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http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/columnists/don_brennan/2009/09/13/10881771.html
This isn't the full article that I am posting, just the part about training camp, we've heard enough from the punk, so let's get back to our team.
“We’re looking to the future and that’s behind us.”
No. 27 on 1927
W Alex Kovalev expressed some excitement in starting his 18th NHL training camp.
“There’s nothing better than winning the Stanley Cup,” said the former Hab, who inherits the Senators’ No. 27 jersey previously worn by the likes of Randy Robitaille, Peter Schaefer, Todd Simpson, Dennis Bonvie, Ricard Persson and Janne Laukkanen. “When’s the last time this team won the Stanley Cup? ’27? I remember how exciting it was winning the Stanley Cup in New York after 54 years. Imagine how exciting it would be after ... I can’t even count. I’m really looking forward and want to be successful with this team.”
Kovalev didn’t waste time in speaking his mind on the ice conditions at Scotiabank Place. Asked how he felt after his first practice with his new team, he said: “Pretty good, but the ice wasn’t as good as we expected. That’s what usually happens the first few practices, so I’m sure every day it’s going to get better. The way I look at it, we did good on bad ice and we’re going to do really good on good ice.
“Overall it’s going to be important the next few days to skate and get in game shape. Games are coming up really quick. I feel pretty good.”
When asked about his goals and proving himself in the upcoming season, Kovalev quipped: “I’ve been pro-rating myself for 17 years. I have nothing else to prove. I’m just going to come out and do my best and help the team.”
Lining up
The most popular word at SBP yesterday was “depth,” as it appears the Senators now have some up front. The additions of Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo gives them eight forwards (the two former Sharks, plus Alfredsson, Kovalev, Jason Spezza, Mike Fisher, Nick Foligno and Ryan Shannon) who are used to top-two line ice time.
“We did that a little bit (Saturday night),” Clouston smiled when asked about fiddling with line combinations. “Until they get here and put them in practices ... camp is time for a little bit of experimentation. You have a couple of young guys that may not be with us in a few days, so the lines aren’t going to be carved in stone right now.
“Over the next four or five days and going in to next week, we’ll definitely try to solidify some lines and create some chemistry.”
Foligno, who is listed on the depth chart at centre, was skating with Spezza and Alfredsson. It’s a spot he’d like to reserve.
“I’m not going to read too much into that, but I want to be in that rank,” he said. “We’ll see how it plays out in training camp, but I want to be considered in that mix. It was fun to skate with those guys.”
Still a hit
If the first day of camp was any indication, D Anton Volchenkov has been itching for some body contact. He caught Kovalev with a check that put his fellow Russian on the ice during the afternoon drills.
“He knocked me over once, too,” said Phillips. “I wasn’t expecting it.”
Sounds like A-train is raring to go!!
He might want to watch his hits on those guys though especially with the ice not being great at the moment.
Foligno will get a chance to play with the big boys, now, is it going to remain that way? It's possible. Only problem there is that one of our acquisitions would be on the 3rd line since none of them are centers. I did however hear that they might try Cheechoo at 2nd line center. We shall see what comes of it.
The guys sound so excited for the season and they seem to have a renewed confidence after "the one that shall not be named" got dealt.
Boyle is very high on Michalek and says that he only has room to get better.
Boyle says folks in these parts may not fully realize what the Senators are getting in Michalek, who will make an average of $4.33 million (all terms US) over the next five seasons.
“Milan is 24 years old, and I think the world of this kid,” said Boyle, who’s beginning his second season with the Sharks. “I think he’s going to be a really good hockey player. He’s got his best days ahead of him. I don’t know if there are too many faster guys in the league than Milan. He’s going to surprise a lot of people. He’s going to impress a lot of people.”
The sixth overall pick in the 2003 draft has 91 goals and 214 points in his first 317 NHL games. He also has what it takes to become an elite goal scorer, Boyle figures.
“I think so,” said one of the NHL’s top defenceman. “He’s got a great shot. It’s just a matter of creating a line around him, or with him, that will allow him to do his thing. I think he’s right there. He’s knocking at the door. He’s so fast and he’s so skilled ... again, he’s only 24 years old, so he’s got some pretty good years ahead of him.”
On Cheechoo
Boyle wouldn’t be surprised if Cheechoo, a $3-million player each of the next two seasons, rediscovers his scoring touch with the Senators.
After potting 56 goals as Joe Thornton’s winger in 2005-06, Cheechoo’s career was derailed by sports hernias. He has just 72 goals in 211 games over three seasons since.
“He’s done it,” said Boyle. “He’s been battling some injuries the last couple of years and that’s kind of slowed him down a little bit, but I think if you get him with some guys that are going to set him up, he’s got a great shot, he can put the puck in the net. I’ve been skating with him the last couple of weeks and he looks like he’s put himself in pretty good shape this year, so it’s just a matter of getting through the injury bug for him.”
I think we have good reason to be excited for this upcoming season, I'm not talking about fighting for the Cup, but I do believe that we can get further into the playoffs with the depth we have. Clouston sounds more excited than anyone about this depth, and he's a fantastic coach that I believe will make the best out of this.
