Senators ups and downs: Week 16
by Mark Parisi on Jan 23, 2012 7:00 AM EST
in Ottawa Senators ups and downs
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(Ups and downs is a feature that recaps the individual performances of the Ottawa Senators for the last week.)
On their long road trip, the Senators' tendency to live dangerously and spot their opponents leads has started to catch up with them, as we knew it would inevitably have to. Ottawa gave up the first goal in every game they played this week, which is not generally a recipe for success. Before heading out, the team turned in a 2-0 dud at home, losing to Winnipeg, and then came back from a 2-0 deficit the next night to beat Toronto, 3-2. They followed that up with a 4-1 win over San Jose and closed out the week with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Anaheim. Capturing 4 of 8 points on the week is nice, but so is playing with a lead. That needs to happen more if the Sens expect to make the playoffs and defeat any opponent they face.
Biggest gains: Craig Anderson
Anderson was the common thread across the games this week, as he was the driving factor in the wins--yet again keeping his teammates in games they should have lost, giving them a chance to turn the tide--and he was not at all culpable in the losses: his save percentage for the week was a sterling .950. Anderson is carrying the team through January.
Biggest losses: Bobby Butler
No points this week. No hits, no blocked shots, nada. Only four shots on goal. Is it Bulter's fault? No, not entirely, as his fourth line minutes make it hard to produce, but the bottom line is that his play opened a window for rookie Andre Petersson to play at least one game. Butler should rotate back in next game if Petersson's ice time is any indication, but getting scratched for a rookie when healthy is never a sign of confidence from a coach.
(read on for the complete rundown...)
| Goalies | Trend | Notes |
| Craig Anderson |
|
See "Biggest gains" |
| Alex Auld |
|
Will he see a start before the All-Star break? With the way Anderson's playing, we wouldn't bet on it. |
| Defensemen | ||
| Mark Borowiecki |
|
Borowiecki played very well in his debut, but wisely was not exposed to the aggressive Anaheim forecheck. |
| Matt Carkner |
|
The other Sens player to get scratched for a rookie, Carkner was also considered for "Biggest losses". |
| Jared Cowen |
|
We would like to see him shoot more on the power play. Other than that, no complaints. |
| Sergei Gonchar |
|
One assist and plus-2 this week, both in the same game--the win over San Jose. |
| Erik Karlsson |
|
Yeah, he cost the team a win against Anaheim, being the culprit for both goals against, but how many games has he helped the team win? |
| Filip Kuba |
|
Two assists on the week is about as good as it gets for Kuba, considering that his primary role now is "Do whatever lets Karlsson do whatever he wants." |
| Brian Lee |
|
Currently out with an injury, which we suspect might be in his talent region. |
| Chris Phillips |
|
About as even as you can get this week. Helped Borowiecki in his debut. |
| Forwards | ||
| Daniel Alfredsson |
|
Led the comeback against the Leafs with a two-point game. Three points in four games is pretty good for an old guy, huh? Oh, and he was named an All-Star captain, to the surprise of no one. |
| Bobby Butler |
|
See "Biggest losses". |
| Erik Condra |
|
We can't help but feel Condra would be better suited on the third line, but there's no better option for the Senators right now. |
| Kaspars Daugavins |
|
Apparently Latvians are impervious to things like broken bones and pain. |
| Nick Foligno |
|
Two assists and he fought Dion Phanuef. We'd have given him a green arrow just for the fight--the assists are gravy. |
| Colin Greening |
|
Two goals against San Jose? That's Michalek's gig! |
| Zenon Konopka |
|
You know Ryan Getzlaf is a top center when he's beating Konopka on faceoffs. |
| Milan Michalek |
|
Just one assist this week. Not good enough, Milan. |
| Chris Neil |
|
Ottawa's lone goal against Anaheim and 21 hits in four games. Neil was a factor all week long. |
| Andre Petersson |
|
Unremarkable debut for the rookie, but you can definitely see the promise that makes him so highly valued within the organization. We like him. |
| Zack Smith |
|
Obviously, he doesn't give a crap about concussions. Sidney Crosby should try to be more like Z. Smith--mind over matter. |
| Jason Spezza |
|
Instrumental in the wins against Toronto and San Jose (1G, 2A), but where was he in the losses to Winnipeg and Anaheim (no points)? |
| Kyle Turris |
|
Four points in four games, though like Spezza he was held pointless in the losses. But he's not the top line player, so our expectations are lower. |
| Jesse Winchester |
|
Out indefinitely with a concussion. Should also try to be more like Z. Smith. |
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Comments
While I understand your argument for the lack of arrow on Karlsson...
