Strangely enough, once more as I hopped off the bus, the rain started to beat down. Coincidence perhaps? Or a foreshadowing of events to come, as the Ottawa Senators' rookies prepared to take on the host Toronto Maple Leafs' squad? My guess is that mother nature just wants for all my coats to be soaking wet. This time around, I was indeed fortunate enough to be on time, so I could stand for the anthems (with the American one starting partway through), and hear the starting lineups get called out (with one wrong Senator being named). Yes, this is a very long game review, but since it wasn't televised or broadcast in any way to my knowledge, I thought I'd take a little deeper look at the game than I expect to see elsewhere in the media.
To start things off, we find ourselves with Mitch O'Keefe minding the net, having Derek Smith and Geoff Waugh to help make his life a little easier, and what I will refer to as 'the Big Line' of Alexander Nikulin, Ilya Zubov, and Jesse Winchester up front to carry the attack. But, instead of seeing them start the game with all cylinders firing, we begin instead with Waugh and the Leafs' Phil Oreskovic immediately dropping the gloves after the whistle. Like an embarassing first date, this fight is over nearly before it begins, with Oreskovic getting Waugh's jersey over his head, and Waugh tackling Oreskovic to the ice.
I can't and won't deny that I was one of the fans who wanted to see a very smashed in Leafs' face at the end of last season, but there is absolutely no reason to start off a game like this. Trying to prove yourself a good enforcer? Good enforcers stand up when things get hairy, they don't go crawling around looking for a fight. To reward behaviour like that just suggests that secretly, despite the instigator rule and the massive suspensions we've seen lately, the League wants fighting to be a key part of the game. For shame.
Enough preaching though, and on with the game. Despite what you'd think a fight would do, the action starts off with a rather tepid back and forth, nothing too special or exciting at all. But, just like yesterday, the game gets started quickly, and in the same way. On a Toronto rush, Derek Smith managed to deflect an initial shot, but the Leafs' Dale Mitchell takes full advantage of a screen and opens the scoring just 21 seconds in. I hate to say it, but is this going to be a pattern for the Sens' games?
In what will turn out to be one of the Senators' better lines, Jim O'Brien, Peter Regin, and Kaspars Daugavins started getting some good work down low on the boards around the Toronto net, and while the initial save was made, just as with Elliot at times yesterday, the puck was fumbled. I can't be sure that the excitement of playing in a Sens' uniform for the first time wasn't affecting O'Keefe though, as he looked a bit shaky early on, even committing a cardinal sin when he decided to track a slow moving puck going behind the net by turning his back to center ice for a good couple seconds.
Two minutes in and we get our first penalty of the game, a holding call on Ottawa's Brandon Roach. After a few shots though, Ottawa's penalty killers clear the puck, and a too eager Toronto powerplay comes in offside. The penalty killing unit of Ben Wright, Mattias Karlsson, Pierre-Luc Faubert, and Winchester looked very good on the ice, showing a good box with pressure, and good adaptive positioning, no doubt helping Ottawa to kill off the first penalty.
Perhaps frustrated, the Leafs started to play a very hard checking, aggressive paced game, and the Sens were not matching that intensity. I watched as O'Brien was just about to receive a pass, but wasn't mindful enough to avoid being completely crushed into the boards in his own end. The question I wondered was whether or not the Leafs could keep up this intensity, but that question seemed moot as Toronto's Chris DiDomenico's shot mimicked Corvo's from two seasons ago, and over O'Keefe's pad it bounced, and into the net it went to give the Leafs a two nothing lead.
Still struggling, it took O'Brien and Regin skating close and protecting the puck to get their next real rush in on Toronto, almost seven minutes in. Their reward at this point for their offensive efforts? Dauvganis takes a hooking penalty, and once again the penalty killers take the ice. Despite the box getting very tangled, they still manage to clear the puck. At this point you start to notice that it is bouncing like mad in the Ottawa end, whether due to ice conditions or players' actions I am not entirely sure. As reliable as the Winchester unit is, it is often more exciting to see Regin and O'Brien kill the penalties, as they seem to put a lot more pressure on the Leafs.
The pressure pays off as the Leafs take a holding penalty nine minutes in, and a mere 16 seconds later, the Big Line keeps the puck moving around and Zubov and Nikulin assist on Winchester's goal to get back in the game. After the goal, the team looked much calmer to me, as I saw Waugh pointing and giving his troops orders from in front of the crease. Perhaps I spoke too soon, as a minute later Waugh took a roughing penalty, and the Leafs started to put on some good pressure during their powerplay, which saw O'Keefe perhaps a little nervous as he was caught at one point with the post behind him looking at the puck in the corner, and nervous it was seeing the puck cross through the crease a couple times. Nonetheless, once again the Sens managed to kill it off.
