BLOG: Analyzing the Ottawa Senators - Part 1: Forwards

I thought I'd put the link here as well, so we can chat about it. There are already two really good comments over there - which I'll transfer over here.

http://gmhockey.sosblog.com/Blog-World-b1/Analyzing-the-Ottawa-Senators-Part-1-Forwards-b1-p5.htm#comments

BeerandSens reply:

Finally! Someone recognizes that the lack of second line scoring
*might* be a bigger problem on paper than on the ice, since we scored a
tonne of goals last year with only a slightly different line up.
Someone will have to step up, and a lot of us are hoping it's a young
gun. I'm probably alone here, but I hope Kelly can continue to improve
offensively. I believe he is one of the smartest players on the team
and has some untapped offensive potential based purely on his unique
combination of intelligence and effort. It will also depend on who his
linemates are, as he will play different roles throughout the course of
the season. We all know he doesn't have great hands though. I also
expect more out of Vermette when he gets more ice time. It should be
exciting...

Wprager's reply:

A little while back I did some similar projections/predictions (in the
"Could Murray be making a pitch for Gelinas" thread). I conservatively
projected he Sens to score 250+ goals. I agree with the assessment that
scoring will not be a problem.

A "sniper" for the second line, though, is something. Personally, I
would put Alfie in that position, move Fisher to the top-line wing, and
either Foligno or Zubov on the second line with Vermette and Alfie. I
also wouldn't mind *some* scoring potential on the third line, so
that's where I'd put Zubov/Foligno, and/or Winchester. I'd prefer team
defense over a single shut-down line. One line would be useful against
a team like Washington, but not so much against most other contending
teams.

Couple of other points:
1. I did not consider the effect that the new "team defense" system
will have on our scoring. Perhaps 250+ really was *not* a conservative
estimate.
2. That Neil, Ruutu, Bass line isn't a "dream" line; more like a "nightmare".

Cheers.

504Heater wrote:BeerandSens reply:

Finally! Someone recognizes that the lack of second line scoring
*might* be a bigger problem on paper than on the ice, since we scored a
tonne of goals last year with only a slightly different line up.
Someone will have to step up, and a lot of us are hoping it's a young
gun. I'm probably alone here, but I hope Kelly can continue to improve
offensively. I believe he is one of the smartest players on the team
and has some untapped offensive potential based purely on his unique
combination of intelligence and effort. It will also depend on who his
linemates are, as he will play different roles throughout the course of
the season. We all know he doesn't have great hands though. I also
expect more out of Vermette when he gets more ice time. It should be
exciting...

I agree with this pretty much 100%. Kelly has the ability to adjust to the top line or line 2 if and when needed. He can be a smart, 30 point guy who will bolster our third line.

As for Vermette. I wait with baited breath to see if he'll start putting up point on Fisher's wing (unless he continues to fester on line 3).

504Heater wrote:Wprager's reply:

A little while back I did some similar projections/predictions (in the
"Could Murray be making a pitch for Gelinas" thread). I conservatively
projected he Sens to score 250+ goals. I agree with the assessment that
scoring will not be a problem.

A "sniper" for the second line, though, is something. Personally, I
would put Alfie in that position, move Fisher to the top-line wing, and
either Foligno or Zubov on the second line with Vermette and Alfie. I
also wouldn't mind *some* scoring potential on the third line, so
that's where I'd put Zubov/Foligno, and/or Winchester. I'd prefer team
defense over a single shut-down line. One line would be useful against
a team like Washington, but not so much against most other contending
teams.

Couple of other points:
1. I did not consider the effect that the new "team defense" system
will have on our scoring. Perhaps 250+ really was *not* a conservative
estimate.
2. That Neil, Ruutu, Bass line isn't a "dream" line; more like a "nightmare".

Cheers.

:D I thought about calling it a nightmare line. It is.

As for 250, I think it's doable. But right now...we have very few D-men who can get the puck up to the forwards. That's a major issue. It'll be part of the defense blog next week.

504Heater wrote:

504Heater wrote:Wprager's reply:

A little while back I did some similar projections/predictions (in the
"Could Murray be making a pitch for Gelinas" thread). I conservatively
projected he Sens to score 250+ goals. I agree with the assessment that
scoring will not be a problem.

A "sniper" for the second line, though, is something. Personally, I
would put Alfie in that position, move Fisher to the top-line wing, and
either Foligno or Zubov on the second line with Vermette and Alfie. I
also wouldn't mind *some* scoring potential on the third line, so
that's where I'd put Zubov/Foligno, and/or Winchester. I'd prefer team
defense over a single shut-down line. One line would be useful against
a team like Washington, but not so much against most other contending
teams.

Couple of other points:
1. I did not consider the effect that the new "team defense" system
will have on our scoring. Perhaps 250+ really was *not* a conservative
estimate.
2. That Neil, Ruutu, Bass line isn't a "dream" line; more like a "nightmare".

Cheers.

:D I thought about calling it a nightmare line. It is.

As for 250, I think it's doable. But right now...we have very few D-men who can get the puck up to the forwards. That's a major issue. It'll be part of the defense blog next week.

Sweet! I can't wait to read the D blog Heater.

I'm hoping, on a side note, that I can manage to sneak some juicy news or rumor tidbits to pass along either over the weekend or early next week, because this dry spell is driving me NUTS!!!

Cronenbergfan wrote:

504Heater wrote:

504Heater wrote:Wprager's reply:

A little while back I did some similar projections/predictions (in the
"Could Murray be making a pitch for Gelinas" thread). I conservatively
projected he Sens to score 250+ goals. I agree with the assessment that
scoring will not be a problem.

