Leafs and Sens both suck the same
- ClarksonDavid

I agree.....but i also think both groups are better than what they showed this season.

i think the difference is that..........and this is just my opinion.............the sens defence, and probably the leafs too, had bad years but aren't necessarily bad D groups.....the oilers are bad on paper and on ice.

by that, i mean that i think ottawa was the victim of several players having down years at the same time. i personally think that cowen, methot, and even phillips are probably better players then what they showed this year.

assuming that even 2 of those 3 improve only a little bit next year, and no other changes are made, i'd take ottawa's d group (assuming that wiercioch gets regular playing time) over quite a few in the league.......cgy, car, edm, nj, nyi, tor.

they're by no means great, but i also don't think they're the worst, or even bottom 3. the GA this year have as much to do with the goalies poopting the bed, as they do with the D playing poorly.
- sensarmy_11

I was talking about this yesterday. If just Methot and Cowen have bounce back seasons next season, we will be in fine shape. That with the steady progression of Ceci, we will have a decent top 4 with Karlson, Methot, Cowen, and Ceci. Phillips and Weircioch would then play bottom pairing minutes. I don't mind Phillips in isolated minutes and Weircioch is steadily improving, but needs every game day action.

Players fall down and bounce back up all the time. Not entirely unrealistic to think that group can't bounce back. It's hard to think that after this seasons play, but you have to gamble a little be in order to be successful.

We have a great core. No need to change things up too much.

I was talking about this yesterday. If just Methot and Cowen have bounce back seasons next season, we will be in fine shape. That with the steady progression of Ceci, we will have a decent top 4 with Karlson, Methot, Cowen, and Ceci. Phillips and Weircioch would then play bottom pairing minutes. I don't mind Phillips in isolated minutes and Weircioch is steadily improving, but needs every game day action.

Players fall down and bounce back up all the time. Not entirely unrealistic to think that group can't bounce back. It's hard to think that after this seasons play, but you have to gamble a little be in order to be successful.

We have a great core. No need to change things up too much.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i agree with everything you said, except having wiercioch on the bottom pairing. i think he's probably the 2nd or 3rd best d-man on this team. i'd put him on the 2nd pairing, probably over ceci.....depending on how/if cowen rebounds.

I agree.....but i also think both groups are better than what they showed this season.
- sensarmy_11

Oh yeah, this season sucked

i think the difference is that..........and this is just my opinion.............the sens defence, and probably the leafs too, had bad years but aren't necessarily bad D groups.....the oilers are bad on paper and on ice.

by that, i mean that i think ottawa was the victim of several players having down years at the same time. i personally think that cowen, methot, and even phillips are probably better players then what they showed this year.

assuming that even 2 of those 3 improve only a little bit next year, and no other changes are made, i'd take ottawa's d group (assuming that wiercioch gets regular playing time) over quite a few in the league.......cgy, car, edm, nj, nyi, tor.

they're by no means great, but i also don't think they're the worst, or even bottom 3. the GA this year have as much to do with the goalies poopting the bed, as they do with the D playing poorly.
- sensarmy_11

I certainly agree that a lot of it was players not playing up to potential. My main comment was that this year, the D has been one of the worst in the league. I'd like to see some form of this addressed in the offseason. (The how is more difficult, I know)

I also don't think its fair to put much, if any blame on the goalies. This team was giving up 40+ shots a night, can't expect teh goalies to be superhuman like they were in the past.

I seriously don't know what to think here. So much of this organization is completely (frank)ed up. As much as I questioned MacLean's decision making, who knows what decisions were his or not. Besides, what available coach is better than him?
Our top line has scored what, 47 pts in 17 games or something since Hemsky was acquired. We can't replace that production from within. Sure there is risk of injury to these guys, but I say try hard to sign them both.
The defensive situation is mind-boggling. So many replacement level guys there on 1 way contracts, and no legitimate partner for EK. Not a single word from the team on trying to find that guy.
Tim Murray, arguably a scouting genius, leaves. Looks like he wants to take some other talent with him.
After all this settles in the summer, do we even have a team worth watching?

The Sens should be better than they were and next year is a crucial one given the window of opportunity and the potential changes that may come following the 2014-15 season. If management has reservations about MacLean's ability to take the team to a higher level, they should fire him. Having a losing team two years in a row in this city would not bode well for ownership or this team moving forward.

I like MacLean, but this season has been full of counter-intuitive decisions and I believe it has contributed to the team missing the playoffs. Can they risk having him make the same decisions next season? Time will tell.

Gord: Game 82 is ScarJo.

Writer request (and executive order).

Gord: Game 82 is ScarJo.

Writer request (and executive order).
- Travis Yost

Gord: Game 82 is ScarJo.

Writer request (and executive order).
- Travis Yost

what happened to mila kunis........TRAITOR!!!!!!!!!!

