Silver Nuggets: Cheechoo draws in for Senators
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 20, 2010 1:00 PM EDT
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Here's your gameday dose of Ottawa Senators headlines, heading into game four of their Eastern Conference Quarter-Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins:
- Looks like Jonathan Cheechoo will draw into the lineup in the place of Ryan Shannon tonight. Lines: Regin-Spezza-Alfredsson; Cullen-Fisher-Foligno; Ruutu-Kelly-Neil; Z. Smith-Winchester-Cheechoo. (Gordon)
- Prediction panel for tonight's game: Don't stop believin'! Only one panelist picks the Pens. (Citizen)
- Daniel Alfredsson knows the team's got to leave it all out on the ice tonight. (Citizen)
- Ken Warren column headline: "It’s not all about the stars for Penguins". Umm... Ken? Sidney Crosby (7P) + Evgeni Malkin (4P) + Sergei Gonchar (3P) = rest of team (14P). Brooks Orpik is not why the Pens are winning right now. Just sayin'. (Citizen)
- Cool article about Jesse Winchester's first home playoff experience. (Sun)
- Tough reality check: The Sens have never come back to win when down 2-1 in a playoff series. But there's a first for everything, right? (CTV)
- Frustrating to think that the Penguins learned a lot about how to compete in the playoffs from the 2007 Senators. But it's probably true, at least to some degree. (NHL)
- It's pretty amazing to think about how mature both Peter Regin and Erik Karlsson are, considering they're a couple of rookies getting their first taste of the playoffs. (Tribune-Review)
- Former Senator Jason York has a guest column in the Sun today, breaking down the reasons for Pittsburgh's series lead so far. (Sun)
- Damien Cox pens a good column about whether or not the Senators have what it takes to win the series. The best thing he says: Ottawa's going to have to win the series, because Pittsburgh's not going to give it away. (Toronto Star)
- The Scranton-Wilkes Barre Penguins were eliminated from the AHL playoffs last night, so Pittsburgh's probably going to have their taxi squad in place soon. (Pensburgh)
- Milks looks at the rumours of Jonathan Cheechoo getting a shot in the series (well, yesterday they were just rumours), and wonders why the hell we aren't giving Shean Donovan that spot. Got to agree with him here: You could say Cheech was a victim of the salary cap, but he lost his spot on the roster; Chum's done nothing but helped his team the odd time he's been given the chance this year. (Black Aces)
- You saw a glimpse of it yesterday, but seriously, check out Matt Carkner's full blog post on the Sens website. It's a great read. (Sens)
- Michael Sharp takes a look at next year's Binghamton Senators roster situation. Could be big changes for next season, with the captain (Denis Hamel) and two assistant captains (Josh Hennessy and Jeremy Yablonski) both unrestricted free agents. (Sharp)
- Colour me surprised: Former Senator Bryan Smolinski (you know, they guy we traded Tim Gleason for?) is still playing hockey. He's winning Player of the Week awards playing with the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League. (Flint Journal, via @Sean_Leahy)
- Getting a little ahead of myself here, but you know who might be a good depth player for the Senators? Paul Kariya. The Blues aren't sure if they'll re-sign him, but he's still got hands and wheels, and would be a great second-liner if he can be had for a couple million. (Thinking about how ridiculous that last sentence is just makes my head hurt... just a couple million... ) (STLToday)
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Gotta agree with Milks
I don’t know why Cheechoo is getting the start over Donovan.
I also don’t understand the people who think Cheechoo is going to add anything to the team. Has everyone forgotten the way he played this year?
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I can’t claim to have watched every game this season, but I did watch a few before Cheech got sent down and didn’t find he was at all a detriment to the team. I think people fail to take what he offers at face value instead applying his contract and former 50 goal scorer status onto him. Really anytime I saw him he seemed to be working hard and generating chances out there. I like Chum, but I really don’t think he offer the possible upside Cheech has.
by modsuperstar on Apr 20, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
You make a pretty good point here
Expectations of a former 56-goal scorer aside, he’s been a reasonably effective fourth-liner this season. First, second, and even third-line play is probably mis-casting him, but he’s a fourth liner with decent hands and a willingness to fight over pucks. He’s slow as molasses, but he’ll be on a line with Winchester and Z. Smith, which should help offset that somewhat.
He’ll only play 6-8 minutes tonight, I’m pretty sure, but I think he’ll be effective in that role.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 20, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Chum has been more effective in that role. AND he’s faster and just as willing to fight for pucks. And he’s more physical. I just don’t see slower players as the ideal matchup for Pittsburgh.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I guess where we disagree is that I don't see the upside that Cheech has
Shannon and Donovan work equally as hard, if not harder in my opinion. His upside isn’t goal scoring; he’s proven he doesn’t have that skill anymore.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Who scored the Sens' last goal of the regular season???
That was after being a healthy scratch for weeks. I’d take Donovan in there over Cheecho any day.
There was that one time he nearly scored…
Shawn McEachern: The best Senator to ever wear 15.
by Speedy_McEachern on Apr 20, 2010 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
This is fucking retarded.
It reeks of desperation. It reeks of stupidity. This argument of Cheech vs. Donovan is horribly insulting to Donovan.
This guy had 8 goals and 14 points and was -7 in 24 games IN BINGHAMTON!
