Chris Neil's agent speaks

Actually, it probably does. What Chris Neil takes up is not only 1.5 million, but a roster spot. For a kid? Not so much, for a big, burly dude who can score that we acquire via trade or UFA.

This is one piece that's missing. Foligno - Fisher - BIG DUDE, allowing Shannon to shift down and help Kelly and Regin out.

That's my however.

504Heater wrote:However...

There is a HUGE however, but I'm not sure it belongs in this thread...

Do tell, please.

SensGirl11 wrote:

504Heater wrote:However...

There is a HUGE however, but I'm not sure it belongs in this thread...

Do tell, please.

That probably sounded more dramatic than it should have. It was about the roster spot that he takes away from a big dude that can score. Something we'll need going forward - especially with the maturation of Foligno.

504Heater wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:

504Heater wrote:However...

There is a HUGE however, but I'm not sure it belongs in this thread...

Do tell, please.

That probably sounded more dramatic than it should have. It was about the roster spot that he takes away from a big dude that can score. Something we'll need going forward - especially with the maturation of Foligno.

Could we maybe get that BIG DUDE in the draft this year?
I can't think of one person that is available, except for Antropov, whom I really like.

Antropov would look nice in a Sens uni. I wanted him as soon as I knew he was available.

Antropov might get a bit more than I think the Sens would be willing to pay, and he is very hot and cold without much character. Right now I would rather have the team grab some character guys that will lead then guys that might show up when it count or they might not.

No patch work this year, thats already been done.

SensGirl11 wrote:
Could we maybe get that BIG DUDE in the draft this year?
I can't think of one person that is available, except for Antropov, whom I really like.

I don't think so. Kassian would be great, but we need a guy that can support line one - as well as Foligno and Fisher - pretty much now. You could leave Shannon there, but I have a feeling he's needed on line 3. Murray likes to have big dudes on his lines, so I expect someone to be coming.

I would love Antropov personally. I think he fits the mold - what's his compete level like though?

Its awful, just watch the Rangers play. Antropov is a nice player when he wants to be, but few and far inbetween. Buyer beware with that guy.

Neely4Life wrote:Its awful, just watch the Rangers play. Antropov is a nice player when he wants to be, but few and far inbetween. Buyer beware with that guy.

I've been impressed with him on the Rangers to be honest. On the Leafs, not so much though.

But, if there are questions, we're out. We're probably out anyway when he asks for 5 million.

He will get way more than he is worth, I agree. In the Sens current situation, not the guy I would want on the Sens. The Sens are looking to find an identity still and find some character within, Antropov fills none of those needs.

The biggest complaint from Leaf fans is that Antropov was soft. Despite his size he refused to play in the dirty areas and when it got tough he was too easily shut down. For these reasons, Antropov is not what the Sen's need IMHO.

strachattack wrote:The biggest complaint from Leaf fans is that Antropov was soft. Despite his size he refused to play in the dirty areas and when it got tough he was too easily shut down. For these reasons, Antropov is not what the Sen's need IMHO.

Too bad, he has everything else going for him.

SensGirl11 wrote:

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:Can Bass fight well though? Could he survive a bout with some of the heavy weights around the league? Do we need anyone on the roster who can do this anymore? If Bass can't effectively fill that fighter role don't we run the risk of getting our stars knocked around with ease?

I like Bass but I don't know if he can effectively fulfill that role. I realize some think the role of fighting isn't as important anymore but outside of Neil we're a pretty soft team. It would bug me if players started taking liberties against our top players without fear of revenge. As a team they might not perform as intensely without knowing they have a guy who can back them up and drop the gloves regularly.

Now, having mentioned that, I don't think we should sign Neil for anything above 2+. At that price we'll have to go without but at 1.5 and a 4yr deal it might be worth it.

We don't need an enforcer. These scripted fights are for the birds anyway. We've got guys that will drop the mitts in the heat of battle. In those instances, I'd say that winning and losing isn't as important as standing up for yourself or a teammate. We've got that already. Neil will be a Maple Leaf on July 1, for some ungodly amount like $2.5 I think.

I agree. I'm no fan of the scripted fights and it's not worth having a guy sit on the bench and playing only 2mins a game. However, I don't think we've got many guys who WILL drop the gloves on a semi-regular basis and can play the game. Without Neil we have Bass. Some would say that doesn't make a tough team. For instance, how many guys on Boston are willing and able? Thornton, Chara and Lucic.

