I think it was the right decision to move on from Spezza I really do. But, I don't think in the short term we are a better team without him and I think it's unfair to blame last season on him. It was a total team collapse. I do hope that key guys will rebound this year, Lehner, Cowen, Ryan (can't say he had a bad year but he was injured so I'd like to see him have a great season and be healthy), Anderson and Weircioch. These guys need to be significantly better.

The guys who I am not sure will be as good as last year are MacArthur and Methot. I'd like them to just stay the same as last season and I'd be happy.

Big improvements (even though they performed as expected last season) will have to be Karlsson, Turris, Zibanejad, Hoffman, Ceci (I actually don't think he was really good and I'd actually like him to be in the AHL for a full year), Stone and Michalek...

There are so many guys who had down years last year that it has to get better. At least I hope so.... Who f'ing knows...
- riceroni

Not sure how you group Methot and Macarthur together. Mac was great last year and a nice surprise. Methot was disappointing overall. Didn't bring the consistency he did his first season here and obviously had some disagreements with the coaching staff. I stick him in the guys to bounce back this year. I also feel he is really the only lock to actually play better.

I think of all the young guys to improve, Zibby is the closest to being a lock in that regard, although I think he will stumble out the gate, but finish the season quite strong. Ceci should be in the NHL unless he has a disastrous training camp and preseason. I know people are always scared of the sophomore slump, but you have to get that sophomore year out of the way at some point and after his solid year last year, I'd have no problem playing him decent NHL minutes this season.

Legwand isn't a good replacement for Spezza
- Oilers4Life14

Ottawa has a very simple goal this year as stated clearly by the GM and the coach at the end of last season. They want to cut goals against by 50. If they can do that they will challenge Boston. Legwand is a spectacular replacement for Spezza if you understand the goal.

Last year Ottawa started the season with Spezza, Turris, Smith and Pageau down the middle. Spezza had horrendous defensive numbers all year. This year they start the season with Turris, Zibanejad, Legwand and Smith in the middle. Don't tell me that they are not a whole lot more competitive than the beginning of last year.

As most of you know I wanted Spezza moved two before he actually was sent to Dallas. But, even in my worst dreams, I never expected him to play as badly as he did last year.

Ottawa has a very simple goal this year as stated clearly by the GM and the coach at the end of last season. They want to cut goals against by 50. If they can do that they will challenge Boston. Legwand is a spectacular replacement for Spezza if you understand the goal.

Last year Ottawa started the season with Spezza, Turris, Smith and Pageau down the middle. Spezza had horrendous defensive numbers all year. This year they start the season with Turris, Zibanejad, Legwand and Smith in the middle. Don't tell me that they are not a whole lot more competitive than the beginning of last year.
- spatso

You will lose GF without Spezza though, so you may need to cut down even more. Although you'd have to assume Ryan scores more than the paltry return last year and the year before.

To be fair, i think that was during the height of the CORSI wave. There were artciles where people predicted who would finish were, solely on CORSI. It didn't work too well.

Like this:

http://bleacherreport.com...al-for-the-2013-14-season

Edit: 105 points.
- walshyleafsfan

Hard to bash predictions, because we all have them, but that was pretty laughable.

Ottawa has a very simple goal this year as stated clearly by the GM and the coach at the end of last season. They want to cut goals against by 50. If they can do that they will challenge Boston. Legwand is a spectacular replacement for Spezza if you understand the goal.

Last year Ottawa started the season with Spezza, Turris, Smith and Pageau down the middle. Spezza had horrendous defensive numbers all year. This year they start the season with Turris, Zibanejad, Legwand and Smith in the middle. Don't tell me that they are not a whole lot more competitive than the beginning of last year.
- spatso

People though Pag was God this time last year. Didn't pan out. Zibby didn't make the opening roster because it would have cost an extra hotel room, errr, I mean, they wanted him to realize things don't get handed to you in the NHL.

