Now That We're Thru Tweaking the D, Can We Add a Scorer?
by Marvellous on Aug 2, 2010 9:11 AM EDT
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PrintThe focus of this off season has been on the defence and Bryan said he would add a top-six forward and he subtracted one instead. Instead he added depth to the forwards, Is he expecting Gonchar to lead the team in scoring this year? Is Alfy expected to score 30 goals? Is Regin expected to score 30? Is Fisher expected to stay on what for him was a scoring tear?
A defence that will readily join the rush leaving frequent odd man rushes against suspect goaltending, IMO needs to be accompanied by a high-powered offence if it is to be successful. Can you argue with the fact that the defensive part of our defence got downgraded when Anton left?
You can always say "Well, there is no cap space to get a top-six forward... so whaddya gonna do?" Teams that need to make a deal, create the necessary cap space. So I'm left wondering if we did enough in this off season. What do you think?... Time will answer that question.
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They are going to make a move
I don’t think the Sens resigned Foligno to be the 4th line left winger.
Mariners and Senators fan in Miami, covering the team in Ottawa at Silver Seven
by Alexander Calloway on Aug 2, 2010 1:06 PM EDT reply actions
Regin-Spezza-Alfredsson
Michalek-Fisher-Kovalev
I’m happy enough with that…is there a better top 6 in the division?
Cammaleri-Gomez-Gionta
Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Pouliot
Kulemin-Kadri-Kessel
Versteeg-Bozak-Armstrong
Vanek-Roy-Ennis
Hecht-Connolly-Pominville
Lucic-Savard-Horton
Bergeron-Seguin-Recchi
Maybe Boston’s is better…(especially since they also have Sturm, Kreci and Wheeler filling out the top 9). But I’d take Ottawa’s group over any of those others. Sure, there are some individual pieces I do surely covet…but as a whole, I’m happy with Ottawa’s forward depth.
It’s probably being over-hyped, but what the Sens really need is a phyiscal defensive blueliner.
Buying out Kubas since July 2010
by GelatinousMutantCoconut on Aug 2, 2010 1:19 PM EDT reply actions
I think Murray’s counting on the addition of Gonchar, and full seasons from Karlsson and a healthy Kuba to spark production by the forwards. It’d be nice to have another scorer up front, but doubtful given our cap space.
And the Lee+Kelly for a scorer speculation starts….now.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
I see no reason to add a scorer. Fisher better continue to produce like he did last year, because that is the pay scale he’s on. Why wouldn’t Alfie score 30 next year with Spezza healthy the whole season? Who knows how much production Regin will bring. Our third line next year of Foligno-Smith-Butler/Wick/Hoffman is going to be solid at both ends of the ice. Neil-Kelly-Ruutu wil also be able to both score and play some defence. I don’t think there is room for a top six guy unless we trade at least two of our top nine guys. Obviously Murray wants to win now. The Gonchar signing shows that, but seriously messing with the chemistry of the team doesn’t seem like a recipe to win now. That being said, if there is a real top tier player avaliable I wouldn’t be angry if Murray brought him in, but another guy like Matt Cullen is not what we need. We either need a 35 goal scorer or we need to give our kids a shoot. We don’t need another guy who plays a solid two way game and scores 20 goals, we have enough of those guys. I would say the defence needs to be addressed still. We need someone to play with Karlsson on the second pairing. I don’t think Kuba is that guy. I like the idea of a defence of
Gonchar-Phillips
Karlsson-Carkner
Cowen-Campoli
At the same time this is a scary position to put Carkner in. I think we need to ship Kuba out for are better all around top 4 defenceman.
Carkner needs someone to cover up for his mistakes just as much as Karlsson does
This defence without Kuba is a house of cards IMO, and one or two injuries away from serious failure. Cowen should be given the full opportunity to make the team but unless he blows everyone away and plays better than he has at any point in the past 12 months, he shouldn’t be there opening night.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
I don’t think Carkner needed Campoli covering up his mistakes last year. Carkner was a solid third pairing guy, I just don’t know if he can step into top four minutes. Kuba is not the lynch pin of the defence. He is soft and doesn’t shoot enough. Two problems I don’t want the Sens to relive after years of two minutes of passing without a shot on the PP. I also think Kuba can be replaced at a cheaper price. Being the second highest paod defenceman on the team is not where this guy should be.We need someone who knows how to use his body playing with Karlsson, not someone who shies away from contact.
