I pretty strongly disagree.

Karlsson obviously better than any dman the Avs had, and I probably like your depth over theirs in a significant way too. but neither group is amazing.

If I were to match up the forwards they had versus the ones you have going into next year (minus the vets), I'd probably rank O'Reilly, Stastny, Landeskog and Duchene all over Turris and Ryan. Depth forwards are similar but again with an edge to the Avs.

In a limited sample size, Lehner > Varlamov, but even this year suggested he was in tougher with a heavier workload.

All in all, I wouldn't say it's impossible for you guys to finish bottom 3 if you literally sold off every one of your vets (and got nothing good back). Unlikely hypothetical anyway.
- Morris

wait you think Lehner > Varlamov? Or did I read wrong

i can see spezza to red wings, playing again with alfred
- Jurco_28

Jesus. It's Alfie. Get it right. Also, if this happens, I might go too.

So I was feeling down reading up on the playoff matchups and realizing the Sens won't be there. Then I thought how bad Oilers and Flames fans must have it. Must be rough.

Go Raptors Go

Hemsky could do that on any half-decent team I'd bet.

He might have scored at that rate had he played on Nuge's wing this year. He might have scored at least at a 50 point pace all year if he had even had Gagner/Arcobello at centre.

He's an excellent player that the Oilers only got rid of because there was no way he was going to re-sign into a situation that misused him so badly.

I could see the Oilers being into Spezza, but it would have to be for the right price. After all, he's like a grown up Nuge. An upgrade on Gagner to be sure, but the attitude around the Oilogosphere is that we need a drastically different look for our 2C (Hanzal, so hot right now). I don't know that I necessarily agree with it - good players play well, so getting those is priority #1 - but unless the price was very favourable - A Melnyk moneyball move - than I don't see it happening.
- Morris

Spezza is no ordinary centre... he is " undeniably the best center and most talented centre he ever played with " ( Hemsky's post game words). I doubt you can extrapolate that to him being as succesfull on any other team.

wow, could actually be first??
- GadesnSens[EDIT - nertz, I took too long typing]

I'll call my shot now and stick with it for the summer ....

MacLean will be back
Spezza will be back
Hemsky will be signed
Lazar will start in the AHL

PM did not turn into a total goof after being the runner up to and the Jack Adams winner. His team underperformed after overperforming the year previous. Spezza and Karlsson have shown that they close to being 100% healthy and while they have been suspect defensively this year, they also see the results...

Unless Ottawa wants to take a step back in the reuild/retool, Spezza needs to return. Reagrdless of your opinion as to who got the 1LC minutes, both benefitted from the other being in the line-up. If Spezza was gone, the other teams could just line up against Turris and be done with us. Zbad is too inexperienced to be a true 2LC right now - he could really benefit from being a #3 and filling in as a #2 as an injury replacement. The absolute only way Spezza should be traded is ig they get a young stud defenseman in return - unless Murray totallu fleeces someone, I dont see this happening.

If Spezza is extended Hemsky will be back. The doubt around that preface is why he is not committing to being back ... no Spezza, no Hemsky.

I can't agree more with you. Same train of thoughts...

now, im an advocate of trading spezza, but this poop about him taking the fall for our crap season is absolutely ridiculous. we didnt miss the playoffs bc of js19's subpar play for the majority of the season, we missed the playoffs because we have 2 nhl dmen (ek, methot-- one of whom is a top 2 (ek) and the other who is top four at best (meth). so, even though we had 2 nhl dmen (yes two), its not like we had a top pairing. we had a top 2 and a top 4 d, and the rest were fillers. this is why we failed to make the playoffs and played like poop for most of the season---- not jason spezza. if he "takes the fall" and is traded bc we "underperformed" this year and DOESNT bring in a top 2 d, i am going to LOSE IT. as far as i am concerned, the failures of this season lay primarily on ownership/management/coaches shoulders (in the ordeR). true, the players underperformed, but without any traces of a nhl calibre back end, they werent given much of a chance to win either. even the fact that we are leaning towards a JS19 trade, has more to do with the financial restraints of this team--- its inability / reluctance to spend money and improve the club, then js19's play itself (as far as i am concerned). im just so sick of ownership /mangement pointing fingers rather than acknowledging their failure to ice a competitive team. do they think we are stupid? if murray totes the line, "jason didnt do what we needed him to do", i'm going to freak out. and i am an advocate of trading him for petes sake (mostly due, however, to financial issues and our inability to invest long term in a player with chronic back injuries, when are unwilling to spend the $ to win now/short term). the real issue comes from the top. the bottom (the product on the ice) is mostly a result of mismanagement of finances, assets and players--- not js19.

