2012/13 Lineup

Would have bet Morrisonn played this year...huh.

Big Ev wrote:Hudler is my (blind) guess for the UFA forward, if they choose to go that route. Fills the need that Murray expressed in his presser. Hudler provides the 20-25 goals, and has experience with Paul MacLean as well. Never a bad thing to add a Red Wing to your roster.

also I'm dumb, Shaone Morrisonn didn't even play in the NHL this year.

lastly, Stoner was going to be my pick for a UFA d-man as said above, but I read a couple of articles that said the Wild want him back.

I could get behind that.

NEELY wrote:Like this year?

Leafs and Habs will be better, so will Sabres. Next season the NE will be better.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:There's still a re-build plan and I doubt they alter it too drastically.

I'd be fine with that lineup personally.

Murray said (on record) that he'll be looking at accelerating things on July 1. With Anderson playing well and with Silfverberg and Turris in the lineup the full season they are not far from being a contender.

Sure he did. They're also trying to sell season tickets after a surprise run. I never said they won't alter their plans it just won't be anything drastic.

I also agree their not far from being a contender which means they won't have to do anything drastic to get there right?

wprager wrote:

NEELY wrote:Like this year?

Leafs and Habs will be better, so will Sabres. Next season the NE will be better.

Is this a quote taken from 2006, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12?

The lineup I proposed leaves room for a couple of big acquisitions or more of a steady as she goes approach

Alfie stays then you have one top 4 D to concern yourself with.

Alfie retires - Get Parise or if they can't they can go with letting Zibinijad learn on the job or pick up someone to "fill in"

Open spot in the top 4 D - Get Suter or if they can't they can pick up a "fill in".

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Sure he did. They're also trying to sell season tickets after a surprise run. I never said they won't alter their plans it just won't be anything drastic.

I also agree their not far from being a contender which means they won't have to do anything drastic to get there right?

Fact of the matter is they are not far off. Turris is only going to get better, Spezza just needs to repeat his season or even have a little less sucsess (minus the playoffs), and Anderson and Karlsson just need to be steady as they go.

Filling holes with guys that can play a fairly important role going forward is 100% a must for a team that wants to build on their year. You don't subtract from a true team, you add to it. A D man is important, can't depend on Boroweicki being 100% ready, he needs to be eased into the lineup like a lot of other rookies do. If he proves his worth next season then you let Gonchar go knowing that the Sens have 6 NHL d men ready to compete.

As for a forward, you need a top 6 guy that can score some dirty goals. That's clearly what Spezza is in need of on his wing and until someone can prove they are ready for that role that's the spot that needs to be filled.

One spot that can't be filled is Alfi's, he needs to come back for the Sens to compete.

I don't think the Sens are contenders yet but they are really close. Who knows what happens throughout the season but as of now they have a legit captain, a legit #1 goaltender, a legit #1 D, and a legit #1 center. While I question the #1 C that means absolutely nothing because he is indeed a true #1 C. Those are pieces you build around.

Also, getting a couple UFA's will allow for the correct and patient development time for the prospects in Bingo.

I personally believe the sens can make the playoffs without Alfie and even win a round. Look at this year. The sens won 2 games without him and one where he got injured & and left the game early vs. the rangers in round 1.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I personally believe the sens can make the playoffs without Alfie and even win a round. Look at this year. The sens won 2 games without him and one where he got injured & and left the game early vs. the rangers in round 1.

Maybe but you still need a leader and as of yet no one has really stepped up.

It's a tough one to really know until Alfie is gone. I suspect that will take care of itself once Alfie retires.

NEELY wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I personally believe the sens can make the playoffs without Alfie and even win a round. Look at this year. The sens won 2 games without him and one where he got injured & and left the game early vs. the rangers in round 1.

Maybe but you still need a leader and as of yet no one has really stepped up.

Well, those three games the Clutch mentioned were all wins. The four games we lost were all with Alfie "leading". Wrap your brain around that one. I know it's been said that it was as if, with Alfie in the lineup, everyone just expected him to lead. Well he is 39 and needs to delegate some of that leadership.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:It's a tough one to really know until Alfie is gone. I suspect that will take care of itself once Alfie retires.

Maybe, maybe not. Look at Modano in Dallas, Marleau in San Jose, Phaneuf in Toronto (he's not a captain), there are lots of examples of the next guy in line not being a guy that can be counted on or a true leader.

I hope the "C" goes to Phillips but like everyone else I think Spezza is the very obvious choice despite what I think or believe.

wprager wrote:

NEELY wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I personally believe the sens can make the playoffs without Alfie and even win a round. Look at this year. The sens won 2 games without him and one where he got injured & and left the game early vs. the rangers in round 1.

Maybe but you still need a leader and as of yet no one has really stepped up.

Well, those three games the Clutch mentioned were all wins. The four games we lost were all with Alfie "leading". Wrap your brain around that one. I know it's been said that it was as if, with Alfie in the lineup, everyone just expected him to lead. Well he is 39 and needs to delegate some of that leadership.

Someone needs to step up and take it like Giroux did.

Neil did when Alfie was out. Had his strongest games. At least Spezza was consistently weak (and that game he scored two goals that was one shot plus an empty-netter).

Problem is no-one stepped up when Alfie was in the lineup. It's almost like he needs to have a sit-down with them and remind them all that he is 39. and they are not.

I agree that people look to Alfi to do it all at times and that has to change. BOth you guys are right about that.

I think you saw it start to change this year when they won some games with Alfie out of the lineup. I think you saw it start to change in the playoffs with the Captain out.

I believe it's a matter of necessity when Alfie is gone that will bring out the necessary leadership. Of course I could be wrong but we shall see sooner rather than later.

Everyone can argue that the NE division will be much better next season but the Sens still struggled against their own division this year (9-12-3). IMO sens showed major improvements against the Atlantic and western conference to earn that playoff spot and none of that depends on whether the northeast is improved or not