Two days off can really refresh a guy – even if one of them is Super Bowl Sunday.
With clear eyes again, I see something I did not realize. It’s the only number 14 the St. Louis Blues have. The one under the loss column. Only one other team in the entire NHL has suffered defeat in regulation time more often than St. Louis.
Yes, the Blues have been the toughest out in the Western Conference so far this season. So yes, the Senators will have their work cut out for them if they’re going to end their losing streak at six tonight.
And they’ll have to go through an all-star goalie to do it.
Goalies coming back to face their old team usually come up big. Especially when they want to prove they’re better than the old team – and the old team’s fans – thought they were. Senators players who speak in defence of Brian Elliott’s play here now didn’t play such great defence in front of him when he wore the same color jersey as they did. That, and he was as bad as we said and you saw. Not all his fault, though. Elliott should have been a backup goalie for Ottawa, but was forced into a more important role because of all the injuries to Pascal Leclaire.
Clearly, he wasn’t ready for it.
Personally, I don’t think Elliott, who has lacked confidence on the “slippery” Scotiabank Place ice in the past, will be the difference tonight. I don’t think he’ll be one of the three stars, especially if the fans get on him and the Senators players get to him.
James Reimer’s success against Ottawa Saturday had a lot to do with the fact nobody was in his face. Nobody was around to swat at the rebounds he did give up. That’s why I think guys like Nick Foligno and Chris Neil and Milan Michalek will be key for the Senators tonight. They were the players doing the dirty work in front of the net when the team was having success.
Also, Jason Spezza will benefit from having Colin Greening on his line again. The fastest forward on the team, Greening hustles back to do a lot of the down low work in the defensive zone, allowing Spezza to both cheat up high a little and save some energy for his play at the other end of the ice.
If Craig Anderson plays tonight, I see the Senators snapping out of their slump in what would qualify as an upset. If Alex Auld is in net, all bets are off.
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Glad to see you are alive and well. i think you boobed up the first sentence or two in your blog as I am sure you meant to say that except for other team, St Louis has the least regulation losses in the NHL.
I agree with your comments about a big Sen win tonight. I don’t think there is any real scientific proof that a player returning to a team that traded him or dumped win will necessarily turn in a stellar performance. It is amazing however, the numbers Elliot has put up versus last year. If Ottawa starts Auld, then McLean should have his head read. We need a win and contrary to what everyone says, Anderson is fine. If he is still tired after 3 days rest, perhaps he is not in shape or is one big sissy. If you ask Anderson if he is tired, he will tell you differently.
Are you making a call Donny? To suggest “if they play well…they will win” is not sticking your neck out mon ami. I am calling for a loss. The Blues are playing some unbelievable hockey under Hitchcock (I do not like the man). Elliott is sporting the best save percentage in the league (the only true measurement for a backstop as far as I am concerned) and he also has a great GAA. The Sens are not playing well and neither are their stars (and I am including Anderson). Turris and Smith have been their best players from what I have witnessed. Again, I completely disagree with you on the Greening thing. He could be a good 3rd or 4th liner (only if he was more physical) but that is all. Suggesting he opens up holes for Spezza and Michalek makes not sense; I ask the question how and why? If he is inserted on the Spezza line I would like you to note how many times he loses the puck once it is passed to him. It is hard to maintain pressure when there are only two on a line. Count how many times he sets ohters up. No too often. I always had an issue with players who immediately look for another when the get the puck (he has no confidence with it on his stick). Note too, how many times he is set up and flubs or misses. Or, how slow he is with the puck (to him the puck is a boat anchor). To suggest he is the fastest on the team is really very silly. What you can say is, in a non hockey event skating around the rink without a puck, he is the fastest Senator. These are great spectacles but I favor rapid acceleration and quickness in a hockey player and there are a few who are far better than that on this hockey club. Spezza rarely “cheats up high”…he is often the one coming back to take the puck up the ice. The problem (as far as I am concerned) has often been with the forwards being too far ahead. I like them to come out in unison with shorter quick passes rather than home runs (which are good once in a while. Like the run in football helps with the passing game and vice-versa, the short quick passes and coming out together (staggered really) sets up the long pass for later and vice-versa. I want to see a more creative PP tonight. They have become stagnant and predictable. The team needs to get pucks through to the net and most importantly, hit the damn net. I have never seen a team in my life that misses high and wide as often as the Ottawa Senators. I hate it on a PP…afterall, a rebound is the best pass in hockey (does that mean that a pass is the best rebound in hockey?????0.
