1)Gryba didn't leave his feet. 2) He lead with his shoulder, not his elbow. 3) I was taught since peewee hockey, DO NOT watch your entire pass to a teammate, especially with your head down. Especially x2 when it's a drop pass.

Anisimov hopfully learned a lesson here. Obviously the hard way.

Also, this is exactly what the Sens need from Gryba, Cowen, Boro and Methot. Big mean ''stay at home'' Defencemen. Let Karlsson, Ceci, Weircioch be the guys to push the play & pinch.
- Erik6Karlsson5

The game has changed over the last couple of years. You can't hit guys in vulnerable positions. I don't necessarily agree with it, it's just how it's called now. Players have to be responsible. I love big hits as much as the next guy but if Gryba is going to get penalized for it every time, get him off the team. You can't be reckless just because you think a different way. The team played better without Gryba and Boro taking regular shifts.

People's bashing of Condra always perplexes me.

He's one of the best defensive players we have, but because he doesn't put points on the board he's considered expendable.

He's just one name in a long list of players who are tremendously unappreciated in the organization.

Before him it was Nick Foligno. Before Foligno it was Chris Kelly. Before Kelly it was Vermette. Before Vermette it was Shaun Van Allen.


I guess you could say we're due for a changing of the guard- because each time every single one of those guys left (save maybe Van Allen) I was extremely disappointed....


Condra deserves a spot over Greening and Neil, in my opinion.
- Jordo

Man. I miss Shaun Van Allen.

Condra has value. I think what people get frustrated with is that as good as he is defensively, he is that bad offensively. I love him on the PK, but am not a fan of him out there 5 on 5 unless we are getting slaughtered in our own zone. To me, he had more value when we had a squad with a larger mix of offensive minded players and defensive minded players. Now, the whole team is basically 2-way minded. That means you have to do a bit of both. Condra's game isn't hugely set up for that. Condra > Greening and Neil for sure!

Here's what I don't get.

Why the actual f*** would anyone want to take Ryan away from MacArthur and Turris? When they're together, that line is outstanding. So you want to take a natural RW away from a situation where he's set up to succeed and THEN you take a natural C and put him in a RW spot on the line where you just put the natural RW out of position? Like, you just took two guys that the Senators are counting on for offensive support from, and put them together in positions where they don't normally play.

I've never understood the logic in taking Ryan away from MacArthur and Turris. They played together last night and the team scores 5 goals. 'Spreading out the offence' is a dumb concept. Put your players in the best situation for them to succeed individually.

I personally think that Chiasson should be playing with Zibanejad, with Hoffman on the left. Give them some time to work together, and the results will come. Here's how I'd line the forwards up.

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Chiasson
Michalek-Legwand-Stone
Lazar-Smith-Neil

And why not, right?
- the_terror

just to shuffle the furniture a bit .... at about the ten game mark. I think Zibby is out of his element right now and should be sent to wing.

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Chiasson-Legwand-Zibanejad
Michalek-Lazar-Stone
Hoffman-Smith-Neil

or something like that.....

This is the problem though. Greening gets payed so much money its hard to justify sitting him. Neil has an A as well, so that makes him sitting less likely too.

Greening is also practically untradeable at this point
- david22

Posted this yesterday


He has ZERO trade value at this point. He'll be bought out with 2 years left on his contract this summer. Its not like we'll be 900k near the cap in 2017-2018 anyways.

Greenings buyout contract

2015-16: $891,667
2016-17: $441,667
2017-18: $991,667
2018-19: $991,667

Also would be nice if Philips & Neil retire this summer as well..

EDIT: How in the sweet fack did Greening get a NTC

if Gryba is going to get penalized for it every time, get him off the team. You can't be reckless just because you think a different way. The team played better without Gryba and Boro taking regular shifts.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I strongly disagree with this. I played AAA hockey up until I was 18, I know it's not the NHL but when these type of players are on the ice you don't want to get to cute with the puck. You must keep your head up, or else you'll get caught looking. Intimadation is apart of the on ice atmosphere. Especially when a team makes the playoffs, these types of physical players contribute a lot in a 7 game series.

Bring on the big hits from Gryba, Cowen, Boro, Neil & Methot

I strongly disagree with this. I played AAA hockey up until I was 18, I know it's not the NHL but when these type of players are on the ice you don't want to get to cute with the puck. You must keep your head up, or else you'll get caught looking. Intimadation is apart of the on ice atmosphere. Especially when a team makes the playoffs, these types of physical players contribute a lot in a 7 game series.

