GAME DAY: Atlanta Thrashers @ Ottawa Senators - 2:00pm ET - Sat. Oct. 31st, 2009; and post game thoughts

Spezza being out and the Sens struggling shows that we may have enough bodies around to fill out the roster but not nearly as much scoring depth as we thought. I know I know, it's still a little early to tell for sure. I do agree with SpezD, who said earlier, that we need to move Kovalev off of that top line and spread the offensive threats around a little.

I know some of you guys have been a little annoyed at the schedule, what with all the 3-4-5 day breaks early in the season, but have you seen their schedule from about November 22 onward? Its CRAZY! Seriously CRAZY! They don't stop playing all the way to the Olympic break. They have one 3 day break in that time period and five 2 day breaks. Meanwhile, they have 7 back-to-back games and six weeks where they play 4 games. They play 43 games in 85 nights after the 22nd of November. Thats some hardcore Dung.

The season pretty much kicks off after this Thursday anyways, so we'll be nice and satisfied while they'll be begging for the days of the 4 day layover.

It just seems to be par for the course every October for the Sens.

Gohan wrote:I know some of you guys have been a little annoyed at the schedule, what with all the 3-4-5 day breaks early in the season, but have you seen their schedule from about November 22 onward? Its CRAZY! Seriously CRAZY! They don't stop playing all the way to the Olympic break. They have one 3 day break in that time period and five 2 day breaks. Meanwhile, they have 7 back-to-back games and six weeks where they play 4 games. They play 43 games in 85 nights after the 22nd of November. Thats some hardcore Dung.

The season pretty much kicks off after this Thursday anyways, so we'll be nice and satisfied while they'll be begging for the days of the 4 day layover.

It will be important to carry a bigger roster, IMO. When Winchester is back I think they should keep a 23-man roster and cycle some of the guys through the press-box. There's not much risk of rust given the number of games they will be playing, and a night off now and again to rest and recoup those nagging injuries will, hopefully, lead to fewer longer-term injuries. Plus players coming off a healthy scratch situation tend to push just a little harder.

I think 23 is still a little high. If the team is winning the coach usually doesn't make changes so you could see the same group of guys stuck in the press box anyway.

As soon as Volchie is healthy, Lee goes down... There will be a 22 max and I can't decide whether I like having that many players at all times. There's an argument for it and an equally valid argument against it

It's time for Lee to diddle off completely - and it's time to get Winchester into the lineup. He 100% deserves it IMO, so...what's gonna happen?

I totally forgot about Karlsson being sent to Bingo. 22 isn't too bad. I'd prefer it if we had one extra D and one extra forward though instead of two extra forwards in this kind of scenario.

SpezDispenser wrote:It's time for Lee to diddle off completely - and it's time to get Winchester into the lineup. He 100% deserves it IMO, so...what's gonna happen?

Swirlings, I hope.

N4L wrote:Shannon, Donovan, and Cheechoo will be the 3 guys coming in and out of the lineup all year. Down in Bingo, I think the next call up on D will be Zack Smith if things continue like they are because Brian Lee brings absolutely nothing.

Derek A. Smith.

Wouldn't mind at all giving that guy a chance. 5 points in 10 games, 6'2", 200, so a nice size. Kinrade also caught my eye in DC and in pre-season. Brian Lee's in trouble me thinks.

Actually, the guy I really like is Schira, but I understand his game didn't translate well in Bingo - yet.

N4L wrote:Shannon, Donovan, and Cheechoo will be the 3 guys coming in and out of the lineup all year. Down in Bingo, I think the next call up on D will be Zack Smith if things continue like they are because Brian Lee brings absolutely nothing.

Are you discounting Winchester or are you saying he's on the roster once his conditioning stint it up, and then Smith is the next call up *in addition to* Winch?

wprager wrote:

N4L wrote:Shannon, Donovan, and Cheechoo will be the 3 guys coming in and out of the lineup all year. Down in Bingo, I think the next call up on D will be Zack Smith if things continue like they are because Brian Lee brings absolutely nothing.

Are you discounting Winchester or are you saying he's on the roster once his conditioning stint it up, and then Smith is the next call up *in addition to* Winch?

What he meant was Derek Smith, the D-man in Bingo, replacing Brian Lee - then one of the 3 of Shannon, Donovan and Cheechoo alternating sitting out. Where does that leave Winchester though?