Well, after listening to Steve Warne and company on the team, fatigue is the reason we are slumping. Afterall over the last 4 months, we have played a whopping 3-4 games more than anyone else.
I wonder why the other 29 teams are not fatigued as well????
Coach McLean said the team was not ready to play last night. Why is that? Who’s fault is that? Personally, if I own a team and my coach says the players were not ready to play, then I point the finger at the coach big time. Is it not for the most part the coach’s responsibility to make sure the team is prepared and ready to play? The rubbish and jargon that is spewed out unchallenged afer every game is amazing.
Dan, I have always wondered why questions aren’t asked. It has been my contention that anything worth while will hold up to scrutiny…perhaps that is the problem here. As a writer, it would introduce so much more to write about…wouldn’t it. Today I was called negative by a good friend of mine and I corrected him and suggested I am merely honest and candid. This team isn’t very good. In spite of the teams efforts (and those of Brown and Potvin) to the contrary, there are too many who are not (or borderline) NHLers (Condra, Butler, Greening, Obrien, Konopka, Carkner, Daisey the Air Rifle…and the list goes on). The team is simply playing up or down to their skill level but now made worse by playing poorly as well. Too much standing around and damn it is awfully boring. The last 7 and perhpas 10 games Karlsson looks cavalier in his own end. I wonder if this is acceptable with the coach. I suspect it is because he plays the same way game in and game out. That is the problem with a one dimensional and soft defenceman…if the points don’t come, his contrubution’s very little. He wont punish players with a body check. He wont go into the corners to retrieve a puck. He wont block shots. I still say something is wrong with Milan…he is not the same guy. Obrien hasn’t changed his play at all, he is still an awful hockey player. In spite of all the celebration, Condra isn’t fast, doesn’t posses a hard shot, is very soft, not very big and neither is he creative. Butler finally ran out of his free ride. Greening is big but is better suited for a friendly family oriented skills competition than he is for the NHL. Poor Carkner can be victimized because of his lack of mobility and foot speed…same with Cowen. Why not ask why Andre Peterson isn’t up and playinmg alongside Spezza and Michalek? I like Maclean but he is going to have to do more than crack a joke to fix this problem. I don’t know what the Assistant Coaches do or who looks after what but…are they satisified? Who owns what out there? What does the team work on with all this extra time on their hands? Maclean should be embarrassed offering “the team wasn’t ready” to the media. You are right Dan, it is his job to see that they damn well are ready.
So Elliott was getting booted out of town last year, and everyone on here was kicking him in the butt and telling him not to let the door hit him in the @$$ on the way out, no one was giving him much of a chance, now he is a
deserving All Star, and probably a playoff performer.
Next up, another one of the “BAD BOYS” that they blew out of Ottawa last year.
Don’t look now but I think he will be a playoff performer too.
Go get them Fish, show them that they made a huge mistake.
Another loss, probably another one tomorrow and maybe one Saturday.
Anyone remember Murray throwing the word “accountability” as if it were a hot potato a few years ago?
Karlsson heinously throws the puck away from himself and it ends in his own net and he still plays 30+ minutes.
Konopka mindlessly drops the gloves…why? There was no momentum gained and plenty lost and he still plays.
This team is terrible to watch. I would not blame Spezza one iota if he wanted to play elsewhere after his current contract is up. Having to play with third liners like Greening, Condra, Smith, Daugavins, Konopka, Neil and second liners like Turris…yikes. I’m still waiting for Moses, I mean Murray to return from the mount to tell us how this team will get home ice and win four playoff rounds. I guess you guys or the other paper could ask him if you weren’t terrified of asking a hard question. Oh, Zibanejad the next Mike Fisher is the answer. So is Szilverburger, the meat-free burger. I’m literally hopping with anticipation waiting for their debut, or rather repeat debut as Zibanejad looked completely lost in his nine-game stint. Of course we are supposed to believe a guy like Stone is going to fill the net at the NHL level when he isn’t doing ot at the AHL level. Ok.
