GAME DAY: Ottawa Senators @ Los Angeles Kings - 10:30pm ET - Thu. Dec. 3rd, 2009 PLUS post game thoughts

rooneypoo wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

I don't think Spezza is on this team come July 1, 2010.

I think it would be utterly stupid to risk flushing another season by waiting that long.

I just didn't want to pin myself to a specific date (i.e., 2 weeks from now, at the trade deadline, at the draft table, etc.)

Exactly. I jsut say he wont be in Ottawa next season... way easier.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

N4L wrote:What The Sens need Spezza doesnt have and what The Sens dont need it exactly what Spezza is.

This team is no different without Spezza, just harder working.

I remember him saying that playing with Michalek made him a better, harder-working player. I actually saw signs of it too. I just think he can't sustain that hardworking game. Sucks for us.

Sooo.... would the ever-tongue-in-cheek SSF be comfortable with Mike Fisher as his #1 centre?

N4L wrote:I have no faith in Spezza, none. This isnt a slight at people who think he can actually turn it around, but to me he is a lost cause. There are no signs, what so ever he has the ability to do it, or anything in his past that says he can handle adversity... in fact, it's the opposite.

And that's your prerogative. It's true, there's a pretty decent chance he doesn't turn it around and recently, has show nothing to give evidence he's even trying to. I just think at some point, his pride has gotta kick in.

rooneypoo wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

I don't think Spezza is on this team come July 1, 2010.

I think it would be utterly stupid to risk flushing another season by waiting that long.

I just didn't want to pin myself to a specific date (i.e., 2 weeks from now, at the trade deadline, at the draft table, etc.)

Of course not. I really think the team still has a chance to elevate their game and if Spezza is dragging them down, best to make a move ASAP. Otherwise, I can see it being too late long before the deadline.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

N4L wrote:What The Sens need Spezza doesnt have and what The Sens dont need it exactly what Spezza is.

This team is no different without Spezza, just harder working.

I remember him saying that playing with Michalek made him a better, harder-working player. I actually saw signs of it too. I just think he can't sustain that hardworking game. Sucks for us.

He doenst produce, he quits, it's simple. Always has, always will. I told people 2 years ago, a year ago that Chara has said that he cares more about his stat sheet then he does about any player on his team.

People question why a guy like that left?

SeawaySensFan wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

I don't think Spezza is on this team come July 1, 2010.

I think it would be utterly stupid to risk flushing another season by waiting that long.

I just didn't want to pin myself to a specific date (i.e., 2 weeks from now, at the trade deadline, at the draft table, etc.)

Of course not. I really think the team still has a chance to elevate their game and if Spezza is dragging them down, best to make a move ASAP. Otherwise, I can see it being too late long before the deadline.

100% agree with that.

Vandelay wrote:

N4L wrote:I have no faith in Spezza, none. This isnt a slight at people who think he can actually turn it around, but to me he is a lost cause. There are no signs, what so ever he has the ability to do it, or anything in his past that says he can handle adversity... in fact, it's the opposite.

And that's your prerogative. It's true, there's a pretty decent chance he doesn't turn it around and recently, has show nothing to give evidence he's even trying to. I just think at some point, his pride has gotta kick in.

If you cant see it on a stat sheet, he doenst care.

rooneypoo wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

N4L wrote:What The Sens need Spezza doesnt have and what The Sens dont need it exactly what Spezza is.

This team is no different without Spezza, just harder working.

I remember him saying that playing with Michalek made him a better, harder-working player. I actually saw signs of it too. I just think he can't sustain that hardworking game. Sucks for us.

Sooo.... would the ever-tongue-in-cheek SSF be comfortable with Mike Fisher as his #1 centre?

That was my suggestion a few games back. It seems like forever now.

Michalek and The Alfie don't need Spezza. Fisher doesn't really need anyone as he makes his mark mostly on the power play anyhow. It's an easy change and it may salvage Spezza's season.

Vandelay wrote:

N4L wrote:I have no faith in Spezza, none. This isnt a slight at people who think he can actually turn it around, but to me he is a lost cause. There are no signs, what so ever he has the ability to do it, or anything in his past that says he can handle adversity... in fact, it's the opposite.

And that's your prerogative. It's true, there's a pretty decent chance he doesn't turn it around and recently, has show nothing to give evidence he's even trying to. I just think at some point, his pride has gotta kick in.

And if it doesn't? Then you're either stuck with a 500-pound anchor in the form of a $7 mil / 5 year contract, OR Dany Heatley part II (i.e., a trade request made by a guy with a NTC).

The fact that we are talking about waiting for something more from Spezza -- the guy with the biggest contract on the team, in terms of dollars and years -- suggests to me that we absolutely need to be having this conversation. At that price / term, we shouldn't be getting a question mark. The fact is that that is what Spezza is right now.

Spezza is more then a question mark, he is now a problem. My opinion of his play goes down by the day considering where I was about his game to start the year.

He has 2, 3 points games. That's 6 of 17 points. 35% of his production has come in 2 games. That's not only a problem that is about the most concerning think I can think of going forward for The Sens as a team.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

N4L wrote:What The Sens need Spezza doesnt have and what The Sens dont need it exactly what Spezza is.

