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As the 2008-09 season winds down, the 'experts' are, no doubt, already preparing their season retrospectives on the Ottawa Senators...just as management is preparing its own set of report cards on the players.
Of course, our passionate and knowledgeable members here at GM Hockey have been working on their own Sens Report Cards all year long.
So, how have they done?
Much in the same fashion as one might find in a sports column, I've put together some capsule comments to get the discussion rolling.
Please note that I have left out players who had only brief tryouts (like Ilya Zubov) or have spent significant time on the IR (like Cody Bass).
It should be, and I hope it will be, a very energetic thread...as there are probably as many viewpoints as there are members.
To preface my entry, let me say that my Sens Report Card is NOT an objective view. It is my hockey fan's perspective, on how I see the players, with the vanity of imagining myself as a Coach and GM--based on my observations (having seen almost all their games this year) and expectations (of what I think are their capabilities).
And believe me, folks, I don't take my opinions too seriously...they are, after all, my opinions...so feel free to fire away!
The debate should be lots of fun.
That all being as it may...here goes.
Senators Report Card 2008-09
Forwards:
Alfredsson, Daniel
The unquestionable leader of the Senators. Whatever doesn’t show up on the score sheet, he always, as the cliché goes, leaves 100% on the ice. Played through injuries this year. Still does it all 5 on 5, PP and PK. Grade: A+
Comrie, Mike
Apart from exciting people with his Hollywood honey, hasn’t made a major impact with Ottawa since his arrival, with just 3 goals in 15 games. Still, that translates into just under a possible 20 for a full season. Not the player he was in Edmonton anymore, and not worth $4MM. As a second/third line center at $2MM on one year deal, maybe. Grade: B
Donovan, Shean
Everybody loves ‘Chum’ Donovan, and nobody tries harder and takes more whacks in the schnozzle than this affable and unselfish player. But at 34, does he still have a place on the roster? Grade: B-
Fisher, Mike
Marvellous Mike skates and hits, and he skates and he hits. And he has a gorgeous, famous girlfriend. And he’s a good egg who does a lot for the community. But as a big ticket player, he’s a big disappointment. Grade: C
Foligno, Nick
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The Fighting Folignos are proud of Il Giovanissimo Niccolo, who is bumping and grinding his way to a breakout year under the guidance of Zen Master Cory-San. There might just be a power forward there, and Nicky has found the confidence and smarts to make it work. Grade: A+
Heatley, Dany
For Dany, it’s all about the numbers. Big contract. Another 40 goal season. Yawn. Unfortunately, the sniper hasn’t matured into a complete player who can lift his team when they struggle. And at his salary level, that doesn’t add up. Grade: C-
Kelly, Chris
CK has speed. He kills penalties. He works hard. Can you ask for more? Can you expect more? Nope. He is what he is. Grade: B
Neil, Chris
The ‘other’ Chris (or maybe CK is the ‘other’ Chris, and he’s The Chris) is maybe the Sens’ Most Popular Player after Alfred the Great. Not much on offense, but hey. Won’t hesitate to drop the mitts to give his team a wake-up call. But the lure of UFA-dom is tempting...and Mr Murray doesn’t have 2.5MM to dish out. Grade: B
Regin, Peter
No Hamlet this Dane, the slick young center has shown he can play with the big boys and will get his nose dirty to do it. So why doesn’t he get more ice in Ottawa? Grade: unknown
Ruutu, Jarkko
What can we say about ‘Sharkko’? He’s a live wire and a loose cannon. He works the PK and makes a proper nuisance of himself. He also takes some really stupid penalties. But when he does what Coach Clouston tells him, he’s a decent hockey player. Grade: B-
Shannon, Ryan
The little guy who plays big, Ryan is always tryin’ and never cryin’. The kid’s got a wicked shot, skates like the wind, and knows where the puck needs to be. A bargain at the price, too. Grade: A+
Spezza, Jason
Ah, the controversial and always quotable, Jason. They love him, they hate him, they cheer him, they boo him. Call him inconsistent, do they? When he’s on his game, there are few centers who can dazzle you the way he can. And his numbers are as well groomed as he is. Unfortunately, one never knows which Jason is going to show up. For the kind of money he makes, that spotlight shows every blemish. Grade: C
Winchester, Jesse
The kid wants to play. Does he have what it takes? After the media build up he got at the beginning of the season, it’s difficult to know what Jesse brings to the table. So far, though, no better than average. Grade: C
Defense:
Bell, Brendan
He’s been around the block and he knows he’s playing for his job every game. Sometimes he’s good, sometimes he’s the career AHL-er some think he is. But you can’t fault his effort, and his unselfishness. Grade: B-
Campoli, Christopher
‘PMD Lite’? The Italian Stallion adds some fizz to the blueline, but is he a quality pick-up or a good used car deal? C-Squared has shown some good stuff so far, but more time may be needed to know his true value. Grade: B+
Kuba, Filip
He has displaced both Wade Redden and Andrei Meszaros as the GPMDHO--Great Puck Moving Defenseman Hope in Ottawa. The Kubinator plays a little soft for some people’s taste, and he makes some horrendous game-ending giveaways, but he’s as close to a Top Four A-level D-man the Sens have. And at a decent price. Grade: A-
Lee, Brian
Poor Brian...he just can’t seem to get comfortable with the puck. Not a good thing for a young defenseman with long term NHL aspirations. So much hype, so much hope. What’s the story with this kid? Grade: C-
Phillips, Chris
Good ol’ Chris, he’s steady as a rock, takes his lumps and dishes ‘em out. Stays at home and sometimes, surprise, surprise, jumps up and buries the biscuit. Hard to knock CP, though he’s looked totally out of it some nights. But a guy you want on your team for sure. Grade: B
Picard, Alexandre R.
