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)
- tuna99

...last season. The season before Anderson was considered a Vezina candidate and took the Habs to the cleaners in the playoffs. There's so much volatility in goaltending aside from the top 10 keepers in the league (Rask, Price, Quick, Varlamov, Lundquist, Miller, Lehtonen, Smith, Luongo, and Bobrovsky, imo) anything can happen...and even then a guy or two falls off that list every season to be replaced by someone else we have never heard of before (e.g. Gibson, Grubauer, Khudobin, Lehner...)

man, i got a 3 hour ban today. had no idea you could get banned for only 3 hours. weird.

it's a game day, where's gord and his girl?

man, i got a 3 hour ban today. had no idea you could get banned for only 3 hours. weird.

it's a game day, where's gord and his girl?
- sensarmy_11

What'd you do

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)
- tuna99

It culd be argued New Jersey did that in the old NHL. I agree with the Number 1 center argument.

Chhicago won without an eliete number 1 goalie. Although they were insanely stacked everywhere else

What'd you do
- david22

told prock he was an idiot........

Curios, a rumor floating around today that the NCC has sent out signals that they are open to a NHL arena being built in the downtown area near LeBreton Flats. No doubt it would be part of a larger concept involving a grand urban renewal initiative. Pretty sure it would likely also include the infamous casino. No wonder Melnyk tries to hang on

Curios, a rumor floating around today that the NCC has sent out signals that they are open to a NHL arena being built in the downtown area near LeBreton Flats. No doubt it would be part of a larger concept involving a grand urban renewal initiative. Pretty sure it would likely also include the infamous casino. No wonder Melnyk tries to hang on
- spatso

it was said that their ideal build would be a ne museum of science and tech...........(frank)ing gvt town

it was said that their ideal build would be a ne museum of science and tech...........(frank)ing gvt town
- sensarmy_11

I just heard the reports on TSN 1200. Museum makes more sense. Arena and casino would be better by conference center.

Curios, a rumor floating around today that the NCC has sent out signals that they are open to a NHL arena being built in the downtown area near LeBreton Flats. No doubt it would be part of a larger concept involving a grand urban renewal initiative. Pretty sure it would likely also include the infamous casino. No wonder Melnyk tries to hang on
- spatso

Man, they've been talking about that Lebreton Flats idea since the team was still at the Civic Centre. They were fools not to build the stadium there in the first place... a downtown stadium makes an incredibly large difference to the fan experience, and a war museum doesn't exactly spur on urban renewal.

It could be argued New Jersey did that in the old NHL. I agree with the Number 1 center argument.
Chicago won without an elite number 1 goalie. Although they were insanely stacked everywhere else
- david22

New Jersey did it in the clutch/grab era with one of the best goaltenders in league history, a pair of first-ballot Hall of Fame defencemen, and built off the teachings of the godfather of defensive coaching systems. They also had a somewhat transient and unheralded array of scoring wingers, including Richer, Mogilny, and Elias.

From what I can see, if there's a general blueprint for a Stanley Cup-quality team in the current NHL, it's something along the lines of having at least 5/6 of...
- 2 high-end centres
- 2 effective scoring wingers
- 1 clear-cut #1 defenceman
- 1 high-end goaltender or shutdown defenceman

If you think of this in terms of the recent Cup champions, it pretty much holds true heading into this season...

Chicago (Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook)
Boston (Krejci, Bergeron, Eriksson Chara, Rask)
Los Angeles (Kopitar, Carter, Gaborik, Doughty, Quick)

Surprise, surprise... it takes a core of exceptional players to be an exceptional team. Unfortunately, I figure Ottawa has 2 or 3 at most on the current roster.