This team is no different without Spezza, just harder working.

I remember him saying that playing with Michalek made him a better, harder-working player. I actually saw signs of it too. I just think he can't sustain that hardworking game. Sucks for us.

Sooo.... would the ever-tongue-in-cheek SSF be comfortable with Mike Fisher as his #1 centre?

That was my suggestion a few games back. It seems like forever now.

Michalek and The Alfie don't need Spezza. Fisher doesn't really need anyone as he makes his mark mostly on the power play anyhow. It's an easy change and it may salvage Spezza's season.

I think you owe Fisher an apology, then -- you ripped that guy and his hard-work ethic all last year. He'll settle for a return to your avatar.

rooneypoo wrote:I think you owe Fisher an apology, then -- you ripped that guy and his hard-work ethic all last year. He'll settle for a return to your avatar.

Not really. I never ripped him. All I said is that he was pretty much a speedy, physical player with no real prospects of living up to his bloated contract.

I still think he fucks up more than his fair share of odd-man rushes and other scoring opportunities and loses a lot of puck battles for someone of such a Bunyan-esque reputation. But he's having a great year. Finally.

If it wasnt for Fisher, this Sens team would more then likely be last place and in far worse shape then The Leafs at this point.

They are actually ONLY 7 points back. That's unreal. The way things are going, The Sens may very well finsih dead last in the division.

3 wins on the road and they are already in Dec, no shot at that playoffs IMO. Can they do it, for sure, but not the way they are going. If they dont win 1 game on this road trip you can pretty much pack it in, in terms of playoffs.

N4L wrote:

111519 wrote:I'm an Ottawa fan so ofcourse I love the fact Fisher is having a career year.

That being said, Spezza is still my number one centre.

By the way do we really want to get into a spezza/fisher Team Canada contribution debate-you don't want to go there.

Oh, I defently will and want to... I'll allow you to go first before I actually make you look like a clown more so then you already have.

OK keyboard warrior....

Spezza has represented Canada 5 times, winning silver 3 times and bronze twice with 22 points. He was a reserve on the 2006 Olympic Gold medal team. He first represented Canada at age 16, previously done only by Lindros and Gretzky.

Fisher has represented Canada 2 times, winning a bronze and silver with 6 points.

Neither will represent Canada at the 2010 Olympics.

Alright I have the red rubber nose and floppy shoes waiting, do your thing and show us all why you are a hockey genius-and yet, your an executive on what team???

N4L wrote:If it wasnt for Fisher, this Sens team would more then likely be last place and in far worse shape then The Leafs at this point.

They are actually ONLY 7 points back. That's unreal. The way things are going, The Sens may very well finsih dead last in the division.

3 wins on the road and they are already in Dec, no shot at that playoffs IMO. Can they do it, for sure, but not the way they are going. If they dont win 1 game on this road trip you can pretty much pack it in, in terms of playoffs.

Let's hope Bryan Murray sees that and acts accordingly.

N4L wrote:

Vandelay wrote:

N4L wrote:I have no faith in Spezza, none. This isnt a slight at people who think he can actually turn it around, but to me he is a lost cause. There are no signs, what so ever he has the ability to do it, or anything in his past that says he can handle adversity... in fact, it's the opposite.

And that's your prerogative. It's true, there's a pretty decent chance he doesn't turn it around and recently, has show nothing to give evidence he's even trying to. I just think at some point, his pride has gotta kick in.

If you cant see it on a stat sheet, he doenst care.

You would think though, that his lack of production (which does show up on the stat sheet, but not in an obvious way) would make him want to produce more... we can only guess what's really going on... perhaps it's a combo of injury and total apathy... or something else is going on behind those doors... I dunno... but 26 games in... this can't continue...

You actually included the World Juniors as a arguement FOR Spezza making Team Canada over Fisher in 2010... Almost 10 years ago...

Well then, why are we not talking about Mike Ribiero, he's represented Canada before at the WJC.

Fisher was better at the World last year if you actually want to talk about past performance on the world stage.

So yes, Spezza as a teenage was awesome, so was Doogie Howser. How does that have ANY relivence at all today. You cant be as dumb as you are making yourself sound, no shot.

Also, all those times he has represented Canada and no golds eh... no championships in Jr or in The NHL... THATS WHO I WANT! A guy that always loses the last game of a tournament or the season.

shabbs wrote:

N4L wrote:

Vandelay wrote:

N4L wrote:I have no faith in Spezza, none. This isnt a slight at people who think he can actually turn it around, but to me he is a lost cause. There are no signs, what so ever he has the ability to do it, or anything in his past that says he can handle adversity... in fact, it's the opposite.

And that's your prerogative. It's true, there's a pretty decent chance he doesn't turn it around and recently, has show nothing to give evidence he's even trying to. I just think at some point, his pride has gotta kick in.

If you cant see it on a stat sheet, he doenst care.

You would think though, that his lack of production (which does show up on the stat sheet, but not in an obvious way) would make him want to produce more... we can only guess what's really going on... perhaps it's a combo of injury and total apathy... or something else is going on behind those doors... I dunno... but 26 games in... this can't continue...

It will.