It is said that killing penalties can help build a team's confidence, and not long after this one Zubov deftly steals the puck just outside Toronto's blueline, and a nice shot goes over the shoulder and ties the game at two. It would seem like a two-faced monster at times, as the Sens wound up looking shaky again, getting a bit too bunched up by some good Toronto puck cycling. Just as quickly though, we wing up seeing a great defensive demonstration by Roach, who followed the puck as it was passed between three Leafs rushing in, helping to keep them from any good scoring chance, and later Karlsson would do the same, swatting the puck under a sprawled O'Keefe with Toronto on the doorstep. It took a helmet-removing open ice hit by Zack Smith, at least I'd like to think it did, to finally get the Sens back on the attack, and sure enough it sparked a few more big hits, but no fighting.
My favourite penalty of the game happened in the closing minutes of the first period, when my perspective showed me what I can only describe as a Leaf choosing to grab a hold of Waugh's stick by the boards, and then choosing to finish it off with a nice fall onto his bottom. I can't say that the referees' angles gave them any other choice but to call a hooking penalty, but perhaps the team sensed Waugh's frustration, as they brought the puck to Toronto for most of the powerplay, and clearing it out of the zone the rest of the time. As the period ended, as shaky as O'Keefe had appeared, I had to chuckle at the score, tied at two, as the announcer mentioned that Toronto had eight shots, and Ottawa only had 3.
The second period would open very quietly, not even a hit to be heard. Not wanting to be left out of the early scoring I suppose, a good rush into the zone had O'Brien scoring just 58 seconds in, assisted by Regin and Wright. Half a minute later, Toronto would wind up with an interference penalty. A beautiful play on the powerplay ensued, as Nikulin took the puck from down low, circling behind Zubov, and eyed a clear pass to Karlsson coming in from the blueline, who takes it in and backhands it to Winchester for a quick shot from the side to give Ottawa its first lead two and a half minutes in. Jesse seems as though he might fit well with Spezza and Heatley, being very good at finding himself open in the right spot, just as Heatley is so good at doing.
A surprising penalty a minute later, as Benoit Doucet serves time for a too many men on the ice call. Good penalty killing kept Toronto from getting into the zone for a full minute, but once in they got the puck to the net quick, Ottawa having to get the puck out of the crease more than once, and a visibly jarred O'Keefe wound up knocking the net off its moorings by accident. Still they managed to get it out so that O'Brien could get a good shorthanded rush.
Suddenly it seems that it's Toronto finding themselves visibly shaken, as line after line of Ottawa players keeps the puck in deep, getting off good shots and hard shots, nearly winding up with Toronto causing an own goal. The line of O'Brien, Regin, and Dauvganis looks good down low, working the puck around the boards but being very good at keeping control and having a defensive mindset. The Big Line looks great too, threading passes through Toronto players and making it look easy. Yet eleven minutes in, it's Karlsson scoring with a clear quick shot from above the circle, with Roach and Mick Lawrence drawing the assists.
Finally able to shake themselves into action, Toronto starts pressuring again, but just in time O'Keefe is looking good, making solid chest saves. The only time the Toronto fans in the stands could cheer was after Brett Morrison lost the puck to a Leaf, but they could still only manage a rather slow and ineffective rush in off of it. Later they would get the result they wanted, as a pass to a Leaf rushing in brought the game to within one with two and a half minutes left in the second, but O'Keefe would try to prove himself fit by making a nice glove save on the next shot.
With a minute left, Toronto takes a boarding penalty, but nothing comes from the ensuing powerplay. As the period ended, the Sens appeared ready to do anything to win. They would control the puck, they would stick to their men, they would even make a crazy type of near blind pass where you have your body facing between where you're looking and where you're passing, rather than shoving the puck behind your back. Best of all, they never seemed to let up.
The third period winds up with a change in goal, as O'Keefe is replaced by Kevin Desfosses. I can't be sure whether it was a really short leash that brought this change in, or just a desire to see Desfosses get some playing time. At first the game returns to the dull back and forth, but just over three minutes in, Ottawa gets a rush in, and a slick side to side pass nets Doucet a goal, assisted by Regin and Faubert.
Not to back down after opening up another two goal lead, the Big Line takes the ice to keep up the pressure. Six minutes in, Toronto's captain Darryl Boyce takes a roughing penalty. To keep it interesting, half a minute later Mick Lawrence winds up in the box for hooking. I was happy to see Zubov and another Senator both dropping to block a shot during the four on four, not having seen many this far in the tournament. Not long after Boyce's penalty was up, Luke Schenn winds up on the wrong side of a holding call, and the powerplay does manage some good pressure and Zack Smith and Karlsson some good shots.
In what I would call a very foolish move, eleven minutes in Waugh takes an interference penalty in Toronto's zone. Half a minute later Boyce takes a cross checking penalty, and another thirty seconds and Kudelka gets caught doing the same. Despite being down to three men in front of Desfosses, Ottawa manages to keep Toronto from getting good chances, clearing pucks and mucking up powerplay plans at every turn, before Shawn Weller winds up with a slashing call fourteen minutes in. The sad part of the Toronto powerplay is that they looked rather unimaginative at this point. No fast cycling, no moving into good positions for quick one timers. Instead, you watch as the puck waits at the blueline for the forwards to create as big a screen as they can before a shot goes off.
