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Thursday, 08 March 2012 09:10

NCAA Free Agents

Over the past few season, nobody has been as active in the NCAA free agency market as Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray.

We have seen him pursue the likes of Jesse Winchester, Bobby Butler and Stephan Da Costa and according to an interview with Tim Murray on Tuesday night, the Senators are looking at a few options again this year.

Here is what I’ve been able to dig up in terms of NCAA free agents the Sens are rumoured to be looking at, including two defenceman and one forward. 

Matt Tennyson, a 6’2 defenceman playing at Western Michigan, Cameron Schilling- a 21 year old defender out of Miami and JT Brown, a forward playing at Minnesota-Deluth are all believed to be on the team's radar.  It's entirely possible that the Sens have their eyes on some other guys as well but these are a few of the names out there.

The name that comes up most often in this year’s NCAA class, 6’8 Andrej Sustr seems to also make sense as a potential target.  This article posted on the CBC website suggests the Sens may have some interest.

Game day post coming in a little bit.

Last modified on Thursday, 08 March 2012 09:15

Comments   Jump to Last Post

 
+3 #1 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 09:52
Chirp, in that CBC link the fans in the background of the photo are hilarious, going absolutely ape shit. Check out the chick on the right. Haha.

Not much of a scouting report for Andrej,. At 6 foot 8 200 lbs, he would need to bulk up a bit. Sounds like he could be a beast though.
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-1 #2 miguel 2012-03-08 09:55
ok Chirp, it is now official... you wait for me to post before you start a new blog!
I write message only to here crickets... thanks Rush
Anyways from the last post... I know Tooks wanted me to chime in so here it is...

Hey Tooks,
even laff fans and media, not to mention the #1 Leaf fan Cherry are all commenting on what a horrible job Burke is doing in TO.

this is Burke's fourth year, and he is no where closer to putting together a challenging team, and is in fact closer to another rebuild, after firing Wilson, who when hired they claimed they would be challenging for the cup in 3 years. Fail!

Burke has really set the leafs way back with trading Seguin and Hamilton, and having nothing in the tank for the near future.

Whereas in Ottawa one year removed from the firesale, and wholesale rebuild we WILL be challenging for the cup ( can't wait to officially win our little wager ) and, with a lot of hard work, a lot of luck, and maybe a small miracle would be only 16 wins away from carrying the Stanley cup.

Meanwhile Burke will once again be golfing in spring, scrambling once again, in the midst of an 8 YEAR rebuild.

Sorry Bro but you are the only one I know who can claim to be both a Sens fan and a Laff fan

Bud, it cannot be easy being both a Hatfield and a McCoy :)
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0 #3 The Apostle 2012-03-08 09:57
Miguel - it's tough being in love, even when it make you hate yourself.
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+1 #4 Dirk Diggler 2012-03-08 09:58
Quoting RUSHRLZ:
Chirp, in that CBC link the fans in the background of the photo are hilarious, going absolutely ape shit. Check out the chick on the right. Haha.

Not much of a scouting report for Andrej,. At 6 foot 8 200 lbs, he would need to bulk up a bit. Sounds like he could be a beast though.

Attracting a D player may not be too hard. I mean that's where our organization has the greatest need and is the weakest in terms of prospects waiting to crack the lineup. Maybe we can get Dekeyser and Sustr...
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0 #5 miguel 2012-03-08 09:58
Quoting The Apostle:
Miguel - it's tough being in love, even when it make you hate yourself.


what???
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0 #6 The Apostle 2012-03-08 09:59
I don't think you can have too many blueline prospects, so I would hope (and believe) that Murray is doing all he can to improve our prospect pool in that area.
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0 #7 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 10:04
Quoting riceroni:
Quoting RUSHRLZ:
Chirp, in that CBC link the fans in the background of the photo are hilarious, going absolutely ape shit. Check out the chick on the right. Haha.

Not much of a scouting report for Andrej,. At 6 foot 8 200 lbs, he would need to bulk up a bit. Sounds like he could be a beast though.

Attracting a D player may not be too hard. I mean that's where our organization has the greatest need and is the weakest in terms of prospects waiting to crack the lineup. Maybe we can get Dekeyser and Sustr...


Absolutely correct. It will be hard to pitch for a forward obviously with the overabundance of B-class talent we already have on the squad this year, plus the surplus of prospects that will be battling for a spot next year.