The forgotten man of the Sens’ D-corps. He was highly touted since his arrival from Tampa, but seems caught in the revolving door of Ottawa defensemen. On the IR for the foreseeable future, maybe he gets a real shot next year. Or not. Grade: Unknown.
Schubert, Christoph
Schubie-Doo, who are you? A forward or a defenseman? Fish or fowl? Christo might want to see how Mark Streit, Dustin Byfuglien and Mathieu Dandenault have handled being shuffled from defense to forward and back again. In other words, just get the job done. Grade: C
Smith, Jason
Gator has seen his best years. No question the man is a warrior, but it’s been a long career, and the latest injury might be a deciding factor. Not as effective as he once was, but no one can say he didn’t earn his keep. Grade: pass
Volchenkov, Anton
The Moscow Machine plays mean and clean. A quiet guy who just does everything a defenseman is supposed to do. One of the best shot blockers and hitters in the league. Grade: A
Goaltenders:
Elliott, Brian
Bri-El became The Man of Steel, The Caped Crusader, The Second Coming, etcetera, etcetera, when he bounced up from Bingo, putting up record numbers for a rookie ‘tender. How good is he? Tough to say until he’s carried the load for a full year. But wait a second—Ottawa just traded for a Number One. Grade: A
Auld, Alex
He big. He bald. He Alex Auld. When everyone decided Gerber was strictly baby food for NHL shooters, ardent Alex became the go-to guy. But hang on now—he’s never been a go-to guy. So does Auldie become the odd man out when Precious Pascal comes to town for the start of the next season? Or does he pack all his troubles in his hockey bag and smile as he moves on? Grade: B+
---
Over to you, esteemed GM Hockey Members!
:afro:
Of course, our passionate and knowledgeable members here at GM Hockey have been working on their own Sens Report Cards all year long.
So, how have they done?
Much in the same fashion as one might find in a sports column, I've put together some capsule comments to get the discussion rolling.
Please note that I have left out players who had only brief tryouts (like Ilya Zubov) or have spent significant time on the IR (like Cody Bass).
It should be, and I hope it will be, a very energetic thread...as there are probably as many viewpoints as there are members.
To preface my entry, let me say that my Sens Report Card is NOT an objective view. It is my hockey fan's perspective, on how I see the players, with the vanity of imagining myself as a Coach and GM--based on my observations (having seen almost all their games this year) and expectations (of what I think are their capabilities).
And believe me, folks, I don't take my opinions too seriously...they are, after all, my opinions...so feel free to fire away!
The debate should be lots of fun.
That all being as it may...here goes.
Senators Report Card 2008-09
Forwards:
Alfredsson, Daniel
The unquestionable leader of the Senators. Whatever doesn’t show up on the score sheet, he always, as the cliché goes, leaves 100% on the ice. Played through injuries this year. Still does it all 5 on 5, PP and PK. Grade: A+
Comrie, Mike
Apart from exciting people with his Hollywood honey, hasn’t made a major impact with Ottawa since his arrival, with just 3 goals in 15 games. Still, that translates into just under a possible 20 for a full season. Not the player he was in Edmonton anymore, and not worth $4MM. As a second/third line center at $2MM on one year deal, maybe. Grade: B
Donovan, Shean
Everybody loves ‘Chum’ Donovan, and nobody tries harder and takes more whacks in the schnozzle than this affable and unselfish player. But at 34, does he still have a place on the roster? Grade: B-
Fisher, Mike
Marvellous Mike skates and hits, and he skates and he hits. And he has a gorgeous, famous girlfriend. And he’s a good egg who does a lot for the community. But as a big ticket player, he’s a big disappointment. Grade: C
Foligno, Nick
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The Fighting Folignos are proud of Il Giovanissimo Niccolo, who is bumping and grinding his way to a breakout year under the guidance of Zen Master Cory-San. There might just be a power forward there, and Nicky has found the confidence and smarts to make it work. Grade: A+
Heatley, Dany
For Dany, it’s all about the numbers. Big contract. Another 40 goal season. Yawn. Unfortunately, the sniper hasn’t matured into a complete player who can lift his team when they struggle. And at his salary level, that doesn’t add up. Grade: C-
Kelly, Chris
CK has speed. He kills penalties. He works hard. Can you ask for more? Can you expect more? Nope. He is what he is. Grade: B
Neil, Chris
The ‘other’ Chris (or maybe CK is the ‘other’ Chris, and he’s The Chris) is maybe the Sens’ Most Popular Player after Alfred the Great. Not much on offense, but hey. Won’t hesitate to drop the mitts to give his team a wake-up call. But the lure of UFA-dom is tempting...and Mr Murray doesn’t have 2.5MM to dish out. Grade: B