Cutting down on goals is great. But that will also require our goalies and defenders playing better too. There has to be some emphasis on goals for though. It's great to have players who can play 200 feet and are strong defensively, but if you don't have a collection of guys who can play 200 feet and are strong offensively, you aren't getting far either.

Right now, Macarthur/Turris/Ryan line looks to be the only line that will producing offence somewhat consistently. Out of that trio, Ryan is really the only guy that is capable of coming close to a point per game. Other guys will have their hot streaks, but the lack of consistence offence may occur and create some struggles.

You will lose GF without Spezza though, so you may need to cut down even more. Although you'd have to assume Ryan scores more than the paltry return last year and the year before.
- walshyleafsfan

I expect the 5 man unit of Turris, MacArthur, Ryan, Karlsson and Methot (perhaps) playing as the #1 shift will likely be a very effective replacement.

Ottawa has a very simple goal this year as stated clearly by the GM and the coach at the end of last season. They want to cut goals against by 50. If they can do that they will challenge Boston. Legwand is a spectacular replacement for Spezza if you understand the goal.

Last year Ottawa started the season with Spezza, Turris, Smith and Pageau down the middle. Spezza had horrendous defensive numbers all year. This year they start the season with Turris, Zibanejad, Legwand and Smith in the middle. Don't tell me that they are not a whole lot more competitive than the beginning of last year.

As most of you know I wanted Spezza moved two before he actually was sent to Dallas. But, even in my worst dreams, I never expected him to play as badly as he did last year.
- spatso

I am not sure what your obsession with Spezza is. You love to point out his faults but never give him credit for anything he's done to help win games.

Hey, I'd love for this team to be better than last season but I can see the team losing in the goals for category and gaining in the goals against category. It's all a matter of how big the margins come together. But, I think it won't be based on the subtraction of Spezza but for the improvement of the rest of the team.

The Greening situation is unfortunately another financial obstacle. On any of the other 29 NHL teams, Greening would have been bought out by now. That's not happening here, obviously, so we are stuck with him. I don't see many other teams looking to acquire an expensive 4th liner. My biggest concern is that we have this guy for 3 more seasons. Not to mention, Neil and Phillips for 2 more seasons. For a team that is looking for spare change in Mom and Dad's couch, you cannot have these kinds of players with these kinds of contracts on your squad. Would not be hard to upgrade those players with the same money.

I really liked Greening his first couple of seasons here. But it seems that he does not want to use his attributes to their full potential. He is one of the teams fastest skaters. But we only know that because of the skills competition, not games. Apparently he hits a lot according to the stat sheet, but I can't remember a single hit that help his team. He does have decent offensive instincts, but only used them playing alongside Spezza. This guy has great tools, but does not seem to put them together like fans and the team had hoped when he first arrived here.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Agree with pretty much everything here. It's been said that it's up to the coaches to get the best out of their players. If CG has the tools, and I think he does, why are we not seeing them nightly? Someone suggested maybe he's being told to dump-chase-change. Possible, but Travis is right, they're not bad in the OZ. Does he need a sports psychologist? What are the WOWYs of the CG-ZS-CN line? Who's being the biggest drag here? I also agree that Neil should be 13th Fwd, but I'm not confident that's going to happen. If Tim Murray was the guy leading the Greening contract, maybe he wants him.

Sorry, lots of random thoughts about this line. A little frustrated because Toronto has added so much depth lately, and we're stuck with this.

I expect the 5 man unit of Turris, MacArthur, Ryan, Karlsson and Methot (perhaps) playing as the #1 shift will likely be a very effective replacement.
- spatso

That's a good 5 man unit. The other 5 men units on this team on paper are not even close. Therefore, teams will be focussing on pretty much one unit to shutdown. If they can shut Turris, MacArthur, Ryan, Karlsson and Methot down effectively, they have a win in the bag.

That's a good 5 man unit. The other 5 men units on this team on paper are not even close. Therefore, teams will be focussing on pretty much one unit to shutdown. If they can shut Turris, MacArthur, Ryan, Karlsson and Methot down effectively, they have a win in the bag.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

this is exactly why i've been saying we shouldn't put ryan with turris....instead have:

mac - turris - stone
chiasson - zibby - ryan

it gives balance. those are 2 pretty equal lines, and hard for the opposition to focus solely on one of them.

