Home
Publications
http://www.crashthecrease.com/2009/12/14/we-want-average-ottawa-senators-blog/
16 wins, 11 losses and 4 OT/SO losses: good for 6th place in the Eastern Conference and within spitting distance of the NE division lead. Now imagine what that record would look like if Jason Spezza had more than the 3 goals he went into last night with? How about Alex Kovalev and his 4 goals? Spezza and Kovalev both average around 30 goals per season, which is obviously a far cry from what they’re on pace for right now. Last night was a minor breakthrough for Spezza, and a pretty decent sized breakthrough for Kovalev – who finished with a hat trick. So again, the question is posed: just how good would the Senators be if these two were on pace for their usual 30 goals?
While it’s impossible to say to any degree of accuracy, one would have to think that the Sens would be right there in the East, battling the Devils and the Capitals for 1st seed in the East. And if they weren’t battling for first, they’d be hovering right around it, most likely with a hold on the division lead. Of course if you had a nickel for every ‘what if’ in the NHL, you’d be a millionaire, this is still one of those stats that makes you look twice. What the heck is happening with these guys? Surely, Spezza hasn’t lost his touch at 26 years old, right? Right? And Kovalev, a machine at times for the Penguins, the Rangers and most recently the Habs hasn’t lost his ability to seek the tiniest little corner of the net and slide it through?
While again, the answer to those specific questions will remain to be seen, it’s a pretty fair assessment to say, no, they haven’t lost their skills seemingly overnight. It might be fair to say that these guys don’t exactly mesh with Cory Clouston’s system though. It’s not that they’re not trying (mind you, some nights Kovalev….), it’s that this system rewards the grinders, the guys who love nothing more than to engage in battle in front of the opposing goaltender, or follow a player into the corner and finish the check. So far, the guys who have flourished under Clouston are the type of guys who don’t really know how to ‘stick check’. Is it a coincidence that Mike Fisher went on an immediate hot streak when Clouston replaced Craig Hartsburg in February of last year? Or that Sean Donovan found new energy as a 4th liner, lighting the lamp a little more than usual? Milan Michalek might be the second best example of this besides Fisher. Michalek plays the game with intensity, speed and a tenacity in front of the net that makes nice use of his 6′2″, 225 pound frame.
Speed and net drive. Those are two of the most important things when you look at the Ottawa Senators under Cory Clouston. They drive to the net, they try to take a man with them and they wait for the shot to come through. It’s not completely uncommon to see a highly skilled passing play, but that’s not really what you’ll be treated to in watching the Senators play. And those who deviate from that plan usually find themselves in the press box like Nick Foligno – or find themselves with a ‘diminshed role’. So what can Spezza do to be successful under this new coach? Well one, he can shoot more. Don Cherry said it on Coach’s Corner a couple of weeks ago and it felt like the first time in years that I agreed with him on something. As for Kovalev – he really is an enigma. When he wants to, he plays this style quite well. He’ll drive the puck to the net and let it fly, hoping that there’s considerable amounts of traffic in front of the goalie. Sometimes he hangs onto it though and the net drive is lost – or caught in an awkward shuffle between Fisher and Foligno and the defenders.
What makes Kovalev successful from what I’ve seen with the Senators so far, is having his two linemates drive the net while he moves in and takes a shot through the maze of legs. And he’s starting to have some success playing with Fisher and Foligno, both of whom have no issues driving the net hard. And shooting is a requisite of course. If Kovalev shot a little more, he wouldn’t be the object of fans’ frustration all the time.
If Spezza wants to turn his season around statistically, he’ll start shooting more when his linemates get to the ‘dirty’ areas. Gone are the cross ice passes in the offensive zone, that has to be put on hold until there’s a power play. No, the idea will be the same as the Russian star with whom you’re now a teammate. Wait for Milan Michalek and his massive frame to get in front of that net and wait for Alfie to join him, then fire away. And don’t stop firing no matter how things go for you. This can change your season, you’ve been given the best linemates on the team. Go ahead and use them! Fire away! Some of us want to see where the Senators would be if you get back to being ‘average’.
