POLL: Chris Neil

Chris Neil fits on our fourth line for about $900,000 maximum. I don't think our GM is the type to hand out $1.5 million dollars a year for a guy with 4 points this year. The guy peaked in 05-06 and has been on a massive downslide (imagine that considering his peak was at 33 points) since then. Did you also forget the fact that he "missed" 41 road games for the Senators last year?

I would have Neil on the third line and put him on the first unit PP in front of the net again. Tell him to stand in front of the net, let pucks hit you on the way in and or screen the goalie.

PKC wrote:Chris Neil fits on our fourth line for about $900,000 maximum. I don't think our GM is the type to hand out $1.5 million dollars a year for a guy with 4 points this year. The guy peaked in 05-06 and has been on a massive downslide (imagine that considering his peak was at 33 points) since then. Did you also forget the fact that he "missed" 41 road games for the Senators last year?

I completely forgot that actually. Thanks for reminding me of K Lee

I must be the only one who can't wait to see this Diddle bum leave.

I hope we don't have to over pay Neil but I think the Sen's need him. Sure, Bass can fight but he's not as good as Neil and can't take on the heavy weights. The Sen's get knocked around bad enough as is. If Neil leaves I shudder to think how bad it would get then. It's difficult to find guys who can play (and not be a complete liability like say... McGratton) and fight. In fact, I think we could use another Neil-like player on the team. The Sen's are soft as is. Without Neil Alfie and Spezza had better keep their head up at all times.

The obvious answer is to trade him at the deadline, period. That way you can at least get something for him. Then in the summer, if both he and the team choose to, he can re-sign here. If not, at least he gets a shot at a cup elsewhere, perhaps a more prominent role on a Western team?

504Heater wrote:For me, it's an absolute no-brainer. I'd go to him and offer him 1.5 X 3 years. If he's happy with that, he's a Sen, if not, I'm advising him to prepare for a trade.

I want to keep him though - and I want him at 1.5 - and I think I want him to have Phillip's or Heatley's A.

Yes, no I'm back to agreeing with you...

RobbyJ wrote:

504Heater wrote:For me, it's an absolute no-brainer. I'd go to him and offer him 1.5 X 3 years. If he's happy with that, he's a Sen, if not, I'm advising him to prepare for a trade.

I want to keep him though - and I want him at 1.5 - and I think I want him to have Phillip's or Heatley's A.

1.5 is another middling contract that will kill us longterm. Hopefully we get something of value at the trade deadline. If there's room, and he's available, sign him in the summer.

Was just about to post same. For $1.5M I want someone who will compete and get 10-15 goals. I don't care about heavyweights anymore (not that Chris ever was one). Neil is a popular player, but he's gotten too slow for the "new" NHL and you can't tell me he's worth $900K more than Donovan.

wprager wrote:
Was just about to post same. For $1.5M I want someone who will compete and get 10-15 goals. I don't care about heavyweights anymore (not that Chris ever was one). Neil is a popular player, but he's gotten too slow for the "new" NHL and you can't tell me he's worth $900K more than Donovan.

Uh...I would say he's worth Ruutu money personally. Just for the grit and fighting alone.

504Heater wrote:

PKC wrote:Trade this Diddle bum. What are you guys on about giving him the A???? Signing him for $1.5 million for 3 years?????? What ailments have fallen upon you to make your memory go so funny?

No way, he's the only one showing heart right now. He's fighting everyone, he's banging, crashing. He bleeds Sens' colours.

He's not a goal scorer and he finally gets that.

Fine, but then don't offer him money that could be used to get a goal scorer.

wprager wrote:

RobbyJ wrote:

504Heater wrote:For me, it's an absolute no-brainer. I'd go to him and offer him 1.5 X 3 years. If he's happy with that, he's a Sen, if not, I'm advising him to prepare for a trade.

I want to keep him though - and I want him at 1.5 - and I think I want him to have Phillip's or Heatley's A.

1.5 is another middling contract that will kill us longterm. Hopefully we get something of value at the trade deadline. If there's room, and he's available, sign him in the summer.

Was just about to post same. For $1.5M I want someone who will compete and get 10-15 goals. I don't care about heavyweights anymore (not that Chris ever was one). Neil is a popular player, but he's gotten too slow for the "new" NHL and you can't tell me he's worth $900K more than Donovan.

The thing is if you use Neil properly and stick him in front of the net on PP's he will net you 10 to 15 goals.

Ice Chips is saying that Heatley will be replaced (on the top PP unit) with either Fisher orNeil. There's his chance to play for that $$$$.

wprager wrote:Ice Chips is saying that Heatley will be replaced (on the top PP unit) with either Fisher orNeil. There's his chance to play for that $$$$.

Put Neil in there for sure. Like I've been saying ever since he was moved off the PP. Put that guy in front of the net!!!

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

wprager wrote:Ice Chips is saying that Heatley will be replaced (on the top PP unit) with either Fisher orNeil. There's his chance to play for that $$$$.

Put Neil in there for sure. Like I've been saying ever since he was moved off the PP. Put that guy in front of the net!!!

OK:
1. Neil in front of the net on the PP
2. Fisher to wing, Vermette to center on the 2nd line
3. Heatley to take some draws
4. Spezza to lug the puck instead of the D.

wprager wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

wprager wrote:Ice Chips is saying that Heatley will be replaced (on the top PP unit) with either Fisher orNeil. There's his chance to play for that $$$$.

Put Neil in there for sure. Like I've been saying ever since he was moved off the PP. Put that guy in front of the net!!!

OK:
1. Neil in front of the net on the PP
2. Fisher to wing, Vermette to center on the 2nd line
3. Heatley to take some draws
4. Spezza to lug the puck instead of the D.

So first unit PP is Kuba, Alfie, Fisher, Neil, Vermette??

No, Spezza's play recently deserves 1st unit time. Put Alfie on the 2nd and have Spezza play point on the 1st (yeah, scary, but ...) Make sure the 1st unit doesn't stay on for more than 45 seconds, 1 minute max, skating all out like in practice. Have the top unit play 2 shifts per PP (2nd shift overlaps some 5-5 time). Our shifts have gotten way too long, including on the PP. If you can't score, get off an let someone else try.

Also, if the puck is cleared change the forwards while the D-man retrieves the puck. The other team's surely changing, so you need to get fresh legs out there as well.

Geez, looking out my back yard we have a group of wild turkeys parading through the woods. Big birds. About 7-10 of them. But I just saw two huge birds up in the trees -- fairly tall cedars. Mr. Carlsson (WKRP) thought turkeys could fly, and I swear I just saw it myself. There goes another one. Flying a short distance, but still a good 20-30 feet above ground. Last year I saw them jump from our fence onto the trampoline (left it out all winter last year) and some of them flew almost all the way across the yard -- about 80 feet. They must have been in hiding since Thanksgiving and just came out recently

wprager wrote:No, Spezza's play recently deserves 1st unit time. Put Alfie on the 2nd and have Spezza play point on the 1st (yeah, scary, but ...) Make sure the 1st unit doesn't stay on for more than 45 seconds, 1 minute max, skating all out like in practice. Have the top unit play 2 shifts per PP (2nd shift overlaps some 5-5 time). Our shifts have gotten way too long, including on the PP. If you can't score, get off an let someone else try.

Also, if the puck is cleared change the forwards while the D-man retrieves the puck. The other team's surely changing, so you need to get fresh legs out there as well.

Good points.

How about this?

First unit PP - Spezza, Kuba, Fisher, Neil, Vermette

Second Unit PP - Picard, Schubert, Alfie, Heatley, Foligno