He's looked to casual on some shot/plays this year. He's never been the greatest positional goalie in the world, so he needs to rely on his quickness and reactions to be most effective. Maybe it's just a slump, but regardless, it's time for Lehner to get some quality starting time.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Sens need steller goaltending to win games, especially at this point. that's what makes the sens pesky, so to speak. we %#@! up, but if we don't get killed on our mistakes, we are there till the bitter end, fighting. softgoals just KILLLLLL US...

i think mac was experimenting, giving andy a chance to redeem. not saying this is the best or right call, just the only way i can make sense of him starting andy back to back.

bring on the lehner.

10 more thoughts

The Sens organization is just in a really bad spot right on all fronts:

1) Ownership: Melnyk's financially handcuffing this team and the Alfie saga has really put a dark cloud over the franchise. The buzz around the city has been so quiet since the start of the year.

2) Losing Alfie: enough said.

3) Brutal Schedule: We played poorly to start the year, but we also played against some really elite teams. If a few of those games are against weaker teams and we squeeze out a couple wins instead, things wouldn't look as bad in the standings and the players confidence would be higher.

4) Craig Anderson: Lehner has been good, Anderson not so much. Andy started game one of the year on fire, its been downhill ever since. Early he played well, most goals he didn't have chance and was a result of the teams poor play. All those goals have taken a toll and now he's just looked really weak. no confidence.

5) Missed opportunity to add needed assets: Last year the sens had a 3 headed monster in nets. Anderson was the best goalie in the league, Lehner and Bishop both played great. The writing has been on the wall that Lehner would someday take over the #1 spot in Ottawa. Most of us knew that Bishop could end up being a top 10 NHL goalie. Conacher has been poorly used in Ottawa and can be effective but Ottawa should have got more. To only turn our 3 headed monster into Cory Conacher was a missed opportunity. Andy's value was at an all time high with a great contract and now his value is non-existant. Its easy to say now, but they should found a way to get more assets. Possibly traded Anderson when his value was high. Its hard to say it after the way he got us past the Habs, but its Murray's job to make the best decisions to ensure the best team going forward. Lehner was starting to show flashes last year and we can see now that he's ready.

6) Where are the fans?: The Empty seats at every home game are embarrasing and the silence in the building is worse then usual.

7) Afternoon games: what a brutal idea! who cares if you get more money from Sportnet, but who really wants to watch a game in the afternoon on the weekend during some of our only time off from work to get real things done. The visiting team who is in town with nothing but playing hockey on there mind (Ottawa's nightlife is non-existant) has the clear advantage compared to the sens who are home with family and responsabilites before rushing off to the rink. A winning team makes money, so the extra money from sportsnet afternoon games has been offset by the team poor performance in these games and lack of fans. who wants to buy 12$ beer at 1:00pm?

8) Too many players regressing instead of progressing. Cowen played like a 30 year old veteran in his first year. he's been brutal since. Wiercoch couldn't crack the lineup for several years and never lived up to his original hype. He got to stick around long enough in the organization and finally got a chance last year and played well. mainly on the PP. Should have known better then to trust in him after half a season. Milan Michalek. well...Milan just sucks. out there in his own little world making big wide turns woohoo. I hope he's enjoying it.

9) Poor coaching: Maclean has been given the benefit of the doubt coming of his jack adams award last year. 26 games in to the year and still dealing with the same inconsistencies. The coach needs to take some of the blame at this point. Way too much line juggling early on. Not realizing and making the obvious lineup decisions. no being able to find ways to improve this team.

10) CTC location (just to round it off at 10): Ive heard the stories of Habs fans in montreal. getting together at the local bars on ste-catherine street in downtown montreal, having some beers and a good time then walking over to the Bell centre in the middle of downtown. What a luxury. With no more extra free tickets being given out to season ticket holders are we fnally seeing what the regular paid attendence is like? I Wish Melnyk would have never been able to purchase the Rink in kanata at the time and built a new rink in the downtown area like he said he would if he hadn't got such a good price. But then again, what state financially would we be in if he had put money into building an arena.

[quote=matt272]10 more thoughts

The Sens organization is just in a really bad spot right on all fronts:

I agree with every one of your points...its been a sad, sad year so far.

[quote=matt272]10 more thoughts

The Sens organization is just in a really bad spot right on all fronts:

I agree with every one of your points...its been a sad, sad year so far.

