Silver Nuggets: Karlsson decision due, Kuba may be ready for next game
A wicked boatload of Ottawa Senators-related news for your enjoyment this fine Tuesday morning, and check-in for updates as the day goes on:
- Every blog this side of Cincinnati is talking about the decision the Senators will have to make with regards to rookie Erik Karlsson (S7S included). So are the mainstream dudes. I don't know where Brennan gets off saying Ottawa's leaning towards sending Karly back to Sweden when GM Bryan Murray said the opposite, but I guess that's why he's the professional, right? (Sun)
- It really was a crazy week for the Senators last week; barely losing a game they didn't deserve to win, and then barely losing a game they did deserve to win. And man, the Sens powerplay sucks. (Citizen)
- Filip Kuba's back skating with the Senators, and was working on the powerplay in practice alongside Daniel Alfredsson. (TEAM 1200)
- Through nine games, Jonathan Cheechoo has no goals, two assists, and plenty of critics. One quality analysis is from Duff, who attributes Cheech's fall-off from his 56 goal season to poor positioning, a less lethal release, and his speed falling off. (Another Sens Blog)
- Jesse Winchester's 'conditioning stint' in Binghamton has left Ottawa's roster at 22, while the max is 23; could that open a spot for Brian Lee? I doubt it, but whatever. (SenShot)
- The Senators released a pretty awesome rundown of how prospects are doing this season, well worth a look. Highlights are Jared Cowen's 3G and 4A in 8GP, Derek Grant's 4G and 5A 6GP, and Mike Hoffman's 7G, 1A in 7GP. (Twitter, .PDF file)
- Apparently Theoren Fleury offers two wise notes about the Senators in his new book, Playing With Fire: Alex Daigle was too stupid to be an NHLer, and John Muckler's just an idiot. (The 6th Sens)
- So far this season, the Senators are averaging 399 less tickets sold than last year. An indicator of the opponents of the home games so far (although the Bruins and Penguins are draws, the same can`t be said of the Islanders, Thrashers, Lightning, and Predators), but if the Sens keep playing this way, I expect this trend to turn around. (From the Rink)
- Ten points in nine games for off-season acquisition Martin St. Pierre with Binghamton? This calls for a player profile. (FOX 40)
- It wouldn't be a Silver Nugget without some Robin Lehner praise. Soo Greyhounds columnist Bill Montague said this about the prospect goalie: "After watching Robin Lehner, there's no doubt in my mind he's the most skilled goaltender to play in Sault Ste. Marie since, well, I can't remember. This kid has game. He's big. He's competitive. He's great at cutting down angles and he anticipates what's going to happen well before it happens. He also controls his rebounds incredibly well and has 'PRO' written all over him." Lehner's 3-4-1 with a GAA of 2.53 and a SP of .930 so far this season. (Sault Star)
- Speaking of Lehner, some random columnist in Edmonton suggested that with how well the kid is playing, Brian Elliott might be expendable this off-season. I'm... not ready to say that just yet. (Edmonton Journal)
- More than 2000 days. Last time the Toronto Maple Leafs played a playoff game, YouTube wasn't even a thing. (Battle of Ontario)