Moulson and a 1st to the sens for Gryba, greening, hoffman, prince and a 3rd
- toult

Moulson <-> Gryba, Greening, Hoffman, Prince... Then ..still, no.

It just doesn't make sense for either team imo. Keep the trade proposals coming

I think you got to try Spezza with Michalek at some point. I know 89-93-9 got a good thing going but if the chance comes I want to see this:

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Spezza-Zibanejad [or try #19 RW]
Conacher-DaCosta-Condra
Greening-Smith-Neil

I think you got to try Spezza with Michalek at some point. I know 89-93-9 got a good thing going but if the chance comes I want to see this:

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Spezza-Zibanejad
- King_Karlsson[or try #19 RW]
Conacher-DaCosta-Condra
Greening-Smith-Neil

not sure why you feel that spezza HAS to play in the top six. right now, IMO, he's not playing nearly well enough to unseat anyone from those 2 lines, so why mess with the chemistry that's developed.

spezza is just a shadow of his former self.............his defensive play is abysmal, his offensive play is incredibly inconsistent, and he's EASILY the laziest player on the ice, game in and game out. until he does something to DESERVE top six time, i wouldn't give it to him.

Damn right.

Possession stats are good when you're riding possession.. look at Kes's goal tonight; 3 seconds of zone time on the rush and it's in. The Leafs poop on Corsi because they hit on the break before the opponent has a chance to get their D set up. That also leads to lower O-zone time.

It's not unsustainable per se, it's just different.
- lumlums

Yeah it's different alright...like completely unchartered territory for an 82-game season. Teams with those kind of numbers have NEVER reached the playoffs in recent years (2007-2008 -->). On the contrary, they are usually the worst teams in the league. Take a look below. I stole Chris Boyle's amazing fenwick graph and added Leafs current fenwick close as a red line (the thinner red lines represent the standard uncertainty of the mean).



I mean, it's hard to disagree with you while looking at a guy like Phil Kessel. But I just don't see how a NHL franchise can afford to poop on the concept of puck possession with the expectation of having long-term (as in season-long) success. You would have to constantly rely on high-end performances from your high-end talents and special teams. Kessel, JVR and Bernier must be on their A game, or Leafs get killed. And if you are chasing the puck all the time, attrition becomes a real issue. You know, the kind of thing that makes you look less good in the final minutes of 3rd periods.

Watching Leafs right now is like having some weird scientific experiment unfold before your eyes. It's exciting, unpredictable, and could end up either way. Genius or laughing stock.

not sure why you feel that spezza HAS to play in the top six. right now, IMO, he's not playing nearly well enough to unseat anyone from those 2 lines, so why mess with the chemistry that's developed.

spezza is just a shadow of his former self.............his defensive play is abysmal, his offensive play is incredibly inconsistent, and he's EASILY the laziest player on the ice, game in and game out. until he does something to DESERVE top six time, i wouldn't give it to him.
- sensarmy_11

Uhh,I think he led centres in icetime last night. That would mean he's moving up if not back on top.

Spezza haters in full force this game judging by the last thread and a couple here. He was our most active forward last night. He was creating the most offensive opportunities.

No. He was not Pavel Datsyuk or Patrice Bergeron in the defensive zone. Something he will never be. He had one of his stronger games of the year and contributed a key goal to cushion the lead. TSN even named him the performer of the night.

Is he back to his usual self? No. Is he better than a month or two ago? Significantly. That is all you really want to see from a struggling player. Improvement. It also appears Mclean is noticing his improved play with increased ice time. Hopefully Stone can back soon as they appeared to be developing a bit of chemistry.

After Anderson, he was probably the best Senator on the ice last night.

I am not even satisfied with his play, but the continued bashing is a tad ridiculous. He deserves a little better than that. You can see if continued improvement in his play lately.

Spezza haters in full force this game judging by the last thread and a couple here. He was our most active forward last night. He was creating the most offensive opportunities.

No. He was not Pavel Datsyuk or Patrice Bergeron in the defensive zone. Something he will never be. He had one of his stronger games of the year and contributed a key goal to cushion the lead. TSN even named him the performer of the night.

Is he back to his usual self? No. Is he better than a month or two ago? Significantly. That is all you really want to see from a struggling player. Improvement. It also appears Mclean is noticing his improved play with increased ice time. Hopefully Stone can back soon as they appeared to be developing a bit of chemistry.

After Anderson, he was probably the best Senator on the ice last night.

I am not even satisfied with his play, but the continued bashing is a tad ridiculous. He deserves a little better than that. You can see if continued improvement in his play lately.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Hate goggles are hard to shake.

Spezza,Andy and Cowen are this years whipping boys. For people to give them kudos when their play has improved is like pulling teeth. It does not fit into their previous declarations.