A "sniper" for the second line, though, is something. Personally, I
would put Alfie in that position, move Fisher to the top-line wing, and
either Foligno or Zubov on the second line with Vermette and Alfie. I
also wouldn't mind *some* scoring potential on the third line, so
that's where I'd put Zubov/Foligno, and/or Winchester. I'd prefer team
defense over a single shut-down line. One line would be useful against
a team like Washington, but not so much against most other contending
teams.

Couple of other points:
1. I did not consider the effect that the new "team defense" system
will have on our scoring. Perhaps 250+ really was *not* a conservative
estimate.
2. That Neil, Ruutu, Bass line isn't a "dream" line; more like a "nightmare".

Cheers.

:D I thought about calling it a nightmare line. It is.

As for 250, I think it's doable. But right now...we have very few D-men who can get the puck up to the forwards. That's a major issue. It'll be part of the defense blog next week.

Sweet! I can't wait to read the D blog Heater.

I'm hoping, on a side note, that I can manage to sneak some juicy news or rumor tidbits to pass along either over the weekend or early next week, because this dry spell is driving me NUTS!!!

The well is so dry for rumours right now. The last one that sounded like it might happens was the Gaborik to Carolina one. Now there's precious little - which I think is silly, because you know by Sept. 1 there are gonna be teams and GMs that are panicing. I guess everyone's asking for way too much.

504Heater wrote:
The well is so dry for rumours right now. The last one that sounded like it might happens was the Gaborik to Carolina one. Now there's precious little - which I think is silly, because you know by Sept. 1 there are gonna be teams and GMs that are panicing. I guess everyone's asking for way too much.

The Meszaros situation needs to be resolved before Nurray does anything. Sakic's indecision is keeping Colorado from making any more decisions/moves. Toronto is waiting for September 1, when they pay McCabe off his bonus and can finally move him. And then there's Sundin who, reportedly, is keeping as many as six GMs in suspended animation. Throw in half a dozen or so teams that are over the cap as it is, and you have half the NHL unable or unwilling to do anything major.

Sundin's decision might start the domino effect.

wprager wrote:
The Meszaros situation needs to be resolved before Nurray does anything. Sakic's indecision is keeping Colorado from making any more decisions/moves. Toronto is waiting for September 1, when they pay McCabe off his bonus and can finally move him. And then there's Sundin who, reportedly, is keeping as many as six GMs in suspended animation. Throw in half a dozen or so teams that are over the cap as it is, and you have half the NHL unable or unwilling to do anything major.

Sundin's decision might start the domino effect.

There's alot of things to be resolved.

504Heater wrote:

504Heater wrote:Wprager's reply:

A little while back I did some similar projections/predictions (in the
"Could Murray be making a pitch for Gelinas" thread). I conservatively
projected he Sens to score 250+ goals. I agree with the assessment that
scoring will not be a problem.

A "sniper" for the second line, though, is something. Personally, I
would put Alfie in that position, move Fisher to the top-line wing, and
either Foligno or Zubov on the second line with Vermette and Alfie. I
also wouldn't mind *some* scoring potential on the third line, so
that's where I'd put Zubov/Foligno, and/or Winchester. I'd prefer team
defense over a single shut-down line. One line would be useful against
a team like Washington, but not so much against most other contending
teams.

Couple of other points:
1. I did not consider the effect that the new "team defense" system
will have on our scoring. Perhaps 250+ really was *not* a conservative
estimate.
2. That Neil, Ruutu, Bass line isn't a "dream" line; more like a "nightmare".

Cheers.

:D I thought about calling it a nightmare line. It is.

As for 250, I think it's doable. But right now...we have very few D-men who can get the puck up to the forwards. That's a major issue. It'll be part of the defense blog next week.

Is it possible to do a review of who Murray realistically could target as a top 6 forward either through trade or UFA. Myself I suspect it would be someone who hasnt been mentioned and may actually be part of the team beyond a year. Who though I am not sure.

Phoenix30 wrote:

504Heater wrote:

504Heater wrote:Wprager's reply:

A little while back I did some similar projections/predictions (in the
"Could Murray be making a pitch for Gelinas" thread). I conservatively
projected he Sens to score 250+ goals. I agree with the assessment that
scoring will not be a problem.

A "sniper" for the second line, though, is something. Personally, I
would put Alfie in that position, move Fisher to the top-line wing, and
either Foligno or Zubov on the second line with Vermette and Alfie. I
also wouldn't mind *some* scoring potential on the third line, so
that's where I'd put Zubov/Foligno, and/or Winchester. I'd prefer team
defense over a single shut-down line. One line would be useful against
a team like Washington, but not so much against most other contending
teams.

Couple of other points:
1. I did not consider the effect that the new "team defense" system
will have on our scoring. Perhaps 250+ really was *not* a conservative
estimate.
2. That Neil, Ruutu, Bass line isn't a "dream" line; more like a "nightmare".

Cheers.

:D I thought about calling it a nightmare line. It is.

As for 250, I think it's doable. But right now...we have very few D-men who can get the puck up to the forwards. That's a major issue. It'll be part of the defense blog next week.

Is it possible to do a review of who Murray realistically could target as a top 6 forward either through trade or UFA. Myself I suspect it would be someone who hasnt been mentioned and may actually be part of the team beyond a year. Who though I am not sure.

That's a good idea, I'll do that now.