Jared Crozier: Rust rules the day against Pens

Talk about a stinker. All that extra time given for jet lag certainly paid off…

Last night is one of those games where you just brush off and move along. Very winnable game on Saturday to get things back on track.

Good morning fellas 🙋 just a few thoughts id like to share...So what a classy lady Andersons wife is! ..she was in T.O.last night at the game and went and talked to Boyle! Really nice thing to do! Words of encouragement I imagine! And frank me ..the sens organization has seen it's share of the battle with cancer!..still not the same for me,not to see Brian up in the booth,.if most fans knew of his accomplishments,and his contributions to this game we all love,then they would know what a great loss his death truly was!. ...Also I'm sure he'd approve of the Dorion trade (Dushene) and the direction that the teams management has in place..I had mentioned that a healthy Karlsson would of been the difference in advancing to the finals! .I hope that his (Karlssons) minutes down the stretch will be properly managed,to avoid any type of burnout? hopefully the team can put some distance between some of the clubs (not mine!) ..and rest him a bit!..good luck with the rest of the way. .and hopefully the sens roster can stay healthy! ..cheers

I thought Duchene looked amazing in the first period. After that... well the whole team looked off.

The push for the tying goal in the dying minute was a little weird. Dump it in. The pens clear it out. Let's try again, and again.

Talk about a stinker. All that extra time given for jet lag certainly paid off…

Last night is one of those games where you just brush off and move along. Very winnable game on Saturday to get things back on track.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yep! ..but what a great opportunity for a team to bond!..I'm going to get roasted here. .but I predict a cup final for the sens ..maybe at the deadline a dman and a forward for depth?..and all things being equal (a healthy roster) a cup for Ottawa ....runs and hides🙈

Well that was a predictable result.

It was predictable that Duchene was the best forward for the Sens (outside Pageau's rush/goal obviously).

It was predictable that the game was low scoring with the Pens struggling to find offense this season.

It was predictable that Bobby Ryan struggled to handle the puck.

It was predictable that almost the entire team (outside Duchene in the 1st and a couple other guys) had zero jump.

I went to the game because I was given free tickets, but those are the types of games I would normally avoid at all costs. You knew how it was going to end up before it even started.

Sounds weird to say but Duchene looks even better than I thought he would. A few more games to click with the team/linemates and it's gonna be fun to watch!

Sounds weird to say but Duchene looks even better than I thought he would. A few more games to click with the team/linemates and it's gonna be fun to watch!
- wilkobecks

He looked great in the 1st. He's going to being playmaking ability and skill that we haven't seen at centre since the prime years of Spezza. Going to be a significant upgrade from Turris. He's got the awkward games against the Avs and home debut out of the way, so things should start to click soon.

Yep. Duchene has elite speed.

Many fans and analysts are questioning if the trade was worth it to get a 'slight upgrade' at center.

I keep coming back to speed.

Sure, this year, and maybe for the next 2-3 years it will only be a 'slight upgrade', but in 4-6 years, we'll notice a huge difference.

This is ssuming we resign Duchene long term obviously.

Turris was an average skater at best. I have noticed that he was already starting to slow down (since that horrible ankle injury, really). If Turris loses another step, he won't be effective. He's not strong enough to overcome a lack of speed. If he's not in your top 6, he's a buy out. Turris is not a bottom 6 type player. Like Dorion, I would have been worried to give him more than 5 years. Hell, 5 years seems to even be pushing it.

On the other hand, if Duchene loses a step over the next 5-6 years, he will still be well above average and will still be effective. We could sign this guy for the max length and still be fairly confident he will put up numbers.

"Not that the Penguins effort will show up on their highlight reels either"

I thought the Pens battle and compete level was great...

I see a lot of people saying the centre upgrade was only marginal...I dont agree and that's no knock against Turris, who is a very good hockey player, but I believe Duchene to be a star with an elite skill set.

"Not that the Penguins effort will show up on their highlight reels either"

I thought the Pens battle and compete level was great...

I see a lot of people saying the centre upgrade was only marginal...I dont agree and that's no knock against Turris, who is a very good hockey player, but I believe Duchene to be a star with an elite skill set.
- MattStrat

People are way to quick to simply just look at the stats. On paper Duch and Turris are similar. Their play on the ice is vastly different. Duchene is an upgrade over Turris. He's also a much better faceoff guy.

It will take some time to adjust and people will probable start trolling that Duch doesn't have any points and Turris does, but this is a great move for the Sens.

People are way to quick to simply just look at the stats. On paper Duch and Turris are similar. Their play on the ice is vastly different. Duchene is an upgrade over Turris. He's also a much better faceoff guy.

It will take some time to adjust and people will probable start trolling that Duch doesn't have any points and Turris does, but this is a great move for the Sens.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Which matters more, what he looks like or what the numbers are.

I am not trying to be a Richard about it. I save my chirping for you know who. I really wonder though if Duchene is a better fit for Ottawa than Turris.

Of course, if Duchene starts to light it up, or turns Ryan into an even marginal NHL'er then we will have our answer

It seems like Duchene is almost going to see a career arc similar to Patrick Marleau. Thrust into a 1C centre role and probably under-appreciated without complimentary players. Ryan should be a good fit as he’s a big body and has transitioned (at least attempted to change) his game from a guy who tries to beat everyone 1on1 to a guy who tries to carry the puck more into the dirty areas and make space.

