Ryan Wilson: Roster Decision That Could Turn Sens Playoff Hopes + Letang Out Long Term? Senators have a decision to make at an important position. Penguins Letang could be out long term with unknown illness.

Agree 100%

I hope for a good game between our clubs. We have met so frequently in the playoffs that a legitimate hate has been built up. I hope the Sens play Crosby hard and hit him every chance they get. He's #1 in the world by a wide margin and hopefully he is contained to only a point or two and can be goaded into taking a couple penalties.

I see this as a tight game and it will be exciting.

Good luck!

As a Sens fan, I completely agree with our assessment of our goaltending situation.

But remember, Lehner has a boatload of potential and his contract is up this summer. The last thing our cheap owner needs is for him to get hot, get the Sens into the playoffs, then steal a series or two.

As a Sens fan, I completely agree with our assessment of our goaltending situation.

But remember, Lehner has a boatload of potential and his contract is up this summer. The last thing our cheap owner needs is for him to get hot, get the Sens into the playoffs, then steal a series or two.


- Charliebox

Unfortunately that dynamic exists for the Senators. You guys need a new owner, the sooner the better.

Unfortunately that dynamic exists for the Senators. You guys need a new owner, the sooner the better.
- Ryan_Wilson

rumours are floating.....obviously nothing substantial.........that bell has been inquiring about the possibility of purchasing atleast part of the team. given the new TSN deal (and the fact that bell owns TSN), it seems at least somewhat plausible.

rumours are floating.....obviously nothing substantial.........that bell has been inquiring about the possibility of purchasing atleast part of the team. given the new TSN deal (and the fact that bell owns TSN), it seems at least somewhat plausible.
- sensarmy_11

Senators have the right people in place to make very good player personnel choices, they just need to the money to execute them.

Unfortunately that dynamic exists for the Senators. You guys need a new owner, the sooner the better.
- Ryan_Wilson

It's just a theory, but it makes sense.

People in the team, from management to coaches, all talk about how Lehner is the future #1 and how great he is.

Then Anderson struggles to start the year, and loses games for us, while Lehner was hot in the few games he saw.

Through the whole season all we hear is, "Andy is our #1", every time someone in the media questions MacLean about it.

You would think that this season (Anderson not-so-good and Lehner above average) would have been the perfect time to see what kind of game Lehner has when playing the bulk of the time.

It's almost like they are talking out of both sides of their mouths.

It's just a theory, but it makes sense.

People in the team, from management to coaches, all talk about how Lehner is the future #1 and how great he is.

Then Anderson struggles to start the year, and looses games for us, while Lehner was hot in the few games he saw.

Through the whole season all we hear is, "Andy is our #1", every time someone in the media questions MacLean about it.

You would think that this season (Anderson not-so-good and Lehner above average) would have been the perfect time to see what kind of game Lehner has when playing the bulk of the time.

It's almost like they are talking out of both sides of their mouths.
- Charliebox

this is just my opinion, but i think at least part of the reason they're playing anderson is so that they can move him in the offseason, and get a decent return.

he's a good goalie, on a great contract, but if you don't play him....or only play him in a backup role.....his value would be practically zero.

like i said, nothing to back it up, just an opinion.

rumours are floating.....obviously nothing substantial.........that bell has been inquiring about the possibility of purchasing atleast part of the team. given the new TSN deal (and the fact that bell owns TSN), it seems at least somewhat plausible.
- sensarmy_11

Given that bell is part owner of the leafs something would have to happen there first.

this is just my opinion, but i think at least part of the reason they're playing anderson is so that they can move him in the offseason, and get a decent return.

he's a good goalie, on a great contract, but if you don't play him....or only play him in a backup role.....his value would be practically zero.

like i said, nothing to back it up, just an opinion.
- sensarmy_11

I can't see it. Simply because the market for goalies is terrible right now. It seems like many teams have a bunch of prospects coming up.

Even if you aren't one of those teams, it would be easier to trade for one of those prospects (give up less and pay the guy less) than it would for a guy like Anderson.

I honestly think they are playing him more for two reasons:
1. the money issue
2. there is a feeling like Lehner has to earn it. It's almost like he has to pay his dues. He had to spend an extra season in the AHL and only came up because Anderson got hurt last season.. Now he has to spend a year as a 'backup', getting used to the NHL lifestyle, before taking over as the #1.

#2 ties into #1 as well.

Given that bell is part owner of the leafs something would have to happen there first.
- burn

why? they wouldn't be majority owner in either team, so would there really be a conflict of interest.

bell wouldn't really have anything to do with the running of the team, more just writing and cashing cheques....so to speak.

i'm obviously not a lawyer, and don't know the rules about this.....but i'm not sure why it wouldn't be allowed.

why? they wouldn't be majority owner in either team, so would there really be a conflict of interest.

bell wouldn't really have anything to do with the running of the team, more just writing and cashing cheques....so to speak.

i'm obviously not a lawyer, and don't know the rules about this.....but i'm not sure why it wouldn't be allowed.
- sensarmy_11

Cannot hold ownership in 2 teams as per league rules.

Just to add:

It would not surprise me at all if Murray tries the same tact with Lehner as he did with the Turris contract.

Offer Lehner 6-7 years at 2.5-3M per year.

He's buying up years of free agency as well as locking in a potential #1 at a cheap yearly amount.

If Lehner was allowed to 'show his stuff', so to speak, along with the arbitration rights he has, there's no way the Sens could offer something like that. We'd get a classic 'bridge contract' for 3-4 years at 2-3 M per year.

Cannot hold ownership in 2 teams as per league rules.
- burn

guess that rumour can be ignored then

guess that rumour can be ignored then
- sensarmy_11

Haven't heard that rumour.

Doesn't mean it's not true, just that others have to happen first.


There are whispers that it's not working out with the two of them, Rogers and bell.

Haven't heard that rumour.

Doesn't mean it's not true, just that others have to happen first.


There are whispers that it's not working out with the two of them, Rogers and bell.
- burn

it was the day of, and day after, sens and TSN signed that big deal......more than likely, was "wishful thinking" rumours

Haven't heard that rumour.

Doesn't mean it's not true, just that others have to happen first.


There are whispers that it's not working out with the two of them, Rogers and bell.
- burn

Always found that setup hilarious, as someone who works for one of them all you hear from upper management is how we need to best the other guys at everything, they are the enemy, their business model can't best ours, etc etc.

For them to be cooperating on something as big as the leafs is completely contrasted by the anti-competitor culture built up within each company.

I think this is the more likely Ottawa lineup for tonight - add DaCosta and remove Kassian.

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Spezza-Zibanejad
Conacher-DaCosta-Condra
Greening-Smith-Neil

This was the lineup that beat Columbus and Tampa before they changed it for the Toronto loss on Saturday.

Haven't heard that rumour.

Doesn't mean it's not true, just that others have to happen first.


There are whispers that it's not working out with the two of them, Rogers and bell.
- burn

All started when Bell forced the firing of Burke even though Rogers was completely opposed to it.....
Everyone and their mothers knew these 2 egomaniac companies would not be able to co-exist for the long term - wouldn't be surprised if one bailed.

Ryan cool story bro got anything for your Pens blog?

I've been critical of Letang in this space, but here's hoping he has nothing seriously wrong with him. I had Mono back in my mid 20's and it really kicked my ass for a couple months. I never felt over the top sick, but the fatigue I felt at the end of every day was just crushing.

Ryan cool story bro got anything for your Pens blog?
- dbell646

I think this WAS the Pens blog....just a bit heavy on Sens content today, fine by me.

I think this WAS the Pens blog....just a bit heavy on Sens content today, fine by me.
- Emperor Filonius

Ottawa, Toronto...anything but the Pens going on.

Regarding the Pens, there isn't much to blog about.

You're in 1st. You're destroying your division and aren't going to lose that spot.

Sure there are injuries and the Olympics coming up, but those have been talked about to death.

May as well talk about the visiting team, no?

I mean, aren't you Pens fans really just waiting for the playoffs at this point anyways?