My thoughts on Methot/Ryan
I think Ottawa has a number in mind that they want to spend on the two of them--Lets say $10 Million
Also having an impact is aforementioned 8 Dmen dilemma
Phillips is a pilon (IMO) but we just signed him...
I think Methot could be on his way out if we can't hit that magic # (whatever it is) between him and Ryan.
I believe the team wants to see what it has in Ceci, Weircioch, and Cowen before they make a move though -- and also see how Ryan's hernia has healed, which could explain why contract negotiations are so slow...
Wouldn't be surprised to see a trade by Ottawa part ways through the year involving Methot and some pieces for draft picks to either a struggling team (Winnipeg, Edmonton) or a team that is "going for it" in a tough division (Anaheim)
My two cents...

Yes, TSN5
- JaredCrozier

Anyone know where this is streaming? I'm forced
to not watch it because I'm geographically closer to Toronto...

Anyone know where this is streaming? I'm forced
to not watch it because I'm geographically closer to Toronto...
- LondonSen

type in firstrow on google.
If I get banned it's on you

man, i got a 3 hour ban today. had no idea you could get banned for only 3 hours. weird.

it's a game day, where's gord and his girl?
- sensarmy_11

Only preseason. The real girls come out when the real games go down.

Quick fantasy question for you guys, Who is OTT's 2nd line centre this year? Zibanjed?

I just heard the reports on TSN 1200. Museum makes more sense. Arena and casino would be better by conference center.
- spatso

Would be a waste to spend the money to build a new arena where the museum is. It wouldn't solve any of the problems they already have.

Quick fantasy question for you guys, Who is OTT's 2nd line centre this year? Zibanjed?
- XxHarounXx

given line combinations in the preseason, looks like it.

I'd say Ottawa's forward group needs to make a move before the D does. Greening is a guy Ottawa would get rid of before anyone in the organization. Nothing against the guy -- he can be a very useful but at his price and the number of forwards in the bottom six -- hoffman, stone, puempel, lazar, prince, condra -- the Sens don't need a guy that does the same job at 3 times the price

given line combinations in the preseason, looks like it.
- sensarmy_11

Tonight, Lazar has played a strong game. Okay on faceoffs as well.

So far Ceci has impressed me the most. The kid has great hockey iq, he can skate the puck well. He would be great next to Karlsson; although, I'd prefer if they weren't together to spread the talent. Cowen is looking better as well.

So far Ceci has impressed me the most. The kid has great hockey iq, he can skate the puck well. He would be great next to Karlsson; although, I'd prefer if they weren't together to spread the talent. Cowen is looking better as well.
- TheCalSen

Puempel has looked like he's still managing to find the open areas of the ice as well. Have to say, first time in pre-season I haven't been terribly impressed by Hoffman. Could be because the Jets are fast enough to neutralize his speed somewhat, but he didn't seem to be flying out there like usual.

Side Note: Thanks for the tip!

what a horrible last min of the game...stupid hoffman

what a horrible last min of the game...stupid hoffman
- AlfieisKing

Yeah that was bad.

Puempel has looked like he's still managing to find the open areas of the ice as well. Have to say, first time in pre-season I haven't been terribly impressed by Hoffman. Could be because the Jets are fast enough to neutralize his speed somewhat, but he didn't seem to be flying out there like usual.

Side Note: Thanks for the tip!
- LondonSen

Yeah no problem. Honestly this game didn't mean too much. I was just watching individuals rather than the score. We have Grant and Johnson playing defense which dragged the team down for the most part. I paid close attention to Greening and was really disappointed. It seemed like he wasn't into it. I think it's only a matter of time before they free up some space for the rookies, and he'll be the first to leave followed by Condra. I like Neil for the most part. He can't play hockey but he is the best goon in the NHL and the team will need him for some games.

I thought there were lots of positives considering the line up they dressed. Anderson was pretty solid. Other than for a few plays by Wiercioche the defense did what they were supposed to on most shifts. I thought Lazar was more responsible in his own end and played the most solid of any of the centers out there last night (including Zibanejad). Lazar is a lot better on face offs than I thought.

Robinson uses his body very effectively. Stone has really improved his 200' game. He looked especially solid on the PK.

The last few cuts are not going to be easy. But Lazar makes my team as a center and that has serious impact on how the roster is shaped.