ya, Toronto is so close to success, they can just smell it
- forbetterorWORSE

I didn't realize that's what he said. Though Lupul isn't better then Ryan.

ya, Toronto is so close to success, they can just smell it
- forbetterorWORSE

Yeah because that has anything to do with what I said. The guy named toronto as a team that would be interested. They would have zero interest. He's probably going to Philly or jersey.

I didn't realize that's what he said. Though Lupul isn't better then Ryan.
- ClarksonDavid

Put lupul on the top line of the Leafs he puts up a point per game. Put Ryan on one of the best lines in the league for years in the league he doesn't.

I think you can make a pretty strong argument for it.

Exactly! Either he signs with Ottawa or he gets traded to another team. I still think the supposed big deal that Ottawa continues to negotiate is with San Jose. My guess is involves a Dman (Methot) and possibly Ryan. The player many people in Ottawa would like to see coming back is Logan Couture.

But, this might take all summer to get resolved. San Jose wants to move Thornton, but he says he is not going anywhere. The Sharks are loaded with centers. But, they need to add on the wing, defense and in net.
- spatso

Logan Couture would be a great addition, but it makes no sense for both teams. You really think the "rebuilding" Sharks will let go of their future/present 1C and keep Joe Thornton. On top of that, the Senators are pretty much loaded on center depth. So much so that one of our centers (Da Costa) went to the KHL so that he can get an opportunity to play. Not to mention we got Turris and Zibanejad who can potentially both try out for that 1C.
I doubt Ryan doesn't sign. The money is there, the chemistry with his linemates is there, I doubt he will let all of that disappear just for a chance to play on a slightly better team in Philadelphia (alleged connection). But let's suppose he doesn't sign in the next few weeks or so, then the best option IMO is to trade for either Evander Kane, ROR (might have to add a bit + needs to sign) or just get a package which involves a 2015 1st round pick (can't have many of those).

Just semantics though.

I honestly hope he does sign a long-term deal in Ottawa. After losing Alfie and Spezza in back to back summers, the franchise needs new, fresh faces to represent it. Karlsson, Ryan, Turris are 3 faces the franchise could market around for years to come.
- Rocktane

Maybe so. But bobby Ryan was the wrong guy to target.

Maybe so. But bobby Ryan was the wrong guy to target.
- prock

You can't make that assessment now. This season will show if he really was worth the time (that's if he does sign).

You can't make that assessment now. This season will show if he really was worth the time (that's if he does sign).
- Hubris

Fair. I say that because I think he jumps ship though. I think he was almost a sure thing to jump ship always.

Toronto has no need for him. They’ve got three better wingers.
- prock

Kessel yes. JVR (as of now)....joffery 'made of glass' lupul is not better than big bobby

I didn't realize that's what he said. Though Lupul isn't better then Ryan.
- ClarksonDavid

now thats a comment that deserves a gold star

unbiased fan

Kessel yes. JVR (as of now)....joffery 'made of glass' lupul is not better than big bobby
- AlfieisKing

Ironic given the excuses made for bobby Ryan this year.

Ironic given the excuses made for bobby Ryan this year.
- prock

sports hernia and he still played 70 games (and scored 23g)

not bad for a guy who has missed 3 regular season games in the past 4 years

sports hernia and he still played 70 games (and scored 23g)

not bad for a guy who has missed 3 regular season games in the past 4 years
- AlfieisKing

Anyone who has had a sports hernia knows it's no "excuse".

Kessel is the only forward on the leafs definitively better than Ryan. JVR is more or less the exact same player. Noone else I would put in the same category, lupul included.

Yeah because that has anything to do with what I said. The guy named toronto as a team that would be interested. They would have zero interest. He's probably going to Philly or jersey.
- prock

You have one winger definitively better than Ryan.

Logan Couture would be a great addition, but it makes no sense for both teams. You really think the "rebuilding" Sharks will let go of their future/present 1C and keep Joe Thornton. On top of that, the Senators are pretty much loaded on center depth. So much so that one of our centers (Da Costa) went to the KHL so that he can get an opportunity to play. Not to mention we got Turris and Zibanejad who can potentially both try out for that 1C.
I doubt Ryan doesn't sign. The money is there, the chemistry with his linemates is there, I doubt he will let all of that disappear just for a chance to play on a slightly better team in Philadelphia (alleged connection). But let's suppose he doesn't sign in the next few weeks or so, then the best option IMO is to trade for either Evander Kane, ROR (might have to add a bit + needs to sign) or just get a package which involves a 2015 1st round pick (can't have many of those).
- Hubris

I am entirely onside on the Evander Kane interest. Love his game, love his age. He is a great fit with the Sens. But he is going to prove to be very expensive. If Ottawa were to get him you will see names like Zibanejad, Lehner, Stone, Puemple, Wiercioche, Cowen, Ceci and Lazar floated around. Likely take a combination of two from that list plus another player (Smith, Anderson). But, if I am Winnipeg I don't deal Kane unless there is a good goalie coming back.

If Ryan were to be moved San Jose is probably the best fit. They desperately need help on the wing, on defense and in goal. They are loaded at center with four top skaters. Thorton won't move for three years. As difficult as it sounds I think that they are going to need to move either Pavelski or Couture to get more depth into their line up. Ryan would make them a much better team.

Why is everyone making a big deal about what B Ryan said in 2012? At the time he was with Anaheim and was surrounded by trade rumours. Guess what, if someone asked me if I'd like to play with Giroux I'd say yes too. At the time, G was considered one of the top 5 forwards in the NHL.

