Silver Nuggets: Senators host Bruins; Cowen versus Kadri comparisons
by Adnan on Sep 21, 2011 1:00 PM EDT
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Tonight, the Ottawa Senators host their pre-season home opener, against the Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins. For those of you not attending the game, the game will be broadcast nationally on TSN. Thanks to @luwedge on twitter, I believe this should be the chant of the day:
It's game day, game day, #Sens gonna win on game day (sung to tune of "friday")
With that, here are today's links:
Tonight's game
- Lines for tonight are: 1) Nikita Filatov - Mika Zibanejad - Bobby Butler; 2) Nick Foligno - Peter Regin - Erik Condra; 3) Shane Prince - Stephane Da Costa - Jim O'Brien; 4) Kaspars Daugavins - Corey Locke - Mark Parrish. (Joy Lindsay)
- Defensive pairings for tonight are: 1) Jared Cowen - Sergei Gonchar; 2) Chris Phillips - Brian Lee; 3) Mark Borowiecki - David Rundblad. The goaltenders are Craig Anderson and Alex Auld. (Joy Lindsay)
- The Bruins roster for tonight includes Chris Kelly, Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron, but no Zdeno Chara or Tim Thomas. (Boston.com)
- David Rundblad on what he needs to do better tonight: "I think I learned that the game here is much faster and more intensive than I'm used to". (Ian Mendes)
General Sens Links
- Ever since Brian Burke told Bryan Murray that he was going to pick Nazem Kadri, there have been comparisons made to Jared Cowen (similar to Lee/Kopitar and eventually Rundblad/Tarasenko and Zibanejad/Couturier). Nichols wonders if Murray wanted to pick Kadri after all, and notes the confidence that the Sens have in Cowen versus the Leafs in Kadri. He also notes that one of Zenon Konopka's strengths was face-offs, where he went 7 for 15 on Monday. Lastly, with Erik Karlsson playing 30 minutes a night towards the end of last season and 28 minutes on Monday, is this going to be a regular occurrence? (The 6th Sens)
- Keeping with the theme from Darren's article on Brian Lee this morning, here is another article on the defenceman. It notes that throughout his prolonged benching, he never complained, and when he did get in, he played very well. I don't agree that Carkner provides more bodychecking than Brian Lee, considering Lee had 17 more hits than Carkner in the same number of games. Lee also led all Senators players in hits per game. (Ottawa Citizen)
- Paul MacLean says he will have a talk with
forwardgoon Francis Lessard about his hit on Nikita Filatov. He also added that he should reserve that for opponents. Meanwhile, Colin Greening hopes he gets to play against the Jets next week in his hometown of St. John's. (Ottawa Sun) - Speaking of Lessard, here is a listing of various Melnyk comments where he specifically said that he told Bryan Murray to not sign goons. The one on 5 April, 2011 was a mere weeks before Francis Lessard was given an extension. Whatever you may think of Melnyk interfering, he can't claim that he gave Murray a mandate to do that (unless Murray just ignored him). (The 6th Sens)
- Jared Cowen thinks it is easier to impress the coaches if he is useful at both ends of the ice and not just defensively. His two goal game on Monday would definitely help, but he accepts that being an offensive guy isn't what he was picked for, he will take his chances when it is there. He also says that scoring goals is the "funnest" thing to do. (Ottawa Senators)
- With all the attention on the Senators young rookies and their older veterans, what about the guys in between? The Senators will need (or hope for) a big season from Nick Foligno and Peter Regin. (Ottawa Citizen)
- Sergei Gonchar thinks this Senators team is good enough to make the playoffs. Also, while he is looking forward to playing the right point on the power play, he doesn't think that alone will fix the power play and feels the Senators need more presence near the net. Ian Mendes thinks that Gonchar can help mold some of the young defencemen such as Erik Karlsson, David Rundblad and Jared Cowen. Rundblad for one is definitely relishing the opportunity to learn from Gonchar. (Sportsnet)
- Lee Sweatt who suddenly retired after signing a contract with the Senators, sheds some light on his reasoning. It turns out that he wants to work in the financial industry, where he will likely make more money than being an AHL player. (CBC)
- If history is anything to go by, Stephane Da Costa will start the season in Binghamton, considering the paths of Bobby Butler, Tyler Bozak, Andy McDonald, Christian Hanson and Rene Bourque. (The 6th Sens)
- The Senators announced their french broadcast schedule on TVA for this season. (Les Sénateurs d'Ottawa)
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Bingo's A-lineup
I wonder if we will see a preview of Binghamton’s A-lineup tonight when the following are on the ice:
Daugavins-Locke-Parrish (Bingo’s #1 line)
Borowiecki-Rundblad (if Runblad spends time down there)
Obviously Lehner is missing, but that is a pretty nice unit. Swap in Wiercioch for Borowiecki and you get the PP unit.