I still think he should have had one. Past games aside, those gaffes against the Ducks were unacceptable. Although, now that I type it out, I’m realizing that he was pretty solid for the other games of the week…
There you have it… there’s a reason you’re an editor of the blog, and I am but a lowly occasional poster. Post first, ask questions later.
ALFIE! ALFIE! ALFIE!
Please
Your opinion is just as valid as mine.
I thought about it, but truthfully, that was his only bad game of the week—and the trend is for the week as a whole. I already gave him a zero for the game, and I didn’t want to pile on just because his last game left a bad taste in our mouths.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Are you sure that was the reason...
And not threats of bodily harm from Adnan?
You can tell us, Mark… you’re in a safe place.
ALFIE! ALFIE! ALFIE!
Adnan doesn't even like fighting, man
I have nothing to fear from him
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by Mark Parisi on Jan 23, 2012 9:12 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ha!
I am amused by how much I have been linked to Karlsson on this blog.
I don’t talk about him that much do I? ;)
I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
I have a tough time throwing Karlsson under the bus for that OG in Anaheim. He tried to make a skill play and it backfired. He’s a player that plays a high risk, high reward type of game and I’m sure he’ll learn from the mistake.
by modsuperstar on Jan 23, 2012 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
I get that...
And let’s face it, the rewards have far outweighed the risks so far this season.
I’m OK with it now, but at the time I was fuming!
ALFIE! ALFIE! ALFIE!
Yeah, I didn't want to harp on it too much
I mean, you want him to make that play every time, rather than letting the puck fall into the crease and hoping Anderson can find it before any free sticks do. He just got unlucky.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
That's a false dichotomy
The play is to bat it out with your hand.
(There’s also the option of catching it and getting cross-checked from behind into the goalpost, but that tends to lead to a penalty)
by RogerTheShrubber on Jan 23, 2012 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
The Sens decided to reward some players for their play last year… in retrospect rewarding Condra and Greening with contracts worked out really well… so far Butler not so much. I hope we don’t give up on him, and he refinds himself.
And Karlsson is still very young and maturing defensively pretty fast. Players who play that many minutes and are always on when the game is on the line will get highly exposed and will make mistakes.
Unlike Jacques Martin who used to punish players for their mistakes by taking ice time away, eventually killing most of the risk taking that they did, McLean accepts that these mistakes are a part of the game. McLean’s methods seem to work better on the commective self-confidence level.
They were all question marks, potential, unknown commodities
and we should be grateful that Condra, Greening, and even Z. Smith (far from a sure thing as a #3 center prior to the season have emerged as NHL players in their respective roles, as well as Cowen and Turris, too. Daugavins, as a PK specialist.
All those things (along with rebound years from Kuba, Gonchar, Foligno, Alfredsson, Michalek and Spezza) are positives, I would take Butler and Filatov being ‘busts’ 100 times out of a 100 this year on the NHL club if it means Murray hit on the rest of the young guys, and rebound seasons from vets.
Butler is kinda like Filatov in a way.
Butler and Filatov are young, too early to give up on them. Butler may end up more like that other killer B guy, Brandon Bonchenski…….still an asset, but a sniper that doesn’t shoot the puck (the few times he has had the chance to) isn’t any value. His position on the 4th line doesn’t help, but Butler doesn’t seem to impact the games that he was skating with Spezza, so that is not really an excuse. Plus, he has had far more time to show something than Filatov, and it was concluded, with some good reason, and based on less game play, that Filatov couldn’t help our fleet of forwards.
Winchester is a true 4th liner, and if he gets healthy would be a better fit with Konopka and Daugavins, and help on the PK. Maybe Bobby B would benefit refining his trade with De Costa, Petersson and Hoffman in the A.
On the other hand, an injury in the top 6 could give Bobby B yet another opportunity, and maybe this time the posts end up as goals, and he goes on a bit of a streak. Like you said, way too early to give up on him, or Filatov for that manner.
