Category Archives: Verbosity

Anyone think Michael Sgarbossa wants to get drafted?

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Edit: Sgarbossa is indeed drafted by the San Jose Sharks. So this entire post makes no sense. Good player, though, worth keeping an eye on, if only because we don’t have anything better to do.

A stacked, 2nd-seeded Ottawa 67s just suffered a pretty humiliating four-game sweep at the hands of the Sudbury Wolves. One name that should be on the mind of anyone who watched the series is Michael Sgarbossa, who was downright unstoppable. Even the 67s coach said that no matter who was assigned with shutting him down, Sgarbossa found a way. He finished the series with 4G, 8A, and 12P, in what were admittedly some pretty high-scoring games. Half of those points – 1g, 5A – came in Sudbury’s 8-7 OT win in Game 1. But what was even more noticeable was the way he scored and set up those goals. They were timely, clutch goals when his team was down. And in a league that features a lot of hot-dogging, fancy plays, and a sizeable talent gap, Sgarbossa seems comfortable with the hard-nose, ugly goals required in the NHL.

There isn’t a ton of information available on Sgarbossa, but it appears he was undrafted in his first year of eligibility. This might be because of his size – he’s listed at 175lbs, and in the NHL that’s at least ten pounds too light. But he has respectable numbers this year – 62 points in 37 games – and, as evidenced against the 67s, his hard-driving style of play is hard to shut down.

He doesn’t seem to be on the radar, and certainly isn’t projected to go in the first couple of rounds. But with the Sens having picked up a number of later-round picks, Sgarbossa might be worth a second look. He’s certainly worth keeping an eye on during the OHL playoffs.

Where we attempt to talk about next season’s defense and then something happens…and then we continue to talk about next seasons’s defense

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Most of the game's score prediction brought to you by Steven

Conblad

I’m gonna live up to Smooth Jimmy’s expectations and try to stay positive today. How about David Rundblad winning the Salming tropy in the SEL for best defenseman at only 20 years old? He’s set to make it next year, even if he gets off to a slow start and doesn’t adjust well to the North American game for a few weeks. With Murray’s re-signing of Phillips (stay….positive…) that gives Ottawa the following (likely) backend.
Shoo-ins: Phillips, Gonchar, Karlsson, Rundblad, Kuba
Inside track, still might not make it: Cowen, Wiercioch
One way contracts / what the hell do we do with these guys: Lee, Carkner
Possible others: Gryba, Hale (pending UFA)
How do you see the d-corps shaping up? Can we trade Kuba at the draft? Are Lee and Carkner worth anything at all? (Answer: no.) Do you see Phillips, Gonchar and Kuba all having bounceback years at the same time? Will there ever be a time when this team doesn’t have a log jam on the blue line?
Carkter
There will def be an adjustment period for Swedish Dave (he needs a knickname, James is good at that stuff, get on it!) Weird that when I got this mail I was listening to Dungen…

Anywho, here’s my idea on how this goes and even possible pairings
Karlsson – Gonchar
Phillips – Rundblad (he’ll need Phillips for backup)
Kuba – Carkner (ugh, Carkner will start fights while Kuba looks for a light switch to flick on and off to get him to stop)
Lee – Wiercoch (I look for this pair to average a shift a game)

Okay so maybe I put those pairings together just to make those admittedly bad jokes. I don’t see Cowan making this club out of camp, big jump from the WHL to the big time. Murray’s boys don’t usually skip Bingo. What I’d really like to happen is to convert Carkner to a 4th line forward since he fights anyways and I’ve gone on record believing a top 6 defenseman shouldn’t be a fighter. Lee probably ends up bouncing between pairings and the press box.

Hale’s not coming back and if Gryba isn’t getting his shot now, when are we to expect it?

Jamesson

Hey, sorry Im late just sending your friend a Get Well Soon card after reading his incredibly well written / well eyes welling up with sports tears article on the Cleveland Cavaliers linked in the last post. Chin up little homie.
WHOOPS! im getting a page on my new two way pager! Let me call the number to check my mailbox to check the message *elevator music*

BREAKING NEWS: HIGHLY TOUTED COLLEGE PROSPECT STEPHANE DA COSTA SIGNS WITH OTTAWA! (verbosity all but guaranteed to follow!) WELL HON HON HON TO THAT!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway ignoring that incredibly interesting breaking news…I see the D comme ca:

Gonchar – Karlsson: You heard that right, I think Karlsson is at first line status ALREADY…despite his nightmare +/- it’s really not that much different than most of the other worst +/- in the league Sens defenders this season. Plus, I like to blame a solid -15 to Brian Elliot’s glove hand/ inability to move laterally at the NHL level.
Phillips – Cowan: yep, that’s right baby fella, I see Cowan on the squad to start the year at least. Im not married to this prediction but I also don’t know anything about anything so theres that. 🙂
Kuba – Rundblad: This is the getting used to the NHL game pairing. I think playing with Rundblad The Impaler will teach Kuba a lot about playing a skilled yet physical game in the big leagues before Kuba is sent down to the Elmira Jackals to get his game together.
Lee –  Carkner / Mysterio: I think Lee has actually earned himself a spot with his solid, redefined game down the stretch this season. He’ll still have to fight for a spot but I think he’ll do well now that he has established a new identity as a player.
Like all people from Ottawa – maybe not Peter-  I loves me some Matt Carkner but I will concede however that bro-bro is teetering on a line b/t NHL and AHL standing (as is the nature of having been a 27 year old rookie I suppose) but yeah with Carks coming off knee surgery I think depending on how he responds in the summer (though from what I hear he’s a hard off season worker) BUT …I think that Lee has created a good possibility for a spot for himself on the D corps. . .but one muck up and there may be an opening if you aks me.
Kuba buyout would be kind of awesome. “You cant always get what you want / but if you try sometimes / you fuckin get what ya beibs” – Freddy Nietzsche

In which I continue my streak of needlessly linking to things.