- OtownSens

I was also thinking of adding the "Fearless" team slogan for this year..what a joke lol

Pesky wasn't the official slogan last year. they should have just made that official this year. I think everyone liked that one. The players themselves tweet #Pesky any time they've had a chance to after a win this year.

Excellent post as usual Travis, the host, Yost.

My two thoughts for the day are 1. Anderson needs to back up Lehner and 2. That Zinanejad kid is really coming into his own and he needs to play top six and he will develop into a top scorer. He has break through written all over him.

I really wonder what MacLean is thinking and his logic seems to be off in my opinion. If he decides to put Zibby on a fourth line or send him back to the AHL or something stupid he should be fired. He is ruining some of this talent with his head game approach, just my opinion.
- flyerdude17

I agree with both these points. Zib is putting up points. More so than anyone outside the Turris line. That's with playing outside Spezza, and with less games playerd. Leave on Spezzas line for 5 games, and good things will happen. He already has two goals in his last two games.

If he stays consistent, and stays there then I think he could come close to hitting 20 goals. Actually hitting it would be hard, but for a 20 year old that's pretty good on it's own.

I was also thinking of adding the "Fearless" team slogan for this year..what a joke lol

Pesky wasn't the official slogan last year. they should have just made that official this year. I think everyone liked that one. The players themselves tweet #Pesky any time they've had a chance to after a win this year.
- matt272

Lol ya i agree I like Pesky better however theres no way a slogan changes any sort of play on the ice.

Lol ya i agree I like Pesky better however theres no way a slogan changes any sort of play on the ice.
- OtownSens

I donno, a lot of those clears straight up the middle of the ice are pretty fearless...

10 more thoughts

The Sens organization is just in a really bad spot right on all fronts:

1) Ownership: Melnyk's financially handcuffing this team and the Alfie saga has really put a dark cloud over the franchise. The buzz around the city has been so quiet since the start of the year.

2) Losing Alfie: enough said.

3) Brutal Schedule: We played poorly to start the year, but we also played against some really elite teams. If a few of those games are against weaker teams and we squeeze out a couple wins instead, things wouldn't look as bad in the standings and the players confidence would be higher.

4) Craig Anderson: Lehner has been good, Anderson not so much. Andy started game one of the year on fire, its been downhill ever since. Early he played well, most goals he didn't have chance and was a result of the teams poor play. All those goals have taken a toll and now he's just looked really weak. no confidence.

5) Missed opportunity to add needed assets: Last year the sens had a 3 headed monster in nets. Anderson was the best goalie in the league, Lehner and Bishop both played great. The writing has been on the wall that Lehner would someday take over the #1 spot in Ottawa. Most of us knew that Bishop could end up being a top 10 NHL goalie. Conacher has been poorly used in Ottawa and can be effective but Ottawa should have got more. To only turn our 3 headed monster into Cory Conacher was a missed opportunity. Andy's value was at an all time high with a great contract and now his value is non-existant. Its easy to say now, but they should found a way to get more assets. Possibly traded Anderson when his value was high. Its hard to say it after the way he got us past the Habs, but its Murray's job to make the best decisions to ensure the best team going forward. Lehner was starting to show flashes last year and we can see now that he's ready.

6) Where are the fans?: The Empty seats at every home game are embarrasing and the silence in the building is worse then usual.

7) Afternoon games: what a brutal idea! who cares if you get more money from Sportnet, but who really wants to watch a game in the afternoon on the weekend during some of our only time off from work to get real things done. The visiting team who is in town with nothing but playing hockey on there mind (Ottawa's nightlife is non-existant) has the clear advantage compared to the sens who are home with family and responsabilites before rushing off to the rink. A winning team makes money, so the extra money from sportsnet afternoon games has been offset by the team poor performance in these games and lack of fans. who wants to buy 12$ beer at 1:00pm?

8) Too many players regressing instead of progressing. Cowen played like a 30 year old veteran in his first year. he's been brutal since. Wiercoch couldn't crack the lineup for several years and never lived up to his original hype. He got to stick around long enough in the organization and finally got a chance last year and played well. mainly on the PP. Should have known better then to trust in him after half a season. Milan Michalek. well...Milan just sucks. out there in his own little world making big wide turns woohoo. I hope he's enjoying it.

