Spezza won't be traded.

MurderOnIce wrote:I will go to my grave a bitter old man cursiong Muckler for letting Chara go instead of Redden. I said it at the time (perhaps partially because Chara was my favourite player) but I think that they would all have cup rings if you subtract Redden and add Chara to that club. Not only because he would have been capable (and surely willing) to exact a pound of flesh from Pronger but because he would have slowed down the relentless forecheck of the Ducks. They were hammering Redden to the point I felt sorry for him. The rest of the ladies on 'D' could not withstand it either... Priessing, Corvo, Meszaros...

At some point, we have to let this go. I want to break something every time we talk about this.

However, I remember thinking that Chara could easily be exploited by smaller, faster forwards and I also remember the awe-inspiring year Redden had leading up to their UFAs. Redden was the consummate, Scott Neidermayer, Olympic Team, puck-moving, slick D-man that you absolutely and positively needed to win a Cup, whereas Chara was a big, lumbering - at times easily beaten defender, whos game was still raw around the edges. The choice was harder than it appeared is all.

However ( :^^^^: ), when ALL the coaching staff tells you that it's hands down Chara over Redden and you Dung in their face and go the exact opposite way....you're an idiot. That's right Muckler - an idiot.

MurderOnIce wrote:I will go to my grave a bitter old man cursiong Muckler for letting Chara go instead of Redden. I said it at the time (perhaps partially because Chara was my favourite player) but I think that they would all have cup rings if you subtract Redden and add Chara to that club. Not only because he would have been capable (and surely willing) to exact a pound of flesh from Pronger but because he would have slowed down the relentless forecheck of the Ducks. They were hammering Redden to the point I felt sorry for him. The rest of the ladies on 'D' could not withstand it either... Priessing, Corvo, Meszaros...

What about Jason Yorks vague inference that Chara left because he wanted to "be the man"?

You know and I know that "being the man" simply meant not being second banana to No-Trade Redden, which is what Chara had to endure.

Muckler Diddle up. Big.

If Spezza was developed by the Wings and was FORCED to take his time like the rest of the players in their organization were, he would be a different player.

I dont blame Spezza for the way he has turned out, The Senators (and mostly Muckler) rushed him through, gave him everything he wanted without much work for it, and spoiled him. He came onto a first place team and has learned that winning should just be expected, not earned. Thats the reality of it.

Neely4Life wrote:If Spezza was developed by the Wings and was FORCED to take his time like the rest of the players in their organization were, he would be a different player.

I dont blame Spezza for the way he has turned out, The Senators (and mostly Muckler) rushed him through, gave him everything he wanted without much work for it, and spoiled him. He came onto a first place team and has learned that winning should just be expected, not earned. Thats the reality of it.

Anyone who would like to see Spezza traded has nothing to worry about. I'm not convinced that Murray is in love with Spezza and insisting he won't trade him only means he won't trade him for peanuts.

I dont even want him traded per-say but if the Sens dont get rid of some serious cap space up front and some real young players that the team can start to build a core around, they are in trouble.

My biggest problem with Spezza and The Sens is that EVERYTHING at this point has been built around Spezza and he is simply not the type of player or personality a team can be built around. He can't be THE GUY.

If The Sens could off load Heatley instead, then do it, I think he is the better player and so does 99% of the hockey world, but something needs to happen because if Murray is trying to go for a cup this year or next, get rid of him because it's basically not possible. The right guy for the job will build a team that can seriously compete in 3 or 4 years, not now.

All that said, I really didnt buy what Murray was selling yesterday, too much BS in there to be taken seriously especially if you remember his words before trading for Leclaire.

I think he had a bad series against Buffalo but other than that it was Muckler who thought he knew better than everyone else.... how are those old Oiler guys doing right about now... Sather, Muckler... crappy if you ask me. All lived of the reputations handed to them by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey etc... The most overrated 'hockey-men' ever IMO

Neely4Life wrote:I dont even want him traded per-say but if the Sens dont get rid of some serious cap space up front and some real young players that the team can start to build a core around, they are in trouble.

