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Saturday Notes: Trade Front and Numbers

November 19, 2011, 4:00 PM ET [ Comments]
Travis Yost
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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UPDATE(4:00 PM ET): Appears that Cory Schneider will get the start against the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night.
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It's Hockey Night in Canada, and Ottawa's not playing. Feels a bit weird, eh? Apparently, the reason why Ottawa and Vancouver aren't playing the late night game on Saturday is due to previously-scheduled college basketball at Rogers Arena.

Only reason why I'm giving it a pass? Gonzaga's in town, and in case you haven't noticed, they can hoop with the best of 'em. They're hosting Hawaii, with tip-off at 9:00 PM ET.

So, there's your explanation as to why we have to wait an extra day for Ottawa Senators hockey. Below, a couple of thoughts regarding the Ottawa Senators at the twenty game mark.

---First and foremost, the trade front. Bryan Murray had some interesting answers for the media when asked about potential trades to improve this team in the immediate future, seeing as how they're still very much alive in the playoff race. I'm not sure many - if any - fans expect this team to be alive in March and April, but it's hard to ignore the fact that at 10-9-1, Ottawa's played some very respectable hockey.

Said Murray(h/t SN):

"Going forward, we may address an issue if we feel there is one, " Murray told reporters in Vancouver on Friday morning. "Obviously, management and coaches will talk as we get towards the next twenty games and see if there is something realistic that we can add to the team that will make us better. Then we'll see what the cost is."


I'm pretty sure Bryan Murray won't be shopping any of the blue-chip prospects this team has to offer, but I also wouldn't be floored if he does go out and bring in a center capable of playing at the 2LC, a spot that many had handed to Mika Zibanejad early in the season. When Zibanejad was sent back to the SEL, Ottawa nervously penciled in Peter Regin. When Peter Regin went down with another injury, the Senators went into full scramble mode.

Stephane Da Costa is a nice player, but he's really not cut out for those kind of minutes right now. His talent is pretty apparent, but I'm just not sure that his frame - or lack thereof - is capable of handling such crucial ice time. Against Calgary, Da Costa was a cringeworthy 1-for-16 in the circle. Not going to win many games drawing like that.

It's been reported that Murray's had interest in some names like Derick Brassard and Kyle Turris, but neither player seems like a realistic acquisition at this stage of the game.

My best guess? If Ottawa's still floating around the .500 mark come the trade deadline, Bryan Murray will go out and get a veteran center whose contract won't hold this team down in the future. Dollars might not be the issue here, but rather term. Logically speaking, Murray would probably like to grab a guy who is nearing the end of his deal, filling in as a short-term stop-gap rather than a long-term solution.

---After a blazing start, Jason Spezza has cooled off a bit in the points race. He's still performing at an admirable rate (6G/13A in 19GP), but he's dropped to 15th in scoring, tied with the likes of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Toews, and Jamie Benn. Then again, perhaps that's not such a bad spot - consider the company he's currently keeping!

---Erik Karlsson's still leading the league in assists, tied with the venerable Daniel Sedin at 17. For those wondering, Erik Karlsson's on pace for 4G/68A over a healthy 80 games played. Uhh - that's absurd.

---Milan Michalek(12) is still very much alive in the goal scoring race, just one back of the white-hot Phil Kessel(13). Some of the other big scorers to start the year include James Neal(12), Thomas Vanek(11), Claude Giroux(11), Tyler Seguin(11), and Steven Stamkos(11).

Probably worth noting that Michalek's shot percentage is an otherworldly 20.7% right now, meaning he's due for a cooler in the near future. Don't say I didn't warn you!

---No surprise to see Zack Smith atop the +/- for Ottawa at +4. Jesse Winchester and Filip Kuba(!) are also at the +4 mark, but Smith in particular has to be among the biggest surprises for the team this season. His physicality and tenacity have made him a valuable commodity in Ottawa's bottom-six, and other teams are clearly thrown out of their element when he's on the ice.

The other end of the spectrum? That'd be two youngsters in Colin Greening and Stephane Da Costa at -8. Both have struggled of late, so here's to hoping they can turn it around sooner rather than later.

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