2014 Ottawa Senators Off Season Talk

Ev wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

Ev wrote:Funny how both Murrays pressers were pretty epic.

"Hand jobs for the young kids"

"We had our pee-pee slapped"

"I don't know how to tank but we will be doing that next year"

Who said these quotes?  These have to be all Tim, no way Bryan said any of that.

Tim. But Bryan did tell Don Brennan to S his D.

Did he really?

NEELY wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

LeKing wrote:Spezza traded to get that hard forward then sign Stastny. That's a good plan.

Why would Stastny sign here?  It's not smart to bank on a UFA signing here.

No but Spezza is being traded anyways so you offer Statsny more money than anyone else and fact is an American might handle a Canadian market better than a Canadian.  Statsny comes in to fill a role, not be the guy.  Also helps with resigning other guys if they are serious.  Let Hemsky, Michalek, and Spezza go, grab Stewart for Methot, grab Statsny, not a bad summer.  IMO team is better.

Yeah, in theory it sounds good, but this is the real world where these guys get 5-10 serious offers - or more. I hate free agency for that reason, you can't plan around UFAs.

shabbs wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:Murray said that he an Nonis agreed not to have Kassian in the final game vs the Leafs?  Interesting.

Trending: #Nonnis

Classic.

Thank you, internet.

ya, if anything isn't a sure thing it's UFA's most likely we don't do squat in that department. Melnyk will be freaking out as it is with giving a few players raises.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Ev wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

Ev wrote:Funny how both Murrays pressers were pretty epic.

"Hand jobs for the young kids"

"We had our pee-pee slapped"

"I don't know how to tank but we will be doing that next year"

Who said these quotes?  These have to be all Tim, no way Bryan said any of that.

Tim. But Bryan did tell Don Brennan to S his D.

Did he really?

No. Even better. He said "Nice to meet you, Don."

Flo The Action wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:finally heard the comments from spezza from this morning. those are not words from a guy, let alone a captain that is coming back. no way, no how that this is a guy that wants to be back. he's said all the right things so that he won't be booed or destroy if the sens go into next season with his last year but as of right now he does not want to be back and probably expects to be traded... see ya!

Gee I must have heard a different interview.  I didn't get that from him...

yes you must have listen to another interview. skirted questions with his answers, did not hear a definite commitment. more like a guy that was protecting his Donkey just in case he didn't end up getting traded in the summer. he's not an idiot sandy, he's not gonna outright say he wants out. you really got to learn to read between the lines. that was not a captain or a guy that was talking like next season was going to be one he'd play for the sens.

"Probably not"

NEELY wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:

Ev wrote:

Hayden wrote:Correct me if I am wrong. Spezza has never won, the exception being the Spengler Cup. No Ohl, ahl, NHL, world junior, world championship, Olympics.

the only thing he has won is AHL MVP

Not winning a world championship, world junior, etc. when you're a Canadian point per game career player is pretty sad

So him not winning anything doesn't have anything to do with whoever else was on the team with him?

OHL, CHL, AHL, NHL, WJC, and WC, never won a thing.  There's a reason for it and there always has been.  Like buddy said below, he entered the NHL as a guy who never learned how to win because he refused to change his game and adapt and there is a good possibility he leaves the league one day is the exact same manner.

Try not using other people's thought, Sandy.  Might want to form your own opinion at some point.

That was my opinion.. But I'm fighting a losing battle in trying to support Spezza when everyone else wants him gone...

SeawaySensFan wrote:

NEELY wrote:

Oglethorpe wrote:Now that I've let the season sink my thinking has changed.  

Number one priority is resigning Michalek  he didn't miss a game this year during a condensed season including playing in the Olympics.  He really came on in the 2nd half.  3 years seems fair.

Move Spezza and hopefully get a 2nd line centre in return if not get speed and go hard after Stasny  

If you obtain a top 4 vet D then move Methot, if not status quo with good summers for Karlsson Cowen Weircioch.  

Anderson is tough.  I'd be tempted to move him out and sign Gustavsson from Detroit.  He would provide competition for Lehner without being a problem if he winds up a backup.  

MacLean stays with a shuffle of asst coaches. Definitely want a former nhl player working with the D.  Jason Smith works fine. If Mac is replaced after next season then it's Richardson time.

I want extensions done with Ryan, MacArthur early.

I think Stone is already a 2nd liner. On top of everything he does well he seems to have about 2 takeaways every shift.  It's crazy how good his hands are defensively, great forechecker.

I want Hoffman and Pageau in the lineup regularly because they bring speed up front which is lacking.

Mac Turris Ryan
Michalek ???? stone
Smith Zibanejad Hoffman
Greening Pageau Neil

Methot Karlsson
Cowen Weircioch
Phillips Gryba
Boro

Lehner
Gustavsson

Mix and match in the bottom 6
Bring in Boyle and move Methot if you want

If they do trade Spezza and the return is not a 2nd line, young center you can bank on the Sens throwing a boat load of cash and term at Stastny and why not?  Guy puts up 20 goals, 60 plus points every single season for the most part and in a pretty complete 2 way player.  You sub in him for Spezza and right away the Sens are a better team today and tomorrow not even taking into account the return for Spezza in a potential deal.