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The Ottawa Senators stink. Not as badly as some teams; not so badly as teams higher up in the standings, with lesser lineups but better luck; not even so badly as in their own worst seasons, which were, it need not be said, legendarily bad. But as undeniable as these truths are, there is also the undeniable truth of their current stinkiness. You don’t get the third overall pick in the NHL draft by being any good at almost any of the elements required to successfully win at hockey.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are, unfortunately for them, a legendarily bad basketball team right now. So much so that their fans, like an Ottawa fan base who has enjoyed the playoffs almost every year for the last dozen or more years, are faced with this new and alien feeling of finding some semblance of interest in the minutia of team building, the minor improvements of a depth player’s two-way game, NCAA player reports, and 3rd jersey designs.

Anyway, Colin McGowan is a guy I only sort of know, writing with him over at Cokemachineglow, and he’s written this really pretty awesome meditation on the nature of desire – desire so niggling and insistent – in the face of utter and soul-crushing mediocrity. Check it out.

2011.03.29: In which being the 14th Sens blog on a story constitutes a scoop for us

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Just wanted to link to a story that’s heating up a little bit, and some great reading on those Sens blogs who understand contract structures and the implications given the pending expiry of the CBA, etc. (i.e. not us.)

NCAA free agent Stephane Da Costa has declared his intention to go pro, and the Sens are considered a competitive destination with as many as all 30 teams having expressed an interest. He’s supposed to decide where he’ll go tomorrow, and Sens fans could see him in the lineup this season.

I don’t know much about Da Costa except that he’s a scoring center, is pretty small at 180 lbs, and is from Paris, France. No NHL player has ever come from Paris, but the city is the birthplace of post-structural literary theory, so you know Lessard is looking forward to some dense conversations with the young man while riding the Binghamton Bus. I guess his size, and perhaps propensity for quoting Derrida, is probably why he didn’t get drafted.

But we might see him as early as this season because playing time is one of the few things Ottawa can offer him that few other teams can’t. If he plays even one game, a year on his entry deal is used up and he’s one year closer to a real pay cheque (/check). Also, bonuses built into his contract will count against the cap. So the two things at the Senators disposal – cap space, and a lost season – give them an advantage in negotiations. No coincidence that the other teams thought to be competitive are Florida and Minnesota, who also stink horribly.

If Murray pulls this off, it will be notable, as we’ve caught glimpses of what Bobby Butler, a former NCAA alum, can do, and Winchester is a solid contributor. (I think Bozak in Toronto is another collegiate signee, and he centers Toronto’s top line. Not bad for a player Toronto didn’t even need to use a draft pick to get. Leafs suck.)

Anyway, a situation worth keeping an eye on. If only to appreciate some of the solid writing out there covering the developments.

Check here and here for some Ottawa blogger coverage. There’s also plenty being written through the trad media’s usual suspects.

2011.03.28: In which the new Sens jersey is an episode of Lost

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Photo courtesy of – who else? – Icethletics

Conrad

So, after another improbably comeback – this time against Atlanta, to force OT – the Sens are third last in the league, four points up on Colorado for the 2nd overall pick, only one point back of Florida and four points back of the 5th-place Islanders.

I’m all for cheering the odd win – and it has to be said, it’s great to see 18.5k people make it to the game against Washington last week, even with the home team nowhere near the playoffs and Ovechkin sitting. But this winning is starting to get strange. Sens are making huge comebacks, and holding legitimate contenders off the board completely. It’s good to see, and I’m feeling optimistic for next year. But my question is – are we kind of fucking ourselves here a little? There’s six games left; why not sit Spezza and Anderson for a couple of those?

It looks like the only game-changers in the upcoming draft are Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, potentially an offensive star, and Adam Larssen, a blue chip defenseman. After them come a couple of solid two-way players with a lot of size in Gabriel Landeskog and Sean Couturier – good players, but not franchise quality. After that the quality falls off again, with good players like Brandon Saad, Ryan Strome and Ryan Murphy still up for grabs, but none of them are the type you can build around. I’ll be happy to have any of them, but it would be a shame to have suffered through so much mediocrity only to sabotage it when the games are meaningless.

There’s a big difference between tanking it for a whole season and tanking it for a few games. As one who was never a big subscriber to the whole “culture of winning” argument – or, who thinks lacking a culture of winning is outweighed by having good players on your team – these next few games could effect the franchise for years to come.

Pete

All very good points. I don’t think that management sees a player in this draft class worth tanking for. I doubt that at this time of year there are new points to add to any junior player’s scouting report. I say this full knowing that Murray told the media at the press conference following the Kelly trade that they’re targeting an NHL ready player with the first round pick. Kinda mixed messages if you ask me.

The other part is that there are quite a few guys who are playing for spots in the sens lineup. No one is really interested in  laying down if they think it could be the difference between riding the bus and flying on Meknyk’s margarita-ville 1. Not to mention Clouston coaching for his life.

Discussion points worth chewing on:

1. Pundits believe Murray may have saved his job with his deft stickhandling around the deadline. I understand that during the dark parts of this season a scapegoat had to be anointed and flogged. Now things are kinda looking up. We’re 5 points away from blaming the season on injuries and shaky goaltending instead of using the “rebuild” term.

2. Marek Svatos: Keep or toss?

Conrad

I’ve always kind of liked Svatos, and heard that the organization was interested in him when he was disappointing people in Colorado. Which is to say, good on them for finally getting to take a look and not having to part with anything to do it. But unless he’s willing to play here for a “prove yourself” contract I can’t see him sticking around. He’s only got about 4 points since the Sens claimed him off waivers, and during a period when he couldn’t possibly get more ice time. I think he finds a home next year, but I don’t know if it’s here.

As for Murray’s future, it’s looking more and more likely that he sticks around in some capacity. I mean, the guy just spent about $20M of Melnyk’s money on Anderson and Phillips. I think Tim Murray takes over next year with Brian in an advisory role. Could be worse, I guess. The Murrays are no Sather.

