Silver Nuggets: Michalek's back, the Immaculate Deflection

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 21, 2010 1:30 PM EST in Silver Nuggets

Looks like Milan Michalek is likely to return to the lineup tonight against the St. Louis Blues. (Sens)
With Michalek back, Shean Donovan will take a seat, meaning that Zack Smith is going to get a chance to keep up his solid play. Alex Picard is the odd-man out on defence. (Twitter)
Prediction panel for tonight's game: I'm not as optimistic as last time, everyone else is more optimistic than last time. (Citizen)
They're calling it the "Immaculate Deflection": Brian Elliott's out-of-this-world, last-ditch-effort stick save on Marian Hossa on Tuesday. (Canwest)
UPDATE: Thanks to their 4-0-0 week, the Senators broke into the SB Nation top 16 ranking... at number 16, no thanks to me (I forgot to vote). (SB Nation)
Owner Eugene Melnyk has guts, I'll give him that. Yesterday he called the Senators one of the top-five teams in the league (even though they're barely in the top five in the East), and he also promised the city a long playoff run for the Senators. Confidence is one thing, but... (Sens)

(Read more... )

"Dany Heatley thriving on garbage goals": What else is new? The guy's the best at potting goals when he gets chances, but don't ask him to single-handedly create any offence. (Because he'll demand a trade to a destination of his own choosing.) (Mercury News)
UPDATE: You know that old knock on the Jacques Martin-coached Senators, that they lacked grit and toughness? Martin's not going to lose that reputation after basically firing Georges Laraque today. (Puck Daddy)

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re: Melnyk

marketing ploy, gotta get that attendance up some how. so why not flaunt your team as a top five when they have just strung together 4 straight wins while missing key players with one of those wins coming against what could be considered the premier team in the league right now

I am AWESOME! Are you?

by Manthong on Jan 21, 2010 2:25 PM EST reply actions

He’s done that even when attendence is up though, its more of an ego thing for him, needing to have his voice heard in the media. He needs to relax with stupid predictions and hyperbole, nobody takes him seriously anymore.

Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.

by Andrew J on Jan 21, 2010 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Heatley

Hahaha that is true about Heatley!

I’m excited to see Michalek return!!! (if he does tonight)… Also I’m glad Smith us getting the opportunities to prove himself! Let’s hope his play will be consistent.

by Los Blancos Chicca on Jan 21, 2010 2:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Agreed, Smith deserves a shot

He started really slowly, but seems to be finding his game now. And it’s paying off, too.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 21, 2010 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

Wow, that Heatley article has to grate on you as a Sens fan. Heatley being praised for forechecking, working hard in front of the net and grinding. You know if he had actually shown any of those attributes he probably would have gotten along with CC just fine last year, instead he was just content to float and wait for perfect passes from Spezza to one time home.

by modsuperstar on Jan 21, 2010 4:01 PM EST reply actions

It's a piss off

Everytime I think of Heatley I get annoyed.. It’s frustrating to know that he did that to our Sens. He brought a lot of hope when he first got to the city. I can’t wait for a night where we host the Sharks and our goalies (whoever it is at that time) block all his shots!

by Los Blancos Chicca on Jan 21, 2010 4:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

word of caution to Skarks fans: Heatley played like he has been for the Sharks for the Sens in his first 2-3 seasons. It was around the time that the whole team fell apart that his play slipped. He seems to embody the ups and downs of his entire team. However, when CC came in and ‘righted the ship’ Heatley did not right himself quick enough and started to show a penchant for poor back checking and avoidance of physical play. Hope that your team doesn’t take a serious turn for the worse or else it will happen to you too and Heatley will be asking, yet again, for a new home.

I am AWESOME! Are you?

by Manthong on Jan 21, 2010 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, Heatley’s awesome when the going’s good, but he doesn’t seem interested in working to turn things around.

We’re used to seeing him work harder elsewhere, aren’t we? It has been the same story in international tournaments, and now we’re seeing it as he’s getting started for a new team.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 21, 2010 4:44 PM EST up reply actions