The Official 2011 Tank Nation thread

hemlock wrote:I said this the day that Anderson was acquired. We are at risk of losing our draft standing. Who's starting to get real nervous about this?

It's a foregone conclusion that the Oilers are finishing below us, and Colorado is looking by the day more and more likely to fall below us. Even the Isles are only 7 up with two more games played. I don't much care that Colorado and Edmonton play twice either, since a split between those two games does nothing to help us.

This is getting really, really worriesome and will continue to be until we know what's going on with regards to re-signing Anderson. If we don't re-sign him and he's cost us a top 4 spot, Murray is going to look like a massive tool.

SpezDispenser wrote:

hemlock wrote:I said this the day that Anderson was acquired. We are at risk of losing our draft standing. Who's starting to get real nervous about this?

It's a foregone conclusion that the Oilers are finishing below us, and Colorado is looking by the day more and more likely to fall below us. Even the Isles are only 7 up with two more games played. I don't much care that Colorado and Edmonton play twice either, since a split between those two games does nothing to help us.

This is getting really, really worriesome and will continue to be until we know what's going on with regards to re-signing Anderson. If we don't re-sign him and he's cost us a top 4 spot, Murray is going to look like a massive tool.

Yeah. Again though, this team sucked tonight, we'll face better foe coming up in Tampa, NJ, Buffalo, Pittsburgh etc.

We beat NJ last time. Buffalo doesn't have much success against us. I wouldn't be surprised if we win (or earn points in) 2 of those 4 games. We really need to be playing less than .500 hockey. Going .500 (which doesn't seem like a stretch considering our record with Anderson) for the rest of the year virtually guarantees we'll slip another spot in the standings at best.

This Anderson move is so high risk, I'm starting to break out in hives about it. I have a feeling he's not going to re-sign here. No evidence to back it up, just a bad feeling. Drafting 5th just isn't an option, but it would be managable if Anderson was re-signed.

I just don't understand how this Anderson deal makes sense. Yes, I understand that we "get a look at him", but upgrading the goaltending on a tanking team seems so counterproductive. Are we tanking or not? WTF.

I'm officially freaking out about this. I'll be the one calling for Murray's head when this move blows up in our faces. The worst case scenario we all discussed the day this deal was made is looking more and more likely.

strachattack wrote:

hemlock wrote:I said this the day that Anderson was acquired. We are at risk of losing our draft standing. Who's starting to get real nervous about this?

It's a foregone conclusion that the Oilers are finishing below us, and Colorado is looking by the day more and more likely to fall below us. Even the Isles are only 7 up with two more games played. I don't much care that Colorado and Edmonton play twice either, since a split between those two games does nothing to help us.

This is getting really, really worriesome and will continue to be until we know what's going on with regards to re-signing Anderson. If we don't re-sign him and he's cost us a top 4 spot, Murray is going to look like a massive tool.

I'm considering taking up drinking if this continues!

hemlock wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

hemlock wrote:I said this the day that Anderson was acquired. We are at risk of losing our draft standing. Who's starting to get real nervous about this?

It's a foregone conclusion that the Oilers are finishing below us, and Colorado is looking by the day more and more likely to fall below us. Even the Isles are only 7 up with two more games played. I don't much care that Colorado and Edmonton play twice either, since a split between those two games does nothing to help us.

This is getting really, really worriesome and will continue to be until we know what's going on with regards to re-signing Anderson. If we don't re-sign him and he's cost us a top 4 spot, Murray is going to look like a massive tool.

Yeah. Again though, this team sucked tonight, we'll face better foe coming up in Tampa, NJ, Buffalo, Pittsburgh etc.

We beat NJ last time. Buffalo doesn't have much success against us. I wouldn't be surprised if we win (or earn points in) 2 of those 4 games. We really need to be playing less than .500 hockey. Going .500 (which doesn't seem like a stretch considering our record with Anderson) for the rest of the year virtually guarantees we'll slip another spot in the standings at best.

This Anderson move is so high risk, I'm starting to break out in hives about it. I have a feeling he's not going to re-sign here. No evidence to back it up, just a bad feeling. Drafting 5th just isn't an option, but it would be managable if Anderson was re-signed.