Prianka

It seems like we’ve pretty much torched our draft position. It’s strange to have spent the entire season complaining how the team couldn’t win a game to save their lives, and now being slightly disappointed when I check the scores. It is pretty amazing that we stopped super hot teams like the Rangers and the Capitals, but if we win the majority of our remaining games (there are only 6 games left, but even winning 3 of them is more points than we want), this entire terrible season really will be a write off.

Reading that Alfie is thinking of playing again, you have to wonder what they are doing. I agree that it would be a good idea to sit Spezza and Anderson for some of the remaining games, and it’s definitely not worth the risk to Alfie to have him playing in what are now more than meaningless games. Let’s have him rest and be back at 100% for next year. I realize we can’t sit too many people, otherwise we have to start stealing players from Bingo again, but maybe it’s also times to sit Karlsson who has consistently been playing 30+ minutes a game.

I don’t really see Marek Svatos sticking around for pretty much exactly the reasons Conrad said. It’s another case like with Cheechoo: sure Svatos can score 30 goals when he is on top of his game, but with 4 pts since he’s arrived, everything points to him not being on top of his game. I’m sure he would like to play somewhere where he is a legitimate top 6 forward, and with how much he is being outplayed even by the Bingo kids, that doesn’t seem likely with the Sens.

So when are they unveiling the new jerseys?

Conrad

I think they’re doing the new jerseys in the offseason. It would be cool to see them give one to our top five pick on draft day 🙂

And, appropriately, just as you sent that email, Icethletics updated with this post.

Not to overanalyze what is just a screen shot, but, uh….it looks a little like the black SNES jersey. Now we know it will definitely have the ‘O’ on it, and, unfortunately, will also have the draw strings at the neck. And it will be black and red again.

Pete

How the snap does a post about a possible 3rd jersey get 150 comments and we can’t get 150 comments total? Someone get me a bottle of bourbon and a RIF account cuz I’ve suddenly become my father and no longer understand the Internet.

James

Hi Brosephs and Brosephines,
 
I think it’s a sticky toilet of fish with the whole Tank for Tavares thing. Tanking in my opinion, can be a loose if seldom admitted strategy of a club but ultimately is more of a fan concept a lot of the time. I mean Pittsburgh is great (barf) now but almost lost their franchise in the process of getting some #1s. Do we want that, THAT bad? I’m still smarting over almost losing the team once. I mean look no further than the Kansas City Islanders for a more current example. Curious how the rebuild concept is quietly being challenged by the Chicago Blackhawks right now. Were awful for years and then picked up some amazing young players – and even speedily won the cup with a whateeeeeevs rookie goalie and one season later might miss the playoffs. NHL 2.0 is a weeeird world. Maybe Im stretching with the Blackhawks thing as I think they are still a pretty scary team with awful goaltending and have had a lot of baaad injury luck. Like it was aptly pointed out earlier, people in the organization are playing for jobs on next season’s roster and in some cases careers out there and could probably give a  Ryan “Ted” Nugent-“Sir Anthony” Hopkins about draft positioning. People are talking a gaaaang of shit about this years draft but I looked at the top 5 picks and I think they are all worth picking. I mean if we get “stuck” with Sean Coutourierererer Im not crying. Hopefully, it might look in the end like “screwing” yourself into having to pick Jordan Eberle. No matter what the pick, you might get Brian Lee’s pencil neck and Anze Kopitar’s broken ankle. Hang on folks its going to be a bumpy dfahsdfkljdfasdfablackeyespeassong.
Back to my point about fan perspective, as a fan of course I am a bit bummed to see this never say die brand of good play come this late in the season. Where was this whole shutting out the Caps mess when I went to games this whole season? – I think I saw ONE win this year at SBP(.wordpress.com). Either way, there seems to be no catching Colorado and Edmonton who have the draft time – luxury/ rest of the time-curse of being terrible but in the West. Anyway, yes, it is very bitter sweet to watch the team’s (couldn’t be) late(r) in the season surge coupled with the Florida implosion. Sooo….?….barfy barf barf?
Personally, I must also say that when Anderson came in and decided that he was going to let in fewer than 6 goals per game I knew that the Sens wouldn’t be going on anymore of those 10 game losing streak soul crushing hell rides and that Elliot would now make the Avs his new Viking Death Ship – Hey, Ells, hows that whole “Playing the Sedins on a regular basis thing going? Working out or not working out? He says “Depends on how you look at it.” Good point, McCain Ellio’s Pizza Pockets.
It does depend on how one looks at it. I am choosing to look at it as a more or less guaranteed top FIVE pick and a non-terrible goaltender (which is huge) moving forward. In addition, some very exciting draft picks (picked outside the top five) that have already been picked heading into camp for 2011-2012 – and BTW current “just lost his position in team scoring leader to a forward that makes SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS PER – Erik Karlsson was picked 15th so you know…all is not lost. It has been a frustrating year and I concede that watching all that MFing losing and not getting a top 3 picks is rough. Lets just move forward with new steady goaltender, exciting young defenders, US college signings who seem to be working out decently, maybe a forward signing in the off season? Why? Well, you have no choice for starters. Theres still excitement, maybe Murray will package some crud for your more coveted Landeskog (before time) type pick.
Speaking of moving forward, about Svatos? more like Dumpos. I’m pretty indifferent toward his play soooooooo I think we have enough of those dudes. Word on the street (internet) is that Svatos is to shoulder injury what Cheechoo is to sports hernia. So, lets use that cap space to buy Michalek robot knees and take a look at another prospect or whatever.
Before one accuses me over being overly optimistic HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY im not feeling good about that new third jersey so far. Which third jersey am I talking about? I understand your confusion because IT ALREADY LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE THE THIRD JERSEY THAT NO ONE (ESPEEEECIALLLLLLLLY ME) LIKES. Cyril Leeder is my candidate for contract buyout / everything garbageout.

