Do you see him just letting players get into open ice and not only open ice but they can go forehand, to backhand to forehand and make plays - this isn't guys getting a step this is the opposition players going full Patrick Kane on Karlsson's side of the ice.

And Leggy on the PP has to go, he's big but we need someone who can skate up the wall and get some space on the set up. He has Zero escapability and gets forced onto his backhand and his back to the play with ease - get Mika on that wall or someone with some moves like Pageau
- tuna99

my biggest concern with legwand back there is that if he coughs it up (and forwards do quite a bit, not beign used to playing the point) he's WAY too slow to get back and break up a play.

if you're gonna have a forward playing the point, make sure he's fast.......hoffman, turris, etc.

spezza gets 4 years at 7.5 mil

dallas obviously had to give him too much money in order to cut back on term.....don't think spezza is a 7.5mil player (but that's just my opinion)
- sensarmy_11

Good for Spezza... good money and the term is right. I'd have signed him to that deal if he'd have wanted to stay in Ottawa

Is everyone ready to accept that Cowen does not suck now? That he was still inexperienced early in the year when some folks, right here on this comment thread, were prepared to trade him for a late pick, just to get him off the roster?

I mean, I do take joy in knowing that people were wayyyyyyy overreacting on him having a couple rough games to start the year, but remember when everyone said that he sucked and that he didn't belong in the NHL and that he was terrible, etc, etc, etc.

Just wondering if any haters wanted to chime in here to fall on their swords.

not really sure why you're rolling your eyes.....they looked really good last night. that's probably the top six group that gives ottawa the best chance to score goals.

best forward lines this team can put together IMO

mac - turris - ryan
hoff - zibby - stone
michalek - legwand - chiasson
lazar - smith - condra

neil/greening
- sensarmy_11

pretty much the lineup i suggested yesterday

Is everyone ready to accept that Cowen does not suck now? That he was still inexperienced early in the year when some folks, right here on this comment thread, were prepared to trade him for a late pick, just to get him off the roster?

I mean, I do take joy in knowing that people were wayyyyyyy overreacting on him having a couple rough games to start the year, but remember when everyone said that he sucked and that he didn't belong in the NHL and that he was terrible, etc, etc, etc.

Just wondering if any haters wanted to chime in here to fall on their swords.
- the_terror

i've already done it, you're too late.

and to be fair, people weren't upset about a couple of bad games......they were upset about a (frank)ing awful season, followed up with more of the same to start the year. he was not playing anywhere close to NHL level hockey.....people were right to criticize him, he was costing this teams games last year, almost singlehandedly.

5 games watching obviously did him good.......and i'm happy to have been proven wrong...........so far

Good for Spezza... good money and the term is right. I'd have signed him to that deal if he'd have wanted to stay in Ottawa
- riceroni

yah...i would actually be "okay" with spezza at 4 years.... i was more concerned with the an addition 3 ( 7 year contract). still think he doesnt sign in ottawa for less than 7 years though.

Is everyone ready to accept that Cowen does not suck now? That he was still inexperienced early in the year when some folks, right here on this comment thread, were prepared to trade him for a late pick, just to get him off the roster?

I mean, I do take joy in knowing that people were wayyyyyyy overreacting on him having a couple rough games to start the year, but remember when everyone said that he sucked and that he didn't belong in the NHL and that he was terrible, etc, etc, etc.

Just wondering if any haters wanted to chime in here to fall on their swords.
- the_terror

I didn't give up on Cowen... I still want to see this consistently for a long stretch of games though. I want Cowen to be a beast and eventually become a top pairing D man.

Is everyone ready to accept that Cowen does not suck now? .
- the_terror

benching helped him astronomically. too bad mac didnt do that last year. the cowen bashing was warrented then.. but he has played better as of late. i've been impressed with what i see. will feel more comfortable about him after a season of this steady play. i hope he keeps it up.

yah...i would actually be "okay" with spezza at 4 years.... i was more concerned with the an addition 3 ( 7 year contract). still think he doesnt sign in ottawa for less than 7 years though.
- sen_smile

agreed. he'd want the extra term from a team he'd been with for so long.

