What this reeks of to me is that he was the 5th or 6th best centre on the team in training camp, and they weren't going to demote Smith because of waivers.
- the_terror

He probably does need time in the ahl ,but its the over budget crap that has me pissed.So say someone offers us a great trade but there is money coming back?? What happens then ??

Does anyone seriously think they would demote a player who makes the team better just to save a buck? Come on people, I get that Ottawa is a team on a budget, but there's no way they would actually do that. He got outplayed in camp, he doesn't need to clear waivers to go down, so if you want to play numbers, those are the ones you should be looking at, not the ones on his paycheque.
- the_terror

Zbad didnt look that bad either,SDC never played in the bottom 6 role, like he and JGP did.

The ducks Atlantic predictions
Boston
Leafs
Red Wings
Panthers
Sens
TBL
Canadians
Sabres

The ducks Atlantic predictions
Boston
Leafs
Red Wings
Panthers
Sens
TBL
Canadians
Sabres
- mighty13duck

Panthers ahead of the Sens and Canadiens?

The ducks Atlantic predictions
Boston
Leafs
Red Wings
Panthers
Sens
TBL
Canadians
Sabres
- mighty13duck

The panthers really??i know you guys beat us in preseason but come on

The ducks Atlantic predictions
Boston
Leafs
Red Wings
Panthers
Sens
TBL
Canadians
Sabres
- mighty13duck

Panthers ahead of the Sens and Canadiens?
- Nucker101

I feel like they are going to be the surprise team of the east.

- Iggysbff

He probably does need time in the ahl ,but its the over budget crap that has me pissed.So say someone offers us a great trade but there is money coming back?? What happens then ??
- top shelf 15

Don't know, but all you can do is wait and see.

There's an angle to what Eugene is up to, but you can be certain that no billionaire gets to be a billionaire by making dumb decisions with his money, or by being completely honest in the public eye, especially when he's trying to leverage money from the city. The Senators, and what they mean to the city of Ottawa, are the ace up his sleeve. Of course he's going to make it sound like they're about to go belly up, it puts politicians in the difficult position of having to make a decision. They either call his bluff and tell him no way, or they give in. If they call his bluff and the status quo is retained, then they win. If they hand the money over (or in this case, the casino rights) and the team starts spending again, then they win. If they give him nothing and he ends up becoming financially insolvent, then the municipal government ends up looking like the bad guys, and in politics, being the bad guy isn't exactly good for your long-term job security. Just ask Larry O'Brien.

Eugene is playing games, there's no doubt. But the Senators, even with a reduced payroll, are among the best teams in the east, and if Murray needs to add a body at the deadline to put them over the top, I'm sure he'll get approval for it.

I feel like they are going to be the surprise team of the east.
- mighty13duck

Ok ,but i wouldnt bet any serious money on that

Don't know, but all you can do is wait and see.

There's an angle to what Eugene is up to, but you can be certain that no billionaire gets to be a billionaire by making dumb decisions with his money, or by being completely honest in the public eye, especially when he's trying to leverage money from the city. The Senators, and what they mean to the city of Ottawa, are the ace up his sleeve. Of course he's going to make it sound like they're about to go belly up, it puts politicians in the difficult position of having to make a decision. They either call his bluff and tell him no way, or they give in. If they call his bluff and the status quo is retained, then they win. If they hand the money over (or in this case, the casino rights) and the team starts spending again, then they win. If they give him nothing and he ends up becoming financially insolvent, then the municipal government ends up looking like the bad guys, and in politics, being the bad guy isn't exactly good for your long-term job security. Just ask Larry O'Brien.

Eugene is playing games, there's no doubt. But the Senators, even with a reduced payroll, are among the best teams in the east, and if Murray needs to add a body at the deadline to put them over the top, I'm sure he'll get approval for it.
- the_terror

too long

Ok ,but i wouldnt bet any serious money on that
- top shelf 15

of course not

Fair enough ,but you cant blame any fans for being a little upset .We have an owner that is spending like we are on life support,our best ever player leaving, because of what looks now to be a money issue ,him also calling names and arguing with city council over a casino bid .And just a day after he claims that we are over budget, cuts a player that helped us make the playoffs last season.

So you tell me how does the optics of all that look to you ???
- top shelf 15

It can look anyway you want it to look. To me it looks like other players have stepped up and Zibanejad hasn't. His growth has been slow, and instead of another year on the 3rd line grinding, maybe he's better off going down and developing the offensive part of his game which isn't top 6 ready at the NHL level. going down and being a go to guy and leader will probably be really beneficial to him as well if he takes the demotion the right way.