I just don't understand how this Anderson deal makes sense. Yes, I understand that we "get a look at him", but upgrading the goaltending on a tanking team seems so counterproductive. Are we tanking or not? WTF.

I'm officially freaking out about this. I'll be the one calling for Murray's head when this move blows up in our faces. The worst case scenario we all discussed the day this deal was made is looking more and more likely.

I have a gut feeling Anderson is walking too. I think we may face the worst possible scenario after this dreadful season. We pick 25th and Anderson walks. I agree with you too. I think the Sens can and will beat some better teams down the stretch. Contrast that with the fact Colorado and FLA may never win again (or very few) this season and we've got to be dropping at least a spot or two.

I watched an interview of Clouston on the Sen's website regarding Anderson's play among other things. Clouston went on to exclaim his job was to win games and "if it means pissing off our scouts that they have to work harder than so be it." It's funny because under normal circumstances I would have given this statement a big thumbs up but I was left feeling like I wanted to Wing Dang Doodle slap him in the face for saying such a thing.

hemlock wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

hemlock wrote:I said this the day that Anderson was acquired. We are at risk of losing our draft standing. Who's starting to get real nervous about this?

It's a foregone conclusion that the Oilers are finishing below us, and Colorado is looking by the day more and more likely to fall below us. Even the Isles are only 7 up with two more games played. I don't much care that Colorado and Edmonton play twice either, since a split between those two games does nothing to help us.

This is getting really, really worriesome and will continue to be until we know what's going on with regards to re-signing Anderson. If we don't re-sign him and he's cost us a top 4 spot, Murray is going to look like a massive tool.

Yeah. Again though, this team sucked tonight, we'll face better foe coming up in Tampa, NJ, Buffalo, Pittsburgh etc.

We beat NJ last time. Buffalo doesn't have much success against us. I wouldn't be surprised if we win (or earn points in) 2 of those 4 games. We really need to be playing less than .500 hockey. Going .500 (which doesn't seem like a stretch considering our record with Anderson) for the rest of the year virtually guarantees we'll slip another spot in the standings at best.

This Anderson move is so high risk, I'm starting to break out in hives about it. I have a feeling he's not going to re-sign here. No evidence to back it up, just a bad feeling. Drafting 5th just isn't an option, but it would be managable if Anderson was re-signed.

I just don't understand how this Anderson deal makes sense. Yes, I understand that we "get a look at him", but upgrading the goaltending on a tanking team seems so counterproductive. Are we tanking or not? WTF.

I'm officially freaking out about this. I'll be the one calling for Murray's head when this move blows up in our faces. The worst case scenario we all discussed the day this deal was made is looking more and more likely.

You've got me wondering... if we continue to go on a mini role here and Clouston continues to play Anderson is it feasible or realistic Murray calls Clouston and demands he play McBackUp in hopes of losing, thus securing a better draft pick? Unless of course, Murray is happy with their first selection in the 25-27 range then I guess he wouldn't care enough to make such a move. Knowing our luck McBackUp would go on a role anyway.

strachattack wrote:I watched an interview of Clouston on the Sen's website regarding Anderson's play among other things. Clouston went on to exclaim his job was to win games and "if it means pissing off our scouts that they have to work harder than so be it." It's funny because under normal circumstances I would have given this statement a big thumbs up but I was left feeling like I wanted to Wing Dang Doodle slap him in the face for saying such a thing.

Well that's the thing. Are we tanking or not? I don't think that Murray could have anticipated the team winning as much as they are with Anderson, but he surely must have realized it was possible. That's why I say it's a real risk. Anderson has no reason to sign in Ottawa right now with the way he's playing. He's holding all the cards right now and that's not a good thing for the Senators regardless if he signs here or not. I'll be stunned if he signs in Ottawa before July 1, and only slightly less stunned if he signs here at all after playing this well. He should have plenty of options by then.

If we manage to Diddle up this tank job, I'm going to be seriously unimpressed. The year we got Cowen, Clouston came in and we turned it around quite a bit, but to be 20 games from being a lock for a top 2 pick to losing it is going to be tough to swallow, especially since Melnyk and Murray have practically come right out and claimed to be rebuilding.

