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shabbs wrote:I'm not sure why people are surprised at these cuts... how many spots to you really think are up for grabs? With Shannon's injury... there's one spot at forward. With Kuba's injury... there's one spot at D. Isn't that really about it?

Or are people surprised at the timing? Hoping some like Gryba would get a longer look?

We're now down to 18 forwards, 11 D and three goalies.

That's how I feel about Gryba personally. Just let me see him one more time with a partner like Phillips. Can't really hurt. To me Wiercioch should have been sent to the AHL and Gryba should have stayed to get one last look.

SpezDispenser wrote:First cuts:

The players re-assigned include goaltenders Mike Brodeur and Barry Brust; defencemen André Benoit, Eric Gryba, Geoff Kinrade and Craig Schira; and forwards Jason Bailey, Erik Condra, Corey Cowick, Kaspars Daugavins, David Dziurzynski, Colin Greening, Mike Hoffman, Jim O’ Brien, Tim Spencer and Roman Wick.

So what Question mark players do these cuts leave?
Bobby Butler
Cody Bass
Ryan Keller
Francis Lessard
Corey Locke
Zack Smith
Jared Cowen
David Hale
Brian Lee
Derek Smith (?)
Patrick Wiercioch
Robin Lehner

CockRoche wrote:Oops, I just asked Sensgirl why she was booing the decision to cut Gryba.

Maybe your post is my answer. But still I ask why? Gryba a lock? Where was this huge jump in talent going to come from? For every Matt Carkner, there is 100 career AHL defensemen. To think that we could have 2 players become NHL defensemen from the Sens system all of the sudden is a little too much optimism.

I think she feels the same as I do. Gryba looks like he can maintain the pace of the NHL and is the only true crease-clearer we have that can effectively step in as the 7th D-man until Kuba's return. I liked everything that he's brought to the table (and people have to remember that he hasn't exactly had the greatest partners on D).

Bass Destruction wrote:

CockRoche wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:Damn, Gryba? BOO!

Why are you booing this move? Just curious.

What did he show you that you thought he belonged in the NHL? He proved nothing to me.

If you were just booing because you had higher hopes, than fine. But I'm still not sure why you would have had such high hopes.

I can't speak for her, but for me, I wish I could have seen him one more time. I agree that he should be in the AHL to start the year, but it would have been nice to see him in one more game, on actual NHL ice. Especially with the next game being against the Rangers, and their chippy mentality, I think he would have been an asset to keep.

However, I'm sure Clouston knew what he was doing, and may have seen things in practice that we don't get to see.

Meh. I guess I just want the team to be made and the chemistry to start to build even more than what is already there.

You said it, Clouston knows what he's doing and I think if you look really hard, Gryba didn't show much at all. He didn't win any fights convincingly (against smaller guys a lot of the time) and he really didnt hit all that much or play great defence.

On the small ice in Dundas, he should have been able to cut off lanes easier and destroy a lot of forwards. None of that happened. On NHL sized ice against NHL players, it would wouldn't get any easier.

Apparently Clouston said Monday that he didn't think Gryba would make the NHL this year. So that makes a little more sense now, I guess they'll send him to the AHL to be one of the leaders in training camp.

CockRoche wrote:

Bass Destruction wrote:

CockRoche wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:Damn, Gryba? BOO!

Why are you booing this move? Just curious.

What did he show you that you thought he belonged in the NHL? He proved nothing to me.

If you were just booing because you had higher hopes, than fine. But I'm still not sure why you would have had such high hopes.

I can't speak for her, but for me, I wish I could have seen him one more time. I agree that he should be in the AHL to start the year, but it would have been nice to see him in one more game, on actual NHL ice. Especially with the next game being against the Rangers, and their chippy mentality, I think he would have been an asset to keep.

However, I'm sure Clouston knew what he was doing, and may have seen things in practice that we don't get to see.

Meh. I guess I just want the team to be made and the chemistry to start to build even more than what is already there.

You said it, Clouston knows what he's doing and I think if you look really hard, Gryba didn't show much at all. He didn't win any fights convincingly (against smaller guys a lot of the time) and he really didnt hit all that much or play great defence.

On the small ice in Dundas, he should have been able to cut off lanes easier and destroy a lot of forwards. None of that happened. On NHL sized ice against NHL players, it would wouldn't get any easier.

That's fair, but the thing with Gryba is he's a crushing hitter because he picks his spots, at least that's what i've found. I haven't seen much of him, but it seems like he can get away with making a big hit because he doesn't do it every time. That was a big problem i had with Sutton, he would always go for the hit, which lead to his defense partner suffering.

With small ice, it didn't appear to me that there was as much carrying the puck. It seemed the teams were passing rapidly, and shooting or dumping it in when they had a chance. And I found Gryba did have a solid game last night for the most part. He makes simple plays, doesn't go for the fancy, and does an adequate job of getting in the shooting lanes.

A big problem part is I would like to see more in order to judge him better. I only caught the last 10 minutes of the Montreal game, and last night's tilt was, as we mentioned before, not on NHL sized rink. Although I absolutely agree and concede that Gryba needs more work to hone some of his skills.

Bass Destruction wrote:
That's fair, but the thing with Gryba is he's a crushing hitter because he picks his spots, at least that's what i've found. I haven't seen much of him, but it seems like he can get away with making a big hit because he doesn't do it every time. That was a big problem i had with Sutton, he would always go for the hit, which lead to his defense partner suffering.

With small ice, it didn't appear to me that there was as much carrying the puck. It seemed the teams were passing rapidly, and shooting or dumping it in when they had a chance. And I found Gryba did have a solid game last night for the most part. He makes simple plays, doesn't go for the fancy, and does an adequate job of getting in the shooting lanes.

A big problem part is I would like to see more in order to judge him better. I only caught the last 10 minutes of the Montreal game, and last night's tilt was, as we mentioned before, not on NHL sized rink. Although I absolutely agree and concede that Gryba needs more work to hone some of his skills.

100% agree with everything here. I would like to see another game as well, I've been quite impressed and I think Gryba has a real future on the Sens.

Bass Destruction wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:First cuts:

The players re-assigned include goaltenders Mike Brodeur and Barry Brust; defencemen André Benoit, Eric Gryba, Geoff Kinrade and Craig Schira; and forwards Jason Bailey, Erik Condra, Corey Cowick, Kaspars Daugavins, David Dziurzynski, Colin Greening, Mike Hoffman, Jim O’ Brien, Tim Spencer and Roman Wick.

So what Question mark players do these cuts leave?
Bobby Butler
Cody Bass
Ryan Keller
Francis Lessard
Corey Locke
Zack Smith
Jared Cowen
David Hale
Brian Lee
Derek Smith (?)
Patrick Wiercioch
Robin Lehner

Those are my easy cuts for the next round, the rest (Lehner, Wiercioch, Lee, Cowen, Smith, Bass and Butler) are tough cuts to make. Bass twice made the team either out of camp or as a result of injuries, and he himself only lost his job to injuries in back to back seasons. He and Smith are similar stylistic players, but I think Smith brings more thus has a slight edge. They are both ideal energy players and PK specialists, and both will fight when necessary. They are in no way heavyweights of the Carkner & Neil variety, but Neil needs to play more on the ice than sitting in the penalty box, and losing a defenceman for 5+ minutes is risky.

Lehner's likely going to the AHL since there are two NHL (contract wise) goalies on our team. But it won't be because of his play, which has been as good or better than the other two.

Wiericioch, Cowen and Lee are likely the 3 guys fighting for the same spot (Kuba's), and I think Lee will get it. He's got NHL experience, and he needs to be given the spot, so long as he deserves it. But if it is a close decision between the 3, I would give it to Lee based on his contract status and experience. Cowen would then go to Spokane and Wiercioch would play top minutes and PP time in Binghamton.

Butler's a guy that is completely different from the other forwards fighting for a spot. He's the only offensive player that I see making the team. Where does he fit though? With him in, Smith and Bass likely wait for injuries, and then you rely on Neil and Carkner to fight the majority of the time.

Very tough decisions ahead for Murray and Clouston.

Bass Destruction wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:First cuts:

The players re-assigned include goaltenders Mike Brodeur and Barry Brust; defencemen André Benoit, Eric Gryba, Geoff Kinrade and Craig Schira; and forwards Jason Bailey, Erik Condra, Corey Cowick, Kaspars Daugavins, David Dziurzynski, Colin Greening, Mike Hoffman, Jim O’ Brien, Tim Spencer and Roman Wick.

So what Question mark players do these cuts leave?
Bobby Butler
Cody Bass
Ryan Keller
Francis Lessard
Corey Locke
Zack Smith
Jared Cowen
David Hale
Brian Lee
Derek Smith (?)
Patrick Wiercioch
Robin Lehner

Those are my cuts. Butler would last until the final cut for me. Cowen and Lee would fight for the final spot (Lee should win, but Cowen might stay I guess).

Z.Smith will NEVER be cut from this team again. Ever IMO.

I'm in agreement with the folks that say 'why are you surprised?'. in reality there weren't any open spots to begin with, and if it wasn't for Kuba's injury, Cowen would be prepping to go back to Junior.

That being said, I think the intention for gryba was always to start with Bingo. Same with Hoffman, so I don't think we should be that surprised at those two being sent down. I think we got our hopes up for gryba because of the rookie tourney, but I do feel its best for him to start in bingo.

IMHO, Cowen and Z. Smith are the only ones that will make it. I hope cowen improves his play, but I really really want him to go and dominate the world jrs. Him and Lee split the duties until Kuba gets back and then Cowen will be returned, which is expected since we got a zillion one-way contracts. Then we can expect the Weircioch and Gryba call ups.

