Friday, December 26, 2008

Do or Die Road Trip Begins

After the Sens last game in Philly, The Sens have a daunting task ahead of them to get themselves into the the Playoff race. The Philly game gave me heart attacks, hope, joy, elation then utter frustration. The team found yet another way to lose. Daniel Alfredsson of all people gave the puck away with a boneheaded play to gave away also a hard fought point and effectively kill the Sens comeback. The Chris Phillips goal moments before to tie the game late in the third period sent me in to an amazed euphoric happy dance only to throw myself to the ground, riling in agony mere moments later. Some strange coaching moves in this game, including pulling a successful powerplay unit off the ice after on 25 seconds of time and scoring a 5 on 3 goal. More ammunition for the Fire Hartsburg Petition, perhaps?

If this road trip yields less than half of its possible points, look for big changes on this team. Firing Hartsburg is one option as is the always mentioned and incredibly stupid move to trade Spezza. This is a guy whose talent is so rare and under the right coaching, is a superstar. He was drowning under Jacques Martin, flourished under Bryan Murray and is struggling, albeit in a minor way, under Craig Hartsburg. Spezza is what he is and when allowed to play his game, he will mature in to one of the greatest playmaking centres in the game.

What I do see transpiring and as a more sensible option is trading Antoine Vermette and Brian Lee to Florida for Jay Bouwmeester. Jacques Martin's man crush on Vermy is legendary and he may see Lee and a project who could help replace the loss of Jay Bo. If Bouwmeester is dead set against signing in Florida, which is reported to be the case be his father of all people, GM Jacques is not dealing from a position of strength and this would probably be the best deal he will see as the Sens are also dealing from a weak position. Hopefully the Sens can sign Jay Bo to a decent contract in the 3 year/$16million range after the trade. Here's hoping. Good luck in the road trip, boys. You have the tools to succeed and if you put it all together, you WILL make the playoffs and could last a round or two.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Great Effort! - Sens 5 - Stars 4 (OT)

And Gerber almost blew it. Chalk it up to another poor decision by coach Hartsburg for starting this clown. The Sens "netminder" almost completely wasted a decent performance against a struggling Dallas Stars team. Had it not been for Marty Turco being equally bad at the other end, the Sens would have lost.
Hopefully, the team can build on this moral victory and have some success on their upcoming road trip.
The line juggling continued to with varying degrees of success. Jason Spezza and Antoine Vermette both scored, however, were on the ice for 3 Dallas goals. Foligno looked super with his new linemates.
The fact that no one stuck up for the captain getting absolutely creamed speaks volumes about the team play here. Someone at least has to go talk to the offending Dallas player. Even better, someone drill him on his next shift. Alas, neither transpired.
The fact that the Sens needed overtime to beat a depleted and struggling Stars squad speaks volumes, but two points are two points and hopefully some of the slumping players can build some confidence from the effort. At least the team looked like it was trying. You have to start somewhere and that's as good a place as any.

Don't forget to visit our Fire Hartsburg page.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Fire Hartsburg Petition

We have created a petition to send to Sens management and ownership to have coach Craig Hartsburg put out of his misery and sent down to the minors.

Read the reasoning and sign the petition here.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

What's wrong with the Senators

Wasn't this the coach who promised accountability? The problem of team bonding lies squarely with the coach and captain. They are the leaders. A coach giving someone like Vermette and Fisher 20+ minutes of ice time when they clearly don't deserve it. Couple that with a guy like Donovan getting 4 minutes while working his ass off will cause hard feelings within the team. Bass doing everything asked of him and getting 2 minutes of ice time, made a healthy scratch or sent to Bingo will make him bitter. Schubert's bitterness is self explanatory. There is no incentive to work hard when you do and get scratched or 3-4 minutes of ice/game. There is no incentive to work hard when you float and get 20+ minutes. Lazy play is rewarded and hard work is punished. Nice coaching.

This coach sucks and the captain should have spoken up to him.

This is essentially the same team who went to the Stanley Cup Final 2 seasons ago minus a few spare parts up front and the defense corps. Granted the defense corps back then was more mobile, this group is better defensively. Call it a wash. All of the sudden, these same forwards can't score?

There is a distinct lack of effort and teamwork evident on this team and that is a coaching issue. This coach is sending mixed and misguided messages at his players and pissing them off in droves. They don't want to work for him. It is obvious.

