Frustration Brews....so do the rumors...
Well again, another one slips away. I was there tonight and can tell you even though the game was entertaining; I knew when Carolina scored that 1st goal they were going to win. Ottawa ONCE AGAIN took there foot off the petal, while Carolina out-shot them heavily in the 2nd. Here are a few points, rumors and notes to pass on.
- Gerber -
I don’t care if he makes 40, 50, 60 saves in a game, he has to save the SIMPLE ones. He shows shades of Lalime and the first and second goals were nothing but AWFUL….first one, bad bounce, but that seems to bad a common excuse with him….second goal, DOWN EARLY AGAIN….I know he is a positional goalie, but you cant just hope it hits you every time. He is good down low, very good actually…but get the puck 2-3ft off the ice….and you never know with him. Emery has looked sensational and is also a positional butterfly goalie but he is better up high, is better overall,. Not blaming Gerber completely, but you just get a sense of Lalime when he is in net – an UNEASY feeling comes over you. Mark my words, unless he has a major turn around, Gerber will be Emery’s back up by mid-season and gone after this year. Ottawa has too many goalies to be wasting money on a flash-in-the-pan goaltender, “average goaltender”. He will probably be sent away for next to nothing, however with that high price tag, Ottawa would have to compensate some of that cost.
-Refs Fault, NOPE-
Yes, the call against Phillips was bad, but Ottawa had chances and calls that went in there favor and they did not capitalize on them. Phillips, even though he was frustrated, has to be more disciplined and just get in the box when the game is tied…..the original call should never have been made, but Ottawa should have ended the game when they had there own 5 on 3s.
-Take it easy on Spezza-
Another game where he was not bad at all…..he is averaging a point a game and somehow that still is not good enough for people. If you aren’t careful, he will be run out of town and that IS NOT the answer. He does have some bad flaws, but every player does. EVERY TEAM IN THE NHL would want this guy. Either you are a Sens fan and go down with the ship, or you are not a fan at all. Don’t cheer when they WIN and PANIC/CALL THEM OUT when they lose, there is a difference in being passionate about a team and just being a complete band wagon fan.
-Rumors-
Alfie is NOT going anywhere, at least not until the season ends – then perhaps if the right deal comes along and he has struggled, MAYBE. He has had a bad start, but and will turn around. However he does need a center to play because I do believe the McAmmond would be better fit for a wing. Alfie will still score close to 30 goals this year.
Conroy would be a valuable asset to the team. A couple of teams are also interested in him. Ottawa would have to package together a great deal in order to get him, and I’m not sure if that would include a starting D-Man or not. I think Ottawa may get away with packaging some prospects together, after all LA is not interested in a veteran or older guy – they want youth.
Another name I have heard is Mike Comrie, and make that all the Coyotes, but he has been the main one. I have also heard that a couple of Lightning members may be available – however they would come at a high price tag. I think if Ottawa is still struggling, even a little bit, by next weekend – you will see a new face here….perhaps sooner. My prediction and from what I have heard, Ottawa will land Conroy for a top prospect, another prospect and/or draft pick. Actually, win or lose, Ottawa will get a center and I do believe it is Conroy.
I think Ottawa will also consider carrying two extra players IF they can get away with adding a player without losing one.
Lastly.
-Murray & the PP –
As soon as the PP gets going, so will the team. There D and Goaltending has not been the problem (even though I am not a Gerber fan) – however there scoring has been. This is the team that was a force last year. Now they are less Havlat who played ¼ the season last year and is not an excuse for lack of scoring. Once they add a PP goal or two per game, there problems will be solved. In the NEW NHL, you have to have a PP that is effective (doesn’t have to be THE BEST) but at least a top 10 PP. There PK is incredible, and thus, with the power play will come wins.
Murray has to be better with his PP decisions….here was the lines from the CANES game:
PP line 1: Alfie, Spezza, Heatley w/ Corvo & Meszaros
PP line 2: Fisher, Neil, Eaves w/ Preissing & Schubert
There first unit is ok in my eyes, they have a playmaker (Spezza) with two snipers (Alfie, Heatley) and two shooting D MEN, who can’t just shoot always, even though I love Corvo’s shot. Teams just clog the shooting lane and then clear after the block. More emphasis has to be with setting up the PP (not that stupid cross-crease pass either as a good goalie will poke it away).
