are you stupid enough to think the leafs will make the playoffs?
- 2Real

Are you stupid enough to think Philly will be better and didn't trade away their two top forwards?

Are you stupid enough to think Philly will be better and didn't trade away their two top forwards?
- prock

in the long run yes?

why u mad bro? poop team is poop

in the long run yes?

why u mad bro? poop team is poop
- 2Real

You HOPE in the long run.

that said.... I understand your optimism. The guy did just set the record for most points in a world junior tourney. I would be pretty excited about a player joining the likes of Dale McCourt too.

They seem to do that every year and it is different playing well when it matters compared to playing well when you are all ready out of the playoff picture. I think they are better than last year but when comparing the ins and out you also have to consider them as a loss as well.
- jordan456789

The Leafs were within 3 points of a playoff spot with two weeks left. The games did matter.

You HOPE in the long run.

that said.... I understand your optimism. The guy did just set the record for most points in a world junior tourney. I would be pretty excited about a player joining the likes of Dale McCourt too.
- prock

they were good enough to beat the leafs!

they were good enough to beat the leafs!
- 2Real

Or... The Marlies? Yep, things are lookin up!!!!

Or... The Marlies? Yep, things are lookin up!!!!
- prock

Your entire 1st line and statistically your best 2nd liner were playing so 4/6 top 6 forwards were playing and 0 goals scored.

Just saying.

Even trolls have to warm up during the preseason

Your entire 1st line and statistically your best 2nd liner were playing so 4/6 top 6 forwards were playing and 0 goals scored.

Just saying.
- gretzky

just sayin..... 2 out of the top 3 goal scorers and most of the top d.

I dont want to be too hard on you, but youre a phucking moron.

we all know this is where your user name comes from....

TBH, it had most of your best players. Pretty embarrassing.
- gretzky

Right.....

Your entire 1st line and statistically your best 2nd liner were playing so 4/6 top 6 forwards were playing and 0 goals scored.

Just saying.
- gretzky

You don't know statistics??

Even trolls have to warm up during the preseason
- daeth

No kidding!!

There were some good signs last night. Kadri and Franson played solid games. Kadri looks like a different guy from last year. The weight loss seems to have added more quickness and jump to his game.

Some things just need to be ignored, it is preseason. For example, Kessel had great wheels but not much finish around the net. Timing is the last thing to fall into place and once he gets his timing down he is going to have a great season. I don't think Reimer's game means that much because he did not have a lot of protection and the Flyers got some great chances. Schenn simply looked rusty. Sometimes when the defense does not play well as a unit it means the forwards are not coming back and doing their job. I could not tell how things were breaking down last night. It did appear that nobody was able to handle Simmonds. He was the player who most impressed me on the Flyers squad.

The negatives were fairly clear. Colborne is too soft a player and it is hard to get your head around a guy who is 6'5" and will not use his body effectively. Connolly played as many of us expected that he would, he is not a top line center and has not been one for many years. I think Bozak may get the call to move up in the depth charts before the regular season starts. Connolly can give you good third line minutes, he can kill penalties but a #1 center in the NHL he is not.

There were some good signs last night. Kadri and Franson played solid games. Kadri looks like a different guy from last year. The weight loss seems to have added more quickness and jump to his game.

Some things just need to be ignored, it is preseason. For example, Kessel had great wheels but not much finish around the net. Timing is the last thing to fall into place and once he gets his timing down he is going to have a great season. I don't think Reimer's game means that much because he did not have a lot of protection and the Flyers got some great chances. Schenn simply looked rusty. Sometimes when the defense does not play well as a unit it means the forwards are not coming back and doing their job. I could not tell how things were breaking down last night. It did appear that nobody was able to handle Simmonds. He was the player who most impressed me on the Flyers squad.

The negatives were fairly clear. Colborne is too soft a player and it is hard to get your head around a guy who is 6'5" and will not use his body effectively. Connolly played as many of us expected that he would, he is not a top line center and has not been one for many years. I think Bozak may get the call to move up in the depth charts before the regular season starts. Connolly can give you good third line minutes, he can kill penalties but a #1 center in the NHL he is not.
- spatso

Colbourne was throwing hits all over the ice and using his large frame to protect the puck. Not sure where you get soft from?? He was clearly in over his head though. Showed glimpses of what may be to come, but he's not ready yet.