expect peterrson to get some PP time too
I know KK thinks quite highly of his skill
Gonchar
Do both he and Karlsson both naturally play the right point on the power play? Does Karlsson care which side he plays?
Why was Gonchar on the left point last season? I can’t remember the coaches’ reasons for putting him there. Does someone else know?
I always assumed that the PP Clouston and staff drew up (CIRCLES) simply required the best defensman there
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I would love to have everyone on opposite sides of where they shoot on the power play
LW – Filatov, C – Spezza, RW – Michalek
LD – Karlsson RD – Gonchar
Done and done!
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Think this is a likely unit.
Two creators in Filatov and Spezza, net presence in Michalek and Karlsson-Gonchar on their one-timer sides.
Leaves second unit for Alfie to run
Alfie/Butler-Regin/Da Costa-Foligno
Alfie/Cowen-Kuba
If you want to give Bulter PP time, it might be interesting to see Alfie back on the point again, assuming Rundblad isn’t on the team to start.
Except against Buffalo right?
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
I think you'll see Alfie on the 1st unit PP
I think we’ll see Alfie spend most of his time on the 2nd line this year and I think his PK days are over, that will save the hard miles on his body. There is no doubt in my mind he can still produce when healthy, and I would be suprised if he didn’t play the 1st unit for the majority of the season.
There is no doubt that a variety of players will be given a shot, and it will likely be changing all season unless a new ‘cash’ line develops.
I think the season will likely start with a Butler/Filatov-Spezza-Alfie w/ Gonch & Karlsson in the back.
Second unit will have Foligno, DaCosta/Regin/Z-bad (whoever makes it), don’t forget about Greening & Condra as well who will see opportunity. Back end will be Runblad, Cowen, Kuba
You don't think Michalek will get any power play time?
I would definitely put him ahead of Foligno.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
I knew there was a name I was missing
I think he’ll be on the second unit mainly, I don’t know that we’ll see him much on the top unit unless one of the kids struggles.
Spezza-Alfie though I think is a permanent lock for the 1st unit unless Filatov-Spezza-Butler becomes the ‘cash’ line I was referring to.
Michalek
The first PP unit needs someone who is going to spend his time around and in front of the net. If it is not going to be Michalek then it will have to be Butler. That is not Alfie’s, Spezza’s or Filatov’s game, so I would not expect to see those three together on the same PP unit (unless it was with Alfie at one of the points).
I haven't seen Filatov's shot yet,
But there was no ‘net presence’ when it was Heatley-Spezza-Alfie, I can see Butler filling the Heatley role. I don’t know if Filitov has a sniper’s release or not. I just haven’t seen any chemistry from the Michalek-Spezza combination. They’ve made it work because there was no one else, but I think there is a better combo.
there was no ‘net presence’ when it was Heatley-Spezza-Alfie
I agree, and that was a major issue for the power play back then. How many times did they pass it around the outside for half the power play before taking one shot and then having the puck cleared. The Heatley one-timers and Alfredsson back door passes were great, but the conversion rate would have been better in those days with more net presence.
I just haven’t seen any chemistry from the Michalek-Spezza combination.
I agree that they don’t seem to work that well together making plays at even strength. This would be a more specific role for Michalek which might improve things. And if not…
I think there is a better combo
…maybe Butler is the answer. In general, if you can put someone in around the net then one or both defenders have to collapse in to cover him and more space will open up for playmakers like Spezza, Alfredsson and/or Filatov. He’d also provide a screen and hopefully some tips and/or rebounds.
From my point of view, it just makes sense to have someone in the middle stirring things up on the powerplay. Of course, they have to have the skills to convert the chances that will inevitably come their way. Down the road this might be an ideal role for a guy like Stone or Noesen. In the meantime, Butler and Michalek seem like the best options.
