Look at the matchups if buff and wash get in. There isn't a series I wouldn't want to watch. 4 very good battles.
- prock

I'd rather see Ott than Wash or Buff

I'd rather see Ott than Wash or Buff
- Pie

I'd rather see the awesome matchups that result with wash and buff.

I'd rather see the awesome matchups that result with wash and buff.
- prock

awesome

The troll part of me would rather see Ottawa make the playoffs and lose in the first round so they get a lower draft pick while having zero playoff success.

Really though the playoffs are more interesting with Ottawa in the playoffs than out. I really don't care about Washington at all and Buffalo isn't that exciting to watch.

The troll part of me would rather see Ottawa make the playoffs and lose in the first round so they get a lower draft pick while having zero playoff success.

Really though the playoffs are more interesting with Ottawa in the playoffs than out. I really don't care about Washington at all and Buffalo isn't that exciting to watch.
- daeth

Exactly why I'm really looking forward to both Toronto and Montreal being in the playoffs...

Exactly why I'm really looking forward to both Toronto and Montreal being in the playoffs...
- Mr_Squeaks

may require the patience of a saint.

may require the patience of a saint.
- Pie

The comparison is entirely valid.

In the first instance Orr was dismissed inititially as an offensive player who could not play defense. Like Karllson he led all defenseman in takeaways which was the key to his defensive game. For his entire career Orr was booed at Maple Leaf Gardens, Leaf fans were the loudest in insisting that Orr was not as good as his reviews. Just about every fan base recognizes that the kid is highly talented. The last great level of resistance in the recognition of the kid seems to be clustered around Leaf fans who are finding it difficult to accept the emergence of the exciting talent on the Ottawa roster. And, the reason we keep statistics is for comparative purposes. So, if the kid scores as well or better than Orr, why would you not look at the statistical comparables?

Ottawa is only 2 points behind a Bruin team. If Ottawa finishes as well as it appears they can, we are going to need some explanations. A large part of the credit should go to Spezza who is having a wonderful year. But, you cannot ignore the fact that the kid is a very large part of the Ottawa success.
- spatso

So, this post is what happens when you're on your way out of the playoffs yet again



BTW, the Leafs had their shot at Orr, but went the creepy route by trying to get his teachers and principal to steer him towards their organization.

only 2 points ahead of BUF and WAS...

Next game against PHI... Current Record this year: 1-1-1

BUF about to play TOR 2 in a row... Current record this year: 2-1-1

WAS about to play MTL and TB... Current records respectively: 3-0-0, 3-1-1

Then you still need to play BOS and NJ.... Getting nervous yet?
- mfreedman

Not really.

Besides Ottawa is FOUR points ahead of Buffalo and Washigton (Ottawa won just a while ago) .

So How good is Karllson?
- Lahey

Don't know any Karllson, but Erik Karlsson is currently sitting tied for 6th in points in the NHL.

It actually gets more interesting when you realize that washington, while ottawa may have a game in hand on, only has to catch them, not pass them, and Ottawa falls to 9th. Buffalo, however, must pass them.
- prock

If Washington ties Ottawa (in points) the Sens fall to eighth, one spot, not two.



If Washington ties Ottawa (in points) and Buffalo passes Ottawa & Washington (in points) THEN, and only THEN does Ottawa drop to ninth.


But I fully expect the leafs to beat the Sabres tonight and Tuesday.

To the original point, it would take an enormous disaster for any team in the NE to finish behind the Sens. Don't stress it, you'll get another good pick.
- prock

The sens don't measure up with anyone. They'll be fifth barring a disaster of epic proportions by another team. They're the worst in the division at every position.
- prock

The Sens as a whole are a basement dwelling team that don't measure up to anyone in the division.

You're going to have to set your sites lower and look outside the division. Maybe Florida?
- prock

The troll part of me would rather see Ottawa make the playoffs and lose in the first round so they get a lower draft pick while having zero playoff success.

Really though the playoffs are more interesting with Ottawa in the playoffs than out. I really don't care about Washington at all and Buffalo isn't that exciting to watch.
- daeth

Ottawa selected enough High picks last year, that a lower pick this year will not be so terrible in the long run, as Ottawa has 5 of the top 75 prospects (under 21), second only to Minnesota who have 6.

