Sunday, 02 October 2011 11:35

Sens Make Final Cuts

The Ottawa Senators made their final cuts late yesterday and a number of those players thought to be on the bubble have survived.

Mika Zibanejad, Jared Cowen, David Rundblad and Stephane Da Costa were all included in the 25 man roster that will head to Detroit to open the new NHL season next weekend.

Here is a look at the 25 players that will be sticking around.  Important to note that the Sens still have a few injuries so more movement is expected when those players are healthy.

  • Daniel Alfredsson
  • Bobby Butler
  • Erik Condra
  • Stephane Da Costa
  • Nikita Filatov
  • Nick Foligno
  • Colin Greening
  • Zenon Konopka
  • Milan Michalek
  • Chris Neil
  • Peter Regin
  • Zack Smith
  • Jason Spezza
  • Jesse Winchester
  • Mika Zibanejad

The surprise in this group has to be Mika Zibanejad.  The kid was a bit of an unknown heading into camp but has earned a spot with the regular club.  With Regin status still unknown for the opener it's likely Zibanejad will start the season centring that second line.

  • Matt Carkner
  • Jared Cowen
  • Sergei Gonchar
  • Erik Karlsson
  • Filip Kuba
  • Brian Lee
  • Chris Phillips
  • David Rundblad

This group features a couple of youngsters including Jared Cowen and David Rundblad.  No surprise on Cowen but the fact that Rundblad is sticking around may surprise some.  Again, with Carkner and Phillips both battling injury issues there could still be more movement in this group as well.

  • Craig Anderson
  • Alex Auld

No surprises in net. Robin Lehner will start the season down In Binghamton.  The team would ideally like to get down to a 23 man roster but with the injuries, they will likely carry a couple extra bodies to start the season.

Comments   Jump to Last Post

 
0 #1 Pasky 2011-10-02 10:49
Why is there a LeafsTV advertisement on SensChirp?
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0 #2 SensChirp 2011-10-02 10:58
Quoting Pasky:
Why is there a LeafsTV advertisement on SensChirp?

Ads all come from a third party. Havent seen the Leafs TV ones though.
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-10 #3 Canucnik 2011-10-02 11:01
Neither DaCosta nor David will play in a regulation NHL game to start the season...they are being kept with the Big Club for their own morale and to give 'em a taste of that Big League money...there is nothing wrong with it, I think it's a good idea and then Mr. Rundblad will stop thinking about going home...
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-5 #4 SENSible Voice 2011-10-02 11:03
I'm not really surprised at who made the cut simply because of the injury situation. Once the injury bug is over with however, some hard decisions will have to be made. In the meantime, some guys need to elevate their game such as Kuba, Rundblad, Greening and Condra if they want to stick with the big club. No doubt Murray will once again attempt to find Kuba a new home. Rundblad disappointed me a little. Maybe he had been hyped too much so my expectations were high for this kid. Not saying he won't turn out well... just that he's not as NHL ready as most had suggested. I still feel Greening and Condra are 3rd & 4th line material and we have plenty of those on this team. Gonna be a long season in Ottawa... hope no one is seriously believing this team can make the playoffs.
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+3 #5 timwrx 2011-10-02 11:08
I gotta throw Butler in the mix of those who need to step it up as well. Along with Condra/Greening , they need to warrant one-way contracts.
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-1 #6 oakster15 2011-10-02 11:21
Is anyone else a little nervous Zibby is staying? he looked great in the preseason, but I feel like this is rushing him a little bit. I feel like an extra year in Sweden could make him that much better.

Cowen is definitely ready though. He's confident with the puck and physically as well. He'll make our blueline better this year.

Rundblad is another interesting case. I want to keep him just because he has gotten exponentially better since his first preseason game and has gotten better defensively as time went on this preseason.

What do you guys think?
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+1 #7 DrSens 2011-10-02 11:28
Can't agree more. As much as Bobby Bottle service was looking great last year, I'm hoping he quickly reconnects with spezza and find some chemistry with Filatov.

Greening and Condra... One of these 2 should have gotten a 2 way contract or both. I'm sure they would have taken it. With winchester and konopka there may not be room for a skilled play like da costa just yet (save for an injury).

My hope is they trade regin or winchester, as long as Da costa keeps imrpoving and Zib keeps up his strong play and finish (3 goals in pre, should have been 4)

As for the D, I'm really think Carkner is gone soon. A lot of teams would love to have him. We can probably get more for Lee but the kid is playing some great hockey right now. As everyone has stated, ideally Kuba is gone very soon.