Excited yet? I am!!!!!!!!
This isn't the full article that I am posting, just the part about training camp, we've heard enough from the punk, so let's get back to our team.
“We’re looking to the future and that’s behind us.”
No. 27 on 1927
W Alex Kovalev expressed some excitement in starting his 18th NHL training camp.
“There’s nothing better than winning the Stanley Cup,” said the former Hab, who inherits the Senators’ No. 27 jersey previously worn by the likes of Randy Robitaille, Peter Schaefer, Todd Simpson, Dennis Bonvie, Ricard Persson and Janne Laukkanen. “When’s the last time this team won the Stanley Cup? ’27? I remember how exciting it was winning the Stanley Cup in New York after 54 years. Imagine how exciting it would be after ... I can’t even count. I’m really looking forward and want to be successful with this team.”
Kovalev didn’t waste time in speaking his mind on the ice conditions at Scotiabank Place. Asked how he felt after his first practice with his new team, he said: “Pretty good, but the ice wasn’t as good as we expected. That’s what usually happens the first few practices, so I’m sure every day it’s going to get better. The way I look at it, we did good on bad ice and we’re going to do really good on good ice.
“Overall it’s going to be important the next few days to skate and get in game shape. Games are coming up really quick. I feel pretty good.”
When asked about his goals and proving himself in the upcoming season, Kovalev quipped: “I’ve been pro-rating myself for 17 years. I have nothing else to prove. I’m just going to come out and do my best and help the team.”
Lining up
The most popular word at SBP yesterday was “depth,” as it appears the Senators now have some up front. The additions of Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo gives them eight forwards (the two former Sharks, plus Alfredsson, Kovalev, Jason Spezza, Mike Fisher, Nick Foligno and Ryan Shannon) who are used to top-two line ice time.
“We did that a little bit (Saturday night),” Clouston smiled when asked about fiddling with line combinations. “Until they get here and put them in practices ... camp is time for a little bit of experimentation. You have a couple of young guys that may not be with us in a few days, so the lines aren’t going to be carved in stone right now.
“Over the next four or five days and going in to next week, we’ll definitely try to solidify some lines and create some chemistry.”
Foligno, who is listed on the depth chart at centre, was skating with Spezza and Alfredsson. It’s a spot he’d like to reserve.
“I’m not going to read too much into that, but I want to be in that rank,” he said. “We’ll see how it plays out in training camp, but I want to be considered in that mix. It was fun to skate with those guys.”
Still a hit
If the first day of camp was any indication, D Anton Volchenkov has been itching for some body contact. He caught Kovalev with a check that put his fellow Russian on the ice during the afternoon drills.
“He knocked me over once, too,” said Phillips. “I wasn’t expecting it.”
Sounds like A-train is raring to go!!
He might want to watch his hits on those guys though especially with the ice not being great at the moment. Foligno will get a chance to play with the big boys, now, is it going to remain that way? It's possible. Only problem there is that one of our acquisitions would be on the 3rd line since none of them are centers. I did however hear that they might try Cheechoo at 2nd line center. We shall see what comes of it.
The guys sound so excited for the season and they seem to have a renewed confidence after "the one that shall not be named" got dealt.
Boyle is very high on Michalek and says that he only has room to get better.
Boyle says folks in these parts may not fully realize what the Senators are getting in Michalek, who will make an average of $4.33 million (all terms US) over the next five seasons.
“Milan is 24 years old, and I think the world of this kid,” said Boyle, who’s beginning his second season with the Sharks. “I think he’s going to be a really good hockey player. He’s got his best days ahead of him. I don’t know if there are too many faster guys in the league than Milan. He’s going to surprise a lot of people. He’s going to impress a lot of people.”
The sixth overall pick in the 2003 draft has 91 goals and 214 points in his first 317 NHL games. He also has what it takes to become an elite goal scorer, Boyle figures.
“I think so,” said one of the NHL’s top defenceman. “He’s got a great shot. It’s just a matter of creating a line around him, or with him, that will allow him to do his thing. I think he’s right there. He’s knocking at the door. He’s so fast and he’s so skilled ... again, he’s only 24 years old, so he’s got some pretty good years ahead of him.”
On Cheechoo
Boyle wouldn’t be surprised if Cheechoo, a $3-million player each of the next two seasons, rediscovers his scoring touch with the Senators.
After potting 56 goals as Joe Thornton’s winger in 2005-06, Cheechoo’s career was derailed by sports hernias. He has just 72 goals in 211 games over three seasons since.
“He’s done it,” said Boyle. “He’s been battling some injuries the last couple of years and that’s kind of slowed him down a little bit, but I think if you get him with some guys that are going to set him up, he’s got a great shot, he can put the puck in the net. I’ve been skating with him the last couple of weeks and he looks like he’s put himself in pretty good shape this year, so it’s just a matter of getting through the injury bug for him.”
I think we have good reason to be excited for this upcoming season, I'm not talking about fighting for the Cup, but I do believe that we can get further into the playoffs with the depth we have. Clouston sounds more excited than anyone about this depth, and he's a fantastic coach that I believe will make the best out of this.
Excited yet? I am!!!!!!!!
