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.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
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3 comments:
just found your blog thru Spector's Hockey. love the insight and rumours. great job!
btw, what do you think Shannon's chances of making the Sens are? I've been a huge fan of his since his days in Vancouver and would hate to see him shipped down to Bingo all season.
the guy has wheels and can score aplenty. it'd be such a waste of talent for him to play in the minors.
besides, he's a PP and shootout specialist - two things the Sens desperately lack.
anyway, again, great blog. look forward to your reply.
Thanks for the kind words, s.e.b. I like Shannon's chances, unfortunately, it will only come in event of injury or poor play on those ahead of him on the depth chart.
I think Isbister will step it up and impress.
I like Shannon, it's just a question of where to play him. If Winchester doesn't pan out on the first line, they'll try him there. He is a top 6 or nothing type of player.
definitely agree with you.
he's a skill guy, not a grinder, so that's why i thought - with hartsburg "demoting" Alfie to the 2nd line to spread around the talent, it would spell Shannon's perfect opportunity.
but, of course, a wrench gets thrown in... and that wrench's name is Winchester.
i have nothing against the guy, but c'mon! Shannon might not be a superstar, but Winchester has ONE game under his belt!
Shannon already had a Cup ring by the end of his rookie season!!
here's hoping Shannon makes the cut, along with Foligno and Isbister. i hope you're right about that veteran-prospect deal... would clear room for those players i mentioned, as well as rectifying our shaky goaltending situation.
cheers,
Steve
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