I think resigning Michalek is huge as well and goes hand in hand with finding another center if and when Spezza is traded.  Would be nice for whoever to come in and have a winger like Michalek to play beside right away.

Also think signing Boyle is a must as well.  He can come in and just do his job, give a little security on the back end, and would provide a decent 2nd PP option. 

Everything you have said and that I agree with has the best chance of happening if Chicago wins the cup as well, teams in the West will be trying to load up to beat the Hawks in the off season.  GO HAWKS!

If Spezza is going anywhere, take him and add whatever, including Cowen, and take a run at Weber and young Stalberg. Then sign a UFA C like Stazzny.

Weber's salary the next four seasons... Two years @ 14M... two years @ 12M.

Do you honestly think Melnyk would spend that? Not a chance.

LeKing wrote:Just listened to Shawn Simpson and looks like Maclean and Murray don't like each other, based on his "sources" from the inside.

His sources also said McLean was gone... What an bunghole..

Flo The Action wrote:

NEELY wrote:

spader wrote:

NEELY wrote:

Ev wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:

NEELY wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:are we good with the defense because they like the group or because Melnyk won't put any money towards dan Boyle? mmmmmhhhh  

The team D is the issue, not the D core.  Not sure how many people (including the players themselves) need to be told this.  On that note, you watch Methot get traded straight up for Stewart.

just too many young ones without direction. we desperately need Boyle to surround the young group. even if that means trading one of our current defenseman in another deal. obviously you need forwards to play the full 200 feet game... spezza not there next year is a first step.

Dude, Dan Boyle is an average d-man and probably isn't better than Phillips in the back end today

Seeing as I have no problem with Phillips and the need for a vet to play behind Karlsson and Ceci, Boyle is still a great move going forward especially if they trade Methot.

Didn't Boyle make it clear that he doesn't have interest in coming to Ottawa?

Don't think so?

spader, that was a quote by "brock" wallace...

  

sandysensfan wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:finally heard the comments from spezza from this morning. those are not words from a guy, let alone a captain that is coming back. no way, no how that this is a guy that wants to be back. he's said all the right things so that he won't be booed or destroy if the sens go into next season with his last year but as of right now he does not want to be back and probably expects to be traded... see ya!

Gee I must have heard a different interview.  I didn't get that from him...

yes you must have listen to another interview. skirted questions with his answers, did not hear a definite commitment. more like a guy that was protecting his Donkey just in case he didn't end up getting traded in the summer. he's not an idiot sandy, he's not gonna outright say he wants out. you really got to learn to read between the lines. that was not a captain or a guy that was talking like next season was going to be one he'd play for the sens.

"Probably not"

What are you quoting and/or what are you replying to? I'm having trouble figuring out what you mean here.

sandysensfan wrote:

NEELY wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:

Ev wrote:

Hayden wrote:Correct me if I am wrong. Spezza has never won, the exception being the Spengler Cup. No Ohl, ahl, NHL, world junior, world championship, Olympics.

the only thing he has won is AHL MVP

Not winning a world championship, world junior, etc. when you're a Canadian point per game career player is pretty sad

So him not winning anything doesn't have anything to do with whoever else was on the team with him?

OHL, CHL, AHL, NHL, WJC, and WC, never won a thing.  There's a reason for it and there always has been.  Like buddy said below, he entered the NHL as a guy who never learned how to win because he refused to change his game and adapt and there is a good possibility he leaves the league one day is the exact same manner.

Try not using other people's thought, Sandy.  Might want to form your own opinion at some point.

That was my opinion..  But I'm fighting a losing battle in trying to support Spezza when everyone else wants him gone...

There is a good reason, this isn't Sens chirp. This isn't a place without original thought hang on the idea's and thoughts of some random internet blogger with a somewhat uninformed opinion. Has he ever even laced up a pair of skates? Does he have any media credentials? Any interviews with players? GM's? Coaches? No.

No sheep here, Sandy. Anyone who watches the Sens and knows the game knows that Spezza has gone through coach after coach and none have changed him.

Let me ask you this, Sandy. Would you not say that after Murray's presser today that the logical conclusion to everything this year would be a disconnect between MacLean and his players? His star perhaps that Murray was talking about? Perhaps like everyone speculated by the way he played early in the season that the team and especially the coach was asking more of Spezza, to fall in line with what they were trying to sell to the rest? If so, wouldn't you say perhaps it's time to change the player, not the coach for what? The 7th, 8th time?

