Spread out the offense. Keep the duos together and add complementary pieces. I personally think this is our most effective and potent lineup, given the pieces we currently have:


1A - MacArthur - Turris - Chiasson
1B - Michalek - Zibanejad - Ryan
3 - Puempel / Hoffman - Legwand - Lazar
4 - Stone - Smith - Condra

In the wings: Hoffman/Puempel , Neil, Greening

1- Karlsson, Methot
2- Cowen, Ceci
3- Boro, Wiercioch

In the wings: Phillips, Gryba
- Jordo

Don't you think putting a second year player we recently traded for on the top line over Ryan sends the message that we are NOT committed to winning and that we aren't going to resign the best sniper on our team since heatley?

Sure it spreads depth but putting players in positions where they probably wont succeed is counterproductive.

Having lots of players doesn't mean you have good depth, see : Maple Leafs, Toronto

Im guessing Grbya will get traded and our lines look something like

Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Weircioch
Phillips-Ceci

Gryba traded and Borocop as the 7th Dman OR Gryba stays as the 7th Dman while Borocop clears waivers and plays in the AHL until injury an injury call up brings him back.
- karlsson

i would like both of those things to happen.

trade gryba, send boro down, play claessen

Great to see a Sens blog back on the site, welcome Jared!

The Ryan contract discussions were moving along great and basically most details were agreed upon. Unfortunately Murray's health caused a delay and by summers end Ryan told his people to slow down. He wants to have a little more time to make his decision. It sounds like he is leaning more towards a long term deal if he signs. The team is willing to go on a three year deal. Once Ryan agrees to commit the deal is basically done.
The feeling is he will let the team know by Christmas. They feel confident he will commit.

With Methot it's a different situation. I mentioned early last season that he was not in their long term plans. I haven't been told any differently. Some negotiations are set up to fail. Sometimes by the team and sometimes by the players side(ie Alfie)

Great to see a Sens blog back on the site, welcome Jared!

The Ryan contract discussions were moving along great and basically most details were agreed upon. Unfortunately Murray's health caused a delay and by summers end Ryan told his people to slow down. He wants to have a little more time to make his decision. It sounds like he is leaning more towards a long term deal if he signs. The team is willing to go on a three year deal. Once Ryan agrees to commit the deal is basically done.
The feeling is he will let the team know by Christmas. They feel confident he will commit.

With Methot it's a different situation. I mentioned early last season that he was not in their long term plans. I haven't been told any differently. Some negotiations are set up to fail. Sometimes by the team and sometimes by the players side(ie Alfie)
- Cup 06

if ottawa is only offering him a 3 year deal, then ryan is as good as gone. if it's true, then murray is an idiot for even thinking of offering that.

My guess for opening day:

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Zbad-Chiasson
Hoffman- Legwand-Stone
Greening-Smith-Neil

Methot-EK
Cowen-Ceci
Phillips-Gryba

Andy

Don't you think putting a second year player we recently traded for on the top line over Ryan sends the message that we are NOT committed to winning and that we aren't going to resign the best sniper on our team since heatley?

Sure it spreads depth but putting players in positions where they probably wont succeed is counterproductive.
- karlsson

It's 100% a 1a/1b situation. Not to mention, PP time, plus some time on SH even. I actually think the 2nd line is more dangerous than the 1st. In pressers, Murray always points to Zbad as the team's future #1 guy. Insulate him with two guys that can score goals- that has the opportunity to be a lethal line.

Besides, if things don't work- switch Chiasson with Ryan. We all know how MacLean loves to roll lines, and nothing that's on paper is ever concrete.

I think the larger discussion here is focused around the bottom 6 and how that should play out. I think it'd be interesting interchanging Stone and Hoffman on the 3rd/4th lines.

Although many people seem to think Condra should be the odd man out- I find him far more valuable on a 4th line role than Neil or Greening. He can't score goals, but his defensive game is fantastic.

if ottawa is only offering him a 3 year deal, then ryan is as good as gone. if it's true, then murray is an idiot for even thinking of offering that.
- sensarmy_11

No there are multiple terms offered, the teams is comfortable if he wants to sign short term. Sorry for the confusion.

Spread out the offense. Keep the duos together and add complementary pieces. I personally think this is our most effective and potent lineup, given the pieces we currently have:


1A - MacArthur - Turris - Chiasson
1B - Michalek - Zibanejad - Ryan
3 - Puempel / Hoffman - Legwand - Lazar
4 - Stone - Smith - Condra

In the wings: Hoffman/Puempel , Neil, Greening

1- Karlsson, Methot
2- Cowen, Ceci
3- Boro, Wiercioch

In the wings: Phillips, Gryba
- Jordo

I'd rather give Stone top 6 minutes than just bury him on the 4th line. He should be on one of the top two lines ahead of michalek, IMO.