Kadri >>> Turris

Taurus is playing great this season, but Murray wanted Kadri at that Draft!
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Hate goggles are hard to shake.

Spezza,Andy and Cowen are this years whipping boys. For people to give them kudos when their play has improved is like pulling teeth. It does not fit into their previous declarations.
- Cup 06

Agreed. Silliness for sure. I understand Cowen. He has slowly been playing a bit better, but still no where near where he should be. Spezza and Anderson have given this team quality play however. Especially of late.

It's called posturing. I'll take Cowen over Kadri still today
Jason Spezza has 32 points in 44 games this season. I personally feel he's about to go on a hot streak but irregardless, he's turning 31 this summer, is UFA next summer, and I've already stated many times how I think he should be traded. The truth is that on a cup contender I don't know if Turris, Spezza, or Zibanejad are or will be #1 center. Turris is certainly the best out of the three right now but if Spezza was traded another center could come in as a 2-3
- King_Karlsson[and Lazar is coming soon)

Nazem Kadri 32 points in 48 games (and he's having a VERY disappointing year). He's the kind of center Ottawa should target [with more character. I think his pest behaviour will need to go from his game]. A young center that has plenty of upside.

I would not. I also wouldn't target a player like Kadri at all, the Sens need a guy like JVR more than anything else. Not sure which teams have a guy like that they would make available, but that would be ideal.

Was hoping Stone was turning into that guy, but now he's hurt.

Slot presence in the other team's zone is big for winning hockey games.

Spezza haters in full force this game judging by the last thread and a couple here. He was our most active forward last night. He was creating the most offensive opportunities.

No. He was not Pavel Datsyuk or Patrice Bergeron in the defensive zone. Something he will never be. He had one of his stronger games of the year and contributed a key goal to cushion the lead. TSN even named him the performer of the night.

Is he back to his usual self? No. Is he better than a month or two ago? Significantly. That is all you really want to see from a struggling player. Improvement. It also appears Mclean is noticing his improved play with increased ice time. Hopefully Stone can back soon as they appeared to be developing a bit of chemistry.

After Anderson, he was probably the best Senator on the ice last night.

I am not even satisfied with his play, but the continued bashing is a tad ridiculous. He deserves a little better than that. You can see if continued improvement in his play lately.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i don't hate spezza, not even close.

that being said, it's fairly obvious that, despite scoring a goal last night and playing okay, he's not the player he used to be, and likely never will be again.

i base my opinion of spezza, for the most part, on the bigger picture......

1. his offensive numbers aren't what they were, and likely never will be again
2. if he isn't going to put up points consistently, then atleast be competent in your own end......he's FAR from that
3. he's paid like an elite, top line center, but is probably the 3rd best center on the team
4. his contract is due to be renewed, he's going to likely want the same or more money, and term.......................there is ZERO justification to give it to him
5. the guy is just an injury waiting to happen at this point. frankly, i'm surprised he hasn't gotten the "dipietro" or "hemsky" tag by now.

I like spezza, he's always been one of my favorite players, but at this point i think he brings more value in a trade then he actually brings as a player on this team.

if he can regain his form from the beginning of last year, or the year before, i'll be THRILLED, and gladly eat a big steaming pile of crow. that being said, i seriously don't believe he'll ever be that player again.

Spezza haters in full force this game judging by the last thread and a couple here. He was our most active forward last night. He was creating the most offensive opportunities.

No. He was not Pavel Datsyuk or Patrice Bergeron in the defensive zone. Something he will never be. He had one of his stronger games of the year and contributed a key goal to cushion the lead. TSN even named him the performer of the night.

Is he back to his usual self? No. Is he better than a month or two ago? Significantly. That is all you really want to see from a struggling player. Improvement. It also appears Mclean is noticing his improved play with increased ice time. Hopefully Stone can back soon as they appeared to be developing a bit of chemistry.

After Anderson, he was probably the best Senator on the ice last night.

I am not even satisfied with his play, but the continued bashing is a tad ridiculous. He deserves a little better than that. You can see if continued improvement in his play lately.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Agreed, Spezza played well last night.

Let's hope he can sustain that level of play, and get Stone back into the lineup.

Speaking of which, has anyone heard boo on Stone's injury?

Agreed, Spezza played well last night.

Let's hope he can sustain that level of play, and get Stone back into the lineup.

Speaking of which, has anyone heard boo on Stone's injury?
- TommyDeVito

they said last night that he slipped on a puck in practice, causing a wrist injury. assuming he fell on it.....sprain, maybe fracture

Spezza haters in full force this game judging by the last thread and a couple here. He was our most active forward last night. He was creating the most offensive opportunities.

No. He was not Pavel Datsyuk or Patrice Bergeron in the defensive zone. Something he will never be. He had one of his stronger games of the year and contributed a key goal to cushion the lead. TSN even named him the performer of the night.

