2014 Ottawa Senators Off Season Talk

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:

NEELY wrote:

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:Sens will need to make more than just the Spezza trade because of the number of prospects in their system and number of defencemen on one-way contracts. Murray can't rely on the UFA market to make splash and should use his strengths to his advantage.

Defensive core: Karl-Ceci-Phillips
Offensive core: Turris, Zib, Ryan, MacArthur, Hoffman, Neil, Smith, Stone

I'd look at all other trade avenues to improve this team. Greening, Cowen, Da Costa, Prince, Methot, Spezza could very well all be gone this summer.

Methot and Hoffman for Stewart and maybe a 2nd is something I think could very well happen.

Methot and Prince for Stewart makes more sense to me

Spezza for Fowler and Etem would be pretty nice too.

NEELY wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:

NEELY wrote:

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.

I heard McLean yesterday and Murray today about Paul being too demanding.. and more or less that was a mistake..

I have never played the game.. I've just been watching it for about 50 yrs... I'm that old.  I don't maybe 'study' it like those who have played do.  So maybe I do look at it differently.

Spezza is far from perfect... but his point production won't be replaced by whoever you bring in..  He has defensive issues but so do a lot of other players on the Sens and other teams...  This Sens team will never be the Bruins..  Maybe if Muckler would have kept Chara.. things might have been different.

There are Spezza haters and Spezza supporters..  There is no reason to trash either side..

One thing I'm am glad for is Kassian is gone.  I don't support having a player on the team that plays about 10-15 games a season for about 2-3 min a game.  Waste of space..

Murray wants a 'tough' player for the 3rd line.. that can play and defend his team.  Is he looking in the direction of Ott?  What are the chances that a 'tough' UFA will come to Ottawa?

A coach being demanding of his players and especially the leadership is a mistake?  Absolutely not!  The way he delivers it might have been a bit off but being demanding of 7 million dollar players who wear the "C"?  Come on, Sandy.

As for the Bruins comment, this current team with Spezza will never be that team you're right.  Are there a ton of pieces to build towards that kind of team?  Absolutely and it's pretty obvious.  Future #1 goalie?  Lehner is almost there.  Depth down the middle with guys who play 200 feet?  Turris, Zibanejad, and Lazar all fill that criteria.  Defense?  No one has an Eric Karlsson which is even more special, no team can simply sign a Karlsson.  The D is built tough and built big, that's what the Bruins are as a whole.

Do they need another piece or two?  Absolutely.  Big power forward is the obvious need and Murray will address that and I think everyone believes that Stewart is the target and it makes sense.  They need centers, every single one who can play both ways and all 200 feet, Spezza isn't it.  

It takes a little foresight to see what the Sens could be going forward and short of Spezza a lot of people believe the Sens are almost there.

NEELY wrote:You don't need to be built exactly like the Bruins or Blues, you don't need to be built exactly like the Pens or Hawks, but you need an identity.  The Sens do however have a lot of guys like Lazar, MacArthur, Smith, Neil, Greening, future Stewart, and whoever else the Sens could bring in to become a very physical team.  

Don't let the Bruins fool you either, they have a lot of skill on that team.  Sens are very similar in their youth right now but they need that Lucic piece, you are correct about that.  IMO it's Stewart.

Flo The Action wrote:

NEELY wrote:You don't need to be built exactly like the Bruins or Blues, you don't need to be built exactly like the Pens or Hawks, but you need an identity.  The Sens do however have a lot of guys like Lazar, MacArthur, Smith, Neil, Greening, future Stewart, and whoever else the Sens could bring in to become a very physical team.  

Don't let the Bruins fool you either, they have a lot of skill on that team.  Sens are very similar in their youth right now but they need that Lucic piece, you are correct about that.  IMO it's Stewart.

ouf... i dunno if stewart is a lucic. again i'm not super familiar with stewart but we've been hearing more and more this year about him as the rumors of him ending up here grow. i'd say it sounds like he's bring some physicality but nothing like lucic.
I'm wondering what would it take to get simmonds out of philly, if they get knocked out first round they might look to make some moves. they don't seem interested in moving couturier or shenn so maybe there's something to do there.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

NEELY wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Michallica wrote:Anyone thinking this is deja vu happening?

The only deja vu happening here is all the Spezza trade talk. There will be more deja vu come next fall when young Spezza is, as he will always be, right in the Senatores lineup.     

What do you actually think as I am somewhat curious.  

Murray says he still has to talk further with Spezza so I guess he's not sure which way he's leaning. 4 schmill is dirt cheap no matter what you think of the guy. His trade value has to be sky high.

SpezDispenser wrote:Ha, it's far from done.  

NEELY wrote:I think they have to make a move with Spezza before the draft.  They will need to know whether or not to go out and sign a UFA that can help fill the offensive void, again I look at Stastny as the ideal player to come in and do that.  Ottawa has a great opportunity to add a good player or two this off season with the trade of Spezza, maybe Methot, and UFA.

MacArthur/Turris/Ryan
Berglund/Stastny/Stewart
Hoffman/Zibanejad/Stone
Greening/Smith/Neil
Condra/Da Costa

If Hoffman is traded I might be tempted to put Peumpel in there but he could use another year.  I think Condra also might be a guy that's moved for air.

Looking at that I don't see how that wouldn't be a better group of forwards than they had on Sunday.

shabbs wrote:BooBoo on the asking price for Spezza...

http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/04/15/ottawa-senators-owner-prez-gm-offer-final-words-on-season?token=ae426939ab4334044bda50d4df3d42e1

"The No. 1 change is expected to involve Spezza. The Senators will likely shop him around before the NHL entry draft in Philadelphia. As reported by the Sun, the asking price is player who can help right now, a top prospect and No. 1 pick."

Not sure where he got that from...

Ev wrote:

NEELY wrote:I think they have to make a move with Spezza before the draft.  They will need to know whether or not to go out and sign a UFA that can help fill the offensive void, again I look at Stastny as the ideal player to come in and do that.  Ottawa has a great opportunity to add a good player or two this off season with the trade of Spezza, maybe Methot, and UFA.

MacArthur/Turris/Ryan
Berglund/Stastny/Stewart
Hoffman/Zibanejad/Stone
Greening/Smith/Neil
Condra/Da Costa

If Hoffman is traded I might be tempted to put Peumpel in there but he could use another year.  I think Condra also might be a guy that's moved for air.

Looking at that I don't see how that wouldn't be a better group of forwards than they had on Sunday.

You can eliminate him as there's basically zero chance he would sign here.