Is everyone ready to accept that Cowen does not suck now? That he was still inexperienced early in the year when some folks, right here on this comment thread, were prepared to trade him for a late pick, just to get him off the roster?

I mean, I do take joy in knowing that people were wayyyyyyy overreacting on him having a couple rough games to start the year, but remember when everyone said that he sucked and that he didn't belong in the NHL and that he was terrible, etc, etc, etc.

Just wondering if any haters wanted to chime in here to fall on their swords.
- the_terror

I'd be more than happy if Cowen turned out not to suck, but if close to a 100 or so games of him sucking doesn't prove he sucks, then a handful of games in which he played well does not prove he's a good player either.

I've got my fingers crossed though, hoping he keeps it up

agreed. he'd want the extra term from a team he'd been with for so long.
- sensarmy_11

...Maybe. Seems a bit speculative, but I don't think we need to speculate to justify having made that trade.

benching helped him astronomically. too bad mac didnt do that last year. the cowen bashing was warrented then.. but he has played better as of late. i've been impressed with what i see. will feel more comfortable about him after a season of this steady play. i hope he keeps it up.
- sen_smile

It wasn't warranted, and I defended his play at the time. Mistakes happen, and in the first two games of the season about 3 mistakes ended up in 2 goals. And I argued that they weren't all Cowen mistakes.

People overreacted and he was the first victim of the Sens fan base needing to dump on someone. Spezza was gone, so Cowen was next. I predicted it in the summer. He was still a young defenseman who is going to make mistakes, and will continue to do so. He lost nearly 2 full seasons of development to injury, and although that is no excuse, it explains some of it. Also, playing with Karlsson isn't easy because you not only have to worry about your man, but his as well. Cowen-Ceci is a pair that could and should stay together for the next 10 years.

yah...i would actually be "okay" with spezza at 4 years.... i was more concerned with the an addition 3 ( 7 year contract). still think he doesnt sign in ottawa for less than 7 years though.
- sen_smile

No, not at any price.

Page is already turned. This is a team that needs to play good defensive hockey in order to win. Their success so far this year is entirely attributable to having dramatically reduced their GAA.

Love Spezza's career with Ottawa. But it was time. Chiasson had a goal last night. Paul had two more points.

...Maybe. Seems a bit speculative, but I don't think we need to speculate to justify having made that trade.
- Mr_Clean

we got the best out of Spezza and he got a lot out of Ottawa, we got him for his best years and he entertained and played on winning teams, then we flip him for some depth players - if we can find a top 4 Dman or a top 6 forward with that 2nd round pick this will be textbook asset management.

Spezza's back is still a big concern on a long term deal - I think it's great he moved on and got the contract and we got the young players in return we did. Good for everyone.

It wasn't warranted, and I defended his play at the time. Mistakes happen, and in the first two games of the season about 3 mistakes ended up in 2 goals. And I argued that they weren't all Cowen mistakes.

People overreacted and he was the first victim of the Sens fan base needing to dump on someone. Spezza was gone, so Cowen was next. I predicted it in the summer. He was still a young defenseman who is going to make mistakes, and will continue to do so. He lost nearly 2 full seasons of development to injury, and although that is no excuse, it explains some of it. Also, playing with Karlsson isn't easy because you not only have to worry about your man, but his as well. Cowen-Ceci is a pair that could and should stay together for the next 10 years.
- JaredCrozier

Well said.

As Cowen's confidence increases he will relax and his play will get a bit more mean. I like what I see.

It wasn't warranted, and I defended his play at the time. Mistakes happen, and in the first two games of the season about 3 mistakes ended up in 2 goals. And I argued that they weren't all Cowen mistakes.
.
- JaredCrozier

he was terrible all year last year. not sure what you were watching.

It wasn't warranted, and I defended his play at the time. Mistakes happen, and in the first two games of the season about 3 mistakes ended up in 2 goals. And I argued that they weren't all Cowen mistakes.