The blue line is another story altogether. With the departure of Lee, and question marks surrounding Kuba, Gilroy and Carkner, there is a great opportunity for a college free agent to battle for a spot on our big club next year.
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0 #8 JRMcPeeWee 2012-03-08 10:15
[quote name="RUSHRLZ"] Chirp, in that CBC link the fans in the background of the photo are hilarious, going absolutely ape shit. Check out the chick on the right. Haha.
quote]

Hahaa her teeth scare me. But lol good to see people get into it.
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0 #9 Phoenix 2012-03-08 10:23
Glad to see you were able to use the link I posted yesterday.
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+2 #10 miguel 2012-03-08 10:33
ok so I get that these free agent college acquisitions are "free" in the sense that they are not costing us a draft pick, however, they are costing us money and costing us a roster spot.

I was all caught in on the hype of these picks, starting with:
Winchester - hyped to be a first line player, and actually played with Spezz and Alfie - way off on that
Butler - he has had flashes, but really may never end up first line and just end up like a Bochenski, and not even a 3rd/4th liner
DaCosta - this kid of all of them to me seems like he should pan out over time, but certainly not right now.

Are they really all that worth the gamble, when perhaps some of our draft picks could/may be just as good
ie O'Brien is easily just as good as Winchester,
and perhaps giving our own drafts more of a chance ie Peterson instead of Butler

Just a thought
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+1 #11 ZachPraiseTheSwedes 2012-03-08 10:35
I sure hope we go for Sustr. A big guy to play with Cowen would be sweet for the PK but then split them up and put him with Gilroy to add some offense (that of course being if he's NHL ready, which might night be until the following year).

We definitely don't have enough depth in terms of defensive prospects. However if we manage to get him, along with drafting a solid defenceman in the 1st round we'd suddenly be stacked in all positions. Except of course that oh so obvious hole on the 1st line LW. That is why we could fix that by adding Parise while not giving away any assets. At the very worst we over pay a little to out bid the others.

I really believe that Bryan Murray doesn't even have to make a single trade this offseason or draft. To me all he has to do is throw some money at Parise. Once we have hin on the 1st, Zibanejad on the 2nd, Silverberg on the 3rd, and maybe even DaCosta, our offense would be more than good enough to compete at a very high level for 82 games as early as next year. And then if you consider the likes of Sustr and our 1st round pick coming in the following year to replace the vets on D along with Stone, Petersson, Hoffman, Prince, Neosen, Puempel Pageau sporadically being called up throughout the next few years until the coach likes them in a full time role, our team would quite simply be set
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-1 #12 Hax 2012-03-08 10:42
Quoting Phoenix:
Glad to see you were able to use the link I posted yesterday.


Yeah cuz without you nobody would have ever seen the article on CBC.

Chirp - used the words "Butler", "NCAA" and "the" yesterday as well - please stop stealing from my posts.
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0 #13 BMKing 2012-03-08 10:43
Quoting ZachPraiseTheSwedes:
I sure hope we go for Sustr. A big guy to play with Cowen would be sweet for the PK but then split them up and put him with Gilroy to add some offense (that of course being if he's NHL ready, which might night be until the following year).

We definitely don't have enough depth in terms of defensive prospects. However if we manage to get him, along with drafting a solid defenceman in the 1st round we'd suddenly be stacked in all positions. Except of course that oh so obvious hole on the 1st line LW. That is why we could fix that by adding Parise while not giving away any assets. At the very worst we over pay a little to out bid the others.

I really believe that Bryan Murray doesn't even have to make a single trade this offseason or draft. To me all he has to do is throw some money at Parise. Once we have hin on the 1st, Zibanejad on the 2nd, Silverberg on the 3rd, and maybe even DaCosta, our offense would be more than good enough to compete at a very high level for 82 games as early as next year. And then if you consider the likes of Sustr and our 1st round pick coming in the following year to replace the vets on D along with Stone, Petersson, Hoffman, Prince, Neosen, Puempel Pageau sporadically being called up throughout the next few years until the coach likes them in a full time role, our team would quite simply be set


In my opinion Zibby/Petersson /SIfverberg are all ready next year, but these guys should all play top 6 minutes... Greening needs to become a 3rd liner and butler out
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0 #14 ZachPraiseTheSwedes 2012-03-08 10:44
Quoting miguel:
ok so I get that these free agent college acquisitions are "free" in the sense that they are not costing us a draft pick, however, they are costing us money and costing us a roster spot.