Colbourne was throwing hits all over the ice and using his large frame to protect the puck. Not sure where you get soft from?? He was clearly in over his head though. Showed glimpses of what may be to come, but he's not ready yet.
- burn

I don't like picking apart a players game especially with the kids. But, when you see Colborne throwing a hit it is like it is being forced, not natural. So, the physical part of his game tends to look awkward, rehearsed, not part of his natural hockey rhythm.

For comparison sake take the kid Simmonds and look at his game. Every time he was up against someone on the boards they got banged, he got banged as well, it is just part of his game. Simmonds physical play is so well integrated into his overall play you hardly notice the banging that he does over a 60 minute period (as you can tell I really liked what I saw from this kid).

There are lots of big guys who do not play a physical game in the sense of punishing their opposite number. They make up for their lack of physical play by using their size to complement their very high end skills (Thornton, LeCavalier, Spezza). A big guy like Getzlaf, on the other hand, punishes his opponent, wears them down and goes to the net in a straight line. He never misses the opportunity to make a physical statement.

The Leafs were within 3 points of a playoff spot with two weeks left. The games did matter.
- RogerRoeper

To everyone except the teams in front of them.

The fact that Rundblad was mediocre in the rookie camp and had a few giveaways in the first preseason game while Cowen has consistently looked strong probably doesn't hurt either lol. Rundblad isn't ready yet if these early meaningless games are any indication.
- daeth

I pointed this out because some Senator fans have already handed Rundblad a spot on the Senators roster, by virtue of his SEL experience and the hype heard in the media.

All this has disregarded that fact that he's played probably (now) a hand full, at most, of games on NA sized ice, with physical contact. No disrespect to the SEL, but I've watched a few games, and it's as if they go out of their NOT to hit anyone.

Cowen has played his entire life on the smaller ice surface, and with body contract. His style of game is what is needed in the Senators line up, more than Rundblads.

I pointed this out because some Senator fans have already handed Rundblad a spot on the Senators roster, by virtue of his SEL experience and the hype heard in the media.

All this has disregarded that fact that he's played probably (now) a hand full at most, game on NA sized ice, with physical contact. No disrespect to the SEL, but I've watched a few games, and it's as if they go out of their NOT to hit anyone.

Cowen has played his entire life on the smaller ice surface, and with body contract. His style of game is what is needed in the Senators line up, more than Rundblads.
- Doppleganger

He probably needs a month or 2 in the AHL, but i wouldn't be suprised to see a huge improvement between now and the end of camp.

He probably needs a month or 2 in the AHL, but i wouldn't be suprised to see a huge improvement between now and the end of camp.
- sens rock

I think people fail to take into account the learning curve of elite players. In the first game in Oshawa, Rundblad was terrible. He got beat at the blue line several times where players just skated around him. He had to adapt to the smaller ice surface. He improved at lot by the second game and he was the best Dman on either team by the third against the Leaf prospects. In those game it was all about the rink size.

In the first exhibition game against the Leafs he struggled in the first period, was okay in the second and actually looked good in the third period. My guess is that after four or five exhibition games people will be saying Wow!

I pointed this out because some Senator fans have already handed Rundblad a spot on the Senators roster, by virtue of his SEL experience and the hype heard in the media.

All this has disregarded that fact that he's played probably (now) a hand full, at most, of games on NA sized ice, with physical contact. No disrespect to the SEL, but I've watched a few games, and it's as if they go out of their NOT to hit anyone.

Cowen has played his entire life on the smaller ice surface, and with body contract. His style of game is what is needed in the Senators line up, more than Rundblads.
- Doppleganger

I think Kuba had a pretty decent game against the Leafs. He has good size and mobility now that his leg has healed. If the Senators can move Kuba, the seven Dmen who start the season on opening night will be:

Gonchar
Phillips
Karllson
Lee
Rundblad
Cowen
Carkner

If they cannot move Kuba it is possible that one of Rundblad or Cowen will be sent down but it would only be for a few weeks. Both Rundblad and Cowen will be regulars and getting good minutes every night long before Christmas comes. There are some rumblings about the Senators dealing Lee. I don't think that is going to happen, he is too good a bargain at the price and played pretty responsibly once Anderson arrived in Ottawa last year.

I think people fail to take into account the learning curve of elite players. In the first game in Oshawa, Rundblad was terrible. He got beat at the blue line several times where players just skated around him. He had to adapt to the smaller ice surface. He improved at lot by the second game and he was the best Dman on either team by the third against the Leaf prospects. In those game it was all about the rink size.

