Good post. The things missing in the organization I don't feel are in the system, particularly up front. We have good pieces for depth of a strong team. We are missing the star power, if you will, up front. Sooner rather than later a move for a big name will have to happen.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

It would be so nice to see it done via Melnyk opening the wallet for a premium free agent signing. The Senators certainly have the cap space to do it. And you wouldn't lose any of your current assets.

Solid effort last night. Good to see Ryan play well and get some credit. He's been one of the best players on the team most nights. The points will come.

Still baffled at this Legwand business. He simply isn't good. He got outplayed for loose puck against Oshie, who didn't even have a stick on the 2nd Blues goal. I'm sure all these ageing veterans have some value off the ice, but on the ice, there is very little.

As much as I love Alfie, I hope they don't go overboard on a simple retirement announcement. Postponing an announcement that everyone know is going to happen is a little silly in the first place. Put on a good show next season to retire his jersey and everyone will be happy.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I agree on the Alfredsson thing. Better to have a simple, matter of fact announcement for the media. Other stuff can come later.

I do expect that Alfredsson will take a job in the Ottawa front office reporting directly to Murray and taking on some of his specific duties, particularly as it relates to the media. When Murray does step down, I think Alfredsson will have a substantial managerial role with the team. I do believe that Dorion should be the GM. But most teams are going back to splitting the job of President and GM.

I would love to see that. It would take a lot more than Anderson though. He would have to be part of a package to get a guy with Eberle's upside.

I think you would be talking Anderson, Methot and a 2nd round pick.....at least.
- maaddmike

I don't see why Edmonton would make a deal NOW though. They don't want to get better. They want to be involved in the McDavid sweepstakes- as they're too far gone at this point.

I could see them making a big one at the deadline- probably centered around Eberle or Yakupov.

I agree on the Alfredsson thing. Better to have a simple, matter of fact announcement for the media. Other stuff can come later.

I do expect that Alfredsson will take a job in the Ottawa front office reporting directly to Murray and taking on some of his specific duties, particularly as it relates to the media. When Murray does step down, I think Alfredsson will have a substantial managerial role with the team. I do believe that Dorion should be the GM. But most teams are going back to splitting the job of President and GM.
- spatso

It really pains me to say this, but I'm not sure Murray will be around when that day comes.

Teams win on the basis of their top 6 forwards, top 2 D and a good goaltender. Those are essentially the guys who determine your success or failure.

Ottawa is missing a top D man. Ceci and Cowen are close. Both had good games last night. Add Methot into the mix and they are in good shape.

Top 6 is missing a power forward. Loved Bobby Ryan's game last night. But I don't think he is the long term solution for this team. Right now I have Turiris, MacArthur, Chiasson and Hoffman as good top 6 skaters. I am looking for 2 more. Stone is very close.
- spatso

Well, he sort of is, since we signed him for 8 years.

The hope is that the guys you listed plus Lazar make the jump.

If all those guys plus Stone become top 6 worthy, then we have wealth to deal which is never a bad thing.

I don't see why Edmonton would make a deal NOW though. They don't want to get better. They want to be involved in the McDavid sweepstakes- as they're too far gone at this point.

I could see them making a big one at the deadline- probably centered around Eberle or Yakupov.
- Jordo

I think your right. Remember the day Murray dealt for Anderson. They were in last place and they were fixed on drafting Landeskog. Anderson carried them up in the standings where they drafted Zibanejad. Edmonton won't make that mistake. Or, perhaps, they would.

Good post. The things missing in the organization I don't feel are in the system, particularly up front. We have good pieces for depth of a strong team. We are missing the star power, if you will, up front. Sooner rather than later a move for a big name will have to happen.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Completely disagree with this assessment.

Our forwards are very young and extremely deep, we just have to let them develop. Look how far Hoffman, Stone, Turris, Lazar have come already in a short span.

It's not inconceivable that we get 3-4 70 point players out of these guys in their prime in a few years. We don't need one 90 point guy, I would think that would be pretty obvious with the recent cup winners that you don't need that nowadays.

LA and Boston won cups without anyone scoring over a point per game all season.

They did it with deep, strong defense and two-way forwards. We have the two-way forwards in the system already.

We need defensemen. We should be drafting defensemen high, and looking for a deal to bring in that marquee guy to make up a truly unstoppable top pairing with Karlsson.

Gotta admit, wasn't able to catch the last period of this one. Almost shocked to wake up and see them snag a win. Definitely something to build on, especially in a back-to-back situation.

Man, did Gryba ever get owned in that fight. He should just stick to the occasional crushing hit, he doesn't seem like much of a fighter.
- sportsdataguy

Reaves is a fighter, Gryba is a hitter. Oh well. He lost balance and Reaves never let up

I don't see why Edmonton would make a deal NOW though. They don't want to get better. They want to be involved in the McDavid sweepstakes- as they're too far gone at this point.

