What is the main purpose of this season? Development, lottery pick, playoffs or Stanley Cup?
Here are the thoughts from the best Sens blogs on the net:
Here’s Peter from Silversevensens and you can follow him on Twitter here.
The next team I hear saying their purpose heading into the season is a lottery pick will be the first. Ottawa's looking at development. They'll look to use that development to move forward and compete for a Stanley Cup, but that's unlikely; if they end up with a lottery pick, they'll take that, select the best player available, and move on with the Senate Reform.
Here’s Stephen from SensTown and you can follow him on Twitter here.
The goal of every team going into the year is the Stanley Cup, but realistically we don't have a shot. So I'd reckon to say it's development AND a lottery pick. The way you improve is through the draft after several years of poor performances. Suffering through last season would be a complete waste if they patched together some FA's that would make us competitive this year and ruin our chances of a true rebuild.
Our main goal should be to let all the young guys play and heavy minutes too. We need to see who has it and who doesn't going forward. Let the young kids play at the NHL level and get some experience so they develop for later on and at the same time, keeps us in contention for another top 5 pick that can really help our franchise.
It should be a fun year watching the young guys improve over time and playing with the heart that won many of them the Calder Cup. It will be a big change for all the jaded vets go through the paces again. These guys are hungry to show they belong in the NHL, and while most nights we will come out on the losing end, it will be necessary for the development of the young guys to log that ice time so in a few years when they're keys to our team, they have that experience to fall back on.
If we focus on development, we should end up back in the lottery with a top 5 pick anyways, unless we're ping ponged out yet again.
Here’s Jeremy from Black Aces and you can follow him on Twitter here.
Can I say all of the above? The main goal has to be to make the playoffs. That's the business and that always has to be the goal. I'm not a big believer in the scorched earth policy of going completely young and it looks like Bryan Murray isn't either. Yes, it's a rebuild but this team is deceptively well balanced going into this season. Four of their top six defenseman are solid NHL veterans and that doesn't include Erik Karlsson who is on the verge of really breaking out as a superstar in this league. Craig Anderson is a legitimate number one goalie and they still have Spezza and Alfredsson up front with key veteran character players like Chris Neil and Zenon Konopka. If they don't make the playoffs, it should be considered a disappointment, but if some of the young guys make strides, a lottery pick will give them even more help. To me, this season is a no-lose kind of situation. The fans are going to be patient and the team may even surprise everybody by how good they can be.
Here’s Nichols from The 6th Sens and you can follow him on Twitter here.
Two words: Nail Yakupov
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCk3-RVMy4E
Here's Tony from SenShot and you can follow him on Twitter here.
The goal of this season MUST be player development. In today's NHL, you have to be realistic about your team or face year's of mediocrity (look to the Leafs and Panthers as perfect examples). Always going for it is a costly venture. Every year, only a few teams really load up and go for it as they believe they are only a piece or two away from hoisting the Cup.
Ottawa is still a long ways off from getting back into the picture of legitimately contending for the Cup. So instead of picking up pieces to make a run (especially with our track record in that department), Ottawa should fully commit to the rebuilding process. I truly believe that with another high pick and a good draft similar to this past summers', Ottawa could only have a two-year rebuild.
With this year's draft featuring a number of highly rated, impact players in the top five, if Ottawa could snag one of those special forwards, they may be ready to contend sooner then later. With a number of trading assets on the current roster (Kuba, Regin, Foligno,Michalek, Lee, Winchester, Carkner, Neil and Konopka), Ottawa can turn these assets into draft picks to give the Murray's an opportunity to do what they do best. Even if the team gets off to a good/great start to the season, they should not buy into the hype. Rather, they should sell high and get the most they can for their players. With the ultimate prospect being Russian Nail Yakupov, the dynamic right winger could be the player to replace our aging captain on Spezza's right.
Here’s SensChirp and you can follow him on Twitter here.
It has to be to win the Stanley Cup. I know as fans we've been told to expect some growing pains with a rebuilding hockey team and that is probably true but you can't resign yourself to bottom feeder status before the first puck is even dropped. The players can't and neither should the fans. For supporters of this team, there will be plenty of time to analyze the next top prospect and calculate draft lottery percentages, should the Sens struggle this season. But for now, the Ottawa Senators, along with 29 other teams in the NHL, should be focused on winning the Stanley Cup. As long as the organization places an emphasis on being a competitive team and trying to win every night, the player development stuff will take care of itself.
