It's been a while since I've written a post. This one is just to get my thoughts out about Erik Karlsson! For the record, I had no doubts about this guy. I did question bringing him up from the start of the seaqson, as I felt like he wasn't at a level where he could compete...
Luckily, I have been proven wrong. Bryan Murray chose to stick to his guns and keep the young Swede woth the big club and let him play through his woes. And earlier in the season with a whopping -10 iot looked like a huge mistake. But since Christmas, he has stayed consistently on the positive side of the +/- collumn and has not ceased to impress me with hsi ability to move the puck. People compared him to Niklas Lidstrom, and they are right! First of all, the kid can blast it! He can shoot like nobody's business! (Hitting the net, is another story altogether!) But he reminds me of Lidstrom in terms of how hard he can shoot!
He also reminds me of Bobby Orr. Or, in more modern terms Brian Rafalski. He can carry the puck through the neutral zone, into the offensive zone, circle the net and set-up a cycle (or shoot) with complete ease! He's so strong on hsi skates, and has the puck on a string. (I think that's the Kovalev effect.) But on his skates, he doesn't lose balaance and doesn't fall over. He reminds me of sidney crosby along the boards, because he's pretty small as hockey plaerys go (5'11" 175 lbs) but try as they might players can't knock him onto his butt without takign a penalty! I think that's something he was told... "since you don't have size on your side, you better sure as hell make sure you can't fall over!" And it's working!
He only has one goal, but the goals will come. He's setting up incredible offensive zone cycles and Quaterbacking a blueline that's had serious issues. He's been apired with Chris Phillips at times who is the prototype stay-at-home Defensive Defensman and it's helped him settle down hsio defensive game. it's still not there yet, but... much liek Jason Spezza he will be asked to make plays and be a high risk Offensive blue liner so he will throw some turnovers... and that's fine!
With the strong play of Karlsson, and the coming of Cowen next year... I've got a feeling that The A-Train, the Crushin' Russian, Anton Volchenkov may be on his way out of Ottawa... he took a discount to stay on his last contract. I don't think Ottawa has the room for him, and quite frankly don't think he's ready to settle for less than he can make! Sad to say... cuz he's such a stable of the defense and a fan favourite! But that's the way the business goes sadly!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Jersyes Jerseys Jerseys
Rumour mill is pumping with designs in the wake of the "BACK IN BLACK" jersey disaster...
Check it here
Check it here
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Let me preface this post by saying I'm a huge Jason Spezza fan. When the media and 'fanbase' in Ottawa is hounding him for his high turnovers or failed passing plays I'm always first to defend him. Because, like it or not Ottawa, he is one of the best playmakers in the game today and you simply do not appreciate him.
That being said... He needs to start scoring consistantly. That's simply the end of it. If your best players are not your best players how can you win? Mike Fisher is finally living up to his contract/potential and that is fantastic! Kovalev may not be scoring as much, but he is just lighting a fire under Fisher and that's incerdible. But Spezza... I mean. Chris Phillips has more goals than he does this year!
He's playing so well. All the little things, he is backchecking like I have never seen him before. He's become an integral part of Cory Clouston's penalty killing, he's feather incredible passes and making something out of nothing. (as marked by his 13 assists... Which is his PRIMARY responsibility.) But that isn't enough!
The best players in history did (and do) MORE than what their primary expectations are. Ovechkin and Crosby both can light it up, but can also pass, backcheck, forcheck, play the boards and even fight when need be.
The point is, playmaking isn't enough. A number one center needs to lead the offense and set-up plays - YES! but he must also be able to, pot a goal or two when asked. And quite simply 2 goals in 24 Games won't do it. He still has time to turn thigns around... And I'm still confident he will. But If #19 can't start producing at about a per two-game pace, he is gonna see a signifigant drop in his production... which is bad news for the organization that has made him their cornerstone centerman.
That being said... He needs to start scoring consistantly. That's simply the end of it. If your best players are not your best players how can you win? Mike Fisher is finally living up to his contract/potential and that is fantastic! Kovalev may not be scoring as much, but he is just lighting a fire under Fisher and that's incerdible. But Spezza... I mean. Chris Phillips has more goals than he does this year!
He's playing so well. All the little things, he is backchecking like I have never seen him before. He's become an integral part of Cory Clouston's penalty killing, he's feather incredible passes and making something out of nothing. (as marked by his 13 assists... Which is his PRIMARY responsibility.) But that isn't enough!
The best players in history did (and do) MORE than what their primary expectations are. Ovechkin and Crosby both can light it up, but can also pass, backcheck, forcheck, play the boards and even fight when need be.
The point is, playmaking isn't enough. A number one center needs to lead the offense and set-up plays - YES! but he must also be able to, pot a goal or two when asked. And quite simply 2 goals in 24 Games won't do it. He still has time to turn thigns around... And I'm still confident he will. But If #19 can't start producing at about a per two-game pace, he is gonna see a signifigant drop in his production... which is bad news for the organization that has made him their cornerstone centerman.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Some thoughts
Well. The season has started. We are tops in the North East! For what that's worth this early in the season!
Just had a few things to say. Firstly, thank God for secondary scoring. Who would have thought, after all these years, all we would have is Secondary scoring. Kovalev looks passive, Alfie looks old and Spezza is squeezing his stick. Meanwhile, Peter Regin, Milan Michalek, Mike Fisher, Jarko Rutuu et all are scoring. And it's working - for now. It's only a matter of time before those guys (who aren't relied upon to be point per game players) will stop producing. Then what? Spezza set-up (with Cheechoo's help) a beautiful Michalek goal... So, he looks better. Kovalev has flashes of brilliance, but overall seems to be giving up on a play before even breaking the zone. Alfie si trying. God bless him, he's trying. But his age is showing. That being said, he had a beautiful penalty shot goal on The Monster last week!
The kids are looking great. For the most part. Regin has been consistant. Dropped off a little in play. BUt that is expected. But Carkner! Holy moley, whatever Clouston asks him to do, he does! He can score, he can shut down offensive weapons, he can fight, he can hit. I love it! Karlsson, on the other hand, has disappointed me. Everytime he's on the ice, I see turnovers. I think it's important for him to jump up on the play, that'swhat he's good at, but not if he's gonna cough it up everytime he does. Now I don't know what's best for him; wether it's sending him to Binghamton, or keping him with the big Club. But I do know that he has to start learning from his mistakes soon, because Leclaire isn't gona be able to save his ass ALL season.
On that note. LECLAIRE! Holy crap! He's everything I had hoped and more. What athletisism. He flashes the pad at a shot when you think it's not possible. He's technically VERY sound, which we are not used to (Emery, Gerber, Hasek) For the first time in a long time... when there's an odd man rush against us, I don't cringe. I've never been this confident in our goaltending! And between Leclaire and Eliott (Who had one HELL of a game against Atlanta) we have one of the strongest goaltending tandems in the league. Of course no critics will believe that unil one of them carries us through the post season. Which won't happen if this team doesn't start gell-ing!
I know it takes time to develop chemistry and some lines look awesome. (LIke our fourth line... How do we keep pulling Donovan out of the lineup?) But our Dmen (other than Phillips and Volchenkov) look like chickens without heads! I think Clouston needs to bring these guys back to basic fundamentals of Defensive Hockey. Play the body, work the baords, gain posession, off the side boards and out. I think everyone of our Dmen tonight, tried to break the puck out crossing diagonally from board to board between the circles, and lost the puck. Can't stress this enough. Chip it out, and recover.
To sum, happy about some things, unhappy about others.
Bright Spots: Leclaire/Eliott, Carkner, Fisher, Donovan, Leafs Going Winless!
Points of Concern: Karlsson, Defense in General, Primary Scoring, Matty Bingham's depression (re: Leafs' Standings.)
Just had a few things to say. Firstly, thank God for secondary scoring. Who would have thought, after all these years, all we would have is Secondary scoring. Kovalev looks passive, Alfie looks old and Spezza is squeezing his stick. Meanwhile, Peter Regin, Milan Michalek, Mike Fisher, Jarko Rutuu et all are scoring. And it's working - for now. It's only a matter of time before those guys (who aren't relied upon to be point per game players) will stop producing. Then what? Spezza set-up (with Cheechoo's help) a beautiful Michalek goal... So, he looks better. Kovalev has flashes of brilliance, but overall seems to be giving up on a play before even breaking the zone. Alfie si trying. God bless him, he's trying. But his age is showing. That being said, he had a beautiful penalty shot goal on The Monster last week!
The kids are looking great. For the most part. Regin has been consistant. Dropped off a little in play. BUt that is expected. But Carkner! Holy moley, whatever Clouston asks him to do, he does! He can score, he can shut down offensive weapons, he can fight, he can hit. I love it! Karlsson, on the other hand, has disappointed me. Everytime he's on the ice, I see turnovers. I think it's important for him to jump up on the play, that'swhat he's good at, but not if he's gonna cough it up everytime he does. Now I don't know what's best for him; wether it's sending him to Binghamton, or keping him with the big Club. But I do know that he has to start learning from his mistakes soon, because Leclaire isn't gona be able to save his ass ALL season.
On that note. LECLAIRE! Holy crap! He's everything I had hoped and more. What athletisism. He flashes the pad at a shot when you think it's not possible. He's technically VERY sound, which we are not used to (Emery, Gerber, Hasek) For the first time in a long time... when there's an odd man rush against us, I don't cringe. I've never been this confident in our goaltending! And between Leclaire and Eliott (Who had one HELL of a game against Atlanta) we have one of the strongest goaltending tandems in the league. Of course no critics will believe that unil one of them carries us through the post season. Which won't happen if this team doesn't start gell-ing!
I know it takes time to develop chemistry and some lines look awesome. (LIke our fourth line... How do we keep pulling Donovan out of the lineup?) But our Dmen (other than Phillips and Volchenkov) look like chickens without heads! I think Clouston needs to bring these guys back to basic fundamentals of Defensive Hockey. Play the body, work the baords, gain posession, off the side boards and out. I think everyone of our Dmen tonight, tried to break the puck out crossing diagonally from board to board between the circles, and lost the puck. Can't stress this enough. Chip it out, and recover.
To sum, happy about some things, unhappy about others.
Bright Spots: Leclaire/Eliott, Carkner, Fisher, Donovan, Leafs Going Winless!
Points of Concern: Karlsson, Defense in General, Primary Scoring, Matty Bingham's depression (re: Leafs' Standings.)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
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!
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!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
THE TRADE!
Yes, the trade has arrived. How would I describe it? Anti-Climactic. I read in the morning that Darren Dreger reported that it was a "two-horse race" between SJS and CHI. So I thought: "Great. We can run the price up, and get the best deal possible. Not so, say the Hockey Gods, not so.
Instead we get Jonathan Cheecho, Milan Michalek, and a 2nd Rounder in exchange for CryBaby and a 5th Rounder.
Am I Satisfied? Yes.
Am I happy? No.
First let me get out why I'm unhappy. I am unhappy because Dany Heatley, a man who wore an A on his Jersey to represent his leadership, basically held his organization hostage for an entire summer. Handcuffing them from making any deals of depth (See the signing of Mike Comrie with the Oilers.) I'm upset because as a hostage taking terrorist, in the end his demands were met. He vetoed a BETTER trade for the organization because it didn't fall into the list of his demands. He should have no right to do that. The NHL should seriously look at the articulation of No trade/movement clauses. If a player submits a written demand to be traded, the clause should become null and void; those clauses exist so that the team can't deal a player who has decided to make a long-term commitment. It's kind of an insurance policy. When that commitment is revoked, so should the commitment insurance policy. That only makes sense in my eyes. So I'm unhappy, mainly because a self-righteous, self-absorbed, millionaire got his wish at the beheast of an entire organization and it's fans.
The trade.
