Ottawa Senators off-season talk

Big Ev wrote:Yeah, I really don't care what happens to him, he's not my favourite player. I don't really have a favourite actually, leaning towards Karlsson or Regin. I just think this whole organization needs a culture change, not just Spezza.

I dont disagree with that, I think Fisher's time is running out quickly too if we are being honest. He doesnt play with the same physical edge he used to and is inury prone as well. That said he provides a ton off the ice and is a leader in that room.

I 100% believe they should be building with a strong leadership core in vets Phillips, Alfi, Cullen, Kelly, Carkner, and Neil. Those guys have a ton of character and should be leading the charge with young tallent like Regin, Karlsson, and others. That's the group that will lead Ottawa to a championship, not a Spezza lead group.

If Spezza isn't traded, we will need to draft a centre to hopefully play on the second line and compliment him down the road.

stempniaksen wrote:There's no way Chicago would be where they would be without Toews, that was a real bad example.

However, what would we be saying in Ottawa if we had a Pavelski instead of Fisher? Are we talking about how the Sens reached the 2nd or 3rd round? Maybe I'm wrong, but I think it's a possibility.

I agree with that for sure. That being said I dont think Spezza is as good a player as Thornton nor does he play with the physicality Thornton does. Pavelski is as solid 2nd line center as there is in the league and would help any team, I dont see Spezza's game changing all that much if at all with Pavelski here and what he actually did in the playoffs.

Big Ev wrote:If Spezza isn't traded, we will need to draft a centre to hopefully play on the second line and compliment him down the road.

That's what they are going for IMO. Hopefully a guy that can come in within the next few years and really produce if they cant or wont trade Spezza. It's clear he cant do it and that's what they are going for.

N4L wrote:
Im not saying it will be for The Sens or their fans, for Spezza, well it might. He might need to move more then Ottawa needs to move him. Anyways, unless another number 1 center emerges in Ottawa like you said, The Sens will not win with Spezza leading the charge.

No we won't. And it doesn't even have to be a top line C, just a guy who's creative offensively and can play a 2-way game. A guy a lot like Sharp or Pavelski.

I want teams to really wonder which line they should focus on. Sharp's (as an example) or Spezza's. Pick your poison.

Also, maybe Murray can trade him to San Jose and reunite him with Heatley? Who knows lol. They would have cap space since Marleau is gone, and if they trade for Spezza they could either ship Pavelski in return or just keep Pavelski and let Nabokov walk and go with a cheap option in Greiss. Just brainstorming here.

SpezDispenser wrote:

N4L wrote:
Im not saying it will be for The Sens or their fans, for Spezza, well it might. He might need to move more then Ottawa needs to move him. Anyways, unless another number 1 center emerges in Ottawa like you said, The Sens will not win with Spezza leading the charge.

No we won't. And it doesn't even have to be a top line C, just a guy who's creative offensively and can play a 2-way game. A guy a lot like Sharp or Pavelski.

I want teams to really wonder which line they should focus on. Sharp's (as an example) or Spezza's. Pick your poison.

You put your top line out against Spezza, it's honestly that simple, doesnt matter what defensive pairing you have out. Spezza simply cant compete with the best teams top lines in The NHL during a 7 game series. He's beyond easy to play against.

Big Ev wrote:Also, maybe Murray can trade him to San Jose and reunite him with Heatley? Who knows lol. They would have cap space since Marleau is gone, and if they trade for Spezza they could either ship Pavelski in return or just keep Pavelski and let Nabokov walk and go with a cheap option in Greiss. Just brainstorming here.

If The Sharks let Marleau walk they may not even make the playoffs next year. Nabokov gone, Marleau gone, possibly Blake as well... looking thin to say the least. Thornton would walk the year after that for sure and all they would be left with is Heatley, Pavelski, and SEttogutchi... not the best situation.

I would love nothing more then a Thornton for Spezza trade because it creates a ton of options going forward and replaces Spezza short term, but I dont see Wilson handcuffing his team while adding questionable character.

N4L wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

N4L wrote:
Im not saying it will be for The Sens or their fans, for Spezza, well it might. He might need to move more then Ottawa needs to move him. Anyways, unless another number 1 center emerges in Ottawa like you said, The Sens will not win with Spezza leading the charge.

No we won't. And it doesn't even have to be a top line C, just a guy who's creative offensively and can play a 2-way game. A guy a lot like Sharp or Pavelski.

I want teams to really wonder which line they should focus on. Sharp's (as an example) or Spezza's. Pick your poison.

You put your top line out against Spezza, it's honestly that simple, doesnt matter what defensive pairing you have out. Spezza simply cant compete with the best teams top lines in The NHL during a 7 game series. He's beyond easy to play against.

And then your 2nd line does the offensive damage (something a Fisher led line can't do).

That's the point of putting out two lines that can score consistently. And that means having a legitimate top-six center backing Spezza up.

N4L wrote:

Big Ev wrote:Also, maybe Murray can trade him to San Jose and reunite him with Heatley? Who knows lol. They would have cap space since Marleau is gone, and if they trade for Spezza they could either ship Pavelski in return or just keep Pavelski and let Nabokov walk and go with a cheap option in Greiss. Just brainstorming here.

If The Sharks let Marleau walk they may not even make the playoffs next year. Nabokov gone, Marleau gone, possibly Blake as well... looking thin to say the least. Thornton would walk the year after that for sure and all they would be left with is Heatley, Pavelski, and SEttogutchi... not the best situation.

I would love nothing more then a Thornton for Spezza trade because it creates a ton of options going forward and replaces Spezza short term, but I dont see Wilson handcuffing his team while adding questionable character.

Joe Thornton in Ottawa would be dirty.

Until Spezza stops doing the dumb crap he does and puts in serious efforts that people will take notice of, it doesnt matter who the 2nd line center is. The Sens wont win unless Spezza becomes a super over paid number 2 center or they make moves to build for the future up front.

Spezza is not a number 1 center on a Cup winning team or even a true contender.

Big Ev wrote:

N4L wrote:

Big Ev wrote:Also, maybe Murray can trade him to San Jose and reunite him with Heatley? Who knows lol. They would have cap space since Marleau is gone, and if they trade for Spezza they could either ship Pavelski in return or just keep Pavelski and let Nabokov walk and go with a cheap option in Greiss. Just brainstorming here.

If The Sharks let Marleau walk they may not even make the playoffs next year. Nabokov gone, Marleau gone, possibly Blake as well... looking thin to say the least. Thornton would walk the year after that for sure and all they would be left with is Heatley, Pavelski, and SEttogutchi... not the best situation.

I would love nothing more then a Thornton for Spezza trade because it creates a ton of options going forward and replaces Spezza short term, but I dont see Wilson handcuffing his team while adding questionable character.

Joe Thornton in Ottawa would be dirty.

Im not a huge fan of his but it would be the shakeup Ottawa needs up the middle.

If people want to start talking about trading Fisher to create that shakeup, go right ahead. Would Wilson go for a Thornton for Fisher deal? Maybe... who knows. Would Fisher and Lee for Thornton be enough? Who knows.

Ummm, no he wouldn't?

N4L wrote:Until Spezza stops doing the dumb crap he does and puts in serious efforts that people will take notice of, it doesnt matter who the 2nd line center is. The Sens wont win unless Spezza becomes a super over paid number 2 center or they make moves to build for the future up front.

Spezza is not a number 1 center on a Cup winning team or even a true contender.

He was 3 years ago, you just need to surround him properly (and no in my mind that doesn't mean giving him elite wingers. It means giving him depth in the bottom lines so top defenceman can't always focus on the Spezza matchup)

N4L wrote:
You put your top line out against Spezza, it's honestly that simple, doesnt matter what defensive pairing you have out. Spezza simply cant compete with the best teams top lines in The NHL during a 7 game series. He's beyond easy to play against.

Oops, sorry, you just lost Game 1 because the other top line center just tap-danced on your head. Better change that defensive assignment.

That goal alone M.Richards just scored makes me want to trade Spezza

marakh wrote:That goal alone M.Richards just scored makes me want to trade Spezza

Read my mind. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th efforts. Can you even imagine Spezza doing that? He wont even block a shot.

N4L wrote:

Big Ev wrote:

N4L wrote:

Big Ev wrote:Also, maybe Murray can trade him to San Jose and reunite him with Heatley? Who knows lol. They would have cap space since Marleau is gone, and if they trade for Spezza they could either ship Pavelski in return or just keep Pavelski and let Nabokov walk and go with a cheap option in Greiss. Just brainstorming here.

If The Sharks let Marleau walk they may not even make the playoffs next year. Nabokov gone, Marleau gone, possibly Blake as well... looking thin to say the least. Thornton would walk the year after that for sure and all they would be left with is Heatley, Pavelski, and SEttogutchi... not the best situation.

I would love nothing more then a Thornton for Spezza trade because it creates a ton of options going forward and replaces Spezza short term, but I dont see Wilson handcuffing his team while adding questionable character.

Joe Thornton in Ottawa would be dirty.

Im not a huge fan of his but it would be the shakeup Ottawa needs up the middle.

If people want to start talking about trading Fisher to create that shakeup, go right ahead. Would Wilson go for a Thornton for Fisher deal? Maybe... who knows. Would Fisher and Lee for Thornton be enough? Who knows.

Are you advocating a Sens team with Spezza and Thornton.

Hell has finally frozen over.