The New Centaurs: Murray's Makeover

davetherave wrote:Keep a few vets, and stock the roster with talented kids. and ONLY keep the players who hate to lose.

It will interesting to see what happens tomorrow...Eugene Melnyk gave a very measured interview on Sportsnet tonight. He looks ready to make changes.

Can you elaborate? Or do you have a link?

We've been anticipating changes since Hartsburg was first hired.

Jason Williams, JayBo, Leclaire, Quinn/Nicholson and on and on and on and on.

This isn't a team that seems to make a lot of changes in the regular season. Granted, this one is a bit different from past regular seasons, but I'm so sick of holding my breath that I'll only believe it when I see it.

Of course, having said that, massive changes will probably come tomorrow as a result.

hemlock wrote:

davetherave wrote:Keep a few vets, and stock the roster with talented kids. and ONLY keep the players who hate to lose.

It will interesting to see what happens tomorrow...Eugene Melnyk gave a very measured interview on Sportsnet tonight. He looks ready to make changes.

Can you elaborate? Or do you have a link?

It was during the intermission with Ian Mendes...maybe it'll show up on the Sportsnet website. If I find a link or a news recap I will post it.

Basically, he said the team wouldn't be 'blown up'. He emphasized that he is happy with the strength of the organization, and said that with the talent the Sens have, they should, without a doubt, be doing better.

That sounds like a prelude to a major trade.... 8)

MMH.. I dont think so... Me think its more the "Calm down people, keep buying tickets" kind of comment. just to save the season, financially. Im pretty sure he's dreaming about Prospects at night.

Ian Mendes' recap of his interview with Melnyk here:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/01/27/melnyk_sens/

From the article:
"You don't blow up a great organization. You blow up a crippled organization - and this is not a crippled organization," Melnyk told Sportsnet on Tuesday afternoon. "What we have as far as talent is concerned, I'll go up against anybody. It's going to be a long time coming before we start blowing things up."

Melnyk has to stay positive as he loses out on at least 2 million per home playoff game. Dips in regular season attendance will hurt too, so the party line will be 'we're making the playoffs'.

Melnyk didn't sound at all like he was optimistic about making the playoffs. He did, however, say that the team, with the talent they have, should be able to make the playoffs, meaning they should not be, and have no excuses for being, where they are.

It sounds to me (or at least what was written looked to me) like it was more intended to placate the masses rather then reflect reality. He's no fool; Ottawa isn't winning 28 of the remaining games. But he can't say that.

You guys are funny. One game ago, you guys seemed to be singing a different tune. Talking about how the Sens could potentially be a buyer at the deadline. Now it's all like who can we trade and how soon.

Bipolar.

PKC, it's quite understandable, isn't it, for passionate fans to hold out hope that a season can be turned around, until it's clear that the situation can not be repaired in the short term?

I have a lot of respect for Ottawa hockey fans because they have given their unequivocal and passionate support to their NHL team.

Having lived in other hockey markets, like South Florida--truly a sad story for the NHL--IMHO Ottawa remains, as it has been for many years, one great hockey town.

You can't manufacture this kind of passion.

Once again, thanks to everybody on this forum for participating in this poll. A fascinating set of results as well.

Have a great day, everyone.

What would I do?

Trade Fisher to Nashville for Dan Hamhuis, and extend him right away to hopefully a similar cap hit.

Then trade, bear with me here- Heatley, Vermette, and Lee, for an extended J-Bo, Nathan Horton, and a 1st (or David Booth), maybe even more...

This gives us potentially three first round picks in a deep draft, gives us the legit 2nd line centre we need, and if we sign J-Bo to a contract just a little under heatleys- Im' thinking long term 6.5 or tops 7, we're saving a bit of cash also.

Think of this D-

JBo- Karlsson
Phillips-Volch
Smith-Hamhuis

Good luck.

Jordo wrote:What would I do?

Trade Fisher to Nashville for Dan Hamhuis, and extend him right away to hopefully a similar cap hit.

Then trade, bear with me here- Heatley, Vermette, and Lee, for an extended J-Bo, Nathan Horton, and a 1st (or David Booth), maybe even more...

This gives us potentially three first round picks in a deep draft, gives us the legit 2nd line centre we need, and if we sign J-Bo to a contract just a little under heatleys- Im' thinking long term 6.5 or tops 7, we're saving a bit of cash also.

Think of this D-

JBo- Karlsson
Phillips-Volch
Smith-Hamhuis

Good luck.

Until Karlsson arrives, which I'd say is two years minimum, that doesn't leave us with very much offense from the back end. I like how the offense spreads out though.

Jordo wrote:What would I do?

Trade Fisher to Nashville for Dan Hamhuis, and extend him right away to hopefully a similar cap hit.

Then trade, bear with me here- Heatley, Vermette, and Lee, for an extended J-Bo, Nathan Horton, and a 1st (or David Booth), maybe even more...

This gives us potentially three first round picks in a deep draft, gives us the legit 2nd line centre we need, and if we sign J-Bo to a contract just a little under heatleys- Im' thinking long term 6.5 or tops 7, we're saving a bit of cash also.

Think of this D-

JBo- Karlsson
Phillips-Volch
Smith-Hamhuis

Good luck.

I would do that in a minute. Is it possible not sure. But i would be a good D and somme depth a forward. I like it!

