Jared Crozier: Some (very) early season observations

good read jared.

the pairing of phaneuf and cowen have been frustrating to watch.........I think more so because I think phaneuf has actually been pretty good, but is getting anchored by ceci.

I think they should look at moving wideman or Chabot up and giving ceci some easier minutes on the bottom pair to figure poop out.

Ultimately I take the same "cup half full" approach when observing the 2016-17 Sens, but there are some areas of déjà vu/ concern:

- While they are 3-1 to start the season, the three victories were 1) against weak teams (T.O. and Arizona) or a severely weakened team (MTL sans Price). 2) Two of the victories were in OT/ SO, therefore won by the slimmest of margins. And 3) the three victories were slug-fests where the Sens' offense saved sloppy defense and goal tending.

- Their one loss came against a decent team, and was a shellacking when the Sens office was not on fire.

I think tomorrow's game against a true contender (Tampa Bay) will show the team's true mettle, whether they will be a pretender or a contender going forward.

As getting more fans to home games, the answer is simple: Stop being so boneheaded! Being economically frugal is one thing, but stop setting fans' expectations that you will bring in "whomever is necessary" to make the team a contender and then declare a payroll ceiling, which is 6 million below the NHL's, really does not assure anyone. I am hoping that being frugal means planning for the day Karlsson's contract come for renewal, then I am all for it.

Finally, why one Earth would you not renew a contract with the beloved Lyndon Slewidge, who is one of the best anthem singers in the league! It is this level of "cheapness" that turns off fans and leaves empty seats.

good read jared.

the pairing of phaneuf and cowen have been frustrating to watch.........I think more so because I think phaneuf has actually been pretty good, but is getting anchored by ceci.

I think they should look at moving wideman or Chabot up and giving ceci some easier minutes on the bottom pair to figure poop out.
- sensarmy_11

Are you saying Ceci is like Cowen or something?

Are you saying Ceci is like Cowen or something?
- ClarksonDavid

the first 4 games this season, that's EXACTLY what he's looked like. confused and out of position all the time.....atleast in his own end. unlike cowen, he's actually pretty good in the offensive zone so that helps alleviate the defensive woes a little

I agree with your take on Lazar, but I think they will bring him up in the next two weeks.

He should play the whole season in AHL

I still think the Zbad trade was a good one, even if Brassard doesn't score more points. If Zbad keeps up at that pace, the Rangers are going to offer him a huge contract - after one good year - pretty risky. I hate those types of contracts. With New York's cap issues, you could also see an offer sheet. Dorion got rid of the question marks and potential headaches and the team is better for it.

Any one else afraid to see MacArthur return? I think I'll be in constant cringe when he's on the ice, like when you let go of your little kid the first time biking on two wheels.

the first 4 games this season, that's EXACTLY what he's looked like. confused and out of position all the time.....atleast in his own end. unlike cowen, he's actually pretty good in the offensive zone so that helps alleviate the defensive woes a little
- sensarmy_11

I'm sure he's better then Cowen I only said that cause you'd typed Cowen. How's phaneuf been?

I'm sure he's better then Cowen I only said that cause you'd typed Cowen. How's phaneuf been?
- ClarksonDavid

haha, Freudian slip.......didn't even notice.

Any one else afraid to see MacArthur return? I think I'll be in constant cringe when he's on the ice, like when you let go of your little kid the first time biking on two wheels.
- AlfieFever

I don't think he'll ever return........just my opinion

I don't think he'll ever return........just my opinion
- sensarmy_11

So I take it you missed his blue practice jersey hanging in the locker room yesterday?

I don't think he'll ever return........just my opinion
- sensarmy_11

It's an unfortunate situation, but if he chooses not to play again, might want to trade him to a team that would want to get out of a high contract and keep him on IR. Kind of like what happened with Horton

So I take it you missed his blue practice jersey hanging in the locker room yesterday?
- sensfan1984

Coaches interview couple of days ago said they were still a VERY long time away from even considering a comeback

- While they are 3-1 to start the season, the three victories were 1) against weak teams (T.O. and Arizona) or a severely weakened team (MTL sans Price). 2) Two of the victories were in OT/ SO, therefore won by the slimmest of margins. And 3) the three victories were slug-fests where the Sens' offense saved sloppy defense and goal tending.
.

... But those are they games they have to win. Important come late March/early April. A win is a win... Rinse, repeat

Lazar:

https://mobile.twitter.co...status/789640486533394433

We're 3-1 and people are already complaining. Newsflash no team is perfect.

I don't think he'll ever return........just my opinion
- sensarmy_11

I know why you say that.... I think he will but will NEVER hit 20 goals again... which is very sad

Lazar:

https://mobile.twitter.co...status/789640486533394433
- Ottawa Fan

Awesome. Honestly Lazar is a wild card on this team long term -- I hated how people are leaving him out of a top 6 role; including management. I haven't heard it enough - this guy is a 1st round pick, a memorial cup winner, and captain of one of the deepest world junior teams (with McDavid, Strome, Marner and all the others). This is a guy that has Dustin Brown written ALL over him IMO. Ofcourse... not the current dustin brown.

We're 3-1 and people are already complaining. Newsflash no team is perfect.
- TheCalSen

Ya cal... Some people ALWAYS just criticize... I'm sure you even have people in your life you can think of... I think it's good to recognize what their doing but that their defensive structure and play at the times can still take big jumps before they can become contenders and not pretenders. Also how long can the scoring come from the bottom 6? Hoffman, Stone, Ryan, Brassard, and Turris ALL can hit 25 goals. Hopefully atleast 1 hits 30+........