Saturday, August 22, 2009

Not a big enough role?

Some days I wish Dany Heatley would read blogs about the Senators. The overwhelming response from most of us about him being a selfish baby might actually do some good. However, I could barely get the thought of my head today that Heatley sees his role as diminished in Ottawa.

The only thing that really changed the past year was that Heatley's production tanked. He was on the 2nd power play unit when Clouston came in, but ironically, his production got better under the new coach. So how was Heatley's role diminished?

- Alternate Captain when it should have gone to Mike Fisher
- Penalty Kill time
- In most if not all power play situations

Really? You sure you want to go somewhere else Dany? What you're trying to say is you want to be the ONLY star and team captain. Good luck getting a cup, bozo.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Some press conference...

Preamble: I am very tired today. This blog actually contains cussing *gasp*

Senators fans have been screaming “GTFO, Heatley” for a while now, but now I am joining in. I knew he was a conceded little bastard, but his press conference just fanned the fire.

His press call did nothing to help his reputation and answer questions for the fans that bought tickets to see, jerseys to feel proud or booster about how he is the best thing since sliced bread. Unfortunately, the ego trip has gotten to Mr. Heatley and he has successfully sunk himself.

First, he stated that neither he nor his agents leaked the trade rumour. We already know this is bullshit. If it were the truth, the Heatley camp would have come out immediately and blasted Ottawa for playing dirty pool. The fact is that Heatley’s camp decided to blackball the Senators. Next he stated that he had no issues with Clouston, HOWEVER, he felt that his role on the club was diminished and less integral. So, Dany, let me get this straight ... Clouston, the person who actually dictates your role on the ice, isn’t the problem but rather how he used you? Oh! I get it! You think Clouston is a fine upstanding man, but he is an idiot coach. Why didn’t you say so? Too busy standing at the hash marks waiting for Spezza to force-feed you a puck? Douche bag.

The best line came from Don Brennan from the Ottawa Sun. “Sorry for not getting back to your calls, Dany...” I just about fell out of my chair. Now, I have four hours of sleep combined from 10:30pm to 11:00am today... so I am a little euphoric, but that was hilarious. However, I was very disappointed that Healtey completely dodged the question about alternate captaincy. He was asked if he would still expect to be (or something along the lines) in that position and he said he would be the best he can if he has to play the Sens.

Anyway, the short of it is that Dany ‘Fuck You Ottawa’ Heatley has flipped the bird at Ottawa... again. He is a prima donna who cannot take being a part of a team. He has to be the #1 star, the only star for that fact, and he hasn’t a want nor desire to with the Stanley Cup. Because let’s face facts, Dany ... You cannot win a cup on your f’in own. Period.

I look forward to training camp because if I were Bryan Murray, I would hold fast to my intentions of getting a winning trade for Ottawa for the douche bag winger with an ego the size of his pay cheque. Force the punk to come to camp... make him play for every second he gets of ice time and make sure Clouston knows that Heatley gets absolutely no special treatment. Put his ass on the third line if he stands at the hash marks with his stick fifteen feet in the air and let the little prick suffer without Spezza feeding him pucks.

When Heatley came to Ottawa and put on a clinic... he played the game of hockey. Now, sadly, he expects the game of hockey to play around him for his own whims. Fuck him.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

The Heatley Saga ... my take.

Today my good friend and infinitely more talented blogged, JC of Senschirp.ca, speculated that Dany Healtey will be dealt before training camp. While I usually do not make it a habit to refute whatever is said on Senschirp, I do not think Heatley will be traded to a team waiting in the wings any time soon.

Dany Healtey produced his list of clubs he would go to and he has already nixed a trade, twice, to a club not on said list. Of the clubs that JC is reporting having some interest only one is on Dany's list; the San Jose Sharks. The asking price, however, is exceptionally high and I have already stated who I want to see coming back from the Sharks... I doubt it is the same as Bryan Murray, but who knows.

I fully believe with the Olympics looming Dany is looking to be motivated in any market. He wants to make that team and Yzerman will unlikely take a prima donna who tries to sit out. Count on Heatley being at camp and showing up to open with the Senators, but I wouldn't go too far past November when clubs realize that they want Heatley. Why? If a club truly wanted Heatley and knew that the Oilers already put up their best offer, they would be going out of their way to acquire him with better deals. It's just that simple.

However, Murray needs to sign Elliott after trading Auld and there is a matter of cap hit. In order to get under the cap either Chris Kelly or Jason Smith have to go. There has been a lot of talk online about Christoph Schubert in the mix with Smith and Kelly for getting traded out of Ottawa, but that remains to be seen. As it stands, those three names keep coming up if Heatley is going to remain an Ottawa Senator for at least part of the season...

Sorry JC. We usually see eye to eye. I just don't see a club caring until they know Dany wants to and can play on a team again.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Not Sens related, but still important.

I made a group on Facebook today and enlisted the help of Stuntman Stu and Dylan Black from two of our local radio stations to help spread the word. Since the City of Ottawa vis-a-vis OC Transpo are woefully out of touch with the modern student they felt that students over 27 years old were freeloaders and should need to pay the full adult bus pass amount rather than the discounted student one. This is insulting to the students of Ottawa, your or old(ish) and poses that if they wanted to change how students are treated they could do so at a whim.

Help me put preasure on the city and make this group means something. Join Against the Age Cut-off for Student Bus Pases!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Salaray Dumping...

