All Things Binghamton Senators!

I'm not being "that guy" as much as just echoing what "that guy" would say. Consider it a "Devil's Advocate" of sorts. The expectation for this guy is not a 3rd line centre but a top-six winger, so his work in faceoffs is not as important as it is for Turris (who could learn a few things).

He was touted by Murrays and others as being NHL ready, ad was put in for 9 games, playing his way down to the third/fourth line. He did not exactly impress. I know he was an 18 year old, so the expectations were too lofty.

Then he went down to the SEL and, instead of leading his team, as we all hoped/expected, he rode his team down into the lower tier. That gold-medal winning goal, instead of being the cherry on top, made people start questioning his commitment -- as in, he scored the big goal and then got too big for his britches. It also didn't help that Silfverberg was lighting things up, and Couturier was having a successful rookie season.

So, now it's a clean slate, again, and this time, surely, no more excuses? And then he goes 10 games without a goal, even though he is playing top-line minutes.

Me, I want to look at 10-game segments. From what I've heard (as I've seen *very* little) Zibanejad is playing well and getting chances, but appeared to be snake bit. He started the next 10 games well, so hopefully the next 10 will be an improvement over the first 10.

Until then, there really isn't much to get excited about. 2nd best on the team behind Lehner? Is that really a fair assessment?

wprager wrote:

Then he went down to the SEL and, instead of leading his team, as we all hoped/expected, he rode his team down into the lower tier. That gold-medal winning goal, instead of being the cherry on top, made people start questioning his commitment -- as in, he scored the big goal and then got too big for his britches. It also didn't help that Silfverberg was lighting things up, and Couturier was having a successful rookie season.

So, now it's a clean slate, again, and this time, surely, no more excuses? And then he goes 10 games without a goal, even though he is playing top-line minutes.

I'm sorry, but anyone who was expecting him to LEAD a professional team in or to anything was just being ignorant. Like, completely ignorant. Veterans lead a team, not 18 year old rookies unless they are a big time, uber, Peter Forsberg or Backstrom prospect. The hell do you think the SEL is, the OHL or something? Especially when a player is not known for offense only, thinking MZ would lead his team in scoring or even to the playoffs is hilarious. His team got relegated; he didn't make them get relegated. It's a team sport. Saying he rode his team down into the lower tier is like saying Colin Greening was the reason Ottawa finished 5th last in 2011.

As for the bolded, who said that? It sounds so stupid to even suggest and Ive never heard anyone say that.

My previous post stands. You may not *be* that guy, but you're *being* "that guy" right now (and believe me, there are so many in this fickle fanbase who I can say the same about). You're expecting too much based on the position he was picked and the fact that he started his career right away in Ottawa.

But do whatever the Diddle you want. Write Bryan Murray an e-mail saying you think his player sucks and want him shipped out immediately. Whatever floats your boat.

"Justice will not be served unless Zibanejad scores 40 goals this year in the AHL! There will be a price to pay from us stat wankers if he doesn't put up a PPG!"

wprager wrote:
He was touted by Murrays and others as being NHL ready, ad was put in for 9 games, playing his way down to the third/fourth line. He did not exactly impress. I know he was an 18 year old, so the expectations were too lofty.

He was and is NHL ready defensively. He didn't play his way down to the third and fourth line, that's where he started because that's where he was good. He could have played the whole year and had a Sean Couturier like season, easily.

wprager wrote: (as I've seen *very* little)

What you hear is generally the wrong information being spewed by other people who haven't seen but heard things. It's a cycle of ignorance, basically.

I'll be offline until Zibanejad scores another goal. Peace.

wprager wrote:I'm not being "that guy" as much as just echoing what "that guy" would say. Consider it a "Devil's Advocate" of sorts. The expectation for this guy is not a 3rd line centre but a top-six winger, so his work in faceoffs is not as important as it is for Turris (who could learn a few things).

He was touted by Murrays and others as being NHL ready, ad was put in for 9 games, playing his way down to the third/fourth line. He did not exactly impress. I know he was an 18 year old, so the expectations were too lofty.

Then he went down to the SEL and, instead of leading his team, as we all hoped/expected, he rode his team down into the lower tier. That gold-medal winning goal, instead of being the cherry on top, made people start questioning his commitment -- as in, he scored the big goal and then got too big for his britches. It also didn't help that Silfverberg was lighting things up, and Couturier was having a successful rookie season.

So, now it's a clean slate, again, and this time, surely, no more excuses? And then he goes 10 games without a goal, even though he is playing top-line minutes.

Me, I want to look at 10-game segments. From what I've heard (as I've seen *very* little) Zibanejad is playing well and getting chances, but appeared to be snake bit. He started the next 10 games well, so hopefully the next 10 will be an improvement over the first 10.