However, this is now two years later and Ryan is in a new situation in Ottawa where the organization is showing him the love he wants. He and more importantly his fiancee appear happy.

As for the Leafs having 3 better wingers well that's laughable. Kessel sure, I mean he will score 5-7 more goals a year than Ryan probably but their assists I bet will be similar. JVR is a very similar player to Ryan but is on a better contract going forward so I'd consider him more valuable in a cap world. But, overall game I think Ryan is slightly better. Lupul is certainly not a point per game player and we all know is injury prone, he's a bit of an enigma.

Why is everyone making a big deal about what B Ryan said in 2012? At the time he was with Anaheim and was surrounded by trade rumours. Guess what, if someone asked me if I'd like to play with Giroux I'd say yes too. At the time, G was considered one of the top 5 forwards in the NHL.

However, this is now two years later and Ryan is in a new situation in Ottawa where the organization is showing him the love he wants. He and more importantly his fiancee appear happy.

As for the Leafs having 3 better wingers well that's laughable. Kessel sure, I mean he will score 5-7 more goals a year than Ryan probably but their assists I bet will be similar. JVR is a very similar player to Ryan but is on a better contract going forward so I'd consider him more valuable in a cap world. But, overall game I think Ryan is slightly better. Lupul is certainly not a point per game player and we all know is injury prone, he's a bit of an enigma.
- riceroni

Scoreboard matters in hockey.

As long as the Senators continue to regularly finish ahead of the Leafs in the standings why would you want to make roster comparisons. No different then drawing up comparisons with the Islanders or Buffalo.

The only reason Leaf fans come onto a Senator thread is because there is enough residual passion from past years that supporters will argue historical default positions. Fans of most other teams either ignore or laugh at the Leaf fans trying to get you to notice them. The Leafs are weaker now than they were at the end of last season. Don't waste your time debating a Leaf fans postured false equivalent. They do not have any relative meaning. It is the reason we have a scoreboard and standings, they measure actual outcomes.

Scoreboard matters in hockey.

As long as the Senators continue to regularly finish ahead of the Leafs in the standings why would you want to make roster comparisons. No different then drawing up comparisons with the Islanders or Buffalo.
- spatso

Well he was talking about players and in that case it's about individual stuff and not so much as team related. I agree that TO has great depth at wing on the top two lines if everyone is healthy... Overall I think Ottawa's roster is better than the Leafs and strangely I think it's because of D.

Our goaltending is fairly even. I mean Bernier is good but he's relatively unproven and I am not sure he can retain the form he had last year. You could also see towards the end of the season that the games played really took a toll on the guy. In contrast I think Anderson/Lehner had their worst seasons and will only improve. So let's say Bernier/Reimer have a save % next year of 0.918 and Lehner/Anderson have a 0.915 then it's a wash but if Ottawa is able to allow fewer shots then the GAA will be better for Ottawa. Overall for the team that's better.

In comparing D, well Ottawa has a legit #1 guy, Toronto doesn't. And, I am a Dion fan don't get me wrong. But, I think he's a #2 guy and when he gets too much playing time and not enough support then he struggles mightily and doesn't play to the capabilities of a #1 guy and can regress past the #2. Now, the other guys in the lineup are fairly comparable as well. Reilly is right now a 2nd pairing D man that should also be getting sheltered minutes. I think like Ceci, he will hit a skid this year like most young players do. Reilly (right now) and Weircioch bring a comparable offensive game and are not the greatest defensively. Methot and Gunnerson are comparable as well. Neither is a top pairing guy and neither is a bottom pairing player. The other guys are all currently capable of playing bottom pairing minutes. Ottawa's X factor and Toronto's X factor are Cowen/Gardiner respectively that can change the strength of each teams D when comparing.

On F, well TO has better wingers that's not a question. But, I think Ottawa has the edge down the middle. Kadri is a good player and I am expecting big things from him. He has more offensive upside than Turris but his defensive game is really lacking. Also, being in Randy's dog house will hurt his playing time. If I was TO I'd run with him on the top line and tell Randy to F off. Bozak on line 2 is maybe a 35-40 point player. The rest of the guys are bums though for TO's depth at C. Ottawa is much stronger with Legwand and Smith as 3rd and 4th line C's.

You have one winger definitively better than Ryan.
- forbetterorWORSE

They have two wingers that made up line one of a team he couldn't make.

Anyone who has had a sports hernia knows it's no "excuse".

Kessel is the only forward on the leafs definitively better than Ryan. JVR is more or less the exact same player. Noone else I would put in the same category, lupul included.
- TommyDeVito

agreeed

The only reason Leaf fans come onto a Senator thread is because there is enough residual passion from past years that supporters will argue historical default positions. Fans of most other teams either ignore or laugh at the Leaf fans trying to get you to notice them. The Leafs are weaker now than they were at the end of last season. Don't waste your time debating a Leaf fans postured false equivalent. They do not have any relative meaning. It is the reason we have a scoreboard and standings, they measure actual outcomes.
- spatso

I think you're being insulting to your blogger.v the only thing that he seems to think that matters is the sCORSIboard.

They have two wingers that made up line one of a team he couldn't make.
- prock

And, what exactly did they do at the Olympics? What medal did they get?

I like how Prock is being back to his usual self and not responding to actual rebuttals to his crap... Keep up the good work buddy!

They have two wingers that made up line one of a team he couldn't make.
- prock

Ya, that worked out great for them

And, what exactly did they do at the Olympics? What medal did they get?
- riceroni

So bobby Ryan couldn't make a team that didn't medal. What's your point?