Travis Yost: Guessing the Defense

The way you have the pairings listed is the way it should be come game 1. Gryba is nothing special, but a solid guy who could fill in in the event of an injury. Boro on the other hand, could be sent down and probably not be claimed. To me he is a career AHLer.

I still think the team has Wiercioch in some trade scenarios, for whatever reason. If he is moved for a forward, pick, or prospect, it could give the other 7 guys some breathing room.

Really wish we didn't resign Phillips. Would have opened up more opportunities to improve this defence without him. Let's hope he proves us all wrong and still has something left in the tank.

You both are overlooking Boriewicki's hitting ability and intensity. To me he is a younger and less injured version of Anton Volchenkov. I would be very surprised if he was sent down, because he would be claimed by another team and we would end up with nothing and that's just stupid. I give Cowen until the end of November to sort out his sh1t or he will be the one getting moved. (Claesson is ready for some NHL minutes).

Ill take a shot in the dark and guess

A lot of question marks on defence for you guys, probably will dictate how the Sens season turns out.

You both are overlooking Boriewicki's hitting ability and intensity. To me he is a younger and less injured version of Anton Volchenkov. I would be very surprised if he was sent down, because he would be claimed by another team and we would end up with nothing and that's just stupid. I give Cowen until the end of November to sort out his sh1t or he will be the one getting moved. (Claesson is ready for some NHL minutes).
- jaz258

But can he spell it?

in all seriousness, though, those are meaningless qualities. One is completely subjective, and the other doesn't really help you win many games.

"well, sure, they scored, but I did hit that one guy real hard"

Really wish we didn't resign Phillips. Would have opened up more opportunities to improve this defence without him. Let's hope he proves us all wrong and still has something left in the tank.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

If any of those 'Phillips-ruined' opportunities implied taking a serious run at a clear-cut top-4 defenceman with good puck-moving skills, then I would agree with you. However, given that the only solution the team has on the blueline is to continually over-commit to untested young players, then I actually think Phillips is a more important player than he's given credit for. The mind may increasingly be more willing than the body, but he still knows how to play a shutdown role and bolster the PK, and seems to inevitably find his way into playing top-4 minutes every year, in spite of people constantly saying he was done the year before. If those same people feel that's a bad coaching decision, then I would suggest that maybe it's a actually a bad personnel decision to make that into the coach's best option, because the coach can only play the hand he's dealt.

A lot of question marks on defence for you guys, probably will dictate how the Sens season turns out.
- ClarksonDavid

its probably going to mostly be a huge adventure...hopefully the goalies bounce back a bit and the forwards help out and light many mups

If any of those 'Phillips-ruined' opportunities implied taking a serious run at a clear-cut top-4 defenceman with good puck-moving skills, then I would agree with you. However, given that the only solution the team has on the blueline is to continually over-commit to untested young players, then I actually think Phillips is a more important player than he's given credit for. The mind may increasingly be more willing than the body, but he still knows how to play a shutdown role and bolster the PK, and seems to inevitably find his way into playing top-4 minutes every year, in spite of people constantly saying he was done the year before. If people feel that's a bad coaching decision, then I would suggest that maybe it's a actually a bad personnel decision to make that into the coach's best option, because he's going to play the hand he's dealt.
- khawk

He has a role. I just don't think that role is on the ice anymore. I give him credit for helping Ceci last year ease into the NHL. Is that needed this year? Maybe, maybe not. Your explanation of why he plays is a bit off the mark. Our defensmen overall are not very good. Last year was the first year I saw Phillips fall from where he was. Always felt he was a great 3-4 guy.

You both are overlooking Boriewicki's hitting ability and intensity. To me he is a younger and less injured version of Anton Volchenkov. I would be very surprised if he was sent down, because he would be claimed by another team and we would end up with nothing and that's just stupid. I give Cowen until the end of November to sort out his sh1t or he will be the one getting moved. (Claesson is ready for some NHL minutes).
- jaz258

We will see if he improved his game at training camp. He has some good qualities, but nothing that are hard to find elsewhere. All teams have several Boro's in their system. Not sure why anyone would jump to claim a guy that can't crack our somewhat comical defence.

