Jared Crozier: Senators Do Alfie Ceremony Right; Game Vs NYI - Not So Much

These are my 5 year keepers and were they fit on the depth chart to build a winning team:

Zibby - ...... -........
Mac - Turris - Stone
Hoff - Lazar - ........
Condra - Pageau - Chiasson

..... - EK
Cowen - Ceci
Boro - .....

Lehner
........


Trade Bait:
Anderson
Ryan
Methot
Z. Smith
Phillips
Neil
Legwand
Michalek
Gryba
Weircoche
Greening


Like I said before - worst Sens team since 1994.

Think the shot stat is a little misleading after watching the game. The Senators had plenty of chances and straight up missed the net. Their passing was solid but just couldn't find a way to put the puck on the net. I know you are supposed to "aim small miss small" but last night was ridiculous. Isles are the best team in the East right now and the Sens hung with them in the back to back and it would have been nice to get a point last night but I think they will start to heat up soon.

Lazar got more time last night which is good to see and he continues to make plays.

Chris Neil is solid when he is playing a hard checking game but last night he cost them the 2nd goal. Tried to hit someone into the boards and then tried to skate all the way around to hit someone else and it completely threw off defensive coverage. If I was MacLean that would drive me nuts.

For all the talk about Bobby Ryan being soft is BS. Playing with a broken finger takes stones and he should have scored last night but he is making plays.

These are my 5 year keepers and were they fit on the depth chart to build a winning team:

Zibby - ...... -........
Mac - Turris - Stone
Hoff - Lazar - ........
Condra - Pageau - Chiasson

..... - EK
Cowen - Ceci
Boro - .....

Lehner
........


Trade Bait:
Anderson
Ryan
Methot
Z. Smith
Phillips
Neil
Legwand
Michalek
Gryba
Weircoche
Greening


Like I said before - worst Sens team since 1994.
- tuna99

Goal tending changes that. Without it, maybe. But they`re the reason they aren`t at the bottom of the standings. But then again thats changing fast.

Funny how that`s wheer the team has ended up right now, considering it was their weakness for so long.

Nice sendoff last night. Wasn't a huge fan of the warmup, but the ceremony was pretty much spot on. Not overdone. Watching the highlight video of Alfies career and the comments made by Mcleanen (I think it was him), we are anxiously waiting the next player that can deliver big goals at big times. That is something that separates great players from good player and a trait that is often overlooked. Right now, not one player on the current roster is doing that.

The game last night was another frustrating one to watch. Every line match up out there, our line is the weaker one. Karlssons chance at the end while dramatic, wouldn't have counted had it gone in. Video afterwards clearly showed that.

The two players I am most frustrated with are Legwand and Michalek. We had a great opportunity to walk away from a regressing player without much debate in Michalek. Signing Legwand was completely backwards as we moved Spezza to get younger, but tried to ease the shock by signing an older, worse centre. Both guys do not belong in the NHL right now. Michalek is a guy every Sens fan forgets we still have and Legwand plays every power play imaginable which is quickly making the Sens fan base bald due to us pulling our head out. There are so many wasted roster spots/cap room on this team right now. Until that is cleared up, we won't be seeing any significant improvement.

Also, nice move by Ottawa honouring Jean Beliveau and showing it on TV so viewers at home could see it too. Whoever is doing the Sens "presentation" stuff is way better than the last several they have had.

I was there for Gretsky's last game in Canada. It was amazing. Towards the end of the game, the fans just took over, they stood and cheered until Gretsky came out and acknowledged the tribute. Gretsky had not even announced his plan to retire but the genuine fan response was so compelling he had to respond.

Last night was magnificently simple. The organizers decided not to put anyone between Alfredsson and his teammates and the fans. It was brilliant and inspiring. Lots of other teams will follow the template established last night.

Well done Ottawa!

These are my 5 year keepers and were they fit on the depth chart to build a winning team:

Zibby - ...... -........
Mac - Turris - Stone
Hoff - Lazar - ........
Condra - Pageau - Chiasson

..... - EK
Cowen - Ceci
Boro - .....

Lehner
........


Trade Bait:
Anderson
Ryan
Methot
Z. Smith
Phillips
Neil
Legwand
Michalek
Gryba
Weircoche
Greening


Like I said before - worst Sens team since 1994.
- tuna99

I pretty much agree with you, with the exception of Ryan. I think Ryan is an elite talent and important piece to this franchise, he's just struggled through injury a bit.