My biggest problem with Spezza and The Sens is that EVERYTHING at this point has been built around Spezza and he is simply not the type of player or personality a team can be built around. He can't be THE GUY.

If The Sens could off load Heatley instead, then do it, I think he is the better player and so does 99% of the hockey world, but something needs to happen because if Murray is trying to go for a cup this year or next, get rid of him because it's basically not possible. The right guy for the job will build a team that can seriously compete in 3 or 4 years, not now.

All that said, I really didnt buy what Murray was selling yesterday, too much BS in there to be taken seriously especially if you remember his words before trading for Leclaire.

Building around a guy can mean that you are making up for his shortcomings with players that are better suited to the areas that player may be deficient in.

Either way, I've been saying for a long time that the team can't succeed being front-heavy in salaries. I, for one, would like to see a trade. It's critical for the medium-term success of the team.

MurderOnIce wrote:I think he had a bad series against Buffalo but other than that it was Muckler who thought he knew better than everyone else.... how are those old Oiler guys doing right about now... Sather, Muckler... crappy if you ask me. All lived of the reputations handed to them by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey etc... The most overrated 'hockey-men' ever IMO

100% in agreement with you there. Muckler also became the luckiest GM in history when Hasek turned out the way he did.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:I dont even want him traded per-say but if the Sens dont get rid of some serious cap space up front and some real young players that the team can start to build a core around, they are in trouble.

My biggest problem with Spezza and The Sens is that EVERYTHING at this point has been built around Spezza and he is simply not the type of player or personality a team can be built around. He can't be THE GUY.

If The Sens could off load Heatley instead, then do it, I think he is the better player and so does 99% of the hockey world, but something needs to happen because if Murray is trying to go for a cup this year or next, get rid of him because it's basically not possible. The right guy for the job will build a team that can seriously compete in 3 or 4 years, not now.

All that said, I really didnt buy what Murray was selling yesterday, too much BS in there to be taken seriously especially if you remember his words before trading for Leclaire.

Building around a guy can mean that you are making up for his shortcomings with players that are better suited to the areas that player may be deficient in.

Either way, I've been saying for a long time that the team can't succeed being front-heavy in salaries. I, for one, would like to see a trade. It's critical for the medium-term success of the team.

I think the goaltender situation is solved. We have 3 good keepers, 2 very youngs ones with tons of up side going forward. The defense we have drafted is solid and is coming along nicely. (wont see their best anytime soon though). The forwards, solid depth, some character, but nothing that can really be utilzed at this point.

Ottawa needs to fix its performance from its 2 highest paid players. There HAS TO BE leadership from those two being in the position they are in. They have to play hard every night and do things that help the team win that is outside of their comfort zone. Until the character and leadership from those 2 guys in a non issue, The Sens will fail to do anything but be a bubble team.

Once Alfi gets dinged up, injured, or (dreading the day) he retires, the Sens have nothing resembling character or heart on a top line.

Neely4Life wrote:I dont even want him traded per-say but if the Sens dont get rid of some serious cap space up front and some real young players that the team can start to build a core around, they are in trouble.

My biggest problem with Spezza and The Sens is that EVERYTHING at this point has been built around Spezza and he is simply not the type of player or personality a team can be built around. He can't be THE GUY.

If The Sens could off load Heatley instead, then do it, I think he is the better player and so does 99% of the hockey world, but something needs to happen because if Murray is trying to go for a cup this year or next, get rid of him because it's basically not possible. The right guy for the job will build a team that can seriously compete in 3 or 4 years, not now.

All that said, I really didnt buy what Murray was selling yesterday, too much BS in there to be taken seriously especially if you remember his words before trading for Leclaire.

