Silver Nuggets: The off-season begins

Exactly. If it had gone to game 7 and then in overtime, it could come close. But the fact that the Sens were against defending champs and down 3-1 in the series makes this less of a loss.

Maybe he is trying to say that Sutton didn’t make enough of a difference to merit being re-signed. I’d say it depends largely on what kind of contract Sutton is looking for and what other offers he gets.

After the big hit that Sutton laid on Leopold in game 2 it seemed like he was playing a little tentatively the rest of the series(certainly for the rest of that game). That said, I think he was a good addition to the team and it is pretty clear that Karlsson blossomed alongside him. With Sutton riding shotgun, clearing the net, blocking shots and generally covering his butt, Karlsson was able to do what he does best handle the puck, rush up ice and play the angles.

I’d be happy to see Sutton back for the right price and a reasonable contract length.

I don’t understand that, either. Even with the loss, I don’t see the Sutton acquisition as a loss; quite the opposite, in fact, I see it as a pretty positive deal.

Is the Sens’ post-mortem up?

He’s certainly entitled to his opinion, regardless of whether or not he’s paid to write.

The Citizen’s sports page is generally fish-wrap, though I can’t deny that I’ll read it when I’m in Ottawa. If you believe half of what they say everyone on the organizational side is a consumate professional and infalible to criticism, while all the players are over-paid and lazy. But whatever, its either that or stare at the wall while your on the john I guess.

I think without Phillips, Volchenkov would not be as effective. The way Volch plays, he commits to blocking shots or making hits, and that can leave him out of position; he needs a sound positional stay-at-home defenceman like Phillips to be able to take the risks he takes. I think you’re looking at a defence pairing that is greater than the sum of its parts in this instance.

I would not sign Volchenkov for 5M/4 years. I don’t think a defensive defenseman is worth it, even when it is someone as great as Volchenkov.

I agree with Peter that Phillips/Volchenkov is a large part of the reason why Volchenkov excels, and I think if Volchenkov leaves next year you may see a lot of fans questioning the move after a few months (much like Toronto fans with Komisarek).

Spezza had 7 points in 6 games. For all his giveaways and such, he was over a point a game, and has 46 points in 46 playoff games.

Despite all the criticism he gets in the media, he sucks it up and doesn’t whine or complain like Heatley did. We’ll get regret it we trade him. I am not worried though, there is no way we’ll trade him.