GAME DAY: Ottawa Senators @ Dallas Stars – 2:00PM EST, Saturday, March 20, 2010

rooneypoo wrote:

The roster limit is removed after the trade deadline, I believe. Presumably, we're more concerned about re-entry waivers -- I don't think anyone claimed on waivers can play in the post-season now, but still.

Oh really? When is the freeze though, so we don't lose him to re-entry (not that that would be the end of the world mind you).

N4L wrote:
Right on! Mike Ribeiro is elite!

That's Spezza's comparable, both in terms of what they bring to the game, points, and overall leadership on their current teams. There isnt a more similar player to Spezza then Ribeiro. Some might argue Savard which I can see but not a lot of people put him in that "elite" catogory either.

Spezza has turned a lot of things around and Im not trashing him, but Spezza is not elite, he will more then likely NEVER hit 100 points once in his career, and Alfi is getting on, wont be there beside Spezza forever.

We could use a sniping winger for those two before Alfie gets too old. Someone who has a natural ability to put puck to net and isn't a snivelling baby - and preferably someone still on their 2nd contract.

IMO, Leclaire wasn't to blame for all the goals. I'd say 4 out of 5 he had no shot on. But his issue yesterday was really just overcommitting and being horribly out of place, and that's probably what Clouston didn't like. The third goal for me was one that should have been stopped (where leaclaire was flopping around and richards easily scored from his knees). It's important to point out that the d-men were also just flopping around or doing nothing at all, but that's where Leclaire needs to stand tall. He's leaving way too much of an open net for opponents. Elliott doesn't do that. But the other 4 goals, Ells would also not have a shot on. Go with the lesser of two evils

SpezDispenser wrote:No one should ever suggest that Alfie should just retire again.

Don't get me wrong, I love #11. When he's on, the team is on. He's tires easily these days and that just sucks the cadence of the team.

Maybe a retirement ala Scotty Do and Selanne then?

I think Spezza has shown some flashes of leadership lately and could be a "C" contender in the future. He's definitely matured over the past 2 years.

SpezDispenser wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:
I'll say Ribeiro.

Weird, that was my guess too.

I just looked it up now, too, it's Ribeiro for sure.

I feel like I cheated by putting Andy McDonald's name in there, I should have stuck to my gut. I also though Ribeiro because we just played Dallas to be honest, but I thought it made sense.

I thought "Ribeiro" instantly because, like it or not, guys like him, Plekanec, etc., put up very similar numbers as Spezza, and play similar overall games (pass-first, perimeter, etc.).

This has been the argument for trading Spezza forever. You can get most of what he brings to the table for a fraction of the cost.

Brad Boyes and he is actually available.

Number Twenty Nine wrote:
Don't get me wrong, I love #11. When he's on, the team is on. He's tires easily these days and that just sucks the cadence of the team.

Maybe a retirement ala Scotty Do and Selanne then?

I think Spezza has shown some flashes of leadership lately and could be a "C" contender in the future. He's definitely matured over the past 2 years.

Yeah, he looks off for sure. He could use a 5 game break, but we're in such a freefall that that can't happen. I think you'll see him perk up when others start to contribute like Fisher and especially Kovalev. I'm sure Alfie feels like he needs to carry this team right now unfortunately.

N4L wrote:Brad Boyes and he is actually available.

That's the first name I thought of.

SpezDispenser wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

The roster limit is removed after the trade deadline, I believe. Presumably, we're more concerned about re-entry waivers -- I don't think anyone claimed on waivers can play in the post-season now, but still.

Oh really? When is the freeze though, so we don't lose him to re-entry (not that that would be the end of the world mind you).

We're in "freeze" mode now -- that is, no one an organization acquires now, through any means (waivers, re-entry waivers, college signings, UFA signings, etc., etc.), is eligible to play in the playoffs. We can now exceed the 23-man roster limit, tho', I'm pretty sure.

111519 wrote:The only players on this team that should not be traded are

Alfie, Spezza, Karlsson, Michalek

everyone else is fair game.

+ Regin, Foligno, Phillips, Elliott

Gohan wrote:

111519 wrote:The only players on this team that should not be traded are

Alfie, Spezza, Karlsson, Michalek

everyone else is fair game.

+ Regin, Foligno, Phillips, Elliott

Dont know if I agree with those two, but Phillips and Elliott I agree with.

rooneypoo wrote:We're in "freeze" mode now -- that is, no one an organization acquires now, through any means (waivers, re-entry waivers, college signings, UFA signings, etc., etc.), is eligible to play in the playoffs. We can now exceed the 23-man roster limit, tho', I'm pretty sure.

Diddle yeah, bring back Cheechoo then, he was a better 4th liner that Winchester...no, that's not entirely true, but bring him back, give him his final shot. He deserves it based on his decent numbers in Bingo (so does Keller, St.Pierre and especially Hennessy).

Actually, I would consider bringing up Hennessy and sending Regin down to find his feet for the last 4 games or so.

Derek Smith has 42 points in 60 some odd games down there. Jesus, that's incredible.

SpezDispenser wrote:Derek Smith has 42 points in 60 some odd games down there. Jesus, that's incredible.

Better player then Brian Lee for sure. I have the same knocks against him that I do against Lee though, too soft right now for The NHL.

N4L wrote:
Right on! Mike Ribeiro is elite!

That's Spezza's comparable, both in terms of what they bring to the game, points, and overall leadership on their current teams. There isnt a more similar player to Spezza then Ribeiro. Some might argue Savard which I can see but not a lot of people put him in that "elite" catogory either.

Spezza has turned a lot of things around and Im not trashing him, but Spezza is not elite, he will more then likely NEVER hit 100 points once in his career, and Alfi is getting on, wont be there beside Spezza forever.

The most comparable player to Spezza in style of play is Thornton. There are so many similarities it's ridiculous. The problem here is that Spezza was brought up in the early years very poorly by the org.... That and his incredible arrogance as a kid and slow maturation process have led us to this point. Spezza has matured a ton this year (based on his interviews and general approach to the game) and he still has the potential to be one of the premier playmakers in the league. You can argue the merits of that type of player and whether they can ever lead a team to a championship, but you can't argue the potential to become that type of player that still exists in Spezza.

I think Cheechoo will be back up for the playoffs, and he's definitely replacing one of Regin, Shannon, or Winchester. That's great to hear though that Zach Smith is coming up!

Playoff lines?

Cullen-Spezz-Alfe
Michalek-Fisher-Kovalev
Foligno-Kelly-Cheechoo
Ruutu-Smith-Neil

Scratches: Winchester, Shannon, Donovan, Regin (as first choice to replace someone).

N4L wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:Derek Smith has 42 points in 60 some odd games down there. Jesus, that's incredible.

Better player then Brian Lee for sure. I have the same knocks against him that I do against Lee though, too soft right now for The NHL.

Can he pump iron and get bigger, or is this a lost cause?

SpezDispenser wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:We're in "freeze" mode now -- that is, no one an organization acquires now, through any means (waivers, re-entry waivers, college signings, UFA signings, etc., etc.), is eligible to play in the playoffs. We can now exceed the 23-man roster limit, tho', I'm pretty sure.

Diddle yeah, bring back Cheechoo then, he was a better 4th liner that Winchester...no, that's not entirely true, but bring him back, give him his final shot. He deserves it based on his decent numbers in Bingo (so does Keller, St.Pierre and especially Hennessy).

Actually, I would consider bringing up Hennessy and sending Regin down to find his feet for the last 4 games or so.

The cap is still in effect...