We are going to finish in 9th-10th it looks like with no real change in the future. I laugh when I hear Garry Galley say that if you lose people lose their jobs. Not here in Ottawa you don’t, you get a new contract and are called the best in the business.
Still waiting for a playoff round won, let alone three…
Dan you know what? You are right. After each loss the press should dig deep, deep, deep into why every player had a bad game. They should contest every comment by the coach because that is what every other reporter in every other sport does.
Bruce, how can I get in contact with the Sun head honchos? I need to file a formal complaint as to why you don’t get into an argument after each Sens loss like every other reporter in every other sport does.
Doesn’t matter that you are a journalist who could have taken any number of paths, since you ended up in the sports section and are obviously a sports fan you know more about pro hockey than any coach or GM.
Oh, and please make sure to ask Mark Stone why he isn’t lighting up the AHL and don’t take any BS if he tries his old, “Well, I play in the WHL…you know…the junior league…”
Cripes – Karlsson plays 25 minutes a game because HE LEADS THE LEAGUE IN D POINTS. No doubt we should trade all of our players and prospects for Crosby, Ovechkin, Kessel (see that Kevin?), Weber, Doughty, Price, Giroux, Malkin, Letang, etc…just snap your fingers boys and get us all the best friggin players in the league.
Maybe you play too much NHL12, GM mode. Get real man…you really think you just shape your team any which way you want because you want better players? I’m pretty sure every other GM wants to upgrade too.
And by the way – much like Chokerlover who has a perverse addiction to this site when the Sens lose I don’t see Pierre around here too much when the Sens win. I guess the coach and GM do everything right when they win 12 of 14?
Actually my comment was directed at Pierre not you Dan although the same almost applies.
Pierre,
Zibanejad looked lost? Perhaps that’s because he’s 18. Not all 18 year old step immediately into the NHL. Stone in the AHL? He’s still in the WHL.
Some people will never be happy. When the Sen’s win, they complain we will make the playoffs, lose in the first round, and not get a good draft pick. Obviously if the Sen’s make the playoffs, then the rebuild is going ttoo fast. We can’t have that. Now if the Sen’s start losing a few, Murray is obvobviuosly to blame and should be fired.
Oops, very bad spelling.
OD, apology accepted but seriously, if your coach said your team was not ready to play, would you not think that perhaps your coach is not doing his job?
OD99, I was told by Mike 444 to get lost, so I did, but I found my way back, and just in time to tell you what a sorry team you are cheering for.
Man I hope The Fish rips it up tonight. Love nothing more than to see the man who was called “one of the bad boys” come back and show you that he was really “one of the good boys”
I must admit, I was pretty nervous about your team and how well they were doing, up until New Years, now they are flopping back to earth and everything is falling into place.
I see Murray says he won’t be a buyer at the trade deadline. Your barely out of the playoffs and a lot of time, eighth place teams make a lot of noise in the playoffs, but I think they’d rather lose than spend money. Good call, as long as you have Brian Murray as your leader, don’t expect a competitive attitude.
He’s taken them from first to soon to be worst, and guys like you will cheer him on because you’ll get a chance at drafting another Russian with attitude
I’m surprised mine wasn’t much worse…I wrote after quite a few too many and about 2:30 in the AM…sorry for being so aggressive. I am obviously frustrated with current Sens play and when the negative crew get going it makes it even worse.
In NY and off to see the Rangers play the Lightning tonight with a client and his kid.
Can’t believe it but found 3 tix in the corner, 20 rows up for $67 each…I am sure they are close to $300 face value – first time going to MSG and hoping for a good game.
