GAME DAY: Ottawa Senators @ Carolina Hurricanes - 7:00pm Nov. 7th, 2008

Neely4Life wrote:Obviously not. The guy sounded like a moron from the very start of his paragraph.

can't argue there. Foligno is one of our most promising players. If only vermette played like Folgers.

Tukker wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Obviously not. The guy sounded like a moron from the very start of his paragraph.

can't argue there. Foligno is one of our most promising players. If only vermette played like Folgers.

Foligno will get a shot up on that top line again I'm sure, and right now they are trying to get him to improve his defensive game on the 4th line, which isnt uncommon for young players.

Vermette is a spare tire at best. He is my whipping boy even when we win.

I missed this game, but the two before Vermette played with jump and was the best player on the top line. He's physical, he's battling for pucks and I felt that he was really complementing Heatley and Spezza, even if the numbers weren't there (they were producing a number of good chances).

For $2.8M or whatever he makes, if you factor in his face-off percentage and PK abilities, you can't be that disappointed.

asq2 wrote:I missed this game, but the two before Vermette played with jump and was the best player on the top line. He's physical, he's battling for pucks and I felt that he was really complementing Heatley and Spezza, even if the numbers weren't there (they were producing a number of good chances).

For $2.8M or whatever he makes, if you factor in his face-off percentage and PK abilities, you can't be that disappointed.

I'm at the games here in Ottawa, and Vermette is anything but physical, he actually shy's away from it. He looks lost out there and not sure what to do on that top line, in fact I believe he is holding Heatley and Spezza back.

Face off's aside (where he is solid) we have enough solid penalty killers on this team, and he was given that contract to provide secondary scoring, which he hasnt.

I am more than disapointed with Vermette to this point. 2 goals, 1 assist this far (I think) is unacceptable. Kelly would be a better option on that top line because he does have some chemistry with Spezza and Vermette may be better served in the middle on the 3rd line.

Defently cant agree with you on Vermette.

Honestly, why are we even bothering with this experiment? We all know that the big 3 will be reunited when it counts. If we aren't going to score many goals anyway, why not just force teams to beat our big line. It seems to have worked in the past if I recall. It's comical to think that we are going to find some magic solution after 3 years of trying different combos.

I really like Winchester's game, but with these current lines, I'd rather see Foligno on the Fisher/Alfie line. He brings more offence and compliments those two well. Winchester is strong along the boards and could be paired with Donovan and McAmmond to form a strong 4th line capable of playing more than 5 minutes a game.
Can we go back to Auld please. I'm sure Gerber could sell hot dogs or some Dung at SBP, to at least pretend like he's earning his money. If don't care if last night wasn't his fault. I don't have any faith left in the man. Neither does the team from the looks of it.

Vermette may have been playing with some jump, but what we need to complement the dynamic duo is some jam. Fisher(on the wing) or Foligno are alternatives.

That said, I've seen Vermette play with jam in the past (remember the hit on Pronger that separated his shoulder?) and someone needs to take him aside and tell him his role on the top line. You're not there for the one-timers, that's Heater; you're not there to carry the puck up the ice and dish out the cross-crease passses, that's Spezza. You're there to go hard to the net on an even-man rush, go hard into the corners on a dump-in, and a little cherry-picking in the neutral zone waiting for a bomb when the other team goes for an badly-timed change.

Hartsburg should have a timeline for when to sit down and evaluate the experiment. I wouldn't give it less than five games or more than 10. How many games has it been so far? Five? Give it another 3, then.

If Vermette does not work out on the top line then give Foligno a chance; Fisher and Winchester are producign with Alfie so keep those together. The only thing Foligno would not be doing is cherry-picking at the other team's blue line. Actually, strike that. With Vermette's speed he could be cherry-picking at the red line, but Foligno would have to go to the other team's blue line. Hope you get my point. Apart from the speed, Foligno can do all the other things required on that line better.