Today Bryan Murray moved Alex Auld to the Dallas Stars for a sixth round pick in 2010. What does that mean? Well, a couple of things. The Senators can now have Elliott up full time to backup Pascal Leclaire for 30-35 games which will do wonders for the kid's development. It also means that the Senators dropped additional salary ($1mil to be exact) and are closer to getting the club under the salary cap.

Meanwhile, Alex Kovalev wants to reach out to Dany Heatley and asked the pissy winger to stay. Kovalev wants to be a team player and not be the torch carrier in Ottawa, which speaks volumes about his character. I could have been wrong, but one day does not entirely convince me that Kovalev will hold to his word. However, Bryan Murray and owner Eugene Melnyk have postured that Heatley is staying in Ottawa unless a stellar deal comes through. In that idea and should Kovalev be successful in his attempts to convince the superstar to tough it out, the Senators still need to drop some salary to get under the cap. Moreover, Murray likes being a few million under so that he can add a part in the mid-season point ... Count on more changes and soon.

How do you feel about Heatley staying? Check the poll!

- BigW

ps. Most likely that $1mil dump will be offered to Elliott as he is a RFA still.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Is that Blood in the Water I Smell?

While talking about Dany Heatley is about as exciting as ramming nails into my eyelids it is unavoidable. I was pretty apathetic about him as an Ottawa Senator and I am still apathetic about him. However, I was hoping that Senators general manager, Bryan Murray, would at least go out and sign a free agent that can deflect some of the complaints about Heatley and turn them into positive energy. I was wrong.

Today the Ottawa Senators signed floatable right-winger, Alexei Kovalev, from the free-agent market a day after Montreal faithful held a rally to entice the star to stay. The signing came as a big shock to the Senators fans as Kovalev inks with the club for a whopping $5-million per year contract, but fortunately only for two years. As you can probably tell I am not a fan of this signing in the least and I think it is signalling the end of Murray's tenure with the club if Kovalev ends up being a bust.

Two seasons ago, Kovalev was only shy of his all highest points gain from 2000-01 by a slight nine points. However, every season comes and passes with Kovalev fans all asking the same question, "will he come to play tonight or not?" Consistency and teamwork are issues Ottawa has been plagued with since the disappointing cup run and bringing in a scorer who has a gifted talent for the game is a great idea. Someone who wants to play all the time and is willing to work for the puck. Someone who can inspire Jason Spezza to work equally as hard. Someone who can take a demanding coach and accept their style. Someone who buys into the philosophy that the coaching staff and club demand and has a desire to win every game

That's not Alexei Kovalev!

All too often Kovalev has been in the sports media for his poor attitude, his lack luster play and his willingness to quit on his club. Equally so he has been in Russian media about how much he does not like whatever coach or team for whatever reason. The Senators are struggling to get a tangible team identity again and signing a selfish and usually lazy player does nothing to help their cause short of comparing him to Heatley and saying "well, he's a bit better". Truth is, Heatley is miles above Kovalev even when Dany is playing his laziest... Alexei, on the other hand, just up and quits and loves to take spa vacations rather than win.

It would have been nice to see Murray address secondary scoring with a more affordable option. At $5/mil per season for two seasons, Kovalev is a hefty gamble. I can't see him winging for Fisher. He will demand being on the top line and I cannot see Spezza and Kovalev clicking consistently when both of them tend to zone out and go their own way too often. Some are hoping Clouston will straighten it out--fans and Murray alike, I assure you--but I am tired of hanging my hat on hopes and dreams. We were close to the cup once and since then it's been a rough skid on our ass down since.

Bad signing. Murray's contract renewal for next year is frayed down to its last thread and all of the weight of Kovalev is pulling down on it.

- BigW

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Oh Dany Boy ... The Pipes Are Callin'

Free Agent Frenzy came and it went. On the good news front, Senators GM Bryan Murray was able to lock up UFA Chris Neil to a four year deal worth $8-million. While some bloggers and fan sites were stating that Neil was overpriced before the free agency period the reality became evident that other teams were willing to offer him upwards of $2.5-million per season for his services. In the end, Neil decided to stay where he has always been and continue his work here as our gritty forward. This shows a ton of character to the fans of the Senators when other players just lack it...

Speaking of Dany Heatley, the midnight deadline for Sens owner Eugene Melnyk to pony up a $4-million bonus to the disgruntled winger came and passed as well. You might remember that nearly a month ago Heatley's agent decided to go public with the trade demand in an obvous power play to score his client the big ticket. Murray played host to a few suitors, but the only deal he felt was worthy of Dany Heatley's talent was to get Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Vadislav Smid from the Edmonton Oilers. Now, I am not going to analyze that trade to death, but it would have been a bad one for Ottawa. However, it was the only trade worth noting in the end and the ball was in Heatley's court to waive his no movement clause to facilitate his trade demand...

I do want to take a brief moment and discuss the trade demand one more time and explain how come Dany did not get his wish before Free Agent Frenzy. To me, it all comes down to the teams Heatley put on his magic list and how it handcuffed Murray from the get go. According to Sun Media the teams Heatley put on his short list included the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins.

Kings: Rumours swirled surrounding Heatley and the Kings early, but it looked as though those were just rumours. In order for the Kings to be able to acquire Dany they would have to give up a lot of their young talent ... something that they wouldn't be too keen on. Los Angeles hasn't been a hot bed of hockey for quite some time and it would have given Dany a chance to fade away into obscurity while being the teams #1 guy, but the return cost was just too high.