With only three minutes left, Waugh takes a double minor for high sticking, and a minute later Derek Smith takes a roughing call. Just a few moments before the two man advantage would end, a snap shot from between the circles would go over Desfosses shoulder, giving Toronto their fourth goal. Feeling confident that they can tie it up in the remaining minute and change, they pull their goalie, only that leads to Zack Smith scoring an empty netter with 45 seconds left. As the fans poured out to get a head start on leaving the parking lot, not that half of the Aud has any traffic compared to a full Scotiabank place, Toronto finally got their thick screen to yield results, bringing it back to within two with 14 seconds left.
The game would end with the Ottawa Senators beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-5, and if I heard correct despite my disbelief, the final shot total was 28 for Ottawa, and a whopping 42 for Toronto. The game left me feeling a little sad that some bad bounces and frustrating screens kept it from being a blowout, but you could certainly see a team taking shape amongst the players, with lines and pairings working well, and certainly Murray's decision-making process will be just a little more complex because of it.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Kitchener Rookie Tournament - Game 1 vs Florida Panthers
What better way for the Ottawa Senators rookies to start their first game of the rookie tournament than to let the Florida Panthers squad open up the scoring less than two minutes in? It must be a pattern, since I started my first attempt at covering a live game by showing up just in time to see the Florida rookies gather in celebration of that goal in front of Elliot. It was a rainy day, the bus was half an hour late, so full that I had to ride on top of one of the wheels in a tiny space, and the ticket line was still long when the puck dropped. I’m sure if I keep mentioning excuses like that, I’ll have no trouble securing a one-way ticket to Russia. Needless to say, postgame I made sure to pick up my tickets to the next two games, along with a nice start times schedule, so there’s no need to let me go.
Quickly enough, the game was tied up on a goal by Weller, from Regin and Lawrence, and the game was afoot. Weller certainly earned his goal, working hard and skating fast whenever he hit the ice. Highly-touted Winchester looked very calm on the ice, never putting forth futile efforts, but when by position or by pass he was brought into a play, he quickly made his efforts clear. At first I enjoyed seeing the work of Zack Smith, who would join the rush without question and could take and dish out more than his fair share of brutal hits, but I did not see any need for him to get into a fight with Florida’s David Jarram with four minutes left in the period, a short bout with no clear winner before both fell to the ice. But let‘s get back to the game.
The Sens’ first powerplay did nothing to impress, with the team only mustering up a few shots without much zip, and nobody working too hard to get into a good, open position from which to score. However, when Zack Smith took his first penalty, the team looked startlingly good on the penalty kill, with Elliot staying sharp and guys like Regin and Weller working hard to keep up the pressure on Florida’s guns. When the Sens got their next chance after a kneeing penalty to Florida’s Jarram - about the only reason I could see for the aforementioned fight, and perhaps the reason I read earlier that Tampa avoided Ottawa rookie tournaments - the team worked hard to keep the puck moving around in the zone, and eventually Zubov, who looked quite comfortable moving the puck around from his spot down low, scored the team’s second goal, with assists going to Kudelka and Winchester.
At the start of the game, they had looked more like a bunch of individuals looking to impress Murray and Hartsburg up in the stands, holding their sticks too tightly, but it didn’t take too long for them to start working well together. Nikulin, who I’m sure management had their eye on, looked hardworking on the ice, but would appear to be a little jittered, finding his spot by the net in just a little too deep and out of reach for a clear pass, and would have more than one puck heading towards him go whizzing right by, though to his credit he would find better consistency as the game wore on. In net, once he got settled, Elliot looked quite smooth, with good lateral movement and telescoping, and good positioning in full or half butterfly, although he still had some jitters, fumbling a save or two.
For me, the one pleasant surprise was Mattias Karlsson. The Swedish defenceman looked very smooth on the ice, calmly skating the puck out of his zone to make a series of good passes. Not only was he not afraid to take many a hit, but he looked particularly comfortable on the powerplay. In addition to his good passing skills there, he also had a distinct talent for keeping the puck in the zone. I’m not just talking about catching the pucks sliding around the boards with his stick or skates; Karlsson was able to keep many a madly bouncing or soaring overhead puck in play, always being in a position good for both passing and for lunging towards wayward pucks. Not that the rest of the team looked shabby, but for the first period and indeed the whole game, Karlsson was the biggest and most pleasant surprise for me.
In the second period, the team really started to look like one, which allowed for some good standout efforts by individuals. It was often the little things that caught my eye. At one point, Kudelka found himself behind his net, having fallen to all fours on top of the puck with a Panther trying to fish it out. Rather than attempt to cover it up until help could arrive, he deftly swatted it out between his legs to a team mate swooping in off the boards to clear the puck.
