Jared Crozier: Brassard & Burrows Better Boston Bruins' Bergeron & Brad

now that some fine alliteration there boys oh boy

Can't believe that the refs let the Sens get away with obvious Jedi force tactics.
Marchand was clear and then his stick suddenly explodes.
I'm calling shenanigans.
Refs have it in for us.

The Sens are looking good. They should make the playoffs and may be able to win a round or two.

I can't see them going any further than that with Cody Ceci on the "shutdown" defense pairing. To me that is the number one hole in the roster - the lack of a true shutdown defense pairing.

bichin buzz blog bro

The Sens are looking good. They should make the playoffs and may be able to win a round or two.

I can't see them going any further than that with Cody Ceci on the "shutdown" defense pairing. To me that is the number one hole in the roster - the lack of a true shutdown defense pairing.
- maaddmike

yep, I cant believe how unbelievably sh!tty he did shutting down two of the hottest teams as they rolled off two straight wins.

cut the kid some slack - he's doing a really good job and he's improving.

Can't believe that the refs let the Sens get away with obvious Jedi force tactics.
Marchand was clear and then his stick suddenly explodes.
I'm calling shenanigans.
Refs have it in for us.
- shoreorrpark

Had that call stood, people would have hated on Marchand so much

Anyone else see Marchand dive in front of the net? No, not the infamous call back.

Pageau gave Marchand a bump in front of the net after the whistle, and Marchand went down on his ass.

yep, I cant believe how unbelievably sh!tty he did shutting down two of the hottest teams as they rolled off two straight wins.

cut the kid some slack - he's doing a really good job and he's improving.
- GadesnSens

Little testy are you?

Did I say he is a terrible player?

My point is he is in a role that he is not currently able to handle. He is NOT a shutdown defenseman. There is a reason he is -13 on a winning team. This is -8 worse than the next lowest defenseman on the Sens.

Putting a 23 year old kid who came up as an offensive defenseman into a role where he has to try and shutdown the other team's best line is too much for him at this point in his career and it shows.

Little testy are you?

Did I say he is a terrible player?

My point is he is in a role that he is not currently able to handle. He is NOT a shutdown defenseman. There is a reason he is -13 on a winning team. This is -8 worse than the next lowest defenseman on the Sens.

Putting a 23 year old kid who came up as an offensive defenseman into a role where he has to try and shutdown the other team's best line is too much for him at this point in his career and it shows.
- maaddmike

nah, not testy.... im just a little sick and tired of people (maybe not you) deciding that he is the next whipping boy.

I agree that in a perfect world we'd have a 25 year old Cody Ceci instead of a 23 year old, but it ius what it is.

I like the fact that each pairing has a physical presence and puck mover.... good balance

Anyone else see Marchand dive in front of the net? No, not the infamous call back.

Pageau gave Marchand a bump in front of the net after the whistle, and Marchand went down on his ass.

I missed that one but I did see Big Z dive and was caught on camera. He tried to make it look like he was speared.

Garrioch was asked a good question during the intermission yesterday: Colin White's team is on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs, what will the Sens do with him when that time comes?

Garrioch seemed to think he'd have a hard time coming in to play right away with the Sens in the midst of a major playoff push, and I tend to agree. The only place I see him playing is possibly on the wing as a replacement for Wingles.

What I don't get is why they seem to be considering burning a year on his entry level contract for what may amount to a handful of games at the NHL level. Garrioch mentioned an option of having him "try out" for the B-Sens and having him play there for the remainder of the season. It seems to be the most reasonable option. Then again, I'm not exactly sure how good he is, it might be worth it.

Garrioch was asked a good question during the intermission yesterday: Colin White's team is on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs, what will the Sens do with him when that time comes?

Garrioch seemed to think he'd have a hard time coming in to play right away with the Sens in the midst of a major playoff push, and I tend to agree. The only place I see him playing is possibly on the wing as a replacement for Wingles.

What I don't get is why they seem to be considering burning a year on his entry level contract for may amount to a handful of games at the NHL level. Garrioch mentioned an option of having him "try out" for the B-Sens and having him play there for the remainder of the season. It seems to be the most reasonable option. Then again, I'm not exactly sure how good he is, it might be worth it.
- AlfieFever

Do playoff games apply to the 10 game rule?

There are two camps to burning the year off of his contract and that's the big debate. It depends on how you and Collin views himself as a player. is this kid going to light the world on fire? Or is he going to come in and be a kid with defensive prowess who takes some time to reach that 50-60 point plateau. If it's the latter, you want to burn it off. You would rather sign him after his second full year coming off a 45pt season than his third after a 60-70pt season.

I do not see this kid as an offensive juggernaut. Think a poor man's toews or Bergeron at his height. Maybe an O'rielly. He's got speed to burn and I'd like to see him on the third line. If this kids defensive awareness translates this year a white, JGP, burrows/stone line could give teams top line fits.

Kelly could come out.
Stalberg/white/wingels could be a speed menace as well. I have no issue with this kid playing if he upgrades Kelly. Kelly had been good using his skill in conjunction with his wingers speed but he could be upgraded.

Hockey Hack Hones Handwriting Hooks.

