Ottawa Senators (present and past) TIDBITS & QUICK HITS!

Still question marks on D. Mainly, we're not entirely sure what we're going to get out of Methot and Cowen. Could go either way with both those guys still, although I am quite hopeful for Cowen. I think we could so better than Methot for a #1 LD. On the right side, yeah, we're set.

You say that about Boroweicki but never once did I say he was a top pairing guy. I said he has the ability to move up and down the left side when needed to playing with Karlsson or anyone for that matter. That in itself is invaluable. Yah, all things being equal he is a 3rd pairing guy and that's where 99.9% of people have him slotted in but again he can play with anyone. His skating is fine, he moves the puck well, and he doesn't do anything he simply can't do. Basically he is Marc Methot with more of an edge, just not the games played. He's a valuable piece and I don't know why anyone would consider that sad when he is a very solid NHL player. Look at every cup winner, they have a player like Borowiecki on the back end, a steady D man who can move up and down when needed. The guys around him also play a little bigger when he's on the ice. Boroweicki is simply a player that does whatever he is capable of doing, that's it, that's all.

The sad situation on the blueline is again both Pillips and Wiercoich coming in and not being able to play the game needed to help the Sens. That will correct itself in time. The other issue again is Methot.

Ceci is a perfect player behind Karlsson, thank God he's a RH shot because they need a guy there to play with Cowen who is also a key cog on the bluline at this point. That 2nd pairing is almost as important at ES (maybe even more so) than Karlsson and whoever his partner is today. Hopefully Methot gets his crap together both on and off the ice and can be the player a lot of people believe he can be (not me personally). If that happens then you have a very, very solid group from 1-6 but again that #7 is still an issue. Phillips might be best served playing that role on a full time basis and it looks like that's where he is going to be slotted in going forward. I am curious to see if he can slide into that role, not worry about being the big vet and a guy to be leaned on anymore and just play hockey. Phillips being a dependable #7 guy could be a very important role for a few seasons while a guy like Claeson gets some real heavy minutes in the AHL.

I'll break it down a little further from my perspective and add in I have always liked Chris Wideman and believed he had NHL potential and is close to ready. That's another guy that IMO can come in and be a #7 guy and gradually find a fit for him in the NHL. You never know until you know but he's grown into a great AHL D man and I think he's a Dan Boyle light type guy but it remains to be seen. (for the record that is and always has been my comparable to Chris Wideman).

tim1_2 wrote:Still question marks on D. Mainly, we're not entirely sure what we're going to get out of Methot and Cowen. Could go either way with both those guys still, although I am quite hopeful for Cowen.  I think we could so better than Methot for a #1 LD. On the right side, yeah, we're set.

Cowen/Ceci, I think they found something that works. Both guys who can skate, both guys who have a little offense, both guys who have a little of this, little of that, around the same age, seem to play the game in similar ways but have different assets. If there was ever a positive I was going to take from the blueline this season it's that they have found a 2nd pairing they may have for another decade if things work out.

As for Methot... you can get more bang for your buck if they can snag a guy like Boychuk but then you are gambling when you may not have the ability to. But you are also gambling if you sign him long term. That's the biggest issue no question. They may have to get creative.

I think the problem with our Defensive system is that Karlsson plays so differently than the rest of our D corps that the forwards have a hard time adjusting their positioning depending on who's on the ice. Our 3 pairings are playing a completely different style.

I would consider trading for Sekera. UFA at the end of the year, left handed shot, and could have a huge impact if things were to work out. Also let's you evaluate where Methot fits in. If Sekera and Karlsson playou well, and Cowen/Ceci play well enough he's not worth the money he's asking for as a fifth defenceman.

I'd give up Wier as Wideman can be our 7th guy next season and the organization has to decide between phillips, gryba, boro as your 5-6 combo. Phillips imo has a ton of value at the deadline

if Phillips is regularly being healthy scratched here, he does not have a ton of value.

He's the perfect add for a team going on a long playoff run. Vet leadership, can still play depth d minutes, and probably would prefer one last shot at a cup before retirement. Boston would want him, so would a young team like the islanders and bolts.

Congratulations to Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman, selected to represent the Sens at the ASG. Karlsson will stay home and laugh at the ugly jerseys they have to wear.

wprager wrote:Congratulations to Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman, selected to represent the Sens at the ASG.  Karlsson will stay home and laugh at the ugly jerseys they have to wear.

Excellent news.

If anyone's wondering why Hoffman's ice time is still being limited...#contractnegotiations

If he leads rookies and more importantly the team in goal scoring this season he's going to cash in. They wanted to keep him in the AHL as long as they could to develop him properly and he's a prospect they handled perfectly but it looks like he is now going to cash in and the Sens should be paying up.

I have no idea who a comparable might be at this point...? I am thinking a 3 x 3 contract would be close to getting it done at this point.

Hoffy is a team high +19...next closest is Bobby R at +9.  Most impressive, young Hoffman...most impressive.

tim1_2 wrote:If anyone's wondering why Hoffman's ice time is still being limited...#contractnegotiations

I assume you are joking.

dennycrane wrote:

tim1_2 wrote:If anyone's wondering why Hoffman's ice time is still being limited...#contractnegotiations

I assume you are joking.

Only half-joking.  I had the same conspiracy theory last year with Lehner when he was in a contract year.  I think we would all agree that Hoffman has been our best, or one of our best, forwards for the past little while.  He's played under 14 minutes in 5 of the last 6 games.  WTF.

don't think you want to lay too much at his feet, he's in a groove, playing well with the minutes and the role he's in, leave it. No real upside right now in terms of doing more with Hoffman.

NEELY wrote:
don't think you want to lay too much at his feet, he's in a groove, playing well with the minutes and the role he's in, leave it.  No real upside right now in terms of doing more with Hoffman.

Give him some PP time. Not at the point but down low around the net.

I think they sign him and Zib to similar deals. In the area of 3 years $8-9M. No idea what Chiasson is worth to this team.

I'd even consider switching him and Turris, ie: half Hoffman take the one-timers from the half boards

Why would they want to give him PP time down low? Hoffman has a cannon of a shot and can pass the puck, him being on the left side on the point on the PP is exactly where you want him to be. Why would that change or why would they stop developing that part of his game? That's exactly what they have him pegged as on the PP.

I don't think Zibanejad gets a 3 year deal simply for 2 reasons 1) he really hasn't earned anything more. 2) He's 21, 22 years old and has a lot more time to put in and a lot more to prove in general.

Seguin sent home from practice for being hungover