I think Martin would jump at that offer personally. Sure Heater might hate it in Florida, but Horton would LOVE to come back home and we could use another Canuck like J-Bow for sure.

If I was GM I would have a slightly different tack...

First i would put into place a three way deadline deal moving out Kuba and taking in Afinogenov through a third party. We sign Afinogenov to a decent deal. There are many questions around him but as a second line player on this club he is the Havlat we are missing. A speedy threat that gets defenders on their heels. We have enough checking forwards.

Second I would do what it takes to get Jay Bouw. This would do it IMO. Phillips and Vermette for Jay Bouw. Phillips replaced by Jay Bouw and Vermette by Afinogenov. I would throw in a pick or prospect if pushed but I knock on the door with Philly and Vermette.

Third Sign Neil three years $4.5M.

Fourth (and this seems crazy) trade our 1st and San Jose 1st to NYI for their first. Right now the picks are almost even money to finish last. I think this is win win for both teams. Incentive not to tank and NYI needs to build up quality in their system so an extra first round pick is a good thing for them. This gives us a more legitmate shot at Hedman who is the guy I want.

Fifth, Move out Schubert for a pick.

Sixth, I would fire Eli Wilson. Get a different guy in here. Goalies have not improved and we have bought out his last two pupils.

Seventh, A BIG TIME heart to Hartsburg discussion. You have to get this team motivated every night or you are gone. You have 10 games. It is now your problem. If I see effort you stay, none and you are done.

Lineup (09/10)

Spezza - Heater - Alfie
Afinogenov - Regin/Zubov - Fisher
Winchester - Kelly - Foligno
Neil - Bass - Ruutu

Spare F: Donovan and Mcammond
Pushed by: Smith, O'Brien, Zubov/Regin (we are hoping one makes the jump)

Bouwmeester - Volchenkov
(Hedman/Karlsson/UFA) - Lee
Picard - Smith

Spare D: Carkner and Bell
Pushed by: (3 russians if we can get them to come over), Kudelka and Weircoch

Elliot and Auld

This is my opinion of addressing our needs (except #1 goalie which I don't think we have the assets or cap room to acquire, if Van city came a knockin' however I would listen) Great PMD in Bouwmeester, Scoring winger for the second line, keep the toughness we have and need, sprinkle in some youth and look for a fresh start.

I would spend the rest of my time scouring the world for a true #1 goalie to draft. They are all diamonds in the rough and rarely are they first round guys.

First of all, I wouldn't go near Afinogenov with a ten-foot pole. There is not one player in the NHL who disappears quicker in tight checking situations than he. This year reaffirmed the need for a team that can make it to the playoffs, but we've seen far too many "regular season teams" in Ottawa. We need a collective of players who are capable of regular season success, but who thrive in playoff-like intensity.
Easier said than done...

And Imo every Sens fan needs to start coming to the realization that Daniel Alfredsson is no longer a 1st line winger. He is still a legitimate scoring threat, but he simply doesn't have the speed to keep up with 1st pairing defenders. We need a 1st line replacement.

Imo Zubov and Regin will both be ready to make the jump next season and two of Kelly-Vermette-Neil shouldn't be here. The NTC/NMC's will all still be here; Winchester and Foligno are locks, so that leaves three roster spots in the top-12 of the forward ranks. Spezza and Ruutu are both signed and are reasonably likely to be here. Bass and Shannon are possibilities for that last spot, but neither is anything close to a lock...And Donovan is more likely to play the 13th forward role as we go a little younger...
Our defense is still big time Diddle, though....I really don't know what can be done there.

hemlock wrote:
Until Karlsson arrives, which I'd say is two years minimum, that doesn't leave us with very much offense from the back end. I like how the offense spreads out though.

Sure it does, if that's the case, put Bell in his place... Or swap Hamhuis with him and put Bell on the 6th spot, so it looks like:

J-Bo- Hamhuis
Phillips-Volch
Smith-Bell

J-Bo and Hamhuis are both dynamite PMDs, Phil-Volch will go back to the shutdown pair we need, and Smith-Bell is an interesting mix as well. If Karlsson isn't ready, no need to rush him up.

Plus, we can pick up some hot offense with the picks- use our #1 to pick up Tavares- if possible, Duchesne, Kane, Schenn, there's a ton of options throughout the 1st round).

Imagine we pick up MSP, and have a first line of

Alfie-Spezz-MSP ?

Wow.

caissie_1 wrote:

I would do that in a minute. Is it possible not sure. But i would be a good D and somme depth a forward. I like it!

To be honest, I can't see why they wouldn't- the big question would be whether or not Nashville would trade Hamhuis for Fisher...

Hammy's got a very attractive contract and is a solid player for his price tag. He has only one year left though, and Fisher has two, but from a $$ perspective, they are his two cheapest years..(cap is obviously the same, but actual pay number is low, which is probably a factor in Nashville).

The Florida trade, Martin would be stupid not to take... Heatley, Vermette, and Lee? For a guy who's leaving after the year, a legit centreman (but nowhere near as good as Heatley) and a 1st rd pick which will probably fall in the top portion of the middle?

Heatley is a sniper, which they've never really had in Florida. Vermette is a strong 2 way player whom Martin adores, and Lee is a pretty decent D prospect coming back..