The Clouston Factor

In retrospect that loss to the Kings doesn't even seem so bad. After all, we had our chances and the Kings have been heating up lately.

Cronenbergfan wrote:I'd hate to admit it, but yeah, Heatley is still a passenger who seems more content to count bills than play the game to the level the fans KNOW he can.

Sad, truly sad.

There's no player that is more aggravating to watch than Heatley. Even when he has a decent game (by his standards) like last night, he still waits for everyone else to do everything. Even when the puck is closest to him, he waits for a second to see if someone else will get it... He is the laziest player I've ever seen.

cash wrote:

Cronenbergfan wrote:I'd hate to admit it, but yeah, Heatley is still a passenger who seems more content to count bills than play the game to the level the fans KNOW he can.

Sad, truly sad.

There's no player that is more aggravating to watch than Heatley. Even when he has a decent game (by his standards) like last night, he still waits for everyone else to do everything. Even when the puck is closest to him, he waits for a second to see if someone else will get it... He is the laziest player I've ever seen.

I will second that.
Last game, he did manage a few decent shots, but through no effort of his own. He may as well put a flag on the business end of his stick, because at least it'll gather some attention as he skates down the ice.

cash wrote:

Cronenbergfan wrote:I'd hate to admit it, but yeah, Heatley is still a passenger who seems more content to count bills than play the game to the level the fans KNOW he can.

Sad, truly sad.

There's no player that is more aggravating to watch than Heatley. Even when he has a decent game (by his standards) like last night, he still waits for everyone else to do everything. Even when the puck is closest to him, he waits for a second to see if someone else will get it... He is the laziest player I've ever seen.

It'll change. Someone will whip his into shape.

PKC wrote:

cash wrote:

Cronenbergfan wrote:I'd hate to admit it, but yeah, Heatley is still a passenger who seems more content to count bills than play the game to the level the fans KNOW he can.

Sad, truly sad.

There's no player that is more aggravating to watch than Heatley. Even when he has a decent game (by his standards) like last night, he still waits for everyone else to do everything. Even when the puck is closest to him, he waits for a second to see if someone else will get it... He is the laziest player I've ever seen.

It'll change. Someone will whip his into shape.

I would guarantee that he starts rounding into form. I think we underestimate how much the old system smothered the `superstars`.

504Heater wrote:

PKC wrote:

cash wrote:

Cronenbergfan wrote:I'd hate to admit it, but yeah, Heatley is still a passenger who seems more content to count bills than play the game to the level the fans KNOW he can.

Sad, truly sad.

There's no player that is more aggravating to watch than Heatley. Even when he has a decent game (by his standards) like last night, he still waits for everyone else to do everything. Even when the puck is closest to him, he waits for a second to see if someone else will get it... He is the laziest player I've ever seen.

It'll change. Someone will whip his into shape.

I would guarantee that he starts rounding into form. I think we underestimate how much the old system smothered the `superstars`.

I wish I could share some of this optimism. The sad reality, though, is that in the three games since Clouston took over, the Sens:
- scored 5 goals in 190 minutes of regulation + OT (that's 1.58 GpG)
- got shut out by a bottom dweller
- blew a third period lead to a team playing the second game in two nights
- blew a 2-goal lead to another team playing the second game in two nights, missing their top scorer (and top-three in the league) for most of the game

There are certainly positives:
- 3 points in 3 games is .500, which is better than our overall record
- some signs of secondary scoring
- inspired play by Foligno (I'd add Shannon but he's so damn fast I can't even see him sometimes)
- coming back from being down 0-2 against a top team
- 3 for 4 in the latest shootout
- Elliott's improving play

Bottom line, three games is too early to tell. We still haven't won a road game. Oh, and as usual, as soon as we get on any kind of roll, bang, 4 days until their next game.

Hey Pragues,

You forgot to mention Foligno's improved play as well. He's been a hard worker most of the season but now his work seems to be better focused and is paying off.

504Heater wrote: I would guarantee that he starts rounding into form. I think we underestimate how much the old system smothered the `superstars`.

To address Mr 504Heater's assertions, here are the statistics for the 'superstars' since Mr Clouston's arrival.

Mr Spezza: 3 games, 1 goal, 1 assist.
Mr Heatley: 3 games, 1 assist.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Hey Pragues,

You forgot to mention Foligno's improved play as well. He's been a hard worker most of the season but now his work seems to be better focused and is paying off.

Oh yeah, Foligno's hard work is not only starting to show promise, but it could be argued his determination and drive is starting to rub off on others as well.

3 games in is WAY to early to judge Clouston's effect as Praguer points out, but I'll be curious to see how they do on their upcoming road trip.

to Melnyk, Murray and Clouston: do NOT lose sight of what's important, and that's #2: HEDMAN!!!

davetherave wrote:

504Heater wrote: I would guarantee that he starts rounding into form. I think we underestimate how much the old system smothered the `superstars`.

To address Mr 504Heater's assertions, here are the statistics for the 'superstars' since Mr Clouston's arrival.

Mr Spezza: 3 games, 1 goal, 1 assist.
Mr Heatley: 3 games, 1 assist.

And for balance, the three games prior:

Mr Spezza: 3 games, 1 assist.
Mr Heatley: 3 games, 1 goal, 1 assist.

A mirror.

Trust me. Give it time. New system, be positionally responsible, but also, go for creative plays and offensive zone time. They're so used to being used incorrectly that it'll actually take time for them to get back into the offensive habits (which is depressingly funny).

504Heater wrote:Trust me. Give it time. New system, be positionally responsible, but also, go for creative plays and offensive zone time. They're so used to being used incorrectly that it'll actually take time for them to get back into the offensive habits (which is depressingly funny).

I'm having flashbacks...

"Give them time for Hartsy's system to take... lots of change in the off season, new players, new coach, new system..."

Heh heh.

What's old is new again.

Sigh...

I agree, it will, again, take some time for Clouston to get a hold of this team and see what they can do with the tools he gives them. Chances are though, it will be too late for this season, but will hopefully set the table nicely for next season.

I know Shabbs...thing is, this is an aggressive and much more player friendly system that Harts was. The Sens looked like chickens with their heads cut off under him. With Clouston there's an instant positional change which should mean more turnovers. Now he has to get them using their speed at all times. But that'll come IMO.

According to Brendan Bell, Clouston is single and ALWAYS at the rink. Married to the game, kinda like Roger Nielsen was.

Update: Clouston digs The Metal

Give that man a lifetime contract!!!!

If by lifetime, you mean next year only to start - then yes!

SeawaySensFan wrote:According to Brendan Bell, Clouston is single and ALWAYS at the rink. Married to the game, kinda like Roger Nielsen was.

Do you mean Jacques Martin?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Hey Pragues,

You forgot to mention Foligno's improved play as well. He's been a hard worker most of the season but now his work seems to be better focused and is paying off.

He was covered under the "some signs of secondary scoring" bullet.