Michalek actually has done well on the power play two years ago when healthy
playing mainly on the top unit. He knows how to score in front. 8 goals that year on the PP
Michalek is a great guy for the breakout pass.
Karlsson gets it to him, he turns on the jets and BOOM!
His surgically augmented knees propel him forward at LIGHT SPEED!
Hockey Anticipation
Waiting for hockey to start is really starting to resemble hemorrhoids…
You just cant get rid of the itch.
Jared Cowen always looks like he doesn't know where he is
He’s got that “Old person wandered away from the nursing home and doesn’t recognize their surroundings” vacant gaze.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Sep 21, 2011 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Thanks a lot Mark
I just burst out laughing in my office.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Chara and Jared
Both of these guys remind me of Lurch from the Adams family
by whatsinaname on Sep 21, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
BTW
was looking at Shane Prince’s profile.. Im quite surprised to see that although Ottawa drafted him, he plays as a center for the Winnepeg Jets.
It's in the link in his name on the projected lines.
Space for rent.
by awr.campbell on Sep 21, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
It also lists him as center.
I thought he was LW
by A. Al Najjar on Sep 21, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Word on Michalek?
It would suck if he’s even somewhat hurt. That dude needs to drink his milk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHbj53fZx2Y
ha, I love that video of Burke “bullying” Murray with picking Kadri. It always found it odd that Burke offered up the info on who he wanted (which turned out to be truculently true), and Murray just walked away. And I guess people thought he gave up on Kadri or something? I dunno… once someone reveals their cards, everything changes. Probably good on Murray to do it that way. Kadri might have had a better chance to succeed here (less pressure perhaps?), but Cowen looks like a sure thing.
Kadri vs Jared
I for one am so glad we drafted Jared and not Kadri
by whatsinaname on Sep 21, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
just imagine...
Cowen & Schenn on the Leafs back end for the next ten years…ugly!
I’m glad Murray pulled that one off
Proteau thinks the Sens have two legit Calder candidates.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/41854-THNcom-Top-10-Calder-candidates.html
Cowen #9, Rundblad #2.
He also thinks there are two candidates on the Flyers.
Cowen probably has a better shot than Rundblad.
Purely because Cowen can get shutdown minutes, while Rundblad’s game requires him to score goals – by being on the second D pairing (Gonch/Karlsson first) and without PP time, that may be more difficult.
Cowen will be used in more of a shut down role
Assuming Cowen starts the season on the team, and Runblad plays in at least 1/2 the games, Runblad will still end up with more points than Cowen imo.
It isn’t that Cowen can’t put up points, but with Gonchar, Karlsson, Kuba & Runblad, the team doesn’t need him to. So despite him potentially having a fantastic possibly calder consideration worthy season, he won’t win the trophy beause inevitably some other rookie will score 60+ points and take the trophy home.
If Runbald doesn’t play the whole season (and it sounds like he won’t) then Runblad won’t even be in the running for the calder.
If anyone from the Sens is going to win, I’d be looking the way of Zibanejad or DaCosta. I know its still preseason, but I think these guys are both showing they can play in this league.
Good points
Yeah, I agree with your assessment. If DaCosta or Zibanejad can decisively win the second line centre job then they will spend the season playing on a line with guys like Alfie, Michalek, Filatov. If they were able to maintain a fair level of consistency then you are probably looking at a 40+ point season that would at least get them into the Calder conversation.
For Cowen to be in the conversation he would probably need to put up some pretty crazy stats for a rookie defensive d-man. He’d definitely need to lead all rookies in hits, he’d need to have a good +/- (on a team that is likely to give up more goals than it scores) and he’d probably need to score at least 20 points. That’s a tall order for the kid.
Rundblad will likely have to outplay Kuba to get enough ice-time to be in the running for ROY. That is not impossible, but it would be a tall order.
Go back and look at the past issues of this
They are usually very far off. its very hard to predict this
I wonder if we'll ever know?
Given the choice would BM have taken Cowen over Kadri? We are still probably 3+ years from knowing who was the better pick. I like Jared’s chances though.
Settled in here up in the booth. We're back at it very shortly!
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
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