I think, like always, our goal is to beat the Leafs.
Either by getting a better spot in the playoffs, or a better pick in the case that we can't make the playoffs.
While I would agree with you that as a team we should be gunning for the Cup this year, as an organization at the stage we are at, I sure hope we don't mortgage the future we've started building with some trade deadline acquisitions just because we are in the 'hunt'. Realistically we are another year or two away from having the building blocks in place to make a strong Cup run, and because of that the overarching focus of this year must be on player development - that is the #1 thing we need to address to prepare us for when we DO win the Cup, whether it is this season or three seasons from now...
Weird news about that ammonia leak at SBP... hope everyone is ok and it will be interesting to hear what is up.
By this I mean, in the past 10 years we have loved the team, but its been so interchanged with trades, roster moves signings etc(kovalev, gonchar, hasek, heatley) in and out in and out. Our fan base has been in it for end success but not for enjoyment
I feel this team, with the current crop of young guys allows for new fans to join and latch on to a growing team, one with excitement.
the hope?
To use your words now, develop, into a strong team, that when they recah their peak we now have a fan base that is attached, cares and will support. No reason the minute we start competing for a playoff spot, the Vault doesn't sound the same as it did when Damien Rhodes was putting the final touches on our first series win against the Devils - Deafening is what comes to mind
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Bryan-Murrays-Worst-Move-Ever--How-Much-are-Doughty-and-Schenn-Worth/1/38123
The back-end is very solid and if the young guys play as well as they did in the latter part of last season, Ottawa could sneak into the playoffs. There is no doubt that other teams are more deep, experienced and skilled than our Sens, but no team will ever bomb a season and aim for a draft pick. Making the playoffs is probably not the best scenario, but no team will ever aim for a lottery pick. Losing is not the point of hockey, or any sport for that matter. They should aim to win every game from the get go, and if they end up surprising us and winning enough to reach the playoffs, then it would be a hell of an accomplishment. In my opinion, it is better for them to be winning than losing when it comes to player development. In my opinion, we have a better roster than Nashville did last year and if we are coached well and play as a team, we could compete and surprise many. Just look at the Preds! Defense and goaltending is what wins championships.
If you read on, he refers to the "Redden over Chara" scenario. Too bad that was Muckler and not Murray. I am not saying I am some hockey guru or know it all, but Eklund is a fkn idiot. I really don't like to swear, but this was warranted.
Ya i agree wiyh you 100 percent. he makes anything up or says anything to bring people in. i was just on the site to see if any sens news came along and there it was Eklund lol
1 - there are almost no words to describe how much of an asinine, gibbering piece of shit Eklund is...
2 - he gives his brilliant "answer" mid-way through the "article". His big revelation? Keeping Redden instead of Chara!
That's right folks, he blames GM Bryan Murray for letting Chara walk. LOL.
What was Ecklund's worst move ever?
Buying a computer
I think I know where you are going with your response, but I think you have to look at who we are talking about here. First, the coach and players need to be thinking about the Cup. There is no question there.
Where I think we differ, is the role of management in this process. Bryan Murray has to think differently. If the best thing for someone's development is to send them back to junior, Sweden, the AHL, or somewhere else, I think Murray has to set the tone. The team made a conscious decision to begin re-tooling last year, and to revert right now would be counterproducti ve. It takes time to develop a strong system of players, and if we want sustained success, Bryan Murray and his scouting staff need to stay the course.
I think it would be atrocious to see the Sens, say, make a trade at the deadline, that would hinder our future success.
Like I said, the coaches and players need to play for the Cup. The GM and scouting staff need ensure we stay the course.
Ithink i like this answer the best lol
I tend to agree with Senstown & Senshot (except the Yakopov drafting).
I have a feeling the Sens will not be at the 1st overall pick position (ie last in the standings in the league -- nor 15th in East Conference)... and I also have a feeling it's another Swede in Filip Forsberg they draft.. Would be nice if the Sens get to the lottery position that they win it this time. This team has no luck... it's about time it starts turning around.
I expect this year's Sens to compete hard in every game. As they say... it all comes down to goaltending... so Anderson will have to play like he did down the stretch. For the Sens -- it's also about the 2nd line centre position and how that player can handle it.