This time around, it was the Sens who opened the scoring, about five minutes in, on an absolutely beautiful rush. Getting the puck from Weller, Peter Regin drove hard for the net with a lone defenceman covering him closely. Despite this, he was able to keep the puck under control the whole way in, and right at the last moment he got off a nice pass over the lip of the crease to Lawrence, who completed the play with a very rewarding goal.
Yet again, I found myself proudly watching Karlsson’s play. Like Corvo, he wasn’t afraid to jump up and join the rush when warranted, and he seemed cool as a cucumber in any situation, like one where he lost his stick near the puck in his own end, but was able to casually pick it up so he could clear the puck. Later on he’d fall to one knee, I can’t recall whether on a trip or not, but still managed not to lose the puck, and instead was able to make a clean pass. That clean pass would help their powerplay when it hit the ice again after a Collins slash, and Zubov would once more keep a watchful eye from down low, waiting to take a good shot or else to get off a clean pass, indeed showing his development after a slow period in Binghamton’s second half of last season.
When the roles were reversed after a Kudelka interference penalty, the penalty killers showed real moxy. Thanks to some hard work, Derek Smith and Alexander Nikulin managed a good breakout and were almost rewarded with a shorthanded goal. A couple more offsetting penalties, and the open ice likely made Zubov feel more at home with more ability for skilled play, and he made some good pushes at the period’s end.
The third period didn‘t get off to a smooth start for the Sens. After a Panthers penalty, the Sens went took two more. On the penalty kill with only three in front, they managed a good triangle at first, but ended up spread out. At that point, conveniently, the puck ended up in front of Elliot’s left pad on the end of a Panther’s stick, and with a little bit of stickwork it was soon in the net. Not too long after that, a rush on Elliot had a whistle blown before he had full control of the puck, and he proceeded to drop it for a futile shot by Florida into the net, but after that Elliot started to get back into his groove, and the team started to give him a little more help.
The next penalty went to the Panthers for a hook, and the Ottawa powerplay took full advantage of the opportunity. Once again, we had Karlsson pulling every trick out of the bag to keep the puck in along the right side, and after some good work down low, Zubov and Winchester got the assists on a nice chip in goal by Lawrence seven minutes in.
While killing another Ottawa penalty, the guys really were killers, as O’Brien got the puck out to Zack Smith for another good shorthanded chance that ended with the puck in Plante’s chest. Keeping the puck out looked easy for Elliot at this stage in the game, who seemed to have no trouble seeing the puck through cover, and always a pleasure for me, he knew all too well that butterfly is a style, not a move, and knew when not to fall, making for some easy but effective off-the-chest deflections. Before it was all over, the Smiths and O’Brien would get another good shorthanded rush going, for a good tic-tac-toe shot.
Back in the box again for a cross check, the Sens still managed to hold up the Florida powerplay, clearing the puck time and time again, although their four man box seemed a little short, making for relatively easy passes near the blueline. Not wanting to waste time, O’Brien jumped right into the play when he left the penalty box, and was rewarded with a solid shot on goal.
Down to the last minute now, and Ottawa kept holding the puck in the Panthers end. After a Florida timeout, a little Panthers confusion kept the puck too close to their own net for comfort, and even with their goalie pulled, the Sens held on for a convincing 4-2 win.
While some of the guys didn’t seem to stand out against the rest, you certainly got the feeling that the ones we had our eyes on - Elliot, Nikulin, Zubov, and Winchester - were all getting into their groove, and give us plenty of reason to come back for the games against the rookies from Toronto and Pittsburgh. Once again, I have to give a hearty congratulations to Karlsson, who stood out amongst all Senators blueliners, and should surely see a good deal of quality minutes in Binghamton this season. Should there be an unfortunate injury or two on the Senators back end, I hope that Murray will give him serious consideration as a call-up, and I hope that in the next two games he will continue to show us great strides.
Quickly enough, the game was tied up on a goal by Weller, from Regin and Lawrence, and the game was afoot. Weller certainly earned his goal, working hard and skating fast whenever he hit the ice. Highly-touted Winchester looked very calm on the ice, never putting forth futile efforts, but when by position or by pass he was brought into a play, he quickly made his efforts clear. At first I enjoyed seeing the work of Zack Smith, who would join the rush without question and could take and dish out more than his fair share of brutal hits, but I did not see any need for him to get into a fight with Florida’s David Jarram with four minutes left in the period, a short bout with no clear winner before both fell to the ice. But let‘s get back to the game.The Sens’ first powerplay did nothing to impress, with the team only mustering up a few shots without much zip, and nobody working too hard to get into a good, open position from which to score. However, when Zack Smith took his first penalty, the team looked startlingly good on the penalty kill, with Elliot staying sharp and guys like Regin and Weller working hard to keep up the pressure on Florida’s guns. When the Sens got their next chance after a kneeing penalty to Florida’s Jarram - about the only reason I could see for the aforementioned fight, and perhaps the reason I read earlier that Tampa avoided Ottawa rookie tournaments - the team worked hard to keep the puck moving around in the zone, and eventually Zubov, who looked quite comfortable moving the puck around from his spot down low, scored the team’s second goal, with assists going to Kudelka and Winchester.