I am not sure what your obsession with Spezza is. You love to point out his faults but never give him credit for anything he's done to help win games.

Hey, I'd love for this team to be better than last season but I can see the team losing in the goals for category and gaining in the goals against category. It's all a matter of how big the margins come together. But, I think it won't be based on the subtraction of Spezza but for the improvement of the rest of the team.
- riceroni

I always find these discussions awkward. I don't want to be perceived as being against Spezza. I was a great fan for most of his career. The point I keep trying to remind others is that Ottawa got killed by the soft goals they gave up and by their apparant weak play in their own end. Everything this year is about playing better five on five.

this is exactly why i've been saying we shouldn't put ryan with turris....instead have:

mac - turris - stone
chiasson - zibby - ryan

it gives balance. those are 2 pretty equal lines, and hard for the opposition to focus solely on one of them.
- sensarmy_11

To me, at this point in time, those are two incomplete lines. Stone I think will be a great player, but will he be a solid contributing player in the early going? This will be his first full season after all.

I think Zibby will have a solid year, but will have to adjust to the workload in the early going. Not entirely sold on Chiasson being a top 6 player yet, but the potential is there.

If Zibby, Stone, and Chiasson play well next year, then this is golden. However, in the early going, it's naive to think they will all roll right off the bat. I sure hope I'm wrong of course.

The one thing I do like about the way you have these two lines is that it helps insulate our young players with players who have already had success. That is never a bad thing.

That's a good 5 man unit. The other 5 men units on this team on paper are not even close. Therefore, teams will be focussing on pretty much one unit to shutdown. If they can shut Turris, MacArthur, Ryan, Karlsson and Methot down effectively, they have a win in the bag.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Just one more top 6 player needed. My long held preference is Kane. Sharp would be okay. Something will get done.

To me, at this point in time, those are two incomplete lines. Stone I think will be a great player, but will he be a solid contributing player in the early going? This will be his first full season after all.

I think Zibby will have a solid year, but will have to adjust to the workload in the early going. Not entirely sold on Chiasson being a top 6 player yet, but the potential is there.

If Zibby, Stone, and Chiasson play well next year, then this is golden. However, in the early going, it's naive to think they will all roll right off the bat. I sure hope I'm wrong of course.

The one thing I do like about the way you have these two lines is that it helps insulate our young players with players who have already had success. That is never a bad thing.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

my point in those lines is putting together good "pairs" (turris/mac & zibby/ryan) and then adding a complimentary player to that group. that seems to be macleans strategy, and in fact have heard that mentioned in the past. i'm not saying that all guys will perform perfectly, or all the time, but given the skill sets and potential of hte players on both those lines....they all seem like they can compliment eachother well, and it provides a solid balance, and like you said, insulation for the younger guys.

I always find these discussions awkward. I don't want to be perceived as being against Spezza. I was a great fan for most of his career. The point I keep trying to remind others is that Ottawa got killed by the soft goals they gave up and by their apparant weak play in their own end. Everything this year is about playing better five on five.
- spatso

I think this is the first time you've said that without signalling out Spezza, which in turn makes the statement 100% fact. The whole team stunk in their own end (forward, d-men, and goalies). Some players were worse than others, but it wasn't one guys fault, which you often make it seem. If Phillips, Cowen, and Methot put forth another sub par year, we will still be struggling. If Anderson can barely get over .900 save percentage and Lehner lets in soft shots from the low corner, we will still be struggling.

I think this is the first time you've said that without signalling out Spezza, which in turn makes the statement 100% fact. The whole team stunk in their own end (forward, d-men, and goalies). Some players were worse than others, but it wasn't one guys fault, which you often make it seem. If Phillips, Cowen, and Methot put forth another sub par year, we will still be struggling. If Anderson can barely get over .900 save percentage and Lehner lets in soft shots from the low corner, we will still be struggling.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

The whole team did not stink. When Turris and Karlsson played together the entire 5 man unit was brilliant. This year Karlsson will also be lined up to take many shifts with another center (probably Zibanejad). The second five man unit is going to be very strong as well. We keep forgetting that the best offensive player on the team operates out of a defensive position.