Much like Marleau though, Duchene seems like a player who will carry his value well due to his combination of skill and speed. Still, the trade will only be worth it if Ottawa can lock him, EK, Stone and Hoffman up for the next few years and have a succession plan for Andy in place.

It seems like Duchene is almost going to see a career arc similar to Patrick Marleau. Thrust into a 1C centre role and probably under-appreciated without complimentary players. Ryan should be a good fit as he’s a big body and has transitioned (at least attempted to change) his game from a guy who tries to beat everyone 1on1 to a guy who tries to carry the puck more into the dirty areas and make space.

Much like Marleau though, Duchene seems like a player who will carry his value well due to his combination of skill and speed. Still, the trade will only be worth it if Ottawa can lock him, EK, Stone and Hoffman up for the next few years and have a succession plan for Andy in place.
- LondonSen

Like points wise?

Which matters more, what he looks like or what the numbers are.

I am not trying to be a Richard about it. I save my chirping for you know who. I really wonder though if Duchene is a better fit for Ottawa than Turris.

Of course, if Duchene starts to light it up, or turns Ryan into an even marginal NHL'er then we will have our answer
- Aetherial

I am guilty of assuming he is in a better situation in Ottawa than Colorado, so I think that could elevate his game. Watching him in the same spot Turris was, you can just tell he is a more talented offensive player. I assume that will translate into more points.

Which matters more, what he looks like or what the numbers are.

I am not trying to be a Richard about it. I save my chirping for you know who. I really wonder though if Duchene is a better fit for Ottawa than Turris.

Of course, if Duchene starts to light it up, or turns Ryan into an even marginal NHL'er then we will have our answer
- Aetherial

Interesting that Ottawa went from a centre unit of Turris, Zibanejad, Smith, Pageau (three right-hand shots) to Brassard, Duchene, Pageau, Thompson (three left-hand shots), in a somewhat transparent attempt to find someone who can gel with Ryan on the right side.

I do think Duchene though long-term is a better fit with this team and with Boucher’s system. Turris was noticeably having some issues keeping pace with some of the 1Cs in the league and unable to apply as much pressure on the forecheck. I still think Turris has a under-valued release and playmaking ability and I wouldn’t be surprised if him and Duchene are still neck-and-neck scoring-wise, but I think the team, and the system, will benefit more from the trade.

Like points wise?
- walshyleafsfan

Nope, different systems, less talented teams (in Duchene’s case), but individually as a player, I think he’ll be able to remain consistent as long as Marleau has, and likely has a later prime. 6M for Marleau may be a fair bit in two more years, but he’s still an unbelievably valuable, and underrated player.

It seems like Duchene is almost going to see a career arc similar to Patrick Marleau. Thrust into a 1C centre role and probably under-appreciated without complimentary players. Ryan should be a good fit as he’s a big body and has transitioned (at least attempted to change) his game from a guy who tries to beat everyone 1on1 to a guy who tries to carry the puck more into the dirty areas and make space.

Much like Marleau though, Duchene seems like a player who will carry his value well due to his combination of skill and speed. Still, the trade will only be worth it if Ottawa can lock him, EK, Stone and Hoffman up for the next few years and have a succession plan for Andy in place.
- LondonSen

Why is this always the focal point? Realistically, the window for the Sens to win is this year and next. Sure it might hurt down the road, but if you get a Cup isn't it worth it? Have past Cup champs regret pushing to win if it cost them a couple of key players?

I am guilty of assuming he is in a better situation in Ottawa than Colorado, so I think that could elevate his game. Watching him in the same spot Turris was, you can just tell he is a more talented offensive player. I assume that will translate into more points.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Similar to LondonSen, I think Turris is underrated.

I have to agree though that Duchene has much more offensive potential. Ryan has to keep up now and quit being a boat anchor.

Why is this always the focal point? Realistically, the window for the Sens to win is this year and next. Sure it might hurt down the road, but if you get a Cup isn't it worth it? Have past Cup champs regret pushing to win if it cost them a couple of key players?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Nope.

Winning a cup is worth it at pretty much any cost.

Nope.

Winning a cup is worth it at pretty much any cost.
- Aetherial

i agree except your avatar scares me

well lets hope they squeeze 1 point out of arizona. every year i will believe they have a shot at the cup and i still very much do this year . but lets face it , they are playing less then 500 hockey despite the mirage of loser points . i think it will get better once the routine sets in. an away trip with many games is hopefully what the doctor ordered for this team

A lot of praise for a guy who has zero pts in 3 games regardless of "flying around" out there and "looking dangerous".

Duchene is killing my fantasy team... I was hoping for this trade so that I could sell high here in Ottawa, but now even the diehards won't touch him...

Maybe I'll trade for Wideman and play him at Forward...

A lot of praise for a guy who has zero pts in 3 games regardless of "flying around" out there and "looking dangerous".

Duchene is killing my fantasy team... I was hoping for this trade so that I could sell high here in Ottawa, but now even the diehards won't touch him...

Maybe I'll trade for Wideman and play him at Forward...
- grim

Don't worry about Duchene he will prove his worth and some.

did you see Widemans injury last night? that looked painful

A lot of praise for a guy who has zero pts in 3 games regardless of "flying around" out there and "looking dangerous".

Duchene is killing my fantasy team... I was hoping for this trade so that I could sell high here in Ottawa, but now even the diehards won't touch him...

Maybe I'll trade for Wideman and play him at Forward...
- grim

And it begins...