Oh and Butler WILL be sent down to start in Bingo. I think he has a great shot to rip it up down there with Corey Locke and Hoffman, and will most likely earn his way back onto the main squad somewhere down the road this season. Either way, bingo fans can finally stfu about the murrays since they're gonna have one hell of a team

Michallica wrote:
IMHO, Cowen and Z. Smith are the only ones that will make it. I hope cowen improves his play, but I really really want him to go and dominate the world jrs. Him and Lee split the duties until Kuba gets back and then Cowen will be returned, which is expected since we got a zillion one-way contracts. Then we can expect the Weircioch and Gryba call ups.

I hope Cowen makes it, I don't think he has anything more to do in the WHL. The importance of the World Jrs is kinda overrated I don't think he needs to "dominate" them to get to the next level.

Cowen brings size and physicality that we sorely need after losing Volchenkov and Sutton and he's been looking better and better so far. Campoli and Lee don't bring anything unique to the table and they're certainly not physical.

Waivers or a quick trade can solve the logjam on D.

True. We'll get a good idea of where Cowen's at during his 9-game trial run but he's definitely doing that at least

Michallica wrote:I'm in agreement with the folks that say 'why are you surprised?'. in reality there weren't any open spots to begin with, and if it wasn't for Kuba's injury, Cowen would be prepping to go back to Junior.

That being said, I think the intention for gryba was always to start with Bingo. Same with Hoffman, so I don't think we should be that surprised at those two being sent down. I think we got our hopes up for gryba because of the rookie tourney, but I do feel its best for him to start in bingo.

IMHO, Cowen and Z. Smith are the only ones that will make it. I hope cowen improves his play, but I really really want him to go and dominate the world jrs. Him and Lee split the duties until Kuba gets back and then Cowen will be returned, which is expected since we got a zillion one-way contracts. Then we can expect the Weircioch and Gryba call ups.

Oh and Butler WILL be sent down to start in Bingo. I think he has a great shot to rip it up down there with Corey Locke and Hoffman, and will most likely earn his way back onto the main squad somewhere down the road this season. Either way, bingo fans can finally stfu about the murrays since they're gonna have one hell of a team

Well Said!

Gryba and Cowen were long shots to make the team. To really make the team, they would have had to upstage Phillips, Gonchar, Karlsson & Kuba. Otherwise they'd make the team as a 5-7 D and play >10 mins a night. I'd personally hate to see our prospects development hampered by only playing 10 mins a night vs playing 20+ in the minors. The Kuba injury throws a twist in this process which might open the door for Cowen since he has the potential of a 1st year slide. But I think the 6th spot will go to Lee and if they want a 7th it'll go to Weircioch.

Same with on the offensive side of things, guys like Butler, Locke, Wick, etc., are all top 6 talent. Lucky for us, our top 6 is pretty stacked. If any of those guys were to make the team it would be as a 3rd or 4th line player with no time on the PP or SH. They've got to go back to the minors and learn those aspects while logging 15+ mins a night.

SpezDispenser wrote:
Gryba got 2 games. Apparently in Montreal he was good and he was good last night. The organization needed to see more of him before making a decision in my opinion. I think he's the Sutton replacement - no harm in starting in the AHL, but I'm surprised as one of the coach's favourites and the only true bone-crushing crease-clearer that he didn't get another game or two.

Oh well. He'll be back...soon.

Didn't he lose a fight badly last night? Maybe he even got injured.

Yeah he got owned last night. Thought he would do better for a guy who is supposed to be a tough guy.

CockRoche wrote:

SensGirl11 wrote:Damn, Gryba? BOO!

Why are you booing this move? Just curious.

What did he show you that you thought he belonged in the NHL? He proved nothing to me.

If you were just booing because you had higher hopes, than fine. But I'm still not sure why you would have had such high hopes.

Likely because Murray came out earlier this summer and said he was the NHL-ready, or the closest of all Bingo d-men.

SpezDispenser wrote:Those are my cuts. Butler would last until the final cut for me. Cowen and Lee would fight for the final spot (Lee should win, but Cowen might stay I guess).

Z.Smith will NEVER be cut from this team again. Ever IMO.

If Shannon's injury keeps him out of the starting line-up, I expect we'll see Butler up with the big club to start.

Back when we were all guessing at the starting line up for the Sens this year, there really was not much guessing to be honest.

My original prediction:

Forwards: Regin, Spezza, Alfie, Michalek, Fisher, Kovalev, Neil, Ruutu, Kelly, Shannon, Foligno, Winchester, Z. Smith

Defence: Phillips, Karlsson, Kuba, Gonchar, Carkner, Lee, Campoli

Goalies - Leclaire, Elliott

Sub Butler for Shannon if he can't go and sub Cowen for Kuba and that's what I would predict.

^ in a nutshell, that's what the situation always was. They have been awfully quiet on Shannon though. It was precautionary before, but looks like something is definitely up.

With regards to butler, I agree he stays up if shannon is a no-go. But I don't think he'd get in too many games unless some other injuries occur as we seem to already have a seemingly healthy 12 forwards without butler and shannon