Bring on the big hits from Gryba, Cowen, Boro, Neil & Methot
- Erik6Karlsson5

I agree with your philosophy. The old "keep your head" up rule doesn't really apply anymore though. Hitting guys in vulnerable positions, like not having the puck, admiring the pass, and not suspecting an oncoming body, (which was the case last night) is called now. I don't like it either, but it's how the game is being called now. Players need to adapt. They can still make huge hits, just have to be smarter about it.

Posted this yesterday


He has ZERO trade value at this point. He'll be bought out with 2 years left on his contract this summer. Its not like we'll be 900k near the cap in 2017-2018 anyways.

Greenings buyout contract

2015-16: $891,667
2016-17: $441,667
2017-18: $991,667
2018-19: $991,667

Also would be nice if Philips & Neil retire this summer as well..

EDIT: How in the sweet fack did Greening get a NTC
- Erik6Karlsson5

who cares about the money, its not a bad thing when your press box guys are greening, hoffman, condra, stone. i like our depth, if somone gets hurt we got back up. not to mention what we got in the AHL, help is on the way down there also. Sens got a good program going on. Stop worrying about Greening and get a life. I wouldnt have any problem playing on a line with him. He is built for playoff hockey.

who cares about the money, its not a bad thing when your press box guys are greening, hoffman, condra, stone. i like our depth, if somone gets hurt we got back up. not to mention what we got in the AHL, help is on the way down there also. Sens got a good program going on. Stop worrying about Greening and get a life. I wouldnt have any problem playing on a line with him. He is built for playoff hockey.
- JS_19

Colin, is that you? You mad bro?

1) My post had more to do with the fact that Greening has been past on the depth chart by farm team players at this point and especially moving forward into next year & the year after that contract & roster spot will look even worse.

2)Murray knows he (frank)ed up when he resigned Greening. Time to bite the bullet with uncle Eugene and buy out this AHL caliber player, because there is NO WAY another team takes him in a trade or picks him up off waivers.

"who cares about the money'' ummm.. a team with a cheap owner on a really low budget like the Sens. These contracts criple our chances of aquiring talent moving forward

''He is built for playoff hockey'' sure he is.. but he hurts our chances of making the post season when he is on the ice.

"I wouldnt have any problem playing on a line with him. " Well bud, your wish may come true! Because he'll most likely be playing hockey with you & your buddy's in a few years in your bear league

Posted this yesterday


He has ZERO trade value at this point. He'll be bought out with 2 years left on his contract this summer. Its not like we'll be 900k near the cap in 2017-2018 anyways.

Greenings buyout contract

2015-16: $891,667
2016-17: $441,667
2017-18: $991,667
2018-19: $991,667

Also would be nice if Philips & Neil retire this summer as well..

EDIT: How in the sweet fack did Greening get a NTC
- Erik6Karlsson5

I don't understand why people are hating on the these guys. Neil brings presence (confidence to the guys) and phillips... well easily over achieving this year

Colin, is that you? You mad bro?

1) My post had more to do with the fact that Greening has been past on the depth chart by farm team players at this point and especially moving forward into next year & the year after that contract & roster spot will look even worse.

2)Murray knows he (frank)ed up when he resigned Greening. Time to bite the bullet with uncle Eugene and buy out this AHL caliber player, because there is NO WAY another team takes him in a trade or picks him up off waivers.

"who cares about the money'' ummm.. a team with a cheap owner on a really low budget like the Sens. These contracts criple our chances of aquiring talent moving forward

''He is built for playoff hockey'' sure he is.. but he hurts our chances of making the post season when he is on the ice.

"I wouldnt have any problem playing on a line with him. " Well bud, your wish may come true! Because he'll most likely be playing hockey with you & your buddy's in a few years in your bear league
- Erik6Karlsson5

A bear league? Jesus that sounds exhillerating

I don't understand why people are hating on the these guys. Neil brings presence (confidence to the guys) and phillips... well easily over achieving this year
- AlfieisKing

Phillips is over-achieving on low expectations. By the end of the season he'll be far too worn out, imo.

Phillips is over-achieving on low expectations. By the end of the season he'll be far too worn out, imo.
- amanicom

not necessarily......once methot comes back, phillps will play fewer and easier minutes. that will make things easier for him

not necessarily......once methot comes back, phillps will play fewer and easier minutes. that will make things easier for him
- sensarmy_11

Hopefully. I still think, even if Methot returns, Phillips gets top-4 minutes...which isn't ideal, but hey he's got an A on his jersey. Even if Methot returns, that injury is going to be a real issue if they decide to restart contract talks, I wouldn't want to give a big contract to an aging defensive defenseman with a bad back.