Cheers
Can't wait to grab the new jersey
Dr. Sens
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0 #8 57gord 2011-10-02 11:31
On a non Sens related topic.........I know the shape would not have worked with the Jets new jersey but it would have been neat if they had incorporated the Avro Arrow into the logo instead. Thereby keeping it truly Canadian. Maybe next time? May not have been the first to think this but had to tell some fellow hockey fans. Thanks.
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+5 #9 DrSens 2011-10-02 11:37
I still can't believe people don't understand the concept of a 9 game trial they are going to make the most of Zibby's pre season play. Let him do some good things and keep him. If he can't keep up he can go play in SEL and then doesn't lose a year on his ELcontract.
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+1 #10 Mitchell 2011-10-02 12:25
I just went to the Senators website and on there first slide "New Look" there is a Senators Roster option to click.

out of all the names listed by Chirp they are all correct but 1 is added to the D Patrick Wiercioch. think of it what you will but they took the time to take names off I'm sure they would of bumped his off too.

interesting!
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0 #11 aligator 2011-10-02 12:28
The most likely case is that Zibby will go home to SEL. Even if he plays well in his 9 came trial, you have to consider whether he is mentally ready for an 82 game season and mature enough to handle adversity. Unless, he plays extremely well and is a clear choice over DaCosta or Regin for 2nd line C, I prefer he goes back. I also prefer to see him playing C in Sweden to the wing here in case that argument comes up.
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+1 #12 gonein1967seconds 2011-10-02 12:40
Quoting oakster15:
Is anyone else a little nervous Zibby is staying? he looked great in the preseason, but I feel like this is rushing him a little bit. I feel like an extra year in Sweden could make him that much better.

Cowen is definitely ready though. He's confident with the puck and physically as well. He'll make our blueline better this year.

Rundblad is another interesting case. I want to keep him just because he has gotten exponentially better since his first preseason game and has gotten better defensively as time went on this preseason.

What do you guys think?


Spoken like a true jmss grad; insightful, cunning and to the point. It'll be interesting to see what happends with Zibenejad, if he doesn't look out of place during his first 9 games, may be worthwhile to give him a years worth of NHL experience
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-2 #13 Mach9 2011-10-02 12:40
Greening has to play better ????

Have you even watched the preseason ?

Greening has been one of the better forwards & will definitely be in the top 6.

Butler is the one who has step it up if he wants to be in the lineup at all.
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0 #14 1987 2011-10-02 12:52
I'm in a hockey pool for the first time, with 7 other members. I picked Zibby in the 30th and final round (you can imagine how slim the pickings got with almost 240 players selected, and I'm not as well versed in every NHL lineup as I am with the Sens'). I later realized DaCosta probably had more of a chance of staying, so I'm quite relieved to see Zib made it. Hopefully he blossoms and doesn't get sent to the the AHL, and perhaps even helps me out in my pool
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0 #15 St Nick 2011-10-02 12:52
With the age of some of our veterans (Gonchar/Alfred son) & the injuries of some (Regin/Winchest er/Carkner) & the history of injuries to others who could be hurt again, adding all that up could keep Rundblad on this team all yr. Da Costa could be the guy who goes up & down the most to Bingo followed by Rundblad when they have a full lineup but my guess is that over an 82 game schedule it's quite likely that on most nights they will have at least one guy injured. They have three injured players right now which is allowing them to carry Rundblad & Da Costa on the roster. Keeping Rundblad around will prevent him from returning to Sweden & it's obvious he doesn't seem to want to go to Bingo. My guess is that he won't have a choice part way through the season if they have to send him down but I expect it won't be for long especially when they are able to trade Kuba at the deadline.
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0 #16 jakester 2011-10-02 13:12
I think the extra bodies are Kuba-Winchester - and Condra - I think Murray has to deal at least a couple of these guys. Love it that Rundblad and Zibby have made the team.
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0 #17 Sandy 2011-10-02 13:43
Rundblad will need some time to get used to the difference in the NHL game to the SEL game. He has gotten better over the 6 pre-season games he played.
This team is not expected to do much this year.. so why not just keep him and let him learn as he goes.
This kid has some skill... he will need some time to adjust.
I personally wish they could get rid of Kuba...
But let the season play out.
Did anyone else notice on CBC last night in one of the intermissions the positive comments being made by Stock & Hrudey (I believe it was)? They expect Ottawa to have a strong start then fade as the season goes. That's certainly different than what the other 'so-called' experts think.
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-3 #18 PraiseAlfie84 2011-10-02 14:06
Quoting Sandy:

Did anyone else notice on CBC last night in one of the intermissions the positive comments being made by Stock & Hrudey (I believe it was)? They expect Ottawa to have a strong start then fade as the season goes. That's certainly different than what the other 'so-called' experts think.