He got sent down and doubled his ppg output as compared to his time in the NHL.
by modsuperstar on Apr 20, 2010 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Desperation? This is a minor roster juggle
Replacing a fourth-liner with another fourth-liner is not desperation. This is a minor tweak to a roster that’s had a hard time getting chances. Don’t think Clouston expects Cheechoo to win the game for the Sens; he just wants a good, honest effort.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 20, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
He'll play six to eight minutes, max
I don’t understand the outrage here. When a team loses two playoff games in a row, they typically will make a roster change. This is just about the most minor roster change the Senators could make right now.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 20, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
It just seems like there's better options.
It’s not about how much he plays, it’s the fact that he’s even in the lineup. He was deemed to be too slow to play in the regular season, why is he drawing in during the faster (and more important) second season?
I don't know if that's the case, necessarily
He was scratched in the regular season, but he was demoted because no one would pick him up on waivers, and the Sens would get enough room under the cap to acquire Sutton and Cullen. But he’s back now, in a supporting role.
Really, Shannon hasn’t worked, so it came down to Cheechoo and Donovan. I like Donovan, and I think his speed would be a solid addition, but Cheechoo’s got a nose for the net and a willingness to battle, and what he lacks in speed he makes up for with a pretty good shot (when it’s accurate), some decent hands (Chum can’t say that), and the fact that he’s put up points before. Higher upside, little to no risk.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 20, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I see your pros with Cheechoo
Answers my question for the comment below. Either way it’s a minor change that may spark something. Not too much risk anyways.
by Los Blancos Chicca on Apr 20, 2010 2:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm seeing Cheechoo as the last option too
I have no idea why CC would plug him in, my best guess is that he hopes Cheechoo will turn his past playoff experience into somekind of black-magic voodoo that makes him anything above and beyond a total liability.
Any marginal positives that he brings are negated by his woeful mobility, poor puck possession and a shot that even Cristoph Schubert thinks is wildly innacurate.
This isn’t a case of assessing a player based on past performances. No matter what you expect of him he’s a terrible hockey player, period.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
I wouldn't say he's a terrible hockey player
He’s just not a great one anymore.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
'Not a great one'?
I know you two are boys and all, what with the daily calling, the texts – but you don’t need to sugar-coat this one.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Gotta stick up for my boy
You know how it is
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Don't know if this worth anything...
… but I know of at least a dozen times where Cheechoo has rung the puck off a post or crossbar… If those pucks went in the net, I am sure some people would be singing a different tune… just saying…
by Chris Marcellus on Apr 20, 2010 1:45 PM EDT reply actions
I agree with you on this one. But if I had to choose between Cheechoo and Donovan.
Donovan could provide more leadership to the 4th line. He is obviously good at that which is why the players love him so much. He is also fast and can skate. Cheechoo meanwhile can generate chances but how many chances will he generate and capitalize on being on the 4th line with only 6 mins to play?
by Los Blancos Chicca on Apr 20, 2010 2:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Cheechoo gets no credit. None!
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
I think we all wanted Cheechoo to be a 15-20 goal scorer
He’s a great guy and there’s nothing not to like about him as a person. But the fact is that he couldn’t bury his chances despite repeated opportunities.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
You All keep forgetting..
Donavan had ACL issues during the season he doesnt even have any tissue in his knee anymore so do they really want to add ANOTHER ACL issue and basically donovan be done for good, Or throw in Cheechoo who is making 3 Million either way this year and has been known to do his share in playoff pasts with even the sharks who can’t escape a round if there life depended on it. Way I see it is if you rpaying a guy 3 Million you better throw him in atleast to find out what the hell he can do. If anything he is a grinder and could go out there and rub a few noses into the glass and piss off some players to put them on there edge.
Technically speaking, salary is totally irrelevant in the playoffs and his 3M is a sunk cost.
At this point, we don’t need anymore slow, plodding grinders. We have Z, Ruutu, Neil, Kelly, Winch, Carkner, or Sutton for that. We need goal scoring, and I’m not convinced Cheechoo has that.
Salary is Irrevelent in that its already paid, but..
I think I’d want to see if i can get my moneys worth outta him. Plus you realize your “slow prodding grinders” are the main guys in this series who have shown heart and the Kelly’s Heroes Line is the top line so far and only reason this is a series thus far.
You look at Ottawa vs Anahiem series and its the prime example that speed is great but if your being hit enough that speed slows down, then what do you have?
Cheechoo will go out there and be on a high from the SBP atmosphere and the excitement of proving everyone he still has something in him. He will play 8 minutes maybe tonight and I bet you for every minute he is out there someone is going to get hit by him, This is a statment game for the senators to show they arent falling out of this series and its also a statment series for cheechoo to show his potential.
ALLL ABOARD THE CHEE CHOO TRAIN!!
Unleash yourseeelf!
AMAZING QUOTE I HOPE THE SENS READ!!!
Its by Joe DiMaggio
"There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first , I owe him my best."
Clouston's comments
I think things are getting way over blown because Clouston said something like you use to almost get away with raping a guy on the ice. Which they pretty much did back in the day. But, that’s besides the point. I’m female and I wasn’t often. I can’t believe so on the tweeter responses saying the team and Clouston need to issue an apology. Please aren’t we all a little sick of having people apologize for everythings.
You're right, sjb, it's not
Although I don’t know what you meant.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 20, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
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