I don't know yet, I won't lie. My first instinct was. Oh Frack! What a bad deal. Reports I'm reading was that in meetings Heatley was not willing to compromise, so the organization decided to take a sub-par deal just to get him out of their hair. I'm still unsure.
Here's my break down.
Michalek is a solid Winger. In a word, Consistancy. He is consistant, in overall production. Streaky at time sin the season. But in the last three seasons, he has put between 50 and 60 pts. At 24, his best years are yet to come and he's locked down for 4 years at the going rate for a 60 pt man. So, good pickup there.
Cheechoo is the dark horse in this deal. Maybe a change of scenery will help him out. I remember him potting 50+ goals that one season he really clicked with Jumbo Joe. Now, can he click with our playmakers? He just seems like he likes to pick and chose when he wants to score. If this deal is gonna work out for us, this guy has got to bury the passes Spezza gives him. If he doesn't we should look into buying him out. Definitely not worth his cap hit, unless he becomes a 50 goal man again... which i doubt!
Can't fault Murray here. It's a situation where you can hold out, have a poisonous player in the dressing room and hope that his trade value goes up. If you dot hat, however, you risk haveing a rocky first halfof the season, not to mention the players wondering all year if they are gonna be apckaged in with Heatley whenever he gets shipped. Instead, Murray takes a lesser deal, ships the primadona out west and starts a season free of distractions.
So how do our lines look now? Interesting question. Let's see.
Cheechoo - Spezza - Alfie
Michalek - Fisher - Kovalev
Ruttu - Bass - Neil
Foligno - Kelly/Shannon - Winchester/Smith/Regin
Phillips - Volchenkov
Kuba - Campoli
Lee - Picard/Karlsson
Leclaire
Eliott
*note* Michalek is a better winger, but I feel like you need Cheechoo to play with Spezza for him to work.
Not too bad. Not good. but not Bad.
Instead we get Jonathan Cheecho, Milan Michalek, and a 2nd Rounder in exchange for CryBaby and a 5th Rounder.
Am I Satisfied? Yes.
Am I happy? No.
First let me get out why I'm unhappy. I am unhappy because Dany Heatley, a man who wore an A on his Jersey to represent his leadership, basically held his organization hostage for an entire summer. Handcuffing them from making any deals of depth (See the signing of Mike Comrie with the Oilers.) I'm upset because as a hostage taking terrorist, in the end his demands were met. He vetoed a BETTER trade for the organization because it didn't fall into the list of his demands. He should have no right to do that. The NHL should seriously look at the articulation of No trade/movement clauses. If a player submits a written demand to be traded, the clause should become null and void; those clauses exist so that the team can't deal a player who has decided to make a long-term commitment. It's kind of an insurance policy. When that commitment is revoked, so should the commitment insurance policy. That only makes sense in my eyes. So I'm unhappy, mainly because a self-righteous, self-absorbed, millionaire got his wish at the beheast of an entire organization and it's fans.
The trade.
I don't know yet, I won't lie. My first instinct was. Oh Frack! What a bad deal. Reports I'm reading was that in meetings Heatley was not willing to compromise, so the organization decided to take a sub-par deal just to get him out of their hair. I'm still unsure.
Here's my break down.
Michalek is a solid Winger. In a word, Consistancy. He is consistant, in overall production. Streaky at time sin the season. But in the last three seasons, he has put between 50 and 60 pts. At 24, his best years are yet to come and he's locked down for 4 years at the going rate for a 60 pt man. So, good pickup there.
Cheechoo is the dark horse in this deal. Maybe a change of scenery will help him out. I remember him potting 50+ goals that one season he really clicked with Jumbo Joe. Now, can he click with our playmakers? He just seems like he likes to pick and chose when he wants to score. If this deal is gonna work out for us, this guy has got to bury the passes Spezza gives him. If he doesn't we should look into buying him out. Definitely not worth his cap hit, unless he becomes a 50 goal man again... which i doubt!