"If you aren't diving, you aren't trying"-Jordin Tootoo
PekKarlsson: The genetic mutant solution to all of Nashville and Ottawa's problems. Shea and Alfie approve.
by PekKarlsson on Jan 23, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Filatov
Does anyone know what kind of a contract Filatov signed over there?
I’d be surprised if Filatov ends up over here for Training Camp next year. He has RFA status next year, and so a 2nd round pick plus $2.3 million a year is what he’d cost another team.
Or they could trade him for a 3rd or 4th round pick. I think we’ve seen the last of Filatov. Too bad. There aren’t too many guys around who can skate like he can, but it takes more than that to play in the NHL.
Murray said he'd qualify him
That’s an awful lot of money for a one way contract…..but if Murray wants him over here on these shores, he may have to do a 1 way. Greening, Condra, Smith, Butler, all got 1 ways just to get the chance to prove themselves as NHLers here with the big club. But with Silfverberg and Zibanejad likely ready next year for top 6 or even top 9 time, a 1 way contract doesn’t guarantee Filatov anything. Like Butler this year.
Maybe you are right, we have seen the last of Filatov. I imagine his deal is a one year in Russia, but can’t find any info on that.
There was a reason we traded for him, a reason why he was drafted 6th……like Turris, maybe put him on a top 6 role from the get go, with people who are responsible and experienced to cover for him as he learns on the fly, and watch him grow…..
In any case, worst case scenario, lost a 3rd round pick for nothing no biggie. Lots of prospects in the system with recent drafting success, so a worthy gamble.
"If you aren't diving, you aren't trying"-Jordin Tootoo
PekKarlsson: The genetic mutant solution to all of Nashville and Ottawa's problems. Shea and Alfie approve.
by PekKarlsson on Jan 23, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
Great post Mark; takes the sting out of a Monday.
I’m still laughing at Lee being injured in the talent region.
by Pmoron on Jan 23, 2012 9:25 AM EST via mobile reply actions
That was awesome
I almost spit out my morning tea. :P
I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
There is no way we trade Kuba now but...
I feel like he could be worth a late 1st round pick now.
I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
I agree...
The temptation must be killing Murray! I can’t imagine nobody has called about him by now… Philly, especially.
The only way I can see this happening is if he has something else worked out for a younger D-man… Ryan Suter perhaps, if you believe the rumours.
ALFIE! ALFIE! ALFIE!
No, I'm not saying we trade Kuba for Suter...
Nashville would be idiotic to do that.
What I meant was that the only way he trades Kuba to a team like Philly is if he has something ELSE in the works, like a trade for Suter.
I’m more worried about screwing with team chemistry at this point. Adding a key piece would be nice, but at what cost?
ALFIE! ALFIE! ALFIE!
disagree
He’s getting up there in age, and one good season does not negate his past two mediocre ones. Even though he’s playing good D and makes nice passes, he doesn’t hit enough for a defensive d-man or put up enough points for an offensive d-man. I think a second rounder is best case scenario.
Co-manager, Silver Seven
You fail to account for stupid GMs
And desperate GMs.
by RogerTheShrubber on Jan 23, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
Chris Campoli brought us a second rounder
It’s amazing what GMs will pay when they’re in a bidding war.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 24, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
rock you like a turricane
just my 2 sens, but brier is out with a concussion…while the experts are pointing to a game where he was highsticked. I would like to point to a game where he dropped the gloves with kyle. a.k.a. the turricane (7 up)
by spezzasbrother on Jan 23, 2012 11:16 AM EST via Android app reply actions
Point about Condra as a 3rd liner
is a good one.
A Condra-Smith-Foligno,
Condra-Smith-Neil, or (like earlier)
Condra-Smith-Daugavins
would be a great 3rd line with D awareness, physical play, and crashing the net.
Condra is on the 2nd prolly as a D conscience for Turris, and has had chemistry with Turris-Alfredsson. I wonder how folks would feel if Foligno and Condra flip-flopped; Foligno was great with Alfie earlier and it much more of a ‘top 6’ guy.
Ponikorovsky got traded on the weekend for a mid-level prospect and a 4th.
Seemed like a low cost; and he could have added some skill, size and grit to the top 6.
I wonder who Murray is looking at….price goes up, closer we get to the deadline, I am sure.
"If you aren't diving, you aren't trying"-Jordin Tootoo
PekKarlsson: The genetic mutant solution to all of Nashville and Ottawa's problems. Shea and Alfie approve.