The second pairing makes NO SENSE at all.
You have two grinders (Neil, Eaves) with a mediocre playmaker (Fisher) and two suitable D Men…..they need to add another player on this unit that can score goals and make plays. McAmmond would be ideal.
Anyways, Murray in my eyes NEEDS to find a way to get these guys going and get a better, successful plan of attack. Its obvious that teams are now learning how to defend against Ottawa and thus they need to go back to the drawing board and come up with some new systems……that and the PP….once it gets going, the rest will come. That leads back to my theory about Murray being an incredible GM, but only an average coach…..and this team needs more than average behind the bench.
This team will still make the playoffs and contend….
Leave a comment.
- S.I.
- Gerber -
I don’t care if he makes 40, 50, 60 saves in a game, he has to save the SIMPLE ones. He shows shades of Lalime and the first and second goals were nothing but AWFUL….first one, bad bounce, but that seems to bad a common excuse with him….second goal, DOWN EARLY AGAIN….I know he is a positional goalie, but you cant just hope it hits you every time. He is good down low, very good actually…but get the puck 2-3ft off the ice….and you never know with him. Emery has looked sensational and is also a positional butterfly goalie but he is better up high, is better overall,. Not blaming Gerber completely, but you just get a sense of Lalime when he is in net – an UNEASY feeling comes over you. Mark my words, unless he has a major turn around, Gerber will be Emery’s back up by mid-season and gone after this year. Ottawa has too many goalies to be wasting money on a flash-in-the-pan goaltender, “average goaltender”. He will probably be sent away for next to nothing, however with that high price tag, Ottawa would have to compensate some of that cost.
-Refs Fault, NOPE-
Yes, the call against Phillips was bad, but Ottawa had chances and calls that went in there favor and they did not capitalize on them. Phillips, even though he was frustrated, has to be more disciplined and just get in the box when the game is tied…..the original call should never have been made, but Ottawa should have ended the game when they had there own 5 on 3s.
-Take it easy on Spezza-
Another game where he was not bad at all…..he is averaging a point a game and somehow that still is not good enough for people. If you aren’t careful, he will be run out of town and that IS NOT the answer. He does have some bad flaws, but every player does. EVERY TEAM IN THE NHL would want this guy. Either you are a Sens fan and go down with the ship, or you are not a fan at all. Don’t cheer when they WIN and PANIC/CALL THEM OUT when they lose, there is a difference in being passionate about a team and just being a complete band wagon fan.
-Rumors-
Alfie is NOT going anywhere, at least not until the season ends – then perhaps if the right deal comes along and he has struggled, MAYBE. He has had a bad start, but and will turn around. However he does need a center to play because I do believe the McAmmond would be better fit for a wing. Alfie will still score close to 30 goals this year.
Conroy would be a valuable asset to the team. A couple of teams are also interested in him. Ottawa would have to package together a great deal in order to get him, and I’m not sure if that would include a starting D-Man or not. I think Ottawa may get away with packaging some prospects together, after all LA is not interested in a veteran or older guy – they want youth.
Another name I have heard is Mike Comrie, and make that all the Coyotes, but he has been the main one. I have also heard that a couple of Lightning members may be available – however they would come at a high price tag. I think if Ottawa is still struggling, even a little bit, by next weekend – you will see a new face here….perhaps sooner. My prediction and from what I have heard, Ottawa will land Conroy for a top prospect, another prospect and/or draft pick. Actually, win or lose, Ottawa will get a center and I do believe it is Conroy.
I think Ottawa will also consider carrying two extra players IF they can get away with adding a player without losing one.
Lastly.
-Murray & the PP –
As soon as the PP gets going, so will the team. There D and Goaltending has not been the problem (even though I am not a Gerber fan) – however there scoring has been. This is the team that was a force last year. Now they are less Havlat who played ¼ the season last year and is not an excuse for lack of scoring. Once they add a PP goal or two per game, there problems will be solved. In the NEW NHL, you have to have a PP that is effective (doesn’t have to be THE BEST) but at least a top 10 PP. There PK is incredible, and thus, with the power play will come wins.
Murray has to be better with his PP decisions….here was the lines from the CANES game:
PP line 1: Alfie, Spezza, Heatley w/ Corvo & Meszaros
PP line 2: Fisher, Neil, Eaves w/ Preissing & Schubert
There first unit is ok in my eyes, they have a playmaker (Spezza) with two snipers (Alfie, Heatley) and two shooting D MEN, who can’t just shoot always, even though I love Corvo’s shot. Teams just clog the shooting lane and then clear after the block. More emphasis has to be with setting up the PP (not that stupid cross-crease pass either as a good goalie will poke it away).
The second pairing makes NO SENSE at all.
You have two grinders (Neil, Eaves) with a mediocre playmaker (Fisher) and two suitable D Men…..they need to add another player on this unit that can score goals and make plays. McAmmond would be ideal.
Anyways, Murray in my eyes NEEDS to find a way to get these guys going and get a better, successful plan of attack. Its obvious that teams are now learning how to defend against Ottawa and thus they need to go back to the drawing board and come up with some new systems……that and the PP….once it gets going, the rest will come. That leads back to my theory about Murray being an incredible GM, but only an average coach…..and this team needs more than average behind the bench.
This team will still make the playoffs and contend….
Leave a comment.
- S.I.
posted by sensinsider at 1:31 AM
9 Comments:
I agree that the PP is a big problem. However, I am not sure how they can improve it. It's all well and good to say they should try something new. But the question is what?
how about shooting? that would be new.. instead of passing it around and then trying a weak cross crease pass that get cleared...the PP is horrible. Also this team has a major confidence problem... I have played on teams like this where things start to crumble and suddenly everyone is sitting on the bench quiet going 'here we go again' instead "let get that goal back" they pan down the bench on tv and there all sitting there with a defeated look on there face with 3 min left in the game.... answere this for me... how come we get swarmed when were up by 1 goal with 3 min left... and when were down by 1 goal we dump and chase it until we run the clock out for them?
Well, I think that more emphasis has to be setting up the PP PROPERLY...everyone is so quick to yell shoot, but if there is no shot available and they do happen to shoot the puck, its easily saved or blocked. I hate the fans that yell SHOOT 10 seconds into the PP....once and awhile they do TOO MUCH passing....
To answer another question "how come we get swarmer"....it all links back to coaching....Murray has to light a fire under these guys....and has to come up with a better plan of attack....its a 'funny thing' that Ottawa makes 8/10 goalies they play against, look like a SUPERSTAR....when most of the times...they aren't
Better coaching is what they need...Murray is not the coach...he is a GM...people can tell me he has the most wins as a CURRENT NHL coach...well that has alot to do with the fact that he is one of the oldest and winnning in the old NHL is not the same as the NEW NHL.....he needs to adapt better....last year he was okay at it...until the playoffs...
Teams defend better against Ottawa, and until Murray comes up with new and better ways of attack....it will be hard times....fixing the PP would help though....and it will come around
I agree with you on the Murray point. I was wondering, do you know if Muckler/Murray are happy with Tom Preissing?
I can say YES, how could they not be...he is second in points by a D-MAN...now would they consider trading him...YES, if the right deal came along.
Phillips; Volch; Schubert; Preissing; Malec
are all defense they are willing to move if the approriate deal comes there way.
preissing is horrible, hes to slow and he sucks defensivly, hes kind of a slower shittier version of mccabe.
Don't know how you say he is horrible....he is there 6th defenseman, plays the PP is second on D in points....
Do I think he needs to be better as a DEFENSEMAN - a little - but considering his role, he does alright I would say
Hey SI,
Do you think that Gerber is getting the "surprise" start tonight because he is being showcased for a potential deal? Also, who is more likely to get moved - Vermette or Volchenkov? I would think Vermette...
Thanks
Go Sens Go and make changes! Trade the team. Swap this team for the one in Bingo. Couldn't hurt. I'm a die hard fan and always will be. I'd rather have a shitty team then no team at all. But you gotta think this loss tonight is gonna spark something. Anton was AWESOME tonight! Too bad the rest of the team couldn't feed off of his drive. Oh well, shit happens eh?
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