9) Poor coaching: Maclean has been given the benefit of the doubt coming of his jack adams award last year. 26 games in to the year and still dealing with the same inconsistencies. The coach needs to take some of the blame at this point. Way too much line juggling early on. Not realizing and making the obvious lineup decisions. no being able to find ways to improve this team.

10) CTC location (just to round it off at 10): Ive heard the stories of Habs fans in montreal. getting together at the local bars on ste-catherine street in downtown montreal, having some beers and a good time then walking over to the Bell centre in the middle of downtown. What a luxury. With no more extra free tickets being given out to season ticket holders are we fnally seeing what the regular paid attendence is like? I Wish Melnyk would have never been able to purchase the Rink in kanata at the time and built a new rink in the downtown area like he said he would if he hadn't got such a good price. But then again, what state financially would we be in if he had put money into building an arena.
- matt272

I agree with everything except 5 and 9. The Bishop thing is hindsight 20/20. I don't think anyone thought he'd be a top 10 goalie. We all knew he had the ability to steal the odd game and be a number 1 goalie, but I doubt anyone (including Tampa) thought he would turn out the way he has this season. It would have been silly to move Anderson last year and give the reins to two young, inexperienced goalies. Especially for a playoff team. It would still be silly to move Aderson now even though he is struggling. A young goalie needs an experience guy behind him to help carry the load.

I don't think it's fair to blame Mclean just yet. Has he made some questionable decisions? Sure. But what coach doesn't? You can pick at him with odd line combos, but when absolutely nothing is working, what is he supposed to do? If anything, I give him credit for forming the Macarthur/Turris/Ryan line. That was not a line a lot of people had during the off season and training camp. It was a gutsy move to move Ryan off of a line with Spezza when there was so much pressure to keep them together and have them succeed.

I donno, a lot of those clears straight up the middle of the ice are pretty fearless...
- david22

Touche...

I donno, a lot of those clears straight up the middle of the ice are pretty fearless...
- david22

Post of the day!

i think the trading bishop over anderson thing a hindsight 20/20 thing, but i think it was also about where the sens thought they were in the rebuild last year. again, i think this comes down to $$. sens think they needed anderson to get / go past round 1 in the playoffs which = money short term. otherwise, i think we would of traded our venza candidate for something that would help us in the longer time (ie being deep in a rebuild). so i think that sort of contributed to the decision to trade bishop over andy. otherwise why not go bish and lehner with a young team still in the middle of a long rebuild?

i think andy will bounce back. from what i understand he's always been an up and down goalie. definitely not time to trade him now as his value is likely at its lowest. i doubt we would of traded him this year anyways. hopefully he starts playing better (in a reduced role, i'd like to see lehner and andy split the net,that is if andys play improves, if not, ride the lehner).

i think it was spez that produced the giveaway on the 5th goal that gave the nucks a clear walk into the crease to challenge lehner one and one. clearly a "on no spezza" moment. sigh. it was brutal bc we were gaining momentum after zibbys goal. destroyed us. all down hill after there.
- sen_smile

I agree that goal was Spezza's fault, but the person who bears the entire blame for the loss is Chris Neil. He took a bad penalty at the worst time, at the start of the second period, which allowed the team to go up 2-1. From then on, the Sens lost confidence. I think too many people are confused. People can have heart to play the sport, but that doesn't mean they are forgiven of all their mistakes. Neil has to live up to it, no one else. That was just horrible.

I agree that goal was Spezza's fault, but the person who bears the entire blame for the loss is Chris Neil. He took a bad penalty at the worst time, at the start of the second period, which allowed the team to go up 2-1. From then on, the Sens lost confidence. I think too many people are confused. People can have heart to play the sport, but that doesn't mean they are forgiven of all their mistakes. Neil has to live up to it, no one else. That was just horrible.
- PtotheY

what penalty exactly? the one where the nuck player just fell to the ice dodging neils hit, or another one? can't remember...