Also hoping to hear that our Sens at least put in a good effort and hopefully get back in the W column again…
You are absolutely right Mikey! No duut abuut it. Some people will never be happy. I remember being happy. Yes…yes, yes, yes. Ottawa was perennially at the top of the standings. Every year they posted fantastic statistics (goals, assists, wins, hits, plus/minus etc.). The often scored 6 goals a game and we enjoyed free cardboard some call pizza. It was a magic time and I was entertained…then, Murray arrived. He quicly hired his nephew who had a wonderful reputation for…..being hired by Brian in a different gig. We were force fed players like: Lapointe (we were told he was here for leadership? It couldn’t have been his scoring, he had all of 3), Robitaille (found him floundering in a gulag in Northern Siberia as no team in the NHL wanted him), Richardson (38 years old and sat half the time in the press box the previous 2 years), Smith (too EZ and I would probably get myself in trouble), Winchester (it amazes that he has signed two contracts with Ottawa and the first one was a one way..why), Bell (small/soft D and a bona fide AHLer), Campoli (small/soft D), Comrie (a pylon is bigger, more physical and faster), Stillman (see Comrie), Commodore (love the group, hate the hockey player…h e i s v e r y s l o w), Leclaire (brittle, lousy and after watching him in Central Park…he wierd), Sutton (man mountain but like Commodore he is very slow; he connects every time on the 100 attempt at a body check), Cullen (not a bad hockey player but older and like Sutten, he never intended to resign with Ottawa), Kovalev (arrogant, old, slow, tempermental and a cancer), Gonchar (another soft defenceman but older, slow and like many before him Ottawa will be his last gig), Kuba (another older, slow and very soft but big defenceman), Wiercoch (yet another offensivley minded, soft D), Gryba (simply a bum), Butler (making more money than Smith…go figure), Greening (making more money than Smith…go figure) and I can go on and on and…I am not going to mention the Coaches: Paddock, Murray, Hartsburg, Clouston (an embarrassment really), Maclean. I am not gong to mention all the A/Coaches that included: Audio Visual guys, friends of goaltenders, strength and conditioning specialists, friends of the owner. Yes, like Bob Seager, I remember, I remember, I remember. I officially gone through the 4 stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. I accept what they are…but I don’t have to like it!
Well you know that things are not going well when “the voice of reason” makes an appearance. Visitor, I hope you didn’t hurt yourself too badly falling off that bandwagon.
Let me get this straight, your idea of a proper course in Year 1 of a rebuild is to get rid of Karlsson, Zibanejad, Silverberg, Stone and any other prospects for a bunch of rentals so that Ottawa can make the playoffs. And should they make it to the Cup finals you’ll support them and call off your fan boycott.
It’s because of people like you that I have concerns about this team being able to do a rebuild like Edmonton, who I believe will be quite good in a couple years. Edmonton has a loyal fanbase, Ottawa does not have enough of one.
Bobby,
You mentioned in an earlier post that this blog is dying. I believe that’s so because it’s not a place for senator fans, I mean the young ones. Sometimes I feel like I’m attending a “home” game against the habs or the leafs.
I’m guessing that people like yourself, Visitor and Daniel belong to a certain demographic, an older one. That means that your first team was not Ottawa. This is the case with many “senator” fans, who are really bandwagon fans. The franchise has to survive till the younger senator fans, whose first and only team is Ottawa, come of age.
Too soon smart…too late wise.