[quote=ClarksonDavid](A lot of question marks on defence for you guys, probably will dictate how the Sens season turns out.)


Couldn't agree more. This will decide whether the team makes the playoffs or not. They play well, goalies look good. They play bad, goalies get blamed for having a bad season.

What I'd like to see based on Left - Right shots to make things easier for the D. Obviously Cowen needs to set-up his game and won't happen because Phillips won't be scratched. Time for the young boys to get the minutes.

Cowen -- Karlsson
Methot -- Ceci
Weircioch -- Gryba


Scratches,
Phillips, Boro

Travis Yost: Guessing the Defense
- Travis Yost

I can see Ceci starting in Bingo to let Gryba slot in on that bottom pairing and let Ceci play 25 minutes a night to get used to that kind of usage.

I'd like to think that after only 50ish NHL games Ceci hasnt guaranteed himself a spot on a crowded blueline as the only guy with contract mobility. I'd hope he would need to really earn that spot on the roster next year at camp, or start in the minors and obviously be the first guy up when the need arises

Trying to also work the Left and Right hand advantage for the D
Would be interested to See Karlsson with Ceci (they are both righties) if only on PP
Let Ceci play more minutes and grow into a role on the second pair, but insulate him with a better defender in Methot.
Let Wiercioch and Cowen battle in camp/preseason for 1LD.
Not expecting Cowen to light the lamp, but if he can't defend while Karlsson plays the puck he doesn't belong on the first pairing. Wiercioch can get the puck out of the D zone as well as distribute to Karlsson on offence.
Also, now that I think about it I would re arrange the pairings depending on how the other team is going to play us. I remember last year some teams put their first line up against ours while others put their checking lines out against our first lines.
For now here is my lineup (Sorry, Philips)

Wiercioch/Cowen -- Karlsson
Methot -- Ceci
Wiercioch/Cowen -- Gryba
Boro
Philips

You both are overlooking Boriewicki's hitting ability and intensity. To me he is a younger and less injured version of Anton Volchenkov. I would be very surprised if he was sent down, because he would be claimed by another team and we would end up with nothing and that's just stupid. I give Cowen until the end of November to sort out his sh1t or he will be the one getting moved. (Claesson is ready for some NHL minutes).
- jaz258

I'd be shocked if anyone claimed Boro if he was sent down following training camp. Everyone has their own version of Borowieki, at the end of the day, he is a 25 year old fringe NHLer. I like him, but he is a dime a dozen player that isnt exactly in high demand.

Ill take a shot in the dark and guess


- PinkSock

I didn't know Markov had a new profile pic

Great find. Keep up the good work!

Quincey for Gryba.

1. Trying to also work the Left and Right hand advantage for the D
Would be interested to See Karlsson with Ceci (they are both righties) if only on PP
Let Ceci play more minutes and grow into a role on the second pair, but insulate him with a better defender in Methot.
Let Wiercioch and Cowen battle in camp/preseason for 1LD.
Not expecting Cowen to light the lamp, but if he can't defend while Karlsson plays the puck he doesn't belong on the first pairing. Wiercioch can get the puck out of the D zone as well as distribute to Karlsson on offence.
Also, now that I think about it I would re arrange the pairings depending on how the other team is going to play us. I remember last year some teams put their first line up against ours while others put their checking lines out against our first lines.
For now here is my lineup (Sorry, Philips)

Wiercioch/Cowen -- Karlsson
Methot -- Ceci
Wiercioch/Cowen -- Gryba
Boro
Philips
- JN1980

Found that out when Team Canada team was being put together.