I agree that goal was Spezza's fault, but the person who bears the entire blame for the loss is Chris Neil. He took a bad penalty at the worst time, at the start of the second period, which allowed the team to go up 2-1. From then on, the Sens lost confidence. I think too many people are confused. People can have heart to play the sport, but that doesn't mean they are forgiven of all their mistakes. Neil has to live up to it, no one else. That was just horrible.
- PtotheY

I agree with everything except 5 and 9. The Bishop thing is hindsight 20/20. I don't think anyone thought he'd be a top 10 goalie. We all knew he had the ability to steal the odd game and be a number 1 goalie, but I doubt anyone (including Tampa) thought he would turn out the way he has this season. It would have been silly to move Anderson last year and give the reins to two young, inexperienced goalies. Especially for a playoff team. It would still be silly to move Aderson now even though he is struggling. A young goalie needs an experience guy behind him to help carry the load.

I don't think it's fair to blame Mclean just yet. Has he made some questionable decisions? Sure. But what coach doesn't? You can pick at him with odd line combos, but when absolutely nothing is working, what is he supposed to do? If anything, I give him credit for forming the Macarthur/Turris/Ryan line. That was not a line a lot of people had during the off season and training camp. It was a gutsy move to move Ryan off of a line with Spezza when there was so much pressure to keep them together and have them succeed.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I agree for the goalie situation. Its easy to look back now, but I think some knew Bishop could turn out to be a top 10 goalie, or at least top 15. There aren't that many great goalies in the league. I think Lehner has won at every level and I don't recall seeing him play poorly in any of his NHL starts. I would have been comfortable making him #1. He's been waiting around long enough. you wait too long and you end up wasting a good goalie. Id rather have Lehner and the assets from the Anderson trade last year. were supposed to be in a rebuild still with our window starting this year and the next couple years. Definitely a tough trade to make last year, knowing that you have the best golaie in the league on your team. who wants to give that up. But you wonder what we would look like with some nice assets in the lineup.

Im not blaming Mclean completely but he deserves some of it. It was a great move to put turris, mccarthur and ryan together. but other then them having great chemistry and looking great on the ice almost every shift, it hasn't really solved the issue that the team is losing more then winning. He hasn't been aboe to find the real answers so far

I agree for the goalie situation. Its easy to look back now, but I think some knew Bishop could turn out to be a top 10 goalie, or at least top 15. There aren't that many great goalies in the league. I think Lehner has won at every level and I don't recall seeing him play poorly in any of his NHL starts. I would have been comfortable making him #1. He's been waiting around long enough. you wait too long and you end up wasting a good goalie. Id rather have Lehner and the assets from the Anderson trade last year. were supposed to be in a rebuild still with our window starting this year and the next couple years. Definitely a tough trade to make last year, knowing that you have the best golaie in the league on your team. who wants to give that up. But you wonder what we would look like with some nice assets in the lineup.

Im not blaming Mclean completely but he deserves some of it. It was a great move to put turris, mccarthur and ryan together. but other then them having great chemistry and looking great on the ice almost every shift, it hasn't really solved the issue that the team is losing more then winning. He hasn't been aboe to find the real answers so far
- matt272

The thing is, the Sens were expecting/ hoping to go into the playoffs last year. With the way Anderson was playing, I just don't see trading him as a realistic option. Putting that much pressure on either young goalie would of been a mistake in my opinion. He was our best player in the playoffs too. Althought not the only reason we won, but I don't want to start taht debate again.

I looks like trading him for a defenseman might of been a better option, but c'est la vie. Maybe Conky will turn it around.

EDIT: He also was a big part in that series agaisnt the Rangers 2 years back.

I agree for the goalie situation. Its easy to look back now, but I think some knew Bishop could turn out to be a top 10 goalie, or at least top 15. There aren't that many great goalies in the league. I think Lehner has won at every level and I don't recall seeing him play poorly in any of his NHL starts. I would have been comfortable making him #1. He's been waiting around long enough. you wait too long and you end up wasting a good goalie. Id rather have Lehner and the assets from the Anderson trade last year. were supposed to be in a rebuild still with our window starting this year and the next couple years. Definitely a tough trade to make last year, knowing that you have the best golaie in the league on your team. who wants to give that up. But you wonder what we would look like with some nice assets in the lineup.

Im not blaming Mclean completely but he deserves some of it. It was a great move to put turris, mccarthur and ryan together. but other then them having great chemistry and looking great on the ice almost every shift, it hasn't really solved the issue that the team is losing more then winning. He hasn't been aboe to find the real answers so far
- matt272

I always wished Murray tried a little harder to pry Couturier out of Philly as per the rumours regarding Bishop. But it is what it is. Would be nice if Conacher got back to form from early last year.

