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

wprager wrote:So you don't think there's a fanbase out there with a message board where some dude posted a link to the TSN.ca site?  Or you don't think that the hockey fans in the USA have figured out that if they want to read/talk hockey they go to TSN and not ESPN?

Yes. I'm suggesting that the amount of Americans that go to TSN are minute compared to American websites. And they can't talk hockey on TSN anymore they have withdrawn the comment boards. I really don't think they care about fantasy voting on a site they hardly frequent no.

spader wrote:Someone on HF suggested not protecting Anderson and rolling the dice that Vegas wouldn't select a 36 year old goalie with only a year left on his contract. That's an interesting perspective.  

Now, that said, that could only happen if one of the other eligible goalies makes it necessary.

That is an interesting perspective. Especially after we see what other tender becomes available via expension. Personally I don't think not protecting Hammond means he might get picked up. I don't think that's the player they will target of our roster anyways.

Yeah, I would doubt one of our goalies gets picked up. I'd say it'd be more likely that Hammond gets scooped to be the backup. If you go through the rosters of the other 29 teams, I'm sure you could find two other goalies that are younger/better/have better contracts/etc.

PTFlea wrote:That's a possibility,  I guess.  Depends on who we end up wanting to protect.  

It won't be long before we need to look for another starter at some point soon obviously.

Hogberg is doing pretty well in a decent league. O'Connor had a rough start to his pro career but he's still a top prospect. Driedger still has a 0.00 GAA in the NHL, right? And Hammond was very good except on the PK; that was just really odd, but also don't forget that he missed all of the pre-season and then had the concussion later on. I still think Hammond could be a good backup or even tandem goalie.

And if we need immediate help there's always a goalie or two around.

wprager wrote:

PTFlea wrote:That's a possibility,  I guess.  Depends on who we end up wanting to protect.  

It won't be long before we need to look for another starter at some point soon obviously.

Hogberg is doing pretty well in a decent league.  O'Connor had a rough start to his pro career but he's still a top prospect.  Driedger still has a 0.00 GAA in the NHL, right?  And Hammond was very good except on the PK; that was just really odd, but also don't forget that he missed all of the pre-season and then had the concussion later on.  I still think Hammond could be a good backup or even tandem goalie.  

And if we need immediate help there's always a goalie or two around.

I think we'll see what we have with Hammond this season. I think he's better than his stats showed last year (because of the PK outlier), and I think he's (obviously) not as good as he seemed during The Run. This year will hopefully give us a better idea.

I think Hammond is a capable backup goalie but nothing special and won't be able to recreate anything close to the run. Fingers crossed the O'Connor becomes something good and that Ottawa doesn't trade him away.

They seem to have recognized that last season in Bingo was a real dogs breakfast and made some pretty sweeping changes. I think they're operating on the assumption that O'Connor was a victim of the disarray there and will bounce back this season. I think he will too.

Driedger with 1.000 career SV%.

Seriously, though, will Hammond ever recreate The Run? Probably not. But he's quite capable to go on another run. He's got one thing going for him -- he's pretty close to unflappable, doesn't get down on himself, doesn't dwell on the past or worry about the future. He can, as you said, be a capable backup goalie but I think he can also take over if (when) Anderson gets on his annual IR stint. Last year was injury plagued -- first the hamstring (?) that made him miss all of the pre-season, then taking a couple of pucks on the head (one in practice, right?) and the concussion. His stats were great at even strength, and it's up to the goalie coach to figure out what the hell went wrong on the PK. Most likely he will have to work with the PK coach as it's probably a combination of things. The Sens gave up too many shots on goal but it wasn't all on the rush. Most goalies in the league can stop the first shot, so they need to do a much better job of clearing rebounds, clearing out the crease and, yes, not allowing an uncontrolled rebound. Lots to work on for everyone -- forwards (two guys on D cannot control three opposition forwards; and when they get to the puck they need someone to pass it to); defense (maybe Double Dion can teach them a thing or two about making the Sens crease a very unpleasant pace to be); and the goalies (no rebounds in front).

NHL.com's 30-in-30 series of articles has Ottawa today:

https://www.nhl.com/news/ottawa-senators-season-preview-2016-17/c-281311966

After Pierre Dorion was named the eighth general manager in Ottawa Senators history on April 10, he has taken the organization on a path of sweeping and dramatic changes over four months with the goal of returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

I haven't read further than that yet. But I thought this quote (from the first paragraph) was interesting. The "sweeping and dramatic" changes really began before Dorion took over (Cowen/Wiercioch out, Phaneuf in, Phillips retiring on the heels of Alfie/Spezza exits not that long ago). About the only thing Dorion has done (since taking over) is the Zibanejad trade (and the draft -- but those moves aren't likely to be felt for a couple years or longer).