Carkner and Campoli played well in the short term they were together, but it was Picard who really suffered from playing with 39. Kuba’s no speedster, but pairing up Karlsson with the least mobile skater on the team doesn’t seem like the answer to me.
Karlsson and Carkner are both high risk players, IMO pairing them up is risky. And assuming Cowen can come close to replacing anything Kuba brings is idealistic. I’d like to see him there too but he’s done nothing to show he’s capable.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
And with mono, he's not going to get a chance to show it this year
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Carkner was not the least mobile defenceman last year. He was easily as mobile if not more than Phillips or Volchenkov. He had many good decisions to jump into the play to create odd man rushes. And even if we do go on your assumption, Sutton was not a mobile defenceman, but easily was the best pairing for Karlsson. Moving Kuba out before the season or at the deadline this year would make alot of sense to me, but I’m not really a fan of big, soft, floaters who only produce second assists.
Andy Sutton cost over $2.1M
Wizniewski was $3.25M
Say what you want aboout cap space, the Sens simply don’t have the roster space.
Sure, we could send down Lee, but why would Melnyk want to eat that fat contract? And even if we traded Lee for a 7th round pick, adding another blueliner would force Campoli and his $1.4M into the press box. Again, that’s asking alot of Eugene.
So if Wizniewski’s three-and-a-quarter million is unshoppable, and Kaberle’s four-and-a-quarter million is unmoveable, then ditching Kuba can not be expected to return anything of value. The guy stands to be the league’s best 5th-man, seeing tons of time on PP2, so maybe he’s overpriced, but the only reason to move him is to shed salary. I just don’t see it happening.
So if we accept that the 7-man defence corps is set in stone (the Sutton and Cowen news should confirm this for everyone), then ask yourself if the forwards are any less so.
Cap space isn’t even an issue that needs to be addressed. It’s all about the roster space.
Maybe you would like another Top-6 forward, but then what becomes of the current guys? You can’t play Regin on Line 4 any more. There’s no room for Michalek on the checking line. Foligno is already languishing on the fouth line.
I just don’t see any need, or more importantly, any room to add anyone better than a 4th-liner. And even then you’d probably be bumping Z. Smith down to Bingo.
The only question mark I have is the 23rd-man, who I see as Cody Bass. At league minimum, he perfect for press box duty, alongside the revolving door known as Winchester and Shannon.
If you can find a team willing to trade a Top-6 scorer for Michalek and Kuba, then great. I just think Brian Burke would have found that GM by now if he existed.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 2, 2010 11:43 PM EDT reply actions
Well the Sens could always trade picks
Mariners and Senators fan in Miami, covering the team in Ottawa at Silver Seven
by Alexander Calloway on Aug 3, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
You mean we send picks for roster players?
Unless you are suggesting that we trade Michalek and picks for a better winger, where would said new winger slot in?
And who has such a winger and the cap space to take on Michalek’s $4.3M contract?
Colorado, Atlanta and the Islanders need bodies to reach the floor, but is there anyone on those teams who you’d like to trade Michalek and picks to acquire?
I just don’t see any holes in the Sens 23-man line-up that need filling.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think I would go that far
I definitely feel there are holes that need filling. I would like to have a more offensively gifted third line, and a fourth line a little more like our current third line. I would like to roll four lines all the time because I think that’s a huge advantage as the season wears on. I would also like a more physical defense corps.
I would also like to win the lottery.
Our holes aren’t glaring by any means, but I don’t think they could be realisitcally filled in the current market anyway.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Specifically though
Are you suggesting we trade Ruutu or Kelly or Neil to upgrade the third line?
Do we trade Foligno or Z.Smith or Winchester for a new 4th liner?
How about Shannon or Bass in the press box?
