What a difference an owner can make. How he's going to balance the books and stay under the salary cap in the next six or seven years is beyond me.
The news that Jason Spezza has been signed to a seven year contract extension is phenomenal. Knowing that he and his partner in crime Dany Heatley will be there for the better part of this decade will make being a Sens fan lots of fun for a very long time.
Eugene Melnyk is proving that he wants the Senators to be winners for a long time. It was a really cool and memorable experience to be able to be there for a Stanley Cup final game for the first time last year and it seems that I might have another shot at getting to see another... sooner rather than later.
Buckle up, boys - we're in for one heck of a ride!!!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
Another Heatley goal, Gerber DOES have a new mask!
Another goal for Mr. Heatley! It's great to see that we have him signed through to 2014! Here's hoping he keeps showing that determination and exerting the same effort level in the weeks, months and seasons to come.
Just watching the game on SportsNet - nice to see that Gerber actually does have a painted mask out there. While I'd like to see him wear it, the way he's been playing, I'd be shocked to see him make a change as long as he keeps playing the way he is. The ironic thing is that if Emery comes back sooner than later, Gerber's finally made himself look good to potential suitors and he might not have a long period of time to wear that new mask! ...or might the Sens decide that they don't want to make any pre-Christmas deals, regardless of how Emery performs when he finally comes back!?
In the meantime, who cares - the team's clicking just nicely and as we get close to the half-way mark towards the end of the first 10 game segment, it's proving to be one enjoyable ride!!
Just watching the game on SportsNet - nice to see that Gerber actually does have a painted mask out there. While I'd like to see him wear it, the way he's been playing, I'd be shocked to see him make a change as long as he keeps playing the way he is. The ironic thing is that if Emery comes back sooner than later, Gerber's finally made himself look good to potential suitors and he might not have a long period of time to wear that new mask! ...or might the Sens decide that they don't want to make any pre-Christmas deals, regardless of how Emery performs when he finally comes back!?
In the meantime, who cares - the team's clicking just nicely and as we get close to the half-way mark towards the end of the first 10 game segment, it's proving to be one enjoyable ride!!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Havlat hurt again!?!
Man... as every month goes by, I'm happy the Ottawa Senators let Martin Havlat go the free agency route when the time came. Chicago's six million dollar man hurt himself last night again, supposedly while throwing a punch in a scrum in the third period.
The guy has played 74 games in the last two seasons and hasn't played more than 68 games since his second season in the NHL, back in 2001-02. Now he hurts himself in game one of 2007-08.
Havlat has talent, don't get me wrong - coming back from his serious injury in his last season with the Senators, he scored four goals. Impressive. What's not impressive about our old #9 is durability. It's too bad - I loved watching him play and I own a jersey with his name and number on it.
The problem is, he fancies himself as being a superstar, probably in the Pavel Bure, John Leclair or Dany Heatley category. He likely sees himself as a potential 50 goal scorer in the NHL. He probably can be - only he has to stick around long enough to make those shots and pot those goals.
I don't think the Ottawa Senators missed a beat when Havlat left... after all, he barely played in the last season where he wore the team's colours. We've been to the Cup finals and have run the table thus far in 2007-08. Will the Sens win 82 games? Maybe not!
But they've got a solid core of players who should see action through the majority of the games - and that's more than Havlat can say for himself. I hope he gets himself in order and strengthens up and becomes a great player over his career. In order to do that, though, he's got lots of work to do.
The guy has played 74 games in the last two seasons and hasn't played more than 68 games since his second season in the NHL, back in 2001-02. Now he hurts himself in game one of 2007-08.
Havlat has talent, don't get me wrong - coming back from his serious injury in his last season with the Senators, he scored four goals. Impressive. What's not impressive about our old #9 is durability. It's too bad - I loved watching him play and I own a jersey with his name and number on it.
The problem is, he fancies himself as being a superstar, probably in the Pavel Bure, John Leclair or Dany Heatley category. He likely sees himself as a potential 50 goal scorer in the NHL. He probably can be - only he has to stick around long enough to make those shots and pot those goals.
I don't think the Ottawa Senators missed a beat when Havlat left... after all, he barely played in the last season where he wore the team's colours. We've been to the Cup finals and have run the table thus far in 2007-08. Will the Sens win 82 games? Maybe not!
But they've got a solid core of players who should see action through the majority of the games - and that's more than Havlat can say for himself. I hope he gets himself in order and strengthens up and becomes a great player over his career. In order to do that, though, he's got lots of work to do.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Opening night... another journey begins!
So here we are, minutes away from the drop of the puck for the 2007-2008 season. It wasn't so long ago we sat, eagerly anticipating the Ottawa Senators' first game in franchise history against the Montreal Canadiens. Much has happened since that night... spectacular regular season wins and losses, adrenaline pumping playoff series wins and crushing defeats.
Last year, we got to ride the wave right to the bitter end - and it was a bitter end.
I just watched TSN's intro to the season - the standings are zeroed out and players come on one by one proclaiming that they believe this will be their season, that everyone's in first place (except for Anaheim and Los Angeles, I guess!) and that tonight, anything and everything is possible.