Regardless, I'm excited. Hockey is almost here...
He is a total idiot...I have heard from a very reliable source that even had we offered Chara a contract he was gone, he made his decision when we signed and traded Hossa for Douchely. That was by far our teams worst move, not "picking" Redden over him.
Eckland is proving he is a fool.
but speaking of fools how about Laurel and Hardy aka MacLean and Kypreos. Just when we feel great about our team and owner, dumb and dumber bring up financial troubles in Ottawa! Yo idiots, Bryden does not own the team anymore! Yes the hockey team may have lost money last year, but I am sure that with concessions, tickets, and other events, there was money made.
The laffs may have more money than brains, but the Sens are a more responsible team, in a great hockey market, that ranks near the top of the NHL.
If they want something to talk about, how about the Leafs not making the SCF in 45 years, or not making the playoffs since Spezza was a rookie!
Not to worry in Ottawa, we are fine!
Unless Anderson is out for the year, and with Alex Auld as the Backup, there is no need to elevate Lehner into NHL.
He should stay in Bingo, and get mentally ready for 2012-2013, as Backup to Anderson, and possibly our # 1 !!??
Rockin Robert
Agreed, that plan makes the most sense. That Anderson contract may be a problem in a year or two, but I'd really like to see Lehner repeat as Calder Cup MVP again this year.
I assume both MacLean & Kypreous predict the Leafs in the playoffs and the Sens in 15th -- just like everyone else.
We shall see come next April...
They used to have another guy on their hockey show.. can't remember his name.. (not Millard) -- but another older guy.
All he was missing was his Leafs' jersey.
The Sens supposed financial trouble ways just another 'trumped up' story out of the Toronto media -- who know NOTHING about the Sens. I suggest they stick to following their Leafs.. and leave things they know nothing about alone.
Thanks for agreeing with my thoughts on Lehner, and also for stating that "that plan makes the most sense"
Should he somehow repeat, as Calder Cup MVP again this year, then he is ready for the NHL, and has nothing else to prove in the AHL, nor to himself !
Rockin Robert
hahahaha
I believe the idiot you are referring to is Bill Waters, the most biased commentator of all time. A few years ago when the Sens were clearly head and shoulders better than the Leafs he wpuld still go on about how he felt the leafs were better. even Kypreos disagreed with him...
supposedly he got fired for making allegations against Trevor Linden and more specifically the nhpla. what a wind bag! next commentator to drop needs to be Glen Healy, Guy said on national television that he dislikes the sens? pretty sure you are supposed to remain unbiased.
Hahaha nice!
I can't stand people dropping Yakupov's name like we are going to end up with the 1st overall pick or that is some objective at the START of the season!! Holy!
These are people who run a blog? Wow. Yes eveyone the main purpose is to not play well at all. Ridiculous!
Playoff contender? Definitely.
Stanley Cup champion? Would be nice, but not likely.
I understand this is year 1 of the rebuild, however, to say we should aim for the bottom or that the Sens won't be contenders... to me that's throwing in the towel before the fight started.
As mentioned by many people above, we have a strong group. Yes they may be young and inexperienced at the NHL level, but with the calibre of players we have, would be hard to not put points up in the standings.
I stand that the Sens will finish 5-8th in the playoffs with a first round knockout.
At this stage, I don't think another strong draft will help. Player development through playoff pushes is the way to go!
GO SENS GO!
(3 days... 3 more painful days... at least there are some fairs to take our mind off!)
clearly you try to win every game you can but when the deadline comes around, barring some completely unforseen progression, Sens are sellers.
another strong draft always helps, there is no such thing as too much depth especially when looking for elite level talent...
you always have to be looking ahead.
Or should I say fairy tale beginning!! lol
Does anyone know at all if either of the practises on Saturday and Sunday at Sensplex and Scotiabank Place are open to the public?? I went last year when it was, but I can't see any info on Sens website or anywhere else that indicates any of the training camp practises are open to the public.
Anyone know for sure?
Thanks
This may be what your looking for:
http://senators.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=73310&navid=DL|OTT|home
one more year of non-playoffs followed by a good selection of picks and we are a powerhouse for 7-8 years again.
dont follow the leafs pattern, do a complete rebuild.