P.S. Hemi, that avatar is a little disturbing. Yes, I made another nick-nickname.

Hey guys. I was only able to catch the last half of the 3rd last night. From what I saw Gerber can't really be blamed, but come on. 2 late 3rd period goals to tie and then go ahead. The guy just can't make the big saves late in a game.

wprager wrote:P.S. Hemi, that avatar is a little disturbing. Yes, I made another nick-nickname.

I like the avatar, although I wonder if it's photoshopped. I can't imagine under what circumstances Ruutu would agree to be photographed wearing this ridiculous wig. Simply mind boggling.

Snuh wrote:Hey guys. I was only able to catch the last half of the 3rd last night. From what I saw Gerber can't really be blamed, but come on. 2 late 3rd period goals to tie and then go ahead. The guy just can't make the big saves late in a game.

It's hard to watch. The team didn't play great in front of him, but cmon. To steal a line from Torts.....


GIVE ME A SAVE!


Great goalies find a way to come up with the saves they shouldn't make. Gerber simply does not do that. What's worse he has a penchant for giving up softies. But hey, at least we weren't down 1-0 after the first shot on goal. Auld please.

wprager wrote:Vermette may have been playing with some jump, but what we need to complement the dynamic duo is some jam. Fisher(on the wing) or Foligno are alternatives.

That said, I've seen Vermette play with jam in the past (remember the hit on Pronger that separated his shoulder?) and someone needs to take him aside and tell him his role on the top line. You're not there for the one-timers, that's Heater; you're not there to carry the puck up the ice and dish out the cross-crease passses, that's Spezza. You're there to go hard to the net on an even-man rush, go hard into the corners on a dump-in, and a little cherry-picking in the neutral zone waiting for a bomb when the other team goes for an badly-timed change.

Hartsburg should have a timeline for when to sit down and evaluate the experiment. I wouldn't give it less than five games or more than 10. How many games has it been so far? Five? Give it another 3, then.

If Vermette does not work out on the top line then give Foligno a chance; Fisher and Winchester are producign with Alfie so keep those together. The only thing Foligno would not be doing is cherry-picking at the other team's blue line. Actually, strike that. With Vermette's speed he could be cherry-picking at the red line, but Foligno would have to go to the other team's blue line. Hope you get my point. Apart from the speed, Foligno can do all the other things required on that line better.

The top line with Vermette hasn't exploded like they used to with Alfie on there. No combining for 10 points in a night. I think this is Vermette's last chance to be a top line guy. If something doesn't happen soon he'll be replaced. It's maddening to watch this guy, as he has a buttload of skill and when he's playing a physical game (like you mentioned the Pronger hit) can be very effective. But he's way too inconsistent. I was a big supporter of him resigning in the off season when there was talk of him being traded. Now, I'm not so sure. It's not so much the money as I think it's a fair deal for a guy who can put up 20-25 goals and 50 or so points, in addition to being a good face off guy and PKer. This team has guys who can kill penalties so Vermette's worth there is lessened. I'd like to see Winchester get a shot at some PK duty. I think he could be really effective in that area.

hemlock34 wrote:

Snuh wrote:Hey guys. I was only able to catch the last half of the 3rd last night. From what I saw Gerber can't really be blamed, but come on. 2 late 3rd period goals to tie and then go ahead. The guy just can't make the big saves late in a game.

It's hard to watch. The team didn't play great in front of him, but cmon. To steal a line from Torts.....


GIVE ME A SAVE!


Great goalies find a way to come up with the saves they shouldn't make. Gerber simply does not do that. What's worse he has a penchant for giving up softies. But hey, at least we weren't down 1-0 after the first shot on goal. Auld please.