I would love to see some stability in the coaching ranks of the Senators, but this hiring was another mistake. Bryan Murray seems quite adept and making player moves, but sucks royal ass at hiring coaches. I hate the Paddock signing and hated the Hartsburg signing even more. Both coaches are proven losers at the NHL level. This team needs a Nolan, Quinn, Hartley or Burns. My personal fave is old Patt Burns. He's local, has a winning history, The Jack Adams Trophy and beaten cancer. If he can't get them going, no one can.

A decent coach a puck moving defenseman and a decent 2nd line forward and this team is a contender again.

Just my two cents. Something has to be done.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Thoughts on The Sens Thus Far.

First of all, I'd like to state that, contrary to another blogger's statement, Jason Spezza is NOT going anywhere. He is among the top 5 centermen in the league and unless there's a bigger deal in the works wherein someone like Crosby and Luongo comes back, it isn't happening.

OK, enough with that nonsense.

To me, this years' Sens have looked like a team with no direction and no identity. The team was assembled to be one thing yet played like another. New defense partnerships, new forward line combinations, new coaching strategy and so on. With their last game against the Sabres, the team played the way they were designed and built to play. They got solid if unspectacular goaltending from Alex Auld, they got points from their defense, they got secondary scoring from the fourth line and the big line dominated, especially Spezza. The team played an in your face, simple game that worked hard and took advantage of their opponents' errors.

What is up with Mike Fisher? OK, he stuck up for Alfie by jumping Weber, but how about, Mikey? $4.2million/season should be good for a decent 2nd line center. Mike is playing like a fourth line grunt who could be replaced for $3.5 million less by Cody Bass.

Speaking of guys with recent big contracts..... Antoine Vermette and Chris Kelly.....hello...... where are you guys? Although Vermette had a better game last time out, he needs to be used properly by the club and play a little tougher. Nice to see him knock someone off the puck to set up a goal. Keep it up. Don't let us regret taking you over Meszaros like we cried over choosing Redden over Chara.

I liked Schubert on defense. Please keep him there and let him develop. He does have some skills. Please, coach, give him till Christmas.

I also like Alex Picard. I know, I know, he s prone to defensive lapses, but come on, he is very young and adjusting to new teamates. He will be a solid 2 way defenseman in the future. Book it. Picard for Meszaros straight up seems like a decent move, but throw in Kuba and did Bryan Murray ever stick it to Tampa.

Speaking of Kuba, I know he has 8 points to start the season, but it really bugs me that a guy that big can be so soft physically. If he played up to his size, he'd be AWESOME.

Hats off to Chris Neil, taking a puck in the face only to return for his next shift to fight Buffalo heavyweight, Andrew Peters. Good on ya, Chris.

I knew the Sens were going to beat the Sabres as soon as Afinogenov was jumped for a shot at Auld after the whistle. A team that sticks up for each other is destined for great things. It shows a will to win. Same goes for Fisher defending Alfie.

Hopefully this game was a sign of things to come this season and the Sens have finally found their groove after an awkward start to the 2008-2009 season.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Completely Off Topic, But.....

I highly recommend that everyone watch this movie. It explains how we arrived at this economic crisis and how we can get out of it.




For more videos and information, please, take the time and visit:

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Following the Game Vs. The Panthers..... One word Post:

Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Hartsburg Tinkers.....Message to Spezza?

OK, I'm going to get off of Gerber's back for a bit and plant a couple observations on you all.

It was reported today that Spezza will be "demoted" and play on a line with Foligno and Winchester. Mike Fisher will "move up" and fill in for Spezza on the top line with Heatley and Alfredsson.

My thoughts?

Spezza has been super and super-awful in this young season. His offensive prowess has flourished yet his defensive responsibility has been, well, less than responsible.

Is Mike Fisher a number one center? Probably not. Is Jason Spezza not a true number one center? Of course he is. What is coach Hartsburg's thought here? Spread out the offensive threat. Opposing teams will fear the threat of Fisher using his speed and physical play to retrieve the puck on the forecheck and dishing it to either Alfie or Heatley. Does the opponent use its "shutdown" line against this line or do they fear Winchester digging the puck off the boards, sending it to Spezza who throws it at the net where Foligno is charging hard for spillage.