2011.03.21: In which we started to discuss the 67s and then something happened

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There’s a lot of really terrible Craig Anderson wallpaper out there.
Conrad
Thought I’d turn my attention from Ottawa’s Longest Season In Recorded History (when is the draft again? 17 months away?) to the 67s. Anyone catch the playoff preview game on Sunday afternoon against the Sudbury Wolves? STATEMENT GAME. Tyler Toffoli with FOUR FUCKING GOALS. The 67s were flying. Admittedly, it was one of those blowout games where Sudbury missed an open net about seven times, and if two or three of those had gone in you have an entirely different game, but man – pretty, pretty passing from Ottawa, and Toffoli is a legit finisher. I know hindsight is 20/20, and winning the OHL scoring title doesn’t necessarily make you a prolific NHL scorer, but getting this guy in the 2nd round was a coup by the Kings. Easily a top six player. Can’t wait to see him play with Brayden Schenn. I hope Murray turns one of those 2nd rounders we got for Kelly and Campoli into something similar.

James

*CLAP CLAP* SIX-TY SEV-ENS *CLAP Cla…… we interupt this reply to bring you this special bulletin: 

Ottawa Senators sign Goaltender Craig Anderson Cooper 360 to 4 year, 12.75M contract.

Conrad

My thoughts about Anderson’s worth are pretty well documented at this point, (hint: I think he’s David Aebischer) so allow me to simply fearmonger:
  • Between this and the Phillips extension are we headed for some kind of power-sharing arrangement in the Sens front office? Hopefully it won’t be a Leafs circa JF Jr. situation, where no one knew who was calling the shots.
  • Ottawa just committed significant resources to yet another goaltender coming off of a season of injuries, and who is currently injured.
  • Is Anderson going to get another mask? Because he has to get another mask. I’m not looking at that piece of shit for the next four years.
  • Please don’t tell me this has a No Trade Clause.
I dunno, I’m about as psyched about this deal as I was about Leclaire when we traded for him and Gerber when we signed him to a three year deal. Meaning, the best I can say is “Sure, this could work out.” And hey, it’s not like they’re lacking cap space.
Pete (emerging temporarily from his cocoon of basketball xmas)

This has all the signs of a Melnyk move. Could have waited for the end of the season and it’s for two years too many.
It’s not even Easter and we’re already putting our eggs in one basket.
Gulp
(Pete descends back into basketball hell.)
James (deep breath)

This contract is been probed at many angles across the Senstuffsphere today: positive, negative…insightful…dumbsightful.

Anyway, one thing IS clear in the wake of this signing: Bryan Murray will be the Senators GM next season as…a guy who is set to retire in a couple of weeeeeks…would…not….be able to sign a guy for 4 yearrrs riiiiiiiight? Right

Whats that? Oh according to twitter, Eugene Melnyk will be both Coaching and Managing the Sens from Barbadosvia TWITTER. Cool Sens 2.0!

Update! Scratch that it will be via TUMBLR …tumblr. Lemme just mimeograph that down on my Newton (I’m old!)

K, so the term looks bad on this thing. Bad. Four years. BUT …theres a silver lining folks and that is the price.
So, some people are really giving the fact that Anderson is getting a 70% raise, which is a difficult stat to hear, an huge thumbs down.

I find this a little misleading as Craig Anderson has done a lot of stuff since his last signing. Guy was going to get a significant raise
whether here or elsewhere. Who knows, it might have been more if he went onto the open market (maybe not?…also? but probably)

I mean even Auntie (yep, Auntie) Neimi makes a billionny dollars and he’s been playing for like 45 minutes. Good hustle, player agents!

The cap hit plus ZERO no movement clause (what? it’s a regular saint Christmas day hot crossed buns miracle!) could come in handy.

What am I getting at? If we’re all expecting 1.The team to not be wildly good for say a year or two and 2. that Lehner will be in the mix
by the time the team is more competitive again I thinks a 2yr 3.1M Craig Anderson contract wont be the hardest to deal if need be, esp if the current paradigm of league-wide goalie musical chairs carries on. Even IF the Sens are still bad. Anderson himself got a lot of great press back when he was playing great on a (still) AWFUL Florida team shows that other GMs can look past a bad record.

What Im saying is this is a 4 year deal on papier. Its job security in the long view for Andy and goal security in the potentially short view for the Sens.

If it NEEDS to be short term. Its tough to believe in any goalie in this town. Conrad’s David Abeishjeradjfkfer (sic) stats are sobering but I don’t know,

I guess when it comes to goalies maybe one has no choice but be a ramblin, gamblin man (for 4 years) in the NHL. Also, HOW THERE IS SOMMMMEHOW NOT a no movement OR no trade clause involved? Check that contract for the name BRYAN Murray. So I think, CA is a good goalie who gels pretty well with the team’s D and that D, all goes well with the prospects + Phillips/Gonchar not having worst seasons of careers , will stand to improve in front of him.

Related Fact: Did you know that Brian Lee is both playing and not the bane of the fanbase’s collective existence? Give a guy a job to do and watch the results  eh? Anyway, to regain focus,
maybe you don’t feel me on any of this BUT I also have learned the past couple of seasons to find ways to make peace with moves like this early and often as there is literally noooooothing I can do to control them and I like going to hockey games and want to be Mr. Smiles times NOT Mr. Poopants. I also have enjoyed being Mr. Smiles Times more since Cheechoo and Kovalev are no longer on the team. YES I KNOW CHEECHOO IS THE NICEST DUDE I WILL HAVE HIM FOR A BAR B QUE IN MAY OR SOMETHING

Sheesh.

Geez, quite the day considering that I initially thought I was going to be discussing the underrated play of the Ottawa 67s Ryan Martindale and how he may end up being a latter round gem for the team that drafts him (probably San Jose as they draft all the good 67s). If hes not  owned by anyone right now, the Sens should consider him if solely for the prospect of the PA announcer getting to yell out
“RYYYYYYAAAAANNN MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRTINNNNDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLE” at all introductions and goal announcements. That, for me alone is worth an entry level deal and THAT is why I run several professional sports franchises.