People overreacted and he was the first victim of the Sens fan base needing to dump on someone. Spezza was gone, so Cowen was next. I predicted it in the summer. He was still a young defenseman who is going to make mistakes, and will continue to do so. He lost nearly 2 full seasons of development to injury, and although that is no excuse, it explains some of it. Also, playing with Karlsson isn't easy because you not only have to worry about your man, but his as well. Cowen-Ceci is a pair that could and should stay together for the next 10 years.
- JaredCrozier

He was bad last year: he didn't look like an NHL-calibre defenceman on most nights. It was, I guess, a near-consensus that he lacked confidence with the puck, and mobility without it.

Of course, the injuries he'd had previously could factor into it, but a very long-term, nagging injury is also a reason why a player can not look NHL-calibre... Maybe he's over it now, so much the better.

In any case, it's nice to see him playing well NOW.

we got the best out of Spezza and he got a lot out of Ottawa, we got him for his best years and he entertained and played on winning teams, then we flip him for some depth players - if we can find a top 4 Dman or a top 6 forward with that 2nd round pick this will be textbook asset management.

Spezza's back is still a big concern on a long term deal - I think it's great he moved on and got the contract and we got the young players in return we did. Good for everyone.
- tuna99

Exactly. If we'd had a lot of money to throw around, maybe he would have come back for a similar price/term, but that wasn't the situation and I think we could very well come out ahead in the long-haul.

I really like Chiasson.

He was bad last year: he didn't look like an NHL-calibre defenceman on most nights. It was, I guess, a near-consensus that he lacked confidence with the puck, and mobility without it.

Of course, the injuries he'd had previously could factor into it, but a very long-term, nagging injury is also a reason why a player can not look NHL-calibre... Maybe he's over it now, so much the better.

In any case, it's nice to see him playing well NOW.
- Mr_Clean

totally. i think all sens are relieved that he's starting to play better. ill be more convinced if he continues to play solid and improve as the season progresses, and delighted if he does. its good for the ottawa senators if cowen can develop into a solid top 4. i dont think there is ANY doubt about that.

as far as the cowen situation though, one has to wonder if benching him for an extended period last year could have saved us from a lot of headaches. its impossible to know, but i think last years deployment of cowen is another case of paul macclean's terrible player deployment / management.

at least he's not putting ryan on the 3rd line

.....yet

Good for Spezza... good money and the term is right. I'd have signed him to that deal if he'd have wanted to stay in Ottawa
- riceroni

Ya it's actually really good term, money might seem a little high, but the guy is still producing at a ppg.

Can switch between 1c-2c and is automatic on the pp.

I'm sure Jim Nill got good feedback from the players to invest in spezz

It wasn't warranted, and I defended his play at the time. Mistakes happen, and in the first two games of the season about 3 mistakes ended up in 2 goals. And I argued that they weren't all Cowen mistakes.

People overreacted and he was the first victim of the Sens fan base needing to dump on someone. Spezza was gone, so Cowen was next. I predicted it in the summer. He was still a young defenseman who is going to make mistakes, and will continue to do so. He lost nearly 2 full seasons of development to injury, and although that is no excuse, it explains some of it. Also, playing with Karlsson isn't easy because you not only have to worry about your man, but his as well. Cowen-Ceci is a pair that could and should stay together for the next 10 years.
- JaredCrozier

you are very wise my friend ...... couldn't have said it better myself.

Can you keep this response for the next guy who expects Zibby, Chiasson, Lazar, Hoffman, Stone, Ceci, Boro, Gryba, Karlsson, Lehner, Wiercioch, etc. to all have straight line progress development..... just insert a diiferent name into the response....

These guys represent the youth core of the team and will have ups and downs as they develop. Over the course of a year, or two, or three, the progress line will be higher, but with bumps along the way.

The expectations that some people on this board have are completely unrealistic. It's like they expect the players to be robotic and never regress - I attribute it to too much NHL14 (or whatever the newfangled video game is these days)....... but then again I'm almost an old fart

he was terrible all year last year. not sure what you were watching.
- sen_smile

I think you (along with a lot of people) are overblowing how bad he was last year.