They are saying exactly what all the other 'so-called' experts are saying. Having a strong start to your season is nice but means nothing if you can't keep it going, look at TML last year, started the season 4-0-0 and didn't make the playoffs...Otta wa won't be making the playoffs either, even if they have an amazing start they are just to young/inexperie nced and won't be able to keep up the high level of play for 82 games. As much as I love Anderson, if he has to bail the team out every night like he did against the Bruins, he'll be burnt out after 30 games :P
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-1 #19 Andrews Theory 2011-10-02 14:59
I'm definitely excited to see how rundblad and zibby develop in the next few games.

rundblad has been getting better quickly imo., if he can continue that trend and stick around, he should be looking pretty good by the 20 game mark
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0 #20 timwrx 2011-10-02 17:11
Really like Runblad down here in Binghamton. Desperate for an OFD. Will be interesting with Maclean being from Detroit and their emphasis on AHL development i.e. Kindl/Ericsson/ Smith ect.

I know there are a lot here who demand he stay up and "learn" NHL, But baby steps, learn NA first. And at least down here he will be top line D and used in all situations which I doubt he would get up in Ottawa.
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0 #21 zachpraisethesweedes 2011-10-02 17:41
Quoting Canucnik:
Neither DaCosta nor David will play in a regulation NHL game to start the season...they are being kept with the Big Club for their own morale and to give 'em a taste of that Big League money...there is nothing wrong with it, I think it's a good idea and then Mr. Rundblad will stop thinking about going home...

I totally agree. Give them a taste of the serious pay checks and five star treatment. Also dress them a few games for them to see how much they need to improve.
Sending them down to Bingo after that will not only make them want it more but they will be getting 1st line/pairing minutes on a good team and therefore gaining serious confidence.
They will not play in Binghampton all season. At most until nhl trade deadline.
Both Rundblad and DaCosta are going to be serious players in this league some day. Unbelievable talents
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0 #22 WeAreSensFans! 2011-10-02 17:52
this is a great year for the kids to play nhl hockey, there's no pressure, the will learn practicing and playing with ottawa more than any other team.

this is a great year to be young.
go sens!
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0 #23 WeAreSensFans! 2011-10-02 17:55
i could see us possibly in a 3 way battle 8-11th in the east between montreal and new york rangers.

we might just squeeze in.
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+2 #24 zachpraisethesweedes 2011-10-02 18:05
Rundblad needs time to adjust to the North American game. He just isn't used to having forwards forechecking him. He also needs to learn to battle harder in the corners and in front of the net every night. He needs to show the management that he can consistently compete.
Every time I've watched him play he seems just uninterested in playing defence. He is obviously rediculously talented but just doesn't compete in the defensive zone.
Learning all this in the AHL is much easier when the game is harder and faster and different than what he's used to. But he's also going to hget 1st pairing minutes and play both powerplay and penalty kill. He will quickly adapt and end up having a much better all around game and would soon be called up to the real sens lineup
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0 #25 WeAreSensFans! 2011-10-02 18:12
Quoting zachpraisethesweedes:
Rundblad needs time to adjust to the North American game. He just isn't used to having forwards forechecking him. He also needs to learn to battle harder in the corners and in front of the net every night. He needs to show the management that he can consistently compete.
Every time I've watched him play he seems just uninterested in playing defence. He is obviously rediculously talented but just doesn't compete in the defensive zone.
Learning all this in the AHL...


let him learn mclean's system and he'll be just fine, he's adjusted lots having little practice and thrown into game situations. Let him practice here he'll get his mind set real quick. Mika needs to practice face-offs that's the only thing that i can see currently hurting his game this week he'll work with spezza and konopka and he'll get his strategy right.

give it time, they don't expect much, but we'll surprise many.
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0 #26 zachpraisethesweedes 2011-10-02 18:24
Zibanejad making the team is no surprise. Both Regin and Winchester are still injured therefore there's at least 1 openning for him in the lineup. The other thing is that the team has essentially a 9 game triout period to see if he still belongs at this level as an 18 year old. If not after his 9th game they can send him back to Sweden and his contract will only kick in Oct 2012.
I think that is the best things for both him and the organization because he can get faster/stronger and much more mature in a year of SEL hockey but financially the team will his services for cheap(salary cap hit wize) for an extra year during his early prime. And when that contract expires we'll sign him to a beauty contract for life.
He will be a beaty for the sens for many years to come.
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0 #27 HKYcountry 2011-10-02 18:50
I figure with Rundblad they will give him some time and then likely send him to the AHL and he will be handled similarly to how Karlsson was.