It's ok to put some of the blame on Mclean, but I don't think he is the problem. He is trying knew things with the hand he is dealt and it's just not panning out so far for the most part. Mclean, just like the rest of the team is going through a transformation period with a change in identity and leadership. He knew how to press Alfie's buttons to get him going and the rest of the team followed. Not sure he has figured it out with Spezza.

Joe corvo makes chris phillips look 10 years younger.... ok, maybe 5 years

Joe corvo makes chris phillips look 10 years younger.... ok, maybe 5 years
- conor_smythe

not sure where you get this from..............IMO, corvo has actually played better then phillips this year.

phillips is a shadow of what he was, even 2 years ago. his physical regression is understandable, but the amount of mental and positioning mistakes he makes, game in and game out, are mind blowing

I always wished Murray tried a little harder to pry Couturier out of Philly as per the rumours regarding Bishop. But it is what it is. Would be nice if Conacher got back to form from early last year.

- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Based on feedback Ive received from Flyers fans, Couturier seems like he will max out as a good defensive center, but not be the scorer they thought he would be. Sens seem to have no problem developing them. Conacher appeared to have the ability to be a top 6 winger, but I am not so sure anymore.

thnx.
we are struggling right now and we need to make some changes, but we have a young team and if our stupid owner ever decides to open his wallet and spend to the cap we have the right core to build an awesome team.
- sen_smile

#1- this team is simply not icing a competitive team. This league is just to close in talent now. Every team besides these bottom 7 in $$$ spent on talent are to the cap or just under. The only team in a playoff position out if these 7 is Colorado. Ottawa has $8.5 mill left to spend. That enough for Alfie(top 6 winger) & a #3 defencemen. Then we'd be competitive again.
24. Edmonton » $5,766,204
25. Buffalo » $7,227,118
26. Ottawa » $8,400,895
27. Calgary » $9,245,550
28. N.Y. Islanders » $11,274,190
29. Colorado $11,949,839
30. Florida » $14,247,688

#2 get it trending..

#SellEugeneMelnykSell

Based on feedback Ive received from Flyers fans, Couturier seems like he will max out as a good defensive center, but not be the scorer they thought he would be. Sens seem to have no problem developing them. Conacher appeared to have the ability to be a top 6 winger, but I am not so sure anymore.
- Ottawa Fan

He's strength is defiantly defensive, but Philly hasn't really put him in a position to succeed yet playing him on the 3rd and 4th lines. Kind of like the mess Zibby found himself in early this year. Don't think too many people would disagree that Couturier > Conacher. But we also got a 2nd rounder in the Conacher deal. That could pan out down the line I guess.

not sure where you get this from..............IMO, corvo has actually played better then phillips this year.

phillips is a shadow of what he was, even 2 years ago. his physical regression is understandable, but the amount of mental and positioning mistakes he makes, game in and game out, are mind blowing
- sensarmy_11

He has a mean stache though.

He's strength is defiantly defensive, but Philly hasn't really put him in a position to succeed yet playing him on the 3rd and 4th lines. Kind of like the mess Zibby found himself in early this year. Don't think too many people would disagree that Couturier > Conacher. But we also got a 2nd rounder in the Conacher deal. That could pan out down the line I guess.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i think it was actually a 4th or 5th round pick that we got.

also, any deal that involved coutourier, ottawa would have been sending a hell of a lot more then just bishop

#1- this team is simply not icing a competitive team. This league is just to close in talent now. Every team besides these bottom 7 in $$$ spent on talent are to the cap or just under. The only team in a playoff position out if these 7 is Colorado. Ottawa has $8.5 mill left to spend. That enough for Alfie(top 6 winger) & a #3 defencemen. Then we'd be competitive again.
24. Edmonton » $5,766,204
25. Buffalo » $7,227,118
26. Ottawa » $8,400,895
27. Calgary » $9,245,550
28. N.Y. Islanders » $11,274,190
29. Colorado $11,949,839
30. Florida » $14,247,688

#2 get it trending..

#SellEugeneMelnykSell
- Erik6Karlsson5

The time to make moves was in the offseason,when this didnt happen and i watched alfie leave .I sort checked out on this team,you cant win in a billion dollar league when you are playing with quarters