Post game analysis - Game 1, Ottawa @ Pittsburgh

wprager wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

wprager wrote:
I'm sure he does.

On that particular play, it was a quick pass from Gonchar, who was smack dab in the middle of the blue line. Malkin one timed it so the only move Elliot had was to go to the post, not to come out and challenge. If he had come out (to challenge Gonchar) then the net would have been even more open. And there was absolutely no time to come out and challenge on the quick pass.

Now I *will* say this about that play. If he paid attention he would have known that Malkin was to his left with a lethal one-timer. And he would have also seen that Gonchar did not have a clear shot. Playing percentages just a little he could have been cheating just a little to Malkin's side.

But that's all part of the education, isn't it? Just think about it, a lot of the Sens got their first taste last night. They will get better.

Gonchar's good enough to exploit that if you cheat even a little bit towards Malkin though, right? The dude's got a cannon and it's pretty accurate.

He had no shooting lane, otherwise he would have shot it himself. Meh, sometimes you have to go with percentages but, frankly, I don't know those percentages. Plus, who was on the left side, probably Crosby? Crap, you just have to hope the guys in front can block the shot or deflect the pass, and the shooter doesn't make it perfect.

N4L wrote:Enter Cheechoo

N4L wrote:

wprager wrote:

N4L wrote:Ok, people crying about Elliott or saying he needs to be better should probably stop talking about goaltending (like they usually should) because he doesnt. He didnt give up a lead once, he made the saves he had to when it mattered, he shut the door.

Other than about 3-1/2 minutes into the game.

We cannot assume that Fleury will continue to give up goals he should be stopping (Neil) or that we will continue getting lucky bounces (Kelly -- and I'm pretty sure either Winch or Smith could have pout that one in).

Take away the bad bounce and that backhander could be the back breaker. The Sens forwards (with a little luck) save Elliott's bacon last night. If he returns the favour tomorrow then it's just the way it ought to be. I'm not putting ash on my head and ripping my shirt because Elliott let in a a bad goal or two, but I'm not going to sit there and say nothing matter except the W. I do not expect to win on Friday if we gives up another 4 goals on 21 shots; nor do I expect that he will do that. As someone already mentioned, this kid has a pretty good head; he rebounds well after so-so outings.

Really? Sens started the game with a 1-0 lead eh?

N4L wrote:

wprager wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

wprager wrote:
I'm sure he does.

On that particular play, it was a quick pass from Gonchar, who was smack dab in the middle of the blue line. Malkin one timed it so the only move Elliot had was to go to the post, not to come out and challenge. If he had come out (to challenge Gonchar) then the net would have been even more open. And there was absolutely no time to come out and challenge on the quick pass.

Now I *will* say this about that play. If he paid attention he would have known that Malkin was to his left with a lethal one-timer. And he would have also seen that Gonchar did not have a clear shot. Playing percentages just a little he could have been cheating just a little to Malkin's side.

But that's all part of the education, isn't it? Just think about it, a lot of the Sens got their first taste last night. They will get better.

Gonchar's good enough to exploit that if you cheat even a little bit towards Malkin though, right? The dude's got a cannon and it's pretty accurate.

He had no shooting lane, otherwise he would have shot it himself. Meh, sometimes you have to go with percentages but, frankly, I don't know those percentages. Plus, who was on the left side, probably Crosby? Crap, you just have to hope the guys in front can block the shot or deflect the pass, and the shooter doesn't make it perfect.

Elliott was in position on that 1st goal, it found the 5 hole. There isnt anything else to it other then that. Malkin made a nice shot. If that happens again chances are Elliott stops it.

hemlock wrote:

N4L wrote:Enter Cheechoo

Oh. My. God. Yes. This guy is going to be so hungry. I hope he sees some action.

Big Ev wrote:Please don't enter Cheechoo, the guy is done and he doesn't even want to play for Ottawa. I read an article where he says his goal is to return to San Jose.

Enter Sean Donovan or Shannon, I don't really care who, it won't make a big difference.

Cheechoo's plan is to
finish the season in the AHL and then return to the South Bay. His wife,
Ashley, is a San Jose native, and they have kept their Willow Glen
home."I'm still pretty young, and I have a lot of hockey left,"
Cheechoo said. "I need to find a team that is looking for somebody who
has my skills. But it's up to me to find my scoring touch again."

SpezDispenser wrote:Over how? What if we choose not to buy him out? Let him find his game in the AHL and then recall him again next playoffs? Unless his agent can find a team that wants a used up 10 goal man, he's a Sen until we tell him he's not.

Hoags wrote:Nice little character piece on Cheech:

http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20100414/SPORTS01/4140372/1118/Love-for-the-game-endeared-Cheechoo-to-B-Sens--mates

Seems like they loved him in Bingo.

SpezDispenser wrote:Over how? What if we choose not to buy him out? Let him find his game in the AHL and then recall him again next playoffs? Unless his agent can find a team that wants a used up 10 goal man, he's a Sen until we tell him he's not.

I meant over as in he won't play much (if at all) with the NHL club.

Buying him out makes little sense when we can bury his cap hit in the AHL for the last year.

He'll definitely get a shot during training camp so if he trains hard in the off season he could conceivably make the team again.

Hoags wrote:Nice little character piece on Cheech:

http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20100414/SPORTS01/4140372/1118/Love-for-the-game-endeared-Cheechoo-to-B-Sens--mates

Seems like they loved him in Bingo.

SpezDispenser wrote:Over how? What if we choose not to buy him out? Let him find his game in the AHL and then recall him again next playoffs? Unless his agent can find a team that wants a used up 10 goal man, he's a Sen until we tell him he's not.

I meant over as in he won't play much (if at all) with the NHL club.

Buying him out makes little sense when we can bury his cap hit in the AHL for the last year.

He'll definitely get a shot during training camp so if he trains hard in the off season he could conceivably make the team again.

rooneypoo wrote:
Easy for you to say. We can bury the cap hit, but not the contract -- Cheechoo is still owed his money. Melnyk is stuck paying a $3 mil bill if you keep him on in any capacity.

A buyout saves Melnyk a cool million; re-entry waivers (if he were actually claimed) saves him $1.5 mil. Cheechoo making $3 mil in the minors would more than double the salary costs of the entire Bingo roster -- the other 19 guys are making $60-100K a piece.

So, yeah, there's all kind of financial incentive to do something, anything to get Cheechoo off the roster for next year.