Thanks for this. I don't know how I missed it on the website. Speaking of which...any other fellow chirpers going to check out the open skate? I'm going for section 104 again...thats where I watched Kuba break his leg from last year.
I just checked that blog out and he even admitted that he's an idiot.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/The-Worst-Defense-Decision-A-GM-has-Ever-Made-Doughty-and-Schenn/1/38124
I believe the idiot you are referring to is Bill Waters....
=======================================================
Bill Watters -- that's who he was.
Glen Healey... another one I really dislike.
CBC is a NATIONAL broadcast -- and what Healey said last season -- on air -- regarding Da Costa signing in Ottawa as they were a lousy team and he could get a chance to play.
Now Ottawa did not have a good year.. but on a National broadcast to call any team lousy is really unprofessional. I'm surprised.. he still has a job.
Wondering where you had gone for such a long absence??
Your analysis and points are well taken, and I hope the team surprises us with a lot more wins than losses !
The rebuild will work much faster than we are all expecting, and if we make the playoffs ,it will be a bonus.
GOSENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rockin Robert
so here's something funny on Glenn Healy...sept last year he thought ottawa was a pretty good team and by the end of the season he's explaining they are lousy...
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=76634
also, he has said on a broadcast how much he dislikes the sens due to his playing days in toronto...cant find the clip.
I understand he played for the Leafs.. but he is not a Leafs employee now.. he is employed by a National broadcast company and should not favour any team while on the air... that's just unprofessional. .. same can be said for Don Cherry... he is a Leafs fan... but I can't recall him saying a team is 'lousy' like Healey did...but he certainly is controversial.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Scoop-Cooper/The-tragedy-of-the-Locomotive-Yaroslavl-crash-grows/86/38145
I realize it is hockeybuzz.. but if this is true... I can see a lot of lawsuits coming.
Wow what a mess, didn't realize how much further the story went. Thanks for the link Sandy.
NAIL YAKUPOV!!
No but in all honsety.....get NAIL YAKUPOV!!
"4 of their top 6 D are solid NHL Vets?!?!?! Who? Phillips, Kuba, Gonchar and Lee???? LMAO
Wow that guy seriously needs to unplug from the matrix!
Phillips, Kuba and Gonchar, it can be said and probably unquestionably, that they are old, slow and already into they're decline.
Lee aint a vet, I sure as hell hope he wasnt referring to Carkner...
Nothing wrong with controversy, its what brings the mundane to life!
lots of talk about 'playing fast'
im excited.
Do you really think Da Costa signed here because the city is beautiful? Thats it has good clean water (according to the water testing folks!)
Thats the beauty of this great country, you can say what you want.
I understand your upset cuz he dissed the Sens but we did suck and our prospect pool was dwindling to next to nothing.
shocked that you'd be a fan of conrtoversy...l ol
Yeah but you need fast players.
Filatov-Spezza-Butler = slow, possession line.
Michalek-Regin/Da Costa-Alfie = slow, dont know what they're MO is.
What you just stated is "Controversial" and untrue !
These 2 lines are not "slow"
Actually, you Tookie, do not know your MO !!
Rockin Robert
Tell me who is fast on either of those lines?
Michalek? with 2 old knees, or Alfie with a bothersome back.
Spezza we all know is not a speedy skater, neith is Butler or Filatov.
Which leaves Regin or Da Costa, Regin is fast, ok you got me, oh no!
You are just being funny !!
You will eat your own words once the season starts !
Rockin Robert
Oh and it is about time HOCKEY IS BACK!
Well Regin is fast but all the info on Filatov has him as an explosive skater, this is one of his main skill sets according to the scounting reports.
The point is Tookie... he could have put it like the Sens are having a bad year... but he hates the Sens so he called them lousy.
I just say it's unprofessional. . guy has no class.
Absolutely right; Filatov's best assets are his skating ability and his offensive awareness.
Tookie once again intervenes before getting his facts straight.
Also all reports so far are saying Michalek is as fast as he's ever been since he came to Ottawa.
Playing fast doesn't mean you have to be the fastest skater though, it's also an intensity level ... i.e the opposite of the neutral zone trap!
Tookie is a huge Senators fan, has season tickets, but likes to stir the pot all the time, in order to create some controversy and hockey debates !!
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!