Silfverberg, Zibanejad, Lehner, Noesen & Stone.

Ottawa selected enough High picks last year, that a lower pick this year will not be so terrible in the long run, as Ottawa has 5 of the top 75 prospects (under 21), second only to Minnesota who have 6.

Silfverberg, Zibanejad, Lehner, Noesen & Stone.
- Doppleganger

Did the hockey news rank them second only to Edmonton like you said?

Did the hockey news rank them second only to Edmonton like you said?
- prock

Did you not read my post?

I love how Tyler Bozak was better than Daniel Alfredsson last year, and Doppeldouche thinks he's still a good forward.
- prock

It actually gets more interesting when you realize that washington, while ottawa may have a game in hand on, only has to catch them, not pass them, and Ottawa falls to 9th. Buffalo, however, must pass them.
- prock

Please explain how the eighth placed team (Caps) can tie the seventh placed team (Sens) in the standings, and drop them from seventh to ninth.

And who would be in eighth?
Would it just be a vacant spot?

Is there a new way of ranking the teams, that only you know about?

Ottawa selected enough High picks last year, that a lower pick this year will not be so terrible in the long run, as Ottawa has 5 of the top 75 prospects (under 21), second only to Minnesota who have 6.

Silfverberg, Zibanejad, Lehner, Noesen & Stone.
- Doppleganger

Once read that scouts want to see how a kid performs in big situations. If he performs well in the big games and at key times, they understand that good development will take care of the consistency issues.

This clearly is the approach of the Senators scouting and development team.

Silfverberg was second in SEL scoring during the regular season. More important he leads his team and league in playoff scoring.


Lehner was named MVP in the baby Sens run to the Calder Cup last year.

Stone and Zibanejad both had huge tournaments at the world juniors. Zibanejad is now a national hero in Sweden for his golden goal. I thought the best comment during the world juniors was "he was a man among boys."

My dark horse contender for high impact player of the Senator prospects is Noesen. The Senators love this kid for his play against the wall and in the corners. The Senators moved him up there depth chart because of his play against Landeskog in last year's playoff. He seems to have stepped his play up again. He had a very solid regular season. His playoff so far has been very good. He is a strong team leader.

I am surprised you did not include Prince on your list. This kid can flat out play and he makes everyone around him better. This kid will be a top 6 player in the NHL. He may have some difficulty squeezing into the Ottawa roster but the kid will find a place.

There is a lot of talent in the Ottawa system. Several of these players should stick next year. My guess is that Silfverberg, Zibanejad, Noesen and Lehner will force the Senators to find a way to open spaces for them next year. Because Zibanejad and Noesen play physical games and are so good defensively they can both contribute playing third line minutes.


Ottawa is going to make a decision between Big Ben and Lehner. Both deserve NHL playing time. My prediction is that Murray moves Big Ben and some other assets for a top line skater.

Once read that scouts want to see how a kid performs in big situations. If he performs well in the big games and at key times, they understand that good development will take care of the consistency issues.

This clearly is the approach of the Senators scouting and development team.

Silfverberg was second in SEL scoring during the regular season. More important he leads his team and league in playoff scoring.


Lehner was named MVP in the baby Sens run to the Calder Cup last year.

Stone and Zibanejad both had huge tournaments at the world juniors. Zibanejad is now a national hero in Sweden for his golden goal. I thought the best comment during the world juniors was "he was a man among boys."

My dark horse contender for high impact player of the Senator prospects is Noesen. The Senators love this kid for his play against the wall and in the corners. The Senators moved him up there depth chart because of his play against Landeskog in last year's playoff. He seems to have stepped his play up again. He had a very solid regular season. His playoff so far has been very good. He is a strong team leader.

I am surprised you did not include Prince on your list. This kid can flat out play and he makes everyone around him better. This kid will be a top 6 player in the NHL. He may have some difficulty squeezing into the Ottawa roster but the kid will find a place.

