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

Cap'n Clutch wrote:If Philips wants to continue to be a healthy scratch, and I'm not saying he doesn't, then he may want to stay here as you've suggested Ev.  He will only continue to see more and more of the press box as time goes on and if he wants his career to continue past next season he may decide to try a new location.  He can keep his routes here in Ottawa and revive his playing career elsewhere.

I'm not saying it happens but, it's not as cut and dried as you may think.

Yah I just said something similar... if the guy wants to sit in the press box in Ottawa fine but if that's the case and the motivation to win and play hockey is that little, just retire.

I could definitely see Philips going to Boston, if they wanted him. There's a lot of familiar faces there.

Boston has no cap space, and already has 6 defenders better than Phillips...not sure that's the landing spot.

Plus, don't forget Phillips has another year on his contract, and Boston has a lot of decisions to make next season...not sure he'd fit in there.

I wouldn't say Boston has 6 D that are better than Phillips, I think that's the problem that they don't have 6 guys better than Phillips. But you are right about the cap... they can't afford to take that on going into next year but they also may not have a choice, Boston has 1, maybe 2 more playoff runs in them before it's reset time so we'll see.

Going into the playoffs there is never a shortage of teams looking for depth on the blueline.

If I had to pick a spot for Phillips to land it's NYR.

tim1_2 wrote:People seem to forget that Neil and Phillips both have NTCs, and Murray won't deal them unless they actually want to leave.  Both have another year left on their contracts, and both are very rooted here in Ottawa with businesses and family.  I don't see anyway either gets dealt this year, but if people want to keep dreaming, go ahead.  

Legwand on the other hand is likely dying to go to a contender and also get out of the -25 winter, since he's used to Nashville.

As I said months ago, Legwand should be demanding a trade given his icetime, his linemates and the fact that he hasn't been given a chance to swap places with certain players when they have struggled for long stretches. Phillips should also be happy to be traded as the team has chosen to treat this proud warrior like $hit of late.

Legwand has at least a partial NTC

Legwand would obviously waive his NTC to get outta here.

tim1_2 wrote:Boston has no cap space, and already has 6 defenders better than Phillips...not sure that's the landing spot.

Plus, don't forget Phillips has another year on his contract, and Boston has a lot of decisions to make next season...not sure he'd fit in there.

Teams with money always seem to find ways to get out of cap trouble. Philly is one that always seems to get it's way out of cap trouble.

People seem to love to say Phillips should be benched, and then say that a contender should trade for him for the playoffs. It can't be both. I agree he'd provide nice depth to a contender, but at $2.5M for another season? I don't see it happening.

NYR is making a run for the cup, they have cap space, and obviously have money. They need a depth guy who has some experience and can play in the bottom 6... to me that's Phillips in a nutshell. Might also be his best shot at a cup at this point.

tim1_2 wrote:People seem to love to say Phillips should be benched, and then say that a contender should trade for him for the playoffs.  It can't be both.  I agree he'd provide nice depth to a contender, but at $2.5M for another season?  I don't see it happening.

Yes it can... absolutely it can.  Ottawa's goal right now is giving their younger players time on the ice to develop and gain experience so the motivation to get Phillips in there isn't what it used to be.  A team looking for some depth on the blueline and a guy that will come in and just do his job as a #6, 7 guy and that's Phillips.

Would you rather be a #6, 7 guy on a team that's out of the playoffs or a 6, 7 guy on a team that has a very specific role for you that's competing for the Cup?  It's not always about not being good enough vs not being a good fit.

Fact is Phillips has his short coming and mixed in with a young partner (insert name here) he has been completely exposed at this point in his career. Give him a partner that can cover up some of his short comings or just simply let him play his very simple and solid game at times and he's fine... he's better suited to play with a vet than a rookie/sophmore/inexperience.

I think he might get traded this time next year...I really don't see him spending a year+ away from his family to take a shot at the Cup. Don't see it. I guess we'll find out in the next month or so.

NEELY wrote:Ottawa's goal right now is giving their younger players time on the ice to develop and gain experience so the motivation to get Phillips in there isn't what it used to be.  

I think Ottawa's goal is still to try and make the playoffs this year, which is why isn't likely to be traded.

Yeah I think he doesn't really care about the Cup at this point but that's just pure speculation. He's to invested into this community. It's hard to see him leaving the team his son plays on.

tim1_2 wrote:

NEELY wrote:Ottawa's goal right now is giving their younger players time on the ice to develop and gain experience so the motivation to get Phillips in there isn't what it used to be.  

I think Ottawa's goal is still to try and make the playoffs this year, which is why isn't likely to be traded.  

I think with Anderson they just truly believe they have their #1 goalie and they don't grow on trees. Think the organization has question marks about Lehner and maybe they look at Hogberg as a potential #1 as well somewhere down the line...? I don't know that as fact but Hogberg coming in within the next 2, 3 seasons as Anderson's backup isn't that far fetched IMO.

Either way Anderson is the guy and I am glad they made that call, they needed to choose and they did even if I don't agree with it.

tim1_2 wrote:I think he might get traded this time next year...I really don't see him spending a year+ away from his family to take a shot at the Cup.  Don't see it.  I guess we'll find out in the next month or so.

He has a limited NTC I believe... could be wrong though. He really doesn't have a say if that's the case short of telling Murray where he doesn't want to go. Playing in NYC or elsewhere for 18 months isn't going to really harm his roots here, his family, or his career.

Maybe he doesn't want to play for a Cup, maybe he doesn't care... but he shouldn't be tying down a roster spot on a team that has little to no use for him.

NEELY wrote:

tim1_2 wrote:

NEELY wrote:Ottawa's goal right now is giving their younger players time on the ice to develop and gain experience so the motivation to get Phillips in there isn't what it used to be.  

I think Ottawa's goal is still to try and make the playoffs this year, which is why isn't likely to be traded.  

I think with Anderson they just truly believe they have their #1 goalie and they don't grow on trees.  Think the organization has question marks about Lehner and maybe they look at Hogberg as a potential #1 as well somewhere down the line...?  I don't know that as fact but Hogberg coming in within the next 2, 3 seasons as Anderson's backup isn't that far fetched IMO.

Either way Anderson is the guy and I am glad they made that call, they needed to choose and they did even if I don't agree with it.

They didn't make any call yet dude. I don't know why you keep saying this.

Murray isn't going to ship Philly off if he doesn't want to go, simple as that. For people without kids, it is probably hard to understand how attached you get to them. Phillips has young kids, and I really don't think he wants to be away from them for a year. Also, there's no way he's moving his family to NYC or wherever for a year (like Alfie did). We can argue ourselves in circles if we want to, we're just going to have to wait and see.