Rockin Robert
there are a number of people on the site that are eternal optimists and do not have the ability to recognize the talent levels of other teams.
i dont see that as a mandatory criteria of being a fan. i think the majority of fans fall somewhere in between Tookie and Johne and ultimately having the two extremes is what makes a site like this work.
This analysis is very much dead on, and it is also conclusive, as it covers both sides of the coin !!
yes pretty bad steam but better then nothing
That actually wouldn't be a bad matchup. Lee is probably the closest thing to Phillips more than anyone.
Rundblad's also been on the ice alot.
And in regards to the second line centre-- best case scenario would be Da Costa. He's more NHL ready. Zibanejad, as much as I'd like to see him play, would be best to play back in Sweden for one more year.
Much better than with Gonchar for sure. I'd like to see that matchup, and even try out Cowen with Big Rig too
All I know is down the stretch Lee & Phillips played okay.
i dont think im an extreme optimist. i just hope for the best for my team, but i fully recognize other teams talents and where we rank among them. of course im biased, im a fan
i really do think that this team can be in the hunt for a playoff spot come this spring if anderson lives up to expectations and we have a top 10 powerplay. is that being too optimistic?
Yes.....It is unrealistic. That being said, all the power too you for being able to ignore the fact that we are rebuilding/have a lot of old(close to over the hill) players. I mean I genuinely wish I had half the optimism that you have.
That being said, I am going into the season expecting a marginal improvement over last season, but wouldn't be the least bit shocked if the improvement isn't realized....Tim e for our young guys to mature, and get experience.
I will not be disappointed with the season, lots of others will be like they were last season....Hopef ully the few of us that were right about the team around the 10 game mark won't be scrutinized again as much as we were last season for stating what took most people 75 games to accept.
AWESOME!!
Haven't seen that tried before(this reiterates my last point lol)
problem solved lol.
You do realise this is a full out rebulid for the club?
Obviously.
If they find a combination that is 'lights out'.. I see him sticking with that...
Hey John, Im not sure how a player getting injured is a laughing matter. I saw this today with my friend at the Bell Sensplex, only a small handfull of fans still left in the arena watching the practise. He hit the boards very hard and I'd be surprised if it wasn't a dislocated shoulder based on how he was cradleing his arm coming off the ice.
How about you worry less about the line combos of your "dream team" and take a second to think about the welfare of our players. Long story short....grow up!
http://www.icethetics.info/storage/blog11/0917-ott-3rdleak.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1316296252464
Really like the look.
He needs to play to get a contract next year either with the Sens or somewhere else.
But hockey can be a cruel sport... someone's misfortune is another's opportunity.
This Sens team has no luck... really.
I hope McLean takes mostly the tough and rough players to Toronto... could be a real smash fest.
Those are amazing. Though I do wish they went with true white. Can't wait to get one.
tad harsh dont ya think?..
logjams often have a way of working themselves out which is exactly why the Murrays will wait to see how things unfold before moving bodies.
Yes.....It is unrealistic. That being said, all the power too you for being able to ignore the fact that we are rebuilding/have a lot of old(close to over the hill) players. I mean I genuinely wish I had half the optimism that you have.
quote]
You think it is unrealistic that Ottawa could compete for a playoff spot? I think you're dead wrong.
Put me in the optimist category but don't mistake optimism for being naive which your tone suggests you feel someone is who thinks we arent going to tank. Negativity seems more like a defense mechanism for you and I feel sorry for someone like that. |More power to me indeed! Let yourself be happy man!
Last yearm, Brian Elliot was the worst goalie in the NHL. Odds are that ANderson can win us some of those games Elliot lost us and that makes a huge difference. Unless injured, Spezza and ALfie will have much better seasons.
And I dont see this is a complete rebuild. if it were, Spezza, Alfie, Philips, etc, would be gone too.
I am always the optimist, we can't lose this season, worst case scenario is top draft pick! Go Sens GO!
We retained a good core that we can build quickly off of.
Have not hears from Chirp for some time.
Did you guys feel the quick rattle about 3:25 PM ??
Believe we had a little earthquake for about 10 seconds !!
Rockin Robert
http://icethetics.squarespace.com/blog/2011/9/17/store-leaks-new-sens-leafs-jerseys.html
Really -- was out at SBP and felt nothing there.