It's tough to watch and think about what's happened to recent Stanley Cup finalist teams... Edmonton and Carolina didn't make the playoffs last year, nor did the pre-lockout finalists. Anaheim has lost some key players in the weeks that have gone by since they got to skate around with the Cup, but Ottawa has strengthened itself somewhat - inking Dany Heatley to a multi-year contract extension is a key move that secures Ottawa's future... and this season especially.
Ray Emery's on the shelf while his injury that never goes away heals. How he managed to play most of last season with it being hurt and now having to sit there and wait and wait must be tough.
But isn't this both Martin Gerber and the Sens organization's dream come true? If the team's goal was to move Gerber but nobody wanted to take him because of his performance to start 2006-2007 and his salary, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase his abilities in the coming days and weeks. Once Emery comes back, and if he proves himself, someone will see Gerber's an OK player and will take him and his salary off the Senators' books. If and when that happens, a couple more moves will be possible for GM Bryan Murray.
"WE BELIEVE" - nice slogan or motto, TSN. Here's to a new season - and who knows... we never thought at this time last year that we'd make it where we did. Now we know we can do it - let's go, boys!
GO SENS GO!!!!
Last year, we got to ride the wave right to the bitter end - and it was a bitter end.
I just watched TSN's intro to the season - the standings are zeroed out and players come on one by one proclaiming that they believe this will be their season, that everyone's in first place (except for Anaheim and Los Angeles, I guess!) and that tonight, anything and everything is possible.
It's tough to watch and think about what's happened to recent Stanley Cup finalist teams... Edmonton and Carolina didn't make the playoffs last year, nor did the pre-lockout finalists. Anaheim has lost some key players in the weeks that have gone by since they got to skate around with the Cup, but Ottawa has strengthened itself somewhat - inking Dany Heatley to a multi-year contract extension is a key move that secures Ottawa's future... and this season especially.
Ray Emery's on the shelf while his injury that never goes away heals. How he managed to play most of last season with it being hurt and now having to sit there and wait and wait must be tough.
But isn't this both Martin Gerber and the Sens organization's dream come true? If the team's goal was to move Gerber but nobody wanted to take him because of his performance to start 2006-2007 and his salary, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase his abilities in the coming days and weeks. Once Emery comes back, and if he proves himself, someone will see Gerber's an OK player and will take him and his salary off the Senators' books. If and when that happens, a couple more moves will be possible for GM Bryan Murray.
"WE BELIEVE" - nice slogan or motto, TSN. Here's to a new season - and who knows... we never thought at this time last year that we'd make it where we did. Now we know we can do it - let's go, boys!
GO SENS GO!!!!
Friday, September 21, 2007
07-08 is just around the corner... attended pre-season game last night
So the short summer is finally over and the Sens are ready to embark on a new adventure. Where the hockey gods will take them this year, no one can know... but we can be assured of suspense and drama, that's for sure.
There are a few changes at ScotiaBank Place this year. The highlight, I guess, is the removal of some of the advertising spots on the second ring in each end of the rink. Replacing them is another length of the same kind of electronic display found on the first ring, mostly used for A/V presentations and some advertising during play. Removed were the old "black and white" indicator boards above sections 308 and 322 - ad space replaced them.
With all the talk about ad space, I have to wonder why so much of it was removed (though the electronic board can do a great job at providing more dynamic advertising opportunities)... and whether it was removed because selling it is proving to be tough this year. Two sides of each of the eight revolving signs on the main scoreboard were blacked out, as were I'm sure dozens of signs throughout the rest of the arena. It looked odd - but maybe contracts are signed with stipulations that they'll come into effect on opening night. We'll see.
The Lone Star will have one or more concession stands - what they'll offer should be interesting to see! And finally, the "Silver 7 Brewhouse" or whatever the facility is over behind sections 320-324 (or thereabouts) I think has been re-branded as a Local Heroes or something like that.
On to the team itself... I had a hard time getting to like the white away jerseys while watching highlights the other day. Watching the red home sweaters last night was odd at first, but by the end of the game, it was less about the players' clothing and more about the 5-4 win after being down 3-1! The only thing about the jerseys that I don't like is that I can't help but have the feeling that there's more about marketing (as opposed to the safety factor the NHL is trying to sell) - I have a dozen or so jerseys I've bought in the fifteen years the Sens have been around and I won't be rushing out to replace them.
Does this season bring us hope of returning to the finals? Sure... but let's remember - two years ago we were "sure" to get there and we didn't even get close. Does anyone remember how likely a trip to see Stanley was back in November 2006?
Let's enjoy the ride and see where we're taken. It should be a dandy trip!
There are a few changes at ScotiaBank Place this year. The highlight, I guess, is the removal of some of the advertising spots on the second ring in each end of the rink. Replacing them is another length of the same kind of electronic display found on the first ring, mostly used for A/V presentations and some advertising during play. Removed were the old "black and white" indicator boards above sections 308 and 322 - ad space replaced them.