I’m not opposed to an upgrade, but I don’t think any of these 8 forwards have much trade value. The one possibility would be to demote Z.Smith and free up a 4th-line center position.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
That's the thing... I don't want to break up Ruutu-Kelly-Neil
I just want them to play on the fourth line. If push comes to shove, and I have to name names, I think what I would like to see our two other lines as:
Foligno-Kelly-Wick (contingent on a good camp, of course, but I think he’s got an NHL-caliber shot already… if not him, Shannon (or Bustler or Hoffman, I guess))
Ruutu-Z.Smith-Neil
If that bumps Shannon and Bass to watching, so be it.
Of those players, Kelly is who I would most prefer to trade, but I don’t know that we have a more offensively gifted center in our system that would be ready to play on a third line. If we had to pair someone like Kuba with Kelly to get someone like Ribeiro (supposedly on the outs in Dallas) to get offensive center depth, I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
I like Ruutu and Neil, and they have roles on the team, but I’d like to see some goal-scorers on the third line.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
This is a good plan
Although I would caution that Roman Wick would be taking Winchester’s roster spot in this scenario, so I’d have no problem sending Bass down and forcing Shannon and Winchester into street clothes.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha, I forgot all about Winchester
Guess that says a lot about his place on the team in my eyes, doesn’t it?
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Meh
His place is rather inconsequencial, I agree, so there’s room for Wick as long as Bass gets sent down.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
And as long as Wick shows he's ready to play in the NHL
Can’t forget about that part.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
One thing's for certain
He’s already got the best name in the organization (pending the signing of Bear Trapp to a minor-league deal).
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Not on the ice, no
But we’re not talking about Zach Galifianakis here.
Smith is so boring a name that he makes Brian Lee sound as cool as Cody Bass.
BTW, does anyone know if Bear Trapp is staying with the Charlestown Johnstown Chiefs, or could we make room for him on our non-existant ECHL team?
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Why not break Ruutu-Kelly-Neil?
All three are overpaid, and easy alternatives are out there for a lot cheaper.
Mariners and Senators fan in Miami, covering the team in Ottawa at Silver Seven
by Alexander Calloway on Aug 4, 2010 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Ruutu is not over paid at 1.3. He plays his role better than almost anyone else in the league. Neil and Kelly are definately overpaid and I would have no problem moving them along. Ruutu needs to be resigned after the season to bring some meanness to the Sens. Teams hate playing against him and that’s a quality that I would say only Alfie possesses, which means we’ll be losing our two biggest headaches in a short span with no one to replace them.
by ojc on Aug 4, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Ruutu isn’t mean. He’s annoying. It’s different. He had 134 hits, which is pretty good, and 121 PIM—which seems like a lot, except that only includes three fighting majors. I agree that he’s not overpaid, but if you’re going to look to him as an enforcer, you’re going to be disappointed.
As for Neil and Kelly, after the playoffs last year, I’m not sure if they’re overpaid. It’s a luxury to have such a good third/fourth line, so the question is whether or not it’s a luxury we can afford. I’ll admit I was disappointed in the Neil contract when it was first signed, but he had a good season last year; I’m alright with it now.
by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 5, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
I also shuddered when I first heard how much Neil would make, but despite his supposed cement-hands, I was happy with his offensive output.
And besides, he’s got to recoup some of that money he lost lifting all those cement blocks bare-handed at the bankruptcy auction.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 5, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think Neil's contract is worth it
He’s overrated as a tough guy and his defense isn’t good. That and he hasn’t played more than 70 games since 2006-07. He may have chemistry with Mike Fisher, but that $2 Mil (and roster spot) is going to hurt Ottawa in the long run.
Mariners and Senators fan in Miami, covering the team in Ottawa at Silver Seven
by Alexander Calloway on Aug 6, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I meant meanness in more of a distain for the opposing team rather than being a fighter. The reason I say that Kelly and Neil are overpaid is that there are players in our system who make almost a quarter of what they make and could do the same job. I mean hustle and back chequing are great qualities, but they require no skill. Kelly has good defensive positioning, but I don’t think that’s worth 2.2. The reason Neil was resigned was more to do with Heatley than Neil. The low down which I’ve heard on the Heatley exit from Claude Giroux’s brother, Claude Giroux owns a condo in the same building as Heatley, is that Heatley was banging Neil’s wife. Now, the Sens could have kept Heatley and let Neil walk last off season, but they didn’t. And since they choose to keep Neil and save the team concept in the room, they had to meet his demands. Anyways, my major point is that Ruutu is the best player in the league making 1.3 mil and not on an entry level deal.