Until then, there really isn't much to get excited about. 2nd best on the team behind Lehner? Is that really a fair assessment?

You should watch the games I think. It's a very innacurate description of Zibanejad.
I've seen all of their games on stream this year and he looks fine to me. Not dominating but progressing. He's 19 for god's sake. Anyone comparing him to any of the draftees 1 year after the draft is just bored. It's a useless opinion.
And if you know anything about Zibanejad, that bolded part is so far form the truth.

Please, give me a bit of a break, Evan. I'm not talking about what Pronman said -- like I mentioned already, I don't follow him. It was a couple of interviews with Richardson, saying how well he is doing, getting chances and so on. He's getting top-line ice time, first unit PP and PK time. Clearly he thinks he's got something.

As for who was down on him after the WJC I'm pretty sure it was SteffeG. Almost uncharacteristically so.

Anyhow, I don't think anyone will disagree that they were hoping for a little more offensive production than 1 goal after 10 games. I'm hoping the next 10 will show an improvement. I'm not expecting 40 goals, not even close.

40 GOALS NOW!

I've got to find the time to watch some of these bingo games and not just look at stats and hear reports.

SteffeG has never liked Zibanejad, ever.

LeKid wrote:SteffeG has never liked Zibanejad, ever.

I've always found that odd. I've never seen an explanation.

Flo The Action wrote:40 GOALS NOW!

I've got to find the time to watch some of these bingo games and not just look at stats and hear reports.

40 goals in NHL-12.

spader wrote:

LeKid wrote:SteffeG has never liked Zibanejad, ever.

I've always found that odd. I've never seen an explanation.

I don't think he was always sour on him, at least not too sour. But it did seem to get pretty strong after the WJC. Which is kind of weird because his season in the SEL was affected quite a bit *because* of the break for the WJC, and then he had the concussion later (or was that earlier?) Anyhow, you're completely correct (Evan) that you cannot expect a 18-year-old to lead his team, not unless he is the top first overall in a decade of 1st overalls.

Still, the season started with 9 mostly forgettable games in the NHL (that one-timer OT winner in pre-season was fun to watch, but nothing followed on from there), then a largely forgettable regular season. That gold medal winning goal was almost an anomaly (and even on here I've hear people discounting that goal, how most of the work was done by the other forward checking the puck carrier, and that Zibanejad was almost lucky to be in the right spot at the right time to benefit from another players' strong play).

Prager (and all), your mission should you choose to accept it is to watch the next 8 Binghamton games (that's right, eight). When you've watched all 8, then come back and give an opinion, because you'll immediately see things that make him highly touted. His physical play, his shot, the fact that he appears to be driving the net with and without the puck. He's a solid player - and this comes from someone that had his doubts.

I'll trust what Luke Richardson says in regards to his players... He knows more than the fans..

Robin Lehner ‏@RobinLehner
Great weekend for the boys!! Its really fun to play for this team!! Lots of heart so far!!

SpezDispenser wrote:Prager (and all), your mission should you choose to accept it is to watch the next 8 Binghamton games (that's right, eight). When you've watched all 8, then come back and give an opinion, because you'll immediately see things that make him highly touted. His physical play, his shot, the fact that he appears to be driving the net with and without the puck. He's a solid player - and this comes from someone that had his doubts.

Sorry, I have to decline. That whole disavowal thing scares me, to tell the truth.

I don't disagree with anything you are saying (well, maybe saying he's the second best player on the team after Lehner is a stretch). I haven't jumped off the bandwagon. I'm typically more realistic when it comes to our prospects so I don't get too high or too low (hey, don't make me bring up the things you said about Butler and Regin before him; some things you had in your sig are priceless in retrospect; but I won't do that to you ).

This particular prospect was, perhaps, touted a little too vigorously by the Murrays and others; that resulted in some lofty expectations which -- to this point in time -- the kid has not met. And I'm OK with that. We'll see what happens by the 20-game mark.

wprager wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:Prager (and all), your mission should you choose to accept it is to watch the next 8 Binghamton games (that's right, eight). When you've watched all 8, then come back and give an opinion, because you'll immediately see things that make him highly touted. His physical play, his shot, the fact that he appears to be driving the net with and without the puck. He's a solid player - and this comes from someone that had his doubts.

Sorry, I have to decline. That whole disavowal thing scares me, to tell the truth.

I don't disagree with anything you are saying (well, maybe saying he's the second best player on the team after Lehner is a stretch). I haven't jumped off the bandwagon. I'm typically more realistic when it comes to our prospects so I don't get too high or too low (hey, don't make me bring up the things you said about Butler and Regin before him; some things you had in your sig are priceless in retrospect; but I won't do that to you ).

This particular prospect was, perhaps, touted a little too vigorously by the Murrays and others; that resulted in some lofty expectations which -- to this point in time -- the kid has not met. And I'm OK with that. We'll see what happens by the 20-game mark.

Agreed to an extent. There certainly was a time - and there still is - where I get way too high on certain prospects. That said, I feel as if Bobby Butler got caught in a perfect storm that led to his downfall here. He had success when the pressure was somewhat off, then had a sophomore slump, but instead of being able to work through it he got caught with Filatov flaking off, wasn't eligible for the AHL and he was left on the outside looking in when Greening, Condra etc. made the league. I think it's possible his career is in jeopardy after Cussing up so badly with his opportunity - especially when his huge chance came along this year to kill it in the AHL and vie for a job next October and he's not producing. Work ethic is questionable as well.

Regin's a much different case though. Don't listen to anyone who says that he's a nothing in the NHL because they're not basing that on anything. That guy has a chance to be a 3rd line player with PK and PP duties...if he stays healthy. Whether he does or not is a huge question mark, but we've all seen the talent he has and I continue to maintain he's an important part of our team. Last year had he not been injured, would he have gotten 50 points? I think so personally and that would have changed the way the casual fan viewed him. All of a sudden instead of being an afterthought, he'd have been pencilled in where Latendresse is being pencilled in - top 6 at the most, 3rd line with special team duties at the least.

SpezDispenser wrote:

wprager wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:Prager (and all), your mission should you choose to accept it is to watch the next 8 Binghamton games (that's right, eight). When you've watched all 8, then come back and give an opinion, because you'll immediately see things that make him highly touted. His physical play, his shot, the fact that he appears to be driving the net with and without the puck. He's a solid player - and this comes from someone that had his doubts.

Sorry, I have to decline. That whole disavowal thing scares me, to tell the truth.

I don't disagree with anything you are saying (well, maybe saying he's the second best player on the team after Lehner is a stretch). I haven't jumped off the bandwagon. I'm typically more realistic when it comes to our prospects so I don't get too high or too low (hey, don't make me bring up the things you said about Butler and Regin before him; some things you had in your sig are priceless in retrospect; but I won't do that to you ).

This particular prospect was, perhaps, touted a little too vigorously by the Murrays and others; that resulted in some lofty expectations which -- to this point in time -- the kid has not met. And I'm OK with that. We'll see what happens by the 20-game mark.

Agreed to an extent. There certainly was a time - and there still is - where I get way too high on certain prospects. That said, I feel as if Bobby Butler got caught in a perfect storm that led to his downfall here. He had success when the pressure was somewhat off, then had a sophomore slump, but instead of being able to work through it he got caught with Filatov flaking off, wasn't eligible for the AHL and he was left on the outside looking in when Greening, Condra etc. made the league. I think it's possible his career is in jeopardy after Cussing up so badly with his opportunity - especially when his huge chance came along this year to kill it in the AHL and vie for a job next October and he's not producing. Work ethic is questionable as well.

Regin's a much different case though. Don't listen to anyone who says that he's a nothing in the NHL because they're not basing that on anything. That guy has a chance to be a 3rd line player with PK and PP duties...if he stays healthy. Whether he does or not is a huge question mark, but we've all seen the talent he has and I continue to maintain he's an important part of our team. Last year had he not been injured, would he have gotten 50 points? I think so personally and that would have changed the way the casual fan viewed him. All of a sudden instead of being an afterthought, he'd have been pencilled in where Latendresse is being pencilled in - top 6 at the most, 3rd line with special team duties at the least.

my thoughts on Regin exactly. i'm not sure about 50 points but high 30's totally possible.

Flo The Action wrote: my thoughts on Regin exactly. i'm not sure about 50 points but high 30's totally possible.

High 30s would be great from Regin on the third line.

40 sounds plausible if he's healthy, but then again if Latendresse falters, or if there are injuries (and if we play this year, there will be), or if a young gun can't handle top 6 etc. etc. etc., then Regin's a candidate to play the wing and add both defensive conscience and a little offense to say the Turris line or even the Spezza line.

SpezDispenser wrote:40 sounds plausible if he's healthy, but then again if Latendresse falters, or if there are injuries (and if we play this year, there will be), or if a young gun can't handle top 6 etc. etc. etc., then Regin's a candidate to play the wing and add both defensive conscience and a little offense to say the Turris line or even the Spezza line.

it's an interesting thought for sure. I tend to forget that we now have turris to center the second line which IMO will create much more secondary scoring. That could obviously be a factor for Regin.
Watching that line play is probably one of the things I look thowards the most in an incoming season.