Colin, is that you? You mad bro?

1) My post had more to do with the fact that Greening has been past on the depth chart by farm team players at this point and especially moving forward into next year & the year after that contract & roster spot will look even worse.

2)Murray knows he (frank)ed up when he resigned Greening. Time to bite the bullet with uncle Eugene and buy out this AHL caliber player, because there is NO WAY another team takes him in a trade or picks him up off waivers.

"who cares about the money'' ummm.. a team with a cheap owner on a really low budget like the Sens. These contracts criple our chances of aquiring talent moving forward

''He is built for playoff hockey'' sure he is.. but he hurts our chances of making the post season when he is on the ice.

"I wouldnt have any problem playing on a line with him. " Well bud, your wish may come true! Because he'll most likely be playing hockey with you & your buddy's in a few years in your bear league
- Erik6Karlsson5

A team with a winning record and people are worried about someone in the press box. its anoying as (frank), half the people in here count every little mistake in a game even when we win 5-2. greening will be here all season so get used to it, and if he gets bought out somone will still sign him, ive seen what he can do in the playoffs and regular season, last year everyone sucked bigtime he for sure deserves more ice time to rebound. people should be happy with what we have in the press box. when we are playing in California he is a guy I want on the ice, rather then a little pip squeek like condra. playoff hockey is a total different game, people can moan about neil and greening right now but if we get in the show those are the body types we need. ya murray gave him way too much money can't argue there. i think he has played two games this season so I know murray won't buy him out after giving him 20 mins of ice time. with good players in the press box and in the ahl can only be a good thing for the guys on the ice. greening isnt a go to guy so I would get over picking his game apart. i see this team getting better each week and if injuries happen greening can step in on any line. also counting pennies is lame, spending to the cap could possibly help but ask the Leafs and Bruins hows thats working out for them.

A team with a winning record and people are worried about someone in the press box. its anoying as (frank), half the people in here count every little mistake in a game even when we win 5-2. greening will be here all season so get used to it, and if he gets bought out somone will still sign him, ive seen what he can do in the playoffs and regular season, last year everyone sucked bigtime he for sure deserves more ice time to rebound. people should be happy with what we have in the press box. when we are playing in California he is a guy I want on the ice, rather then a little pip squeek like condra. playoff hockey is a total different game, people can moan about neil and greening right now but if we get in the show those are the body types we need. ya murray gave him way too much money can't argue there. i think he has played two games this season so I know murray won't buy him out after giving him 20 mins of ice time. with good players in the press box and in the ahl can only be a good thing for the guys on the ice. greening isnt a go to guy so I would get over picking his game apart. i see this team getting better each week and if injuries happen greening can step in on any line. also counting pennies is lame, spending to the cap could possibly help but ask the Leafs and Bruins hows thats working out for them.
- JS_19

Are you really trying your hardest?

Are you really trying your hardest?

- TheCalSen

congrats on turning 13 today.

You're right, JS_19. What we need on our California road trip are guys who don't contribute offensively, aren't good defensively, and look passive and confused. I say we put Greening on the top line. Maybe re-sign Kassian to play with him.

A team with a winning record and people are worried about someone in the press box. its anoying as (frank), half the people in here count every little mistake in a game even when we win 5-2. greening will be here all season so get used to it, and if he gets bought out somone will still sign him, ive seen what he can do in the playoffs and regular season, last year everyone sucked bigtime he for sure deserves more ice time to rebound. people should be happy with what we have in the press box. when we are playing in California he is a guy I want on the ice, rather then a little pip squeek like condra. playoff hockey is a total different game, people can moan about neil and greening right now but if we get in the show those are the body types we need. ya murray gave him way too much money can't argue there. i think he has played two games this season so I know murray won't buy him out after giving him 20 mins of ice time. with good players in the press box and in the ahl can only be a good thing for the guys on the ice. greening isnt a go to guy so I would get over picking his game apart. i see this team getting better each week and if injuries happen greening can step in on any line. also counting pennies is lame, spending to the cap could possibly help but ask the Leafs and Bruins hows thats working out for them.
- JS_19

This is a pretty accurate account of the whiners. They actually want to believe that winning and losing is determined by the guys playing on the 4th line or sitting in the press box. Get the impression that some would be happier if the Sens had started the season 2-5-1 rather than a very nice 5-2-1. Not sure they can sustain it, but I choose to enjoy it rather than whine about peripheral matters.