If anyone takes Neil's contract...
I’d take the trade. He has his moments of usefulness, but he seems to take penalties at the worst possible time.
Neil/Ruutu/Kelly are a great line, but like you said, I want them to play on the 4th ideally They are very effective but they make far too much money for what they contribute.
I'd also love to dump Neil's contract
But I don’t see Murray seriously considering any offers, barring a potential steal. Quite plainly I think Neil got salary and term because of the leadership void – he’s been the heart and soul leader of this team for years now and he’ll remain as such this season.
Ideally you’d have a more skilled player take up that roll, but as it is Neil’s personality is something the Sens need in their locker room. And that need grows stronger during a period such as this when the team is poised to get alot younger in a short span of time.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Roster space is definitely the issue.
Let’s say Ottawa wanted someone like Bobby Ryan (I do want Bobby Ryan, by the way)… what can they give up for him? No one wants to give up Michalek to do so, and suddenly you’re talking about throwing a ton of bodies at another team — now you’re in absurd trade territory. “Kuba, Lee, Ruutu and a 1st for Ryan!” Yeah, ok.
There’s just not room to add a top-6 forward, though I think this post is more aimed at getting Savard than anyone.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Savard would be a great get
Super-friendly cap hit with no 35+ ramifications. If he gets hurt you put him on LTIR and gain the cap space. I’d do it in a second.
Of course this would drop Fisher down to line 3 and bump Kelly to the fourth line (or make hima winger and drop Ruutu).
But dayyyyum, those are some problems I’d love to have.
So what could we give Boston that would satisfy their need to shed salary (Michalek and Kuba are out). They have 6 defenders on one-ways, so would they part with their franchise player for Campoli or Lee or Carkner to sit in their press box?
Maybe they’d target Regin or Foligno and picks, which would put us over the cap, but that’s a small price to pay for Savard.
Whatever, I say make it happen.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don't see how we could make a trade work with Boston financially
Like you said, they need to shed salary. I would be frustrated giving up Regin when I don’t feel that we have a lot of depth on either wing, especially with Kovalev leaving after this year.
Foligno and picks, yes. Regin and picks, no.
Then we’d have to shed salary and we come back to Kuba being the most tradable, but trading Kuba probably opens a spot for Lee now that Cowen has mono. And I don’t want Lee in the lineup for any reason. There would have to be a ton of juggling from both teams to fit Savard.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Boston might want Lee
But only as a free toss-in and only to sit in their press box.
I think the problem with Savard (or Ribeiro) is simply that Murray doesn’t want to pay Fisher that much cash to be a third-line player.
But as October approaches, Boston will need to make some kind of move. I don’t know if their owner is keen on burying Ryder’s salary in the AHL.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
That is probably too much for a third line player
I wonder if he could play RW when Kovalev leaves? That would kill two birds with one stone.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
It wouldn't be unheard of
Though the Pens look like they are moving Staal up to the Top-6. Reports are that he’d line up with Sid, but I think he’d fit better as their 2nd-line center, with Geno moving to wing.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
It's not about this year
I believe It’s not about this year. This team will be respectable this year and make the playoffs. The eastern division is not that great. I’ll enjoy our new offensive team and it should be much better this year than last due to a more mobile puck moving D. It’s not about playing defense all the time They are modeling themselves a little after Chicago’s style. Michalec can be a goal scorer if he’s allowed to use his speed as all of our forward can be a pretty fast group. Getting the puck was a problem last year and they were always at a disadvantage going into the offensive zone.
Kovalev contracts will be off the books next year and they will be able to bring in another top six forward with a D core that will have improved a little more having had some time to grow.
by Hockey Playoff Run SensFan on Aug 3, 2010 2:13 AM EDT reply actions
Another Top Six Would Give Cory Options
I loved the way Regin played in the playoffs, but to give him the first line winger job based on that is really dangerous… and it’s even more dangerous to assume that Kovalev is going to act like a real top six hockey player when we play five on five, because let’s face it… he’s top six on the Power Play only.