Put your love for Spezza and the PPG player aside, he doesn't play the way the Sens are trying to teach and to be the Boston Bruins of the NHL you need to build towards that. Spezza is the player the Bruins don't have so why should the Sens even consider extending him know that he is in full control if they do? It's a disaster waiting to happen.

sandysensfan wrote:

NEELY wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:

Ev wrote:

Hayden wrote:Correct me if I am wrong. Spezza has never won, the exception being the Spengler Cup. No Ohl, ahl, NHL, world junior, world championship, Olympics.

the only thing he has won is AHL MVP

Not winning a world championship, world junior, etc. when you're a Canadian point per game career player is pretty sad

So him not winning anything doesn't have anything to do with whoever else was on the team with him?

OHL, CHL, AHL, NHL, WJC, and WC, never won a thing.  There's a reason for it and there always has been.  Like buddy said below, he entered the NHL as a guy who never learned how to win because he refused to change his game and adapt and there is a good possibility he leaves the league one day is the exact same manner.

Try not using other people's thought, Sandy.  Might want to form your own opinion at some point.

That was my opinion..  But I'm fighting a losing battle in trying to support Spezza when everyone else wants him gone...

This team needs to find itself again... who knows if that can happen with Spezza or not. I don't know the answer. None of us are in that room, we don't know what's going on. All we see is what's on the ice during game time, and that's not even half the story. People want a change and want success. Sens are at a crossroads now with Spezza it seems. 1 year left. From the tone of today's' pressers, it sounded like there was a lot of anger and disappointment with how the leaders performed. No secret there, this year sucked azz.

We'll see what the future brings...

Flo The Action wrote:

NEELY wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:did melnyk say he's evaluating our hockey operations and that leadership is staying put?
is that saying spezza is staying with pmac and Bm might be out?
oh no, oh god, on dear god!  

You have to listen.

what i'm saying is he's saying leadership(mac and spezza) are staying, but there's decisions to be made about hockey operations.
of course i'm listening.

also heard how Cussing cheap he's sounding. god i'm tired of that Dung. at one point you have to invest in vet leadership you moron, you might have to dip in FA you Diddle!
sure, keep drafting and building we'll be the Cussing islanders!

After hearing Cyril Leeder speak.. I would assume the 'budget' would go up to keep players. IMO.. a lot of Spezza leaving is the budget so Ryan, McArthur, Methot, Andy, etc can get new contracts.

I'm in the keep Spezza camp.... but if he is going to be traded.. it had better be West... and not Vancouver.. because they really don't have enough for a good return..

LeKing wrote:Murray is pissed off with Spezza and maclean and he's not even hiding it. But looks like the players endorsing the coach is also important to him.

That's all that really matters.. is what the players think. McLean did say he demanded a lot this season and that didn't work. Murray wants him back to the way he was the first two years.. A teacher.. someone the players can talk to... Probably get more success with that..

I think it was growing pains for spezza, really honestly feel he'll be better for the experience. That said, it won't be in ottawa and I think that's clear now. But not gonna give him the bum's rush like some ppl here, hope he gets traded at the draft.

@ sandy, i'm on the fence on whether I want spezza back but I think I'm leaning towards moving on from him, merely based on the fact he's got one year left only. We can't, just can't not get anything for him. He also sounds frustrated, I think fresh start for both the sens and spezza is needed.

I'll give spezza one thing....at least he never said 'probably not'...and I loved alfie.

sandysensfan wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:

NEELY wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:did melnyk say he's evaluating our hockey operations and that leadership is staying put?
is that saying spezza is staying with pmac and Bm might be out?
oh no, oh god, on dear god!  

You have to listen.

what i'm saying is he's saying leadership(mac and spezza) are staying, but there's decisions to be made about hockey operations.
of course i'm listening.

also heard how Cussing cheap he's sounding. god i'm tired of that Dung. at one point you have to invest in vet leadership you moron, you might have to dip in FA you Diddle!
sure, keep drafting and building we'll be the Cussing islanders!

After hearing Cyril Leeder speak.. I would assume the 'budget' would go up to keep players.  IMO.. a lot of Spezza leaving is the budget so Ryan, McArthur, Methot, Andy, etc can get new contracts.

I'm in the keep Spezza camp.... but if he is going to be traded.. it had better be West... and not Vancouver.. because they really don't have enough for a good return..

Budget has nothing to do with it Sandy, you are looking for an excuse as to why Spezza would be moved and budget is not one of them. Hell short term is beneficial to have him in Ottawa simply for the budget. Either way you can tell the entire organization is upset with Spezza, Murray, MacLean, and probably Melnyk.

What Murray did today was lay blame equally, he didn't throw any one person under the bus be it MacLean, Spezza, or himself (shocker). What was clear was that MacLean and Murray came to a head with a lot of things that happened this year and based on Murray's comments about his "star", Spezza. He's the player that has the organization divided and it is impossible not to see that.

Makes sense, based on everything that's been speculated, spezza was a murray guy. So clearly from the start, murray and pmac butted heads. So when spezza was getting the harsh treatment from pmac, spezza sulked and directly (or indirectly) complained to Bmurr, akin to a little kid complaining to daddy, and then daddy going and doing something about it.