With all the talk about ad space, I have to wonder why so much of it was removed (though the electronic board can do a great job at providing more dynamic advertising opportunities)... and whether it was removed because selling it is proving to be tough this year. Two sides of each of the eight revolving signs on the main scoreboard were blacked out, as were I'm sure dozens of signs throughout the rest of the arena. It looked odd - but maybe contracts are signed with stipulations that they'll come into effect on opening night. We'll see.
The Lone Star will have one or more concession stands - what they'll offer should be interesting to see! And finally, the "Silver 7 Brewhouse" or whatever the facility is over behind sections 320-324 (or thereabouts) I think has been re-branded as a Local Heroes or something like that.
On to the team itself... I had a hard time getting to like the white away jerseys while watching highlights the other day. Watching the red home sweaters last night was odd at first, but by the end of the game, it was less about the players' clothing and more about the 5-4 win after being down 3-1! The only thing about the jerseys that I don't like is that I can't help but have the feeling that there's more about marketing (as opposed to the safety factor the NHL is trying to sell) - I have a dozen or so jerseys I've bought in the fifteen years the Sens have been around and I won't be rushing out to replace them.
Does this season bring us hope of returning to the finals? Sure... but let's remember - two years ago we were "sure" to get there and we didn't even get close. Does anyone remember how likely a trip to see Stanley was back in November 2006?
Let's enjoy the ride and see where we're taken. It should be a dandy trip!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Luke Richardson to Ottawa - that's nice, I guess!
He's an Ottawa boy. That's good. He's going to be paid $500,000 - that's not bad. There's a minor league clause in the contract, if media reports are to be believed... that's OK.
The problem? He's 38, played only 27 games in Tampa last season and has scored but two goals since the end of the 2002-2003 season. Exactly how much can he be expected to contribute to the Sens' bottom line in 2007-2008?!
Sure, GM Murray and Coach Paddock are acknowledging that Luke Richardson will be the "seventh defenceman", but it's the minor league clause that gets me more where I live. Why? I believe that the AHL should be a training ground for young players who are just a little bit shy in the skill department. It's a place for guys to get that last bit of seasoning before making it to "The Show". It shouldn't be a place for someone whose star lacks the lustre it once had, a holding place for a guy to toil, waiting for an injury to happen.
If Richardson is going to be the seventh defenceman, what happens to Lawrence Nycholat? I thought he was going to be the seventh defenceman. Didn't he get re-signed to a two year deal only a few weeks ago?
The Senators don't have the depth on defence it once had - and based on what we saw last year, there are few NHL-ready defencemen down there in Binghamton.
I'm hoping that I'm wrong and that Richardson brings some of the grit and determination he once showed. He never was a point getter, so he won't turn into one here. Will he inspire some of the younger players like Grant Ledyard did while he was in town? Maybe... if he's not four hours south of Ottawa playing with the junior Sens.
The problem? He's 38, played only 27 games in Tampa last season and has scored but two goals since the end of the 2002-2003 season. Exactly how much can he be expected to contribute to the Sens' bottom line in 2007-2008?!
Sure, GM Murray and Coach Paddock are acknowledging that Luke Richardson will be the "seventh defenceman", but it's the minor league clause that gets me more where I live. Why? I believe that the AHL should be a training ground for young players who are just a little bit shy in the skill department. It's a place for guys to get that last bit of seasoning before making it to "The Show". It shouldn't be a place for someone whose star lacks the lustre it once had, a holding place for a guy to toil, waiting for an injury to happen.
If Richardson is going to be the seventh defenceman, what happens to Lawrence Nycholat? I thought he was going to be the seventh defenceman. Didn't he get re-signed to a two year deal only a few weeks ago?
The Senators don't have the depth on defence it once had - and based on what we saw last year, there are few NHL-ready defencemen down there in Binghamton.
I'm hoping that I'm wrong and that Richardson brings some of the grit and determination he once showed. He never was a point getter, so he won't turn into one here. Will he inspire some of the younger players like Grant Ledyard did while he was in town? Maybe... if he's not four hours south of Ottawa playing with the junior Sens.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Peter Schaefer heading out of town!
I've just received an e-mail from Eklund stating that a deal has been made trading Peter Schaefer to Boston for Shean Donovan.
Donovan is 32 and has 100 goals in 774 career games along with a -81 plus/minus rating.
Schaefer is 30 years old and has 89 goals in 493 games, including 53 in four seasons with the Senators (47 in the last three years.)
Is this going to be a great trade for the Sens? Time will tell - as always - but it seems that this is a money trade, saving Ottawa a little under $1.2 million in cap space.
A prelude of things to come? Here's hoping!
Donovan is 32 and has 100 goals in 774 career games along with a -81 plus/minus rating.
Schaefer is 30 years old and has 89 goals in 493 games, including 53 in four seasons with the Senators (47 in the last three years.)
Is this going to be a great trade for the Sens? Time will tell - as always - but it seems that this is a money trade, saving Ottawa a little under $1.2 million in cap space.
A prelude of things to come? Here's hoping!
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