Random Thoughts + My Goals for the Rest of the Season

by Henrik_Larsson69 on Jan 16, 2011 5:53 PM EST

The man above in the pictue has likely been the Ottawa Senators' best player throughout the disastorous month of January. It has been a month where all hope for a playoff spot evaporated, and where the loss of Jason Spezza has hurt the team too much to overcome. It is just pathetic that they have won only one game in January, a 6-4 decision over the New York Islanders.

On the bright side, you can say they have tried. It seems like every time they have a chance to win, somebody does something stupid and BAM!, the game is lost. I think, unless some kind of miracle from the heavens, a Top 5 pick is likely. Which is good, right? And a date that I will have circled is February 28th, Trade Deadline Day. Although the Murrays are never heavily involved at the Trade Deadline, watch for them to move away some assets in exchange for picks + prospects. Guys that are on the move for sure are Filip Kuba (if somebody dares to trade something away for him), Jarkko Ruutu, and Brian Lee (although he has been solid as of late). Guys that may be on the move are Chris Phillips and Pascal Leclaire (once again, if anyone takes a chance on him). The intriguing name is of course, Mr. Phillips.

I really don't know what to say about his situation. Although I value him as a great defensive guru, this season has not been his at all, and a young team in the playoff picture will be interested him. I am talking about the Los Angeles Kings, who are bound with depth at D but may be looking for a playoff-tested man. For return, I am thinking about Jonathan Bernier, and I bet Bryan Murray would love to get his hands on him. Easily on my mind one of the best back-ups in the league, the young Bernier is stuck in LA playing spot duty to Jonathan Quick. another young, emerging goalie. Interesting, to say at least. Another guy in Jarkko Ruutu may fetch a solid bounty, as he can be useful come playoff time. For me, I would say possibly Washington, or maybe even Chicago.

If I were Bryan Murray, the un-touchables would be Jason Spezza, Mike Fisher, Daniel Alfredsson, Erik Karlsson, Matt Carkner, and Sergei Gonchar. There are other players who shouldn't be moved at the moment, but those 6 are the ones who should stay without a doubt.

Now, here are my 3 goals for the Senators for the rest of the oblivious known as the 2010-2011 season...

1. Stay Competitive/Play Hard

Now I'm not saying to make a last-minute run at the playoffs. I'm saying to work hard every game, and take the opponent to the limit. A good example is Friday's Flames-Senators game. A 3-2 decision from Calgary, but Ottawa fought hard until the last horn. It's one thing to take away while the season winds down, and it's best to keep your respectibility in the NHL, until Zenon Konopka declares "You are not a door-mat!"

2. Do better than the Toronto Maple Leafs in the standings

I believe it has been more than a decade since the Leafs did better than us in the regular season. Since both teams will not be making the post-season, I'd like to keep that record alive. I know the Bruins have the Leafs' pick in the Draft, but it's why it's called the Battle of Ontario. They're one point ahead of us right now with 2 games in hand. A couple of wins combined with a couple of losses for the Laffs and bingo, Mission Accomplished.

And the most important thing...

3. Defeat the Detroit Red Wings on February 2nd

I beg them to accomplish this goal. I cannot stand another year of "Haha your team sucks Red Wings kick Senator ass" from my co-workers/friends. Please please please please please, beat the Wings and kick their fine ass. If the Sens do this, I will run naked across Skelleftea Market Square with my Senators hat, and that's it. And don't worry, it's easy to beat them. Just injure all of their players and, you know, score...

Here comes Gabriel Landeskog!

Farvall all,

Henrik

This FanPost was written by a member of the Silver Seven community, and does not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of the site managers, editors, or Sports Blogs Nation, Inc.

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Ahh...

What happens it’s the Red Wings win in overtime?