Nothing gets past you Dennis. What gave my age away? Was it when I suggested the Blackhawks were my team because I loved watching Bobby Hull? Man oh man…you quick! There are fans who don’t have a clue what the game is about…and that is great! There are fanatical fans who are loyal to the Franchise and jealously defend any and all decisions/players etc. There are some who, like you suggested, are bandwagon fans. I am a member of a fraternity that will always cheer for the Sens but have a very hard time with what the GM has done. I cannot watch and enjoy bums play even though they are members of my team. I am a fan of hockey first. You are a fan of the Senators organization first. I watch many games (I have no life) and truly enjoy them, especially Pittsburg, Chicago, Boston, Colorado, Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto. I love speed, contact, courage, effort and skill. You, like many others, blindly accept all that has gone on here in Ottawa under Murray’s watch. I always want what is best for the franchise. I love my Senators so much and so much more than you and thoaw like you, that I will subject myself to criticism for voicing my concerns. You love them so much you will cheer and celebrate utter failure. Since Ottawa came into the league I have been a fan (20 years). The Ottawa Senators are in the entertainment business and for the last five years I haven’t been entertained. If a teacher wasn’t educating your child you most certainly would have words with him/her because you care so much. You see Dennis, I care a hell of lot more about the Ottawa Senators than you do and because of it, I’m will express my displeasure. In a way you are lucky; the team can lose 5 nothing and it may never bother you. You accept and celebrate anything and everything, prove positive that ignorance is bliss (but if ignorance is bliss…is it foly to be wise? And this makes me old?
The Sens won tonight…fabulous! They won because a hockey player was in on 3 goals, scoring two himself. I celebrated Spezza but I couldn’t share the same enthusiasm for the play of: Dagauvins, Butler (is it 45 games now and scoring only 5 with 2 in one game), Greening (the guy Don thinks creats opportunities for Spezza?),Gonchar, Cowen, Lee, Kuba, Foligno and Obrien (he may be as bad as Daisey the Air Rifle). I am so old I want better…guilty as charged!
Bobby,
Your post is the reason why we can’t have an intelligent discussion: you see everything as “black” and “white” and I don’t. According to you, I agree with everything Murray says or does blindly, even though I’ve posted to the contrary many times. But since I disagree with you that everything he does is not completely wrong, you can’t understand me and need to compartmentalize me.
You seem to instantaneously put players and people into the “good” and “bad” categories, for only reasons you seem to understand, but certainly not based on facts. For example, since you hate Karlsson, you started the propaganda that coaches were being forced to play him so much (yes, and the players on the ice are being forced to pass the puck to him too). You and Visitor seem to revel in gossip, rumour and conjecture.
Then there’s’ the arrogance of thinking only you know anything about hockey. Who are you to judge that?
I’m not on here very often, but I’ll always to try to judge everything based on a balanced approach (at least, according to me) even though you’ll only see my posts the way you want to see them.
Correction Dennis and let be clear, because obviously I haven’t been, I don’t hate anybody! Read it out loud Dennis! I have said often that “Karlsson is incredibly talented! I But I also said often that “I never liked slight, soft, scared and one dimensional D men”. Sound familiar? I went on to suggest that “other players in the league would love to play against Karlie”. I love diaglogue. “Arrogance that I only know hockey”…where did you get that idea Dennis? Hell, there are many here who know hockey: Yourself, David, the old men, Kevin, Nancy (where are you), Choke, Mikey, Pav and many more. Please reference a post where I might have made that insinuation (and if I did, realize its only me and my self “defacating” style). I will concede that I have often said I don’t buy the propoganda and I truly believe it flows like the Deschense Rapids. How else might you explain the hype we witnessed for Daisey the Air Rifle, Butler, Da Costa (Adam Oates-like), the Allstar Greening, the “hockey player” Condra, the super saturation of Alfredsson and his elevation to God-like status and I can go on and on. Hey, its great for most, just not me and I will make my own mind up who is good or bad. Intrestingly enough, I had issues with Daisey playing and Smith sitting…I will voice my displeasure. It’s must be an age thing Dennis. What else but propoganda can you explain Brown and Potvin (I believe they are both paid by the Senators) gushing over Butler because he made a pass to Philips? I favor those who will point out the bad with the good. I favor honesty and candor. I favor decisions made “that put the teqam in the best position to win games and entertain”; I think I have said that before as well. I have qualified my issues with Greening and say he could be a good 3rd or 4th line guy if he was phisical and used his speed. I don’t like him with Spezza and he doesn’t help defencively (he is -7). Spezza is -1 and Michalek is -7. I have itemized why I like Smith but the propganda machinery loves Foligno. Smith has 13 goals on the 3rd line and Foligno has 12 playing with stars! Smith is +4 and Foligno is -4. I said that Cowen’s only asset was his size and although he has registered a lot of hits, I do not see any thundering body checks like we see from Phaneuf, Emelin, Kronwall. He get victimized by speedy forwards (it will be interesting to see how he fairs today). I have said Konopka is crap and a liability. He is very selective who he fights and he fights when it is not needed. 168 minutes in penalties doesn’t turn my crank and he often takes silly penalties; but he knows what keeps him in the NHL I guess and he is good for a quote or two. Gossip, rumour and conjecture…what? I don’t know what you are talking about. BTW: I have often disagreed with V. I don’t rely on rumour, gossip and concecture…I make up my own mind and only offer what I think and I’m don’t really care if an approach is balanced or not…I want to know what…
We all have our opinions and while I believe there is really only one troll on this board – ChokerLover – there are people who post somewhat regularly and post mainly negative comments. I do not include Bobby in that group.