I certainly agree that a lot of it was players not playing up to potential. My main comment was that this year, the D has been one of the worst in the league. I'd like to see some form of this addressed in the offseason. (The how is more difficult, I know)

I also don't think its fair to put much, if any blame on the goalies. This team was giving up 40+ shots a night, can't expect teh goalies to be superhuman like they were in the past.
- david22

I agree with the 1st para, but am not on board with the 2nd para.

when your goalies are towing sv% (and i'm talking early in the year) that are WELL under .900, i don't care if they're giving up 90 shots a game, that's TERRIBLE goaltending. i don't expect them to be superhuman, but it's not too much to ask for them to atleast be competent.....and for the first half of the season, and even some games in the 2nd half, they're weren't even close.

The Sens should be better than they were and next year is a crucial one given the window of opportunity and the potential changes that may come following the 2014-15 season. If management has reservations about MacLean's ability to take the team to a higher level, they should fire him. Having a losing team two years in a row in this city would not bode well for ownership or this team moving forward.

I like MacLean, but this season has been full of counter-intuitive decisions and I believe it has contributed to the team missing the playoffs. Can they risk having him make the same decisions next season? Time will tell.
- AlfieFever

This is a good point. If we struggle out of the gate next season, you almost have to make a coaching change. A great example is Philadelphia this season. Had success with Peter Laviolette in the past, but he started to loose the group and was off the rails at the start of this season. They made a change and have been a very competitive club since. Same thing could happen next year for the Sens.

The reason the Sens are considering firing him is pretty simple.

1/ If they fire him now, he will get hired immediately. Pretty sure the staff knows this. Leaving them owing little to no money. I think B.Murray and staff know that he isn't as good as everyone thinks and if they don't fire now, others might not hire him if they continue to see his odd, often head scratching decisions.

2/ They are leaning toward Richardson as the replacement. Although Luke runs a similar system, I would only imagine his will be more structured and have a slightly better emphasis on D.

3/ If not Richardson, they might see who falls at seasons end. If Trotz ever became available - I can only assume he would be at the top of the list.


Maclean simply is not a good coach. His odd/terrible decisions and lack of defensive system have shown this year. Im willing to bet he fell out of favour quite quick with some of the staff and players. If they wait til mid-season, it might give more teams open eyes to see his flaws and that would mean Ottawa would be stuck paying him longer. Yes, he has won the Jack Adams...but keep in mind the only reason he won is cuz of his goalies and a shortened season. Put an asterisk next to that win.

If he came available, I could see 4-5 teams lining up to get him.

The reason the Sens are considering firing him is pretty simple.

1/ If they fire him now, he will get hired immediately. Pretty sure the staff knows this. Leaving them owing little to no money. I think B.Murray and staff know that he isn't as good as everyone thinks and if they don't fire now, others might not hire him if they continue to see his odd, often head scratching decisions.

2/ They are leaning toward Richardson as the replacement. Although Luke runs a similar system, I would only imagine his will be more structured and have a slightly better emphasis on D.

3/ If not Richardson, they might see how falls at seasons end. If Trotz ever became available - I can only assume he would be at the top of the list.


Maclean simply is not a good coach. His odd/terrible decisions and lack of defensive system have shown this year. Im willing to bet he fell out of favour quite quick with some of the staff and players. If they wait til mid-season, it might give more teams open eyes to see his flaws and that would mean Ottawa would be stuck paying him longer. Yes, he has won the Jack Adams...but keep in mind the only reason he won is cuz of his goalies and a shortened season. Put an asterisk next to that win.

If he came available, I could see 4-5 teams lining up to get him.
- BodyCheckRadio

i think that's a little unfair to say after only 1 bad year..................... i mean, the guy has been nominated and/or won the jack adams for 66% of his career. just saying.

i think that's a little unfair to say after only 1 bad year..................... i mean, the guy has been nominated and/or won the jack adams for 66% of his career. just saying.
- sensarmy_11

If he was a good coach, you wouldn't see Neil on the ice more than some of the better players. Just saying.

His decisions, and lack of defensive system killed this team. The D was weak, but having no system that helps the weak D is absurd. It was a free for all in their own zone. How was this not addressed...?

what happened to mila kunis........TRAITOR!!!!!!!!!!
- sensarmy_11

Found out she smokes two packs of cigarettes a day. Still fine but top-three, naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

None taken.

But a lot of people have, I guess independently, told me similar things the last two days. Garrioch's story would kind of be the cherry on top, I guess.

Will be a fascinating few weeks ...
- Travis Yost

If Mac were to be fired, it would be on the grounds that another team will hire him allowing the Sens to be off the hook for his contract.

Found out she smokes two packs of cigarettes a day. Still fine but top-three, naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
- Travis Yost

yeah.....that's gross. good call


i still vote for britney palmer...........told my wife she was not only on "the list", but she was "the list".

