Holy Depth Batman!

Oh also on the Kovalev - Regin - Fisher line that has some great potential. If Regin can gel with those two that is one seriously potent line combination.

asq2 wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:http://www.senschirp.ca/2009/09/practice-lines.html

Michalek-Spezza-Alfredsson
Kovalev-Regin-Fisher
Foligno-Shannon-Cheechoo
Ruutu-Kelly-Neil
Schubert-Donovan-Smith

Yes guy!

Kovalev on the left wing?

Something has to give eventually. May I be so bald as to ask why Fisher and Spezza aren't together? Give Regin a fresh set of linemates and see what kind of chemistry he can bring to the table.

Whatever, I'm just excited about our top 9 now, never mind the top 6. Actually, I like the 12 forward group we can ice a lot.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Oh also on the Kovalev - Regin - Fisher line that has some great potential. If Regin can gel with those two that is one seriously potent line combination.

he is already geling with the Fish, so with someone that has more skill than Fish, as in Kovalev.

wprager wrote:First, it's less than 40% (he's *over* 60% on the PK). Second, while he's not the quickest (he can be fast but he needs the whole runway), and as pointed out by asq2, he's got size and reach. He can tie up that opposition center, or skate out to cut down the angles for the point shots.

I Think of him as the new Spezza;

If I'm Clouston, go to him and say

"Jason, you're an important player here and I need you to learn to play on the PK; here's how and here's what I want you to do". I would also highlight the fact that Crosby, Malkin, Ovie? and other high "offensive" caliber players do it (I'd do some research beforehand).

When it comes down to it, I think we'd be surprised by his attitude. Bottom line, the coach wants to use you in more circumstances, give you more ice time and more responsibilities.

I'm not saying that we'd transform Jason Spezza (even the new one) in a defensive powerhouse but I think we would be surprised by the results (hopefully in a good way)

TA

TheAvatar wrote:

wprager wrote:First, it's less than 40% (he's *over* 60% on the PK). Second, while he's not the quickest (he can be fast but he needs the whole runway), and as pointed out by asq2, he's got size and reach. He can tie up that opposition center, or skate out to cut down the angles for the point shots.

I Think of him as the new Spezza;

If I'm Clouston, go to him and say

"Jason, you're an important player here and I need you to learn to play on the PK; here's how and here's what I want you to do". I would also highlight the fact that Crosby, Malkin, Ovie? and other high "offensive" caliber players do it (I'd do some research beforehand).

When it comes down to it, I think we'd be surprised by his attitude. Bottom line, the coach wants to use you in more circumstances, give you more ice time and more responsibilities.

I'm not saying that we'd transform Jason Spezza (even the new one) in a defensive powerhouse but I think we would be surprised by the results (hopefully in a good way)

TA

I don't think Spezza has ever been against playing the penalty-kill or any other situation, but I do think he needs more instruction. I'd try putting him with Alfredsson or Michalek as a PK tandem to scare the opposition powerplay.

By the way, Ovie's defence consists of a few highlight-reel diving poke-checks, but there's no substance to it. He spends most of his time on D camped out at the blue-line (or further ahead) waiting for a break-out pass. Crosby's not particularly great defensively, but he gives more effort on the defensive end.

Geno's D is the best of the bunch IMO. He's a take-away guru.

TheAvatar wrote:I Think of him as the new Spezza;

If I'm Clouston, go to him and say

"Jason, you're an important player here and I need you to learn to play on the PK; here's how and here's what I want you to do". I would also highlight the fact that Crosby, Malkin, Ovie? and other high "offensive" caliber players do it (I'd do some research beforehand).

When it comes down to it, I think we'd be surprised by his attitude. Bottom line, the coach wants to use you in more circumstances, give you more ice time and more responsibilities.

I'm not saying that we'd transform Jason Spezza (even the new one) in a defensive powerhouse but I think we would be surprised by the results (hopefully in a good way)

TA

I think that's what happened to a T. I think Clouston watched and got the results of the workout day and finally saw what he wanted from Spezza: a guy in great shape with a great attitude. That'll open a lot of doors for him IMO. Get in with this coach and you're good. Diddle up - and you're in deep Dung.

http://www.senschirp.ca/2009/09/practice-lines.html

Michalek-Spezza-Alfredsson
Kovalev-Regin-Fisher
Foligno-Shannon-Cheechoo
Ruutu-Kelly-Neil
Schubert-Donovan-Smith

Yes guy!

I want to see that 2nd line in action. Kovalev alongside the already potent combination of Regin and Fisher? It's worth a try. There seems to be endless combinations of lines for our top 9.

beerandsens wrote:

http://www.senschirp.ca/2009/09/practice-lines.html

Michalek-Spezza-Alfredsson
Kovalev-Regin-Fisher
Foligno-Shannon-Cheechoo
Ruutu-Kelly-Neil
Schubert-Donovan-Smith

Yes guy!

I want to see that 2nd line in action. Kovalev alongside the already potent combination of Regin and Fisher? It's worth a try. There seems to be endless combinations of lines for our top 9.

So long as Regin's there and not Kelly, yeah.

Yep. If we're rolling out 3 quasi scoring lines, Kelly needs not be a part of it.