Agree with almost everything you said. Great points...I think Big Rig has got to play considering who he is and the salary he's getting played. I think people are jumping on him too much. He may not be his former self but he's still more reliable than any Dman outside Karlsson and Methot

Seems like we found out today who is getting shopped:

http://www.ottawasun.com/...stay-with-ottawa-senators

Hope it's a package deal for a good defender, we don't need much more offence than what we have that PW could bring back in a trade.

Gonna be an exciting training camp, and not because of what's happening on the ice...

I didn't know Markov had a new profile pic

Great find. Keep up the good work!
- SENS 613

you sonofafemale dog....you beat me to it.

If I'm Maclean I go with a full puck possession team and play Ceci, EK and Weircoche and ask those 3 to be relentless all season in pushing the puck up ice - if Weircoche can play LD we will have a team that is always in games because we will always be able to move the puck up the middle of the ice.

These 3 players to me are the make or break players for our season - our forwards aren't going to overwhelm teams - if we have 1 thing that can set us apart it's having Ceci and Weircoche riding shotgun with a healthy EK and those 3 pushing each other to lead an elite 3 pairing set in the East

Found that out when Team Canada team was being put together.

Agree with almost everything you said. Great points...I think Big Rig has got to play considering who he is and the salary he's getting played. I think people are jumping on him too much. He may not be his former self but he's still more reliable than any Dman outside Karlsson and Methot
- AlfieisKing

I know...
Hard to leave Philips out, and I know he is a big part of this team.
I also know he will be in the lineup for most of the year, this is just how I would line up the D.
Philips is just one of those guys I have a love/hate relationship with...
Maybe I only remember the mistakes he's made.
I also see him as a declining asset, one that has hit its peak and is on the decline.
Allowing the younger players to make errors and (hopefully) learn from them
was my main reason for excluding him. If we were a playoff team I would have him in there, however after last year's performance I would opt to let some of the younger players grow and learn by soaking up some of the more important minutes.
I also put Boro ahead of him because he can fight, as we have gotten rid of Kassian

On a side note, does anyone else get the feeling that this team has a much better chance at re signing Ryan/MacArthur/Methot if we have success this year ? Like a 1000% chance ?

Also wondering what it would take to get Yandle...

I know...
Hard to leave Philips out, and I know he is a big part of this team.
I also know he will be in the lineup for most of the year, this is just how I would line up the D.
Philips is just one of those guys I have a love/hate relationship with...
Maybe I only remember the mistakes he's made.
I also see him as a declining asset, one that has hit its peak and is on the decline.
Allowing the younger players to make errors and (hopefully) learn from them
was my main reason for excluding him. If we were a playoff team I would have him in there, however after last year's performance I would opt to let some of the younger players grow and learn by soaking up some of the more important minutes.
I also put Boro ahead of him because he can fight, as we have gotten rid of Kassian

On a side note, does anyone else get the feeling that this team has a much better chance at re signing Ryan/MacArthur/Methot if we have success this year ? Like a 1000% chance ?

Also wondering what it would take to get Yandle...
- JN1980

Jason Spezza...

Jason Spezza...
- ahjnkn

HAha yeah agree

Also wondering what it would take to get Yandle...
- JN1980

Cowen, Weircioch would do it for sure

Sens D

Yandle - Karlsson
Methot - Ceci
Boroweici - Phillips

Which Senator do you think has the most to prove this season?

a) Bobby Ryan b) Jared Cowen c) Colin Greening d) Erik Karlsson
e) Craig Anderson f) Chris Phillips g) Other:

Which Senator do you think has the biggest growth season (from last year)?

a) Mika Zibanejad b) Robin Lehner c) Jared Cowen d) Mark Stone
e) Alex Chiasson f) Mike Hoffman g) Other:

Which Senator do you think will surprise people the most?

a) Mika Zibanejad b) Mark Stone c) Alex Chiasson d) Curits Lazar
e) Mike Hoffman f) Mark Boroweici g) Other: