Jared Crozier: Which Fix Should Be Priority #1 For Boucher?

i would say both special teams are equally important...but if I had to choose one then I'd pick the PK. Ottawa takes a poop ton of penalties so they need to be able to kill them, plain and simple. I would bet that our poopty PK was directly responsible for at least 10-12 losses last season

To add a depth scoring / two way winger, and find some long term consistency in net.

Anderson has his moments, but isn't a long term solution IMO... he also can't be expected to stand on his head every night. Hammond is meh, IMO as well.

And apparently you asked what Boucher should fix... lol. I'd agree that PK/Special teams would be huge

To add a depth scoring / two way winger, and find some long term consistency in net.

Anderson has his moments, but isn't a long term solution IMO... he also can't be expected to stand on his head every night. Hammond is meh, IMO as well.
- DonaldDump

I think Ottawa has 3 solid goalie prospects (O'Connor, dreidger, and hogberg). I know that predicting the success of a goalie when they're young is like playing the lottery, but I expect that at least one of those (my money is on hogberg) will become a quality NHL goalie....Anderson and Hammond are fine until then. I think goaltending is the least of Ottawa's problems (IMO).

I definitely agree about the winger though, they have almost zero depth on the left side.

#1 Shots Against
#2 Penalty's taken (7th highest in NHL last season)
#3 Shots on goal (27th overall in the NHL last season)
#4 Penalty Kill (it's all about determination at this point, we have the players)
#5 Power Play (as long as we have a good PP in the playoffs I think a mediocre PP in the season can be overcome)

if we get our shots for/against under control and take less penalties we'll be a playoff team.

Erik Karlsson is my favorite player in the entire NHL. I hope he wins a championship with Ottawa or that at least Ottawa becomes a big time contender in the next year or so.

For as good as he is. I still think he is highly underrated.

Erik Karlsson is my favorite player in the entire NHL. I hope he wins a championship with Ottawa or that at least Ottawa becomes a big time contender in the next year or so.

For as good as he is. I still think he is highly underrated.
- TheUltimateJet

his defensive game certainly is

I think Ottawa has 3 solid goalie prospects (O'Connor, dreidger, and hogberg). I know that predicting the success of a goalie when they're young is like playing the lottery, but I expect that at least one of those (my money is on hogberg) will become a quality NHL goalie....Anderson and Hammond are fine until then. I think goaltending is the least of Ottawa's problems (IMO).

I definitely agree about the winger though, they have almost zero depth on the left side.
- sensarmy_11

Yeah, I agree that their current options are FINE, but that's about it. Nobody stands out, but goalies are definitely tough to predict. Hopefully there is something between Oconnor/Hogberg, but time will tell I suppose.

I'm still upset that they traded Prince, especially when people talk about the lack of depth. Maybe there was more to it (wanted out of Ottawa or something), but he really seemed like a good option going forward.

Yeah, I agree that their current options are FINE, but that's about it. Nobody stands out, but goalies are definitely tough to predict. Hopefully there is something between Oconnor/Hogberg, but time will tell I suppose.

I'm still upset that they traded Prince, especially when people talk about the lack of depth. Maybe there was more to it (wanted out of Ottawa or something), but he really seemed like a good option going forward.
- DonaldDump

I think prince will top out as a decent 3rd liner......no big loss there IMO. he did ask for a trade out of Ottawa a couple of years back though, I think he felt he should be higher up the depth chart than he actually was (after getting passed by hoff, puempel, etc). he's easily replaceable

I think prince will top out as a decent 3rd liner......no big loss there IMO. he did ask for a trade out of Ottawa a couple of years back though, I think he felt he should be higher up the depth chart than he actually was (after getting passed by hoff, puempel, etc). he's easily replaceable
- sensarmy_11

Yeah fair enough. For a few years him/puempel/hoff all seemed to be on par prospect wise, but hoff made a big jump, while prince and puempel haven't seem to have proven much.

Shots against. This isn't even debatable.

Puck Possession,is the one thing that fixes everything for this team .We just spent far too much time chasing the game .Having a healthy Turris along with Macarther should help as both are good possession types,the biggest upgrade is however is Brassard over Zibby.Zibby line just had far too many one and done,s in the Ozone.Which put too much pressure on a bad dcore

Puck Possession,is the one thing that fixes everything for this team .We just spent far too much time chasing the game .Having a healthy Turris along with Macarther should help as both are good possession types,the biggest upgrade is however is Brassard over Zibby.Zibby line just had far too many one and done,s in the Ozone.Which put too much pressure on a bad dcore
- top shelf 15

Agreed -

I think if Boucher concentrates on two things, he can get two birds stoned at once .... twice



If he improves defensive coverage (both in the neutral zone and d-zone), he can achieve lower SA and therefore GA.