I could see them making a big one at the deadline- probably centered around Eberle or Yakupov.
- Jordo

I think Eberle's a great talent, but I'm not sold on him being a good fit in Ottawa. Turris and Grizz aren't that big and Chiasson is a bit of a bean pole, though he does a great job of getting into the tough areas. I'd just like to see someone who can stand up to bigger defencemen in the league and play the net presence that the team seems to be missing at times.

That said, I haven't yet seen it in the comments, but for not being much of a Cowan supporter over the last season and a bit he had a GREAT game last night. Picked his spot well for a big hit in the third and was consistently moving the puck out of trouble areas. His positioning was better than it's been often times this season as well.

It really pains me to say this, but I'm not sure Murray will be around when that day comes.
- Jordo

I would like to make a suggestion to everyone. You need to talk positive to think positive. Attitude is incredibly important. And, it is not just the attitude of the person fighting a serious disease, it is also the attitude of all the supporters in the person's care network. So, I will choose to remain a positive and hopeful voice in this incredibly deep and public care network.

Everybody agrees, but the fact remains that Neil will not get healthy scratched. He has to be in the lineup, for principle, or whatever??

Shawn Simpson made an interesting comment this morning about trading Anderson for Eberle. You can't help but think about the thoughts of this top 6:

MacArthur - Turris - Stone
Ryan - Lazar - Eberle


- Jordo

It depends.

To me, any trade involving Anderson will be a step back, regardless of who we get back (unless it's some crazy package with a top 4 D AND a top 6 forward, which just won't happen).

With the shot totals, it's pretty obvious we are going to need both our goalies this season.

I'm not saying I'm against it. In the long run it's a great trade. I would love to see Eberle in Ottawa.

If we do trade Anderson, though, I'm cheering for the Sens to tank and get a high pick. The only way the Sens make and compete in the playoffs is with Andy between the pipes. Adding a forward and subtracting a goalie will only make our team worse in the short term.

To be fair, greening has been scratched a long side him most games.

Niel wont be scratched with thta A on his chest.

Legwand was just signed to a 2 year deal, they aren`t going to scratch him either.

Michalek is *supposed* to be a top 9 forward. Just not playing like it.
- david22

michalek was just signed to a bigger deal than legwand, and they scratched him. just saying.....

I think Eberle's a great talent, but I'm not sold on him being a good fit in Ottawa. Turris and Grizz aren't that big and Chiasson is a bit of a bean pole, though he does a great job of getting into the tough areas. I'd just like to see someone who can stand up to bigger defencemen in the league and play the net presence that the team seems to be missing at times.

That said, I haven't yet seen it in the comments, but for not being much of a Cowan supporter over the last season and a bit he had a GREAT game last night. Picked his spot well for a big hit in the third and was consistently moving the puck out of trouble areas. His positioning was better than it's been often times this season as well.
- LondonSen

I think both Cowen and Ceci had very strong games. The team has done a nice job of bring down the GAA. They are not a Stanley Cup contender. They might grab a playoff spot. But this is going to be a very good team, a serious contender, very soon.

The way Cowen, Weircoche and Boro are playing - anybody else think they can live with these 3 as our LD for the next foreseeable future? Trade Methot at the deadline for a GM who's desperate (maybe add to the package to get a sweet return?). Thinking L.A., Pitt, Anaheim would want to get theirs hands onto a player like #5.

The way Cowen, Weircoche and Boro are playing - anybody else think they can live with these 3 as our LD for the next foreseeable future? Trade Methot at the deadline for a GM who's desperate (maybe add to the package to get a sweet return?). Thinking L.A., Pitt, Anaheim would want to get theirs hands onto a player like #5.
- tuna99

Ceci?

I posted this a few days ago, but it was right before Jared wrote a new article so I'm not sure anyone really saw it.

The Sens have already played a TON of tough opponents. They are now done for the year against the cream of the crop of the central division (both games), and have already played Van once. By Dec 13th, you can add a Pitts game, a Van game another Bruins game and an LA game, along with two against the Isles.

After Dec 13th, the rest of the year is actually looking quite good. We haven't even barely played the terrible Metro division yet and have yet to play the lowly Sabres.

If the Sens can stay near a wildcard spot through this next stretch of tough games, I really think they are almost a lock to make the playoffs.

I think this stretch of tough games couldn't come at a better time for the team. They will either band together and find their identity (last night was a great example) or they will fold under the pressure. Either way, by Dec 13th, I think we will know what kind of team the Sens will be for the rest of the year.

