to the NHL deserves some credit, and it does not matter who.."
Wow, ok. And you say I sound foolish? Tell me Mike Milbury deserves some credit. Or do you know who that is? haha
No, not yet.. but they may.
Detroit is aging & are going to have to start relying on their prospects more.
They play an important role on that team.. but no they definitely don't have the talent of their top players -- that's a given.
oh yes fear not Tookie I have plenty of opinions...some good others not so much, all I ask is why should I listen to yours, which you claim as one of the commandments, over anyone that has made it to the NHL?
what credentials do you have that make your opionions better than everyone elses... maybe 2 assists in the road hockey game was a bit of a stretch...
Ah the low life returns, im surprised you were able to put a couple sentences together, I see you've been to your 3rd grade class...
Show me where Huberdeau is "the" pick of the draft this year, man are you really ignorant or do you just come out that way? nobody is talking about Huberdeau, you maybe but thats about it. e hasnt won anything yet, alot of people win the QMJHL Championship, it is given every year. Until he wins the Memorial Cup or wins the Presidents Cup again next year, he hasnt done what most guys did before him already.
So your saying we do have top 6 talent in our prospects, who? alot of us want to laugh so keep posting noob!
Because they need a goalie...
Miguel, sorry to tell you this buddy, but you just took over the "Biggest Homer Award" from SF19 on here. You can add that to your "credentials"....
IN the words of MikeMcC....."Go Fucking Sens...."
love the post jakester...love it,
but I think Tookie just took his Tiger Williams jersey and went home!
He's 19, we just signed Anderson to a monster 4 year contract, Bingo needs a goalie and he needs North American hockey experience. Golaies are different though, they actually need development time in the A as opposed to a D-man or Forward.
You dont have to listen or take my "advice" but you shold as im always right. If you were here at the beginning of the year Miguel, I said this team would not make the playoffs and probably finish dead last with the crop of player we had on the pro team. I wasnt too far off now was I. while everyone else was praising Regin and Foligno, Michalek to have great years.
Funny to look back now and see how good some SENS fans viewed their team, despite MAJOR flaws...
What a day, Miguel, Jakester, representing the ignorants of the world!
Im going home, cant wait to see what they come up with next...
The AHL is not the 2nd best league in the world. 2nd best in north america..ok, but in the world? Ha!
(i actually laughed pretty hard when I read this)
Praise alfie (re:coachGM) i'm not going to argue that the GM assembles the players, but the one thing I have to say is that the coach should be 95% responsable for who makes the team out of training camp. Obviously he will be handcuffed by 1-way contracts. but as far as 2-ways go, the GM should never be able to force a prospect down a coaches throat if that coach doesn't want said prospect playing (See: Jacques Martin Vs. Jason Spezza)
Miguel: Are you actually adding anything to the convo, or just calling out other posters trying to stir the pot?
hey road hockey star! how does saying that the B-Sens winning the cup, is good for the Ottawa Sens next year make me the biggest homer, it is a fact that most normal people can easily come to terms with but for you and Tookie19
I've said this before, but I think Potulny will make the team next year.
His skating seemed weak when he got here, but I suggested that some time in the AHL would benefit him (as it seems like our coaches down there turn out wonderful skaters: butler, condra, greening, to name a few)
I really think having Potulny and DaCosta battle it out for 2nd line centre position would do a lot for the competitive spirit of the team, and improve both of their play tremendously.
How can you guarantee we will even get a guy like Leino or Laich? How can you guarantee Butler will pot another 40 goals? How can you guarantee DeCosta or any of our draft picks will work out? How can you guarantee Peterssen will adapt to North American style hockey?
You have a lot to prove in your argument man. Not saying you're going to be wrong but don't get your hopes up so high without any proof that what you're saying will come to fruition. I love our prospects right now but I need to be convinced at the NHL level.
@conor
Agreed. GM picks the roster, Coach picks the final 18 guys.
I knew it, you are a road hockey star... car!
those are your credentials... yes you are right your tennis ball two goal game, really does prove that what you say is worth more than what anyone else says... and yes you blowing your gravel slap shot through the goalie baseball gives you the right to shit on eveyone, but especially Maguire or York, who have pay stubs that say NHL on them...
Thanks for proving you really are a fool... road hockey star!
There, does that make you feel better.
And and I use an orange ball, not a tennis ball. Tennis balls are for pussies...
"who have pay stubs that say NHL on them..."
The NHL pays Pierre McGuire and Jason York....You heard it here first folks! Senschirp rocks
Personally I like Chirp (lots of sens news) and Mackenzie as analysts,
and if you use the orange ball, then you have must have some huge stingers... that give you some credentials... I guess
this has been way to slow a day for me,
But Bingo has Brust and Brodeur.
Maybe I should have put the question as to why Lehner is not in the NHL but the AHL if he can't learn anything there as some of you say they don't develop in the AHL?
Put me down as a reference will ya.
There's a difference between being a jerk and a 'bad poster'. I think it's pretty clear both of them have some degree of hocky knowledge.
It's pretty sad when you can't male a constructive criticism of your team without being called a Leafs fan. I honestly ant remember any Lefs fans hanging around here.
It's even more sad when people shit on other posters for personal attacks, then fire personal insults right back. Are you serious? It just looks so bad to say, "you can't just call people morons, you imbecile!"
less hypocrisy would be nice. Let's reserve the name calling (I kid because I love!) for those who deserve it... Heatley, people who like Mike Milbury and people who want to increase netsize.
Laugh.
I understand why Lehner is in the AHL..
My question was posed to those that say prospects don't learn in the AHL -- so my point was he is there to learn or he would be in the NHL.
Bet the house.
It's not wrong to suggest Butler is the only current forward prospect in the system who has strong potential to become a top-6 forward. It's possible we'll get one or maybe two really wonderful surprises out of that lower tier group of prospects but don't count on it. If it happens they'll be exactly that - surprises. Honestly out of that group I'd say Greening with his size and speed has perhaps the best chance to become a top 6 player. Hoffman has the pure skill if he can improve the other areas of his game. Guys like Condra, Wick, O'Brien etc have work to do.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.picbadges.com%2Fottawa-senators-nhl%2F1723259%2F%3Fref%3Dnf&h=6c13b
Pass: hfsens
Agreed. My guess is it's the natural by-product of our terrible season. People who didn't pay attention to Bingo before are tuning in. They start learning names and making ridiculous assumptions. Just by virtue of watching players and knowing their names gives people unreasonable hopes.
http://www.justin.tv/bingofan#/w/1222600272
Password is "hfsens"
sweet thanks
This is quite the beer league team wow!
This X 10. I mean it's the off season and here we are still talking about the sens/bsens. So what if you think someone isn't as knowledgeable about hockey as you are. We're all cleary die hard sens fans so suck it up and get along.
Great post -- exactly
Bingo on the PK starting the 3rd. B-Sens goals on PP & SH. Is that not 5 SH goals in the playoffs for the B-Sens.. that's good.
I heart u.
Classy.
GO BSENS GO!!!!
Keller scored.. SWEEP BABY...
SWEEEEEEEEEP!!!