Despite what some people here say, our schedule, as I have pointed out, it not as tough as some believe. We had only 8 games against playoff teams and the rest were critical games against teams just ahead of us. If we continue to win those games, we'll slip in the draft order, it's simple math.

strachattack wrote:

hemlock wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

hemlock wrote:I said this the day that Anderson was acquired. We are at risk of losing our draft standing. Who's starting to get real nervous about this?

It's a foregone conclusion that the Oilers are finishing below us, and Colorado is looking by the day more and more likely to fall below us. Even the Isles are only 7 up with two more games played. I don't much care that Colorado and Edmonton play twice either, since a split between those two games does nothing to help us.

This is getting really, really worriesome and will continue to be until we know what's going on with regards to re-signing Anderson. If we don't re-sign him and he's cost us a top 4 spot, Murray is going to look like a massive tool.

Yeah. Again though, this team sucked tonight, we'll face better foe coming up in Tampa, NJ, Buffalo, Pittsburgh etc.

We beat NJ last time. Buffalo doesn't have much success against us. I wouldn't be surprised if we win (or earn points in) 2 of those 4 games. We really need to be playing less than .500 hockey. Going .500 (which doesn't seem like a stretch considering our record with Anderson) for the rest of the year virtually guarantees we'll slip another spot in the standings at best.

This Anderson move is so high risk, I'm starting to break out in hives about it. I have a feeling he's not going to re-sign here. No evidence to back it up, just a bad feeling. Drafting 5th just isn't an option, but it would be managable if Anderson was re-signed.

I just don't understand how this Anderson deal makes sense. Yes, I understand that we "get a look at him", but upgrading the goaltending on a tanking team seems so counterproductive. Are we tanking or not? WTF.

I'm officially freaking out about this. I'll be the one calling for Murray's head when this move blows up in our faces. The worst case scenario we all discussed the day this deal was made is looking more and more likely.

You've got me wondering... if we continue to go on a mini role here and Clouston continues to play Anderson is it feasible or realistic Murray calls Clouston and demands he play McBackUp in hopes of losing, thus securing a better draft pick? Unless of course, Murray is happy with their first selection in the 25-27 range then I guess he wouldn't care enough to make such a move. Knowing our luck McBackUp would go on a role anyway.

I think Anderson is playing becuase that's the only move now that we've started to win some games. Murray can't just have the guy sit, or he definitely walks, and if that's the case, what was the point of bringing him in in the first place. I think Murray is putting all his eggs in the Anderson re-signing basket, which to me defies the logic of rebuilding, at least through this years draft. He really has no other option. Clouston probably wants to win games if anything because he makes this miserable season look less pathetic.

McSieve needs a string of starts. Right now. Two weeks ago, we were talking about having our pick of the litter after Edmonton takes Larsson, and now we are seriously debating what Murray does if our guy isn't there. Not good.

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:I watched an interview of Clouston on the Sen's website regarding Anderson's play among other things. Clouston went on to exclaim his job was to win games and "if it means pissing off our scouts that they have to work harder than so be it." It's funny because under normal circumstances I would have given this statement a big thumbs up but I was left feeling like I wanted to Wing Dang Doodle slap him in the face for saying such a thing.

Well that's the thing. Are we tanking or not? I don't think that Murray could have anticipated the team winning as much as they are with Anderson, but he surely must have realized it was possible. That's why I say it's a real risk. Anderson has no reason to sign in Ottawa right now with the way he's playing. He's holding all the cards right now and that's not a good thing for the Senators regardless if he signs here or not. I'll be stunned if he signs in Ottawa before July 1, and only slightly less stunned if he signs here at all after playing this well. He should have plenty of options by then.

If we manage to Diddle up this tank job, I'm going to be seriously unimpressed. The year we got Cowen, Clouston came in and we turned it around quite a bit, but to be 20 games from being a lock for a top 2 pick to losing it is going to be tough to swallow, especially since Melnyk and Murray have practically come right out and claimed to be rebuilding.