Further, if he improves the offensive attack, he will improve the PP, SF and GF.

I think if Boucher concentrates on two things, he can get two birds stoned at once .... twice



If he improves defensive coverage (both in the neutral zone and d-zone), he can achieve lower SA and therefore GA.

Further, if he improves the offensive attack, he will improve the PP, SF and GF.
- SensnRBs

Having the puck more means more time making the opposition defend,thus lowering S/A/GF ,also adding less time on the pk and more on the pp.Simply put Turris,Macarther and Brassard will help us be a much better team defensively than,just adding Phaneuf .Which will also help when we dont have the puck

Having the puck more means more time making the opposition defend,thus lowering S/A/GF ,also adding less time on the pk and more on the pp.Simply put Turris,Macarther and Brassard will help us be a much better team defensively than,just adding Phaneuf .Which will also help when we dont have the puck
- top shelf 15

Ceci and Wideman are also huge parts of the possession numbers. If both of these players improve and play to their full potential we'll have an offence that gets up the ice quickly with a lot of pressure. I'd still like to see them add a reliable #6 to play with Wideman, maybe it's Englund, Cleassen, Seiloff - but that's one position I think could really round out the D if they get the right player (Philly is under cap pressure and a D like Schultz at $2 million might be rich for Eugenes blood but he'd be a perfect fit)

Ottawa best team had Corvo and Pressing backing up Redden and Meszaros. We got the puck up the ice better then any team in the NHL (until Anahiem shut that down). Most looking forward to seeing what Wideman and Ceci can do this season - could be the two most improved players on the team.

Ceci and Wideman are also huge parts of the possession numbers. If both of these players improve and play to their full potential we'll have an offence that gets up the ice quickly with a lot of pressure. I'd still like to see them add a reliable #6 to play with Wideman, maybe it's Englund, Cleassen, Seiloff - but that's one position I think could really round out the D if they get the right player (Philly is under cap pressure and a D like Schultz at $2 million might be rich for Eugenes blood but he'd be a perfect fit)

Ottawa best team had Corvo and Pressing backing up Redden and Meszaros. We got the puck up the ice better then any team in the NHL (until Anahiem shut that down). Most looking forward to seeing what Wideman and Ceci can do this season - could be the two most improved players on the team.
- tuna99

I think you just solved a big problem.

The sens need Joe Corvo.

All the above in the sense that improved power play, penalty kill and puck possession are required if they are to become serious playoff contender.

All the above in the sense that improved power play, penalty kill and puck possession are required if they are to become serious playoff contender.
- spatso

Thank you.

All equally important and all were pretty laughable last season.

Anyone have any news on stones offseason? Hes one stride away from being an absolute dominant player. I hope he's primarily focusing on his skating. Hes currently a top line winger on a beautiful contract. Anyone think he's going to take that next step?

Has boucher commented on Smith's intended usage? We can't be wasting this player. Hes not as good as his goals reflected last year but he's no slouch either. Come trade deadline he could likely fetch a good return if we're not playoff bound. What bothers me is this team is making moves to win. Why not go all in. I know money is an issue but it seems like the blues would take a ceci and a second for shattenkirk. That's as good a deal as they will receive. Someone to fill a roster spot with potential who is cost controlled and a pick. Cap space is leverage, use it. It would need to be a sign and trade but a seven year deal at 6.5-6.8 may get it done.

We're losing pumps or methot to the expansion draft, trade pumps unless he blooms this year, for picks. Methots salary and cecis make the difference on salaries to melnyk. Chabot fills this defensive void the following season.

For God sake keep lazar. This kid is going to sign for a good price to stay here and he's obviously an NHL player. At his age hes just going to keep getting better. He may never score 60 points but that does not mean hes not part of the solution.

I understand that thats approximately. 27-29 million on the cap between three defenseman and Bobby ryan but that's only 6-8 million less than the toews/Kane hit.

I think you just solved a big problem.

The sens need Joe Corvo.

Uh-oh Corvo!