UPDATE: Jason Smith retires; door open for Erik Karlsson?

SeawaySensFan wrote:
Fisher was not the catalyst for the FFS line, that's for sure. We have the makings of a good team, so don't exaggerate. We only have about 61 Bottom 9 forwards.

No, he wasn't the catalyst, but we finally found him wingers that he can produce with. I'm not at all worried about Shannon or Foligno, I'm worried about Fisher, but I guess we can plant Kovalev there and cross our fingers.

Come on Mike...you can do it?

SpezDispenser wrote:

Come on Mike...you can do it?

Exactly.

hemlock wrote:Agreed. I think Regin will see action, but not a full time role. It's a shame some of these guys aren't quite ready yet. I think a guy like Zubov will be lost in the shuffle this season.

The important thing is if Regin gets called up that he produces at least 1 point in every 3 games. That's the traditional start out rate for future 2nd line centers. Say...20 points in 55 games averaging 14 minutes - and we know we've got a keeper.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

Come on Mike...you can do it?

Exactly.

:^^^^: I did that on purpose, nice catch though.

SpezDispenser wrote:

hemlock wrote:Agreed. I think Regin will see action, but not a full time role. It's a shame some of these guys aren't quite ready yet. I think a guy like Zubov will be lost in the shuffle this season.

The important thing is if Regin gets called up that he produces at least 1 point in every 3 games. That's the traditional start out rate for future 2nd line centers. Say...20 points in 55 games averaging 14 minutes - and we know we've got a keeper.

that's a pretty fair expectation from Regin, personally I think he would perform beyond expectations, but it's those darn Sens coloured glasses again getting me.

SensFan71 wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

hemlock wrote:Agreed. I think Regin will see action, but not a full time role. It's a shame some of these guys aren't quite ready yet. I think a guy like Zubov will be lost in the shuffle this season.

The important thing is if Regin gets called up that he produces at least 1 point in every 3 games. That's the traditional start out rate for future 2nd line centers. Say...20 points in 55 games averaging 14 minutes - and we know we've got a keeper.

that's a pretty fair expectation from Regin, personally I think he would perform beyond expectations, but it's those darn Sens coloured glasses again getting me.

A fair expectation if he gets the required ice time. I'd love to see that but I'm not completely sold that he is ready.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

N4L wrote:Jesus I hope not, I dont want either of those plugs. Rather see a guy like Regin get a real shot. Same with Smith who Murray said is ready to be an NHL player this season.

Although I agree to a degree, Sykora's a nice player with a sniping upside and seems to have a good attitude. I would love to have Regin step in, but I'd also like to have options.

Unless Regin is stepping in to the 2nd line Center role with Sykora on his right, I would say "don't bother".

Nah, Regin, like any other rookie coming in should work his way up from the 3rd or 4th line. Getzalf did it, Zetterberg did it, most players earn their way to the top minutes, not given to them.

Regin on the 4th line is not a problem IMO, let him earn it. Same with Smith.

Signing a guy like Sykora all depends on what happens with Heatley.

hemlock wrote:
A fair expectation if he gets the required ice time. I'd love to see that but I'm not completely sold that he is ready.

The good news is I believe the right guy is evaluating him. After a year (well almost 1/2 a year) in the NHL, I think Clouston has a good understanding of what is required of his players in different positions (ie a 2nd line Centre, or a 3/4 pairing on D). He also Knows Regins pro's and con's and can see at camp whether he thinks he can do the job.

Also talking with some people over the summer, the general impression is the Cory is the type of coach to give the player a legitimate shot at doing the job, not just 10 games and then well, pull him off the 2nd line and try someoen else.

N4L wrote:

SensFan71 wrote:

N4L wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:I also wonder if this opens the door wider for Karlsson this year. Murray is so in love with him, I wouldn't be surprised to see him play this season for the full year. I still don't think he's quite ready yet though.

Karlsson is on the team. I've been saying it since the WJC.

apparently Murray's been listening to you, because he has said it openly as well.