Of all the Sens this year the two I have been the most impressed with (other the Karlsson because at this point we should expect greatness from him)

#1. Mike Hoffman - I've often said if we brought him in a true #1C, I think he could be a 40+ goal scorer. But this year more than any before, he's been getting into corners and digging for the puck, back checking and doing all the right things for a solid two way game.

#2. Dion Phaneuf - When he was in Calgary, he was one of my favorite players in the league, then when can came to Toronto... Naturally I had to start hating him. But I always felt leaf fans were never fair to Dion. Now that he is in Ottawa, he's become one of my favorite players, Solid D, can score a few and knows how to shut down other teams top players. I don't think he gets enough credit.

Garrioch was asked a good question during the intermission yesterday: Colin White's team is on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs, what will the Sens do with him when that time comes?

Garrioch seemed to think he'd have a hard time coming in to play right away with the Sens in the midst of a major playoff push, and I tend to agree. The only place I see him playing is possibly on the wing as a replacement for Wingles.

What I don't get is why they seem to be considering burning a year on his entry level contract for what may amount to a handful of games at the NHL level. Garrioch mentioned an option of having him "try out" for the B-Sens and having him play there for the remainder of the season. It seems to be the most reasonable option. Then again, I'm not exactly sure how good he is, it might be worth it.
- AlfieFever

The problem isn't so much with what the Sens do with him as much as his agent wants him to come play in the NHL because that burns a year off his entry level contract so he can start making bigger money sooner. The problem is that if the Sens don't do that, it doesn't exactly start relationships with the team well and we could have another Vessey type situation. Might be worth it to burn the year and let him see if he can play in the NHL

The problem isn't so much with what the Sens do with him as much as his agent wants him to come play in the NHL because that burns a year off his entry level contract so he can start making bigger money sooner. The problem is that if the Sens don't do that, it doesn't exactly start relationships with the team well and we could have another Vessey type situation. Might be worth it to burn the year and let him see if he can play in the NHL
- Maverick1818

I agree. Get his name on a contract as soon as possible.

I agree. Get his name on a contract as soon as possible.
- SensFan25

and then get him in the AHL so he can learn the pro game at a level that appropriate for his progression.

The Sens are looking good. They should make the playoffs and may be able to win a round or two.

I can't see them going any further than that with Cody Ceci on the "shutdown" defense pairing. To me that is the number one hole in the roster - the lack of a true shutdown defense pairing.
- maaddmike

Very fair point. I think Ceci has had a poor 1st half, there's no secret. I think he's improving his play. Phaneuf has been what I hoped Ceci would be.

Of all the Sens this year the two I have been the most impressed with (other the Karlsson because at this point we should expect greatness from him)

#1. Mike Hoffman - I've often said if we brought him in a true #1C, I think he could be a 40+ goal scorer. But this year more than any before, he's been getting into corners and digging for the puck, back checking and doing all the right things for a solid two way game.

#2. Dion Phaneuf - When he was in Calgary, he was one of my favorite players in the league, then when can came to Toronto... Naturally I had to start hating him. But I always felt leaf fans were never fair to Dion. Now that he is in Ottawa, he's become one of my favorite players, Solid D, can score a few and knows how to shut down other teams top players. I don't think he gets enough credit.
- Maverick1818

Hoffman plays SO much better when he's confident and feels like he can dangle. After that penalty in the 3rd (crazy play but good to see refs call it back) - Hoff can be a 30 goal scorer that plays all around. I think Ryan needs to come back and just play like a 20g guy that sets up players. I really want deep playoff play and playoff points rather than having a 40 goal scorer. But it's a fair point and you know what? Top centers ALWAYS come high in the draft (or atleast top 15-20). You have your rare Bergeron.

Phaneuf concerns me when he's standing still / mental gaps - but this year overall I agree, he's been stellar. I give TONS of credit to Methot who allows Dion to slide into that #3 slot. IF Ceci can improve his play and learn when to jump up, this top 4 could be top 3 in the East without question.

Methot - Karlsson
Phaneuf - Ceci
Borowieci - Wideman

3 right shot puck movers; 3 body checkers/more defensive guys. This point was raised on TSN 1200 and it makes sense that the left guys usually step up. Knock on wood, but I just hope these guys stay healthy. The defensive system is what is making this team much stronger, more so than it's personal.

Very fair point. I think Ceci has had a poor 1st half, there's no secret. I think he's improving his play. Phaneuf has been what I hoped Ceci would be.

Hoffman plays SO much better when he's confident and feels like he can dangle. After that penalty in the 3rd (crazy play but good to see refs call it back) - Hoff can be a 30 goal scorer that plays all around. I think Ryan needs to come back and just play like a 20g guy that sets up players. I really want deep playoff play and playoff points rather than having a 40 goal scorer. But it's a fair point and you know what? Top centers ALWAYS come high in the draft (or atleast top 15-20). You have your rare Bergeron.

Phaneuf concerns me when he's standing still / mental gaps - but this year overall I agree, he's been stellar. I give TONS of credit to Methot who allows Dion to slide into that #3 slot. IF Ceci can improve his play and learn when to jump up, this top 4 could be top 3 in the East without question.
- AlfieisKing

I think they need to aggressively try to move Ryan in the offseason. If healthy now, there are at least 7 forwards on the team better than he is. They can't continue to pay him what they do. Eat some contract and move on