Take the time to watch every other player in the same way that you did Puempel. Maybe he doesn't look so bad after all. Everyone can look lost at times. I'm not saying your analysis is wrong or unvalid, but you have to do it for everyone to get a real sense and determine what a player away from the puck generally looks like and does on a shift.
- matt272

im excited for puempel. i think he gets sent back to bingy to work on some things.
but is one of the first guys we call up due to injury.

Catching the majority of the game last night i was able to pick up on a few things regarding the sens roster, much of which has already been discussed at length on this blog for quite some time.

Buddy Robinson: The goal her scored against Pavelec was a goal scorers goal, and I would not be surprised to see him in the NHL at some point this season. He's a big guy we can skate, throw the body around and put the puck in the back of the net. The role type guy any championship needs moving forward. And h

JG Pageau: Was ALL over the ice last night and as mentioned here definitely deserves a spot on the opening night roster. The guy is a pure battler, even though he is small in stature it hardly seems to phase him from going anywhere on the ice. I would be interested to see him deployed on the wing, potentially with Smith, to see what kind of shutdown role they can provide.

Mike Hoffman: Although did not stand out offensively, i saw something from him that I had not seen in his stint with the big club at the end of last year, he was using his speed to finish body checks and pressure the puck carrier. Maybe then can use his speed on the defensive side and convert him more into a shutdown role with Smith and Pageau. That line could be the deadly mix of shutdown line, with the ability to score goals.

Patrick Wiercoch: It's almost at the point where the organization needs to either poop, or get off the pot with this guy. He needs to be an everyday NHLer, and cannot improve from the press box. With that being said, he needs to solidify his game a little more and do what he does best which is skate and pass. On the goal where he was stripped of the puck, he completely stopped moving his feet when the Jet began checking him and therefore, lost the puck,and body position. Then the next time he was on the ice, he skated the puck, through a couple checkers and made a beautiful pass to the far side where the Sens were able to gain control of the zone with possession. The coaching staff needs to sit down with this guy, pull out some video and say look, he is where you are effective, when you move your feet and when you stop moving them is when you get into trouble.

Just by reading what everyone is saying here. It's safe to say the Sens have;
A) too many NHL forwards(bottom 6)
B)too many NHL defencemen(5/6/7)
C)No intention of keeping Marc Methot past this season for the price he is asking

So why not package A,B, and C to try to get a decent return and a solid top 6 forward or top 4 Dman. I know their probably aren't that many on the trading block currently. But an offer that includes all three may be enough to entice someone to give up a real quality player or two.

Yost had mentioned earlier in the summer the trending posession numbers of Tomas Kopecky, it would be interesting to see what the price would be for a Kopecky, Kulikov type deal. Either way the Sens need to make a move. I see this team going two potential ways. Putting on a solid performance this season and making the playoffs, or being in the running for the Mcdavid, Eichel, Hannifin show which would be a massive dettriment in their attempts to resign Bobby Ryan to that lucrative long term contract both parties have been discussing

Take the time to watch every other player in the same way that you did Puempel. Maybe he doesn't look so bad after all. Everyone can look lost at times. I'm not saying your analysis is wrong or unvalid, but you have to do it for everyone to get a real sense and determine what a player away from the puck generally looks like and does on a shift.
- matt272

I have done so with the bubble guys.. and I always seem to do it with Greening, just cause he's so damn bad. It's hard for me not to take my eyes off him. It's like a train wreck.

When it comes to the bubble guys, people are really only talking about Lazar, Puempel and Stone. Sure, some people like Robinson, but we all know he's not making the team this year.

Last night, I specifically watched Stone, Puempel, Lazar and Cowen.

I didn't bother talking about Lazar because I would have said what everyone else already has. The guy is super solid, doesn't make mistakes and seems to be NHL ready.

Puempel on the other hand, looks totally lost in every zone but the offensive zone.

After watching last nights game pumepel is not ready and stone and Hoffman didnt not impress me , the more I watch Robinson I think he deserves a shot and replace greening .. I see Lazar being a ryan Callahan type player and he's ready for the NHL .. The SENS look lost at Times on the ice and Cowen and weirchoch are looking shaky once again , hopefully 2 more games this wknd we ll get a look at the final product GO SENS GO

I have done so with the bubble guys.. and I always seem to do it with Greening, just cause he's so damn bad. It's hard for me not to take my eyes off him. It's like a train wreck.

When it comes to the bubble guys, people are really only talking about Lazar, Puempel and Stone. Sure, some people like Robinson, but we all know he's not making the team this year.

Last night, I specifically watched Stone, Puempel, Lazar and Cowen.

I didn't bother talking about Lazar because I would have said what everyone else already has. The guy is super solid, doesn't make mistakes and seems to be NHL ready.

Puempel on the other hand, looks totally lost in every zone but the offensive zone.
- Charliebox

I think you're being a little hard on Puemple. He isn't the 2-way forward every here seems to get a hard on for. He's a goal scorer. It's all he has ever been and all he will ever be. If he isn't scoring points, he doesn't have much use to the team. However, he has the tools to be able to contribute offence on a regular basis. The guy is only 21.