If one of them doesn’t perform or we get an injury we’ll end up with Foligno or God forbid Shannon playing on the top six. This setup reduces Spezza to trying to do it all himself which is when he gets in trouble with giveaways.
So it’s not about where do you put another top six guy, it’s about giving Cory options.
And from the looks of it, we have the players that we have and there are no moves coming. The Sens are obviously counting on a very injury-prone Gonchar to be the life saver and give us all the scoring we need, which is also dangerous.
And with all of that, I am optomistic that we will do better, but what I really want to see is the Sens go all the way… and do you really think we have enough top six strength or goaltending to do that?
Maybe not
But to say that it’s about options and not about roster space begs the question:
Who and where would you line the players up? It’s great to have options, but show me the specifics of your plan.
Kovalev might not be what you fancy, but are you suggesting that we could trade him or dress him on the 4th-line? Regin might not be your favourite option for the top line, but switching him and Michalek doesn’t change a thing.
What I’m saying is that we have 6 guys in the Top-6, so unless someone points out to me where any of them would otherwise skate, I will continue to say that roster space trumps Clouston’s desire for options.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know that I would describe Gonchar as injury-prone
That’s like calling Leclaire injury-prone because he broke a jaw getting hit with a puck. Leclaire is injury prone for a lot of other things, but find me a player in the NHL who doesn’t break a bone getting hit by a puck in the face. It’s just physics. Gonchar’s recent injuries fall into that same category for me.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Just keep him away from Koci
Oh, and of course Ovie’s knee, as well.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
How about Comrie?
Or are we waiting until closer to the trade deadline?
Buying out Kubas since July 2010
by GelatinousMutantCoconut on Aug 3, 2010 3:31 PM EDT reply actions
Either that
Or until his wife tells him to get off the couch and get a job
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
We do have a 1st round pick to trade for him at the deadline this year
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Then what would we to give St.Louis
In order to get their 2010 pick, Tarasenko?
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 3, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Although we may have to buy-out Filip Kuba to make the dollars work
Buying out Kubas since July 2010
by GelatinousMutantCoconut on Aug 3, 2010 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
What To Do With the Excess Forwards!!!
Thank you gentlemen for all the varying perspectives. I enjoyed this conversation. The only perspective that I REALLY STRONGLY opposed to is trading Kelly. As long as we have players like Carkner and Ruutu that take alot of penalties, PK is really important.
Say what you want about Kelly being overpaid, but you will never find a better player to have on the ice either killing a penalty or protecting a lead late in a game. In the crunch during the playoffs late in the third period, I love having Kelly… and I wish alot more forwards took responsibility for playing defensively like he does.
Kelly is way more valuable than “cement-hands” Chris Neil at the same cap hit. There was a time when Neil was highly sought after. With all the right-handed shooting forwards that we have, Neil would probably get the most return.
Chris "Cement Hands" Neil.. ha!
Almost as good as Chris “No-Finish” Kelly.
But seriously, yes, he is a timmy-try-hard, killing penalties like a madman and backchecking at every turn. The problem is, he can’t be counted on to generate at a consistent clip based on his propensity to tweak out when he creates a goal-scoring opportunity. For a 1 million, or even a 1.5 million dollar player, I could accept that. But for his current salary, it’s a little ridiculous the amount of times Dean Brown goes, “Kellyyyyyyy!… misses the net.”
Given that he had a career year offensively, and had an amazing playoff round vs. Pittsburgh, I think Bryan should trade him while his stock is at it’s peak.
Wasn’t Kelly on the ice when Pitts scored the final goal in game 6?
by ojc on Aug 4, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with your assessment of Kelly
Kelly is a very good role player. Look at the effect of loosing Vermette on our penalty kill had. Team were terrified of that pair. Opposition D sat back when those two were on the ice. Putting Spezza on the ice at the end of penalty kills with Kelly would have the same effect. Kelly may play too cautiously at times but knows where Neil and Ruutu are and does make nice passes, if only those two could score more often. Neil is not nearly fast enough for Kelly’s vision of the ice. That’s why Vermette was so good for him.
by Hockey Playoff Run SensFan on Aug 5, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m gunna need video confirmation of Chris Kelly every completing a pass.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Vermette led the league in short handed goals
and guess who got him the puck for most of those. Kelly is very good at intercepting passes and turning it up ice if a forward is going for it. He just needs someone to take off so he can get them the puck.
by Hockey Playoff Run SensFan on Aug 10, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Kelly’s defensive play is excellent and I agree that he consistently puts himself in good positions to make smart plays on the puck. But in terms of him ‘making nice passes’, very seldom does that happen, IMO. He’s the worst passer among our top 9 forwards, barring perhaps Nick Foligno.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
No roster room for a scorer (or any other forward really) barring a large trade. Seems to me the roster for Ottawa is set.