Regin, Peter
No Hamlet this Dane, the slick young center has shown he can play with the big boys and will get his nose dirty to do it. So why doesn’t he get more ice in Ottawa? Grade: unknown
Ruutu, Jarkko
What can we say about ‘Sharkko’? He’s a live wire and a loose cannon. He works the PK and makes a proper nuisance of himself. He also takes some really stupid penalties. But when he does what Coach Clouston tells him, he’s a decent hockey player. Grade: B-
Shannon, Ryan
The little guy who plays big, Ryan is always tryin’ and never cryin’. The kid’s got a wicked shot, skates like the wind, and knows where the puck needs to be. A bargain at the price, too. Grade: A+
Spezza, Jason
Ah, the controversial and always quotable, Jason. They love him, they hate him, they cheer him, they boo him. Call him inconsistent, do they? When he’s on his game, there are few centers who can dazzle you the way he can. And his numbers are as well groomed as he is. Unfortunately, one never knows which Jason is going to show up. For the kind of money he makes, that spotlight shows every blemish. Grade: C
Winchester, Jesse
The kid wants to play. Does he have what it takes? After the media build up he got at the beginning of the season, it’s difficult to know what Jesse brings to the table. So far, though, no better than average. Grade: C
Defense:
Bell, Brendan
He’s been around the block and he knows he’s playing for his job every game. Sometimes he’s good, sometimes he’s the career AHL-er some think he is. But you can’t fault his effort, and his unselfishness. Grade: B-
Campoli, Christopher
‘PMD Lite’? The Italian Stallion adds some fizz to the blueline, but is he a quality pick-up or a good used car deal? C-Squared has shown some good stuff so far, but more time may be needed to know his true value. Grade: B+
Kuba, Filip
He has displaced both Wade Redden and Andrei Meszaros as the GPMDHO--Great Puck Moving Defenseman Hope in Ottawa. The Kubinator plays a little soft for some people’s taste, and he makes some horrendous game-ending giveaways, but he’s as close to a Top Four A-level D-man the Sens have. And at a decent price. Grade: A-
Lee, Brian
Poor Brian...he just can’t seem to get comfortable with the puck. Not a good thing for a young defenseman with long term NHL aspirations. So much hype, so much hope. What’s the story with this kid? Grade: C-
Phillips, Chris
Good ol’ Chris, he’s steady as a rock, takes his lumps and dishes ‘em out. Stays at home and sometimes, surprise, surprise, jumps up and buries the biscuit. Hard to knock CP, though he’s looked totally out of it some nights. But a guy you want on your team for sure. Grade: B
Picard, Alexandre R.
The forgotten man of the Sens’ D-corps. He was highly touted since his arrival from Tampa, but seems caught in the revolving door of Ottawa defensemen. On the IR for the foreseeable future, maybe he gets a real shot next year. Or not. Grade: Unknown.
Schubert, Christoph
Schubie-Doo, who are you? A forward or a defenseman? Fish or fowl? Christo might want to see how Mark Streit, Dustin Byfuglien and Mathieu Dandenault have handled being shuffled from defense to forward and back again. In other words, just get the job done. Grade: C
Smith, Jason
Gator has seen his best years. No question the man is a warrior, but it’s been a long career, and the latest injury might be a deciding factor. Not as effective as he once was, but no one can say he didn’t earn his keep. Grade: pass
Volchenkov, Anton
The Moscow Machine plays mean and clean. A quiet guy who just does everything a defenseman is supposed to do. One of the best shot blockers and hitters in the league. Grade: A
Goaltenders:
Elliott, Brian
Bri-El became The Man of Steel, The Caped Crusader, The Second Coming, etcetera, etcetera, when he bounced up from Bingo, putting up record numbers for a rookie ‘tender. How good is he? Tough to say until he’s carried the load for a full year. But wait a second—Ottawa just traded for a Number One. Grade: A
Auld, Alex
He big. He bald. He Alex Auld. When everyone decided Gerber was strictly baby food for NHL shooters, ardent Alex became the go-to guy. But hang on now—he’s never been a go-to guy. So does Auldie become the odd man out when Precious Pascal comes to town for the start of the next season? Or does he pack all his troubles in his hockey bag and smile as he moves on? Grade: B+
---
Over to you, esteemed GM Hockey Members!
:afro:
Last edited by davetherave on Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:51 pm; edited 1 time in total
Seriously I know you meant Nick and I still disagree. I would say overall he gets a B because his first 40 + games were a D+ and the rest of the season was A+