He is taking a little longer to develop than people would like, but I think he can definitely be a high call-up candidate this season and close to a lock for a roster spot next season.

Defensive defensmen don't get thrown under the bus for being awful at offence, why offensive forwards get thrown under the bus for not being great a defence?

Biggest improvement I've noticed is Cowen. Is skating is day and night compared to last year's and he's physical. His slapshot is deadly also. He's overall way better than last year. Can't wait to see him in a couple of month. Cowen will take Methot's place on Karlsson's side It hink.

Biggest improvement I've noticed is Cowen. Is skating is day and night compared to last year's and he's physical. His slapshot is deadly also. He's overall way better than last year. Can't wait to see him in a couple of month. Cowen will take Methot's place on Karlsson's side It hink.


- SENSpatriot

Small sample size, but he I didn't mind his game last night. His skating looked more natural than last year. A good test will be on the weekend with both teams starting mostly their day 1 rosters.

k this is ridiculous

I have always defended Murray but this group of D has shown 0 improvement (minus Ceci).

Chicago needs to clear cap space, has confirmed that they want to move Nick Leddy, yet here we are, 1 week before the season starts and were coutning on guys like Cowen, Weircoch,Gryba, Borocop, to play minutes that they aren't capable of handling. I am not saying Leddy is the saviour of this team but IMO he's an upgrade to what we have.

Not saying that 2 of those 4 couldn't handle less then 10mins a night but to suggest that one of these guy can slide into the T4D is outrageous.

Karlsson - Methot
Phillips - Ceci
Weircoch - Cowen/Borocop/Gryba



I don't understand how people think this team will give up less GA's just because Spezza is no longer in the lineup. This team is lined up to still give up 40 shots a night.

Pissed

k this is ridiculous

I have always defended Murray but this group of D has shown 0 improvement (minus Ceci).

Chicago needs to clear cap space, has confirmed that they want to move Nick Leddy, yet here we are, 1 week before the season starts and were coutning on guys like Cowen, Weircoch,Gryba, Borocop, to play minutes that they aren't capable of handling. I am not saying Leddy is the saviour of this team but IMO he's an upgrade to what we have.

Not saying that 2 of those 4 couldn't handle less then 10mins a night but to suggest that one of these guy can slide into the T4D is outrageous.

Karlsson - Methot
Phillips - Ceci
Weircoch - Cowen/Borocop/Gryba



I don't understand how people think this team will give up less GA's just because Spezza is no longer in the lineup. This team is lined up to still give up 40 shots a night.

Pissed
- SENS 613

Tend to agree for the most part. Adding Leddy would be awesome. I think Cowen can improve and Ceci can have more of an impact, but having Phillips, Weircioch, Boro, or Gryba round out our defence is ugly.

Small sample size, but he I didn't mind his game last night. His skating looked more natural than last year. A good test will be on the weekend with both teams starting mostly their day 1 rosters.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I must of missed that from his game last night because all i saw was guys like Matt Halichuk and Blake Wheeler out muscle him off the puck.

6"4 235 defenseman should not be getting dominated along the boards by the players listed above.

I think you're being a little hard on Puemple. He isn't the 2-way forward every here seems to get a hard on for. He's a goal scorer. It's all he has ever been and all he will ever be. If he isn't scoring points, he doesn't have much use to the team. However, he has the tools to be able to contribute offence on a regular basis. The guy is only 21.

He is taking a little longer to develop than people would like, but I think he can definitely be a high call-up candidate this season and close to a lock for a roster spot next season.

Defensive defensmen don't get thrown under the bus for being awful at offence, why offensive forwards get thrown under the bus for not being great a defence?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Prbably because it's a lot more glaring when a offensive player is poor in their own defensive zone. Stands out a lot more, and then you get situations like this.

I must of missed that from his game last night because all i saw was guys like Matt Halichuk and Blake Wheeler out muscle him off the puck.

6"4 235 defenseman should not be getting dominated along the boards by the players listed above.
- SENS 613

Didn't say he looked like a rock back there. His skating looked better than last year. Against a playoff bubble team, who only started half actual NHLers. This is why pre-season is close to useless to gauge guys progression who are already NHLers.

k this is ridiculous

I have always defended Murray but this group of D has shown 0 improvement (minus Ceci).

Chicago needs to clear cap space, has confirmed that they want to move Nick Leddy, yet here we are, 1 week before the season starts and were coutning on guys like Cowen, Weircoch,Gryba, Borocop, to play minutes that they aren't capable of handling. I am not saying Leddy is the saviour of this team but IMO he's an upgrade to what we have.

Not saying that 2 of those 4 couldn't handle less then 10mins a night but to suggest that one of these guy can slide into the T4D is outrageous.

Karlsson - Methot
Phillips - Ceci
Weircoch - Cowen/Borocop/Gryba



I don't understand how people think this team will give up less GA's just because Spezza is no longer in the lineup. This team is lined up to still give up 40 shots a night.