Pete

James I appreciate your positive outlook on things. I wish I could be more chipper but I’ll probably never be that guy. As long as I have you as an example, things’ll be okay though
What does this all Anderson stuff mean for Lehner?
Ryan Martindale was drafted by Edmonton in the third round last year.

Conrad

I listened to the press conference while at work today because I cant be trusted, and it was noted that Lehner should never have been shuttled back and forth between the A and the N in order to not really play. Which then begat much thought on how best to nurture a goalie which, like a baby velociraptor, is difficult to do. It was thought (by God) that said best way is to 1) put an established guy in net as a starter, and 2) draft a new guy. And thus Goalie Of Da Future is sandwiched, threatened – and deliciously motivated! Murray said that Ottawa will definitely be drafting a goaltender in this year’s draft, and that Lehner will play next season in Binghamton.

I also think it’s funny that all of the blogs are like “I really like this deal! We can get some assets for him 3.5 years from now!” Welcome to Ottawa, Craig. We’re already talking about trading you.

It’s also funny because I don’t think this contract is very tradeable. Unlike most deals without a NTC, it doesn’t tail off at the end to make it easier to trade the player – it goes up to $3.5M. That’s a lot of peanut butter for a deadline team to take on, even if it is prorated.
Anyway – not a ton of money for a new starter. A sincere welcome to the new guy. Did you have a chance to meet Bruce Garrioch and Don Brennen yet? No? Say, that contract is signed and filed with the lawyer, right? Stampsies, no erasies?

2011.03.16: In which James and I get hyyyyyyyyyyyped

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James

I know the rebuttals on junior numbers but is anyone else at least kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind of pumped on these figures?

Jared Cowen Spokane Chiefs (WHL) 55 18 29 47 +44 87

I mean, he might be on some ‘man playing against boys’ shit (a man that was too young to play in the AHL) but +44 outside the QMJHL is +44 outside the QMJHL!
Also, 47 points in 55 games? Maybe I don’t keep as close an eye on the WHL as I should (I definitely TiVO all Spokane Chiefs and Brandon WheatKings games) but I had heard Cowan was given orders to step up his offensive game this season and…that’s a pretty awesome step up to get one’s rep up. I mean, on the Sens squad I don’t picture 18 goals or even 10 at the NHL level but I definitely love seeing a top prospect improving greatly!

Conrad

Yeah, it’s pretty impressive. I read some kind of report that said he’s playing in literally every situation. First unit PP, PK, last minute of play when down a goal, extra attacker…it really makes the argument that these kids should be returned to junior and get more playing time. I look at Edmonton, and how they’ve burnt a year on the entry level deals of all of their awesome young players so that they could still come in dead last in the league, and I wonder what the advantage is of exposing your future to intense scrutiny and losing. They’ll have to start letting guys walk because of the cap long before they’ll ever be able to develop a defense to support them.
I also love how Cowen looks perpetually stoned. Like a really chill guy. He won’t make a big thing out of it, even as he casually checks a fourteen year old through the glass and into the third row.
You know who else’s numbers are really awesome, and who gets (relatively) no respect? Barry Brust.
Name GP Min W L OTL GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM
Barry Brust 42 2418 25 15 1 103 2.56 1382 .925 6 0 4 32
I meant, I get it, guy is on his third NHL team at 27, has played all over the minors, couldn’t stick with LA when they had literally no one to play in net, and so he’s basically blacklisted as a career AHLer at this point, but can we give this guy a game already? Maybe I’ve got a case of the Mike Brodeurs here, but Lehner can get blown out and no one questions that he’s still the GOALIE OF (FROM) THE FUTURE. Can we extend mayhaps about 14% of the same benefit of the doubt to a guy who’s playing his brains out every night? The team wouldn’t dare piss off Anderson, considering the entire city is collectively trying to get into his pants, but y’know, I could use a little Brust in my life. Let’s see what he’s got.

James

I have to say, Brust seems to have the respect of Binghamton’s fans and I mean…thats pretty cool when you play in Binghamton. I read an article in the Citizen about how they have a very hot selling “In Brust We Trust” T shirt. He’s for sure a fan fave down there. I think we all get a little bummed out about the bizarro hierarchical aspect of pro sports. Im sure its tough for older dudes like Brodeur and Brust to see a 19yr old with more “Pedigree” swoop in and get starts right away in the AHL and the NHL. I mean did I wish Denis Hamel got more chances in Ottawa back in the day? Yeah, but I also think it was cool that he became the Daniel Alfredsson of Binghamton. Maybe Barry Brust becomes the….actual…uhhh…good and consistent goalie that I cant find a comparison to in Sens history but for Bingo. Hey! Truth is I think its important for Bingo to make the playoffs, now that the Sens stink and I care so much about farm teams and prospects, and Brust has become their answer. Keep doin what youre doing Brusty! Maybe he keeps it up and becomes the next Tim Thomas! On the more cynical side, Im pretty sure AHL players make between 60 and 90 grand a year which…you know…is not the worst thing in the world. I agree give him a start here and there for corn’s sake he’s earned it but not during the AHL playoff hunt when he is the hot hand.

As for Cowen…HA! I couldn’t agree more! Every time I see him in an interview I expect him to sound like “DURRRR STAY OUTTA RIVERDALE!!” and am taken aback for a second when he’s just a sober, well spoken young man.

I am all for not pissing off Anderson, its not every day that there’s a guy who was a Vezina finalist in the mix of possibilities for starter going forward. I know youre heavily in favour of the Auntie (that’s right) Niemi, Bobby Boucher approach to net minding but I still have the mantra NO MORE BRIAN ELLIOTS aka AHL level goaltender playing the whole damn season. Im comfortable with the Sens not being great for a while but as we saw with the wrong goalie in net they can easily be the WORST on some 6 goals allowed EVERY game level…and thats hard to even tune into.