I do think you can expect a return to ‘normal’ levels from Kovalev with Gonchar in tow. Like I’ve mentioned, he needs someone looking to feed him the puck in order to be happy. But when he is, his skills and talent are top-notch. No reason for him to not be producing a point-per-game next season.
Ottawa should win the Division next season, and will do so if Leclaire/Elliott can be above-average all season.
"Don't worry about my Cap." - Lou Lamoriello
3rd-seed, here we come
I do not foresee a repeat of last year’s 4-team representation from the Adams, but the continuing parity should cause whoever wins the division to lag behind the Washington’s and the New Jerseyses’es.
I’d even predict Pittsburgh, Philly and the Rangers to finish near to or ahead of Ottawa, but most of those four teams will settle for the 4th-8th seeds.
You mentioned a possible Salvador trade on some other threads, but assuming the PA wins their arbitration case, would it be fair to say that Salvador would become so expendable that Lou would take Brian Lee alone in a one-for-one swap to shed salary?
Or if you really want to save, you could always take Hale and a 4th-rounder.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 5, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Let me take a first stab at my early predictions...
1. Pittsburgh
2. Washington
3. Buffalo
4. Ottawa
5. Tampa Bay
6. New Jersey
7. Boston
8. Philadelphia
—
9. Toronto
10. Montreal
11. Atlanta
12. NY Rangers
13. Carolina
14. Florida
15. NY Islanders
by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 5, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd for easy to read green posterity
What, no love for Redden’s Rangers?
Meh, who am I kidding, Wade will spend the year in Hartford.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 5, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
May as well take a stab
Washington
New Jersey
Ottawa
Pittsburgh (3rd)
Philly (4th)
Tampa Bay
Montreal
Rangers
Toronto
Boston
Buffalo
Carolina
Islanders
Florida
Atlanta
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 5, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, lots of respect for Buffalo. After losing two of their top four you still believe they’ll win the division? I think unless Boston gets their stuff together Ottawa is quite clearly the most complete team in the division.
They do still have Miller and Myers
They’ve got us beaten there.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
It was a tough call
I wasn’t sure if it would be Ottawa or Buffalo winning the division, but I settled on Buffalo to appear not quite so homery. I’d also not be surprised if Boston’s higher than I ranked them.
We’ll see, I guess.
by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 5, 2010 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't resist having my say..
Washington (too much firepower to not dominate in the regular season)
Boston (Still the best team in the division, ahead of the Devils because they don’t have to play the Pens and Flyers 6 times each)
New Jersey (I still think that Pitts and Philly are better teams, but Devils always find a way to be one of the best in the regular season)
Pittsburgh (No explanation necessary)
Philadelphia (I had them returning to the Finals and actually winning in 2011, but the loss of Gagne and probably Asham and additions of Zherdev and Meszaros as well as retaining Carcillo will cripple the team.)
Ottawa (Should be a fun team to watch. Can Clouston’s system help this team make up for a lack of defensive polish and grit on the blue-line?)
Tampa Bay (Stevie Y has done a really good job. Top-heavy, the team needs some depth. But there’s too much potential here for the team to miss the play-offs again.)
Toronto (Wilson will be fired and Toronto will use gritty defense to finally make the post-season)
__________
Montreal (But they made it to the Conference Finals! yeah, so did Carolina in ‘09.)
Florida (A VERY bright future. Decent crop of top 6 forwards and a very good young blueline. This team will contend for a spot. The only question is how fast guys like Gudbranson, Kulikov, Ellerby and Robak develop.)
Buffalo (Lost too much on the blueline and not enough offense.)