Pissed
- SENS 613

Agreed. The Sens weakness last season was the defense, and management did nothing to address this problem in the offseason. It seems right now that the whole hope is that players who didn't play well will turn things around.

It could happen, but it's not exactly the best strategy going forward to hope for success.

Agreed. The Sens weakness last season was the defense, and management did nothing to address this problem in the offseason. It seems right now that the whole hope is that players who didn't play well will turn things around.

It could happen, but it's not exactly the best strategy going forward to hope for success.
- david22

They extended Gryba and Boro...
Honestly this is a joke, both of the players mentioned above are AHLers nothing more. Giving them 1-way deals is senile. One of them if not both will go through waivers, since Ceci isn't going anywhere. The kid is poised to be a top-2 at this pace.

Without worrying about cap/contracts, what would your ideal forward group be?
- ottsens12

MacArthur-Turris(A)-Ryan(A)
Michalek-Zibby-Chiasson
Hoffman-Smith-Stone
Condra-Legwand-Lazar

Karlsson(C)-Methot
Ceci-Cowen
Weirdcock-Phillips

Prbably because it's a lot more glaring when a offensive player is poor in their own defensive zone. Stands out a lot more, and then you get situations like this.


- david22

Thats the definition of zero (frank)s given,...

k this is ridiculous

I have always defended Murray but this group of D has shown 0 improvement (minus Ceci).

Chicago needs to clear cap space, has confirmed that they want to move Nick Leddy, yet here we are, 1 week before the season starts and were coutning on guys like Cowen, Weircoch,Gryba, Borocop, to play minutes that they aren't capable of handling. I am not saying Leddy is the saviour of this team but IMO he's an upgrade to what we have.

Not saying that 2 of those 4 couldn't handle less then 10mins a night but to suggest that one of these guy can slide into the T4D is outrageous.

Karlsson - Methot
Phillips - Ceci
Weircoch - Cowen/Borocop/Gryba



I don't understand how people think this team will give up less GA's just because Spezza is no longer in the lineup. This team is lined up to still give up 40 shots a night.

Pissed
- SENS 613

What would the asking price for leddy be? would they take methot and a prospect?

Looks like Coach has Stone on that 1st or 2nd line - he could put up 40+ points this season? 20 goals 20 Assists with PP time

What would the asking price for leddy be? would they take methot and a prospect?
- toult

I;m just guessing here, but I think if they need to shed cap space, then methot may not be the best option, with his current demands.

I;m just guessing here, but I think if they need to shed cap space, then methot may not be the best option, with his current demands.
- david22

thats the issue for us too. leddy could prolly be had for a decent price, but hawks need cap relief, and we are a money in money out team.


id love to take leddy off chicagos hands

Taking a look at CapGeek and noticed Jamie Mcbain still unsigned.

I'll be honest I know Jackpoop about him but looks like he made the US WJ team and also played on the US WC team.

Is he injured or an absolute plug?

I agree that it's hard to judge based on last night, and who was available. i'm more concerned with his comments, rather than his action. that being said, seeing neil out on a PP with less than a minute in the game, made me want to throw poop at my TV.

as for hoffman, i won't lose any sleep if he isn't on the NHL roster, but he seems like a real good guy to have on your 4th line...he has speed, hands, is good in all 3 zones, can chip in offensively, is a solid possession player...and i guess, since it's the senators, also important to note that he's inexpensive
- sensarmy_11

Hoffman strikes me as a more offensively-inclined Deam McAmmond. I think he has the toolset to be a decent 4th liner that can spend a shift or two on the second line, but I don't think there's much more upside. Unfortunately he's not terribly big and doesn't seem to have the lateral agility or "shiftiness" that most smaller guys need to be successful at the NHL level. I'd personally rather give Pageau the spot as I think he can match Hoffman's production and brings some better vision and two-way play to the team. I'm curious if JGP would be a fit on the right wing.

Tend to agree for the most part. Adding Leddy would be awesome. I think Cowen can improve and Ceci can have more of an impact, but having Phillips, Weircioch, Boro, or Gryba round out our defence is ugly.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I'd rather see if we could do something to get Dillon out of Dallas. They've already shown they like to trade with Ottawa and are currently dealing with an RFA holdout. I know that may raise some red flags, but our last guy picked up with the same situation (Turris) has turned out ok. He's not as big a name, but would definitely step into a top 4 role easily with marginal cost.

I'd rather see if we could do something to get Dillon out of Dallas. They've already shown they like to trade with Ottawa and are currently dealing with an RFA holdout. I know that may raise some red flags, but our last guy picked up with the same situation (Turris) has turned out ok. He's not as big a name, but would definitely step into a top 4 role easily with marginal cost.
- LondonSen

I don't think they're willing to trade Dillon. But, that would be awesome... I think the Sens would have already asked about Dillon in their Spezza deal... Kinda frustrating that we didn't get more for Spezza... Dillon + Chiasson + 2nd should have been the minimum.

Looks like Coach has Stone on that 1st or 2nd line - he could put up 40+ points this season? 20 goals 20 Assists with PP time
- tuna99

Anything under 35 goals and Sens fans should be disappointed imo.