Anyhow, off to read the rest now.

Decent read, but nothing there we haven't already discussed. I disagree with their statement that the defense is unchanged from last year. Cowen/Wiercioch out, Phaneuf in, that's an overhaul.

The Phaneuf trade had nothing to do with Dorion as GM.

Not resigning Wiercioch and trading Zibby are Dorion moves.

For the most part Dorion is running with Murray's team, hiring Boucher is the big decision that Murray would not have done if he had stayed on.

Hoags wrote:The Phaneuf trade had nothing to do with Dorion as GM.  

Not resigning Wiercioch and trading Zibby are Dorion moves.

For the most part Dorion is running with Murray's team, hiring Boucher is the big decision that Murray would not have done if he had stayed on.

Would Boucher been murrays guy? I haven't seen or read anything indicating that would be so. If anything there was some talk that Hartley would have been murray's pick from past comments.

You also got to let Dorion take some time to make changes. I think Zib is a huge move because of the signal it sends to the players. Combine that with a new coach and you want at least a month of played hockey before you re-evaluate. Also brought in a vet with a cup ring that has always had a positive attitude in Kelly.

I'm satisfied with his moves so far. Would like a 5th D-man but that might have to wait a bit and that's ok. Creates competition with our D prospects at having the chance to actually make the team.
I'll look to reevaluate when we get closer to December/ January.

I think the most drastic change dorion made was overhauling the entire coaching staff and perhaps introducing a more progressive mindset. We will see, our hopes of making the playoffs really hinge on what boucher/crawford have in store.

Hoffside wrote:I think the most drastic change dorion made was overhauling the entire coaching staff and perhaps introducing a more progressive mindset.  We will see, our hopes of making the playoffs really hinge on what boucher/crawford have in store.

Yes I completely agree. But I think that moving Zib was a huge part about sending a message to the players that the new regime wasn't going to stand for lack of effort from players. Murray took forever to make changes to the roster. We suffered through years of spezza being what he is and even making him captain before enough was enough.
Dorion flat out made a statement that no dogfucking was going to be allowed and now it's up to the new coaching staff to motivate and enforce the system and ideology.

I think it's a great start for our new GM.

Flo The Action wrote:

Hoffside wrote:I think the most drastic change dorion made was overhauling the entire coaching staff and perhaps introducing a more progressive mindset.  We will see, our hopes of making the playoffs really hinge on what boucher/crawford have in store.

Yes I completely agree. But I think that moving Zib was a huge part about sending a message to the players that the new regime wasn't going to stand for lack of effort from players. Murray took forever to make changes to the roster. We suffered through years of spezza being what he is and even making him captain before enough was enough.
Dorion flat out made a statement that no dogfucking was going to be allowed and now it's up to the new coaching staff to motivate and enforce the system and ideology.

I think it's a great start for our new GM.

Agreed. Message needed to be sent, hope the players paid attention.

I like the comment that he's going to pursue a bottom pairing D-man. That would mean a lot to us if he was to sign or acquire a veteran bottom pairing guy.

That would leave basically the only big question mark as 3 RW. Can Lazar come in and provide some offence? Big question mark to have going into the season IMO

Hoags wrote:The Phaneuf trade had nothing to do with Dorion as GM.  

Not resigning Wiercioch and trading Zibby are Dorion moves.

For the most part Dorion is running with Murray's team, hiring Boucher is the big decision that Murray would not have done if he had stayed on.

Not re-signing Wiercioch was primarily because of his 2nd year salary, which made his QO too high a price for what he brought. So I wouldn't put that as a Dorion move. The other thing I forgot about was completely replacing the coaching staff. Those were all Dorion moves, and I'd have to think he had to go to convince Melnyk to spend even more on coaches (I guess MacLean's salary came off the books, but we're still paying Cameron).

PTFlea wrote:I like the comment that he's going to pursue a bottom pairing D-man.  That would mean a lot to us if he was to sign or acquire a veteran bottom pairing guy.

That would leave basically the only big question mark as 3 RW.  Can Lazar come in and provide some offence?  Big question mark to have going into the season IMO

I'm expecting Lazar to have a very different season.  His comments in that interview were very intriguing.  If he says he's going to go through people he will go through people.  No more Mr Nice Guy.  You've seen me smile, not watch me scowl.  I'll smile after goals.

My concern is actually the left side.  Hoffman got paid, so I hope the red-light is enough motivation for him going forward.  And CMac is going to remain a question mark until he can play a full season and play at the level he had before the concussions.  Has Kelly ever played wing?

EDIT: The wikipedia page for Kelly says he plays center/left wing. Maybe that's another reason they got him. He may not provide the offense of a top-six NHL player but at least he will fill a hole better than a callup or rookie. OK, Pierre, carry-on, look for that bottom pairing guy who can slide up if necessary.