At the start of the game, they had looked more like a bunch of individuals looking to impress Murray and Hartsburg up in the stands, holding their sticks too tightly, but it didn’t take too long for them to start working well together. Nikulin, who I’m sure management had their eye on, looked hardworking on the ice, but would appear to be a little jittered, finding his spot by the net in just a little too deep and out of reach for a clear pass, and would have more than one puck heading towards him go whizzing right by, though to his credit he would find better consistency as the game wore on. In net, once he got settled, Elliot looked quite smooth, with good lateral movement and telescoping, and good positioning in full or half butterfly, although he still had some jitters, fumbling a save or two.
For me, the one pleasant surprise was Mattias Karlsson. The Swedish defenceman looked very smooth on the ice, calmly skating the puck out of his zone to make a series of good passes. Not only was he not afraid to take many a hit, but he looked particularly comfortable on the powerplay. In addition to his good passing skills there, he also had a distinct talent for keeping the puck in the zone. I’m not just talking about catching the pucks sliding around the boards with his stick or skates; Karlsson was able to keep many a madly bouncing or soaring overhead puck in play, always being in a position good for both passing and for lunging towards wayward pucks. Not that the rest of the team looked shabby, but for the first period and indeed the whole game, Karlsson was the biggest and most pleasant surprise for me.
In the second period, the team really started to look like one, which allowed for some good standout efforts by individuals. It was often the little things that caught my eye. At one point, Kudelka found himself behind his net, having fallen to all fours on top of the puck with a Panther trying to fish it out. Rather than attempt to cover it up until help could arrive, he deftly swatted it out between his legs to a team mate swooping in off the boards to clear the puck.
This time around, it was the Sens who opened the scoring, about five minutes in, on an absolutely beautiful rush. Getting the puck from Weller, Peter Regin drove hard for the net with a lone defenceman covering him closely. Despite this, he was able to keep the puck under control the whole way in, and right at the last moment he got off a nice pass over the lip of the crease to Lawrence, who completed the play with a very rewarding goal.
Yet again, I found myself proudly watching Karlsson’s play. Like Corvo, he wasn’t afraid to jump up and join the rush when warranted, and he seemed cool as a cucumber in any situation, like one where he lost his stick near the puck in his own end, but was able to casually pick it up so he could clear the puck. Later on he’d fall to one knee, I can’t recall whether on a trip or not, but still managed not to lose the puck, and instead was able to make a clean pass. That clean pass would help their powerplay when it hit the ice again after a Collins slash, and Zubov would once more keep a watchful eye from down low, waiting to take a good shot or else to get off a clean pass, indeed showing his development after a slow period in Binghamton’s second half of last season.
When the roles were reversed after a Kudelka interference penalty, the penalty killers showed real moxy. Thanks to some hard work, Derek Smith and Alexander Nikulin managed a good breakout and were almost rewarded with a shorthanded goal. A couple more offsetting penalties, and the open ice likely made Zubov feel more at home with more ability for skilled play, and he made some good pushes at the period’s end.
The third period didn‘t get off to a smooth start for the Sens. After a Panthers penalty, the Sens went took two more. On the penalty kill with only three in front, they managed a good triangle at first, but ended up spread out. At that point, conveniently, the puck ended up in front of Elliot’s left pad on the end of a Panther’s stick, and with a little bit of stickwork it was soon in the net. Not too long after that, a rush on Elliot had a whistle blown before he had full control of the puck, and he proceeded to drop it for a futile shot by Florida into the net, but after that Elliot started to get back into his groove, and the team started to give him a little more help.
The next penalty went to the Panthers for a hook, and the Ottawa powerplay took full advantage of the opportunity. Once again, we had Karlsson pulling every trick out of the bag to keep the puck in along the right side, and after some good work down low, Zubov and Winchester got the assists on a nice chip in goal by Lawrence seven minutes in.
While killing another Ottawa penalty, the guys really were killers, as O’Brien got the puck out to Zack Smith for another good shorthanded chance that ended with the puck in Plante’s chest. Keeping the puck out looked easy for Elliot at this stage in the game, who seemed to have no trouble seeing the puck through cover, and always a pleasure for me, he knew all too well that butterfly is a style, not a move, and knew when not to fall, making for some easy but effective off-the-chest deflections. Before it was all over, the Smiths and O’Brien would get another good shorthanded rush going, for a good tic-tac-toe shot.
Back in the box again for a cross check, the Sens still managed to hold up the Florida powerplay, clearing the puck time and time again, although their four man box seemed a little short, making for relatively easy passes near the blueline. Not wanting to waste time, O’Brien jumped right into the play when he left the penalty box, and was rewarded with a solid shot on goal.
