Growing Confidence & More!

Well its clear to see that this team is growing in the confidence department. Emery has stood tall and been nothing but sensational. I was at the Buffalo & Minnesota game and Emery was great. Its clear to see that he has adjusted his quickness and positioning. Not to mention that his confidence is at an all time high. He worked hard this past summer and is being rewarded for it.

Inside the Sens:

Yes - I have heard that Muckler is going to be stepping down at the end of the year and I have also been told that it is likely that Bryan Murray will be taking his place and will be in charge of hiring a new coach - who that will be, I'm not entirely sure. I have heard anything from K.Hitchcock, A.Murray (if they are not hired by CBJ), P. Burns, P.Quinn. I have also heard it could be a former player - which I wouldn't mind seeing.

One of the reasons Murray has been kept here as coach is because they don't want him to leave on bad terms if he is to become GM. Smart move, however some of his coaching tactics are driving me nuts. I will give him credit as he clearly has started to get these players to block more shots - Volchenkov is on his own level, but others are starting to follow suit.

Right now, as the team grows stronger, the trade talk has quieted down. However my sources have told me about a 2nd line center being brought in. Personally I love Vermette being given a chance.

Since Emery's return, its clear to see that this team plays well in front of him. Its his team and his time and I hope he does well, he is a professional, well-liked gentleman who I have had the pleasure of meeting numerous times and he works incredibly hard.

As for Gerber, if/when he turns it around, Im not sure where he will fit into this team come end of year - regardless how Emery turns out. Options are as follows:

1. Keep him and roll the dice
2. Send him to the minors and pay him full contract (doesn't count against cap)
3. Trade him and eat half of his contract with the other team
4. Buy him out (goes against the cap)

I guess we will see how it works out come season end, all I can say though is Emery becomes a RFA and will want a pay hike and contract increase if he keeps it up, and they will give it to him too. So keeping two guys can't happen, and Emery is the one they would prefer. He is close with teammates and plays well with this group.

More after Philly.

- SI

Something Big is Brewing....

I just got wind of a potential deal that could happen in the next 24-36 hours. I don't believe that Ottawa is firing anyone, at least thats not what I have heard, however I have been told that there could be a 3 or 4 way deal that is in the making.....

Im not sure yet who would be coming here, however have been told that some names that could be moved are:

PHILLIPS or MESZAROS - I really hope it would be Phillips
SCHAEFFER - Murray is really unhappy with his lack of effort
VERMETTE - I would rather keep him, but if you get a guy that can make your TEAM better, then I would pull the trigger.

Everything depends on the impact of the trade, but I do believe it's happening, SOON....more when I hear it

- SI

Once Again: Winds of Change…

I hear it again, and not just from Sens fans, but from more than one source. I was in Pittsburgh Friday night and was impressed, but still not sold…..Saturday night I convinced my friend who was traveling with me to go to Boston, and there it was – another disappointment. I normally do not go out of town to watch the team - I am a season ticket holder, but I had a completely free weekend and thought I would just go for it. Boston is a beautiful city and I hope to return very soon.

Now, for some updates:

Redden – Out for awhile, to say the least – I think this is a smart move on his part…his game is clearly not there and groin injuries need time to heal. I have heard 3-5 weeks….I also had someone say only 1-2 weeks….its really up in the air.


House Cleaning:

I have heard it all lately, not only is this team a mess, so is the organization. I think if they are to swing a deal, it will be by Thursday. However, I am also told that Murray and staff may be on there way out before then……really when it comes to management, its hard to get information. I do think Murrays time was up LAST JANUARY….that is when I noticed that he really is not a good coach.....but a good GM.

Believe it or not, I have heard rumours about who is replacement will be, and if it were to happen, I don’t know where I would stand.

I have heard John Muckler may be an interim coach, not to mention John Paddock…..but I don’t think either would be a good fit.

Players on the watch:

With Redden out, it makes it really difficult to trade a starting D-Man but calling up Malec or moving him may be an option.

I have heard in trade rumours:

Phillips, Schubert, Volch, Hamel, Vermette, Kelly and Schaefer. Not to mention, some prospects like Malec, Bois, Guard or Glass…..

In return, here are some names I have been given:

S. Doan – You may lose Vermette and a High Prospect/Pick, but he is someone who can shake it up - the only problem is that he is an UFA at the end of the year I believe.
S. Horcoff – I have heard Phillips or Volch and a Prospect/Pick
S. Barnes, C. Conroy – A pick and/or prospect(s)


One last note, I listen and am a big supporter of the Team 1200, but really am sick and tired of the way they really only consider there own points and not ones of other callers or emailers……I do think some of the calls/emails they get are dumb, but people have called and made some great points, which involve negative or constructive criticism regarding the Sens and or there coaching, and 9 of 10 times, the post game staff put down or disagree completely with points that are brought up. I don’t know if they realize that they – on the radio – sometimes make some terrible points, yet they think they are correct. Just a point I thought I would make, because I really am tired of the shenanigans from them…....im not sure where I'm going with this, but I get really annoyed with some of the crap that they preach....not saying its all crap, because I love the Morning and Moron Sports show, it can be frustrating is all.....

Anyways, I wish I had more answers for you, but some stuff is kept really hush hush…..

Leave a comment with your thoughts.

- SI

Speechless….

Its gone on too long. I’m lost for words. I watched the game tonight and was disgusted by the uneasiness of this team and the terrible goaltending they are receiving. They can say he got hurt, just like he was apparently sick during the playoffs last year….but that is no excuse……..Kelly Guard would have put on a better showing, MUCH better….OR they could just as easily put a pair of pads on Volchenkov, he would be a better fit in there.

I have heard so many things, but when are they going to pull the trigger – I don’t know.

I thought they would have done it by now. I know they have a deal lined up – and they have to pull the trigger soon, this team is clearly

Also when Emery does come back….I have heard 1-3 games, he will be playing a majority of the games….Ottawa does not play well in front of Gerber – as he clearly is not the goalie they thought….will he be able to find his game…who knows….

The lines they had worked well, they just could not get a timely save….4 goals is apparently not enough to win games.

Some kind of shake-up must happen, they clearly are not responding. Trade, coaching change, GM change….I’ve heard it all. Right now I have no answers….and am keeping my ears open.

I will let you know when I hear something. Once again, LOST FOR WORDS....

Muckler?? Not going?

As my previous blog stated (below - @ 11pm), I had heard Muckler might be gone, now my source has told me he may be given another chance....not to sure what is going on right now...will report more when I hear more.

I do know a trade is in the works.....think it is Conroy for Schubert and Prospects and picks...I will know more tomorrow....a lot is in the air right now.....It is now 4am.....

Good night.

- SI

Muckler is Done! Awaiting confirmation...

Tonights loss has raised a lot of issues for this team, and from what I have heard, changes will be made in the next 36 hours.

Im still awaiting confirmation, but from what I just heard, MUCKLER is done - NO SURPRISE....not sure if he will resign or be 'fired'. If it does happen I hope he resigns.

His temporary replacement would likely be MURRAY....I'm still awaiting confirmation from a source, so don't take this to the bank YET, but this is what I have heard.....we will see how this transpires....

Also look for Ottawa to go with EMERY for the next little while --- they need consistency in the net and the team has played better in front of him.

Lastly, I put my foot in my mouth and would like to change where I stand regarding Volchenkov. He has really proven how much of a force he is and after last year I was a naysayer, but he showed all of his doubters.....I hope he keeps it up.


Stay Posted.

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.