Atlanta (A lot of optimism, but i’m not sure why. Mason is a steady goalie, but Kubina is a big loss on the blueline. Some good forward prospects, but not enough for play-off spot just yet)
NY Rangers (Horrible. No idea how they managed to almost squeak into the play-offs. It;‘s about time this team imploded.)
Carolina (Staal and Ward. That’s the team. Oh sure Ruutu, Jokinen, Pitkanen and Gleason are serviceable…but the rest of the team are nobodies.)
NY Islanders (I love Dwayne Roloson….but the goaltending situation is a mess and the team has one legitimate NHL defenseman [Ok…Mark Eaton was solid….but Streit is the man on Long Island] Some good young forward prospects, but they seem to have a hard time developing them.)
Buying out Kubas since July 2010
by GelatinousMutantCoconut on Aug 5, 2010 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
What's Normal for Kovalev???
Check out the stats!!! Here’s what’s normal for Kovalev. With the exception of his career year in Montreal, Mr. “lull around the perimeter” Kovalev has averaged 19 goals over the past six seasons. That makes his supposed “down” year last year pretty close to his average, and what you can expect from him.
How does that make him a $5 million a year player and why are we taking up all of this cap space with a 19 goal a year player?
But he did have one REALLY good game last year!!! … so here’s hoping…
Owners decision on that guy
I still think it was a panic move on the part of Melnik to sign Kovalev. It’s just not the kind of thing Murray has done since being general manager. Not one talk show host or TV host understood that one or I for that matter. It smells of ownership getting involved.
by Hockey Playoff Run SensFan on Aug 10, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
They have zero forward depth and no one else on defence. They just waived one of their better forward prospects for no apparent reason. They might be the smallest team in the league, counting Montreal. Craig Rivet and Tyler Myers can’t play 30 minutes a game. Jordan Leopold and Shoane Morrison are a third paring, not a second. Their whole lineup just seems to be filler around their four legitimate players. Vanek, Hecht, and Ennis is not a first line. Pominville, Roy, and Stafford isn’t a second line. They do play well as a team, but losing two assistant captains in one off season will hurt that. I think they’ll be the seventh or eigth seed, but Boston will finish ahead of them.
And here is my pre season rankings for the East
Washington
PItts
Ottawa
Philly
Boston
Tampa Bay
New Jersey
Buffalo
__
NY Rangers
Carolina
Montreal
Atlanta
Toronto
Florida
NY Islanders
I had to put Tampa at six after giving Ottawa three. I know thinking Ottawa could possibly get such a favourable matchup is wishful thinking, but other than that pick I feel confident about the rest.
And now for something completely different
Philadelphia
Ottawa
Tampa Bay
Washington
Pittsburgh
Boston
Carolina
Montreal
New Jersey
Buffalo
Atlanta
Florida
NY Rangers
NY Islanders
Toronto
Footnotes:
Ottawa reaps the benefit of Leclaire being guided back into form by Wamsley, and (even bolder prediction) the powerplay improves to top 5 in the league. Homerism FTW.
Tampa Bay frigging rips it up offensively and wins the division by a mile.
Carolina has a healthy Cam Ward and returns to playoff material once more.
New Jersey finally falls victim to the declining play of an aging Martin Brodeur and misses the cut.
Ryan Miller endures a season ending injury and Buffalo gets exposed as a truly bad team (kind of a gloomy prediction, but you heard it here first).
Toronto has another goaltending crisis as JS Giguere loses his starter role to the Monster, and they finish dead last.
Bold indeed
Now can someone else Rec poor ol’ Peter’s picks and turn that mutha green, or what?
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 10, 2010 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll probably refine them and make a post
The whole writing staff will likely make predictions later in the off-season. Tough to do so without Kovalchuk signing anywhere…
by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 11, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Definitely some bold picks
I was toying with NJ missing the playoffs, but I couldn’t bear to do that to Android. Although to be honest, his shot-blocking style can make it difficult on a goalie, so Brodeur might have a hard time adjusting.
Tough to make predictions based on season-ending injuries, but hey, if you prove correct… kudos.
As for Toronto, I don’t know how they can finish dead last again. Even if the goalies go into the crapper, their defence is alright, and their forwards are better than they were. That’s why I picked them to just miss.
by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 11, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
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