Just curious, was Clouston mixing up lines or sticking to his line combinations for longer periods of time? I know the FFS line was intact for a long time but I can't remember beyond that.

I think he tinkered a lot with his lineups during the course of a game. He wasn't doing it off the top of his head like Hartsburg, I think he new what he was doing, but as I recall, he definitely liked to fiddle.

SpezDispenser wrote:

TheAvatar wrote:I Think of him as the new Spezza;

If I'm Clouston, go to him and say

"Jason, you're an important player here and I need you to learn to play on the PK; here's how and here's what I want you to do". I would also highlight the fact that Crosby, Malkin, Ovie? and other high "offensive" caliber players do it (I'd do some research beforehand).

When it comes down to it, I think we'd be surprised by his attitude. Bottom line, the coach wants to use you in more circumstances, give you more ice time and more responsibilities.

I'm not saying that we'd transform Jason Spezza (even the new one) in a defensive powerhouse but I think we would be surprised by the results (hopefully in a good way)

TA

I think that's what happened to a T. I think Clouston watched and got the results of the workout day and finally saw what he wanted from Spezza: a guy in great shape with a great attitude. That'll open a lot of doors for him IMO. Get in with this coach and you're good. Diddle up - and you're in deep Dung.

It should also help him offensively. Once he learns the defensive game, and what it takes to be a good defensive player, he should realize what works in the offensive zone, and what won't work either. He'll understand what goes through defenders' heads, and will hopefully be able to adapt his offensive game around that.

Bass Destruction wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

TheAvatar wrote:I Think of him as the new Spezza;

If I'm Clouston, go to him and say

"Jason, you're an important player here and I need you to learn to play on the PK; here's how and here's what I want you to do". I would also highlight the fact that Crosby, Malkin, Ovie? and other high "offensive" caliber players do it (I'd do some research beforehand).

When it comes down to it, I think we'd be surprised by his attitude. Bottom line, the coach wants to use you in more circumstances, give you more ice time and more responsibilities.

I'm not saying that we'd transform Jason Spezza (even the new one) in a defensive powerhouse but I think we would be surprised by the results (hopefully in a good way)

TA

I think that's what happened to a T. I think Clouston watched and got the results of the workout day and finally saw what he wanted from Spezza: a guy in great shape with a great attitude. That'll open a lot of doors for him IMO. Get in with this coach and you're good. Diddle up - and you're in deep Dung.

It should also help him offensively. Once he learns the defensive game, and what it takes to be a good defensive player, he should realize what works in the offensive zone, and what won't work either. He'll understand what goes through defenders' heads, and will hopefully be able to adapt his offensive game around that.

It hasn't worked for Chris Kelly.

Bass Destruction wrote:
It should also help him offensively. Once he learns the defensive game, and what it takes to be a good defensive player, he should realize what works in the offensive zone, and what won't work either. He'll understand what goes through defenders' heads, and will hopefully be able to adapt his offensive game around that.

For sure. That and if he can commit to playing both ends of the rink, he can certainly win puck battles and transition the puck himself. He can be a big, big player this year if he commits and never lets mistakes bring him down. It might be the most intriguing aspect of the off-season to be honest - especially if Clouston puts a fast, 2-way guy like Michalek with him - and the always dependable Alfie. In fact, that should be the line, no ifs ands or buts. Flanked by two excellent 2-way players will further drive Spezza I would hope.

asq2 wrote:
It hasn't worked for Chris Kelly.

He's not known as Hands of Stone for nothing.

SpezDispenser wrote:

asq2 wrote:
It hasn't worked for Chris Kelly.

He's not known as Hands of Stone for nothing.

He's not paid nothing either.

SpezDispenser wrote:

asq2 wrote:
It hasn't worked for Chris Kelly.

He's not known as Hands of Stone for nothing.

Chris Kelly is Chris Kelly. He's not going to be needed on a team where the top 6 can play well defensively. However on a team where the top 6 is limited to offense, Kelly can be a godsend. He's great at what he does, he's just not going to light up the score board.

He was invaluable to the Senators when they were a one line team, now that they have offensive and defensive depth in the top 6 he is expendable.

Somebody will want him, i just dont think that Murray will get a lot for him at this point in time.

Sp00nz wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

asq2 wrote:
It hasn't worked for Chris Kelly.

He's not known as Hands of Stone for nothing.

Chris Kelly is Chris Kelly. He's not going to be needed on a team where the top 6 can play well defensively. However on a team where the top 6 is limited to offense, Kelly can be a godsend. He's great at what he does, he's just not going to light up the score board.

He was invaluable to the Senators when they were a one line team, now that they have offensive and defensive depth in the top 6 he is expendable.

Somebody will want him, i just dont think that Murray will get a lot for him at this point in time.

At this point in time, I really don't want a lot for him. Seriously, a 3rd rounder and I'm there. Take Schubert as well, and we can make that a 4th rounder.

Not that I want to devalue Kelly's worth. He can be a contributor on a certain type of team. I want him -- Kelly the player -- to wind up winning from this team. He can still get 30 points playing 3rd line, somewhere, killing penalties, filling in on the 2nd line as needed. Just not in Ottawa.