Could this be the end of the Sens quest to become more than a one line team? Perhaps. If all pans out according to the coaches plan, this team will have a 1 and 1a line and that's not a bad spot to be in.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Gerber Baby Wets The Bed

For those of you who missed Ottawa Senators' goaltender Martin Gerber's season debut this past Saturday, you missed the most horrifying display of inept goaltending ever put forth by a member of the Ottawa Senators. Keep in mind, we had Daniel Berthiaume and Don Beaupre as goaltenders in the past which says a lot.

It turns out the Sens lost in OT 4-3. Here is the winning goal:



Just for fun, here's the first goal of the game as well:



An NHL goalie NEEDS to make those saves. Imagine how disheartening it is to the rest of his teammates that they work so hard only to lose in OT after their goalie lets in not one, not two, but THREE soft goals.

Everyone is entitled to a bad game here and there, but this guy lets in more softies in one game than a Luongo lets in all season. He also does it often. The team is constantly working from a 1-0 deficit early in the game due to his first shot of the game follies.

What are the options for the Sens? Many are saying Chicago Blackhawks 'keeper Nicholai Khabbibulin can be had, but his $6 million plus salary is handcuffing.
Apparently, Thrashers goalie Ondrej Pavelec is unhappy about going to the minors and wants to be traded. Is he the answer or should the Sens stick with Elliot as the goalie of the future?

Will the Sens swing a trade for a legitimate number one or will they ride out an Auld/Elliot tandem for this season and test their luck with the free agent market this summer?

The status quo is probably not an option for Sens fans as the message boards are rife with posters calling for Gerber's head. Fans won't sit by and watch these goaltending follies any longer. Something needs to be done. Can Auld carry a starter's load all season? Can he work in tandem with Elliot? Can Murray bring in an elite goaltender this season? Many questions and even more answers. Hopefully, the Ottawa Senators can come up with something because this team is a decent goalie away from being a legitimate threat to make another Stanley Cup Final appearance.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Nikulin Unhappy? Quelle Surprise!!

Alex Nikulin has apparently expressed his desire for a trade or he's heading back to Russia. I think I eluded to that in an earlier Blog. In any event, here is a translated version of Nikulin's personal Blog;

"Goodbye, Ottawa.
October 1, 2008.

I will say right away that if I’m going back to Russia, it’s only to play for the CSKA. When I’d be able to join the team I don’t know. Maybe in about two weeks, but perhaps more time needs to pass.

One thing is clear: I will not be playing for Ottawa. A lot of stuff’s happened during this time. Ilja Zubov and I were sent down to the farm, prior to which I was told they were unsatisfied with the results of my tests. That was rather strange to hear, because I improved all my results from last year. And anyway, tests are one thing; playing the game is another. They didn’t give me a chance to play in the exhibition games. But did give that chance to Ilja Zubov. Put him on the fourth line with the tough guys—try and prove yourself there. I don’t even know what’s better; maybe, like in my case, to never take to the ice at all. And could the tests really matter that much? Especially given the fact I played on the big team last season, having worse conditioning status than I do now. Plus, players with better results were sent down. So it’s not just the tests.

Only afterwards did it become known that the coach just doesn’t see me on his team. Just doesn’t see me there, and that’s it. He didn’t explain anything to me personally, my agent was told of this, but that’s the official version. That seems a lot more like the truth, but I still don’t understand why I couldn’t have been given just one chance, why I was simply crossed out.

So, I’ve asked for a trade, and the General Manager of the Senators Bryan Murray has agreed. But for some strange reason it’s been really dragging. Because I was supposed to have been traded last week by Friday. Then they moved the deal to Monday. But then on Monday nothing was clear again, so I wait. Now the team has left for Europe where they’ll start the season. I’m hoping everything will be settled there. For now I’m training with the farm team. But I’m not prepared to wait a long time for a deal, two weeks at most. If Ottawa can’t find a deal, I’m heading to Moscow.

But then again, a lot depends on where I’d be traded. For instance, if it’s Detroit, then I can buy a ticket to Russia right away. I won’t have a chance to play for that team. I would like to get on an average team, so I can play. By the way, should the new team also send me down to the AHL, I’ll again have to think. I will find out for how long this would be. I’m not going to waste a season in the minors.

Obviously, I’m hoping everything works out in the best way. I won’t say where I would like to end up. I’ve become a bit superstitious lately. At any rate, I’m waiting now, but it’s apparent now that I’m spending my last days in Ottawa."

=====================================

Apparently, this kid just doesn't get it. He is a perimeter player, the coaches wanted him to get more involved, he didn't and winds up back in the AHL to learn how to dig. He obviously thinks he's too good to play on the 4th line with "the tough guys". Maybe he'd learn something about desire and heart from some of those guys.