I disagree... if anything shows us how quickly things can turn around in this league it is Carolina... Cup winner to bed sh!tter to ECF... Anyone has a shot in this league now. I wouldn't trade our roster for Carolina's, would you? (I know you would trade Spezza for Stall....) I am just saying... Anahiem is the same and to be honest, I personally wouldn't trade our roster for Anahiem's (without Niedermeyer with him, myabe?) Sure we slumped for a full calendar year but let's not forget there were some monumental coaching mistakes in that calendar year. Coaching is more important than ever I think. Look at Pittsburg, Washington, Ottawa, Chicago... all of these teams did absolute 180's with a coaching change... truly different clubs... I predict this club will be playing in the third round next year... call me crazy (as you will) but mark it down.

Bold prediction MOI. I'm not ready to put any stock in this team going anywhere but fighting for 8th or 9th in the East at this point. If some changes are made then it's possible.

Here is why I say that...

Clouston is a coach. We haven't had a real deal coach since Murray IMO. I hated Paddock and was never a fan of Hartsburg, turned to hate when it turned out he talked a good game about accountability and never exacted any.

Leclaire can be a real goalie. He has the potential... so does Elliot. We are in better stead here than ever (except healthy Hasek but that was brief and unreliable).

Our Defence is deep (we are lacking an #1) but we have some potential and there is still runway to address that. If Smith is in the lineup they are tough too. No-one will have the shot blocking toughness of the Volchie/Smith combo if it remains in place. Philly is a playoff warrior. Just need to find some 'O'.

Our offence will rebound this year. The big line will have a big year IMO. They have been there before. They know what is expected and they are hungry to show that they are not a one trick pony. Fisher is tough, hopefully he moves to the wing as he proven he can play at the WC's this year. We have good depth at forward and Murray says he wants to add to it.

Personally I am stoked about next year. Maybe I see the world through Sens coloured glasses but I am a glass half full guy....

Diddle yeah Murder! Diddle yeah! :$$$$:

Wait...that was a hell of a motivational paragraph. Not sure we'll be in the 3rd round, but for the first time since Bryan Murray, we have a real coach.

Man...I hated Hartsburg so much...I can't even put it into words.

The fact that Paddock coached the All-Star game was an abomination.

When I saw Clouston out there with his mini white board showing the players what they needed to do... saw him yell at Carvel when the PP had a horrible shift... saw him bench big names for long stretches in games when they weren't putting in enough.. I knew he was my kind of coach... LOVE THAT DUDE.. I admit I didn't like the hiring at first but I take that all back....

MurderOnIce wrote:When I saw Clouston out there with his mini white board showing the players what they needed to do... saw him yell at Carvel when the PP had a horrible shift... saw him bench big names for long stretches in games when they weren't putting in enough.. I knew he was my kind of coach... LOVE THAT DUDE.. I admit I didn't like the hiring at first but I take that all back....

I didn't like the hiring at first because I knew nothing about him - and I damn well didn't want another POS Paddock or Hartsburg. The relief I felt when he started to motivate and coach was unreal. Especially when he turned to Carvel and tore a strip off him in that one game.

I like that he hates to lose - he simply won't tolerate it. I love that he's as competitive as we are. I love his aggressive system (dammit Hartsburg, smoke 'em if you got 'em). Faith in the players, total and complete belief in the system he's bringing in = happy, close-knit team = success.

For all the Spezza trade talk, this may have been a major turning point for his career. A real coach!!! Can you imagine that concept!!?

He is a workaholic too... He watches game film every night after the game. He dissects what went wrong. This is not a job or even a career for this guy. It is his life.

He kind of reminds me of John Gruden.... Different sport but similar guy.

MurderOnIce wrote:He is a workaholic too... He watches game film every night after the game. He dissects what went wrong. This is not a job or even a career for this guy. It is his life.

He kind of reminds me of John Gruden.... Different sport but similar guy.

That's another good point. It comforted me a lot to know that while I sat there after a loss, being a little pissed, but also trying to figure out what happened - we knew that Clouston was looking at film and dissecting the game. It's nice to know that he needs to win and needs to keep improving.