Fisher and Ruutu both fight if the situation calls for it. Hell, Spezza has thrown down on a couple of occasions. This team isn't as soft as some would suggest. They just have to come together more and play for each other and not just with each other.

I think Fish can hold his own in any kind of fight, with whomever feels the need to fight him. He's a sneek attack kind of fighter. People don't quite know yet just how strong this guy is. He could probably rag-doll a guy or two.

Phillips could probably demolish a few guys too if need be. And, well, J. Smith is a freaking monster. (Please be healthy!!!)

Don't get me wrong. Fisher has had a few good fights and isn't a push over. However, can we count on him or someone else dropping the gloves 50 times a season? I don't think we want Fisher in the penalty box all that often. To be frank, I think we need Neil AND Bass in the line up. We need more grit on our 3rd and 4th lines. Neil's best year was when he had the support of McGratton. He could focus and play the game now and then instead of JUST fighting. If the team was struggling Neil was the only guy that could go out and pick a fight to fire up the team and crowd. When that responsibility is shared Neil can preform admirably in a checking role. The season they went to the cup Neil was great at agitating, getting in front of the net and hitting guys left, right and centre. I believe he was able to do this because he wasn't the only guy who relaibly dropped the gloves game in game out. Because he was the only guy doing that this year and most of last year it takes a toll and he's not as effective at playing the actual game. He needs someone to share that responsibility to get the best out of Chris Neil.

I don't expect everyone to share this opinion and can relate to the notion of replacing him on the cheap but IMHO I still think he's worth it IF the price is right and they bring in someone else (Bass logically) to share the load.

strachattack wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:Can Bass fight well though? Could he survive a bout with some of the heavy weights around the league? Do we need anyone on the roster who can do this anymore? If Bass can't effectively fill that fighter role don't we run the risk of getting our stars knocked around with ease?

I like Bass but I don't know if he can effectively fulfill that role. I realize some think the role of fighting isn't as important anymore but outside of Neil we're a pretty soft team. It would bug me if players started taking liberties against our top players without fear of revenge. As a team they might not perform as intensely without knowing they have a guy who can back them up and drop the gloves regularly.

Now, having mentioned that, I don't think we should sign Neil for anything above 2+. At that price we'll have to go without but at 1.5 and a 4yr deal it might be worth it.

We don't need an enforcer. These scripted fights are for the birds anyway. We've got guys that will drop the mitts in the heat of battle. In those instances, I'd say that winning and losing isn't as important as standing up for yourself or a teammate. We've got that already. Neil will be a Maple Leaf on July 1, for some ungodly amount like $2.5 I think.

I agree. I'm no fan of the scripted fights and it's not worth having a guy sit on the bench and playing only 2mins a game. However, I don't think we've got many guys who WILL drop the gloves on a semi-regular basis and can play the game. Without Neil we have Bass. Some would say that doesn't make a tough team. For instance, how many guys on Boston are willing and able? Thornton, Chara and Lucic.

Fisher and Ruutu both fight if the situation calls for it. Hell, Spezza has thrown down on a couple of occasions. This team isn't as soft as some would suggest. They just have to come together more and play for each other and not just with each other.

I think Fish can hold his own in any kind of fight, with whomever feels the need to fight him. He's a sneek attack kind of fighter. People don't quite know yet just how strong this guy is. He could probably rag-doll a guy or two.

Phillips could probably demolish a few guys too if need be. And, well, J. Smith is a freaking monster. (Please be healthy!!!)

Don't get me wrong. Fisher has had a few good fights and isn't a push over. However, can we count on him or someone else dropping the gloves 50 times a season? I don't think we want Fisher in the penalty box all that often. To be frank, I think we need Neil AND Bass in the line up. We need more grit on our 3rd and 4th lines. Neil's best year was when he had the support of McGratton. He could focus and play the game now and then instead of JUST fighting. If the team was struggling Neil was the only guy that could go out and pick a fight to fire up the team and crowd. When that responsibility is shared Neil can preform admirably in a checking role. The season they went to the cup Neil was great at agitating, getting in front of the net and hitting guys left, right and centre. I believe he was able to do this because he wasn't the only guy who relaibly dropped the gloves game in game out. Because he was the only guy doing that this year and most of last year it takes a toll and he's not as effective at playing the actual game. He needs someone to share that responsibility to get the best out of Chris Neil.

