All things 2014 Playoffs

Haha that would be sweet but I seriously doubt it. Think LA is going to be going for him as well.

wprager wrote:

NEELY wrote:

wprager wrote:

NEELY wrote:It amazes me how much they talk about Toews being a leader and giving that extra effort... you would almost think your captain matters.

You think he doesn't score the if he's not wearing the C?

Hahaha I posted that way before he even scored the goal.  Just happens his 2nd and 3rd efforts pay off in the end.

Both Sandy and I have gone on record that we would take To was over Crosby, pretty clear where we rank him relative to Spezza.  Problem is he's under contract to continue playing in Chicago and we are somewhat limited on what we can get.  

I am not against moving Spezza; I just don't subscribe to the "addition by subtraction" rhetoric.

That wasn't the point, you have stated numerous times how being a leader and being that captain is not overly important as the other guys should do their job anyway.  Everyone else disagrees for the most part which includes NHL personnel, NHL players, NHL media, and most people that have played the game at a high level (Jr or higher).

NEELY wrote:
That wasn't the point, you have stated numerous times how being a leader and being that captain is not overly important as the other guys should do their job anyway.  Everyone else disagrees for the most part which includes NHL personnel, NHL players, NHL media, and most people that have played the game at a high level (Jr or higher).

Once again you are misstating what I said and misrepresenting my opinion. Just because your high-skill, high-salary "superstar" player is given the 'C' does not mean the entire team automatically follows his example on the ice. A team requires many leaders, not a single one. There isn't a single team that's won the Cup that consisted of a bunch of sheep following a single leader.

I'm not arguing that Spezza is a good leader, or a good Captain; I'm not arguing that he doesn't coast. What I am arguing is your assertion that the reason this team underperforme is because everyone followed Spezza into mediocrity.

Turris and MacArthur still performed as professionals even though the played on the same team. Ryan did as well (until hobbled by his injury).

Let's review what happened to this team:

1. Anderson was horrible at the start. There can be no arguing there. After the battle with Miller in game 1 he was mediocre, at best.
2. Lehner had better stats but PMac kept playing Anderson, regardless, including yanking Lahner after he won three straight and the team was actually coming around.
3. Spezza/Michalek/whoever were horrible until January.
4. Zibanejad sent down out of camp to "send a message"; neither Pageau nor Conacher played better in camp; both Pageau and Conacher continued their poor play.
5. Karlsson was horrible in his own end. He's younger and faster than Spezza so he could cover up more for his mistakes, but he was just as bad at committing those mistakes in the first place.
6. Lehner was brutal for a stretch when Anderson was injured. You can blame some of that one PMac.
7. MacLean was brutal in most of the decisions he made this year.

Spezza is responsible for one of the above. Yeah, if he played in October like he did after the Olympics (which is an even +/-) then we likely make the playoffs. But the same can be said about half a dozen other players/coaches/etc. He's the highest paid and the Captain, yes, so I suppose it's fair to assign more responsibility to him than to others, but even then there's still lots to go around.

The biggest problem was Spezza this season, he's the biggest reason why the Sens performed like they did early on and that's when the season for the most part was lost. He sulked, he coasted, etc, and yes that leads to everyone else making the same error because it limits the amount of accountability the coach can put on players... can't do much to the captain and "#1 center" until the season is over.

Spezza isn't being shipped out because he's a good guy, he's not being shipped out because of his talent, he's being shipped out because he doesn't get it and they have given up on him as a center piece along with a lot of other people and fans. That's the biggest issue/problem in Ottawa right now.

NEELY wrote:The biggest problem was Spezza this season, he's the biggest reason why the Sens performed like they did early on and that's when the season for the most part was lost.  He sulked, he coasted, etc, and yes that leads to everyone else making the same error because it limits the amount of accountability the coach can put on players... can't do much to the captain and "#1 center" until the season is over.

Spezza isn't being shipped out because he's a good guy, he's not being shipped out because of his talent, he's being shipped out because he doesn't get it and they have given up on him as a center piece along with a lot of other people and fans.  That's the biggest issue/problem in Ottawa right now.

I didn't want to get into another Spezza argument against so many that don't like him... but another reason he could be traded is the amount of key contracts that are up over the next 2 off seasons.. and there isn't money in the budget to sign everyone. Maybe Spezza also wants a long term contract.. and with his back issues.. the Sens don't want to go that route.. Maybe they want to keep the younger and healthier players and he is the one to go.

After the Olympic break.. when he had a decent winger.. we saw how good - offensively - Spezza can be. The issue is his NTC. He probably wants to go to a contender or a team on the rise... Who is that? I guess we will find out at the draft.. If Murray is going after a 1st round pick included in the package.. I hope he goes after a 2015 pick. The draft this season isn't that good.. compared as to what is coming next year...

I have decided after last night that I would like t.j. Oshie. K thanks st. Louis

His NTC doesn't exist, Sandy.  He can give a list of 10 teams he doesn't want to go to... that's it.  There are 19 other teams he can. Also he isn't be traded because of the budget, he's being traded because it's time to trade him from every possible angle.

Spezza was the captain, he sulked, he moaned, he floated, w/e else.  Don't care if he has Perry and and Hossa on each side of him or Matt Kassian and Colton Orr, he had a responsibility to his team and organization to work hard and play harder and he failed to do that.  

I agree with you they should be going after a 2015 1st rounder, no question.  Watching the U17 even if it's a short tourny you can tell this draft class is lacking high end skill.  Was super impressed with Vrana though from the Czech.

You will only see a sure fire playoff contender dealing their 2015 first rounder and that likely includes a group of Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, st. Louis, and Anaheim. I said I want tj Oshie but realistically the blues wouldn't give up a key piece like that. No teams do these 'hockey' trades unless they have a piece they're looking to move already. Look for Spezza to be traded for another disgruntled piece + prospects

Michallica wrote:You will only see a sure fire playoff contender dealing their 2015 first rounder and that likely includes a group of Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, st. Louis, and Anaheim. I said I want tj Oshie but realistically the blues wouldn't give up a key piece like that. No teams do these 'hockey' trades unless they have a piece they're looking to move already. Look for Spezza to be traded for another disgruntled piece + prospects

I think it's more likely they get a pick in 2014 as well who knows. Spezza will be traded for some good pieces IMO and again looking at these playoffs it's becoming clear who may or may not need him. I think the teams that could use him are Dallas, Anaheim, Columbus, and maybe St.Louis and Colorado. If those are the 4 or 5 teams that really make a push for him then you could see a killer return whether it's in future prospects and picks or a current roster player at some position.

If rangers lose to the flyers, I expect them to make a deal and likely buy out Richards in the process. Don't think they have their first rounder to offer but they sure as hell have kreider + stepan

Michallica wrote:If rangers lose to the flyers, I expect them to make a deal and likely buy out Richards in the process. Don't think they have their first rounder to offer but they sure as hell have kreider + stepan

Rangers always make a play and they have some decent pieces to be sure. With Lundqvist there they won't worry too much about anything other then the next 2, 3 years. They need to win now. J.T miller is another nice piece. If they could swing Miller, Stepan, and a 1st for Spezza you take it and run.

In what world would Spezza with one year left on his deal be worth that?

Probably isn't even an upgrade on Stepan

Spezza will sign long term in new York I'm sure. The rags after buying out Richards can afford it too. I can see them doing it as opposed to say Nashville.

are you allowed to negotiate a conctract for spezza prior to july 1st and only sign it after or is that tempering? that could be a huge factor in spezza getting traded before july 1st.

Ev wrote:In what world would Spezza with one year left on his deal be worth that?

Probably isn't even an upgrade on Stepan

Probably isn't... we'll see what he goes for when the time comes.

Man do the Wings ever blow

The end is near for the Wings....

Michallica wrote:I have decided after last night that I would like t.j. Oshie. K thanks st. Louis

That won't happen. If St Louis is the destination I would like Jaden Schwartz to be part of the package.. Might as well get an RFA.. and a really good one at that.. who will be with your organization for some time..