Rangers: Another team that hosted a ton of rumours and it seemed a likely contender for a while when a trade started to materialize. Like LA, it could have easily had Heatley in the spotlight on the club and it seemed a likely contender for the winger to go here.

Sharks: The trade would have cost the Sharks more than they are comfortable with. They have a group of guys who mesh well together and have proven some success. If the first day of free agency is any indication, the Sharks are in no mood to tamper with what they believe is a winning club.

Red Wings: Just because they lost the Stanley Cup this year doesn't mean they are going to go out and start moving names around. While Hossa was set to test the market--then land the big deal in Chicago--the golden rule in Detroit would be turned off by Heatley's cap hit.

Blackhawks: A young team with a lot of up and coming potential where a star winger would be an ideal fit ... if the Hawks felt that winger were a team player. They would need to be capable of not only leading by example, but also taking the team on its shoulders. Heatley's attitude about how his club performed and his role on it last season under Cory Clouston cast a lot of doubt on his character and no doubt the Hawks (as well as other clubs) stayed away because of it.

Canucks: Dany's own agent is the same agent for the Sedin twins ... In order for Heatley to even have a shot at signing in V-city, the Sedins would have needed to have been handled. Needless to say that wasn't dealt with until less than an hour before the twins became UFAs.

Bruins: Who can the Bruins easily afford to trade away to Ottawa for Heatley? The Sens and Bruins are in the same division and would see a lot of one another in coming seasons ... a trade for either side could prove to be frustrating in the long. Not many teams trade in the same division and it was immediately unlikely that Murray would find a trading partner.

Basically Heatley and his agents knew full well the only real option for Dany was either Los Angeles or New York (Rangers). While it was rumoured that the Rangers and the Senators had a deal in the making there was a lot of confusion surrounding that $4-million signing bonus and how it came into play. Sadly, in the end, the only team truly interested in Healtey turned out to be the Edmonton Oilers and although they were not on Healtey's short list, Murray tried to get him to go ... It is clear the GM does not want him in the locker room next year.

The day after there are press releases and reports that JP Barry, the all-star agent of some of the biggest names in the NHL including Heatley, was very displeased with how Murray treated his client's trade demand. Naturally the agent is ticked off at Murray because no one is interested in a prima donna who doesn't appear to be a team player... Sorry JP... but if your client wants out of here so badly he needs to make concessions as well.

I think Heatley should be made an example of. Naturally the Ottawa Senators want to do the same thing, but I also mean by the NHL and NHLPA. I fully believe that:

1) If a player that has a no-movement or no-trade clause demands a trade they automatically forfeit their right to veto.
2) If a player signs on with a club they are not permitted to demand a trade.
3) The only bonus that should be given at the end of a season is production related. If a signing bonus is involved it should be dealt with at the time of signing the contract.
4) If a player has an issue with a coach, they should take every stop possible to work out the issue rather than making a scene. Heatley only spoke with Clouston at the end of season meeting and not since ... how can the issues he had be addressed let alone handled?
5) An alternate captain of any team should be held accountable to his actions.

The next time I write about Heatley I hope it's to tell him good bye and not to let the door hit him on the ass on the way out ... I am beyond the desire to talk ad nasseum about this pathetic excuse for a grown adult.

If I were Bryan Murray I would present Dany (not his agent) with the following options:

1) You work out a trade that is fair for both teams between the Senators and whoever is interested.
2) Accept the Edmonton trade.
3) Sit out the season.

In other news ... Team Canada announced it's orientation roster and the only Ottawa Senator to get the invite was Dany Heatley.

- BigW

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Finally... a break in the silence

In February I started to get very busy, but I had also lost hope in the Senators. I just up and stopped posting because I could not find the time to do so and before I knew it there was nothing to say. The Sens were out of the playoff race months ago and all I could hope for was the next season ... then in late Spring, Dany Heatley provided me with something to consider. He wants out of Ottawa.

Let me be frank when I say this, but Dany drove his own trade value into the floor when his agent(s) broke the news in the media. At the end of the season, Heatley had his meeting with the coaching staff and then management where he expressed his displeasure with his "new" role under coach Clouston. Senators GM Bryan Murray asked Heatley to give it some time and think about what he wants to do and Dany went off to play in the World's. Apparently Heatley's decision did not change and rather than taking his trade request quietly to Murray and letting him do his dealing, Heatley's agent(s) approached the media with the news of a trade demand. Reason stated was the new role on the club and how Heatley did not get along with Clouston.

Well, naturally the fans in Ottawa immediately started forming the mob, grabbing up pitchforks and lighting the torches. We are one thing if not adapt at running players out of here (re: Yashin, Schaefer, Corvo to an extent, Emery, etc). I am not saying that previous players have not deserved to be run out, but not all of them should have been chased away so readily. Needless to say, however, Heatley is worthy of the ire of the fans. Consider that he resigned with Ottawa for an extensive period of time. He wanted to play here when the ink was signed on the paper and rather than deal with Clouston man to man, Heatley decided to take the whiners route. Of course the fans have every right to be mad...