They haven't played the best hockey lately but they still went 2-2 against STL x2, NSH and Detroit.. Not too shabby.

what part of the game of hockey is David Legwand meant to be good at?

also, despite all the crap Gryba is getting, Reaves barely landed a good punch.

Obviously he manhandled him but like 90% of those punches hit nothing but the helmet. Everyone acting like Gryba got beat up real bad need to watch the footage again.

Ceci?
- Mr_Clean

the RD is set until 2020 - our LD is the overloaded side

also, despite all the crap Gryba is getting, Reaves barely landed a good punch.

Obviously he manhandled him but like 90% of those punches hit nothing but the helmet. Everyone acting like Gryba got beat up real bad need to watch the footage again.
- skelly96

I guarantee you that Gryba earned a lot of respect from his teammates, and other players around the league, just by dropping his gloves with Reaves.

I posted this a few days ago, but it was right before Jared wrote a new article so I'm not sure anyone really saw it.

The Sens have already played a TON of tough opponents. They are now done for the year against the cream of the crop of the central division (both games), and have already played Van once. By Dec 13th, you can add a Pitts game, a Van game another Bruins game and an LA game, along with two against the Isles.

After Dec 13th, the rest of the year is actually looking quite good. We haven't even barely played the terrible Metro division yet and have yet to play the lowly Sabres.

If the Sens can stay near a wildcard spot through this next stretch of tough games, I really think they are almost a lock to make the playoffs.

I think this stretch of tough games couldn't come at a better time for the team. They will either band together and find their identity (last night was a great example) or they will fold under the pressure. Either way, by Dec 13th, I think we will know what kind of team the Sens will be for the rest of the year.

They haven't played the best hockey lately but they still went 2-2 against STL x2, NSH and Detroit.. Not too shabby.
- Charliebox

I think that is so important. They really should do better in the second half. I do believe they could do some serious damage if they acquired a key piece. I still believe Murray will do a blockbuster to add another top 6 player.

This draft is so strong that several teams will decide to shed top talent in order to better themselves at the draft.

I guarantee you that Gryba earned a lot of respect from his teammates, and other players around the league, just by dropping his gloves with Reaves.
- maaddmike

I was worried for him, he's a big boy but not in the same class as Reaves. Gryba always seems to be there when we need a physical turnaround, most of his big physical plays seem to turn around games

The way Cowen, Weircoche and Boro are playing - anybody else think they can live with these 3 as our LD for the next foreseeable future? Trade Methot at the deadline for a GM who's desperate (maybe add to the package to get a sweet return?). Thinking L.A., Pitt, Anaheim would want to get theirs hands onto a player like #5.
- tuna99

You mean #3, right? Which one plays with Karlsson, because the revolving door isn't working. Karlsson needs someone who can play a solid 20 minutes with him 5 on 5, and then the other pairs can fall into place. The mix and match in game because nobody can hang with EK means constant flux. Ceci-Cowen is relatively consistent but the other 3 on any given night, whether it be Phillips/Wiercioch, Gryba and Borowiecki need to limit their minutes to be successful.

And BTW The last thing PIT needs is a defenseman. They are loaded and have 2 or 3 NHL calibre guys in the minors.

I guarantee you that Gryba earned a lot of respect from his teammates, and other players around the league, just by dropping his gloves with Reaves.
- maaddmike

I like Gryba a lot. I think your right about his earning respect.

Was the Cowen hit not just after the Gryba fight. If so, it was the best answer.

I went to bed last night thinking the Gryba hit and fight was the turning point of the game. You know that Hitchcock was not happy with the timing of the fight.

Completely disagree with this assessment.

Our forwards are very young and extremely deep, we just have to let them develop. Look how far Hoffman, Stone, Turris, Lazar have come already in a short span.

It's not inconceivable that we get 3-4 70 point players out of these guys in their prime in a few years. We don't need one 90 point guy, I would think that would be pretty obvious with the recent cup winners that you don't need that nowadays.

LA and Boston won cups without anyone scoring over a point per game all season.

They did it with deep, strong defense and two-way forwards. We have the two-way forwards in the system already.

We need defensemen. We should be drafting defensemen high, and looking for a deal to bring in that marquee guy to make up a truly unstoppable top pairing with Karlsson.
- TommyDeVito

I totally agree we have the depth. However, it's a bit naive to list our roster players then go on and use Boston and LA as examples. The Kopitars, Bergerons, Carters, Krecjis, etc are not in this system yet. I know people are high on guys like Lazar and Turris, but jury is still out on those guys. Lazar deserves more time before any huge expectations are laid on him. We have the depth I believe (in Stone, Hoffman, Chaisson, Zibby, etc). The only argument that we have more than that up front is purely based on potential and hype. Game breaking ability on a consistent basis is needed up front. Having brought that up, last night was a real good start.