Absurd theory - losing every veteran we have on the team wouldn't get us to first overall.

Spezza, Michalek, Hemsky, Neil, Phillips, Methot, and Anderson could all be moved out, and we STILL wouldn't be in the bottom 3. Too much talent.
- TommyDeVito

That's is most likely true, however, it is ironic that you think the team will still be successful if missing its best offensive powers.

Don't be a complete homer, Larsson alone would fetch Spezza.
- TommyDeVito

LOL... nope. not at all.

Totally disagree, and you can't take the C away from a player without trading him. His is playing a much better 2-way game. You can see the improvement in the second half. Prior to that, he had zero lateral movement, and was not explosive at all. Read Mendez' article. Spezza will be a very good captain. I'm not saying sign for 8 years. 4, maybe 5, at 7-8M. He will be worth it.
- Stringer74

The Sharks did that with Marleau and it worked.

As for other people saying, 'who do we give it to, then', who cares! Well, not that I don't care, but I don't think the C would affect some others the way it has with Spezza.

At the end of the day, we need Spezza to focus on just playing and producing. We all know by now that he will never be a two-way player. Having the C is only putting pressure on him to be something he is not.

That's is most likely true, however, it is ironic that you think the team will still be successful if missing its best offensive powers.
- PtotheY

I didn't say they'd be successful, I said they wouldn't be in the high-chance lottery mix in that bottom 5 group.

I'd argue they'd only drop 1-2 spots in the standings, if that. Of the guys I listed, only Spezza is an "offensive power".

It's also in no way ironic. Call it odd or far-fetched if you will, but not ironic.

Spezza and a 4th for Stepan, JT Miller and a 2nd

Spezza and a 4th for Stepan, JT Miller and a 2nd
- Ranger71

Umm, I don't really want to trade Spezza, but... Done! No take-backs!

wait you think Lehner > Varlamov? Or did I read wrong
- ClarksonDavid

This year's Lehner vs last year's Varlamov. Only in the context of Ottawa's potential to finish bottom 3.

Spezza is no ordinary centre... he is " undeniably the best center and most talented centre he ever played with " ( Hemsky's post game words). I doubt you can extrapolate that to him being as succesfull on any other team.
- PtotheY

Maybe not any other team, but a lot of other teams. It's no surprise to Oilers fans that Hemsky is having success.

In fact, I was claiming that he could very well have put up those numbers if Edmonton had not relegated him to a 3rd line role. Spezza is not ordinary and the best centre he's played with, but I don't think he needs Spezza to produce close to that pace. But he needs better than Ryan Jones and Boyd Gordon.

Ottawa made a mistake giving the C to anyone so soon. I like spezza and agree he was probably the best choice but it was lose lose for him. If they made the playoffs, great - still won't replace Alfie though in the eyes of many. If they miss, he takes the brunt. Losing a long Time captain sets up the next guy in a bad way. Waiting a year would've taken the heat off anyone. Not to mention with all this trade talk, it just looks ridic giving the C to someone then possibly trading him.

Jason Spezza: I'm going to go out on a limb and say Spezza will never hit the 92 point mark again. He had 84 points in 2011-12 which is possible but his back has to be completely recovered. IF his back recovers and IF he gets on with good wingers it is POSSIBLE he hits the 30 goal or 80 point plateau(s). Those are big IFs. I believe Spezza is the 2nd guy you rely. Good example of a #2 guy is Jay Bouwmeester. Playing with Pietrangelo he's thriving where Phanuef in Toronto is not.