A) coming off a serious injury where he had to spend the summer rehabbing instead of training
B) set a career high in goals (6)
C) 2 off his career high in points despite missing 14 games
D) was an even in +/- on a team that gave up 9 more goals at 5 on 5 than they scored.
E) and if you don't buy +/-, then take into account that he had a +ve Corsi percentage, despite facing the 3rd highest %Comp on the blue line after Karlsson and Methot.

Was he an all-star? No. Was he the cause of all the Senators problems? No. He made mistakes just like a lot of defensemen did last season, but to say he was awful isn't justified. Cowen was no better or worse on the whole than most of the defense corps. Expectations may have been high after the rookie season, but that hip injury took a lot to recover from, and while Karlsson was given a pass last year for his atrocious defensive play, Cowen didn't get the same leeway....because the fan base needs a whipping boy.

I think you (along with a lot of people) are overblowing how bad he was last year.

A) coming off a serious injury where he had to spend the summer rehabbing instead of training
B) set a career high in goals (6)
C) 2 off his career high in points despite missing 14 games
D) was an even in +/- on a team that gave up 9 more goals at 5 on 5 than they scored.
E) and if you don't buy +/-, then take into account that he had a +ve Corsi percentage, despite facing the 3rd highest %Comp on the blue line after Karlsson and Methot.

Was he an all-star? No. Was he the cause of all the Senators problems? No. He made mistakes just like a lot of defensemen did last season, but to say he was awful isn't justified. Cowen was no better or worse on the whole than most of the defense corps. Expectations may have been high after the rookie season, but that hip injury took a lot to recover from, and while Karlsson was given a pass last year for his atrocious defensive play, Cowen didn't get the same leeway....because the fan base needs a whipping boy.
- JaredCrozier

i disagree. im at work right now, but this can sum it up for me (thank you yost)

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=59590

I think you (along with a lot of people) are overblowing how bad he was last year.

A) coming off a serious injury where he had to spend the summer rehabbing instead of training
B) set a career high in goals (6)
C) 2 off his career high in points despite missing 14 games
D) was an even in +/- on a team that gave up 9 more goals at 5 on 5 than they scored.
E) and if you don't buy +/-, then take into account that he had a +ve Corsi percentage, despite facing the 3rd highest %Comp on the blue line after Karlsson and Methot.

Was he an all-star? No. Was he the cause of all the Senators problems? No. He made mistakes just like a lot of defensemen did last season, but to say he was awful isn't justified. Cowen was no better or worse on the whole than most of the defense corps. Expectations may have been high after the rookie season, but that hip injury took a lot to recover from, and while Karlsson was given a pass last year for his atrocious defensive play, Cowen didn't get the same leeway....because the fan base needs a whipping boy.
- JaredCrozier

I'm having a really hard time understanding how a guy from the 'Prior and a guy from the 'Frew can agree on so much .....

this completly blows my mind

I think you (along with a lot of people) are overblowing how bad he was last year.

A) coming off a serious injury where he had to spend the summer rehabbing instead of training
B) set a career high in goals (6)
C) 2 off his career high in points despite missing 14 games
D) was an even in +/- on a team that gave up 9 more goals at 5 on 5 than they scored.
E) and if you don't buy +/-, then take into account that he had a +ve Corsi percentage, despite facing the 3rd highest %Comp on the blue line after Karlsson and Methot.

Was he an all-star? No. Was he the cause of all the Senators problems? No. He made mistakes just like a lot of defensemen did last season, but to say he was awful isn't justified. Cowen was no better or worse on the whole than most of the defense corps. Expectations may have been high after the rookie season, but that hip injury took a lot to recover from, and while Karlsson was given a pass last year for his atrocious defensive play, Cowen didn't get the same leeway....because the fan base needs a whipping boy.
- JaredCrozier

I think the Senators will be stronger in the second half of the season. I think Cowen is an important part of their improving. I also think Brian Murray will do a big deal that adds even more size and scoring up front.