2012/13 Lineup

You have to believe they are going to carry the full 23 man roster with a 48 game season. No way they take any chances with injuries and the vets having a tough time getting started. Really think this will be Hoffman's chance finally, he's paid his dues and he's probably ready. Same with Grant.

I know I am talking to myself at this point because people need to wake the F*** up but this would be the year to use as many rookies as possible from the AHL. There is an advantage right now and the "we can't have that many rookies" is out the window. Really hope they go that route.

IMO Ballard is also another serious option but again, he hasn't played a lick. Babchuck in Calgary is also another option I would think.

NEELY wrote:Michalek/Spezza/Latendresse
Silfverberg/Turris/Alfi
Greening/Smith/Neil
Condra/JOB/Hoffman
Daugavins/Grant

First call ups would be Stone, Da Costa

Methot/Karlsson
Phillips/Gonchar
Weiroich/Lundin
Benoit

First call up Borowiecki, Gryba

Anderson
Bishop (might be starting a lot of games early)

Holy crap, an actual hockey discussion!

Lundin has a broken finger, so scrap that idea for a a few weeks.

Do you trade Anderson for defensive help? Good discussion to have.

NEELY wrote:Sens are also way over the floor, in great shape for the forseeable future. Won't be going to a game for a long, long time but cant wait to watch.

Sens should be in good shape with basically everyone having played.

Not everyone. Alfie has been coaching minor hockey teams; Methot has been playing in beer league games; don't think Latendresses has been playing anywhere; Phillips has been busy selling beer and getting angry at Gary; not sure about anyone on your third line, or JOB. And Turris had quit 2-3 weeks ago.

NEELY wrote:Do you trade Anderson for defensive help? Good discussion to have.

Not unless you are bringing in Lehner. Would you want to go into Alfie's last (potentially) post-season run with Bishop as your #1? Something tells me the B-Sens will have a much tougher second half to the season.

Bishop/Lehner tandom... I think the organization would feel 100% comfortable with this IMO. Both guys are ready to be NHL goaltenders and you split the time.

Anderson is here for the very short term, you keep the 2, 20 something year old goaltenders and move the guy who isn't going to get nay better IMO. Anderson for Hammer out of Chicago? Makes a ton of sense.

NEELY wrote:Bishop/Lehner tandom... I think the organization would feel 100% comfortable with this IMO. Both guys are ready to be NHL goaltenders and you split the time.

Anderson is here for the very short term, you keep the 2, 20 something year old goaltenders and move the guy who isn't going to get nay better IMO. Anderson for Hammer out of Chicago? Makes a ton of sense.

I don't think they'll do it, but that's just a gut feel.

I'm worried about Latendresse. He may have been in shape in September, but what has he been doing the last 3-4 months? I really don't think he'll be given the 1st line role unless he has a fantastic camp. And it's going to be a very short camp. And I'm not sure where Alfie's fitness level will be in the first couple of weeks.

I think Silfverberg is an option as well. He's played both wings, I think. He's playing in the AHL against quite a few NHL-calibre players, but without an NHL 1st line center. I imagine he could do quite well riding shotgun with Spezza.

Silfverberg is 100% going to be in Ottawa. I didn't even think it was a discussion worth having.

the question will be who is the 14th forward? Is it Hoffman who has paid his dues and is having a very solid season? will it be Grant who is tailor made to be a 3rd-4th line NHLer? Will it be Stone to round out the top 6? Tough calls.

Wiercoich is also another guy there is zero doubt about. He will be in Ottawa.

Not much room for error in a short season. You have to have the best team possible from the start and not fall into even a short slump.

SeawaySensFan wrote:Not much room for error in a short season. You have to have the best team possible from the start and not fall into even a short slump.

Then this is the biggest question of them all... do you go with Lehner and Bishop? Can you afford the time for Anderson to get his legs? Do you move him for a legit NHL D man?

NEELY wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:Not much room for error in a short season. You have to have the best team possible from the start and not fall into even a short slump.

Then this is the biggest question of them all... do you go with Lehner and Bishop? Can you afford the time for Anderson to get his legs? Do you move him for a legit NHL D man?

You could always play Bishop while Lehner gets his legs. If he even needs to. We don't know... I don't know that anyone will be all the eager to deal early on anyway.

I assume you mean Anderson.

I agree though, that's for sure an option but the Sens have a large hole on the blueline right now and Anderson isn't in Ottawa for the long term. Next year you will have the same hole if it isn't closed.

Methot/Karlsson
Cowen/who?
Weircoich/who? Gryba?
Boroweicki

Big reason to make a move for both the short and long term.

NEELY wrote:I assume you mean Anderson.

I agree though, that's for sure an option but the Sens have a large hole on the blueline right now and Anderson isn't in Ottawa for the long term. Next year you will have the same hole if it isn't closed.

Methot/Karlsson
Cowen/who?
Weircoich/who? Gryba?
Boroweicki

Big reason to make a move for both the short and long term.

Thanks for saving me the edit.

As always, if the right deal is there, Murray has to make it. Anderson is a good enough goalie to hang on to until you get a nice return, not just someone to fill a hole.

But at the end of the day is Anderson the future? IMO no and I think most people would agree. Is Anderson the best goaltender in the organization? Debatable. Does he have value to a team that needs a #1? Yes. Is he ready to play right now? Probably not.

At the same time they made the move for Bishop last to add depth, not sure you want to get rid of it either. I see all sides but I think if you add to your blueline by moving Anderson and going with Bishop and Lehner, that's the best move.

I think Ceci gets a shot though... not sure if it's the best idea but you see if he can hang with the NHLers at camp.

NEELY wrote:I think Ceci gets a shot though... not sure if it's the best idea but you see if he can hang with the NHLers at camp.

Ceci has no business getting a shot before Benoit and Gryba and even Claesson or Wiercioch at this point. None.