Silver Nuggets: Kovalev backlash continues, Yzerman's eyes on Fisher?

by DarrenM on Nov 4, 2009 12:16 PM EST in Silver Nuggets

Here's some Ottawa Senators stories to tide you over until tomorrow's game:

Headline of the year? "I'm sorry, but Kovalev stinks." The whole article is full of gems. My favourite? "Fans even talk about getting to the game early so as not to miss his stickhandling prowess during the warm-up. Maybe after he retires he can join the circus." (Your Nepean)
Nichols tries to break down "L'Enigma." Easier said than done. (6th Sens)
Jason Spezza practiced with the team today. Word is he's still not ready to play tomorrow. (Twitter)
Forward prospect Derek Grant was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Month for October. He had four goals and six assists, tying him for first in rookie scoring. (BCHL)
Bruce "Malkin to the Kings" Garrioch suggests that Mike Fisher is on the radar of Steve Yzerman and Team Canada after his great start as a possible 4th liner. Garrioch got this tip from "an NHL executive." I'm guessing that means GM Bryan Murray. (Slam)
Jesse Winchester finishes his two-week conditioning stint with Binghamton tonight. He's played great for Bingo, but the problem remains: where does he fit into the line-up, considering Ryan Shannon just had his best game, and the Donovan-Kelly-Ruutu line has been one of the team's best? (Citizen)
Don Campbell figures as many as four Senators prospects could be on Team Sweden at the World Junior Championships. He claims Jakob Silfverberg, André Petersson, and (obviously) Erik Karlsson are locks, while Robin Lehner will get a long look as well. (Citizen)
It's been said before, but now here's a whole article on it: the Senators are the worst team in the shootout since the lockout. (Metro)

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I’m stoked to see the Swedish team in the WJCs. That’s very interesting.

As for Winnie, very tough call. There’s going to have to be a trade made soon, or someone’s going to be pretty disappointed to be sitting.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Nov 4, 2009 1:50 PM EST reply actions

You mean two people will be disappointed to be sitting. The team has 14 forwards when they are all healthy.

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Nov 4, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

No way, Darren. None of the forwards we should be trading have any value. I truly woudln’t be surprised to see something like Kelly and Campoli traded for nothing more than a prospect. Of ccourse, I think Kovalev should be traded, but no one is going to touch that contract.

by Mark Parisi on Nov 4, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

Until this team has figured out all of its lines, I think they might be content to keep extra bodies around, particularly during flu season.

I agree that none have value.

As far as nobody taking on Kovalev… you’re probably right, although I can’t help but feel that Gainey would make a move for him.

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Nov 4, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

Very true, Darren. It’s definitely a tricky balance. Outside of the top two lines, there’s no real continuity. All of the guys we have look like they should be playing — even Cheechoo — but until they’re settled, we won’t know for sure. Except that to settle them, they have to play. Except that there’s not enough spots for everyone to play.

I feel that this is a situation where Murray has to bite the bullet and give away some guys to make the team better. I have been a big fan of Kelly’s play (but not his hands) this year, but he’s simply earning too much and Winchester could be doing the same job for cheaper. Kelly’s value has always been his superior PK skills, but those have become devalued by the emergence of other solid PK options, including Spezza of all people.

My worry is that with too many NHLers on the team, we’ll never figure out all of the lines. Murray and Clouston should just pick some and go with them, for better or worse.

by Mark Parisi on Nov 4, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions