Sick of talking about Spezza? Me too.

I won't lie...I'm getting tired of talking about trading Spezza. Maybe he'll get moved, maybe he won't. Maybe he does blow, maybe he doesn't. Maybe he's a winner, maybe he's a loser.

This thread doesn't have to be completely positive, but let's talk about what our future has in store. And let's be civil about it and let's hear from the members of this site. We have a great amount of hockey knowledge here, let's see where we all stand on the future and rebuild of the Ottawa Senators.

Or we can talk about another team. By all means.

Who do we have, who can we get, how long will it take. Will Elliot turn into the man? Will he take 2 years to get there or is he there next year?

When will this stud Karlsson be ready? Does he play in the SEL next year?

How about Wiercioch? 2 more years in the NCAA? I would imagine we'll move him up slowly and surely.

Who are you gonna root for in the SC playoffs? East team, West team? No one?

How about Ilya Zubov? Will he make the show once and for all next year?

How about Peter Regin?

Does Mattias Karlsson have a chance?

What does the future hold for Brian Lee and Alex Picard?

Who are the D-men we should key on in the free agent market?

How about D-men that we can possibly trade for?

Thanks Heater, I am right there with you. I'm getting really sick of this Spezza nonsense, let's just stop talking about it until something actually happens (if it does). I just can't stand it anymore. Enough is enough.

Now, about Elliott, I personally think he needs to be a backup to a bonafide Number 1 tender next year. It's too soon to throw him in there for a full season, IMO. Aaaand, we've never had a bonafide number 1 except for Hasek. I think it's time we bring one in. Ray would've turned into one had we not shipped him out of here, I am sure of that. He will probably haunt us next year when he comes back, but what's done is done.
The goaltending is obviously as big of an issue as our lack of PMDs. This is what we need to focus on for the moment, not our forwards.

I can't wait til Karlsson's ready, I'm hoping we see him here in 10-11. I also hope he plays for Bingo next year so that he can get a taste of the NHL for a few games. All of this only if he puts on some weight. He's still kinda small, but growing taller.

Wiercioch I haven't heard more of since the last time we talked about him, how's he doing? Is he ready to come in next year (Bingo)?

I can't answer the Wiercioch question personally. I think he's best suited to playing another 2 years in the NCAA and hopefully getting onto Team Canada next year.

I'm not really worried about Ray coming back to haunt us, but I can totally see the point in having Elliot back up a bonafide number 1, then handing him the job full time year after next or in 2 years.

Although....I still think Elliot can do it next year.

Caparusso had an awesome article in the Hockey News as well. They called him all heart and commented on him leading the nation in goals. His production is on par with Heatley back when he played for Wisconsin - and they also credit him for stepping up when Porter left to lead his team.

Very good article. I'm getting to love this kid. I'm hoping we have a diamond in the rough here.

504Heater wrote:Although....I still think Elliot can do it next year.

What do you mean by "do it"? I still think that Elliot is a few years away from being a true #1 tender.

IMO, management should begin re-building this team, not tinkering, we are more than a move away from being a tru contender. Re-building doesn't have to be a bad thing, in fact I am excited to see the direction of this team.

In 2-3 years we will be back on top!

504Heater wrote:Caparusso had an awesome article in the Hockey News as well. They called him all heart and commented on him leading the nation in goals. His production is on par with Heatley back when he played for Wisconsin - and they also credit him for stepping up when Porter left to lead his team.

Very good article. I'm getting to love this kid. I'm hoping we have a diamond in the rough here.

That's very exciting news. How far away is he do you think? I recall you talking about him having put up similar numbers as Datsyuk as well. (Am I wrong on the player?) Our future seems to be getting brighter here in Ottawa. I know the present sucks, but at least there seems to be some promise for the future. If Murray continues to draft as geniously (I don't think that's a word ) as he has been, we should be golden.

TeamRenzo wrote:
What do you mean by "do it"? I still think that Elliot is a few years away from being a true #1 tender.

IMO, management should begin re-building this team, not tinkering, we are more than a move away from being a tru contender. Re-building doesn't have to be a bad thing, in fact I am excited to see the direction of this team.

In 2-3 years we will be back on top!

I dunno, he's 23, he's been fairly solid as a rookie this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Elliot take the ball and run with it next year - although, I would still love to get a proven household name and let Elliot back up for a couple of years.

3 years sounds right, 2 years if Murray plays his cards perfectly.

SensGirl11 wrote:
That's very exciting news. How far away is he do you think? I recall you talking about him having put up similar numbers as Datsyuk as well. (Am I wrong on the player?) Our future seems to be getting brighter here in Ottawa. I know the present sucks, but at least there seems to be some promise for the future. If Murray continues to draft as geniously (I don't think that's a word ) as he has been, we should be golden.

Hmmm. If he turns 20 in June, then I would say he would do one more year at Michigan - or if he and the Sens org. feel he'd be better suited to Bingo, he could move straight to the AHL next year - for the full year - and possibly be in the Sens lineup in 10/11.

I would say 3 years away, but we might get lucky and have him in 2 (this is if he makes The Show at all).

Do we go after Backstrom then?

And Good Lord did TO ever miss the boat in trading Toskala. I would've given them anything in the off-season.

Now, not much.

504Heater wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:
That's very exciting news. How far away is he do you think? I recall you talking about him having put up similar numbers as Datsyuk as well. (Am I wrong on the player?) Our future seems to be getting brighter here in Ottawa. I know the present sucks, but at least there seems to be some promise for the future. If Murray continues to draft as geniously (I don't think that's a word ) as he has been, we should be golden.

Hmmm. If he turns 20 in June, then I would say he would do one more year at Michigan - or if he and the Sens org. feel he'd be better suited to Bingo, he could move straight to the AHL next year - for the full year - and possibly be in the Sens lineup in 10/11.

I would say 3 years away, but we might get lucky and have him in 2 (this is if he makes The Show at all).

I dont think Caporusso needs time in the AHL. Idrather have him 4 years in the NCAA and jump in the NHL after. He's a speedy forward who score goals like his life depended on it. Ive watched him play 3 games, NCAA is a pretty fast game, I think the AHL will slow him down.

marakh wrote:
I dont think Caporusso needs time in the AHL. Idrather have him 4 years in the NCAA and jump in the NHL after. He's a speedy forward who score goals like his life depended on it. Ive watched him play 3 games, NCAA is a pretty fast game, I think the AHL will slow him down.

Cool. Even better!

+1

504Heater wrote:

TeamRenzo wrote:
What do you mean by "do it"? I still think that Elliot is a few years away from being a true #1 tender.

IMO, management should begin re-building this team, not tinkering, we are more than a move away from being a tru contender. Re-building doesn't have to be a bad thing, in fact I am excited to see the direction of this team.

In 2-3 years we will be back on top!

I dunno, he's 23, he's been fairly solid as a rookie this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Elliot take the ball and run with it next year - although, I would still love to get a proven household name and let Elliot back up for a couple of years.

3 years sounds right, 2 years if Murray plays his cards perfectly.

Good point, he has played decently on a crap team, who knows what he can do with a decent squad in front of him.

What do think is better for his development? Playing as a back up for the next few years or being handed the reigns to a crappy team?