16 wins, 11 losses and 4 OT/SO losses: good for 6th place in the Eastern Conference and within spitting distance of the NE division lead. Now imagine what that record would look like if Jason Spezza had more than the 3 goals he went into last night with? How about Alex Kovalev and his 4 goals? Spezza and Kovalev both average around 30 goals per season, which is obviously a far cry from what they’re on pace for right now. Last night was a minor breakthrough for Spezza, and a pretty decent sized breakthrough for Kovalev – who finished with a hat trick. So again, the question is posed: just how good would the Senators be if these two were on pace for their usual 30 goals?
While it’s impossible to say to any degree of accuracy, one would have to think that the Sens would be right there in the East, battling the Devils and the Capitals for 1st seed in the East. And if they weren’t battling for first, they’d be hovering right around it, most likely with a hold on the division lead. Of course if you had a nickel for every ‘what if’ in the NHL, you’d be a millionaire, this is still one of those stats that makes you look twice. What the heck is happening with these guys? Surely, Spezza hasn’t lost his touch at 26 years old, right? Right? And Kovalev, a machine at times for the Penguins, the Rangers and most recently the Habs hasn’t lost his ability to seek the tiniest little corner of the net and slide it through?
While again, the answer to those specific questions will remain to be seen, it’s a pretty fair assessment to say, no, they haven’t lost their skills seemingly overnight. It might be fair to say that these guys don’t exactly mesh with Cory Clouston’s system though. It’s not that they’re not trying (mind you, some nights Kovalev….), it’s that this system rewards the grinders, the guys who love nothing more than to engage in battle in front of the opposing goaltender, or follow a player into the corner and finish the check. So far, the guys who have flourished under Clouston are the type of guys who don’t really know how to ‘stick check’. Is it a coincidence that Mike Fisher went on an immediate hot streak when Clouston replaced Craig Hartsburg in February of last year? Or that Sean Donovan found new energy as a 4th liner, lighting the lamp a little more than usual? Milan Michalek might be the second best example of this besides Fisher. Michalek plays the game with intensity, speed and a tenacity in front of the net that makes nice use of his 6′2″, 225 pound frame.
Speed and net drive. Those are two of the most important things when you look at the Ottawa Senators under Cory Clouston. They drive to the net, they try to take a man with them and they wait for the shot to come through. It’s not completely uncommon to see a highly skilled passing play, but that’s not really what you’ll be treated to in watching the Senators play. And those who deviate from that plan usually find themselves in the press box like Nick Foligno – or find themselves with a ‘diminshed role’. So what can Spezza do to be successful under this new coach? Well one, he can shoot more. Don Cherry said it on Coach’s Corner a couple of weeks ago and it felt like the first time in years that I agreed with him on something. As for Kovalev – he really is an enigma. When he wants to, he plays this style quite well. He’ll drive the puck to the net and let it fly, hoping that there’s considerable amounts of traffic in front of the goalie. Sometimes he hangs onto it though and the net drive is lost – or caught in an awkward shuffle between Fisher and Foligno and the defenders.
What makes Kovalev successful from what I’ve seen with the Senators so far, is having his two linemates drive the net while he moves in and takes a shot through the maze of legs. And he’s starting to have some success playing with Fisher and Foligno, both of whom have no issues driving the net hard. And shooting is a requisite of course. If Kovalev shot a little more, he wouldn’t be the object of fans’ frustration all the time.
If Spezza wants to turn his season around statistically, he’ll start shooting more when his linemates get to the ‘dirty’ areas. Gone are the cross ice passes in the offensive zone, that has to be put on hold until there’s a power play. No, the idea will be the same as the Russian star with whom you’re now a teammate. Wait for Milan Michalek and his massive frame to get in front of that net and wait for Alfie to join him, then fire away. And don’t stop firing no matter how things go for you. This can change your season, you’ve been given the best linemates on the team. Go ahead and use them! Fire away! Some of us want to see where the Senators would be if you get back to being ‘average’.
