Two things to look forward to in 2010-11
by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 9, 2010 8:01 AM EDT
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As I was looking through the Ottawa Senators all-time scoring records, I noticed a few notable milestones for the petty among us Sens fans to look forward to.
First off, Alexei Yashin remains the Senators second-highest all-time scorer, with 491P (218G and 273A) in 504GP. As disliked as he is today, Yashin had some solid seasons with the Sens when the organization had little else going in their favour. However, if he can put up 17 points this season, the biggest name we received when Yashin was traded away could bump the Russian centre down to third all-time in Senators scoring: Jason Spezza. (And if he can't get 17P this season, we're totally screwed.)
The second possibility involves a more recently demonized former Ottawa Senator, and poses a significantly greater--but still reasonable--challenge. Dany Heatley only played four seasons with the Senators, but he'd become the seventh-highest scorer with the Ottawa Senators in that time. This season, though, Mike Fisher could usurp him for that spot with 38P.
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Both Yashin and Heater were undeniably productive during their respective tenures
But gee whiz will it ever be nice for guys like Fish and Giggity Giggles to knock ’em down a notch.
Also, in terms of single season scoring prowess, watch for the all time great Norm McIver’s points total for Senators defensemen to be in jeopardy. Look for 55 to challenge it, but don’t count out 65 either…
That would be awesome
But 63P? That’s going to be tough. Gonchar has beaten that number three times in his career, and though he’s only a couple years removed from the most recent, he’s not gotten younger in that time. It is possible, though.
I think Karlsson has the skills to do it at some point in his career, but this year might still be a little early. It would be so awesome, though…
by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 9, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
If Karlsson can play like he did at the end of the season, coupled with more conditioning...
I’m an optimist and an admitted Karlsson enthusiast. I doubt he’ll do it this year, but I’ve got high hopes for the future.
A snake made of brass - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Aug 16, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I actually thought the word was 'pretty'
Which is why I wondered why Jesse Winchester’s impending milestones were omitted.
I love the I-just-crawled-out-of-bed-and-now-I’m-going-to-a-millionaire’s-wedding look that he’s sportin’.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 16, 2010 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Well that shouldn't be here
Major reply fail. Obviously would have been funnier if it had preceded Ryan’s 95% comment, below.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 16, 2010 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
There can’t be many photos of both Fisher and Spezza on the ice at the same time… I’m thinking maybe this one was a powerplay, or something like that.
Actually, I’d guess this goal was on March 30, when the Sens beat the Caps 5-4 in OT. Spezza had a four-point night (2G, 2A). Some fans in Ottawa said it wasn’t good enough, and met him at the airport to boo him. Watching the highlights, looks like it was the Senators’ second goal that night. Man, the NHL video portal is pretty awesome.
by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 9, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
How could you forget Alfie getting his 1000th this season? He’s only 8 points away, so that should be in the first couple weeks of the season he achieves that milestone.
You must have forgotten this part:
I noticed a few notable milestones for the petty among us Sens fans to look forward to.
There’s nothing petty about Alfie’s upcoming milestone.
Hahaha... yeah, that's why I left that one out...
(thanks, JonathanA)
by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 9, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Pfft…now you expect me to read all the words in the article. Jeez!
by modsuperstar on Aug 9, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't.
A snake made of brass - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Aug 16, 2010 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe 95%
A snake made of brass - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Aug 16, 2010 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Another milestone is Phillips getting closer to 1000 games
He currently has 863 and hasn’t played less than 81 games since 05-06.
Mariners and Senators fan in Miami, covering the team in Ottawa at Silver Seven
by Alexander Calloway on Aug 9, 2010 11:37 AM EDT reply actions
From an article on cbc, there's a few milestones
for a couple of senators.
Alfredsson is 8 points shy of 1000, and 25 goals shy of 400.
Kovalev is 10 points shy of 1000, and 22 assists shy of 600.
Gonchar is 16 points shy of 700, 18 assists shy of 500, and 8PPG short of 100.
Spezza is 25 points short of 500.
most important thing to look forward to
Of course, the most important measure to achieve for any NHL team is Stanley Cup. Can the Sens do it next year?
I think you can make a decent argument that NHL East is still up for grabs. Unlike the West last year where the challenges of getting by two powerhouses, Sharks and Hawks, left all others with slim chance at finals, in the East, many teams really do have a chance. Caps and Pens are much more beatable (although the latter apparently not by the Sens, LOL) than West leaders. So, by that measure perhaps the Sens have a real chance.
What is concerning is whether the window of opportunity is closing. Alfie is getting on and retirement nears. Kovalev could be moving on. Spezza may never be as productive as he was with Heatley, although still a great player. So is this team getting to the point where they have to win in next two, maybe three years and if not, than is it time to gut and rebuild?
A few other [slightly] less petty milestones
- Look for Alfredsson to score his 400th goal in Toronto on February 19th (the same night that Spezza pots his 200th)
- Fisher will surpass Heatley in goals scored as soon as he nets his 29th of the season
- Phillips and Fisher will both pass Heatley in assists with Dany in the building on December 2nd, on the same night that Phillips knocks Heatley down to 10th in SOG
- Alfredsson need only record a +5 to take over the all-time team lead from Redden
- Spezza will finish at least +10 and pass Heatley in that nebulous stat
- Fisher and Spezza will pass Heatley on even-strength goals on opening night
- Spezza needs 15 powerplay goals to take over 2nd place from Yashin; only 6 to grab 3rd spot from Heatley
- Chris Kelly needs a pair of shorties to knock Heatley down to 10th all-time
- The top 4 on the GWG list will go from being Alfie, Hossa, Heatley, Yashin …. to Alfie, Fisher, Spezza, Hossa before the calendar flips to 2011
- Zach Smith will take over the all-time lead in shooting percentage among players with more than 90 games, just as soon as he plays his 91st contest (75th of the year)
- Alfredsson will pass Redden in total minutes played around the 20th game of the season
- Kelly and Neil will race to be the guy who knocks Heatley out of the top 10 in total minutes, with either player doing the job at the midway point of the season
- Phillips will jump from 8th to 7th, then up to 6th, in average TOI, knocking Heatley and Yashin down one peg apiece
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 9, 2010 5:04 PM EDT reply actions
Kelly and Neil will race to be the guy who knocks Heatley out of the top 10 in total minutes, with either player doing the job at the midway point of the season
I’d prefer to see Neil race to be the guy who knocks Heatley into the 6th row, but that’s nice too.
by SLC on Aug 12, 2010 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Rec'd the hell out of this
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Aug 12, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Somebody, anybody, please!
Make it green!
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Aug 12, 2010 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
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