Can't fault Murray here. It's a situation where you can hold out, have a poisonous player in the dressing room and hope that his trade value goes up. If you dot hat, however, you risk haveing a rocky first halfof the season, not to mention the players wondering all year if they are gonna be apckaged in with Heatley whenever he gets shipped. Instead, Murray takes a lesser deal, ships the primadona out west and starts a season free of distractions.
So how do our lines look now? Interesting question. Let's see.
Cheechoo - Spezza - Alfie
Michalek - Fisher - Kovalev
Ruttu - Bass - Neil
Foligno - Kelly/Shannon - Winchester/Smith/Regin
Phillips - Volchenkov
Kuba - Campoli
Lee - Picard/Karlsson
Leclaire
Eliott
*note* Michalek is a better winger, but I feel like you need Cheechoo to play with Spezza for him to work.
Not too bad. Not good. but not Bad.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Cowen and the Immovable object
Ok. First off, lemme say I am very happy with the drafting of Jared Cowen. I think that this year's draft is full of some incredible talents and that everyone who drafted in the top 15 has potentially drafted a top end player. Really some fantastic talent pouring out of the CHL these days. And those sweedes, holy moley, they rocked the draft this year.
Very decent numbers for a solid Defensive Dman with average Offensive capabilities. (Although I'd like to see more playoff points. But that will come.) I'm not excited about this guy for his ability to put up numbers. I'm excited by his size. 6 Feet, 218 Lbs. He's got incredible reach and he takes the body. And as someone who learned Hockey from Gordon Bombay, I can say: Taking the body is Good defence. Let them Make the first move.
When I look to our D-Corps, I don't see enough sandpaper. Exception: Volchenkov and Phillips. They are big guys who will block shots, take the man and play hard along the boards. Campoli and Picard are small guys. Kuba is tall and lanky. Erik Karlsson, who is up and coming, has incredible firepower, but he is tiny. There is simply not enough grit on the back end. plain and simple. Enter Bryan Murray who - only now - is finally putting hsi stamp on this team. Murray sees that problem, and picked up Cowen. This kid is only gonna get bigger, and he is showing no signs of letting up on his physical play. What's best, is he never sacrifices his Defensive responsibilites to make a play, or make a hit. I love that. THAT'S WHAT MAKES GOOD DEFENCE. know your priorities. And this kid knows them.
Just think Sens fans... Pair him up with Karlsson and you have our top D Pairing. I forsee Karlsson/Cowen as potential Lidstrom/Foote-esque players respectively. Which is very exciting for the future. Very exciting!
And I don't wanna hear griping about his knee. We'll see how that plays all. He's had reconstructive surgery. Which means DON'T GIVE HIM A LIFETIME DEAL. Cuz his knees have a limited lifespan. But whatever. His prime years will NOT be affected by it.
All that said, I'm Glad Burke (in his brian burke way) told Murray "You want Kadri? Oh. Well, we are taking him." Because as much as I would have loved to see Kadri on our team, the more I think about it, the more I see him as Afinogenov. Too many flashy moves, not enough fundamentals. Only time will tell.
Second on my list. Dany Heatley.
The more I think about this, the more I think this might work. Basically, Dany Heatley's monster deal is not movable. Plain and simple. No one will touch that for several reasons. a) The cap Hit. b) Heatley now has a reputation as a bad team guy.
SO, we are gonna have him next year. Because Murray is already on the record saying, 'if I have to pay half his salary on July 1st (which whoever has him has to do) he's gonna play for us.' and even today at the draft he said 'if we can't get a deal he is playing Left-wing for the Ottawa Senators.' And I think that may be the best thing.
The first few months will be rough. no doubt. If he thought the media was bad then... wait till he sees what's coming. The fans will be all over him. But he will play. And he will play well. When he adapts to Clouston's system and quits complaining, he'll realzie that his ice-time will go back to what it once was, he'll find his way back onto the First PP unit, and find his way back onto the top line. At which point, one of two things will happen.
1) His stock rises, and teams realize that YES they do want to invest in him and Murray pulls the trigger on a deal.
2) He realizes that his demotion last season was due to his poor performance, and as long as he plays up to standard, he has no problems in Ottawa.
