Halfway through Pre-Season Analysis

Well well... It seems like the NHL pre-season is off to a flying start. HURRAY! And the Senators... Not quite. But we're getting there. I'm very happy with what I have seen, and am confident they will be ready for the season opener.

So. What do i think of our squad thus far? Let's divide this up into new acquisitions, rookies and veteran Sens.

NEW ACQUISITIONS

Alexei Kovalev - Looks great. He is commanding the play on his PP Unit. Really gives us a seasoned veteran who has incredible vision and sees the game so well. He seems to be squeezing the stick a little. Almost as though he is feeling the pressure to produce. I think once he gets more comfortable with the system he will be just fine. Not to mention how good he looks with Fisher. (more on him later)

Milan Michalek - Defenitely haven't seen enough of him. But what I have seen I have liked. Solid 2-Way play. He creates chances in the Offensive Zone without risking a counter attack. I like that. Smart Hockey.

Jonathan Cheechoo - Still the wildcard in terms of our pickups in the offseason. He has one assist thus far in the very young pre-season and has shown pretty good strength on hsi skates. He claims he has worked out a lot over the break, and it shows. He's as strong as ever in front of the net, which is where we need him to be if we are to be succesful. He is yet to find his niche in the team. That's the biggest thing. Once he finds where exactly he fits in, we'll really know if he was worth it.

Pascal Leclaire - FINALLY! We finally have a goaltender. And this guy can play. He looked rusty and off his timing in the first few games as he was just getting back to playign after missing a full season with his bad knee. But now that he's looking more comfortable, oh man! It was tough to give up a quality center like Vermette to get this guy. I totally sympathize with fans of Vermette. But you have to give thigns up, to get something in return, and that's why it was a good move. It was good for us, we got the goaltender to get us through these next few transition years. And Vermette got to play on a team where he is one of the go-to guys (something that he never was, nor would be, in Ottawa)

ROOKIES

Erik Karlsson - This sweedish Kid has a tremendous future ahead of him. He has really shown why Murray traded up on draft day to make sure we got him. How best to describe him? He skates like Brian Rafalski and Niklas Lidstrom. He breaks out of the Defensive zone like Wade Redden in his prime. But in the offensive zone, he moves right into the slot to take shots. Holds the blueline like a wall. The only thing is DAMN he's tiny! I counted 4 or 5 times in two games when he got beat off the puck around our net. It's only a matter of time before someone capitalizes on those chances. I really believe that he is the only rookie who will make the team.

Peter Regin - Really skeptical that he will make this team. He has relaly failed to wow me in these games. Minus his 3 point effort against a struggling Montreal team. He has looked really weak on the attack and virtually invisible on the backcheck.

Matt Carkner - A tough guy who is way past his young days. Now in his late 20s, time is dwindling for him to make an NHL Roster. And listening to Bryan Murray, I think he may see a little ice time throughout the year. He will not earn a permanent spot, but he is soudn defensively and really knows how to play the body. Look for him to be called up when our blueline is striken with injuries.

Robin Lehner - This is a good goaltender. Holy moley. He's way ahead of kids his age. Totally sound technical goalie. He plays angles perfectly he's a butterfly/standup mix, which I like. Best of both worlds. All in all a good goaltending prospect, and I am excited for what he brings to us in his future.

VETERANS

Jason Spezza - Is looking like a whole new person and player. I think getting married this summer id him a world of good! He seems just so much more mature and so much more grounded. Throughout the summer, during the Heatley fiasco, he was one of the most vocal players speaking out for the good of the organization and preaching a team first mentality. He showed tremendous leadership in the offseason, and showed incredible leadership, leading by example on the ice in the pre-season. Spezza has been our future since the day he got drafted, I think it’s time we give him a letter. Let him wear the A this year. Once Alfie and Phillps retire, he will captain this team.

Mike Fisher – Thoroughly impressed by his performance thus far. Like Spezza – and most of the team – he had an incredibly sub-par year last season. He has responded with an incredible pre-season. He is flying form end to end and is consistently one of our most dominant players. Clouston’s experiment trying him on the wing worked beautifully. Fisher works so well on the boards, and in the corners, not having to worry about centering a line and making plays allows him to do what he does best. Now let’s hope he doesn’t ask for a trade due to his ‘diminished role’

Chris Phillips – What is going on? The Big Rig up on the attack? He is sneaking in past the blue line and lining up shots. He’s also QBing a PP unit which is crazy. Our stay at home Defensive defensman might have some punch left in him! Let’s see!

Alfredsson – Age is catching up to you, my captain! Luckily this is the peak year of his contract, after this, his salary will decline as will his production. Than he can retire and take on a job within the Organization. A class act. Love this guy though. Our leader to the end!

PLAYERS WHO NEED TO STEP UP – AT THE RISK OF LOSING THEIR JOBS
Chris Kelly – Keep him.
Christoph Schubert – Useless. Trade him for a bag o pucks
Shean Donovan – Love the guy. But there may be no room for him.
Jarko Rutuu – Same as Donovan. Great agitator, but he may be pushed out of a job unless he puts up some numbers.

Season starts soon! Can’t wait!
Go Sens Go!