Now that it's over, what is (realistically) our Ottawa starting lineup in October?

Why would any goalie sign to be #2 in Ottawa, they'll never play if they'll always be behind Anderson and Lehner.

Hoags wrote:Why would any goalie sign to be #2 in Ottawa, they'll never play if they'll always be behind Anderson and Lehner.

Because a guy like Auld, Conklin, so on can make a very good living be a reliable, good team guy backup. They get paid upwards of 1 million dollars a year. Look at Brent Johnsson, perfect backup to Flurry. Knows his role, plays well when asked, and has been around a while to help younger kids if need be.

Ottawa needs an Auld, Conklin, maybe even a Giguere or Ellis at this point. Guys have to know their role, that includes that backup. That's what makes team so successful, people know what their job is and how to do it.

Hoags wrote:Why would any goalie sign to be #2 in Ottawa, they'll never play if they'll always be behind Anderson and Lehner.

A backup that's who...why do you think Auld signed in Montreal? Or anyone behind Brodeur ever. Or Conklin in Pittsburgh/St.Louis.

Diddle you NEELY! Beat me to it!

Big Ev wrote:

Hoags wrote:Why would any goalie sign to be #2 in Ottawa, they'll never play if they'll always be behind Anderson and Lehner.

A backup that's who...why do you think Auld signed in Montreal? Or anyone behind Brodeur ever. Or Conklin in Pittsburgh/St.Louis.

100% go with Hedberg if given the chance. That's easily the guy I would choose!

Hedberg's a good one. So is Mike Smith and Dan Ellis - although I think those two will try to get starting jobs - if they're even UFAs. Still like Conklin a lot, although Giguere's interesting as well.

Big Ev wrote:

A backup that's who...why do you think Auld signed in Montreal? Or anyone behind Brodeur ever. Or Conklin in Pittsburgh/St.Louis.

A backup is #2 who typically gets 15-20 games at least. In our situation he'd get less if Lehner is the #2.

Hoags wrote:

Big Ev wrote:

A backup that's who...why do you think Auld signed in Montreal? Or anyone behind Brodeur ever. Or Conklin in Pittsburgh/St.Louis.

A backup is #2 who typically gets 15-20 games at least. In our situation he'd get less if Lehner is the #2.

20 games is perfect.

Alex Auld is used to doing nothing, and he and Anderson are very alike in physical traits.

Hoags wrote:

Big Ev wrote:

A backup that's who...why do you think Auld signed in Montreal? Or anyone behind Brodeur ever. Or Conklin in Pittsburgh/St.Louis.

A backup is #2 who typically gets 15-20 games at least. In our situation he'd get less if Lehner is the #2.

Assuming Anderson gets hurt, that's correct. If Andy is healthy all year (a healthy goalie all year? ), the backup will still get close to 20.

SpezDispenser wrote:Hedberg's a good one. So is Mike Smith and Dan Ellis - although I think those two will try to get starting jobs - if they're even UFAs. Still like Conklin a lot, although Giguere's interesting as well.

Is he healthy enough after his off-season surgery? He does have a history with Murray... so you never know.

Not sure how Mike Smith will land a starting job?...but that's off topic.

tim1_2 wrote:Not sure how Mike Smith will land a starting job?...but that's off topic.

Probably not, but when he was healthy I thought he was really good. I think concussions hurt his play a lot last year.

sandysensfan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:Hedberg's a good one. So is Mike Smith and Dan Ellis - although I think those two will try to get starting jobs - if they're even UFAs. Still like Conklin a lot, although Giguere's interesting as well.

Is he healthy enough after his off-season surgery? He does have a history with Murray... so you never know.

Hard to imagine him taking 1.5 to be a backup, but you never know I guess...

SpezDispenser wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:Hedberg's a good one. So is Mike Smith and Dan Ellis - although I think those two will try to get starting jobs - if they're even UFAs. Still like Conklin a lot, although Giguere's interesting as well.

Is he healthy enough after his off-season surgery? He does have a history with Murray... so you never know.

Hard to imagine him taking 1.5 to be a backup, but you never know I guess...

I'll take it.

A similar discussion going on over at SilverSevenSens:

http://www.silversevensens.com/2011/6/10/2216846/what-capgeeks-cap-caculator-tells-us-about-the-2011-12-senators-a

They seem split between letting internal players fight it out for the 2nd line C position or signing a UFA (Connolly, Drury, etc.) Few expect our 1st round pick to step up from junior to a top-six position, especially at center. I'm definitely with the "no-UFA" crowd. Best case scenario is we are able to move up and draft and grab Huberdeau, although I like the idea of a post-mono rebound from Couturier, too (he was the consensus top-pick less than 2 years ago). And we would not have to play him there for 82 games, as we have lots of players who can fill in for a few games. It's not like we are planning a parade this year, right?

On the D-side of things, quite a few are putting Gonchar and Karlsson on the top pairing, and the consensus is to leave Cowen in Bingo and bring up Rundblad. I'm really at conflict with those two. Gonchar played horribly with Karlsson and, in general, on the left side. And as much as I understand the roster limitations -- bringing in both Rundblad and Cowen means we are forced to trade or buy out someone like Kuba -- if it came down to one or the other, I'd prefer Rundblad to get used to the NHL game and rink size down in Bingo.

Looking at our D, we have too many righties, so even though Kuba's contract would be nice to get rid of, we are not planning on being up against the cap. Who cares (other than Melnyk). I don't think both Lee and Carkner are in our long-term plans, so I'd move one of them before I move Kuba. And, yes, part of that has a lot to do with *hoping* that he plays his was back to a tradeable asset by the deadline.

my pick is josh harding. that's if he's not signed again to minny. that kid could push for #1 if healthy. not a bad place to be if you have 3 goalies able to do that.

how would you guys feel about Turco as a back up? would love to see him making faces to Pierre Mcguire from the bench.