I don't expect everyone to share this opinion and can relate to the notion of replacing him on the cheap but IMHO I still think he's worth it IF the price is right and they bring in someone else (Bass logically) to share the load.

Point taken about having more grit on our 3rd and 4th lines. My argument is that we can get it cheaper. Maybe Bass and someone else. Someone else who will show up for road games and will be paid a fraction of what Neil will be.

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:Can Bass fight well though? Could he survive a bout with some of the heavy weights around the league? Do we need anyone on the roster who can do this anymore? If Bass can't effectively fill that fighter role don't we run the risk of getting our stars knocked around with ease?

I like Bass but I don't know if he can effectively fulfill that role. I realize some think the role of fighting isn't as important anymore but outside of Neil we're a pretty soft team. It would bug me if players started taking liberties against our top players without fear of revenge. As a team they might not perform as intensely without knowing they have a guy who can back them up and drop the gloves regularly.

Now, having mentioned that, I don't think we should sign Neil for anything above 2+. At that price we'll have to go without but at 1.5 and a 4yr deal it might be worth it.

We don't need an enforcer. These scripted fights are for the birds anyway. We've got guys that will drop the mitts in the heat of battle. In those instances, I'd say that winning and losing isn't as important as standing up for yourself or a teammate. We've got that already. Neil will be a Maple Leaf on July 1, for some ungodly amount like $2.5 I think.

I agree. I'm no fan of the scripted fights and it's not worth having a guy sit on the bench and playing only 2mins a game. However, I don't think we've got many guys who WILL drop the gloves on a semi-regular basis and can play the game. Without Neil we have Bass. Some would say that doesn't make a tough team. For instance, how many guys on Boston are willing and able? Thornton, Chara and Lucic.

Fisher and Ruutu both fight if the situation calls for it. Hell, Spezza has thrown down on a couple of occasions. This team isn't as soft as some would suggest. They just have to come together more and play for each other and not just with each other.

I think Fish can hold his own in any kind of fight, with whomever feels the need to fight him. He's a sneek attack kind of fighter. People don't quite know yet just how strong this guy is. He could probably rag-doll a guy or two.

Phillips could probably demolish a few guys too if need be. And, well, J. Smith is a freaking monster. (Please be healthy!!!)

Don't get me wrong. Fisher has had a few good fights and isn't a push over. However, can we count on him or someone else dropping the gloves 50 times a season? I don't think we want Fisher in the penalty box all that often. To be frank, I think we need Neil AND Bass in the line up. We need more grit on our 3rd and 4th lines. Neil's best year was when he had the support of McGratton. He could focus and play the game now and then instead of JUST fighting. If the team was struggling Neil was the only guy that could go out and pick a fight to fire up the team and crowd. When that responsibility is shared Neil can preform admirably in a checking role. The season they went to the cup Neil was great at agitating, getting in front of the net and hitting guys left, right and centre. I believe he was able to do this because he wasn't the only guy who relaibly dropped the gloves game in game out. Because he was the only guy doing that this year and most of last year it takes a toll and he's not as effective at playing the actual game. He needs someone to share that responsibility to get the best out of Chris Neil.

I don't expect everyone to share this opinion and can relate to the notion of replacing him on the cheap but IMHO I still think he's worth it IF the price is right and they bring in someone else (Bass logically) to share the load.

Point taken about having more grit on our 3rd and 4th lines. My argument is that we can get it cheaper. Maybe Bass and someone else. Someone else who will show up for road games and will be paid a fraction of what Neil will be.

Fair enough. If they pick up a comparable replacement for Neil and put Bass on the roster we're both happy. :D:

strachattack wrote:
Don't get me wrong. Fisher has had a few good fights and isn't a push over. However, can we count on him or someone else dropping the gloves 50 times a season? I don't think we want Fisher in the penalty box all that often.

Agreed, he doesn't need to be dropping too often IMO. Spur of the moment, defending Alfie or one of the guys, okay, but not all the time for sure.

As much as i think 2.5 mil is to much for neil 1.5 is about right now put him with ruutu and bass and let the fun begin thats a forth line you can be proud of.Dono is a great player for the price but move him he has alittle value and there is neil,s raise :D: