Sens about to sign MIKE Brodeur?

SensFan71 wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Well assuming Auld is gone then this Brodeur kid can step right in as backup or even take starting duties from the younger Elliott when the inevitible injury happens to Leclaire.

The other thing Brodeur could be thinking is if Elliott faulters then he could get an opportunity to at least backup in the NHL.

On the surface it seems like the goaltending is set but there's a lot of uncertainty and potential there for a guy like Brodeur.

well I never considered this, but Brodeur does make Auld expendable, hate to say it that way, but it definitely does, plus if Ottawa could go out and get Freddy Braithwaite like Heater has been advocating, then you got some young talent in Bingo with Braithwaite on a 2 way who can mentor them, then if the s*** hits the fan, maybe we see Braithwaite in the NHL again, anything can happen.

That would be depth up the ying yang in the Goalie position that's for sure.

Leclaire, Elliott, Brodeur, Brathwaite, O'keefe (Auld traded in all this of course). I personally would be OK with no Brathwaite and giving O'keefe backup duties in Bingo. OF coures with Leclaire's injury issues this allows both Ottawa and Bingo to be covered in that area.

Maybe they can sign Frank Clemmensen too to screw him over.

SensFan71 wrote:
well I never considered this, but Brodeur does make Auld expendable, hate to say it that way, but it definitely does, plus if Ottawa could go out and get Freddy Braithwaite like Heater has been advocating, then you got some young talent in Bingo with Braithwaite on a 2 way who can mentor them, then if the s*** hits the fan, maybe we see Braithwaite in the NHL again, anything can happen.

Oh man, I had forgotten about Braithwaite - good memory SF71!

I still think he's the perfect AHL guy - who can easily take a few starts in the NHL.

For the record, I'm still against trading Auld. I think he's better than Elliott at this point and time - and I think Elliott has a lot to work on. I'm not saying that Elliott should fester in the AHL, but he needs to work hard for one more year before he's given the backup job. After that, it's in his hands to wrestle the starting job away from Leclaire.

It sucks for Elliott because I doubt there's too much more for him to learn at the AHL level, but at the same time, there's technical stuff for him to get down pat.

Am I the only one who would start him in Bingo and use Auld as the backup in Ottawa? I'm gonna guess there are others that feel the same way.

504Heater wrote:For the record, I'm still against trading Auld. I think he's better than Elliott at this point and time - and I think Elliott has a lot to work on. I'm not saying that Elliott should fester in the AHL, but he needs to work hard for one more year before he's given the backup job. After that, it's in his hands to wrestle the starting job away from Leclaire.

It sucks for Elliott because I doubt there's too much more for him to learn at the AHL level, but at the same time, there's technical stuff for him to get down pat.

Am I the only one who would start him in Bingo and use Auld as the backup in Ottawa? I'm gonna guess there are others that feel the same way.

I personally would be fine with it and it's what I have been saying is the most likely scenario given how Ottawa handles it's goalies.

Well, like I said before, if I'm Elliott, after the year I had in Ottawa and showed I was a capable NHL goaltender, being an RFA, I wouldnt sign my name to a piece of paper unless it was a 1 way deal.

With all the teams in the league looking for cheap, inexpensive goaltending Elliott could have a job somewhere as the back up on a one way deal, no doubt in my mind. Ottawa better do what is right here because he is a big reason Clouston looked as good as he did as the coach at the begining. Saved the Sens collective a$$es on many night.

Neely4Life wrote:Well, like I said before, if I'm Elliott, after the year I had in Ottawa and showed I was a capable NHL goaltender, being an RFA, I wouldnt sign my name to a piece of paper unless it was a 1 way deal.

With all the teams in the league looking for cheap, inexpensive goaltending Elliott could have a job somewhere as the back up on a one way deal, no doubt in my mind. Ottawa better do what is right here because he is a big reason Clouston looked as good as he did as the coach at the begining. Saved the Sens collective a$$es on many night.

What if the 1st year was a 2-way and the 2nd and 3rd years were one-way? I agree with what you're saying - and that's what makes this a tough choice.

Elliott came up and was excellent. The games he lost were mostly NOT his fault. But he's not on Auld's level yet - and in the grand scheme of things, this is a business about winning. He will be on Auld's level and beyond, that much I'm sure of, but would it be beneficial for Elliott to stay in Ottawa, trade Auld and have Elliott sit on the bench watching all year? Or would it be beneficial to get him to start the entire year in Bingo, take them to the playoffs and taste that aspect of pro hockey as well?

At the very least, when Leclaire gets hurt, the Sens don't have to call up Jeff Glass, they get the built in chemistry of the Auld/Elliott tandem.

I dunno...

If there is a one way deal somewhere in there after this year, that's a different story, but if I'm Elliott and I have proved myself at the NHL level, and blew through the AHL like I did, I want some garenteed money and years in the NHL.

I dont think it is a tough decision at all if I'm Ottawa, and even less to think about if I'm Elliott.

Neely4Life wrote:If there is a one way deal somewhere in there after this year, that's a different story, but if I'm Elliott and I have proved myself at the NHL level, and blew through the AHL like I did, I want some garenteed money and years in the NHL.

I dont think it is a tough decision at all if I'm Ottawa, and even less to think about if I'm Elliott.

Sure Elliot played well, but I still don't think a few months in the NHL means he has proved anything. Players often play well when they come up for stints in the NHL; that doesn't mean it will last. This will be his first real NHL contract, he shouldn't make too many demands yet.

I like Auld but I think push has come to shove here and something's gotta give.