That said, what is Murray going to do with Heatley now? Leading up to the draft, calls were fielded and offers were made, but none of them were reasonable. The one I know of for sure was the NY Rangers offering Zherdev (a RFA worth a junk of change) and Rozsival (7mil) which to say the least was a win for the Rangers but a complete failure for Ottawa. Murray knew if he took that the angry mob would turn on him for already blowing deals that saw other players leave the club for free (we're about to see Comrie walk for the second time unless a miracle happens). Murray is/was looking for a top 6 forward, a prospect / younger player with NHL readiness and a pick. More importantly, Murray was looking to reduce his cap hit from Heatley's contract by 2-3-million if possible so he could wade deeper into the Free Agent oceans on Canada Day.

So now what? Heatley is either going to be dealt before Canada's 142nd birthday, or owner Melnyk will be signing a cheque to the tune of $4-million (which, by the way, is not something he wants to do for an ungrateful player already) and Heatley will be told to attend training camp. That would put the ball back into Dany's court and he would have to face the music or be shamed by his public perception. He would become the next Yashin if he chose to take the latter path, but could Ottawa ride it out and get a quality pick and a unappreciated talent (Spezza and Chara anyone) again?

One thine is for sure is that if Ottawa holds to their guns and if Melnyk eats the $4-million bonus, Heatley will immediately have his trade value increased. However, what I would like to see is something from Dany's lips to the public. He should at least come out to his fans who supported him through thick and thin in Ottawa and explain what is so wrong with Clouston's coaching style? Is it that Cory wants him to actually be active in a play rather than waiting for the puck all time? Perhaps it is because Dany does not want to spread offence around and wants to see everyone else play to his calibre? I want answers.

- BigW

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

To Trade or not to Trade...

Senators General Manager, Bryan Murray, stated that he is not done making deals leading up to the March 4th NHL Trade Deadline. Currently talks are underway with both UFAs Neil and Kuba to see if there can be a reasonable contract offer for either. Additionally Murray is seeking to resign RFA Comrie who returned to the Senators from the Isles. If the Senators are looking to trade then they will first look at who can leave Ottawa for nothing come summertime.

CHRIS NEIL

As a strong, aggressive and multi-facetted player, Chris Neil is high on the trading block right now. Many teams are rumoured to have been calling looking for his rugged dependability as something to bring to a possible cup contending club. Neil has not been a success for Ottawa the past couple of years because of the changing role requirements placed on him. When the Sens went all the way to the Stanley Cup and lost, Neil was a new father with a new role. He went from being the club’s bruiser to being a deep checker who can chip in on plays. Since then he shifted back to an aggressive checker under Paddock and with Hartsburg he was asked to drop the mitts more often than use them on the stick. If Neil and Murray do not come to terms on a deal then Neil may be shipped out. If and when he is shipped to a different club Neil will most likely be asked to return to his 2006/07 roll and the Senators will be watching from the Links while Neil continues on to a potential cup.

What is Chris Neil’s current market value? Not very high. He can garner a mid-second round pick as he is right now as opposed to what clubs will ask of him. There are some people believing we have a Chris Neil style player waiting on the Injury Reserve in Cody Bass though. Personally I wouldn’t bank on a kid who had his season come to a dead stop from a shoulder injury. More importantly it is the nature of the injury that alarms me. I am more concerned Bass is more like Eaves and less like Neil.

FILIP KUBA


After acquiring Kuba from Tampa Bay he has become a solid blueliner for the Senators. However, there are a few rumours swirling that he may end up traded this year if he chooses to wave his No Trade clause. Murray and Kuba are currently negotiating a long term deal because Kuba enjoys playing here and has no intention of leaving. The only reason why he would go is if both sides could not come to an agreement and it all depends on the NTC or an offer sheet in the summer. Murray is, obviously, going to want the NTC waved over the waltzing out of the capital for nothing.

MIKE FISHER

More often than not I hear two names pop up about possible trades fans want and do not want to see. First is Mike Fisher. Most people want to see Fisher leave the Ottawa Senators it seems and for the life of me I cannot figure out why. He is a mobile player who can usually pot in a fair share of points while being the club’s top energy guy. Just got scored on? Throw Fisher back on the ice and get some energy from a few great hits. Just got a goal but want tempo? Throw Fisher on and see if he can’t nab another one. There is more to a hockey player than stats. If (big if too) Fisher is traded then he is most likely only going to get a mid-to-high end pick in the late first to early second round; maybe. Perhaps a young unsung talent, but otherwise, Mike’s place is here in Ottawa.

JASON SPEZZA

Yup, Spezza. Listen. Spezza is a talented young center, but he is a liability on the ice as much as he is an asset. He often cannot and will not play well without Heatley whereas Heatley has proven in the past to play fine with any talented center willing to shovel him pucks. Spezza’s cocky attitude both off and on the ice has been noted over the years and sooner or later it will catch up with him. However, why Spezza is such a great idea in my books is because of his trade value. If Murray is trying to signal that this is a rebuild year then unloading some cap space for younger more mouldable talent is the way to go. Spezza can be moulded still, but Clouston is going to have to ride him hard (if permitted) and correct him at every mistake. So far Clouston has done that, but I am not entirely sold on Spez’s future with Ottawa. It feels as though he has been mailing in this season knowing the Sens will not make the play offs.