I just hope it's not Hagman...
like the good folks at Black Aces seem to think would be a fit. I don’t want a journeyman, or a grinder, or a third line type of guy… I want a sure thing, or no changes.
ALFIE! ALFIE! ALFIE!
that's funny
I never heard Ponikarovski and grit mentioned in the same sentence before…
by west-sider on Jan 23, 2012 6:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
How about a backup?
Except for getting a better backup, I’d rather not make too many moves. Trading Kuba is tempting because he’ll be lost for nothing if we don’t move him… and he probably won’t stay for a one year discounted rate.
I don’t think anyone’s stupid enough to give a 1st rounder for Kuba.
I do however, expect one move on defence if we stay in good position for the playoffs.
I would get a better backup.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t move much. If we need to call up some AHLers, we can. We have a glut of medium talent right now, which would be great for a deep run. But I wouldn’t make any other moves.
mentioned it before
But I like the option of taking Kuba on for another year – if he would do that. Maybe 2 depending what the market is. Karlsson is thriving next to him and I see no reason to mess with that.
by west-sider on Jan 23, 2012 7:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
The defence needs to improve
It’s not even good enough as it is, and the team is very shallow if an injury were to take place. If the Sens are serious about a playoff run, a top-four defenceman is a must-have.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 24, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Butler
You guys have short memories-Butler had 22 points in 30 games last year with Spezza-how is that not showing something? He has not once had the opportunity a goal scorer needs to get going and it looks like he could be a guy who just isn’t liked enough by the current coach to want to give him a real chance-And they are playing well so maybe it is just atough break here for Butler andhe needs a new start. He will never be who they want at 8 mins per game and no powere play -(with a shot like that!!) dont compare Butler to Filatov-Filtatov didnt lead an ahl team to a title, nor almost win a hobey baker. Hey-let him rot and dont work with him-when you lose Michalek down the stretch and need goals..
He had zero points in three games this week
That’s the epitome of not showing something.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Furthermore, this article is not about what Butler did last year
It clearly states it is a look at individual performances for the past week only.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I concur with Parisi
Winning a Hobey Baker (Almost) and “leading” his AHL team to a title (um, Z. Smith? The AHL vets? Daugavins? Cowen, BoroCop? Oh, Lehner? Butler was more important than all of these guys???),
and getting 21 pts in 36 games (while being -16) last year,
doesn’t mean we have short memories. Its more that we realize he has been a disappointment this year. Part mitigated by icetime and linemates, but he had ice time earlier this year with Spezza, had some PP time even, and didn’t do anything with those opportunities.
Why not compare him to Filatov? By all accounts, Filatov worked hard during practice, went down and worked hard according to the AHL coach, and only got limited minutes with limited linemates……and is a former top 10 pick who is THREE years young than Butler.
I don’t think Paulrus disliked Filatov, and he doesn’t dislike Butler. Its more that you play the guys who are helping you win. Butler isn’t. Not to say he can’t in the future. Other guys deserve it more. Maybe he needs more time in the AHL. He was -16 last year, so perhaps for a bigger role he needs to hone his D part of the game in the minors.
"If you aren't diving, you aren't trying"-Jordin Tootoo
PekKarlsson: The genetic mutant solution to all of Nashville and Ottawa's problems. Shea and Alfie approve.
Well, I actually don't believe Butler deserves to be playing on the fourth line
Nor do I believe Filatov comparisons are valid. But Butler didn’t do anything last week. I don’t think there’s a lot of room to argue that point.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
You don't understand what weekly ups and downs are about
Read the first sentence of the post, please.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 24, 2012 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
actually think you nailed it this week, Mark
Only one I woulda thought about was Daugavins for biggest Gainer this week. Anderson maintained in my opinion (although not showing any signs of fatigue in carrying the team is worth the Gain) but I think Daugavins showed us something (heart/commitment) at a level I didn’t know he had him. Think he bought himself a lot of cred with the org and fans with his gut performance this week.
by west-sider on Jan 23, 2012 7:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Really?
I wasn’t at all surprised by his playing. He’s always struck me as a guy who would play if he could stand up—that’s how he got the gig in the first place, as far as I’m concerned. He’ll literally play until he drops, which is great on the fourth line and penalty killing.
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