Down to the last minute now, and Ottawa kept holding the puck in the Panthers end. After a Florida timeout, a little Panthers confusion kept the puck too close to their own net for comfort, and even with their goalie pulled, the Sens held on for a convincing 4-2 win.
While some of the guys didn’t seem to stand out against the rest, you certainly got the feeling that the ones we had our eyes on - Elliot, Nikulin, Zubov, and Winchester - were all getting into their groove, and give us plenty of reason to come back for the games against the rookies from Toronto and Pittsburgh. Once again, I have to give a hearty congratulations to Karlsson, who stood out amongst all Senators blueliners, and should surely see a good deal of quality minutes in Binghamton this season. Should there be an unfortunate injury or two on the Senators back end, I hope that Murray will give him serious consideration as a call-up, and I hope that in the next two games he will continue to show us great strides.Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Season Draws Near
Words from the rookie tournament yesterday, Murray on the powerplay and his desire for consistency, and an important lesson that all hockey families should remember well.
Another look at yesterday's rookie tournament game from the Ottawa Sun. Once again we hear that after the team settled down, following that unfortunate early goal, the guys really started to come together and gain their confidence. Garrioch also has some thoughts on Elliot's last season and his chances to land in Ottawa, as well as Winchester's good start. As I've said before, considering the Auld contract and the very real possibility that neither Auld nor Elliot will be labelled an NHL starter by season's end, we might find ourselves browsing the goalie market once again. As for Winchester, I will give you my thoughts on his first game when I can sort through my first attempt at taking notes during a live hockey game.
The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch has it from Murray at yesterday's game that he is still seeking a defenceman to run the powerplay. He says he's sure there are guys on the Ottawa Senators roster who can fill that role, but he wants to know he has one that can do it consistently. He sees newly acquired Kuba as being a fit on the powerplay, but says that while Picard can move and handle the puck well, he doesn't seem like he'll be on the powerplay. He expects the market for such defencemen to open up as the season gets going. Garrioch tosses out the names of Corvo and Kaberle of the Canes, and Ohlund of the Canucks. I can't see Corvo being shopped, due to his 21 points in 23 games as a Cane, nor do I think that a few more years of 34 year old marginal Kaberle is in our best interests. Ohlund has a no trade clause, so it remains to be seen if he would ever wind up moving, and considering the trouble new Canucks GM Mike Gillis has had in getting the players he's wanted this offseason, I'm not sure that we could or would want to meet the price he is asking. Right now, my mind is on seeing what the team can pull off in the exhibition games, as well as whether a bright spot from yesterday's rookie game can continue to sparkle against the Leafs and the Pens.
And now an important announcement from THN. Ryan Kennedy speaks out against the abusive nature of some hockey parents. Truly a cause worth championing, as no child deserves to undergo such pressure, and one can only imagine what might happen to a child with parents like this whose son follows the path of Stefan Legein.
I myself worry too about the flip side, not only of parents who either abuse their child to any degree, but of parents who see their child succeed and put them on a pedestal to the point where they become a negative, self-aggrandizing person themselves. I don't know what made a classmate of mine be the abusive bully to me and others that he was, but I do know the mixed feelings I felt when he was drafted and paid his first million.
Maybe it doesn't have the draw of stories like that of the NFL's Vick, but parents, family, and friends need to remember that behind the accomplishments, fame, and skill of every hockey player is a child or person, just like the rest of us. They can suffer, they can be warped, and sometimes it becomes too easy to get caught up in the excitement and excuse the wrong choices that are made. It's important to always remember that staying grounded can be the most important thing for hockey players and those around them to do, in order to send them soaring to the highest peaks of success.
Another look at yesterday's rookie tournament game from the Ottawa Sun. Once again we hear that after the team settled down, following that unfortunate early goal, the guys really started to come together and gain their confidence. Garrioch also has some thoughts on Elliot's last season and his chances to land in Ottawa, as well as Winchester's good start. As I've said before, considering the Auld contract and the very real possibility that neither Auld nor Elliot will be labelled an NHL starter by season's end, we might find ourselves browsing the goalie market once again. As for Winchester, I will give you my thoughts on his first game when I can sort through my first attempt at taking notes during a live hockey game.
The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch has it from Murray at yesterday's game that he is still seeking a defenceman to run the powerplay. He says he's sure there are guys on the Ottawa Senators roster who can fill that role, but he wants to know he has one that can do it consistently. He sees newly acquired Kuba as being a fit on the powerplay, but says that while Picard can move and handle the puck well, he doesn't seem like he'll be on the powerplay. He expects the market for such defencemen to open up as the season gets going. Garrioch tosses out the names of Corvo and Kaberle of the Canes, and Ohlund of the Canucks. I can't see Corvo being shopped, due to his 21 points in 23 games as a Cane, nor do I think that a few more years of 34 year old marginal Kaberle is in our best interests. Ohlund has a no trade clause, so it remains to be seen if he would ever wind up moving, and considering the trouble new Canucks GM Mike Gillis has had in getting the players he's wanted this offseason, I'm not sure that we could or would want to meet the price he is asking. Right now, my mind is on seeing what the team can pull off in the exhibition games, as well as whether a bright spot from yesterday's rookie game can continue to sparkle against the Leafs and the Pens.