IN THE END

No matter what happens between now and the trade deadline, Murray needs to make some key and bright decisions. If he makes a bad trade now his career is fated to end. If he does not make a trade at all he is going to be lynched by the fans. After twelve years of making the playoffs the Ottawa Senators fans want to have a cup. We got inches from it once and since then the team, at its nucleus, has not been the same. Either it has to change or something huge has to be done to spark them.

- W

Monday, February 16, 2009

May I have some ice cream with my humble pie?

I am absolutely astonished. You might remember when Clouston was hired on as our coach I was certain that was the end of the season. I was dead certain that the Ottawa Senators would not respond and they would fall off to obscurity. Well, so far, it appears that I have a slice of humble pie coming my way.

Although a four game streak usually does not rank high on my list of amazing accomplishments, it is how the Sens got there. Home and home wins over the Sabres – one from a shootout the other from domination on the ice – tickled me red, white, black and gold again. Then there was the wild game against Minnesota!

IT’S A COME BACK KIDS!

I didn’t get to watch the game, but I checked the score at the end of the first period and I sighed deeply. How disappointing to hear a three goal deficit. My wife even came in and pointed out how poorly the Senators have played from behind. To my total amazement the Senators came back from three goals down and beat the Wild to the tune of 5-3. That win proved to me that not only do the Senators have the ability to overcome this adversity, but that the new coach was the right decision.

CLOUSTON, WE HAVE LIFT OFF

Yup. There we go. My first cliché about Clouston’s name... I figured I’d get that out of the way quickly. The Senators have played great hockey as of late. Clouston’s philosophy is one of offence and even the once fading away Dany Heatley has rebounded and started contributing again. The Ottawa Senators are poised to become a playoff spoiler for a number of teams and by the end of the month they could have leapt from 12th in the conference to playoff contention.

Playoff contention ... I said it. Can I have some ice cream too?

If you look at the teams the Senators play between now and March 1st, you can’t help but feel optimistic.

Feb 16 – Predators: 11th in the west
Feb 17 – Avalanche: 15th in the west
Feb 19 – Canucks: 5th in the west
Feb 21 – Canadiens: 5th in the east
Feb 24 – Hurricanes: 9th in the east
Feb 26 – Sharks: 1st in the west
Feb 28 – Maple Leafs: 11th in the east

Of these teams the obvious issue will be the Sharks. However, even might Boston had issues containing the Senators and the Sens had yet to fully turn the corner since Clouston’s hiring. If the Senators are able to pick up five wins in this schedule they will likely leap into 10th spot in the standings or so. Seems like a big feet to consider? Well, the Predators and Avs should pose as good tuning games when you get down to it. Although the west is a close race in points (in the under 70pts bracket), the Preds and Avs are unlikely to change momentum and get back into the hunt entirely. The Canadiens are another team that the Senators will need to exploit. They are destined for greatness, but it appears that this isn’t their year. As for the Leafs, well, the Sens have played horribly against them this year. However, they were never permitted to play a run and gun kind of game ... the sort of game the Leafs back end cannot stop. That leaves the ‘Nucks, Sharks and Canes. I think that the Canucks and the Sharks will be the true test of this club. The Canes are good, but the Nucks are starting to prove to be a powerhouse in the west.

Either way... I’ll admit it. I may have been wrong about this whole Clouston thing. I am happy to see Murray didn’t pull the trigger on any deals too. He is now in a position of strength if he feels the need to redo his club because he waited until they were playing better hockey. Perhaps now should simply let the team ride and focus on resigning some of the RFA/UFA market? We’ll have to see.

- W

Friday, February 6, 2009

So.... Now What?

Last night the Ottawa Senators hosted the hottest team this year in the Boston Bruins. Although a valiant third period would eventually bring a point out of the contest, the Bruins went the distance in a five round shootout to defeat the Senators. For that one period, however, the Senators were starting to play as a team.

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

Mathematical elimination from the playoffs is no longer a what if, but rather an unavoidable inevitability. Even if the Senators were to get to the playoffs it stands to reason that the Bruins would eventually go the distance and knock them out of the race within the seven game slate. What we saw last night could be coach Clouston’s philosophy coming together, but also could easily be a bunch of players trying to play for their jobs. I tend to believe the latter more than the former, but one period does not make a career.

BLOW IT UP?

I have long sat on the side lines and bit my tongue. I have held out hope that this team would actually produce for us and I am very sceptical about making major moves; they tend to come back and bite us in the rear. However, I think the window of opportunity got a new screen, some locks to keep it shut and just in case someone attached shutters to ensure that we wouldn’t get through it. The time has come to make some serious moves ... and Bryan Murray’s mettle will be tested.

WHO SHOULD FIND A NEW HOME?

Murray has already stated that there are only a few players who are safe. We know automatically that Alfredsson is in no threat of being trade bait. We also know from Murray’s track record that the young kids like Elliott, Winchester, Regin, Shannon, Lee and perhaps Bell (lesser so the last two) will remain as Ottawa Senators. What fans will need to come to grips with is that Heatley or Spezza will be the corner stone of trade talks this month leading to the deadline. It does not mean Murray will trade them, but he will entertain calls for either of them. However, if I were going to pick between Heatley or Spezza I would trade Heatley. Spezza infuriates me to no ends with his stupid passes, but Clouston is already riding him about it. Heatley, however, still insists on going to the high slot with his stick up high waiting for the one timer. He does not skate into the play up or down ice, but rather trails it until he finds a piece of ice he can hang out on until the play comes to him. Heatley, however, still holds a great value despite his slump of a season this year (by comparison to his 50 goal years) and thus could help us package a deal for a up and coming star player. Forwards like Neil, Schubert, Kelly and Donovan more than likely will generate some interest as well.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO BIGWILL?

I would hate to be in Murray’s shoes this year. However, if given a chance I would start selling some parts to bring in some picks and prospects. I would officially write this season off and build a younger team around Clouston if he is going to be our guy. If we look back at when Martin was our coach he too had a younger core to work with. However, Martin was not very good at getting players past the development level and into the winning champion format. I would focus on the 2-3 years ahead of the team and focus on creating a secure nucleus again that will go for it again at the end of a rebuild. I do not think our defence is mobile enough and that people will be swapped around in those roles. That the forwards are too spread out in assignments and talent to be effective beyond a period or two of glimmering hope once a week.

No matter what my opinion is, or the rumours other bloggers post are or the journalists who are both aloof and close to the team happen to be writing about, we are all of the same opinion; something has to happen.

- W

Monday, February 2, 2009

The undercoating of that bus is starting to get dirty...

While watching the Washington Capitals completely dismantle the Ottawa Senators this weekend I went through several stages... First was my worry stage. I thought that Elliot had been playing good hockey recently, but I was concerned that he would be exposed. Apathy soon followed when exactly that happened and he was pulled from the net with Auld taking over. Next came amusement when Ovechkin notched another hat trick and then annoyance when Heatley brought the team within two and kind of seemed uninspired or unimpressed with it. Dean Brown, announcing that night, thought that the Senators had really poured it on in the third period, but I disagree. If this were November then I would have nodded my head and compliment Deano in his assessment. Sadly the back end of the season is well underway and the Senators poured it on with an early season rise rather than a late season fervour. Yet, nothing compares to how I felt today when I read the news about Coach Hartsburg.

HARTSBURG HAS BEEN FIRED

There, I said it nice and clear. I whined and complained when he was rumoured to be our coach that he was the wrong guy for the job. My hopes and intentions were for Pat Burns, but the poor guy is fighting cancer ... again. With Hartsburg out that leaves the position to Murray to sub in or Cory Clouston, the Binghamton Senators head coach or a third alternative like Pat Quinn... Talk about a real piss off.

I have already stated why Quinn would be bad, but I am going to say it again in brief. We just fired a guy who has the same philosophy as Quinn with as much actual success as him as well. Forget it. Now what about Cory Clouston? He has similar experience in the minor leagues as Hartsburg did, but he is Bingo’s coach now. He came in to replace Cameron when he went back to the St. Mike’s Majors ... yadda yadda yadda. Let’s be honest. Another minor league coach in Ottawa would not help this ship. Worse than that it will not help Binghamton in the least ... Every time that Ottawa has had a coaching rotation it seems Binghamton has as well. If we want our picks and prospects to develop into solid players we need a solid coach down on the farm!

WHAT’S NEXT?

At the start of the season the word was accountability. This would be the new philosophy for the Ottawa senators after there was some barn burning done. Murray decided that instead of developing talent and dealing with problems he would simply fire them under a bus and hope for the best. It started with Paddock ... John Paddock was, by all accounts, the bulldog for the Ottawa Senators. He was a prick with the media, but was intimidated by the spotlight when he shifted from assistant coach to head coach. Although he knew the players from his time in Bingo as a coach there the transition didn’t go well for him and the team slumped. He was the first to go.

After the horrible season last year Murray continued throwing people under the bus, but moved to players. Ray Emery, our once golden boy between the pipes, was chucked for attitude rather than given an attitude adjustment. Easier to get rid of a problem than it is to confront it ... Several free agents were let go and our back end disappeared. Hate him or not, Meszaros, though a horrible defensive player was a decent opening pass player and the Senators have missed him. I personally thought he was overrated, but neither Picard nor Kuba have made up for that one pass despite the point totals from power plays and slappers from the blue line.

Anyway, before I go on too much of a rant here, that bus is getting pretty full and all eyes are now on Murray. Firing Hartsburg was not the answer. Yeah yeah. I know. I said he was a bad choice for this job, but let’s roll back to accountability. Who put this team together? Who was it that decided to turn Ottawa into a coach-killer? Who was it that has been secure in his job despite these blunders? With Hartsburg fired it has singled that the Senators are truly done for the season and either the UFAs are gone and we bring up Bingo kids (and Clouston) or a fire sale (that means home town discount guys would be in the way of the moving bus) with a new head coach for next year.

Lastly ... who would I see as a coach in Ottawa? John Tortorella. Yup. I said it. However, Torts is a smart guy. He would want a few stipulations if he came in. One he would need impunity for how he is going to coach and what he says. And two he would need some sort of assurances that come this time next year he too doesn’t befall the axe.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

“If we just make the playoffs”

“Perhaps the Ottawa Senators, like their fans, believe that getting into the playoffs will cure everything.” - Mar 7, 2008

The axe is at the ready and getting ready to cut off each of the heads of Cerberus that guards the path to hell which I like to call reality. Last year I posted that the Senators had a far cry to reach the playoffs and though I was wrong about making it, I was right that they will not fare well. Swept in four games, the Ottawa Senators went to an early summer break to retool the team.

RETURN OF THE HOUND OF HELL

Last year we heard the team, the fans and even ownership talking about how things will change in the playoffs. Sadly, it did not. This year the fans and ownership are both touting the same line with the players less optimistic. However, the reality is that as each game passes the hound gets closer to being destroyed.

The Ottawa Senators only need to lose nine games to be out of playoff contention. Considering the history of the past calendar year it is highly unlikely that they will muster what it takes in order to hit the eighth spot. Even if they did hit the eighth spot they then have to face the number one seed ... a team that will have a scoring touch and we all know how likely it is the Sens would be facing a deficit early on and how less likely it is they will bounce back.

TANK OR NOT TO TANK

Any club that purposely tanks is poorly run. I do not care who the first overall pick is you simply do not do it. That said, the Senators will need to draft well if they plan on being a contender in five to seven years. Personally I would rather that we draft a high pick goalie and a D man. The Senators need a franchise goalie and Elliot needs to prove that he can be that guy. However, we need to replenish our pool of goalies in Bingo and continue to develop young, strong and talented netminders. Consider how many we have traded for, traded away or bought out in the club’s history.

- W

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Seven of Eight into the Break

Unlike my fellow bloggers, I decided not to go on the Bell tag line. Not to say it is a bad line, but rather that is overplayed. Yes, Bell’s goal was great, but it was also lucky and comes off of him being scratched for a few games prior to last night.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND PIERRE

I did not want to lead off my first little blurb about Bell, but the goal was lucky and decent. However, I wanted to avoid the topic of Pierre McGuire from TSN and Alexander Ovechkin like the plague. Sadly with all the talk about it I simply cannot.

McGuire is, by all accounts and somewhat rightfully so, enamoured with #8; I can’t blame him. He is the most exciting and electrifying player to lace them up since Gretzky ... at least to Pierre. He is star struck by him and it showed last night as he kept riding the wagon around his reporting on the game even to the point of asking him if he was OK after a high stick clipped his visor.

That said ... people need to understand that McGuire is being paid to say the favourable talk. He works for TSN because he does his job well and right now the Senators are not in favour with the sports world regardless of getting seven of possible eight points in the past four games. The Senators may not have started a comeback by most, but they certainly enter the All-Star break on a great starting point. A huge part of that is team play and secondary scoring.

GROUPTHINK

For once it is nice to sit here on my laptop and write about the positives of the team play. Sure, it was not as fantastic as it could be and there were some things to keep working on, but again it was a great step toward the strong play Hartsburg’s system preaches. The more the media hounds the Senators for stalling and falling flat the more the players appear to come back with a bit of a vengeance to play better. This begins with the coaching staff ... and Hartsburg commented on the lag in the standings well before beating Washington with just one word: consistency.

VERMETTE VS HEATLEY

Last night Heatley put on a shooting clinic to get two goals and Bell put the nail in the coffin, but for me it was all about Antoine Vermette. An assist on all three goals when just a few weeks ago we wanted to see him traded away for a bag of pucks. If you ask me, Vermette was more key to last night’s game than Heatley because he was hounding down the puck and making the plays to get the puck to the right spots for a second pass or a shot on goal.

PAT BURNS

TSN is reporting that Pat Burns, former New Jersey Devils Stanley cup winning coach, has now going through his third bout with cancer. My heartfelt thoughts go to Burns and his family and I wish him a speedy recovery.

W.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Down and out?

A lot of buzz today about a possible shake up from management on down to coaching.

As SensChirp.ca reported, Melnyk may be entertaining bringing in a couple of big names in the hockey world to revitalize the franchise. Chief among these names was Steve Yzerman and Pat Quinn. Although Quinn is hot off of the heels of winning gold as the World Junior coach -- a position Craig Hartsburg held twice previous to Quinn -- I don't believe he would be an ideal fit in Ottawa. Like I have said before ... he is just another moderately successful coach that the Senators players would look down on instead of up to. Would he better here with a more youthful team? More than likely, but we have enough long term contracts to prove that youthfulness is in short supply.

As for Yzerman there is a certain giddiness I feel when I read something like that. I live a few kilometres away from the Nepean Raider's home ice in the Yzerman rink. He is a walking legend in the Ottawa area, but he also spent his entire career with Detroit and has a winning formula there. There is no doubt in my mind that Yzerman would be a great fit here in Ottawa, but not until the 2010 Olympics have concluded and that is contingent on Detroit.

Are there any trades coming? Rumours are abound about Vermette and Schubert as the Spezza bashing dies off. I still don't think Spezza is playing a full 60 minutes, but it only took less than one minute to pull the Sens within one of the Sabres yesterday. If #20 and #5 were to be dealt it would have to be for a pucking moving defenceman, but Murray is not in a prime buyer's position. He will end up getting less than what he is willing to give ... Then again, if we go back to last year and look at Corvo -- who did not want to be in Ottawa anyway -- and Eaves for Commodore and Stillman we can see that Murray is not afraid of risks and failures.

- W

Sunday, January 4, 2009

A 60 minute game

Sometimes I believe I am a collector of cliches. The new cliche that the Ottawa Senators are tossing around is about the sixty minute game. Obviously they are lacking the full definition and as a result were downed by provincial rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

TO's Goals

Moore's equalizer was poor on the defence, but also on Gerber. The defence were lazy on the puck and Gerber was lazy on his goal. Fundamental goaltending teaches a player to always be alert to where the puck is and expect a shot on net regardless of who is carrying it. I'll get back to this. However, the puck getting to Moore behind the defence in tight on the net is just inexcusable.