Mariners, Senators, Trail Blazers, Seahawks fan that also covers the Ottawa Senators prospects for Silver Seven. All from Sunrise, FL. And I do for you guys! Silver Seven

by Alexander Calloway on Jan 17, 2011 2:02 PM EST reply actions

Haha, then I guess the cap doesn't have to be on his head.

by oldmonk on Jan 18, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

Hilarious that Matt Carkner is an untouchable

But given his salary and his role, you’re right: There’s no sense in letting him go. We’re not going to find an equal replacement for any cheaper, and what we get for him won’t likely be worthwhile. He may not be fully untouchable, but they’ll be asking a high price considering he’s a third-pairing defenceman at best (probably a second-round pick; if we can get that, it’d be a steal, and you’d be pretty silly not to take it—no offence to those who wouldn’t).

An Ottawa Senators fan blogging at www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 17, 2011 2:19 PM EST reply actions

You'll need Carkner defensively

Rebuilding teams always suffer defensively and he is at least good in our end. As a matter of fact our defense would be pretty good if the forward maintained any kind of offense. I disagree with the game against Calgary. Other than power plays Calgary controlled the puck in our end. Our 5 on 5 play was pathetic in that game. The only line that keeps opposing teams out of our end in the Winchester line.

by Hockey Playoff Run SensFan on Jan 18, 2011 12:22 AM EST reply actions

Well said.

I think you raise some great points about Phillips being intriguing trade bait and Carkner needing to stay. But of course Peter’s right to say it’s depending on the return. I would also take a look at a second rounder for Carkner, and try to walk away with a steal (like we did with Robin Lehner) in next year’s draft.

Also, I think that going after a goalie like Bernier is a good idea. The way Leclaire is getting hurt and that Elliott is playing right now, with both having no contracts signed for next season, it would be wise to bring in somebody. Then we don’t need to rush Lehner into the #1 position if that’s where he’s headed.

If we do end of taking Landeskog, then we will definitely be the new team Sweden. Who would your bandwagon-jumping Detroit fan buddies have to cheer for then?

by oldmonk on Jan 18, 2011 11:17 AM EST reply actions

G = Nabakov on re-entry waivers!

You know Nabakov will sign for cheap with the Wings, but we can nab him before he makes it to Detroit!

Of course, there are probably other teams looking at him too. I’m not sure how the priority on waiver-wire pickups work but i’m guessing something like worst place team gets first dibs so maybe we’re up there.

Then dump Leclaire to any taker or the AHL and just eat his salary for the rest of the season (or even recall him)

by Joebo on Jan 20, 2011 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

What's the end-game here?

No matter which goalie we pick up, realistically, we won’t make the playoffs. So why invest more money into this season when so much has gone to waste already? Unless you think Nabokov should be a part of this team moving forward, but if you do think that, I will respectfully disagree.

An Ottawa Senators fan blogging at www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 20, 2011 6:52 PM EST up reply actions

Moot point but...

Yeah I thought he’s steadier than Leclaire and with Elliot would solidify the goaltending situation until Lehner is ready for prime time.

That said, based on what has happened in the last few days with NYI, I doubt Nabby would agree to play in Ottawa.

Why don’t you think Nabby would be good for Ottawa? How do you think the goaltending situation should be fixed?

by Joebo on Jan 26, 2011 6:22 PM EST up reply actions

I just don't see the point

I don’t think the goaltending situation really needs to be fixed this season, to be honest; everyone involved has said it’s a lost season as it is. So we’ll give Brian Elliott an opportunity to find his game, or give Robin Lehner or Mike Brodeur opportunities to show where they are in their development.

Next year, Leclaire will not be back, but if Elliott show even moderate improvement, he’ll likely be re-signed as an RFA. The team should sign or acquire a veteran goaltender to split duties with Elliott until one of them really steps up and takes the job. Michael Leighton is an option, but Hedberg, Turco, and Conklin are a few UFAs who will be available. If we want to make a bit of a splash, we can look at Giguere, Niemi, or Harding. But I don’t think it makes sense to tie up the position for too long moving forward, because the hope is that Lehner will be able to be a true starting goaltender in this league by 2012-13.

An Ottawa Senators fan blogging at www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 26, 2011 8:39 PM EST up reply actions

Why beat the Leafs?