Exactly! I don't care that it wasn't his fault, he lost the opportunity to use that excuse the past 100 times where it was his fault... That last goal dosen't go in on Auld anyway, It hits him in the shoulder (i'd like to wish anyway)

Whatever, i've just had enough, Who else here predicted a 2-1 win for Carolina during the 2nd intermission? I'm just pissed I didn't put money on it... GET GERBER AS FAR AWAY FROM OTTAWA AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!

We have a few players who can be moved for that PMD and still be okay with calling up Bass or others. Vermette has always been a favourite of mine, same with Fisher, but that can't always save you. Vermette just doesn't play like a top 6 in Ottawa, whereas there's the chance he can elsewhere. We know he is fast as lightning, creative, and even physical, but for some reason he has never reached his full potential here (or he has and it isn't where we thought it'd be).

And after last night's game, it is clear that we moved the wrong player. Corvo has destroyed us twice now. We gave up our best defenceman for nothing. If Vermette was part of a deal to get us an offensive defenceman I say do it, and do it now. Diddy mau!

DashRiprock wrote:We have a few players who can be moved for that PMD and still be okay with calling up Bass or others. Vermette has always been a favourite of mine, same with Fisher, but that can't always save you. Vermette just doesn't play like a top 6 in Ottawa, whereas there's the chance he can elsewhere. We know he is fast as lightning, creative, and even physical, but for some reason he has never reached his full potential here (or he has and it isn't where we thought it'd be).

And after last night's game, it is clear that we moved the wrong player. Corvo has destroyed us twice now. We gave up our best defenceman for nothing. If Vermette was part of a deal to get us an offensive defenceman I say do it, and do it now. Diddy mau!

Corvo wanted to leave. His agent had spoken to Murray numerous times because Corvo felt the Canadian fans, media, etc put too much pressure on him (whether real or not). He didn't like being in a pressure cooker.

Still, we didn't have to move him, and even so, I'm sure there was a better deal out there. We got rid of a fast, offensive dman for a slow, defensive one.

Even Tim Gleason would have been welcomed back here.

Also, despite not seeing the game, but seeing the highlights, can't say Gerber was to fault on the goals.

hemlock34 wrote:Honestly, why are we even bothering with this experiment? We all know that the big 3 will be reunited when it counts. If we aren't going to score many goals anyway, why not just force teams to beat our big line. It seems to have worked in the past if I recall. It's comical to think that we are going to find some magic solution after 3 years of trying different combos.

I really like Winchester's game, but with these current lines, I'd rather see Foligno on the Fisher/Alfie line. He brings more offence and compliments those two well. Winchester is strong along the boards and could be paired with Donovan and McAmmond to form a strong 4th line capable of playing more than 5 minutes a game.
Can we go back to Auld please. I'm sure Gerber could sell hot dogs or some Dung at SBP, to at least pretend like he's earning his money. If don't care if last night wasn't his fault. I don't have any faith left in the man. Neither does the team from the looks of it.

I like the Winchester-Fisher-Alfie line...they are all over the ice...creating tons of chances...awesome line...

as for the top line...trade Verm...sign Shanahan...or at least out Foligno up there and give him a shot...

Verm doesn't look that bad...but I am open for trying something new...ie...Foligno...

but I say keep the Winch-Fish-Alf line together they have been amazing!!

Snuh wrote:Hey guys. I was only able to catch the last half of the 3rd last night. From what I saw Gerber can't really be blamed, but come on. 2 late 3rd period goals to tie and then go ahead. The guy just can't make the big saves late in a game.

No one is to blame for that loss really. The back to back nights is what is too blame and the refs. How was that Spezza goal called off? Brutal. Gerber was fine, yet the team doesn't play with the same confidence with him in there.

Joe COrvo is an a-hole! He's burned us twice now. Sure, he's pretty good offensively, but he is bad defensively.

Anyway, I thought the Sens played alright, but not great, yet they still should have won that game.

Chris NEil should go. I get the feeling that Murray is going to make a move very soon.

Great trade proposal alert at HF:

Vermette for Stempniak