All you had to do was watch him play. He was head and shoulders better then Hedman at the WJC and every other defenseman in that tourny (except maybe goncharov, who was great). Other then his "size" which is a bit of a crock, he is more then ready to be in the NHL. Size is only an issue when a player plays a certain type of game. Karlsson is smart enough and quick enough to avoid the heavy hits.

Size also has absolutly nothing to do with strength. Look at Peca.

\

I eould say if you want to compare Karlsson right now the best example would be Tobias Enstrom. Played 82 games in his rookie year at 5"10 170 lbs. And Karlsson is more physical.

hemlock wrote:

SensFan71 wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

hemlock wrote:Agreed. I think Regin will see action, but not a full time role. It's a shame some of these guys aren't quite ready yet. I think a guy like Zubov will be lost in the shuffle this season.

The important thing is if Regin gets called up that he produces at least 1 point in every 3 games. That's the traditional start out rate for future 2nd line centers. Say...20 points in 55 games averaging 14 minutes - and we know we've got a keeper.

that's a pretty fair expectation from Regin, personally I think he would perform beyond expectations, but it's those darn Sens coloured glasses again getting me.

A fair expectation if he gets the required ice time. I'd love to see that but I'm not completely sold that he is ready.

10 plus mins a night is fine for a rookie looking to find his way onto an NHL roster. Use him in a 4th line role, PK time and depending on his play, some 2nd unit PP time.

Again, it's time that things should be earned in Ottawa, not given to them like Spezza and Meszaros were. There is absolutly nothing wrong with a guy like Regin working his way up the ladder.

N4L wrote:10 plus mins a night is fine for a rookie looking to find his way onto an NHL roster. Use him in a 4th line role, PK time and depending on his play, some 2nd unit PP time.

Again, it's time that things should be earned in Ottawa, not given to them like Spezza and Meszaros were. There is absolutly nothing wrong with a guy like Regin working his way up the ladder.

Bang on.

Anyone else get the feeling that perhaps Murray was waiting on Smith to retire or make a decision regarding his status, before moving on anything else. This could be our own internal domino effect

Well, with Smith callin it quits, for sure Murray now can take a risky contract back in a Heatley deal. Take Cheechoo for example, he makes 3 mil, .4 more then Smith did, that contract can now be obsorbed and if it works out and het can be a 25-25 guy along with w/e else comes back (Michalek) plus some other pieces, The Sens are in good shape.

Anyways, Smith retiering is a HUGE monkey off the back of Murray in more then one way.

beedub wrote:Anyone else get the feeling that perhaps Murray was waiting on Smith to retire or make a decision regarding his status, before moving on anything else. This could be our own internal domino effect

Domino!!!

SpezDispenser wrote:

N4L wrote:10 plus mins a night is fine for a rookie looking to find his way onto an NHL roster. Use him in a 4th line role, PK time and depending on his play, some 2nd unit PP time.

Again, it's time that things should be earned in Ottawa, not given to them like Spezza and Meszaros were. There is absolutly nothing wrong with a guy like Regin working his way up the ladder.

Bang on.

I disagree. Until checking/grinding lines are no longer in the NHL your offensive prospects need to play with talent once they have paid their dues in the AHL.

In Ottawa's case, in particular, where we can mostly agree that we haven't had a 2nd line that threatens the opposition in years (yes YEARS), we're in a good position to take that extra leap of faith with a talented prospect.

beedub wrote:Anyone else get the feeling that perhaps Murray was waiting on Smith to retire or make a decision regarding his status, before moving on anything else. This could be our own internal domino effect

internal domino effect eh, I guess time will tell over the next few days, I think it is more to clear up room for Karlsson to play with the big club, but I am not a capologist, I just know this clears up around 1.3 million in cap space from what I have read.

N4L wrote:Jesus I hope not, I dont want either of those plugs. Rather see a guy like Regin get a real shot. Same with Smith who Murray said is ready to be an NHL player this season.

Very good point there. Murray is quite high on Smith at the moment, he seems to have made some good strides and could very well be part of the Sens come October 4th.

beedub wrote:Anyone else get the feeling that perhaps Murray was waiting on Smith to retire or make a decision regarding his status, before moving on anything else. This could be our own internal domino effect

Despite what is said, Murray knew about this all along.