Who is more the fool? The fool or the fool who follows?

Tonight the Senators were not downed by a superior team. The Panthers are an OK team, but they should not be able to dominate the Senators so easily. What did our boys in?

Goaltending:

A friend of mine got to chatting on MSN during the second intermission and we talked about the Gerber situation. He was shopped around in the summer and absolutely nobody wanted him; we know there is nothing that can be done about that. No one will take him. My buddy said that something, however, has to be done "because right now the fans are being played for fools." He is right.

Ride him out:

Since January, Gerber has posted horrible stats. I know, people love to say "that was then; this is now," but the reality is that Gerber is a 34 year old goalie and is not getting younger by the day. The Senators management has been determined to ride Gerber and the only reason I can think of is to try and get him some wins to show that he is capable of going to a different market as a viable net minding option. Riding Gerber for the rest of the season will have the Senators missing the play offs and you can mark my words. I questioned bringing him to Ottawa in the first place and I was one of very few people who did not jump on the "Darth Gerber" bandwagon sensing an unease in the force. As an older goalie, Gerber's days are not just numbered in Ottawa, but for his career.

Sit him:

Alex Auld is a younger goalie and in his own right has never really had a crack at the number one position in any club. He has also has had decent starts with Ottawa in this very young season, but is that enough? The team does not play for Gerber very much -- nor itself for that matter -- but can Auld steal a game? Truthfully this is a good option for the Senators because it has an old goalie ready to take a relief game or two should Auld run into any snags, but is there not a better option? I know a lot of fans want to see Elliot brought up to backup or even start and I know it is an option, but it isn't a good one. Elliot needs time to develop much in the same way Lee does -- explaining why Lee was sent back to Bingo today.

Buy him out:

There is no way B-Murda (I know, I am a cliche freak) wants to do this mess again. I mean look at the last guy he bought out, Ray Emery. Ray was a stellar goalie in his first full season with the Senators and then he comes back to find an old fart playing good hockey taking his job. Yeah, I won't get back into this again, but I bet you a dollar that Murray would rather a young upstart with a bad attitude over an old dog with no tricks. At least the young upstart can be trained and taught. As for buying out Gerber that is a lucrative contract that has to be gobbled up. That said, I think this is Ottawa's best option despite how unlikely it is going to happen. Get the cash out of the books as fast as you can get him out of the roster.

Waive him:

Of course, they could waive him outright and see if another club picks him up or force him into retirement. It's less graceful and could run the risk of getting nothing for him, but let us be brutally honest ... All the fans and the club are getting for Martin Gerber right now is squat. He plays small in the net, lets in weak goals and does not show any signs of desperation in his game. The problem, as far as I can see, of waiving Gerber is that it is as embarassing as buying him out and admitting that the club has no real number one; just two backups.

Final note:

Our energy line is a saving grace. All lines should play with that kind of determination and pressence.... but what's with this no fighting thing for the Senators? Is this a coach rule or is no one in the mood to stick up for one another!?