He also needs a disher, which he has never had since he's been here. Spezza was a shadow of his former self when Ryan was healthy and it never worked out.

On the other hand, Zibanejad seems to be in a redundant role right now. If we think Lazar could be a future #1 C, Turris slots into the #2 spot, do we really want Zbad playing 3rd line C?

I wonder what it would take to pry Thornton out of San Jose. Even if it's a stop gap before Lazar is ready. He has two years left on his contract, and San Jose seems to want to move on from him. I'm not sure that it's a wise move to make this year, but he's the type of guy that you'd like to pair Ryan with.

I was there for Gretsky's last game in Canada. It was amazing. Towards the end of the game, the fans just took over, they stood and cheered until Gretsky came out and acknowledged the tribute. Gretsky had not even announced his plan to retire but the genuine fan response was so compelling he had to respond.

Last night was magnificently simple. The organizers decided not to put anyone between Alfredsson and his teammates and the fans. It was brilliant and inspiring. Lots of other teams will follow the template established last night.

Well done Ottawa!
- spatso

Who's Gretsky?

These are my 5 year keepers and were they fit on the depth chart to build a winning team:

Zibby - ...... -........
Mac - Turris - Stone
Hoff - Lazar - ........
Condra - Pageau - Chiasson

..... - EK
Cowen - Ceci
Boro - .....

Lehner
........


Trade Bait:
Anderson
Ryan
Methot
Z. Smith
Phillips
Neil
Legwand
Michalek
Gryba
Weircoche
Greening


Like I said before - worst Sens team since 1994.
- tuna99

I don't disagree with your overall sentiment. But this is not a bad team. This is a young team playing a really tough part of their schedule. They will be better in the second half.

I thought Zibanejad, Lazar and Stone had good games. Karlsson was the best player on either side. I liked Turris' game against Tavares. Not all bad.

I do believe the Sens will make some huge trades.

I pretty much agree with you, with the exception of Ryan. I think Ryan is an elite talent and important piece to this franchise, he's just struggled through injury a bit.

He also needs a disher, which he has never had since he's been here. Spezza was a shadow of his former self when Ryan was healthy and it never worked out.

On the other hand, Zibanejad seems to be in a redundant role right now. If we think Lazar could be a future #1 C, Turris slots into the #2 spot, do we really want Zbad playing 3rd line C?

I wonder what it would take to pry Thornton out of San Jose. Even if it's a stop gap before Lazar is ready. He has two years left on his contract, and San Jose seems to want to move on from him. I'm not sure that it's a wise move to make this year, but he's the type of guy that you'd like to pair Ryan with.
- Jordo

I'm on the fence about Ryan - I just think by the time the kids grow I don't know where a 30 year old Ryan fits in, if he had Hossa's wheels I'd say keep him but the league is so fast and our team is so slow I just think if you are upgrading your speed you have to do it pon every line and especially in your top3.

And he's also injured a lot, he doesn't make a ton of excuses but he just seems to always have something hanging over him the last 3 years, and he's slow.

Also his stats over the last 82 games in Ottawa are pretty brutal for the $ he gets, if you can flip him to a Pitt or Boston that is looking for a scoring winger I'd do it for a young package (basically exactly what we traded to Anaheim)

But if you get an Eric Staal maybe he has magic with Ryan and we can put together a top line that slots the rest of the team where they belong.

I don't disagree with your overall sentiment. But this is not a bad team. This is a young team playing a really tough part of their schedule. They will be better in the second half.

I thought Zibanejad, Lazar and Stone had good games. Karlsson was the best player on either side. I liked Turris' game against Tavares. Not all bad.

I do believe the Sens will make some huge trades.
- spatso

Also it seems since the 20 game mark when the rest of the NHL kicked it up a notch Ottawa just stayed standing still, we need to upgrade our team speed in a serious way on every line.

Murray has build a really slow team, he's added and kept slow vets (Legwand, neil, Phillips, Michalek)

Our biggest concern is team speed right now - we can't forecheck, we can't handle a forecheck, we can't go wide - we could be the slowest team in the NHL

I'm on the fence about Ryan - I just think by the time the kids grow I don't know where a 30 year old Ryan fits in, if he had Hossa's wheels I'd say keep him but the league is so fast and our team is so slow I just think if you are upgrading your speed you have to do it pon every line and especially in your top3.

And he's also injured a lot, he doesn't make a ton of excuses but he just seems to always have something hanging over him the last 3 years, and he's slow.