Like I've often eluded to, drafting Russians is more often than not, a wasted draft pick.

Did he even think of going to Binghamton, working hard, getting more involved in the game and wait for his shot in the bigs as an injury call up?

Bah!!

Now this cry baby has published his trade request on his blog which in turn hit the local news media thus driving down his trade value. Thanks, kid.

The NHL needs to put its foot down with these players who are under NHL contracts bolting back to Russia and playing hockey over there. The IIHF needs to step in and not allow these players to play. Anywhere. Period.

Would anyone like to start a pool as to when Zubov pulls the same stunt?

Monday, September 29, 2008

Easy Now, Everyone.

I'm catching some heat regarding my last post on a possible Hawks/Sens trade. Everyone relax, this blog is just food for thought and entertainment. I do have a couple decent sources around the business, but am by no means the Nostradamus of trade predictions.

Sit back, enjoy and discuss amongst yourselves.

TSN's Bob McKenzie reports the Chicago Blackhawks have placed goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin on waivers, suggesting GM Dale Tallon either knows a GM who might take him off waivers or perhaps via re-entry waivers if he goes unclaimed.

At half his $6.75 million salary upon re-entry waivers, would Murray be interested? Works out to even less than Gerbs is making now.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Darth Gerber On His Way Out?

Word out of Chicago has Khabibulin scratched tonight when he was declared the starter earlier this week by Savard. No reason given and no admission of injury on the part of the Hawks. Could Bryan Murray have been working the phones earlier today?

Gerber has looked shaky in the pre-season and the Sens will have a couple of disgruntled Russians sitting in Binghamton if they don't get some NHL time in this season.

The Hawks would like to move some cap space and the Sens need an upgrade in goal as well as having a ton of depth.

Could we see Gerber and maybe Schubert plus a prospect(s) heading out west for Khabby and Barker?

Something to ponder. What's worse, a year of Gerber at $3.7 or a year of Khabby at $6.75?

Fight Club

To celebrate the beginning to the upcoming regular season and the apparent popularity of my new blog, I started a YouTube Channel that will feature some highlights and lowlights of YOUR Ottawa Senators. Especially FIGHTS!! OK, OK..... I'll(maybe) post a pretty Daniel Alfredsson goal every now and then.... but come on, who wouldn't rather see a good scrap. The link to the channel is:

http://ca.youtube.com/ottawasenatorsrumour

This first video is part one of the famous Mar 05, 2004 brawl between YOUR Ottawa Senators and the big, mean Philidelphia Flyers.

Check back, I'll post the other 4 parts in succession over the next couple of days. Stay Tuned and if this doesn't gear you up for the next season where the Sens will be rougher and tougher than ever, nothing will. Enjoy!!

Here is Part One, check the YouTube channel over the next few days for the 4 remaining parts. You can find the link to the right under "More Cool Hockey Sites"

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Chris Neil Expendable?

I don't think so. There has been much Neil-hate on the forum boards and even in the local newspapers. "Losing his edge", "Thinks he's Gretzky", "Too many dumb penalties", they all yelled. "$1.1 million for him? TRADE HIM!!!" They all screamed.
Granted, he may have lost his way a little last season, but which Sen didn't to some degree or another? Let's start off with some stats:




Detractors said with the acquisition of Ruutu and the emergence of Cody Bass, the writing was on the wall for Neiler to become trade bait. Which NHL GM wouldn't want this guy, right? He hits, he fights, he agitates, he chips in the occasional goal or assist and isn't a defensive liability. A team can't have too many of these types.

What I think happened last year was basically a coaching issue. Paddock seemed to send mixed messages to his players and they lost their roles. When used in his proper role, Chris is one of the best in the league among those in that role. I could hear Paddock now: "Go poke that guy with your stick, Chris....... oh not that hard, OK, OK, OK.... try using that Gretzky wrap around play every time you're around the net....OK OK OK..... that didn't work..... try creaming the opposing defenceman into the end boards on the forecheck, get a good run in there....Ooops, not that much of a run....OK....try fighting George Laraque....Hmmmmm."

This being a contract year, watch for Neil to step it up large and redeem himself big time. He is great at what he does, when he does it on a consistent basis. Expect 15 goals, 15 assists, 200 PIMS and to be among the top 10 in hits this year in the NHL....Book it.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Who's In and Who's Out?

As most Sens fans are aware, the team has an abundance of NHL caliber players signed for this season. Compounding that quagmire is the fact that the team also have several rookies who are NHL ready or close to it. Obviously, some players are guaranteed a spot on the big club come training camp. The likes of Spezza, Heatley, Alfredsson, Vermette, Kelly, Neil, Fisher and Ruutu up front and Phillips, Volchenkov, Smith, Kuba on defense.

That leaves 1 forward spot and 2 defensive jobs open.

Waiting to fill those spots are NHL experienced forwards Foligno, McAmmond, Donovan, Bass, Isbister, Shannon and Schubert as well as NHL ready rookies like Winchester, Nikulin and Zubov battling for 1 forward spot.
Couple that with NHL defensive veterans Schubert, Lee, Bell, Carkner, and Picard all fighting it out for 2 jobs on the blueline.

Something has to give. Players will not be happy no matter how you slice it. Guys patiently toiling in the AHL waiting for their shot will tire of the buses and others will be sitting in the press box on a regular basis which never bodes well for their morale.

In goal, Brian Elliot is chomping at the bit to get more NHL action and he's almost ready. Behind Gerber and Auld on the depth chart, can Elliot be patient and wait until Gerber's contract expires at season's end or will he push for an NHL job sooner.

Even worse, some of these players like Winchester are on one way deals. That deepens the conundrum for Sens management. Could a trade be in the works? My sources tell me me YES, but who and where?

Look for Russian forwards Nikulin and Zubov to threaten to play in the KHL if they are forced to wait too long for NHL action. Isbister will be chomping at the bit to return to the NHL as will Picard and Shannon. Schubert won't be happy switching from defense to forward all season between his time in the press box.

My feeling is that a package of vets like McAmmond and Schubert will be packaged with promising young talent like Nikulin and/or Zubov to a rebuilding team for a marquee goalie, stud defenceman or a true top 6 power forward.

It's not a question of IF, but WHEN. Stay tuned, training camp opens later this month and should prove very interesting.

My Buddy's Entry to the HNIC Theme Contest

Voting starts October 4th, 2008. Vote for our local boy's theme.
Here is the original link and how to vote: http://anthemchallenge.cbc.ca/mediadetail/326723









Friday, September 5, 2008

Analyzing the Andrej Meszaros Trade.

Andrej Meszaros for Filip Kuba, Alex Picard and SJ's first round draft pick in the 2009 entry draft.
Meszaros promptly signs a 6 year $24million contract with th Lightning.

What the Sens get is a suitable short term replacement for the greedy Slovak Defenceman in Filip Kuba. Their career stats are compared below:

SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1994-95 Vitkovice HC Czech 4 0 0 0 0




1995-96 Vitkovice HC Czech 18 0 1 1 2 ----------
1996-97 Carolina Monarchs AHL 51 0 12 12 38 ----------
1997-98 New Haven Beast AHL 77 4 13 17 58 3 1 1 2 0
1998-99 Florida Panthers NHL 5 0 1 1 0 ----------
1998-99 Kentucky Thoroughblades AHL 45 2 8 10 33 10 0 1 1 4
1999-00 Florida Panthers NHL 13 1 5 6 2 ----------
1999-00 Houston Aeros IHL 27 3 6 9 13 11 1 2 3 4
2000-01 Minnesota Wild NHL 75 9 21 30 28 ----------
2001-02 Minnesota Wild NHL 62 5 19 24 32 ----------
2002-03 Minnesota Wild NHL 78 8 21 29 29 18 3 5 8 24
2003-04 Minnesota Wild NHL 77 5 19 24 28 ----------
2005-06 Minnesota Wild NHL 65 6 19 25 44 ----------
2006-07 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 81 15 22 37 36 6 1 4 5 4
2007-08 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 75 6 25 31 40 ----------














Andrej Meszaros:

SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2002-03 Dukla Trencin Slovak 23 0 1 1 4




2003-04 Dukla Trencin Slovak 44 3 3 6 8 14 3 1 4 2
2004-05 Vancouver Giants WHL 59 11 30 41 94 6 1 3 4 14
2005-06 Ottawa Senators NHL 82 10 29 39 61 10 1 0 1 18
2006-07 Ottawa Senators NHL 82 7 28 35 102 20 1 6 7 12
2007-08 Ottawa Senators NHL 82 9 27 36 50 4 0 1 1 6


As you can see, they have similar numbers and Kuba is a one year deal with $3million remaining on it as opposed to gambling on Meszaros for 6 years at $4million per. Simply put, if Kuba doesn't pan out, he's gone next season and there is cap space available to sign a covetted puck moving D-man and Powerplay Quarterback. But wait...... The Sens also received Alex Picard in the deal. This promising youngster could flourish under new coach, Craig Hartsburg. Picard is signed for 2 years at well under $1million per. But wait, the Sens ALSO got SJ's first round pick which would in all likelihood be a late pick, but that's exactly what Meszaros was in the first place.