And now an important announcement from THN. Ryan Kennedy speaks out against the abusive nature of some hockey parents. Truly a cause worth championing, as no child deserves to undergo such pressure, and one can only imagine what might happen to a child with parents like this whose son follows the path of Stefan Legein.
I myself worry too about the flip side, not only of parents who either abuse their child to any degree, but of parents who see their child succeed and put them on a pedestal to the point where they become a negative, self-aggrandizing person themselves. I don't know what made a classmate of mine be the abusive bully to me and others that he was, but I do know the mixed feelings I felt when he was drafted and paid his first million.
Maybe it doesn't have the draw of stories like that of the NFL's Vick, but parents, family, and friends need to remember that behind the accomplishments, fame, and skill of every hockey player is a child or person, just like the rest of us. They can suffer, they can be warped, and sometimes it becomes too easy to get caught up in the excitement and excuse the wrong choices that are made. It's important to always remember that staying grounded can be the most important thing for hockey players and those around them to do, in order to send them soaring to the highest peaks of success.
Food for Thought and for Smiles
Ruutu's welcome to Ottawa, Zubov's desire to play in the NHL, Foligno and Bass' chances of becoming Ottawa mainstays, Redden's mourning ends, a look at the potential third jersey the Sens might be forced to wear, a brief recap of the rookies' victory over Florida, and an amusing diversion from Russia (likely without love).
Jarkko Ruutu was popular with the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa Sun, and the Ottawa Senators webpage, scoring three very similar stories. He sounds excited to be joining the Senators, and eager to return to the excitement of playing in a Canadian city, Vancouver being his last stop up North. He admits to never being afraid to do whatever it takes to win, and that every game counts. It's good to know that there won't ever be a night off from Ruutu, who could easily challenge Neil for the most frustrating player on the ice, and I expect he will be keeping the opposition frustrated far more than we Sens fans. Just as he admits to being proud of his role as a hard-working agitator, Murray too agrees that he wants to see that role from Ruutu, and if the support he's gotten from every team he's played for is any indication, we can all be excited to see what he will bring to the team.
Both the Ottawa Citizen and the Ottawa Sun find themselves asking Zubov just how strong his desire to play in the NHL is. In Ilya, we find a man dedicated enough that he chose not to return home to Russia and his friends for the summer, opting instead to practice here, alongside Neil, and to work hard every day. That in itself should keep him high in the callup lineup, but more pleasing still is that he admittedly accepts the possibility that our NHL roster is too full, and he is prepared to continue his development in the AHL. Another Yashin, he is most certainly not, and his character should speak volumes of him, and just how much he does (or will) belong on the team, especially considering Murray's constant push for it from his players.
From the Ottawa Senators website, it is again suggested that Bass and Foligno have the edge on making the Sens' roster, due to experience and familiarity. It is suggested that Bass might not make the cut, as it might be better for him to continue developing in the AHL where he might score more, rather than on one of the Senators' less offensive lines. I can understand this, seeing as how we have plenty of veterans who can contribute as Bass is expected to do, and it would be nice to see Bass get a chance to develop into a bigger offensive threat than his physical role would suggest. I can't, however, see Foligno being sent down, not considering the strides he's made, and just how good he looked at season's end, especially entering the zone and curling around with the puck to wait for help, just as Alfie so often succeeds in doing.
The Ottawa Citizen has it that Redden is ready to move on. On the dreadful 07-08 season, his new deal and marriage have helped him move on. "I've already erased that from my memory bank." Glad to hear it Redden; we have erased your disappointing play from our memory banks as well, but we will eagerly watch to see if some of your former teammates might make it an interesting matchup the next time we meet.
Someone help me should the Ottawa Sun indeed have the official Sens third jersey pinned down. I've always loved the Sens' classic profile logo, also enjoying their third effort to remake the stalwart Senator. This jersey though, so absent any creativity or distinctiveness, is truly a bizarre and disappointing sight to see. I can only hope that it is a decoy, and that the true third jersey might bring back a more palatable, hopefully classic and enduring look to the team.
The Ottawa Senators rookies triumphed today in Kitchener, beating the host Florida Panthers squad 4-2 at the Aud in Kitchener, a great way to start the three day round robin tourney (although the goal they allowed less than 2 minutes into the game might have had some fooled early on). Forgive me my delays and lateness, but sometime early next week I hope to post my thoughts on all the games, which I have had the the pleasure of sating my hockey hunger with.
As a final diversion, the Citizen's James Gordon's hockey capital blog brings us some amusement from across the sea. If the thought of seeing Emery in a yellow jersey, allowing goal after goal, brings you pleasure (or if you want to see how a real spartan show is put on, no joke), I suggest you take a break and have a look.