Also his stats over the last 82 games in Ottawa are pretty brutal for the $ he gets, if you can flip him to a Pitt or Boston that is looking for a scoring winger I'd do it for a young package (basically exactly what we traded to Anaheim)

But if you get an Eric Staal maybe he has magic with Ryan and we can put together a top line that slots the rest of the team where they belong.
- tuna99

Staal? Just curious what would make you throw him into the plan?

The franchise doesn't seem to be into the big dollar contracts and if you're concerned about a 30 year old Ryan in a few years, why aren't you concerned about Staal?

I'm on the fence about Ryan - I just think by the time the kids grow I don't know where a 30 year old Ryan fits in, if he had Hossa's wheels I'd say keep him but the league is so fast and our team is so slow I just think if you are upgrading your speed you have to do it pon every line and especially in your top3.

And he's also injured a lot, he doesn't make a ton of excuses but he just seems to always have something hanging over him the last 3 years, and he's slow.

Also his stats over the last 82 games in Ottawa are pretty brutal for the $ he gets, if you can flip him to a Pitt or Boston that is looking for a scoring winger I'd do it for a young package (basically exactly what we traded to Anaheim)

But if you get an Eric Staal maybe he has magic with Ryan and we can put together a top line that slots the rest of the team where they belong.
- tuna99

Senators are only 4 points out of wild card slot. They are also very close to being a lottery contender.

I agree with your comments on Ryan. He is not a good technical skater. He has lots of good years left. But I doubt it will be an elite level.

So, the challenge is pretty straight forward. Would you give up a #1 pick, a player and a prospect to get a top center (eg Thornton)? Or, would you rather take an offer for Ryan that should include a #1 pick, a player and prospect?

I was there for Gretsky's last game in Canada. It was amazing. Towards the end of the game, the fans just took over, they stood and cheered until Gretsky came out and acknowledged the tribute. Gretsky had not even announced his plan to retire but the genuine fan response was so compelling he had to respond.

Last night was magnificently simple. The organizers decided not to put anyone between Alfredsson and his teammates and the fans. It was brilliant and inspiring. Lots of other teams will follow the template established last night.

Well done Ottawa!
- spatso

Welcome to the team, Spats... Officially

(I don't know when you changed your team tag, but I just noticed it)

Welcome to the team, Spats... Officially

(I don't know when you changed your team tag, but I just noticed it)
- Mr_Clean

Last summer. Feels good.

Surely, someone could have done a better job on the first part of Alfie's slideshow where they listed all his achievements. The French parts weren't even capitalized!

It looked like a grade 9 student did it for a high school project.

Pretty weak if you ask me.

Good thing the video was done well, to make everyone forget about how brutal the first part was.

As for the game itself, I am almost at the point of cheering for tank mode. It's pretty clear that this team is going to struggle offensively all season. Turris and Mac are nothing like they were last year (especially Turris).

Essentially, this team has 2 2nd lines and 2 4th lines. That's just not going to cut it.

I fear the Sens are going to become the Leafs of the last decade. Just good enough not to get a top 8 pick. I would rather bottom out for a few years than have a decade of total mediocrity.

First things, first. Trade Anderson for a package of picks and prospects.

If we get rid of our #1, the Sens will surely fall to bottom 6-7 in the league. Then we can get a great pick in this year's draft. Everyone outside Phillips, Neil and Andy are still young enough that we can build a team around the remaining guys. We need that game breaker, though and since our owner is a cheap POS, that game breaker will have to come through the draft.

[quote=spatso]

If I'm Ottawa I'm selling and letting the new GM and Alfie find faster, more hungry players in the draft to add to the team. Trade Andy, Ryan, Neil, Methot - that right there gets you a ton of young talent and restock the prospect pool.

I love the young talent (Ceci, Stone, Hoff, Cowen, Lehner) we are in good shape going forward - but we need size and speed.

Just a side note but I think I could count 10 offsides a year during the Jacques Martin era, Ottawa goes offside about 5-6 a game now - just no one is in synch at all.

If I'm Ottawa I'm selling and letting the new GM and Alfie find faster, more hungry players in the draft to add to the team. Trade Andy, Ryan, Neil, Methot - that right there gets you a ton of young talent and restock the prospect pool.

I love the young talent (Ceci, Stone, Hoff, Cowen, Lehner) we are in good shape going forward - but we need size and speed.