One thing I would like to add from the debate Bobby and Dennis are having is the reference to the “propaganda machine”. I have never quite figured out what that is but I assume it is Team1200 and the Sun? I really don’t recall too much stuff about Winchester other than all the media and all the teams fighting over signing him out of college – same for Butler and DaCosta (Bobby the Oates comment was made when Murray was asked who he may play like and it barely made a ripple other than as a quick sound-bite).
But it isn’t even where the propaganda comes from that gets me during our discussions it is that when we don’t agree on a player or a move or whatever some decide that only reason someone could have a differing opinion is because they just follow whatever someone in a paper or on TV or radio says. Almost like it isn’t possible for anyone to have an opinion of their own outside of a few “true” hockey fans.
I just want the right to be wrong based on forming my own opinion from watching games and using what I believe to be some hockey knowledge
Daniel,
This is going to be political only because I think there has to be some middle ground. The season is 82 games and the team won’t be prepared each and every game – to me that is just a fact of life. I know I am not perfect at work each day and I don’t expect these guys to be.
But yes as a very direct answer I would have to say the coach is responsible for making sure the players are as prepared as they can be.
OD, I respectively disagree. I know many who really believe that Butler, Condra and Greening are much more that what they are! Foligno is over rated. Wieroch was promoted as a can’t miss. Da Costa was promoted as a 2nd line center. Gryba was mentioned often by Tim Murray last year. Brown, Wilson and Potvin (I believe all paid by the Ottawa Senators) take every opportunity to pump up the volume. Potvin is probably the worst offender. 1200 on the dial are brutal for it and it doesn’t matter when you tune in. York is too much both with his articles and interviews. Ian Menzies I think is great! Greening actually went to the Allstar game!! Perhaps it is simply semantics Dave, but I call it progoganda.
Dan, I kow you are being facitious with the fatigue thing. But, I agree with you. I can remember as a kid playing Junior and Senior hockey; I couldn’t get enough (games or ice-timetime). Playing games and tournaments God knows how many times we were on the ice in the course of a year and it went on for years. I know guys who kept it up long after competitive hockey and played as many as 130 games a year and they weren’t young kids! Lets call a spade a spade here, the average NHLer plays 15-18 minutes a game and they are professional athletes. Their bodies are built for it (the physicality aside). Professional (doctors/trainers) help them with their fitness and their diet. Sure they can get tired but suck it up boys. As an IT sales guy, I am on the road often. I see construction all the time. Often I can find men who look to be in their 50s doing physical work in the extreme cold and heat. They get up every day and go to work with activity that tests their strength, stamina and their will. These guys (young and old) are not professional athletes. Most of them don’t have a choice, they have to go to work…period. I wonder if they suffer from fatigue. One more thing. I keep hearing across the league (Ottawa isn’t the only culprit) how a hockey player making outstanding contributions to their community. Again, lets please put this in perspective. If a multi-millionaire is asked to promote a particular cause and their involvement gives this cause more publicity, I say great! But I know several ordinary citizens who do so much more and get NO recognition. One in particular suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD). This lady offers her time, tells her story to help: The Royal Ottawa, You know Who I Am Foundation, DIFD, The Sens Foundation, Rogers House, The Dragon Boat Race and many others. She and others like her are far more worthy of recognition…but they don’t ask for it and they will never get it. It shouldn’t but it offends me to hear the media fumble over eachother to drown athletes in Adulation. I would like to quantify the time these guys “volunteer” compared to the real people who make these organizations tick. Afterall, they are just hockey players!