Conrad

Well, I’m for the Niemi / Boucher / literally whoever mode of goaltending when you have Duncan Keith or Chris Pronger on D. Otherwise, yeah, I say get yourself a goalie who can play 🙂

James

FINE I WILL! i mean…True indeed. Maybe the Sens can be that one day, if they keep using their top picks to draft defensemen
🙂 🙂

 


2011.03.12: What do you mean, reading about draft picks isn’t as much fun as winning three in a row?

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Good article in the Citizen today.

James Mirtle had a great post on his old, now defunct blog, where he analyzed the sharp drop off in the quality of players outside of the top ten picks, and then again beyond the first round. Essentially, once you’re getting outside of those prime players, what you’ve got is a lottery ticket, the likely payout being a marginal NHLer or third liner. But what the Citizen article adds is how after the sharp drop off occurring in rounds two and on, there is as much probability of player in later rounds of making the NHL as the mid-rounds. Which is to say: not a very good chance (about a 15% chance of playing a significant number of NHL games). Food for thought, though, considering this team just gave up Alex Kovalev for a 7th rounder and Ruutu for a 6th. The notion is that these are worthless picks, but not so.

In the days ahead, I’m sure there will be plenty written about Larssen v. Landeskog v. Couturier and on and on and on. (Newest I’m reading is that the team is high on Strome, and would love to get him with a later 1st.) What will be interesting is reading about those “no names” in the lower rounds. The Senators have three picks in the 2nd round (and possibly a fourth, if Nashville turns around their sagging game and makes the playoffs, then wins a couple of rounds). Who should they pick there? What about in the third round?

Oh, and the Sens won their third in a row last night. One point behind the free-falling Avalanche (thanks Elliott!)

2011.03.04: In which haters gon’ hate, on grammar most of all

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James

We need to make a post Stat…this image is too good to waste…which we sort of have to pick up our game with lately…

Did you watch the game last night? I saw a tiny bit…watched the high lights…love how every goal Bobby B has scored

this year has been different. Shows he’s not a one trick pony…last night’s was by far his nicest yet

The Mark Messier classic off wing far side top cheese special! 

Its still early obviously a bit early to tell but maybe Ottawa has a cheap top six winger on their hands with versitile finish.

Conrad

That picture is a thing of beauty.

I watched a little bit of last night’s game, but I’ll be honest with you: I was pretty bored watching Atlanta’s annual shitting-of-the-bed. There was a time they were fourth in the conference. Fourth! They’ve got some nice pieces in place. They’re spending money. And now they can’t buy a win, even against the second last-place team in the league. I really am rooting for Atlanta. They deserve some playoffs, even if only by fluke, and once again they’re nowhere close. Makes me depressed to think about how a team can have that many high draft picks and not just luck into a good team eventually. Makes me worry about our rebuild.

Butler’s goal was indeed pretty, though, and I’m excited to watch him score at least 20 next year. Unless he ends up being this year’s Peter Regin – promising end to the season leads to dull thud in year to come. I don’t think that’ll happen though. He’s got a natural goal-scorer’s hands, and now that his confidence is up he’s buzzing the net, finding open spaces. He looks like a threat out there.

If Butler, Regin and Foligno all play up to our hopes, and we still have Spezza, Alfie and Michalek, and we pick up a top six forward via trade, and we draft another top sixer in the top five this year…hey, this team don’t stink! Also interesting will be if any of the young kids stick with the big club next year. Greening and Condra have looked good. I could stand to see them get bottom six minutes. Also watch for Lessard to finally get through that Dostoevsky book he’s been working on.

…so what I was doing instead of watching all of the game last night was playing Be a GM mode in NHL 2010 (always be one year behind, that’s what I say). I inserted the worst team in the game – Italy’s national team, of course – into the NHL and am starting a rebuild from scratch. Pretty addictive. And the Italian jerseys are beautiful.

Pete

Ugh, Conrad please don’t remind me of the high hopes we had for Foligno and Regin. I thought you were feeling pessimistic about the rebuild? I believe this is going to be the up and down rollercoaster ride that will be the next three years. The terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles!

Meanwhile, Craig Anderson is pricing himself out of our plans. Brian Murray’s got one more big decision before he rides off into the sunset to his spot on Melnyk’s pharma company’s board of directors. I’m not sure we want to spend a large chunk of our cap space for someone to keep the net warm for Lehner. I know there’s been talk of Jimmy Howard money, but I’m thinking Neimi’s new deal will be the bench mark. (Even though that’s crazy)

I’m having people over to watch the game tonight. If you guys can make it out to the heart of the darkest part of the suburbs you are more than welcome

James

What am I the Barack Obama campaign of rebuild talk?

I was a bit resistant to the idea of a rebuild for a while b/c it is a gamble for sure. I mean lest we forget that Ottawa’s bottom 6 depth was the talk of the league all the way back in 2009-2010. Before I was of the mind that the team really just needed a goaltender, to kidnap Volchenkov back, and a top 6 forward that could right the ship. That it was just a matter of ditching your Cheechoos, Kovalazes and so forth top get cap space…That’s not how it panned out but perhaps that’s maybe how Murray was thinking a the time too, what with all those playoff push rentals. It’s easy for us to complain but hey, I suppose the team WAS making the playoffs, flawed as it was. Regardless, I must say it’s a real testament to the accelerated state of the drafting and prospect pool to show how Murray could jettison a bunch of those stalwart guys and the team has undeniably improved or at least kept steady. Does the team look like shit against Vancouver? Yeah, Vancouver is also pretty much the best team going. Rebuild is still scary at times, every move so critical to the future. Seems like for every Chicago there is a Florida that just cant get it together. Speaking of getting it together, I’m not as frowny face about Foligno now, he’s really improved the last while. Regin was getting into a groove too before his injury. I think it might have done a lot of good to have a lot of the guys have it off their mind that they are no longer trade bait and are part of the rebuild. Phillips has looked strikingly better of late. Call me glassy eyed but the turn around could be quicker than the other examples that we tend to work off of. Do we get a Crosby rebuild? No. Does anyone get a Crosby rebuild? Few do. Yeah Murray’s not perfect but he’s a pretty good general manager who has drafted par excellence the past couple of seasons and maybe we are starting to see some dividends of that good work now that guys are getting the shot they weren’t before with all the vets in the way. Butler has been a prime example of seeing what a guy can do if he has space to play top 6 and not bottom. Ottawa also has the advantage of not having a cheap skate owner (RIP Islanders). Melnyk definitely seems to have the guts to go for it but also the smarts to suck it up and know when to pull the plug and refocus.