On a side note, does anyone think that Ottawa should or might consider taking a chance and claim Brule off of waivers? Say what you want, but the kid does have some untapped potential.
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+2 #28 HKYcountry 2011-10-02 18:56
Quoting zachpraisethesweedes:
Zibanejad making the team is no surprise. Both Regin and Winchester are still injured therefore there's at least 1 openning for him in the lineup. The other thing is that the team has essentially a 9 game triout period to see if he still belongs at this level as an 18 year old. If not after his 9th game they can send him back to Sweden and his contract will only kick in Oct 2012.


No, Zibanejad can not be sent back to the SEL. The 9 game rule only applies to CHL drafted players who still have CHL eligible years remaining.

Zibanejad making the Sens out of camp VOIDS his SEL contract. The only way he ends up back in Sweden is IF the Sens work out some sort of player "loan" agreement....ot herwise the only options are he plays in the NHL for the Sens or he can get sent to the AHL.

This is the same as it was for KArlsson.
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0 #29 111519 2011-10-02 19:10
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=4379

BRULE is on waivers!!

If we don't pick him up then we are seriously stupid.
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+3 #30 WeAreSensFans! 2011-10-02 19:20
Quoting 111519:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=4379

BRULE is on waivers!!

If we don't pick him up then we are seriously stupid.


WE have many kids to test, we don't need a waiver grab like brule.

think of us in a year or two, look at the talent thats coming up, peterson,silfve rburg,noeson,pr ince,stone,peum pell,daugaqvins and this list goes on. we have to find out what we have in the kids who are playing this year and move out the duds for the new kids coming in next year. its the begining of the year and i'm happy with what we got.

btw brule's injury report looks like leclaire's. p a s s
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0 #31 conservativeHippie 2011-10-02 19:23
We would be seriously stupid for not rushing out and grabbing a waiver pickup...ok...

You do know that waivers aren't by chance eh?
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0 #32 army 2011-10-02 19:28
I'm pretty sure that as long as his Swedish team wants him back we can send him back all we want. The "9 game"rule is to keep him from wiping a year off his contract, one he plays that 10th game he might as well stay, anything before we can send him to bingo or back to Sweden.
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0 #33 Canucnik 2011-10-02 19:58
No wonder David looks confused, I was watching Frolunda vs Rangers, their defencemen stand on either side of the goalie and wait for the guy to come out of the corner...often it's their own forward who gets the puck and gives it to the D-man for the break out. One problem...trans ition to North America, let us remember it took Erik 10 in the BIGs and another 20 in the "A" to even start to look Canadian as Alfie would say...
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+1 #34 MacK 2011-10-02 20:39
Quoting oakster15:
Is anyone else a little nervous Zibby is staying? he looked great in the preseason, but I feel like this is rushing him a little bit. I feel like an extra year in Sweden could make him that much better.


I hold a differing opinion about Zibanejad.

He's a work horse and is fearless out there. He scored some big goals at key moments during the preseason which shows that he can handle the pressure. If he keeps playing the way that he has been, he's only going to get better and I'm sure he'll get the ice time.

What do you think going back to Sweden would do for him that the NHL wouldn't?
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-1 #35 111519 2011-10-02 23:51
Quoting conservativeHippie:
We would be seriously stupid for not rushing out and grabbing a waiver pickup...ok...

You do know that waivers aren't by chance eh?


Brule got caught in a numbers game with edmonton. He is a former number one and a gritty player with good hockey IQ. The major knock on him is he gets injured because of his aggressive style. At 24 with one year left he could be a good asset going forward. Don't be short sighted, we have the cap room and if he does well he could fetch you a 2nd or third at the deadline-if you don't keep him. If Zibby doesn't stick with the big club he is a good 2nd-3rd centre. The kid can really play when healthy.

Plus he is a great open ice hitter who will drop the gloves in a heartbeat. Nice to have on a young team.
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+1 #36 DD 2011-10-03 07:33
People are getting way to worried about losing a year of ELC... who cares? I'd argue that it's even better for him to have a half decent (stat wise) season and burn a year of his contract. He's going to learn way more playing with Alfie or even in the AHL. In the long run Zibby playing in North America in either league far out weighs playing in the SEL. the styles are different, the ice size is different.. I for one hope he stays over here.
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+1 #37 aligator 2011-10-03 08:02
Quoting SensibleMac:
Quoting oakster15:
Is anyone else a little nervous Zibby is staying? he looked great in the preseason, but I feel like this is rushing him a little bit. I feel like an extra year in Sweden could make him that much better.


