Random Sens Notes

Acrobat wrote: If he can play both (C and W) well then that just makes him more valuable, and give Murray more trade options.

If by some odd chance he is also a viable defenseman, then he's just a freak of nature. But we'll take it.

EDIT:

If he is C/W and so is Fisher (and Foligno, for that matter), imagine the destruction that the three of them could do together...and they could take turns parking in the crease.

wprager wrote:Haven't seen anything, so I guess it's bye-bye Ruslan?

shabbs wrote:

wprager wrote:Haven't seen anything, so I guess it's bye-bye Ruslan?

I would guess so...

Wasn't Nikulin traded or something??
SOMETHING?
Nikulin was
forced out of Ottawa by Murray...Nikulin was upset the way Murray
treated him and Zubov. Murray's exact words to Nikulin just before
Nikulin asked to be traded where" We Just Don't Need You Here".... I
wish Nikulin could have explained himself in English but in his blog he
pretty much said that He was upset to see Zubov not get a legitimate
chance during camp and he felt Foligno's relationship with Hartsburg
was coming in between his and Zubov's opportunity to make the team. Not
to mention Winchester's One Way Contract. He was probably right to
leave and I am surprised Zubov stayed. Zubov played on three World
Junior Championships for Russia and it had to sting a little to see 2
inferior prospects like Winchester, and Foligno get an opportunity
ahead of himself and Nikulin ...After being insulted by Murray I don't
blame Nikulin for wanting to leave. This year Murray is gonna have to
play Zubov or trade him and my bet is Murray will trade him before
Zubov makes an *** out of him. Just like Shannon did after the little
guy was called up!! kind of ironic to see Foligno playing on both Zubov
and Shannon's lines in both of their call ups.... As if Foligno really
wanted to see Zubov and Shannon succeed in his position.... As for the
rest of the Russian prospects don't think they aren't aware of the way
Murray handled Nikulin and Zubov. I doubt any of them will come to
Ottawa as long as Murray is enthroned in the G.M. position.

wprager wrote:

shabbs wrote:

wprager wrote:Haven't seen anything, so I guess it's bye-bye Ruslan?

I would guess so...

Muckler's legacy of drafting Russian's that end up not playing for us continues.

Interesting take on this (and on Murray's handling of our Russian prospekts) from Viktoro over on Sens Army Central:

http://forums.ottawasenators.com/index.php?showtopic=5933&st=20&start=20

Bolding is mine for emphasis:

Wasn't Nikulin traded or something??
SOMETHING?
Nikulin was
forced out of Ottawa by Murray...Nikulin was upset the way Murray
treated him and Zubov. Murray's exact words to Nikulin just before
Nikulin asked to be traded where" We Just Don't Need You Here".... I
wish Nikulin could have explained himself in English but in his blog he
pretty much said that He was upset to see Zubov not get a legitimate
chance during camp and he felt Foligno's relationship with Hartsburg
was coming in between his and Zubov's opportunity to make the team. Not
to mention Winchester's One Way Contract. He was probably right to
leave and I am surprised Zubov stayed. Zubov played on three World
Junior Championships for Russia and it had to sting a little to see 2
inferior prospects like Winchester, and Foligno get an opportunity
ahead of himself and Nikulin ...After being insulted by Murray I don't
blame Nikulin for wanting to leave. This year Murray is gonna have to
play Zubov or trade him and my bet is Murray will trade him before
Zubov makes an *** out of him. Just like Shannon did after the little
guy was called up!! kind of ironic to see Foligno playing on both Zubov
and Shannon's lines in both of their call ups.... As if Foligno really
wanted to see Zubov and Shannon succeed in his position.... As for the
rest of the Russian prospects don't think they aren't aware of the way
Murray handled Nikulin and Zubov. I doubt any of them will come to
Ottawa as long as Murray is enthroned in the G.M. position.

asq2 wrote:

504Heater wrote:

Dash wrote:Here's an article on O'Brien from the Sens site: http://senators.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=424567&cmpid=rss-brodie

Says he has some work to do, liekyl playing with Bingo next year, and that once he improves his size, strength on the puck, etc, he will be a solid winger. When did he transition from Center to Wing?

They asked him to work on it in Seattle and they'll work on it in Bingo as well. We have too many centers, I remember reading this, so that's good news.

He was a defender when he first started out.

Too bad.

I loved the idea of Z. Smith - O'Brien - Foligno as a line.

wprager wrote:

shabbs wrote:

wprager wrote:Haven't seen anything, so I guess it's bye-bye Ruslan?

I would guess so...

Muckler's legacy of drafting Russian's that end up not playing for us continues.

504Heater wrote:

wprager wrote:

shabbs wrote:

wprager wrote:Haven't seen anything, so I guess it's bye-bye Ruslan?

I would guess so...

Muckler's legacy of drafting Russian's that end up not playing for us continues.

I think Bashkirov was a Murray pick shockingly enough. I doubt he does that again - especially not with a 2nd rounder. But...at the time I remember everyone trying to get rid of their picks - even 1st rounders. It was a dismal year for drafting, so I guess Murray took a chance that didn't work out.

Flo The Action wrote:
well with the overflow of tallent this year i hope murray doesn't pick russians. it's nothing against them i just think that the KHL might gain momentum and might become an attractive option for them. i say go with canadians, swedes or finns. i'll be very interersted in who we draft in the first and second round.

PKC wrote:Nikulin was so good he couldn't even crack Phoenix's makeshift lineup...please. Tell him to go cry in his milk back home if he can't handle not being good enough to play in the NHL.

As for Zubov, this is his final chance this training camp to prove he belongs with the big team. If he can't crack the lineup this year, he might as well pack his bags up too and head back home.

wprager wrote:Rumors are starting again that Smith will retire before next season.

504Heater wrote:

wprager wrote:Rumors are starting again that Smith will retire before next season.

Really?