Despite what some people here say, our schedule, as I have pointed out, it not as tough as some believe. We had only 8 games against playoff teams and the rest were critical games against teams just ahead of us. If we continue to win those games, we'll slip in the draft order, it's simple math.

I agree with you. I don't think it's a given we start losing games we should according to who we play in the standings. Anderson is on fire and the team is playing with confidence and a strong work ethic. Anything can happen and as you say the schedule isn't that daunting.

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:

hemlock wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

hemlock wrote:I said this the day that Anderson was acquired. We are at risk of losing our draft standing. Who's starting to get real nervous about this?

It's a foregone conclusion that the Oilers are finishing below us, and Colorado is looking by the day more and more likely to fall below us. Even the Isles are only 7 up with two more games played. I don't much care that Colorado and Edmonton play twice either, since a split between those two games does nothing to help us.

This is getting really, really worriesome and will continue to be until we know what's going on with regards to re-signing Anderson. If we don't re-sign him and he's cost us a top 4 spot, Murray is going to look like a massive tool.

Yeah. Again though, this team sucked tonight, we'll face better foe coming up in Tampa, NJ, Buffalo, Pittsburgh etc.

We beat NJ last time. Buffalo doesn't have much success against us. I wouldn't be surprised if we win (or earn points in) 2 of those 4 games. We really need to be playing less than .500 hockey. Going .500 (which doesn't seem like a stretch considering our record with Anderson) for the rest of the year virtually guarantees we'll slip another spot in the standings at best.

This Anderson move is so high risk, I'm starting to break out in hives about it. I have a feeling he's not going to re-sign here. No evidence to back it up, just a bad feeling. Drafting 5th just isn't an option, but it would be managable if Anderson was re-signed.

I just don't understand how this Anderson deal makes sense. Yes, I understand that we "get a look at him", but upgrading the goaltending on a tanking team seems so counterproductive. Are we tanking or not? WTF.

I'm officially freaking out about this. I'll be the one calling for Murray's head when this move blows up in our faces. The worst case scenario we all discussed the day this deal was made is looking more and more likely.

You've got me wondering... if we continue to go on a mini role here and Clouston continues to play Anderson is it feasible or realistic Murray calls Clouston and demands he play McBackUp in hopes of losing, thus securing a better draft pick? Unless of course, Murray is happy with their first selection in the 25-27 range then I guess he wouldn't care enough to make such a move. Knowing our luck McBackUp would go on a role anyway.

I think Anderson is playing becuase that's the only move now that we've started to win some games. Murray can't just have the guy sit, or he definitely walks, and if that's the case, what was the point of bringing him in in the first place. I think Murray is putting all his eggs in the Anderson re-signing basket, which to me defies the logic of rebuilding, at least through this years draft. He really has no other option. Clouston probably wants to win games if anything because he makes this miserable season look less pathetic.

McSieve needs a string of starts. Right now. Two weeks ago, we were talking about having our pick of the litter after Edmonton takes Larsson, and now we are seriously debating what Murray does if our guy isn't there. Not good.

Yeah, i'm not keen on this Strome talk. I'm sure he'll turn out to be a really fine player but at this point I had my heart set on Landeskog or RNH. I think if we start losing now we needn't worry too much but...

Where's Anderson going to sign ? TB is the only option and got a bunch of free agents to resign including Stamkos which is going to cost them a ton. Unlikely they will offer a lot. They went cheap this year with Smith and Ellis.

This could go either way, Murray did take a big risk but this team will never willingly tank so I didn't expect Murray to acquire the worst goalie.

And Clouston has no incentive to tank and every incentive to win and try and save his NHL coaching career.

Don't worry, we've been winning against some joke teams. IT WILL EVEN OUT!

Hoags wrote:Where's Anderson going to sign ? TB is the only option and got a bunch of free agents to resign including Stamkos which is going to cost them a ton. Unlikely they will offer a lot. They went cheap this year with Smith and Ellis.

This could go either way, Murray did take a big risk but this team will never willingly tank so I didn't expect Murray to acquire the worst goalie.

And Clouston has no incentive to tank and every incentive to win and try and save his NHL coaching career.

How is TB the only option?

Big Ev wrote:Don't worry, we've been winning against some joke teams. IT WILL EVEN OUT!

That's sort of my point. We are beating teams we really need to be losing to.

strachattack wrote:

hemlock wrote:

strachattack wrote:

hemlock wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

hemlock wrote:I said this the day that Anderson was acquired. We are at risk of losing our draft standing. Who's starting to get real nervous about this?

It's a foregone conclusion that the Oilers are finishing below us, and Colorado is looking by the day more and more likely to fall below us. Even the Isles are only 7 up with two more games played. I don't much care that Colorado and Edmonton play twice either, since a split between those two games does nothing to help us.

This is getting really, really worriesome and will continue to be until we know what's going on with regards to re-signing Anderson. If we don't re-sign him and he's cost us a top 4 spot, Murray is going to look like a massive tool.

Yeah. Again though, this team sucked tonight, we'll face better foe coming up in Tampa, NJ, Buffalo, Pittsburgh etc.

We beat NJ last time. Buffalo doesn't have much success against us. I wouldn't be surprised if we win (or earn points in) 2 of those 4 games. We really need to be playing less than .500 hockey. Going .500 (which doesn't seem like a stretch considering our record with Anderson) for the rest of the year virtually guarantees we'll slip another spot in the standings at best.

This Anderson move is so high risk, I'm starting to break out in hives about it. I have a feeling he's not going to re-sign here. No evidence to back it up, just a bad feeling. Drafting 5th just isn't an option, but it would be managable if Anderson was re-signed.

I just don't understand how this Anderson deal makes sense. Yes, I understand that we "get a look at him", but upgrading the goaltending on a tanking team seems so counterproductive. Are we tanking or not? WTF.

I'm officially freaking out about this. I'll be the one calling for Murray's head when this move blows up in our faces. The worst case scenario we all discussed the day this deal was made is looking more and more likely.

You've got me wondering... if we continue to go on a mini role here and Clouston continues to play Anderson is it feasible or realistic Murray calls Clouston and demands he play McBackUp in hopes of losing, thus securing a better draft pick? Unless of course, Murray is happy with their first selection in the 25-27 range then I guess he wouldn't care enough to make such a move. Knowing our luck McBackUp would go on a role anyway.

I think Anderson is playing becuase that's the only move now that we've started to win some games. Murray can't just have the guy sit, or he definitely walks, and if that's the case, what was the point of bringing him in in the first place. I think Murray is putting all his eggs in the Anderson re-signing basket, which to me defies the logic of rebuilding, at least through this years draft. He really has no other option. Clouston probably wants to win games if anything because he makes this miserable season look less pathetic.

McSieve needs a string of starts. Right now. Two weeks ago, we were talking about having our pick of the litter after Edmonton takes Larsson, and now we are seriously debating what Murray does if our guy isn't there. Not good.

Yeah, i'm not keen on this Strome talk. I'm sure he'll turn out to be a really fine player but at this point I had my heart set on Landeskog or RNH. I think if we start losing now we needn't worry too much but...

Oh for sure, there is still hope. I just don't like the way things are trending.

I'm starting to agree with you guys, this is becoming a little worrisome. Knowing us, we'll get the 5th pick and Anderson will bolt July 1st.

START MACxvdghey tomorrow!!!

hemlock wrote:
How is TB the only option?

Only team besides Ottawa that doesn't have a #1 goalie (both goalies UFA).

Colorado as well but I'm assuming he ain't going back there.

Hoags wrote:

hemlock wrote:
How is TB the only option?

Only team besides Ottawa that doesn't have a #1 goalie (both goalies UFA).

Colorado as well but I'm assuming he ain't going back there.

Edmonton. If Detroit fizzles out in the playoffs, they could target a guy like Anderson (considering they tried for Nabokov). Phoenix could lose Bryzgalov and be in the market. Does Philly keep Bobrobobrsky(sp?)? Do the Leafs ride Reimer?

There is plenty that could happen. I think it's shortsighted to assume there are only two options for Anderson.