Hey Bobby,
Count me in the group that thinks that Butler is much more valuable than he has show so far this year. I don’t think that is a secret but I don’t hold that belief because of anything I have read or heard from the media or the Sens org. I believe that from what I saw in the 2 games he played at the end of the season 2 years ago, his play after his second call-up last year (plus his play in Bingo). It isn’t his speed or shot but to me he has the intangible that a goal scorer has of being around the net at the right time. Tough conversation this year as he just hasn’t produced (except the little run of 2 games now) but I think he got set back in training camp and never found his stride. If he can finish this season like he did last year all fans should be ecstatic. Like I said though, if I am wrong I am wrong because I formed my opinion based on his play, not by anything anybody else wrote or said.
I think we have a difference of opinion on media overall though. I don’t know of too much about Greening being pumped up – he is what he is, a big guy with some speed but who doesn’t use either gifts well enough. The fact he made the rookie All-Stars probably has something to do with him being a Sen but as far as rookies goes, he deserved to be there. He is 7th in rookie scoring.
All of the guys you mention to me have had passing comments about them and that is due to the fact that the season is extremely long and the off-season seems even longer (to me anyway!) so the media have to write about something – why not write about the new guys and how they might fit in?
For what it is worth, I do think DaCosta has potential as well…I liked his style and vision….but I do hope that Petersson gets a shot again as well. He has probably been one of the few Sens farm hands to get called up and be noticeable right away, even though he only got 6 mins or so…
In general I think I believe most people don’t put too much stock in what they read or hear so I don’t see this conspiracy (for lack of a better word) like you do. Same goes for promoting what the players do – sure we hear about Philips and Alfie (and Fisher and Redden back in the day) but I bet every guy on the team does some stuff and I don’t think it is so we can say, “WOW! Those guys are awesome” but no doubt it does help from a marketing perspective to show that the team of millionaires does actually contribute to the community outside of playing in the NHL. In fact, I think it is expected and we would be appalled if they didn’t.
On another angle – as great as the service your friend provides is (and she is to be commended) I really doubt that she could lift the spirits of a youth in this area as easily or dramatically as a visit from an Ottawa Senator when they do their CHEO stuff. It is valuable as you say but I don’t think it is disingenuous.
Dave, some say Butler is playing well…its not what I see. He has some points but he aint playing well. Like Greening, he couldn’t carry a puck past 2 lines. He is not physically strong. Nor, does he make plays. I see him missing chances, passes and not very strong on his feet. He has points because like Greening, he is on Spezza’s line and that is all. Goal scorers know how to find holes. They get the chances because they make the chances. When goal scorers aren’t scoring, I only get real concerned when they are not getting chances. I don’t see Butler doing that. He may turn out to be a goal scorer but I don’t see it happening. Greening, looks awful to me Dave. Last night he was terrible. How may points does he get when he doesn’t play with Spezza? I will answer, none. Lets forget that question…what does he do on any other line? He is invisible! I have NEVER seen his speed in a game. He is very uncomfortable with the puck on his stick. In fact, as soon as he gets the puck he looks to pass it and more than often, he loses it. He might make a decent 3rd or 4th liner, but only if he used his speed (which he is said to possess) and he got far more physical! Certainly a celebrity has the power, what I am saying we need not gush over them because they are “asked” to represent a cause and they do so. The media imply they “do so much for the community”! Lets put that into perspective. They get the visibility becausse they are in the public eye because it serves the organization well! They do a minimal amount and that is all. While I think it is admirable, by comparison, the people who work all day in the real world and “voluntarily” volunteer their time every week are the true heroes and the real ones to be commended. To the hockey players I say good but to people like my Sandy I say God Bless You! You and those like you are Saints.