Now, the optimist in me likes to think that he'll make all these life changing realizations, but all this drama has just shown that he's a drama queen who really can't deal with not being considered "number one" on a team. So, I think maybe halfway through the season he will get dealt. But here's hoping that he gets this epiphany and changes his outlook in Ottawa. If that's the case, I'll gladly let him finish out his contract. I'll take a good Dany Heatley anyday!!!
That's it for me!
Oh and one thing i forgot to add. Until that Epiphany happens, take the frickin A off his sweater and give it to Spezza for cryin' out loud.
Very decent numbers for a solid Defensive Dman with average Offensive capabilities. (Although I'd like to see more playoff points. But that will come.) I'm not excited about this guy for his ability to put up numbers. I'm excited by his size. 6 Feet, 218 Lbs. He's got incredible reach and he takes the body. And as someone who learned Hockey from Gordon Bombay, I can say: Taking the body is Good defence. Let them Make the first move.
When I look to our D-Corps, I don't see enough sandpaper. Exception: Volchenkov and Phillips. They are big guys who will block shots, take the man and play hard along the boards. Campoli and Picard are small guys. Kuba is tall and lanky. Erik Karlsson, who is up and coming, has incredible firepower, but he is tiny. There is simply not enough grit on the back end. plain and simple. Enter Bryan Murray who - only now - is finally putting hsi stamp on this team. Murray sees that problem, and picked up Cowen. This kid is only gonna get bigger, and he is showing no signs of letting up on his physical play. What's best, is he never sacrifices his Defensive responsibilites to make a play, or make a hit. I love that. THAT'S WHAT MAKES GOOD DEFENCE. know your priorities. And this kid knows them.
Just think Sens fans... Pair him up with Karlsson and you have our top D Pairing. I forsee Karlsson/Cowen as potential Lidstrom/Foote-esque players respectively. Which is very exciting for the future. Very exciting!
And I don't wanna hear griping about his knee. We'll see how that plays all. He's had reconstructive surgery. Which means DON'T GIVE HIM A LIFETIME DEAL. Cuz his knees have a limited lifespan. But whatever. His prime years will NOT be affected by it.
All that said, I'm Glad Burke (in his brian burke way) told Murray "You want Kadri? Oh. Well, we are taking him." Because as much as I would have loved to see Kadri on our team, the more I think about it, the more I see him as Afinogenov. Too many flashy moves, not enough fundamentals. Only time will tell.
Second on my list. Dany Heatley.
The more I think about this, the more I think this might work. Basically, Dany Heatley's monster deal is not movable. Plain and simple. No one will touch that for several reasons. a) The cap Hit. b) Heatley now has a reputation as a bad team guy.
SO, we are gonna have him next year. Because Murray is already on the record saying, 'if I have to pay half his salary on July 1st (which whoever has him has to do) he's gonna play for us.' and even today at the draft he said 'if we can't get a deal he is playing Left-wing for the Ottawa Senators.' And I think that may be the best thing.
The first few months will be rough. no doubt. If he thought the media was bad then... wait till he sees what's coming. The fans will be all over him. But he will play. And he will play well. When he adapts to Clouston's system and quits complaining, he'll realzie that his ice-time will go back to what it once was, he'll find his way back onto the First PP unit, and find his way back onto the top line. At which point, one of two things will happen.
1) His stock rises, and teams realize that YES they do want to invest in him and Murray pulls the trigger on a deal.
2) He realizes that his demotion last season was due to his poor performance, and as long as he plays up to standard, he has no problems in Ottawa.
Now, the optimist in me likes to think that he'll make all these life changing realizations, but all this drama has just shown that he's a drama queen who really can't deal with not being considered "number one" on a team. So, I think maybe halfway through the season he will get dealt. But here's hoping that he gets this epiphany and changes his outlook in Ottawa. If that's the case, I'll gladly let him finish out his contract. I'll take a good Dany Heatley anyday!!!
That's it for me!
Oh and one thing i forgot to add. Until that Epiphany happens, take the frickin A off his sweater and give it to Spezza for cryin' out loud.
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