Is he back to his usual self? No. Is he better than a month or two ago? Significantly. That is all you really want to see from a struggling player. Improvement. It also appears Mclean is noticing his improved play with increased ice time. Hopefully Stone can back soon as they appeared to be developing a bit of chemistry.


After Anderson, he was probably the best Senator on the ice last night.


I am not even satisfied with his play, but the continued bashing is a tad ridiculous. He deserves a little better than that. You can see if continued improvement in his play lately.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Not being a Sens fan, I have always looked at Spezza perhaps differently. I feel he has been a unappreciated player in Ottawa. In the past, he was one of few players with the imagination and talent to create offence. Starting to think though that Spezza's body is breaking down and he doesn't look like the player he was. Once his NMC expires, it's probably time to move him. In the meantime, you still have a pretty good hockey player and I don't see any replacements in the system..right now.

Spezza haters in full force this game judging by the last thread and a couple here. He was our most active forward last night. He was creating the most offensive opportunities.

No. He was not Pavel Datsyuk or Patrice Bergeron in the defensive zone. Something he will never be. He had one of his stronger games of the year and contributed a key goal to cushion the lead. TSN even named him the performer of the night.

Is he back to his usual self? No. Is he better than a month or two ago? Significantly. That is all you really want to see from a struggling player. Improvement. It also appears Mclean is noticing his improved play with increased ice time. Hopefully Stone can back soon as they appeared to be developing a bit of chemistry.


After Anderson, he was probably the best Senator on the ice last night.


I am not even satisfied with his play, but the continued bashing is a tad ridiculous. He deserves a little better than that. You can see if continued improvement in his play lately.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Not being a Sens fan, I have always looked at Spezza perhaps differently. I feel he has been a unappreciated player in Ottawa. In the past, he was one of few players with the imagination and talent to create offence. Starting to think though that Spezza's body is breaking down and he doesn't look like the player he was. Once his NMC expires, it's probably time to move him. In the meantime, you still have a pretty good hockey player and I don't see any replacements in the system..right now.

Not being a Sens fan, I have always looked at Spezza perhaps differently. I feel he has been a unappreciated player in Ottawa. In the past, he was one of few players with the imagination and talent to create offence. Starting to think though that Spezza's body is breaking down and he doesn't look like the player he was. Once his NMC expires, it's probably time to move him. In the meantime, you still have a pretty good hockey player and I don't see any replacements in the system..right now.
- JACMAN

Have always been a huge Spezza fan.

But, I have believed for the last couple of years that the Sens should trade him. He is a rapidly depreciating asset. His trade value has gone down dramatically.

I agree with those saying that his game looked really solid last night and his skating seems stronger.

Not being a Sens fan, I have always looked at Spezza perhaps differently. I feel he has been a unappreciated player in Ottawa. In the past, he was one of few players with the imagination and talent to create offence. Starting to think though that Spezza's body is breaking down and he doesn't look like the player he was. Once his NMC expires, it's probably time to move him. In the meantime, you still have a pretty good hockey player and I don't see any replacements in the system..right now.
- JACMAN

Have always been a huge Spezza fan.

But, I have believed for the last couple of years that the Sens should trade him. He is a rapidly depreciating asset. His trade value has gone down dramatically.

I agree with those saying that his game looked really solid last night and his skating seems stronger.

Kadri >>> Turris

Taurus is playing great this season, but Murray wanted Kadri at that Draft!
- Byfuglien Ate Me

The joke of the day.

No way man. I like Kadri for his talent and speed, but Turris is a much more complete player. Much better on defense and has one of the best hockey visions in the league (he makes tough situation seem so easy and flawless). One of the best, if not the best, second line center in the league. I don't take anything away from Kadri, but I think Turris has a brighter future because he has a better attitude.

Have always been a huge Spezza fan.

But, I have believed for the last couple of years that the Sens should trade him. He is a rapidly depreciating asset. His trade value has gone down dramatically.

I agree with those saying that his game looked really solid last night and his skating seems stronger.
- spatso

The organization will not trade Spezza right now or this season because they wouldn't get much in return. Spezza always came back from injuries in the past playing real strong. This time it was a back surgery, which is harder to come back from. I think they will give him another couple of years and see if he can find stride again. If not, then the organization would not loose much more value in Spezza than they would if they'd trade him this year. Spezza is the captain. Who in the world would you name captain other than him? Let's be honest here. It sure ain't gonna be Phillips or Neil.

The joke of the day.