I’ve said it a million times but we are goddamn spoiled in this city, getting a rebuild after missing the playoffs twice in more than a decade? A fan base super bummed out after signing a defenseman who has been a minus player something like twice in his whole career? If Ottawa picks Larsen we’ll have a log jam of highly skilled young defensement? Team’s been terrible but sometimes I cant help but think we have some “good problems.” Were going to get a lotto pick, we’ve got some pretty ridiculous defensemen ready to break into the league next season, a promising goalie prospect, retained veteran leadership and there are plans to aquire a top six forward…I don’t know, maybe it’s the getting rid of Kovalev and Elliot talking but I’ve seen teams in way worse shape moving forward. Edmonton has some fantastic young guys up front but literally nothing going on from the blueline back and it will be a while to build that up. That’s where a successful team is born if you ask me.

Conrad

That was pretty inspired, James, and actually made me feel a bit better! I’m not inclined to disagree with any of that. And I’m definitely happy that the team went into rebuild mode. I think Murray’s done a reasonably good job as GM. When the team was competitive, he traded for more resources to push them on. When the team wasn’t, he traded for picks. He’s had less luck on the UFA market, but that’s always a crap shoot for a small market. And most of all, Heatley screwed him. So I’m not mad at him so much as subjecting myself to the wild insecurities and anxieties that come of a team entering into No Man’s Land. Tis’ scary! But yeah, the team is pretty lucky to have an owner who blindly pays out, to have had the kind of skill it’s had for so long that it didn’t have to rely on 2-1 wins like it does now, and that Murray knew enough to start rebuilding the back end from day one. This team won’t be so bad.

If there’s one thing that NHL 10 has taught me, it’s never draft Italians.

James

Sorry i didnt use the term “Dog Garbage” several times. I did vow to turn myself into blogger jail for crimes against people’s eyes if Butler scored in yesterday’s Lame Day Preview. I guess Bobby B, who reads the CCFR every single day, really wants me put away by scoring such a beaut.

About not drafting Italians, I say listen to your dreams and draft Tom Waits into your top six.

Conrad

Thought I’d add it to this thread that Gabriel Landeskog and the Kitchener Rangers are playing the Ottawa 67s this Sunday at 2pm, and come of us CCFRers will be there. Any readers who want to drop by, I look like an angry tire with muscly arms. Come say hi.

Speaking of Landeskog, here’s an awesome article about him, the Sens scouting efforts post-deadline, and how he’s actually kinda an Ottawa fan. Well worth the read.

James

Wow…now i REALLY want to see Landeskog play

btw i am not even half way through this amazing Lehner interview and hes already referred to how he hopes Ottawa retains Craig Anderson so he can HUNT HIM LIKE GAME. This kid is going to be the best interview in the NHL soon.

Marc

I watched the game in the form of a TSN highlight and they looked great in that 40 second clip. I remember the days when this team couldn’t win a game to save their lives without the Captain in the lineup. So on that front, I’m impressed by how the Sens have stepped up in his abscence and how they have become Spezzmatic.

I agree with James on the spoiled brat syndrome in Otown. The naysayers will have a full on bitch fest for the next couple years. So let’s get together and bitch slap some patience into these bitches. I still believe that team has an awesome foundation so I’ll be positive until they have a 20 game losing streak next year.

Not ready to jump on the Anderson/Butler/any roster player with more hustle than Kovalev bandwagon just yet. They’ve all been playing great lately. But I still feel that we should all wait and see how this nets out. To me, Anderson isn’t worth more than what he’s making right now. Let hope Murray or the incumbent see it the same way.

2011.03.02: Hey, Craig Anderson has a new maAAAAAAAAARGHWHAT?!

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Anderson’s new mask (Due credit: the Anderson mask was originally posted by the Goalie Guild. Also in fairness, the artist has asked the Goalie Guild to take the mask down until he can fix the logo on the side so that it’s the current one.)

The CCFR humbly suggests the following completely fucking incredible design:

James

when are they finally just going to cave and admit they are wrong, give the people what theve been demanding and let Steven design the goalie masks? What a pile of dog garbage. You know masks are in a sad state when Jonas Hiller has the nicest mask because its black with a matte finish

http://www.senstown.com/2011/03/craig-andersons-new-mask.html

Steven

That’s a joke right? I wouldn’t sign him with a mask like that.  That’s embarrassing.  It’s going to take a lot of 50 save nights to down play that garbage dump.

Conrad

Oh man, that is brutal. Especially the afterthought car on the bottom. And the OLD LOGO… I prefer the repurposed Sasquatch with a Sens sticker on the chin that he’s been rolling with. Hopefully he tunes this up for next season. When he re-signs in Colorado.

This is a good discussion though: best Sens goalie masks. There have been a ton of bad ones. Martin (?) the Martian on Lalime, Hasek’s Goth Senator on the dome.

Personal favorites are Martin Prusek’s columns, and I guess Gerber’s Darth Gerber mask gets points for picking up on a fan meme, though having all black was way cooler than going literal. I was also a fan of Ray Emery’s boxer mask (more so than the weird, tan pupa thing he ended with)

I second Steve being in charge here. Steve, what would you do? I vote for Kovalev / Foligno Back to the Future 2.

Prianka

I actually really liked Lalime’s Marvin the Martian mask back in the day, and always thought it was a little strange that Emery had Mike Tyson on the side of his mask. Tyson is a rather strange person to openly admit to idolizing, all things considered.

Anderson’s mask is downright ugly, and what is the deal with the massive stick shift? (I know, I know, I am practically setting someone up with that one). I’m curious about his decision to use the wrong logo, was it a conscientious comment on the fact that the logos keep getting uglier, or is this is favourite one? If it had been me, I would have gone back all the way to the old sharp featured Senator that was shown in profile,

James

Conrad youre really pessimistic about this whole Anderson situation ive noticed. Unless youre joking …im not made of knowing things (clearly).

Anyway…favorite Sens mask of all time …would be…….so many to choose from…so few nice ones…probably…darth gerber…

Prusek clear winner creativity wise but that helmet itself was so dumb looking, it was like Hasek helmet meets Bruce McCulloch

as that cabbage head character for toddlers.

Conrad

It’s not that I don’t like Anderson. I think he’s the kind of goaltender that Ottawa could use – plays well, is cheap, character guy. Will probably play better splitting games with Lehner than playing 81 games in a season and facing 50 shots a game like in Colorado. I’ve been in his corner ever since he was in Florida, filled in for a month or two for an injured Vokoun, and I picked him up in my pool. I made sure to pick him up the next year. That season he was in the Vezina conversation, and to be able to pick up a guy like that for around the $2M he’ll cost (though who knows…maybe there will be a market for him this off season and his salary goes higher) would be a coup.

Having said that, I just don’t know why he would re-sign here. He could go anywhere. He could sign in Washington and play for the Cup. Or Chicago, or Philly. There are plenty of amazing teams looking for a goalie project. Why sign on for a rebuild, with no GM in place, in a high pressure market, in a small Canadian city? Maybe it’s worth the risk to get to know him and offer a contract, because after all, all we gave up was a 7th round goalie who had played himself out of a job. But if he walks this summer, and Elliott could have maybe gotten a pick instead, I just think that would have made more sense. Not a huge big deal, but I’m resisting the urge to swoon like the blogs and the media are doing. I don’t want to get attached. I think he waits until July 1st to see what offers he gets. Though with the CBA expiring, maybe he signs short term in Ottawa for the stability. I’m reserving judgement.

As for the mask, I don’t understand who actually gets contracted to do these things. I can’t get a newsletter made at my work without it going through my comms department to make sure the branding and messaging is consistent, how can a goalie for a pro sports franchise accidentally get the old logo on his mask? There have got to be hundreds of freelance artists and designers in this city who could come up with cooler designs than that.

Steven

Allright.  This design took 15mins.

Here’s my thoughts Anderson.  Go the Hiller route to the end of the season.  Obviously the Senators are going to have a new look for the 3rd jersey next year (Please Uncle Melnyk).  If you are signed for next season, as I assume you will.  GO WITH THAT LOOK.  It would be a great idea to be the new face of the Senators re-build, and ABSOLUTELY NO SENA-GOTH.  That’s collectively let that Logo DIE.

Also you have to give bonus points to Robin Lehner for incorporating the SNES logo into his mask and it still looks great.

James

Agree with Steven. I was just looking at a picture of a buddy on Facebook meeting Alfie taken in 2010 and he’s wearing the Senagoth in the picture and i was almost like HOW DARE YOU PRESENT TO HIS HOLINESS IN THAT MESS! Instead i think just ate dinner..

Im with Prianka also in that with the Side Profile Senator (who we call SPS around here)…you dont know what you got till it’s gone, eh?

Conrad, some optimism on the Anderson front apparently Jimmy Howard signing for so little* reaaaaaally changed the game on how much Craig Anderson is projected to earn next year….it will be a small miracle to see CA get 3M now that Howard, who has way more upside, just signed for something like 2.2M…Idea: can we just kidnap Ken Holland (you know the locks are broken at the Joe) put a bag over his head and while he is en route to Ottawa just paint and redecorate all of the offices and insides of Scotia Bank Place to look like its Joe Louis Arena so he can manage the Sens without knowing it?  I guess that could make Andy more attractive to other teams though 😦

Anyway, you make a really good point. It’s prudent not to get excited about him sticking around (note: One of the most boring things about the rebuild so far is not being allowed to get excited about anything…except losing?) but all indications are that it’s a top priority of Murray to get him locked down by the end of the season, if that means anything. I think it would be wise to get him, because…the team will need a goaltender that can get into an R rated movie and isn’t made of macaroni glued to construction paper. Maybe they sell him on this rebuild having a very fast turnaround of which he is a cornerstone and will subsequently see the benefits of? Hard to say what Anderson is worth considering he was having a Brian Elliotesque season up to the trade….for Brian Elliot…Colorado trading you for a dude who is literally the new Dan Cloutier has got to lower your value even IF one has hoisted the Sens to .500 in the week since arriving. Teen Jesus, how do the Capitals have the cap space to do anything? Ovechkin, Greene, Semin, Laich, Backstrom..other dudes…ugh…fuck other teams.

*by little I mean, money i could live off of for the rest of my pathetic life

Peter

Amazing,

My idea for mask artwork would be to plaster the entire thing with a collage of visages of former Sens goalies. Gerber, Sidorkiwicz, Beaupre, Hurme! Of course it would end up looking like a promotional still for country super-group Alabama. But hey, in a city devoid of artistic merit (well lacking merit easily represented on a contoured surface with a giant hole in the middle) we could do worse.

If Anderson wants to stick around he should probably do some research. It’s like going to a job interview and having no background info on the organization you desperately want to work for. It’d be kinda cool to do a retro, log driving thing i guess (Doesn’t Luongo have that going on?). I dunno, I’m not an artist. Famous album covers repurposed? Just spitballing here.

Conrad

I absolutely do not have a problem with goalies getting masks that have pictures of their teammates on them. I’m surprised it’s never happened. If I were a goalie for Ottawa, I’d get a picture of Big Hair Alfie.