I was all caught in on the hype of these picks, starting with:
Winchester - hyped to be a first line player, and actually played with Spezz and Alfie - way off on that
Butler - he has had flashes, but really may never end up first line and just end up like a Bochenski, and not even a 3rd/4th liner
DaCosta - this kid of all of them to me seems like he should pan out over time, but certainly not right now.

Are they really all that worth the gamble, when perhaps some of our draft picks could/may be just as good
ie O'Brien is easily just as good as Winchester,
and perhaps giving our own drafts more of a chance ie Peterson instead of Butler

Just a thought



The point you're missing is that there is no gamble.. That simple

It costs very little money. Plus it doesn't cost a roster spot simply because at first theyre on a two-way deal. If we like them at the end of that contract they may have earned a one-way deal. For example DaCosta may be rewarded with that this year(almost a ppg player in bingo).

The point is if there's hype about these guys and the scouts like them why not give them a shot in Binghampton for a year. It's either that or sign other players to fill those positions. But this way you have a player with upside and somewhat of a chance to be a solid NHLer

I like it
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-1 #15 Illdistrict 2012-03-08 10:45
Tim Connelly and Matt lambardi was not a good signing. Leafs should of stuck to the rebuild and brought up the young prospects from the farm to play.

Shouldn't of signed grabo.. During trade deadline they could have moved significant pieces for high draft picks, the opted not to. Bad decision.
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0 #16 Floridasensfan 2012-03-08 10:47
NCAA we can use all the good ones we can get for Bingo, if they are good enough to crack the bigs great if not, where is the loss.

Butler and DaCosta have tons of skill, If we can cut Regin slack like we have for a few years now we certainly can cut Butler some slack, Regins performance has been way worse than Butler.

I don't get the Butler hate.
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0 #17 miguel 2012-03-08 10:54
Quoting ZachPraiseTheSwedes:
Quoting miguel:
ok so I get that these free agent college acquisitions are "free" in the sense that they are not costing us a draft pick, however, they are costing us money and costing us a roster spot.

I was all caught in on the hype of these picks, starting with:
Winchester - hyped to be a first line player, and actually played with Spezz and Alfie - way off on that
Butler - he has had flashes, but really may never end up first line and just end up like a Bochenski, and not even a 3rd/4th liner
DaCosta - this kid of all of them to me seems like he should pan out over time, but certainly not right now.

Are they really all that worth the gamble, when perhaps some of our draft picks could/may be just as good
ie O'Brien is easily just as good as Winchester,
and perhaps giving our own drafts more of a chance ie Peterson instead of Butler

Just a thought



The point you're missing is that there is no gamble.. That simple

It costs very little money. Plus it doesn't cost a roster spot simply because at first theyre on a two-way deal. If we like them at the end of that contract they may have earned a one-way deal. For example DaCosta may be rewarded with that this year(almost a ppg player in bingo).

The point is if there's hype about these guys and the scouts like them why not give them a shot in Binghampton for a year. It's either that or sign other players to fill those positions. But this way you have a player with upside and somewhat of a chance to be a solid NHLer

I like it


Fair enough... but again I bring up O'Brien vs Winchester, I think we are better served with O'Brien, but Winny is on a one way contract,
But you do make some very valid points in that, these are good young kids who may develope well in the AHL and pan out
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+7 #18 The Apostle 2012-03-08 10:54
Quoting Illdistrict:
Tim Connelly and Matt lambardi was not a good signing. Leafs should of stuck to the rebuild and brought up the young prospects from the farm to play.

Shouldn't of signed grabo.. During trade deadline they could have moved significant pieces for high draft picks, the opted not to. Bad decision.



are you lost?
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+2 #19 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 10:57
The term "sophomore slump" was coined for a reason. I'm as disappointed as anyone that some of the players lost the brilliance they were showing last season (BB16 I'm looking in your direction...).

I still haven't lost faith though that for some of these guys, after their first full NHL season and a revised development schedule over the summer, that they might come into camp better than ever.

