When is Alfie to blame?

Neely4Life wrote:I forgot Alfi had magical powers that turns a$$holes into priests.

Again, you win the Post of the Day award !!! Congratulations dude!

Alfie has proven his worth and leadership enough for me not to question him.

BTW I moved this topic here because it's not a story breaker in any way.

The reality is that one of the first players to react to the announcement by Heatley's agents was Alfie.

He called up Dany personally and ripped him a new one.

Alfie has always led in a quiet way, by example, and behind closed doors. What he does isn't done for the public, it's done because it's right for the team. If he truly had been in a position where he needed to give up the "C" for Chara to stay, he likely would have, but this was never an issue (see N4L's post). Alfie did call out Emery on several occasions, but you can't stop a man who is hell-bent on destroying his career.

As a group, several players spoke up about Hartsburgh's approach. Alfie didn't couch his words when he commented after the firing - he wasn't unhappy to see the change take place.

It isn't unreasonable to question any captain that has presided over the issues that Ottawa has faced, but perhaps a better question would be "How much more of a mess would this have been without the leadership that existed within the dressing room?"

Regarding the recent press conference, Spezza was brought up to the podium for several reasons, not the least of which is the PR effect. When Heatley's closest friend (at least as perceived by the media and public) calls him out, telling him to "sh!t or get off the pot", it's a strong statement of where everyone stands.

Spezza is being shown as having a distinct mindset, being dedicated to the team, and not worthy of the "whipping boy" status he attained after Redden left. He's being given a chance to become a leader instead of just one of the kids.

Never.

I raised the question last year when the Sens couldn't get out of their funk that had been plaguing them for over a calender year. When they got out played night in and night out.

But Alfie has proven to be a great captain over the years, he is our best all round player and has been for years.

He is my all time favorite player for the Sens.

Acrobat wrote:The reality is that one of the first players to react to the announcement by Heatley's agents was Alfie.

He called up Dany personally and ripped him a new one.

Alfie has always led in a quiet way, by example, and behind closed doors. What he does isn't done for the public, it's done because it's right for the team. If he truly had been in a position where he needed to give up the "C" for Chara to stay, he likely would have, but this was never an issue (see N4L's post). Alfie did call out Emery on several occasions, but you can't stop a man who is hell-bent on destroying his career.

As a group, several players spoke up about Hartsburgh's approach. Alfie didn't couch his words when he commented after the firing - he wasn't unhappy to see the change take place.

It isn't unreasonable to question any captain that has presided over the issues that Ottawa has faced, but perhaps a better question would be "How much more of a mess would this have been without the leadership that existed within the dressing room?"

Regarding the recent press conference, Spezza was brought up to the podium for several reasons, not the least of which is the PR effect. When Heatley's closest friend (at least as perceived by the media and public) calls him out, telling him to "sh!t or get off the pot", it's a strong statement of where everyone stands.

Spezza is being shown as having a distinct mindset, being dedicated to the team, and not worthy of the "whipping boy" status he attained after Redden left. He's being given a chance to become a leader instead of just one of the kids.

Source?

This is the first I've heard about this.

TheAvatar wrote:I have been thinking about this and probably an "old-time" type captain would have just caused Heatley to lose more teeth which probably wouldn't have ben good for rapport either.

I'm pretty sure that Chara didn't leave because of Alfie. As far as I know, Chara was never even tendered an offer the year he hit UFA'ness because Old Mucks had decided to keep Redden instead .

I am a bit puzzled tho that they brought Spezza out to meet the media last week when arguably, it should have been the captain. I'm not reading much into it; maybe Alfie is just out of the country but I did find it a little curious.

They didn't bring Spezza out, he just happened to be working out at the Scotiabank that day.