Stupid Greening... I finished 2nd to him for NL Athlete of the Year in 2010... I hope nothing but failure for him, he has his moment in the spotlight with MY trophy lol

The whole team did not stink. When Turris and Karlsson played together the entire 5 man unit was brilliant. This year Karlsson will also be lined up to take many shifts with another center (probably Zibanejad). The second five man unit is going to be very strong as well. We keep forgetting that the best offensive player on the team operates out of a defensive position.
- spatso

I'm not sure why you avoid discussing the 5 other defensemen and goaltenders. It's great if you have a forward like Turris coming back, but he can only do so much as a forward if the defence is struggling and/or the goaltenders are letting in bad shots.

Karlsson is an unreal talent, but obviously every other team knows that as well and he can't play 60 minutes. I'm not sure why you are including him in two 5 man units. The depth of this team is still unrealized. Most of that depth will round out in a couple of seasons. Right now on paper, this team is easy to set a game plan for if you're the opposition. If our young guys play like we hope they do, then it's much more interesting, but I feel that's naive to assume at this point.

Essentially, I guess I am saying, 2 or 3 very good players does not hide other sub par players.

I'm not sure why you avoid discussing the 5 other defensemen and goaltenders. It's great if you have a forward like Turris coming back, but he can only do so much as a forward if the defence is struggling and/or the goaltenders are letting in bad shots.

Karlsson is an unreal talent, but obviously every other team knows that as well and he can't play 60 minutes. I'm not sure why you are including him in two 5 man units. The depth of this team is still unrealized. Most of that depth will round out in a couple of seasons. Right now on paper, this team is easy to set a game plan for if you're the opposition. If our young guys play like we hope they do, then it's much more interesting, but I feel that's naive to assume at this point.

Essentially, I guess I am saying, 2 or 3 very good players does not hide other sub par players.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Karlsson will be on the ice whenever Turris plays except for the PK. But Karlsson plays about 8 minutes more a game (even strength) than Turris. Those extra minutes will likely involve shifts with Zibanejad (or Legwand). This year all centers will play the same game.

Ottawa needs to do a deal, they need to create space for kids to move up. Bunch of teams are being squeezed by cap. Assume Smith is a key piece in any future deal. He is on a great contract.
- spatso

Matt Kassian is gone.. So we trade smith & don't play Neil.. Who's left to drop the gloves on most nights ? Cowen ? I think he's got enough problems do deal with on his defensive zone coverage to have to worry about being an enforcer on most nights for the Sens.

I suppose Methot can scrap but he's not overly tough.

like i said, my post was relative to salary.

yes, gaustad is better, but he's not twice as good, despite making twice as much. same as gonchar.

if we're going STRICTLY on the worst player making over 2 mil, and not "bang for your buck", then yes i agree with you.
- sensarmy_11

relative to salary, the entire list would just be Bolland and Clarkson 1 through 10.

Bolland is a good player... just that damn contract...
- Oilers4Life14

No, he's not.

don't be fooled by his one shining stanley cup moment.

relative to salary, the entire list would just be Bolland and Clarkson 1 through 10.
- TommyDeVito

Just one more top 6 player needed. My long held preference is Kane. Sharp would be okay. Something will get done.
- spatso

I don't think so, Spats.

Team said they're done.

Mac-Turris-Ryan stays together, second line will end up as Hoffman-Zibanejad-Chiasson by mid-season, and it will be a great line.

I don't think so, Spats.

Team said they're done.

Mac-Turris-Ryan stays together, second line will end up as Hoffman-Zibanejad-Chiasson by mid-season, and it will be a great line.
- TommyDeVito

Don't we still have a few extra bodies?