Stone Turris Mac
Ryan Zib Chiasson (this is a pretty big line)
Hoffman/Lazar Legwand Michalek
Condra Smith Neil


Greening

Don't you think putting a second year player we recently traded for on the top line over Ryan sends the message that we are NOT committed to winning and that we aren't going to resign the best sniper on our team since heatley?

Sure it spreads depth but putting players in positions where they probably wont succeed is counterproductive.
- karlsson

If Ryan can play well at LW, it changes everything about our team.

It didn't matter who played with Turris/Mac, the line was clicking last year. They don't need Ryan to be successful.

On the other hand, if Ryan can slot down to the 2nd line, it gives us a much better 1,2 punch.

We all know Michalek's best days are behind him, but he's still useful. To me, he fits in much better on the 3rd line than the 2nd line.

If we can put Stone on L1 and Ryan on L2, I think it will spread the offense around and stop teams from targeting our one dominant line.

I would love to see
Mac-Turris-Stone
Ryan-Zibby-Chaisson
Michalek-Legwand-Hoffman

Of course this all depends on how well Ryan can play on the left side.

Zibby and Chaisson are north/south type guys.. having Ryan on that line will make it much better than having Michalek (another north/south guy). Ryan is a very underrated playmaker, and he can do more for Zibby/Chaisson's games than he can for Mac/Turris.

Ryan IS a legitimate goal scorer at the NHL level. Ottawa has nobody else who currently provides that, only guys who have the potential to. ottawa has some guys who can/will develop into potential partners for karlsson (ceci, cowen, claessen), no need to move ryan.

as for a bet, i'm not stupid enough to think the sens will finish ahead of the habs this year. i'm down for a karlsson vs subban bet though
- sensarmy_11

That's fair, but the jury is still out whether or not Ryan will pot 30 goals having left Ana I feel he probably could, but with such a spotty def would it not make sense to bolster the def with a big name to play with karlsson. Ott has some great wingers that COULD step in. My thinking is, if yyougive rRyanbig money and ott is say 3-4 years away from making any splash, its aa lotof money used on a guy tthats only going to be around to be a 8-10 place team. IMO you build from the back up. To me makes no ssense paying Ryan say north of 7 mill a year to be a 10th place team. youccould probably get a gem of a a young d (perhaps a package deal) then we watch Lazar and co move up the lines, reinforce them when the back end and def is set.

first .... early bird getas the worm......

I dont think they are trying to suck up to Ryan, rather they want to see how he would work with Zibby and Chiasson. If that can work, they would have a great 1A/1B pair of lines. If not, they revert back to MacArthur/Turris/Ryan .....

WRT the 8 D-men they have ..... well technically 7 with Methot out for the forseeable future ..... While I agree that Ceci should be a really good defenseman, I dont want to see them rush him in too fast. I would hate to see him struggle and then get sent down - that would be a blow to his confidence more so than being sent down now.

I would not be surprised, nor p!ssed off if he goes to Bingo for the start of the season (like Karlsson did) and then comes up part way through. 1L minutes in Bingo where he could excel, rather than 'get by' in the NHL might not be a bad idea.
- GadesnSens

I wouldn't say that playing Ceci would rush him into his role. Its a question of if he is ready for NHL full time. I believe he showed the entire NHL that he has what it takes and brings it to each game he played last year. He was one of the positives the team saw last season. I say you buy off Chris Phillips contract and that fixes this dilemma. But then again, that's not probable. I say keep Ceci full time. If he does have a hard time, that should spark him up and speed up his development. I see heart in his play, so I doubt it would crush his confidence. There is simply no room for lack of confidence in the NHL.

That's fair, but the jury is still out whether or not Ryan will pot 30 goals having left Ana I feel he probably could, but with such a spotty def would it not make sense to bolster the def with a big name to play with karlsson. Ott has some great wingers that COULD step in. My thinking is, if yyougive rRyanbig money and ott is say 3-4 years away from making any splash, its aa lotof money used on a guy tthats only going to be around to be a 8-10 place team. IMO you build from the back up. To me makes no ssense paying Ryan say north of 7 mill a year to be a 10th place team. youccould probably get a gem of a a young d (perhaps a package deal) then we watch Lazar and co move up the lines, reinforce them when the back end and def is set.
- munky123

Well there is a lot of extrapolation in your comment and there are a lot of IF around the scenario. The thing you have to understand is that Ottawa doesn't need to feel rushed to find a superstar or star to play alongside Karlsson. Karlsson is by leaps the best puck moving defense in the league, meaning he turns any of his partner into a star. So, if you are suggesting trading Ryan for a D to play alongside Karlsson I think you're gambling that the goaltending will be the best in the league. Ottawa needs to focus on keeping Ryan to keep their offensive threat. I personally think its not way out of whack to assume Senators will be once again in the playoff race this season. Why not keep your main offensive threat? Ryan is the type of player you need when competing for a playoff spot. An extra D is good to maintain a good ranking position in the league, but when you want to gain rankings, scoring should be emphasized.