If Mac were to be fired, it would be on the grounds that another team will hire him allowing the Sens to be off the hook for his contract.
- Cup 06

i hate that EVERY move this team makes has more to do with finances, then actually winning hockey games.

i honestly think we have one of, if not THE worst owner, in all of professional sports.

screw jerry jones, screw wang (insert beavis and butthead laugh here), forget al davis (rip), and forget any other poopty owner............melnyk trumps them all.

Found out she smokes two packs of cigarettes a day. Still fine but top-three, naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
- Travis Yost

That, and she's not even in the same league as ScarJo. Not. even. close.

BTW, is there any way to change your user name here?

That, and she's not even in the same league as ScarJo. Not. even. close.

BTW, is there any way to change your user name here?
- Stringer74

I wish I knew ..... The Renegades have been gone for a while .....

I was talking about this yesterday. If just Methot and Cowen have bounce back seasons next season, we will be in fine shape. That with the steady progression of Ceci, we will have a decent top 4 with Karlson, Methot, Cowen, and Ceci. Phillips and Weircioch would then play bottom pairing minutes. I don't mind Phillips in isolated minutes and Weircioch is steadily improving, but needs every game day action.

Players fall down and bounce back up all the time. Not entirely unrealistic to think that group can't bounce back. It's hard to think that after this seasons play, but you have to gamble a little be in order to be successful.

We have a great core. No need to change things up too much.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

As boring as it may be for boards such as this, I would agree that what you see is what yer gonna get next year for this team - including the coach.

If Mikaulic is not signed (I still beleive he will be), Murray is great at picking up those 2nd tier guys - like MacArthur....

I'd love it if he would get a #2/3 defenseman, but it look like he really believes in his core group and is willing to wait to have one them reach that potential.

BORING but most likley prudent.....

Strikes me that we Sens fans are either running from the falling skies or strapping ourselves in as we fly to the moon. Who needs betweens?

Perhaps a breather is in order and a bit of time to settle down. We have plenty of it. Enjoy the playoffs and the non-stop stream that is our sport's April Madness provides.

As for MacLean, maybe cut him some slack after those breaths? Say what you want about his Jack Adams win last year deserving an asterix, fact is he's a back to back nominee. Seems he might be ok at hockey. Also, it's easy to forget since we wont see Sens games this year during it, but he's a pretty amazing strategist when it comes to playoffs. Taking the overwhelming favorited Rangers to 7 and dismantling Therrien and his boys last year. I'll take the "gamble" of keeping him going into next year and shortening his leash to 20 games if need be with the hope our trash heap players as per this season undergo a little decomposition into useful substance.

In the meantime, here's some uplifting reading for you all to peruse:

http://www.hockeysfuture....nd-north-american-talent/

As boring as it may be for boards such as this, I would agree that what you see is what yer gonna get next year for this team - including the coach.

If Mikaulic is not signed (I still beleive he will be), Murray is great at picking up those 2nd tier guys - like MacArthur....

I'd love it if he would get a #2/3 defenseman, but it look like he really believes in his core group and is willing to wait to have one them reach that potential.

BORING but most likley prudent.....
- GadesnSens

It's boring for sure. But really, may be most effective. I don't think anyone around the league looks at this roster and say "boy, they have some work to do". Loosing sucks and we all want to get better quickly. However, I think this group can improve amongst themselves. A summer free of ownership headaches (lets cross our fingers on that one) would go a long way. With this said, there isn't any reason we can't sign a player or two that would help our depth. Similar to what you alluded to in a 2nd line guy and a middle of the pack d-man. All we need is a little tinkering and bounce back seasons. We don't have to blow everything up.

Strikes me that we Sens fans are either running from the falling skies or strapping ourselves in as we fly to the moon. Who needs betweens?

Perhaps a breather is in order and a bit of time to settle down. We have plenty of it. Enjoy the playoffs and the non-stop stream that is our sport's April Madness provides.

As for MacLean, maybe cut him some slack after those breaths? Say what you want about his Jack Adams win last year deserving an asterix, fact is he's a back to back nominee. Seems he might be ok at hockey. Also, it's easy to forget since we wont see Sens games this year during it, but he's a pretty amazing strategist when it comes to playoffs. Taking the overwhelming favorited Rangers to 7 and dismantling Therrien and his boys last year. I'll take the "gamble" of keeping him going into next year and shortening his leash to 20 games if need be with the hope our trash heap players as per this season undergo a little decomposition into useful substance.

In the meantime, here's some uplifting reading for you all to peruse:

http://www.hockeysfuture....nd-north-american-talent/
- Hertlocker

Sold post. Important to not overreact to a poor season. We are in fine shape as an organization in my opinion. Our ownership is the question mark, but you have to believe it will be sorted out one way or another. Either Melnyk bounces back finically or the NHL steps in, which they probably should have done this past year.