Murray did some smart managing here.....again. Not only did he plug the hole left by the departed player in the short term, while avoiding a cap-unfriendly albatross of a contract in the long term, he also received potential long term replacement for said departed player in the terms of an NHL ready young defenseman and a draft pick that could also be used to replace said player long term. All under cap friendly terms.

Simply put, Meszaros was not worth the contract he signed with Tampa Bay. Murray refused to handcuff himself long term by caving in and moved him. Meszaros is as much a gamble as Picard or any other promising young defenseman. He had a great rookie year followed by 2 sub-par seasons. Would you be willing to risk 6 more years of sub par play? Would you be willing to handcuff your cap structure to find out? Would you be willing to gamble a good chunk of your teams cap space that Meszaros will rediscover his rookie form? Murray was not and took the safe road here. Kuba will be no worse than Meszaros was the past 2 seasons and has never really played on a decent team. He could surprise fans this season. Same could be said for Picard. He played on terrible Flyers team then on a horrible Lightning squad. I'd bet he steps it up playing for his hometown team with a decent defensive system in place. Both these players can easily replace a Meszaros even when he was at his best. Failing that, they can't be any worse than Andrej was at his worst. And if all that fails, the Sens get a third kick at the can with the draft pick. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Analysis of 2008 off season moves....so far

Bryan Murray has done an admirable job this offseason re-tooling the Sens while leaving the team in a great position for the future. The signing of Jason Smith provides the team with a no-nonsense, play your guts out leader. Something this team has sorely lacked over the years. This guy will play on a broken leg if he has to and will always take one for the team. Jarkko Ruutu is a decent player who will drive opponents nuts. Jesse Winchester will be a sleeper in the bunch. He will impress in camp and will play a big role with the club. Book it. Ryan Shannon is a slick cat and could land a job on the first two lines. He's a boom or bust project. He's not suited to a 3rd or 4th line role, but has all the talents to be a 2nd line player IF his game is more suited to the Eastern Conference. He'd look good lined up with Vermette and Fisher. Vermette and Shannon using their slick speed and playmaking abilities to get Fish some garbage in front. All Shannon cost the Sens as Nycholat. Murray should be charged with grand larceny fleecing Gillis out of a roster player for a guy who was constantly whining about not being in the NHL all the while not deserving that shot.

Filip Kuba and Picard plus a first rounder for Andrej (did I do that?) Meszaros was another steal. Murray stuck to his guns and refused to over pay for this underachieving, over demanding d-man. Hats off that he got a similar player in Kuba at a lesser salary with but 1 year until UFA, but also a blue chip prospect in Picard who will replace Meszaros' game (when it was good) for several seasons. It bothers me when players demand a big raise after 2 sub par seasons following an excellent rookie campaign. Good riddance.

Bank on Brad Isbister turning his game around as well. A stint in Bingo may motivate this enigma.

Speaking of Bingo, they will ice an uber-competitive team this season with an excellent mix of young players and experienced vets to guide their development into future NHLers

Goaltending is an issue, but Elliot could surprise and be with the big club come the second half. Hopefully, someone will take Gerber off Murray's hands and the Sens can finally work on getting a decent goalie until Elliot is ready. Alex Auld is a decent #2 at a decent price.

This 2008 team is very deep with several players in the AHL who, on a lesser team, would be NHL'ers. They're chomping at the bit and will push the regulars on the big club to play at their best. Brendan Bell is one such character. With the log jam at the #6/#7 defenseman position, he'll keep everyone on their toes while trying to steal a job. The same can be said for Matt Carkner. The organization also has a glut of 4th line forwards. Expect one more trade before October. Perhaps for the goaltending upgrade we so desperately require.

There are simply too many NHL capable bodies on this team and something has to give. It's just a question of who and who will come back.