Well there is a lot of extrapolation in your comment and there are a lot of IF around the scenario. The thing you have to understand is that Ottawa doesn't need to feel rushed to find a superstar or star to play alongside Karlsson. Karlsson is by leaps the best puck moving defense in the league, meaning he turns any of his partner into a star. So, if you are suggesting trading Ryan for a D to play alongside Karlsson I think you're gambling that the goaltending will be the best in the league. Ottawa needs to focus on keeping Ryan to keep their offensive threat. I personally think its not way out of whack to assume Senators will be once again in the playoff race this season. Why not keep your main offensive threat? Ryan is the type of player you need when competing for a playoff spot. An extra D is good to maintain a good ranking position in the league, but when you want to gain rankings, scoring should be emphasized.
- PtotheY

thats fair too, but sure karlsson is by far the best at moving the puck on the back end, but hes terrible at playing d ( hehe i would play him as a fwd any day)

i dont think ryan will score more goals than ott will let in, which was blatantly the case last year. How many games did the sens start off strong, get the lead only to blow it because of defensive lapses. I do have confidence that some of the young talent the sens have will be able to generate scoring, but the play has to be generated from a back end thats built solid. adding a def that can help cover karlsson is essential. just like subban, hes not as bad defensively as karlsson, but they both like to take chances ( and they should) but they need a guy up high or a little more def orientated to cover their ass. I just dont see Ryan being the solution. if the sens were to add him 2-4 years from now, (frank) yea. But now... well not so much. Beating the habs a couple years back to go to the second round, was not a thing to build on. it was due to exceptional goaltending and goals at key moments, and well the habs being without a bunch of players. the sens have holes, and i really hope that Lehner is the real deal, but it was apparent its on def. spend the money on the back end. jmo.

thats fair too, but sure karlsson is by far the best at moving the puck on the back end, but hes terrible at playing d ( hehe i would play him as a fwd any day)

i dont think ryan will score more goals than ott will let in, which was blatantly the case last year. How many games did the sens start off strong, get the lead only to blow it because of defensive lapses. I do have confidence that some of the young talent the sens have will be able to generate scoring, but the play has to be generated from a back end thats built solid. adding a def that can help cover karlsson is essential. just like subban, hes not as bad defensively as karlsson, but they both like to take chances ( and they should) but they need a guy up high or a little more def orientated to cover their ass. I just dont see Ryan being the solution. if the sens were to add him 2-4 years from now, (frank) yea. But now... well not so much. Beating the habs a couple years back to go to the second round, was not a thing to build on. it was due to exceptional goaltending and goals at key moments, and well the habs being without a bunch of players. the sens have holes, and i really hope that Lehner is the real deal, but it was apparent its on def. spend the money on the back end. jmo.
- munky123

You're off the mark if you think one player is a "solution". Ryan is simply a big piece to the puzzle. Just like Karlsson is another piece. You build a team with pieces. Ryan isn't a bad piece to have.

You're off the mark if you think one player is a "solution". Ryan is simply a big piece to the puzzle. Just like Karlsson is another piece. You build a team with pieces. Ryan isn't a bad piece to have.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

not saying he isnt... i just think having the pieces out of the back end is more important. and the fwd pieces coming up i do believe will be an impact int he next few years. i think the money would be better spent on shoring up the d and taking some of the pressure off the younger def kids. the sens problem last year was def, zone coverage and at times gtending. why is the focus on whether they should sign Ryan and not on making the d better.

Great to see a Sens blog back on the site, welcome Jared!

The Ryan contract discussions were moving along great and basically most details were agreed upon. Unfortunately Murray's health caused a delay and by summers end Ryan told his people to slow down. He wants to have a little more time to make his decision. It sounds like he is leaning more towards a long term deal if he signs. The team is willing to go on a three year deal. Once Ryan agrees to commit the deal is basically done.
The feeling is he will let the team know by Christmas. They feel confident he will commit.