In the first exhibition game against the Leafs he struggled in the first period, was okay in the second and actually looked good in the third period. My guess is that after four or five exhibition games people will be saying Wow!
- spatso

quote from rundblad this morning:

"i think i learned that the game here is much faster and more intensive that i'm used to"

I agree that elite players learn quicker, which is why he probably only needs a month or 2 in the ahl as opposed to a full year like some prospects. With a crowded blueline there is no sense in having him as the 7th or 8th dman and sit in the pressbox. he is better off getting 25+ mins in bingo to adjust to the game.

Cowen definitely has a stranglehold on the open D position with his familiarity, size and impressive performance so far in training camp.

I think Kuba had a pretty decent game against the Leafs. He has good size and mobility now that his leg has healed. If the Senators can move Kuba, the seven Dmen who start the season on opening night will be:

Gonchar
Phillips
Karllson
Lee
Rundblad
Cowen
Carkner

If they cannot move Kuba it is possible that one of Rundblad or Cowen will be sent down but it would only be for a few weeks. Both Rundblad and Cowen will be regulars and getting good minutes every night long before Christmas comes. There are some rumblings about the Senators dealing Lee. I don't think that is going to happen, he is too good a bargain at the price and played pretty responsibly once Anderson arrived in Ottawa last year.
- spatso

I find it funny that you've already anointed Rundblad as an "Elite" player, when he has never even played a NHL regular season game.

Kuba would have be traded by now if there were takers, so he'll be starting the season. He'll be available at the deadline, and then perhaps you'll see your projected defensive corp.

Rundblad will be better off playing in AHL, on the NA sized ice and players that finish their checks, unlike the absence of hitting in the SEL. He'll be up when there is an injury or a trade.

Cowen will start the season in Ottawa, and unless there's an injury or a trade, will be the only newcomer on the blueline.


Also IF Kuba is traded, I think the Senators slip below the Cap floor, and therefore would have to bring back someone with enough Salary to prevent that, and that will take a roster spot, so someone else is sent to the AHL to make room.

I think Kuba had a pretty decent game against the Leafs. He has good size and mobility now that his leg has healed. If the Senators can move Kuba, the seven Dmen who start the season on opening night will be:

Gonchar
Phillips
Karllson
Lee
Rundblad
Cowen
Carkner

If they cannot move Kuba it is possible that one of Rundblad or Cowen will be sent down but it would only be for a few weeks. Both Rundblad and Cowen will be regulars and getting good minutes every night long before Christmas comes. There are some rumblings about the Senators dealing Lee. I don't think that is going to happen, he is too good a bargain at the price and played pretty responsibly once Anderson arrived in Ottawa last year.
- spatso

its lee or kuba that will be moved. Carkner is the perfect 7th defenseman and adds a physical side to the blueline that doesn't exist other than cowen.

unfortunately i don't think you'll see any movement until around christmas as there is no urgency for a team to make a trade at this point in the season.

its lee or kuba that will be moved. Carkner is the perfect 7th defenseman and adds a physical side to the blueline that doesn't exist other than cowen.

unfortunately i don't think you'll see any movement until around christmas as there is no urgency for a team to make a trade at this point in the season.
- sens rock

Very hard for a team to play 15 games without having an injury to a Dman. I don't think they will rush Rundblad but they will not allow him to waste too much time if he ever does get sent down to Binghamton. Remember when Pierre Dorion came back from Sweden last year he said that Rundblad should have already been playing in the NHL. The kid is a very big talent and it is not in his interest to keep him in the AHL.

There is another reason to accelerate Rundblad's development. Long term I just don't see how Ottawa can keep two high end offensive Dmen. At some point, they will have to make a choice between Karllson and Rundblad. If they should decide to deal one or the other the return will be substantial.

Very hard for a team to play 15 games without having an injury to a Dman. I don't think they will rush Rundblad but they will not allow him to waste too much time if he ever does get sent down to Binghamton. Remember when Pierre Dorion came back from Sweden last year he said that Rundblad should have already been playing in the NHL. The kid is a very big talent and it is not in his interest to keep him in the AHL.

There is another reason to accelerate Rundblad's development. Long term I just don't see how Ottawa can keep two high end offensive Dmen. At some point, they will have to make a choice between Karllson and Rundblad. If they should decide to deal one or the other the return will be substantial.
- spatso

that potential decision is at least 5 years away, and by then i would suspect that cap will be high enough to support them. it can already support 2 top dman as it is right now.