I hold a differing opinion about Zibanejad.

He's a work horse and is fearless out there. He scored some big goals at key moments during the preseason which shows that he can handle the pressure. If he keeps playing the way that he has been, he's only going to get better and I'm sure he'll get the ice time.

What do you think going back to Sweden would do for him that the NHL wouldn't?

Way more playing time.
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+1 #38 Johne 2011-10-03 09:00
Quoting DD:
People are getting way to worried about losing a year of ELC... who cares? I'd argue that it's even better for him to have a half decent (stat wise) season and burn a year of his contract. He's going to learn way more playing with Alfie or even in the AHL. In the long run Zibby playing in North America in either league far out weighs playing in the SEL. the styles are different, the ice size is different.. I for one hope he stays over here.


Exactly
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0 #39 Phil. 2011-10-03 09:07
"Brule got caught in a numbers game with edmonton. He is a former number one and a gritty player with good hockey IQ. The major knock on him is he gets injured because of his aggressive style. At 24 with one year left he could be a good asset going forward. Don't be short sighted, we have the cap room and if he does well he could fetch you a 2nd or third at the deadline-if you don't keep him. If Zibby doesn't stick with the big club he is a good 2nd-3rd centre. The kid can really play when healthy." ---111519

The knock on Brule is that he can't make the team with the Edmonton OIlers. This isn't some hidden gem from the Red Wings. He is not good enough for the OIlers. And unless you are hoping that he is a late late late bloomer, the fact that he was a 6th overall pick in 2005 seems irrelevant at this point.
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0 #40 DD 2011-10-03 09:21
Quoting aligator:
Quoting SensibleMac:
Quoting oakster15:
Is anyone else a little nervous Zibby is staying? he looked great in the preseason, but I feel like this is rushing him a little bit. I feel like an extra year in Sweden could make him that much better.


What do you think going back to Sweden would do for him that the NHL wouldn't?

Way more playing time.



Are you sure he's going to get WAY more playing time? He'll get 16minutes a game here. PP, PK at the best level.. he'll get what in SEL... 18... not worth it.. I'm fairly confident BM will put him in the AHL if he's not going to get a sufficient amount of playing time... Even if he did get less playing time in the NHL.. less playing time here is still way better..
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0 #41 EH_Matt 2011-10-03 09:38
Quoting Pasky:
Why is there a LeafsTV advertisement on SensChirp?

It's likely because you visited the leafs website and now have a cookie on your computer to make ads show up for leafs tv. If you delete your cookies then it should not come up anymore.
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0 #42 oakster15 2011-10-03 09:43
Quoting SensibleMac:
Quoting oakster15:
Is anyone else a little nervous Zibby is staying? he looked great in the preseason, but I feel like this is rushing him a little bit. I feel like an extra year in Sweden could make him that much better.


I hold a differing opinion about Zibanejad.

He's a work horse and is fearless out there. He scored some big goals at key moments during the preseason which shows that he can handle the pressure. If he keeps playing the way that he has been, he's only going to get better and I'm sure he'll get the ice time.

What do you think going back to Sweden would do for him that the NHL wouldn't?


Playing time. Also, playing at a lower skill level allows him to work on the little things and develop. He's only 18 years old so letting him go back to Sweden would be of no risk to the Sens. Especially since were not supposed to shock and awe with our production this year.
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0 #43 DD 2011-10-03 09:56
Quoting oakster15:
[quote name="SensibleMac"][quote name="oakster15"]
Playing time. Also, playing at a lower skill level allows him to work on the little things and develop. He's only 18 years old so letting him go back to Sweden would be of no risk to the Sens. Especially since were not supposed to shock and awe with our production this year.


I see your point.. but he needs to get used to doing things right in the best league and at the fastest speed... I prefer him playing in North America where he's close by and his development and training can be monitored
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0 #44 jd2reeso 2011-10-03 11:12
One guy that I am definatly interested to watch is filatov. looked pretty decent in preseason, but has had some inconsistancy issues in the past with columbus. Hopefully the ice time especially with spezza will really help his stats and overall game, proving what a steal he was.
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0 #45 MethotToMyMadness 2011-10-03 13:36
Hey Guys

Just got my reminder for the CBC hockey pool, was looking at the opening week rosters and noticed an injury slated next to Alfredsson. I checked online on the CBS Sports website and they are saying it's his back. Did anyone else know he re-injure himself, or is this old news?
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