Young prospects are exactly that, ups-and-downs during the journey come as no surprise, and while not all of them are ever expected to pan out, some of them will...
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0 #20 Hax 2012-03-08 10:58
Quoting miguel:

Fair enough... but again I bring up O'Brien vs Winchester, I think we are better served with O'Brien, but Winny is on a one way contract,
But you do make some very valid points in that, these are good young kids who may develope well in the AHL and pan out


Yeah but that's more about the follow-up contracts than the initial "no risk/cost" signing. For Winchester I don't think many people disliked the follow-up deal he got at the time but yeah O'Brien has sort of made him less needed (though I think if Winnie was healthy he might have been dealt at the deadline).
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-1 #21 miguel 2012-03-08 10:58
Quoting The Apostle:
Quoting Illdistrict:
Tim Connelly and Matt lambardi was not a good signing. Leafs should of stuck to the rebuild and brought up the young prospects from the farm to play.

Shouldn't of signed grabo.. During trade deadline they could have moved significant pieces for high draft picks, the opted not to. Bad decision.



are you lost?


Again What???
For someone who's comments I respect, I am confused by you posts today,
are you saying the Grabo signing was good? I dont think so...
And I too think TO should have been sellers at the deadline and work on next year...
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0 #22 miguel 2012-03-08 11:08
Quoting RUSHRLZ:
The term "sophomore slump" was coined for a reason. I'm as disappointed as anyone that some of the players lost the brilliance they were showing last season (BB16 I'm looking in your direction...).

I still haven't lost faith though that for some of these guys, after their first full NHL season and a revised development schedule over the summer, that they might come into camp better than ever.

Young prospects are exactly that, ups-and-downs during the journey come as no surprise, and while not all of them are ever expected to pan out, some of them will...


Great points Rush... I too was huge ont Butler this year, and am sorry but my hopes are fading fast. If you cannot get points playing with Spezz, it is not a very good sign.

But lets chalk it up to sophmore jinx, and next year we get the player we hoped he would be.

And yes to the posters on NCAA signing, the good should outweigh the bad.
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+2 #23 Hax 2012-03-08 11:08
Ian Mendes ‏ @ian_mendes

Chris Phillips will play tonight. Will wear a longer shield that covers his nose, but doesn't need full cage.

Great news.
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+1 #24 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 11:12
Quoting Hax:
Ian Mendes ‏ @ian_mendes

Chris Phillips will play tonight. Will wear a longer shield that covers his nose, but doesn't need full cage.

Great news.


He also Tweeted earlier that it is "ironic" that the Leafs are stuck at 67 points. Haha.
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+4 #25 The Apostle 2012-03-08 11:14
Quoting miguel:
Quoting The Apostle:
Quoting Illdistrict:
Tim Connelly and Matt lambardi was not a good signing. Leafs should of stuck to the rebuild and brought up the young prospects from the farm to play.

Shouldn't of signed grabo.. During trade deadline they could have moved significant pieces for high draft picks, the opted not to. Bad decision.



are you lost?


Again What???
For someone who's comments I respect, I am confused by you posts today,
are you saying the Grabo signing was good? I dont think so...
And I too think TO should have been sellers at the deadline and work on next year...



I am questioning why we are discussing the moves and roster of a team and players that have nothing to do with the Ottawa Senators.
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0 #26 Hax 2012-03-08 11:14
Quoting RUSHRLZ:
Quoting Hax:
Ian Mendes ‏ @ian_mendes

Chris Phillips will play tonight. Will wear a longer shield that covers his nose, but doesn't need full cage.

Great news.


He also Tweeted earlier that it is "ironic" that the Leafs are stuck at 67 points. Haha.


Yeah Mendes is one of the better guys to follow on twitter. And Chirp of course.

Matt Spezza is a bit odd though LOL
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+3 #27 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 11:15
Quoting miguel:
Again What???
For someone who's comments I respect, I am confused by you posts today,
are you saying the Grabo signing was good? I dont think so...
And I too think TO should have been sellers at the deadline and work on next year...


He is saying that this isn't a Leafs forum.

It is fun to relish their misery though. I'm still hoping they finish without a top ten draft pick.
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0 #28 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 11:17
Quoting Hax:

Matt Spezza is a bit odd though LOL


Did you see his Tweet last week about the "haters" and how people are jealous he has the most talented brother and beautiful girlfriend in the world?

Bizarro-land.