No way man. I like Kadri for his talent and speed, but Turris is a much more complete player. Much better on defense and has one of the best hockey visions in the league (he makes tough situation seem so easy and flawless). One of the best, if not the best, second line center in the league. I don't take anything away from Kadri, but I think Turris has a brighter future because he has a better attitude.
- PtotheY

i was with you until you said "best 2nd line center in the leauge"

malkin, pavelski, krejci, sharp, o'reilly, backes, etc.....

turris is great, but i would say he's far from being the best 2nd line center in the league............so far. maybe i'd put him in the top 10.

that being said, he's better then some teams top line centers (leafs, flames, sabres, jackets, preds, yotes) so who knows.

i don't hate spezza, not even close.

that being said, it's fairly obvious that, despite scoring a goal last night and playing okay, he's not the player he used to be, and likely never will be again.

i base my opinion of spezza, for the most part, on the bigger picture......

1. his offensive numbers aren't what they were, and likely never will be again
2. if he isn't going to put up points consistently, then atleast be competent in your own end......he's FAR from that
3. he's paid like an elite, top line center, but is probably the 3rd best center on the team
4. his contract is due to be renewed, he's going to likely want the same or more money, and term.......................there is ZERO justification to give it to him
5. the guy is just an injury waiting to happen at this point. frankly, i'm surprised he hasn't gotten the "dipietro" or "hemsky" tag by now.

I like spezza, he's always been one of my favorite players, but at this point i think he brings more value in a trade then he actually brings as a player on this team.

if he can regain his form from the beginning of last year, or the year before, i'll be THRILLED, and gladly eat a big steaming pile of crow. that being said, i seriously don't believe he'll ever be that player again.
- sensarmy_11

LOL... you clearly hate and underestimate spezza if you think he's the third center on the team. Give him more time to improve, by next season, you'll probably wish to remove this comment. In my mind, he's gonna bounce back to number one center, just not now.

i was with you until you said "best 2nd line center in the leauge"

malkin, pavelski, krejci, sharp, o'reilly, backes, etc.....

turris is great, but i would say he's far from being the best 2nd line center in the league............so far. maybe i'd put him in the top 10.

that being said, he's better then some teams top line centers (leafs, flames, sabres, jackets, preds, yotes) so who knows.
- sensarmy_11

LOL... I guess I forgot to articulate that those players you mentionned are all really first center calibers. When commentators talk about second line center, they kind of look beyond those players, since they are really number one centers playing on second line (malkin, pavelski, krejci, sharp, o'reilly, backes). I don't think O'Reilly is much better and Patrick Sharp plays left wing. But I agree with the rest of the list.

I think you got to try Spezza with Michalek at some point. I know 89-93-9 got a good thing going but if the chance comes I want to see this:

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Spezza-Zibanejad
- King_Karlsson[or try #19 RW]
Conacher-DaCosta-Condra
Greening-Smith-Neil

I want to see Spezza on the 2nd/3rd line for the remainder of the season, regardless of how well he starts playing.

I like the Sens much better now that we have 3 lines that can put the puck in the net. When Stone is healthy, stone-spezza-conacher is a great 2/3 line.

Turris' line is the 1st line, then Zibby and Spezza's line can battle for #2.

I do not like Zibby on the wing at all, and it essentially takes us from having 3 lines that can score, down to two.

I think the theory that you need two checking lines and two scoring lines, is crap. The reason that has happened in the NHL is because the talent is spread so thinly over the 30 teams. If teams COULD have 3 scoring lines, they would.

Let's keep Spezz away from the best D on the other teams. Hopefully, his game can round into form playing against the lesser Dmen. Last night's game, it was clear that it's a mismatch when he's out there against the lesser D. That's why he looked so good. Let's keep that matchup as long as we possibly can.

LOL... you clearly hate and underestimate spezza if you think he's the third center on the team. Give him more time to improve, by next season, you'll probably wish to remove this comment. In my mind, he's gonna bounce back to number one center, just not now.
- PtotheY

are you seriously suggesting that spezza has been a better player then turris or zibby this year?

both those players are improving, at almost a game to game pace..........while spezza has one good game and then 5 bad ones, is older and broken, and unlikely to regain his previous form.

accepting the truth isn't hate, it's just truth.

i would love spezza to regain his form.......the depth and skill at center in ottawa would be RIDICULOUS.......but i just can't see it happening.

I'm not saying he's gonna suck, he'll still be a productive player, but he's gonna wanna get paid like a top line center, and the fact is that he is not playing close to that level.

not sure why you feel that spezza HAS to play in the top six. right now, IMO, he's not playing nearly well enough to unseat anyone from those 2 lines, so why mess with the chemistry that's developed.

spezza is just a shadow of his former self.............his defensive play is abysmal, his offensive play is incredibly inconsistent, and he's EASILY the laziest player on the ice, game in and game out. until he does something to DESERVE top six time, i wouldn't give it to him.
- sensarmy_11

This reminds me why he was chosen as captain...Because he's the only player that has the experience to hear unappreciative fans and he takes all the heat and NEVER NEVER complained. That is also why there is no chance someone like you would be part of the organization, even selling pizza!