Ponikarovsky's goal came from Kubina's exit from the penalty box and the Senators defence completely unaware of the time on the clock. Schubert skated back to Kubina to attempt to strip the puck, but with lazy back checking from his parter on the line led to an easy pass to Ponikarovsky and Gerber was beaten by a text book 2 on 1 by the Leafs. Schubert, neither taking the puck nor the man, also did not get his stick into the passing lane to help prevent the scoring chance.

Blake's goal was off of a rebound that he carried behind the net and beat Gerber on the stick side without Gerber moving much at all. Not only did he lose sight of the puck, but he appeared to assume his player had it and did not cover the side. This is where I get back to the fundamental goaltending ... Watch highlights from any of the starting goalies in the National Hockey League. You will see them covering the angles even when the opposing team is changing and their guy is carrying the puck uncontested. Why? Funny things happen in the NHL, but moreover it is good practise for that one time you'll need it. Gerber needed it there and late in the third period it lead to a 3-1 win over the Sens.

No Offence, but passion either

I am starting to believe that whenever the Sens show a little bit of annoyance on the ice that they are penalized by the coach too. Sens and Leafs games always have the potential to boil over, but when the Sens are skidding out of control the last thing they need to do is take stupid penalties and get torched for it on the bench. A couple of times coach Hartsburg was reaming them over for different issues, but I believe that this game could have been cathartic had the coach let them get their frustrations out.

Looking ahead: New Jersey

Today the Sens play the Devils in Newark. The Devils, without Brodeur still, are not about to sit back and let the Sens build momentum off of them. This will be the toughest game of the season for the Ottawa Senators because of the lack of consistency shown from the Oilers to the Leafs game. If they want to be successful tonight they must get back to the basics and play with passion. Moreover, coaching should be left to the simplest of tasks on the play book and let the players work out their frustrations. If they want to scrap then let them scrap. Let the players be accountable for their actions and show to their fans and to their teammates that they give a damn. Will it happen? We'll see.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Which is more likely; a Trade of Coaching change?

A lot of rumbling around the blogs and sites the last couple of days about what should be done with the Senators. The discussion on Jason Spezza is divided, especially after his game against Edmonton, but he remains the number one pick for a trade so far. There are other rumblings about possible trades involving Vermette or Volchenkov, but neither of these seem to be a viable option. As for the coaching change the Canada World Juniors toppled the powerhouse of the United States under coach Quinn. As the rival to the Ottawa Senators for so long with the Maple Leafs, Quinn would be an ideal choice for many because he is familiar with this market. Which is more likely then?

A blockbuster trade would not signal a run for the cup, but rather that the Sens are admitting that this season is lost. I have had my issues with Spezza's play over the last couple of years, but I am not ready to say he should be traded. Vermette is an option to trade out, but we would not see a return on him even though a change of scenery may help. Volchenkov, when healthy, is tandems with the best shut down pair in the NHL that hold the blue line and there is no way he would be leaving. Goals against, overall, have not been a huge issue this season and it has to be the first time I have ever written or said that our defence is not the problem. That said, the rumblings seem to be focused primarily around Spezza and I can see how this trade would benefit the Senators, but like the Chara release it could come back to bite us.

What about the coach then? I was never a fan of bringing in a junior coach on board to the Senators. It seemed very counter intuitive to me that we would watch the boys go to the top of the pile and lose to the Ducks only to hire the assistant coach who had no backbone and then wind up with a junior success. Perhaps this is why the players are having issues? Maybe they see Hartsburg as more of a small fry in a big potato field. He is a good coach, for sure, but this is a team that believes they should be back at the cup within the next two years and unless they start playing for the logo and their coach the situation will not change. That said, when players stop listening to the coach in the NHL, the coach always gets the boot.

Quinn is a good option for coaching young players, like Hartsburg, but let's face the reality; in 15 playoff appearances he has two conference champs and no Stanley Cups. He knows how to win, but only to a certain extent. For the Ottawa Senators they may be looking to Bryan Murray to hire someone who has the experience in the playoffs and has won the big hardware. Hartsburg, no matter how many international championships and junior league titles to his credit, simply does not have the experience and Quinn is a 15 time loser on the big stage. Who are my options?

My least favourite pick is Bob Hartley, who has a cup ring with Colorado in 2000-01, but has an up and down record with Atlanta where he was fired from last year. John Tortorella is also up there who can be a pain in the ass to players and media, but won the cup with Tampa in 2003-04. He is also great for young upstarts who refuse to play quality games and can condition players to a system. However, my favourite is Pat Burns. Yes, the Pat Burns. Prior to his pulling out of the game he won a cup in 2002-03 with the Devils, but he has been looking to return to coaching the last time I had checked. Burns had health issues that we are all aware of, but has managed to overcome them and is an inspiration to the hockey world. Not only that, but he has been around the league a long time and has a firm understanding of the game where as my other candidate choices have not.

What remains to be seen is what Ottawa will do come the end of this road schedule. There is little doubt in my mind Murray is working on something, but I do not think he will lift a finger until the Senators come back to Ottawa in a week's time. However, by mid-point in January we should see what Murray feels about this club. Either there will be a trade, a coaching change or he is willing to ride it out and start over again in the summer. That remains to be seen.