What the hell is wrong in Ottawa?

hemlock wrote:I'm ready to go into hibernation until draft day.

Neely4Life wrote:

asq2 wrote:Honestly? On a competitive team, Bell is a 7th defenceman.

On our team, he's out there with the goalie pulled.

That speaks volumes IMO.

We got to the finals with Priesing as our 6th D man, no reason Bell couldnt play that exact same role on a competitive team. I like what Bell brings as a depth D man, even as a 7th guy its not a bad guy to have.

But yes, I agree, Bell as the go to guy back there is upsetting.

asq2 wrote:

hemlock wrote:I'm ready to go into hibernation until draft day.

My reasons for watching this team:

1. Spezza
2. Elliott
3. Winchester and Foligno

That's pretty much the extent of it. Maybe Volchenkov, too.

It's not that they're losing, it's that they're losing and boring.

asq2 wrote:The jealous part of me wants to see the exciting Bingo players like Regin and Zubov up at the end of the season, the other part wants to see Bingo go on a good playoff run.

SensGirl11 wrote:I'm very excited to see how Elliott is going to do in all of our games this week. Could he stay as our Number 1 this season?

I liked the looks of him in the Rangers game, very solid. Let's see what he can do this week. I'm not expecting him to change our season around or anything, I just want to see if he's ready to be full-time number 1 next season.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:I'm very excited to see how Elliott is going to do in all of our games this week. Could he stay as our Number 1 this season?

I liked the looks of him in the Rangers game, very solid. Let's see what he can do this week. I'm not expecting him to change our season around or anything, I just want to see if he's ready to be full-time number 1 next season.

I think the team at least has to generate some excitement for the last half of the season, whether the playoffs are in the cards or not. Calling up Elliott is a step in the right direction. Making further changes to this lethargic product is imperative as well.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I know it's been said that Ottawa can't sustain a prolonged slump but I'm not convinced that a re-build would send attendance into a tailspin that Melnyk can't afford. I'm not convinced attendance will cave in along with the Season Ticket base. It certainly could happen but I will wait and hope that Melnyk doesn't try to force some moves that do little to help us become a contender with his mind solely on attendance figures.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I know it's been said that Ottawa can't sustain a prolonged slump but I'm not convinced that a re-build would send attendance into a tailspin that Melnyk can't afford. I'm not convinced attendance will cave in along with the Season Ticket base. It certainly could happen but I will wait and hope that Melnyk doesn't try to force some moves that do little to help us become a contender with his mind solely on attendance figures.

Are you convinced that Melnyk would be on board with a re-build and the inherent mediocrity that comes with it while he spends to the cap and pays for buyouts and NHL salaries for AHL players?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I know it's been said that Ottawa can't sustain a prolonged slump but I'm not convinced that a re-build would send attendance into a tailspin that Melnyk can't afford. I'm not convinced attendance will cave in along with the Season Ticket base. It certainly could happen but I will wait and hope that Melnyk doesn't try to force some moves that do little to help us become a contender with his mind solely on attendance figures.

Are you convinced that Melnyk would be on board with a re-build and the inherent mediocrity that comes with it while he spends to the cap and pays for buyouts and NHL salaries for AHL players?

He seems pretty content right now doesn't he? Next season there will be no Gerber on the books or otherwise, there will likely be no Kuba as well. Assuming a re-build means that salary out and picks and prospects in so NO he won't be spending to the Cap next year. And just so we're clear - He isn't spending to the Cap this year either.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I know it's been said that Ottawa can't sustain a prolonged slump but I'm not convinced that a re-build would send attendance into a tailspin that Melnyk can't afford. I'm not convinced attendance will cave in along with the Season Ticket base. It certainly could happen but I will wait and hope that Melnyk doesn't try to force some moves that do little to help us become a contender with his mind solely on attendance figures.

Are you convinced that Melnyk would be on board with a re-build and the inherent mediocrity that comes with it while he spends to the cap and pays for buyouts and NHL salaries for AHL players?