I don't think you can say Elliott is that much worse a goalie than Auld even if you think Auld is better. I think this long summer might be enough to close that gap if it does exist anyway.

He holds all the cards... He has defently proven is has NHL tallent, on what level? Not sure yet, but he is more than capable of being an NHL backup.

He has paid his dues in the NCAA, AHL, and was baptised by fire this year in Ottawa with an awful Ottawa team in front of him for a lot of it. If his demands are "I want a 1 way contract at league min" thats perfectably reasonable and IMO totally justified.

It's time Ottawa starts rewarding hard work, dedication, mixed in with positive results. Elliott has EARNED a spot in Ottawa as the backup.

Neely4Life wrote:If there is a one way deal somewhere in there after this year, that's a different story, but if I'm Elliott and I have proved myself at the NHL level, and blew through the AHL like I did, I want some garenteed money and years in the NHL.

I dont think it is a tough decision at all if I'm Ottawa, and even less to think about if I'm Elliott.

That's understandable - and if I'm GM, I'm gladly signing years 2 and 3 as a one-way NHL contract. I would ask Elliott to work as hard as he's ever worked in the AHL in preparation for 2010 and 11 when he's our backup goalie (until Leclaire gets hurt), then he's our starter.

If he agreed to that, Ottawa has solved it's goaltending for next year and the next 2 after that. Elliott's only going to get more mature, so it's not like he's going down to Bingo to slack off.

504Heater wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:If there is a one way deal somewhere in there after this year, that's a different story, but if I'm Elliott and I have proved myself at the NHL level, and blew through the AHL like I did, I want some garenteed money and years in the NHL.

I dont think it is a tough decision at all if I'm Ottawa, and even less to think about if I'm Elliott.

That's understandable - and if I'm GM, I'm gladly signing years 2 and 3 as a one-way NHL contract. I would ask Elliott to work as hard as he's ever worked in the AHL in preparation for 2010 and 11 when he's our backup goalie (until Leclaire gets hurt), then he's our starter.

If he agreed to that, Ottawa has solved it's goaltending for next year and the next 2 after that. Elliott's only going to get more mature, so it's not like he's going down to Bingo to slack off.

Not challenging a guy can be just as bad as brining him up too early. There isnt much Elliott can work on in the AHL that will effect his game in the NHL.

The softies he lets in, he wont have the kind of shooters in everyday practice and in games that will help him work on some of those spots where a weak goal has a tendancy to get in. The AHL isnt good enough for him to really develope any more and it might be a step back.

I love Auld, but there is somewhat of a market for him and having a young goalie with tons of potential surviving in the NHL as a backup where he is forced to work a little extra with the best players on the planet.

SeawaySensFan wrote:I like Auld but I think push has come to shove here and something's gotta give.

I don't think you can say Elliott is that much worse a goalie than Auld even if you think Auld is better. I think this long summer might be enough to close that gap if it does exist anyway.

The gap is close already, but Auld has skills that you can only learn from years in the NHL, while Elliott still has some technical issues to resolve.

Personally, it could go either way and I'm okay with it. The Sens could trade Auld for a 3rd rounder or whatever and that's fine, he was great here, he did everything we asked for and much, much more. He deserves high praise.

If we keep Auld and Elliott accepts a 3 year deal, where 2 of those years are one-way, I also would be great with that. The only thing I keep thinking about is Leclaire's injury history. Now, I realize that most of these injuries were freak occurrences, but it would be nice to have Auld on hand for when it happens again - and it would be even nicer to have Elliott ready to be called up to back him up.

I agree Heater. If Leclaire gets injured I sure as heck don't want to be playing out any portion of the season with a Elliott - Glass or Elliott - O'keefe tandem. Does anyone else like that idea? How about an Elliott - Mike Brodeur tandem?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I agree Heater. If Leclaire gets injured I sure as heck don't want to be playing out any portion of the season with a Elliott - Glass or Elliott - O'keefe tandem. Does anyone else like that idea? How about an Elliott - Mike Brodeur tandem?

I'm not even real fond of an Elliott - Brodeur tandem in the NHL right now to be honest. When Leclaire breaks his ***s, we're gonna be scouring the earth for a back-up who can backup the backup (Elliott).

People are acting like Leclaire is going to fall apart, and if he does it will season ending. If something like that happens The Sens are up the creek anyways and Elliott will be the guy, no matter what, getting the majority of starts, even if Auld is here.

There are not shortage of journeymen NHLers that can step in for 4-6 weeks as the backup for Elliott should a major injury occure with Leclaire.

Elliott has showed he plays well enough even on some off nights to give his team a chance to win on most nights.

Again, you dont want to hamper his development and a big part of that would be going back down to the AHL. A lot more can be learned as a backup for a legit number 1 than being a number 1 in the AHL.

Even if he isnt as good as Auld there is still more upside for Elliott and The Sens should be more worried about Elliott becoming real pro.

504Heater wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I agree Heater. If Leclaire gets injured I sure as heck don't want to be playing out any portion of the season with a Elliott - Glass or Elliott - O'keefe tandem. Does anyone else like that idea? How about an Elliott - Mike Brodeur tandem?

I'm not even real fond of an Elliott - Brodeur tandem in the NHL right now to be honest. When Leclaire breaks his ***s, we're gonna be scouring the earth for a back-up who can backup the backup (Elliott).

Exactly. That is why I don't see Auld leaving. They'll want to see if Leclaire can stay healthy for the season first. If they injuries continue to plague Leclaire then the Sens really have a problem and that might be it for Murray. Two bad coaching decisions plus a debacle on goaltending could be enough to get him canned.