Just a side note but I think I could count 10 offsides a year during the Jacques Martin era, Ottawa goes offside about 5-6 a game now - just no one is in synch at all.
- tuna99

That's the difference between puck possession and a dump and chase game. Martin's Sens never went offside because they never tried to carry the puck across the blue line.

That's the difference between puck possession and a dump and chase game. Martin's Sens never went offside because they never tried to carry the puck across the blue line.
- JaredCrozier

Important distinction.

Drove me crazy. Ottawa had massive firepower under Martin, they would have great regular seasons. But, when the playoffs came dump and chase just did not stand up to the intensity of the play.

Important distinction.

Drove me crazy. Ottawa had massive firepower under Martin, they would have great regular seasons. But, when the playoffs came dump and chase just did not stand up to the intensity of the play.
- spatso

We have to remember that was the OLD playoff system during the dead puck era.

Today, Dmen can't hold up guys at the blue line after they've dumped it in. I honestly think a dump and chase strategy, come playoff time, is the best one for a team that lacks raw talent.

Jacques Martin is the perfect coach for a bad to mediocre team, and a terrible coach for a team that is full of talent.

Martin would make a team like the Sens better, and a team like the Pens worse.

Loved the Alfie ceremony and especially the warm up skate with the team. Very cool, and you could tell he enjoyed it. Felt a little awkward though when he was just standing by himself at centre ice patiently waiting for something to happen

I thought the game was actually really good. This is a fairly inexperienced team playing one of the best teams in the east, and they held their own. Sustained OZ time throughout the game, and overall good effort by everyone. Even Chris Phillips had his best game of the season. That's just weird. Must be the Alfie Effect. Hoff, Mika, Mac were on fire. Ryan, Lazar, Turris were solid. The Isles blocked a lot of shots and the Sens missed a lot of shots wide of the net.

The forward lines last night are probably the very best way you can put together this roster. Wiercioch should be in over Boro, but we all know that. Turris is probably a little small to be a 1C. Needs size and strength to improve next year.

Bring on the Penguins. If the boys play like they did last night, all they have to do is contain Sidney Crosby. And Malkin. And then they'll be fine!

We have to remember that was the OLD playoff system during the dead puck era.

Today, Dmen can't hold up guys at the blue line after they've dumped it in. I honestly think a dump and chase strategy, come playoff time, is the best one for a team that lacks raw talent.

Jacques Martin is the perfect coach for a bad to mediocre team, and a terrible coach for a team that is full of talent.

Martin would make a team like the Sens better, and a team like the Pens worse.
- Charliebox

You are right.

I thought the best playoff series effort by any Sens player was Marion Hossa in the Eastern Final against New Jersey. Ottawa dominated possession, Hossa was phenomenal but the Devils ultimately triumphed by trapping their way through.

Important distinction.

Drove me crazy. Ottawa had massive firepower under Martin, they would have great regular seasons. But, when the playoffs came dump and chase just did not stand up to the intensity of the play.
- spatso

I don't think Jacques teams were dump and chase - defensive yes but certainly not dump and chase - different era when you could trip and piggy back on guys but regardless - NYI were playing 4 rookie D last night and Ottawa applied close to zero forecheck against them and it was an easy game for NY. If you havr to dump it in against them and make them make plays on their wrong side then do it.

Every one knew going tied into the 3rd that we'd lose, and they didn't let us down.

That's the difference between puck possession and a dump and chase game. Martin's Sens never went offside because they never tried to carry the puck across the blue line.
- JaredCrozier

Good point. That weird play where EK tries to carry it in, and makes his 3 forwards wait at the blueline never ever works. Forwards carry no speed. Haven't seen it much lately though. Maybe Mac veto'd that play, unless EK leads the rush.

I think it was Boro or Neil who made that boneheaded dump in before a full change, leading to the golden Tavares chance. Should have taken it back into the DZ, maintaining possession until the change was complete. There are good times to dump. That wasn't one of them!

I don't think Jacques teams were dump and chase - defensive yes but certainly not dump and chase - different era when you could trip and piggy back on guys but regardless - NYI were playing 4 rookie D last night and Ottawa applied close to zero forecheck against them and it was an easy game for NY. If you havr to dump it in against them and make them make plays on their wrong side then do it.

Every one knew going tied into the 3rd that we'd lose, and they didn't let us down.
- tuna99

This is ludicrous. OTT had all kinds of sustained pressure in the Isles zone last night. It was a very even contest. And if you thought they'd lose going tied into the third, you should just hang them up, go to bed, and pick another team in the morning.