I'm guessing he is done with hockey now or something.
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0 #29 The Apostle 2012-03-08 11:17
Quoting Hax:
Quoting miguel:

Fair enough... but again I bring up O'Brien vs Winchester, I think we are better served with O'Brien, but Winny is on a one way contract,
But you do make some very valid points in that, these are good young kids who may develope well in the AHL and pan out


Yeah but that's more about the follow-up contracts than the initial "no risk/cost" signing. For Winchester I don't think many people disliked the follow-up deal he got at the time but yeah O'Brien has sort of made him less needed (though I think if Winnie was healthy he might have been dealt at the deadline).


Signing Winchester and drafting O'Brien are too very different things. Winchester filled a need at the time and his subsequent contract reflected that. At the time we didn't have anybody in the system to fill any void his absence would have created. Now we do.

I agree with Hax, that if he was healthy, Winchester would probably have been moved at the deadline. With the emergence of Smith and O'Brien Winchester is now expendable and will probably leave at the end of the year although a cheap one year deal for him wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
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+1 #30 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 11:19
According to Mendes, O'Brien is lacing up in place of Konopka tonight.
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0 #31 miguel 2012-03-08 11:20
Quoting The Apostle:
Quoting miguel:
Quoting The Apostle:
Quoting Illdistrict:
Tim Connelly and Matt lambardi was not a good signing. Leafs should of stuck to the rebuild and brought up the young prospects from the farm to play.

Shouldn't of signed grabo.. During trade deadline they could have moved significant pieces for high draft picks, the opted not to. Bad decision.



are you lost?


Again What???
For someone who's comments I respect, I am confused by you posts today,
are you saying the Grabo signing was good? I dont think so...
And I too think TO should have been sellers at the deadline and work on next year...



I am questioning why we are discussing the moves and roster of a team and players that have nothing to do with the Ottawa Senators.


Sorry was a little slow on the draw there... now I completely get it...
thanks
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0 #32 SwedishSens 2012-03-08 11:21
If we go after any any NCAA players I hope it's defensive proscepts

Sustr Cowen twin towers would be awesome

Draft Ludvig Bystrom play with Karlsson

Could make for a very solid Top 4 and complete the rebuild of the defence
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+4 #33 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 11:21
BIRON!!!!

F**K YEAH!
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+1 #34 miguel 2012-03-08 11:29
Quoting The Apostle:
Quoting Hax:
Quoting miguel:

Fair enough... but again I bring up O'Brien vs Winchester, I think we are better served with O'Brien, but Winny is on a one way contract,
But you do make some very valid points in that, these are good young kids who may develope well in the AHL and pan out


Yeah but that's more about the follow-up contracts than the initial "no risk/cost" signing. For Winchester I don't think many people disliked the follow-up deal he got at the time but yeah O'Brien has sort of made him less needed (though I think if Winnie was healthy he might have been dealt at the deadline).


Signing Winchester and drafting O'Brien are too very different things. Winchester filled a need at the time and his subsequent contract reflected that. At the time we didn't have anybody in the system to fill any void his absence would have created. Now we do.

I agree with Hax, that if he was healthy, Winchester would probably have been moved at the deadline. With the emergence of Smith and O'Brien Winchester is now expendable and will probably leave at the end of the year although a cheap one year deal for him wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.


ok again fair enough... and the argument can also be stated that O'Brien was a first rounder while Winchester was a free pick, so I am now back on the NCAA vision.
But please they should stop hyping them up to be first line stars... and putting unrealistic expectations on them,

they may end up being useful players, but there is a reason they have gone undrafted, and are available
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0 #35 Alcatraz 2012-03-08 11:29
Its stupid to discredit NCAA players because they are what they are, developed prospects that understand systems

They are free assets that can be useful and serve a point. They will never outperform or outshine a draft pick, but on the rare occassion they may

Winchester has been a servicable soldier for us for while. An injury has made dispenseful but really he has been great any time he has played for us. amazing PK, and along the boards. works hard and is not afraid to get dirty.

Da Costa is a project simply because he is so raw. I think he will be a career AHL player just because of size and age (tough to develop 21+ players when you have 19 years olds coming through)

Finally Butler, well he is what he is, skilled player who won't impress on a nightly basis. Great shot but really, I don't see him fitting much longer

Essentially NCAA prospects are better served for bottom 6 and bottom 4d roles because they are all somewhat developed and can fill a short term role, and don't require a lot of grooming. But remember their is a reason they were passed in the draft
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-1 #36 Tookie 2012-03-08 11:30
Quoting Hax:
Ian Mendes ‏ @ian_mendes

Chris Phillips will play tonight. Will wear a longer shield that covers his nose, but doesn't need full cage.

Great news.


Is it really? would rather see Boro or Wier, Phillips might play hesitant tonight with his broken nose and all.
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0 #37 Alcatraz 2012-03-08 11:31
LOl @ Miguel identical posts at same time
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+1 #38 DenisVial 2012-03-08 11:34
Huge opportunity with Biron in net for the Rangers tonight. The beauty of our remaining schedule is that even if the Sens struggle in our last 14 games, playing 500 hockey will pretty much guarantee a playoff spot. I certainly expect better than that, I'm guessing we finish with 96-98 points.
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-1 #39 Tookie 2012-03-08 11:35
Quoting RUSHRLZ:
BIRON!!!!

F**K YEAH!


Nice of the Rangers to think less of us, haha, I'll take a back up anytime, especially when the other option is Lundqvist!!
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+3 #40 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 11:36
Quoting Tookie19:
Quoting Hax:
Ian Mendes ‏ @ian_mendes

Chris Phillips will play tonight. Will wear a longer shield that covers his nose, but doesn't need full cage.

Great news.


Is it really? would rather see Boro or Wier, Phillips might play hesitant tonight with his broken nose and all.


I'm sure after 1,000 games and wearing an "A" Phillips knows how to play through a little injury and I trust The Stashe wouldn't play him if he felt it would be an issue.

Of everything I can think of to worry about tonight for the Sens, Phillips isn't one of them in my opinion.
Quote
 
 
0 #41 Sensnation 2012-03-08 11:36
Quoting miguel:
ok so I get that these free agent college acquisitions are "free" in the sense that they are not costing us a draft pick, however, they are costing us money and costing us a roster spot.

I was all caught in on the hype of these picks, starting with:
Winchester - hyped to be a first line player, and actually played with Spezz and Alfie - way off on that
Butler - he has had flashes, but really may never end up first line and just end up like a Bochenski, and not even a 3rd/4th liner
DaCosta - this kid of all of them to me seems like he should pan out over time, but certainly not right now.
...


I think a lot of you are missing the main point Miguel is making. There is a limited number of contracts each team can have in place at a given time. Signing all the college free agents who at best become serviceable NHL players does tie up some of those contracts. And then when you compare, as he did, Winchester to O'Brien, Butler to anyone else and so on, it does not seem like the ideal situation to spending valuable contracts on.

Personally I feel the couple elite college players are worth taking a chance on if you can get them, but beyond that it really depends what way the GM plans to fill out his organization and what he is looking for. Murray definitely likes the low risk, with possibility of some reward that the college ufas offer, but as we have now seen very few of these players make an impact in the NHL.

I hope I'm paraphrasing correctly Miguel, but I think it's a very interesting point that deserves discussion. I would personally pass, like I think you would, on the next Winchester type. Butler is one of those I'd think was worth taking the risk on, and Da Costa will likely be as well.
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+4 #42 RUSHRLZ 2012-03-08 11:38
Quoting Tookie19:
Quoting RUSHRLZ:
BIRON!!!!

F**K YEAH!


Nice of the Rangers to think less of us, haha, I'll take a back up anytime, especially when the other option is Lundqvist!!


I'd feel marginally better facing Lundqvist if we had Anderson or Lehner between the pipes, but with Bishop surely still getting to know our defense to an extent, I am very happy to see Biron square off against him!
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0 #43 Dirk Diggler 2012-03-08 11:41
I think the Sens will use as trade bait their 1st, Foligno, Stone, Butler, Da Costa and Greening to move up in the draft to either grab a guy like Dumba or CeCi depending on what the price to move would be.

We have a overflow of good prospects at the forward position that we can use them to get solid D.

What I would really like is to get Gudbrandson from Florida...
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0 #44 TheBoss 2012-03-08 11:49
I think NCAA signings are great for players and the NHL.

It just goes to show that there's more talent out there than the OHL/WHL. I look at it this way: NCAA players cost us very little, we can sign them to two ways, and usually have solid talent/skills. It's not like every single OHLer makes it into the NHL anyway, so instead of narrowing the scouting focus on one area, it's good to be aware of what other programs are doing to develop talent. With the way the sport has grown globally, there's tons of talent and lots of aspiring young kids.

Just think of Detroit, many of their top players are late draft picks, or free agents from Europe. We need that level of scouting.

Quote:
Murray definitely likes the low risk, with possibility of some reward that the college ufas offer, but as we have now seen very few of these players make an impact in the NHL.
That's a bit of a skewed statement because before the lock out, the teams paid very little attention to the college system. But with the growth of hockey the past decade, more teams are willing to scout there. How can you assess their impact on maybe a dozen or a handful of players? That's a very small sample pool.
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0 #45 Zira1 2012-03-08 11:52
Quoting Illdistrict:
Tim Connelly and Matt lambardi was not a good signing. Leafs should of stuck to the rebuild and brought up the young prospects from the farm to play.

Shouldn't of signed grabo.. During trade deadline they could have moved significant pieces for high draft picks, the opted not to. Bad decision.


I think you are on the wrong forum. See ya!
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+1 #46 Tookie 2012-03-08 11:54
Quoting TheBoss:

Just think of Detroit, many of their top players are late draft picks, or free agents from Europe. We need that level of scouting.


We do and thats exactly what we are doing, that sentence is key and doesnt mention any NCAA players which I thin we shouldnt focus on. IF a great players is coming out of that system we will hear about it, Da Costa and Butler were all hyped up and look at the results....not great.

Focus on draft and Europe...
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0 #47 miguel 2012-03-08 11:56
Quoting Alcatraz:
LOl @ Miguel identical posts at same time

yes I got a chucle from that as well... great minds... :)
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+2 #48 TheBoss 2012-03-08 11:57
Quoting Tookie19:
Quoting TheBoss:

Just think of Detroit, many of their top players are late draft picks, or free agents from Europe. We need that level of scouting.


We do and thats exactly what we are doing, that sentence is key and doesnt mention any NCAA players which I thin we shouldnt focus on. IF a great players is coming out of that system we will hear about it, Da Costa and Butler were all hyped up and look at the results....not great.

Focus on draft and Europe...


You can't expect them to make an immediate impact. Not everyone is Sidney Crosby. Even then, he was the top of his class. JVR, many expected, should have been a PPG player. He was taken second overall and has only put up a career high of 40pts.

Oh, and FYI, Greening has more points than JVR this year.
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0 #49 miguel 2012-03-08 12:00
Quoting Sensnation:
Quoting miguel:
ok so I get that these free agent college acquisitions are "free" in the sense that they are not costing us a draft pick, however, they are costing us money and costing us a roster spot.

I was all caught in on the hype of these picks, starting with:
Winchester - hyped to be a first line player, and actually played with Spezz and Alfie - way off on that
Butler - he has had flashes, but really may never end up first line and just end up like a Bochenski, and not even a 3rd/4th liner
DaCosta - this kid of all of them to me seems like he should pan out over time, but certainly not right now.
...


I think a lot of you are missing the main point Miguel is making. There is a limited number of contracts each team can have in place at a given time. Signing all the college free agents who at best become serviceable NHL players does tie up some of those contracts. And then when you compare, as he did, Winchester to O'Brien, Butler to anyone else and so on, it does not seem like the ideal situation to spending valuable contracts on.

Personally I feel the couple elite college players are worth taking a chance on if you can get them, but beyond that it really depends what way the GM plans to fill out his organization and what he is looking for. Murray definitely likes the low risk, with possibility of some reward that the college ufas offer, but as we have now seen very few of these players make an impact in the NHL.

I hope I'm paraphrasing correctly Miguel, but I think it's a very interesting point that deserves discussion. I would personally pass, like I think you would, on the next Winchester type. Butler is one of those I'd think was worth taking the risk on, and Da Costa will likely be as well.


Very well elaborated
with Zibby, Sivfer, Peterson, do we have the room next year?
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0 #50 wordburglar 2012-03-08 12:05
I love the NCAA signings. It's always a good gamble to make when you don't have to give anything up. Never know when the next St.Louis, Kunitz, Boyle, Michalek, Burrows, etc.. will pop up!
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+1 #51 SensChirp 2012-03-08 12:06
Quoting Phoenix:
Glad to see you were able to use the link I posted yesterday.

I used the article but highlighted three names that were sent to me. What's the issue?
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0 #52 simple jack 2012-03-08 12:14
I'm just reading comments and one thing that comes to mind is that my father is a leafs fan and not by choice, he was a habs fan when i was a kid but he said that local tv, cbc, tsn and sportsnet usually show leafs games and that since he's a hockey fan he's got no choice but to be a leafs fan if he wants to watch hockey.

I think i'll be a good son next season and get him a center ice package then he's got no excuse and can root for the sens too.

There could be others stuck in that sinking ship tv viewing area and other teams could soon gain an audience, the nhl needs to fix the ontario black out area's since it is in the same province, i'm sure hockey fans would like a choice of what they watch without paying $260 for it.
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0 #53 Hax 2012-03-08 12:24
Quoting RUSHRLZ:
Quoting Tookie19:
Quoting Hax:
Ian Mendes ‏ @ian_mendes

Chris Phillips will play tonight. Will wear a longer shield that covers his nose, but doesn't need full cage.

Great news.


Is it really? would rather see Boro or Wier, Phillips might play hesitant tonight with his broken nose and all.


I'm sure after 1,000 games and wearing an "A" Phillips knows how to play through a little injury and I trust The Stashe wouldn't play him if he felt it would be an issue.

Of everything I can think of to worry about tonight for the Sens, Phillips isn't one of them in my opinion.


Yeah I get that Phillips isn't playing the best hockey of his career, but he's still better than an AHLer. Can't believe it has to be said frankly.
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0 #54 Sensnation 2012-03-08 12:26
Quoting miguel:
...
Very well elaborated
with Zibby, Sivfer, Peterson, do we have the room next year?


Exactly, I don't think we do aside from on the defensive side. I believe having Winchester around in the past, and even Butler now, has reduced opportunities for other players such as Peterson, Hoffman, O'Brien on the NHL roster. Hell even Foligno gets less top 6 time because of Butler.
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+1 #55 St Nick 2012-03-08 12:32
Would love it if Murray was able to land two of those three defencemen in Schilling, Tennyson & Sustr. At forward JT Brown sounds good but I like the 6`3`Welsh. Nothing wrong with adding depth to the organization & competition especially when these guys are basically free. This is as much about improving Bingo too as it is about improving the depth of the organization.

Defenceman Tennyson IMO could be the best of the three of them, he seems to play a very good two way game now & has some grit to his game. Bingo could use another right shot down there with potential.

Would also like to see Murray trade a lot of the smaller players we have to improve elswhere on the roster. Pageau, Caporusso, Petersson, Cannone, Wideman & maybe even Da Costa may never make the NHL so why not get something for them while we can. Turris has pretty much sewn up the 2nd line centre spot & Z. Smith & O'Brien have the 3rd & 4th line centre spots taken so where does Da Costa fit in? I would prefer Grant at centre in future over him.
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+1 #56 Alcatraz 2012-03-08 12:33
really you think winchester has limied peterson, hoffman O'brien in the past?

Surely your kidding right?

Winchester was actually a valuable asset for us. Even before his concussion this year he was great. I would take him on our team this year ahead of daugavins and condra to be honest. He would look greta next to smith and neil. He does everything you want from him, on how ever minutes you give him

Hoffman, Peterson and O'Brien did not get sent down to AHL because of Winchester I can assure you that
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0 #57 miguel 2012-03-08 13:02
Quoting Alcatraz:
really you think winchester has limied peterson, hoffman O'brien in the past?

Surely your kidding right?

Winchester was actually a valuable asset for us. Even before his concussion this year he was great. I would take him on our team this year ahead of daugavins and condra to be honest. He would look greta next to smith and neil. He does everything you want from him, on how ever minutes you give him

Hoffman, Peterson and O'Brien did not get sent down to AHL because of Winchester I can assure you that


Really, you think Winny is better than Condra? Well I think O'Brien is better than Winny.
Also I am not sure but, I am certain that if you were to ask Winny he is more than ready to return, but PM really does not have the room right now... that is just my opinion.

And what say you of Butler than? Do you not think that he if he was not on the roster, that perhaps Peterson/Hoffma n would not get more of an opportunity... and who knows may produce more than 6 goals on the first line?

Just my thoughts
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-1 #58 wordburglar 2012-03-08 13:35
Winchester is better than Condra, Daugavins and O'brien, no contest.
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0 #59 Phoenix 2012-03-08 14:00
Quoting SensChirp:
Quoting Phoenix:
Glad to see you were able to use the link I posted yesterday.

I used the article but highlighted three names that were sent to me. What's the issue?


No issue at all, just glad to see it used as information was limited on ncaa players other than cbc article.
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