anyone that thinks Chris Neil should be a healthy scratch needs to go see a psychologist, then get punched in the face by Neiler...... to go see a therapist to cry about how the best 'enforcer' in the game shut'm up

This is a pretty accurate account of the whiners. They actually want to believe that winning and losing is determined by the guys playing on the 4th line or sitting in the press box. Get the impression that some would be happier if the Sens had started the season 2-5-1 rather than a very nice 5-2-1. Not sure they can sustain it, but I choose to enjoy it rather than whine about peripheral matters.
- spatso

not a single person is suggesting that guys like greening and neil are the cause for losses. what people are suggesting is that they are players who contribute little to nothing to this team, while eating a relatively significant amount of the budget, and take up roster spots. those roster spots and money could be better used to either bring up younger and better players, or to sign a FA who could actually help this team.

combined, greening and neil make 4.5 mil, that amount would have gone a long way to being able to bring in a top 2 or top 4 d-man to help shore up the issues on our blueline.

your suggestion that people aren't "enjoying" the teams start simply because they analyze some of the weak spots on the team is ridiculous. would you prefer if the thread was just a big circle jerk of how awesome and invincible the team is, and how nobody can beat us? I seem to remember a lot of fans, you most of all, criticizing leaf fans for doing just that last season, when their team was winning despite being outplayed and outshot in most of their games. now that ottawa is doing the same, you want to incorporate the same blind homerism, and you're gonna criticize other people for seeing the OBVIOUS weak points on the team, and wanting management to fix them?

Hopefully. I still think, even if Methot returns, Phillips gets top-4 minutes...which isn't ideal, but hey he's got an A on his jersey. Even if Methot returns, that injury is going to be a real issue if they decide to restart contract talks, I wouldn't want to give a big contract to an aging defensive defenseman with a bad back.
- TheCalSen

I could live with a T4 of

Methor Karlsson
Ceci Phillips

that leaves a platoon bottom pair of

Cowan Boro
Gryba Weircoch

This allows for a slower progression of Cowan against lower tier opponents until he gets his feet under him and eventually he suplants Phillips in the T4

not a single person is suggesting that guys like greening and neil are the cause for losses. what people are suggesting is that they are players who contribute little to nothing to this team, while eating a relatively significant amount of the budget, and take up roster spots. those roster spots and money could be better used to either bring up younger and better players, or to sign a FA who could actually help this team.

combined, greening and neil make 4.5 mil, that amount would have gone a long way to being able to bring in a top 2 or top 4 d-man to help shore up the issues on our blueline.

your suggestion that people aren't "enjoying" the teams start simply because they analyze some of the weak spots on the team is ridiculous. would you prefer if the thread was just a big circle jerk of how awesome and invincible the team is, and how nobody can beat us? I seem to remember a lot of fans, you most of all, criticizing leaf fans for doing just that last season, when their team was winning despite being outplayed and outshot in most of their games. now that ottawa is doing the same, you want to incorporate the same blind homerism, and you're gonna criticize other people for seeing the OBVIOUS weak points on the team, and wanting management to fix them?
- sensarmy_11

Good rebuttal.

This is a pretty accurate account of the whiners. They actually want to believe that winning and losing is determined by the guys playing on the 4th line or sitting in the press box. Get the impression that some would be happier if the Sens had started the season 2-5-1 rather than a very nice 5-2-1. Not sure they can sustain it, but I choose to enjoy it rather than whine about peripheral matters.
- spatso

How's Pageau doing?

This is a pretty accurate account of the whiners. They actually want to believe that winning and losing is determined by the guys playing on the 4th line or sitting in the press box. Get the impression that some would be happier if the Sens had started the season 2-5-1 rather than a very nice 5-2-1. Not sure they can sustain it, but I choose to enjoy it rather than whine about peripheral matters.
- spatso

Not really sure what you are getting at. You say you don't think this team can sustain the winning rate they are at now, but then complain that people are posting how they feel this team could be better. Perhaps a more useful post would be explain why you feel they won't sustain the winning rate they are at and how you feel they can reverse that rather than call everyone else who does that whiners.

Not really sure what you are getting at. You say you don't think this team can sustain the winning rate they are at now, but then complain that people are posting how they feel this team could be better. Perhaps a more useful post would be explain why you feel they won't sustain the winning rate they are at and how you feel they can reverse that rather than call everyone else who does that whiners.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

113 pts is a very ambitious target.