I find with our season in the state that it is I’m wanting the Sens to definitely be worse than the Leafs. For one, the Leafs stand in the way of us getting a higher pick. And secondly, that pick will instead go to strengthen our divisional rivals the Bruins because Brian Burke is a moron. I was speaking about this very point with a Leaf fan yesterday and he’s of the same mindset. The Leafs don’t want to gift the Bruins another lottery pick, so they have a vested interest in playing hard down the stretch and inching their way up the standings.

Personally I don’t have much of a bone to pick with the Leafs given the last 5 years. Sure I still dislike them, but really any of the guys I used to despise have been shipped out for spare parts. As much fun as it’s been to see the Leafs as a laughingstock, it’s actually much more fun when both teams are competitive. Then there is a rivalry instead of simply comparing who was less crappy this year.

modsuperstar dot ca | SlideawayMedia

by modsuperstar on Jan 21, 2011 2:03 PM EST reply actions

Kovy?

You didn’t mention shipping out Kovalev as one of your options. He’s definitely available, in the last year of his contract and is the type of veteran I’m sure many teams would like to have around come playoff time. I personally think he’s our best chip to move. This talk of moving Phillips won’t amount to anything, I don’t think Murray has the stones to move out a lifer like him at the deadline.

modsuperstar dot ca | SlideawayMedia

by modsuperstar on Jan 21, 2011 2:06 PM EST reply actions

There is not a GM stupid enoguh to trade for Kovalev.

Somebody would have to be really drunk to acquire him. And what’s the purpose of it? Realistically, the best we can get for him is a 3rd Round Pick. I’d rather us drown the season out with his enigmatic play and see if he actually does something, especially with Peter Regin.

Single, not living happily until the day a Stanley Cup comes my way.

by Henrik_Larsson69 on Jan 21, 2011 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Third-round pick is better than nothing

Why not get rid of the guy if there’s anyone willing to trade for him—hell, I’d take a fifth-rounder if that was the best offer. Move him out, since he won’t be back, get something in return, and play some of the young kids like Butler, Locke, or O’Brien.

An Ottawa Senators fan blogging at www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 21, 2011 6:35 PM EST up reply actions

That logic makes no sense at all. Someone would give up something for Kovy, even if it were a 3rd rounder. Earlier this year there were rumours about St Louis, since they need warm bodies to play forward with their injuries. It wouldn’t shock me if the Rangers, Penguins or Habs made inquiries about him. All 3 are in playoff positions and seem to be hurting for forwards right now. The thing with Kovy is he seems to have to actually be interested and the type of hockey the Sens are playing right now is not interesting. Give him a chance to play with Crosby, Malkin or Gaborik during a playoff run might entice some old magic out of him. Personally I think he’s done, but teams take flyers on players all the time on the off chance a change of scenery might spark a player. Clear him out and give another guy in the AHL a shot.

modsuperstar dot ca | SlideawayMedia

by modsuperstar on Jan 22, 2011 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

Think about it, you’re a young team like St.Louis, Dallas, or LA. You want somebody with playoff experience, but don’t want to break up the locker room chemistry in time for a playoff run. Why in god’s name would you want Alex Kovalev on your team, the “night on, night off” guy, something you don’t want your developing players to take example from. I think hands down either Kovalev drains out of the rest of the season with Ottawa, or gets sent home (presumably the KHL) around the Trade Deadline mark.

Single, not living happily until the day a Stanley Cup comes my way.

by Henrik_Larsson69 on Jan 23, 2011 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

There'll still be interest

Despite his inconsistencies, they guy can still play.
And, he can put pucks in the net come playoff time. If all it cost me was a 3rd rounder, I’d take the risk. If he really hurts the team that badly then he can sit in the press box.

by Smiles on Jan 23, 2011 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

I just think that for a team with injury problems, or looking for some potential scoring depth, Kovalev is a solid acquisition, and he won’t cost them a lot. He’s kind of a perfect playoff rental: Low cost, no term left, huge upside.

If it doesn’t pan out, they can scratch him. If they have an injury in the top six, he can step up and fill in; if not, he can play against weaker opponents in the bottom six forwards.

And let’s be honest, although Kovalev is a night on, night off guy in the regular season, he’s been a good playoff performer through his career.

An Ottawa Senators fan blogging at www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 23, 2011 8:56 PM EST up reply actions