With Methot it's a different situation. I mentioned early last season that he was not in their long term plans. I haven't been told any differently. Some negotiations are set up to fail. Sometimes by the team and sometimes by the players side(ie Alfie)
- Cup 06

This scares the hell outa me tbh .If he likes the deal then sign it ,if by christmas he still isnt signed and he has had a great year then what??Trade him while we are trying to make a push to the playoffs ????This should have been done by now

not saying he isnt... i just think having the pieces out of the back end is more important. and the fwd pieces coming up i do believe will be an impact int he next few years. i think the money would be better spent on shoring up the d and taking some of the pressure off the younger def kids. the sens problem last year was def, zone coverage and at times gtending. why is the focus on whether they should sign Ryan and not on making the d better.
- munky123

The defense ,s main problem is that its young ,also having the worst defensive top line center didnt help .The team up front is now built to better support our defenders,there should be a noticable improvement

not saying he isnt... i just think having the pieces out of the back end is more important. and the fwd pieces coming up i do believe will be an impact int he next few years. i think the money would be better spent on shoring up the d and taking some of the pressure off the younger def kids. the sens problem last year was def, zone coverage and at times gtending. why is the focus on whether they should sign Ryan and not on making the d better.
- munky123

They should be focussing on both. I think by Christmas a lot of the uncertainly with the roster will be answered.

Having lots of players doesn't mean you have good depth, see : Maple Leafs, Toronto

Im guessing Grbya will get traded and our lines look something like

Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Weircioch
Phillips-Ceci

Gryba traded and Borocop as the 7th Dman OR Gryba stays as the 7th Dman while Borocop clears waivers and plays in the AHL until injury an injury call up brings him back.
- karlsson

The thing with Ottawa is in our top 9 players there is nobody that fights and maybe / maybe you can out Mark Stone in there so Boro / Gryba and Cowen becoming hugely important to your team to have someone on the ice who can throw a punch and do it when needed.

Not that I;m big on fighting, but the truth is you need guys who can throw them when players like Downie, Prust, M. Foligno decide to target your Ryan's and Turris's.

We don't have a particularly tough team and our forwards and fast and skilled but not fighters - need to have those policeman out there so I think Gryba stays.

This scares the hell outa me tbh .If he likes the deal then sign it ,if by christmas he still isnt signed and he has had a great year then what??Trade him while we are trying to make a push to the playoffs ????This should have been done by now
- top shelf 15

Why would Ryan sign now? Look from his angle. If we are in the running for McDavid by Christmas, what player in their prime would want to sign here longterm? He's just buying his time. Has every right to.

Why would Ryan sign now? Look from his angle. If we are in the running for McDavid by Christmas, what player in their prime would want to sign here longterm? He's just buying his time. Has every right to.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yep this is all correct ,we have put ourselves in a pickle with him tbh .We either overpay now to insure he remains a sen or we run the risk of him walking for nothing

Is the game televised?
- david22

Yes, TSN5

They should be focussing on both. I think by Christmas a lot of the uncertainly with the roster will be answered.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

true that, and this years fa list loooks nice. im just worried with a cheap ass owner committing 7+ mill to ryan will cut any chance of beefing up the d. i also dont see to many glaring issues with the fwds. apart from the michalek signing...also the jury is still out on wether turris can be a legit #1 c. solid def can and are around alot longer than fwds. If ott can get another big young def vet to play with karlsson, i like them better moving fwd. no need to spend tons on fwds when money is tight.

true that, and this years fa list loooks nice. im just worried with a cheap ass owner committing 7+ mill to ryan will cut any chance of beefing up the d. i also dont see to many glaring issues with the fwds. apart from the michalek signing...also the jury is still out on wether turris can be a legit #1 c. solid def can and are around alot longer than fwds. If ott can get another big young def vet to play with karlsson, i like them better moving fwd. no need to spend tons on fwds when money is tight.
- munky123

There are maybe 10 NHL teams that have true #1 Centers - all the rest of us (including Montreal) are getting it done with what they have.

Winning a Cup on the other hand - hasn't been done without a true #1C maybe ever - Beregron, Krecji in Boston are cutting it close even though Bergeron is considered one of the best 2 way C in the game. The NJ teams had guys like Gomez, Holik etc - so it can be done but you have to have elite goaltending (which MTL does but Ottawa doesn't)

not saying he isnt... i just think having the pieces out of the back end is more important. and the fwd pieces coming up i do believe will be an impact int he next few years. i think the money would be better spent on shoring up the d and taking some of the pressure off the younger def kids. the sens problem last year was def, zone coverage and at times gtending. why is the focus on whether they should sign Ryan and not on making the d better.
- munky123

All summer I have been venting about the lack of trades made in order to improve the back end. With that being said, if Ottawa is unable to retain Ryan, Ottawa has arguably one of the worst set of wingers in the league.

Sucks he's not playing tonight. Loved how Mac-Turris-Stone looked at the end of the season. I definately think putting Ryan on the 2nd line not only spreads out the offence but also gives Zibby a realistic shot at hitting 50pts.