There is a lot of talent in the Ottawa system. Several of these players should stick next year. My guess is that Silfverberg, Zibanejad, Noesen and Lehner will force the Senators to find a way to open spaces for them next year. Because Zibanejad and Noesen play physical games and are so good defensively they can both contribute playing third line minutes.


Ottawa is going to make a decision between Big Ben and Lehner. Both deserve NHL playing time. My prediction is that Murray moves Big Ben and some other assets for a top line skater.
- spatso

Traded tp New Jersey for Parise,s negotiation rights ,leading us to sign him to a multi year deal

It actually gets more interesting when you realize that washington, while ottawa may have a game in hand on, only has to catch them, not pass them, and Ottawa falls to 9th. Buffalo, however, must pass them.
- prock

C'mon Dude, can't you explain how the eighth placed team (Caps) can tie the seventh placed team (Sens) in the standings, and drop them from seventh to ninth.

And who would be in eighth?
Would it just be a vacant spot?
Would the league allow the leafs to hyper jump into that empty slot?

Is there a new way of ranking the teams, that only you know about?

C'mon Dude, can't you explain how the eighth placed team (Caps) can tie the seventh placed team (Sens) in the standings, and drop them from seventh to ninth.

And who would be in eighth?
Would it just be a vacant spot?
Would the league allow the leafs to hyper jump into that empty slot?

Is there a new way of ranking the teams, that only you know about?
- Doppleganger

You can't really be serious, that you don't understand. In order for the Sens to drop to ninth, the Sabres had to pass, and Washington had to just catch. It's not complicated. It's not an OR scenario. Were you REALLY not able to figure that out? Please tell me, that after thinking about it for THAT long, it was within your mental capacity to figure that out. Was it?

You can't really be serious, that you don't understand. In order for the Sens to drop to ninth, the Sabres had to pass, and Washington had to just catch. It's not complicated. It's not an OR scenario. Were you REALLY not able to figure that out? Please tell me, that after thinking about it for THAT long, it was within your mental capacity to figure that out. Was it?
- prock

But that's not what you said in your post.

Re-read it.

You said that the Capitals would only have to tie the Senators (in points) to knock them from seventh down to ninth.

It actually gets more interesting when you realize that washington, while ottawa may have a game in hand on, only has to catch them, not pass them, and Ottawa falls to 9th. Buffalo, however, must pass them.
prock

.

But that's not what you said in your post.

Re-read it.

You said that the Capitals would only have to tie the Senators (in points) to knock them from seventh down to ninth.



.
- Doppleganger

So, you're actually admitting you didn't have the mental capacity to figure it out?

Holy crap. That's unbelievable.

So, you're actually admitting you didn't have the mental capacity to figure it out?

Holy crap. That's unbelievable.
- prock

What's unbelievable is that you cannot bring yourself to admit that you were mistaken, and meant eighth instead of ninth.

re=read your mistake, and either explain it, admit your mistake, or prove to everyone that you're the troll that we know you are.

It actually gets more interesting when you realize that washington, while ottawa may have a game in hand on, only has to catch them, not pass them, and Ottawa falls to 9th. Buffalo, however, must pass them.
prock

.

What's unbelievable is that you cannot bring yourself to admit that you were mistaken, and meant eighth instead of ninth.

re=read your mistake, and either explain it, admit your mistake, or prove to everyone that you're the troll that we know you are.


.
- Doppleganger

You might want to keep these things to yourself.

You might want to keep these things to yourself.
- prock

You still can't do it can you.

How does Washington tie the Senators and drop them to ninth???

Did you not hear that the Senators clinched a playoff berth yesterday? How in the world did you ever come up with that scenario on Friday? (below)

It actually gets more interesting when you realize that washington, while ottawa may have a game in hand on, only has to catch them, not pass them, and Ottawa falls to 9th. Buffalo, however, must pass them.
prock

.

You still can't do it can you.

How does Washington tie the Senators and drop them to ninth???

Did you not hear that the Senators clinched a playoff berth yesterday? How in the world did you ever come up with that scenario on Friday? (below)

.
- Doppleganger

I've explained it to you, and you STILL can't piece it together? Are you embarrassed at all?