I don't think they would risk cutting an 8th overall pick and temporarily hurting his confidence to save less then 1 million bucks.

Gardiner for Zibanejad ?
- senstroll

Yes

I feel like they are going to be the surprise team of the east.
- mighty13duck

Theres always a surprise team or 2. The safe predictions never work out in the nhl.

Zbad didnt look that bad either,SDC never played in the bottom 6 role, like he and JGP did.
- top shelf 15

Fair.

But Spezza and Turris aren't going anywhere. Pageau played too well to be going anywhere. Smith isn't going anywhere. And Da Costa outplayed Zibanejad, even in preseason games where Da Costa's linemates were Greening and Condra.

Zibanejad didn't establish himself, and he doesn't have to clear waivers. That's all this was. It was him or Pageau going down, that's the decision they had to make.

too long
- mighty13duck

So ask your 3rd period english teacher to read it to you.

Theres always a surprise team or 2. The safe predictions never work out in the nhl.
- rangerdanger94

Lets just hope Eks over the top NJD prediction is way off

So ask your 3rd period english teacher to read it to you.
- the_terror

I just graduated with a BS in Biology and am applying to medical school. I can read my friend

Does anyone seriously think they would demote a player who makes the team better just to save a buck? Come on people, I get that Ottawa is a team on a budget, but there's no way they would actually do that. He got outplayed in camp, he doesn't need to clear waivers to go down, so if you want to play numbers, those are the ones you should be looking at, not the ones on his paycheque.
- the_terror

Yes! Why?

Because DaCosta is not bottom 6 material. He isn't big and strong. He isn't overly fast. He isn't physical and he doesn't PK.

I get that they are probably trying to showcase him, but what a slap in the face to Zibby.

Also, just because Zibby didn't get a ton of points in the preseason doesn't mean he was outplayed by DaCosta. Zibby looked bigger, strong and faster than last season in the games I was able to see.

He was also playing with Neil and Greening, not top 6 guys like DaCosta. Hardly offensive stars.

It can look anyway you want it to look. To me it looks like other players have stepped up and Zibanejad hasn't. His growth has been slow, and instead of another year on the 3rd line grinding, maybe he's better off going down and developing the offensive part of his game which isn't top 6 ready at the NHL level. going down and being a go to guy and leader will probably be really beneficial to him as well if he takes the demotion the right way.

I don't think they would risk cutting an 8th overall pick and temporarily hurting his confidence to save less then 1 million bucks.
- matt272

6th

I dont see ur owner cutting a kid on ELC to save money when he considers ur team to be Stanley Cup contenders. Just my opinion.

Yeah I agree with you, that is why Zbad is sent down, I was talking more for the upcoming years. Conacher is currently a great fit, but if Zbad can get some good experience as a winger, it surely will not hurt the organization to have more depth along the wings... Sens are currently stacked down the middle.
- PtotheY

Not to mention that they are paying JOB his full NHL salary in the minors.

Did financials/contract play a role in this decision, yes. Was it the deciding factor, not even close.

It is asset management>development>rewarding for performance>financials.

Sorry nothing more juicy here.

I dont see ur owner cutting a kid on ELC to save money when he considers ur team to be Stanley Cup contenders. Just my opinion.
- rangerdanger94

I don't even know if Wang would do that

Don't know, but all you can do is wait and see.

There's an angle to what Eugene is up to, but you can be certain that no billionaire gets to be a billionaire by making dumb decisions with his money, or by being completely honest in the public eye, especially when he's trying to leverage money from the city. The Senators, and what they mean to the city of Ottawa, are the ace up his sleeve. Of course he's going to make it sound like they're about to go belly up, it puts politicians in the difficult position of having to make a decision. They either call his bluff and tell him no way, or they give in. If they call his bluff and the status quo is retained, then they win. If they hand the money over (or in this case, the casino rights) and the team starts spending again, then they win. If they give him nothing and he ends up becoming financially insolvent, then the municipal government ends up looking like the bad guys, and in politics, being the bad guy isn't exactly good for your long-term job security. Just ask Larry O'Brien.

Eugene is playing games, there's no doubt. But the Senators, even with a reduced payroll, are among the best teams in the east, and if Murray needs to add a body at the deadline to put them over the top, I'm sure he'll get approval for it.
- the_terror

This all makes sense,but there can only be one casino .As much as we love our sens ,the city does,nt begin and end in kanata.

EM calling names to council and holding us hostage, doesnt do much if the federal goverment isnt going to give the city more than one casino ,he should be barking at them