Imagine Spezza playing on Chicago between guys like Sharp and Hossa. To his credit he's a good guy and never caused the team problems. Also sounds like he has matured as a captain. I would actively listen at the draft and make a deal if the return is good. If not, I would bring talk extension and give him wingers.

Key Factors Moving Forward: Sad to say that Jared Cowen torn labrum in his left hip is key to stabilizing the defensive core. Methot, depending on how he comes into camp is 1st pairing or 2nd pairing on the left side. Ceci should slot behind Karlsson; I don't see a sophomore slump. His poise and calm seem to be consistent.

Defensive coverage is the biggest focus according to the coach today and very accurate. 3rd most GA in the league will keep you out the playoffs for next year too. Players like Condra, Smith, Neil, Turris, MacArthur should return and, for the most part, had a great year. Weircioch looks good and should get more PP time next year. If Spezza isn't traded, who plays with him? Stone? Hemsky? Ryan is likely to start with #7, but who knows whose here come Sept. Zibanejad is having a big year next year I believe.

forgot to mention to you boys. had great tix at sens leaf game. Leeder was in a box right next to me. it was the casion lac lime (spl?) box.
conclusion? Melynk wants casino

A guy I know was joking about Zibanejad this morning, he asked me

'Any update on Mika? I hope it's not Zijane-bad news' and laughed

I wanted to punch the guy but couldn't help but crack a smile... ah, the joy and sheer bitterness that comes with living in Toronto

In all seriousness, he's fine right? It's not Ebola is it?

A guy I know was joking about Zibanejad this morning, he asked me

'Any update on Mika? I hope it's not Zijane-bad news' and laughed

I wanted to punch the guy but couldn't help but crack a smile... ah, the joy and sheer bitterness that comes with living in Toronto

In all seriousness, he's fine right? It's not Ebola is it?
- KarlKarlsson

Yes, I heard the MacLean press conference today and he said Zibanejad has passed all his medical tests with one left to do. Sounds like a purely medical matter involving something other than concussion.

More interesting MacLean clearly avoided talking about Spezza. Talked about Turris and Smith as improving a lot this year at the center position. He also talked about the noise that he will be named as head coach for Canada at the WHC.

I think the writing is on the wall. Spezza will be heading to St Louis (I think they get smoked by the Hawks in the first round). I think Ottawa asks for Tarasenko in return...good luck.

lol you all realize

if spezza goes

hemsky more likely to go as well

just saying

Why would Edmonton want spezza?

I get the veteran leadership thing and being able to mentor the kids...

But sens need back end help and the oilers don't have that.

St Louis would be a good trade partner but isn't that team stacked as it is?

And the ducks have nothing to help the sens

Just listened to your podcast from earlier today, Trav. You sure didn't pull any punches. Excellent stuff.

Yes, I heard the MacLean press conference today and he said Zibanejad has passed all his medical tests with one left to do. Sounds like a purely medical matter involving something other than concussion.

More interesting MacLean clearly avoided talking about Spezza. Talked about Turris and Smith as improving a lot this year at the center position. He also talked about the noise that he will be named as head coach for Canada at the WHC.

I think the writing is on the wall. Spezza will be heading to St Louis (I think they get smoked by the Hawks in the first round). I think Ottawa asks for Tarasenko in return...good luck.
- spatso

Why get another forward? I do think Tarasenko is a great player, but that's not our greatest need... Unless we trade Spezza and can't sign Hemsky and Michalek... then we will have lots of need for Vladamir...

I would and have always have liked the idea of Spezza playing for the Leafs.

In all seriousness, what would it take for the Leafs to get him?

Phaneuf for Spezza? Captain for captain and they can strip the C on both sides?

I would and have always have liked the idea of Spezza playing for the Leafs.

In all seriousness, what would it take for the Leafs to get him?

Phaneuf for Spezza? Captain for captain and they can strip the C on both sides?
- cracka

I can't stand phaneuf so personally I would not like that deal at all