Jarkko Ruutu was popular with the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa Sun, and the Ottawa Senators webpage, scoring three very similar stories. He sounds excited to be joining the Senators, and eager to return to the excitement of playing in a Canadian city, Vancouver being his last stop up North. He admits to never being afraid to do whatever it takes to win, and that every game counts. It's good to know that there won't ever be a night off from Ruutu, who could easily challenge Neil for the most frustrating player on the ice, and I expect he will be keeping the opposition frustrated far more than we Sens fans. Just as he admits to being proud of his role as a hard-working agitator, Murray too agrees that he wants to see that role from Ruutu, and if the support he's gotten from every team he's played for is any indication, we can all be excited to see what he will bring to the team.
Both the Ottawa Citizen and the Ottawa Sun find themselves asking Zubov just how strong his desire to play in the NHL is. In Ilya, we find a man dedicated enough that he chose not to return home to Russia and his friends for the summer, opting instead to practice here, alongside Neil, and to work hard every day. That in itself should keep him high in the callup lineup, but more pleasing still is that he admittedly accepts the possibility that our NHL roster is too full, and he is prepared to continue his development in the AHL. Another Yashin, he is most certainly not, and his character should speak volumes of him, and just how much he does (or will) belong on the team, especially considering Murray's constant push for it from his players.
From the Ottawa Senators website, it is again suggested that Bass and Foligno have the edge on making the Sens' roster, due to experience and familiarity. It is suggested that Bass might not make the cut, as it might be better for him to continue developing in the AHL where he might score more, rather than on one of the Senators' less offensive lines. I can understand this, seeing as how we have plenty of veterans who can contribute as Bass is expected to do, and it would be nice to see Bass get a chance to develop into a bigger offensive threat than his physical role would suggest. I can't, however, see Foligno being sent down, not considering the strides he's made, and just how good he looked at season's end, especially entering the zone and curling around with the puck to wait for help, just as Alfie so often succeeds in doing.
The Ottawa Citizen has it that Redden is ready to move on. On the dreadful 07-08 season, his new deal and marriage have helped him move on. "I've already erased that from my memory bank." Glad to hear it Redden; we have erased your disappointing play from our memory banks as well, but we will eagerly watch to see if some of your former teammates might make it an interesting matchup the next time we meet.
Someone help me should the Ottawa Sun indeed have the official Sens third jersey pinned down. I've always loved the Sens' classic profile logo, also enjoying their third effort to remake the stalwart Senator. This jersey though, so absent any creativity or distinctiveness, is truly a bizarre and disappointing sight to see. I can only hope that it is a decoy, and that the true third jersey might bring back a more palatable, hopefully classic and enduring look to the team.
The Ottawa Senators rookies triumphed today in Kitchener, beating the host Florida Panthers squad 4-2 at the Aud in Kitchener, a great way to start the three day round robin tourney (although the goal they allowed less than 2 minutes into the game might have had some fooled early on). Forgive me my delays and lateness, but sometime early next week I hope to post my thoughts on all the games, which I have had the the pleasure of sating my hockey hunger with.
As a final diversion, the Citizen's James Gordon's hockey capital blog brings us some amusement from across the sea. If the thought of seeing Emery in a yellow jersey, allowing goal after goal, brings you pleasure (or if you want to see how a real spartan show is put on, no joke), I suggest you take a break and have a look.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Little Things and a Whopper
Plenty of stories today, from further works on the roster overcrowding and Richardson's desire to play, as well as a look into Elliot's future and development, and an interesting conversation with Kuba.
The Ottawa Sun brings us more word that indeed there will be battling for roster spots. Of particular interest is Murray suggesting that we have less skill this season, but more depth, likely alluding to the fact that we could nearly fill the whole roster with NHL pros, while still having many AHL guys looking to get their crack at the big leagues. He goes so far as to say that "If we have to move somebody as the result of a young guy making our team, that's just the way it is." To me, that suggests that should some of the younger players (Bass, Foligno, Winchester, Zubov, Nikulin, Bell, Carkner, etc) outwork some of the older ones, we might see the senior players traded off. Considering in such a situation you would not be trying to fill out the roster, it might mean that they would be traded for younger prospects, or else picks. It's not like we couldn't use more picks to perhaps help us turn our late 1st rounders into higher picks in this reportedly deep 2009 draft.
Also from the Ottawa Sun, we hear that Richardson is looking forward to attending training camp. For the first time in his 20 NHL seasons, he is without a contract. In his favour is that Murray says that "He wants to play. He's really convinced he can continue. I go over to watch him skate, and there's not anything missing from last year. He's the same player." Working against him is that the 'same player' implies a reliable 5th-7th defenseman, competing against youngsters over a decade his junior, some with the offensive skills he lacks. Again, he might stick with the Sens regardless of making the team or not, as word is they like the coaching skills he's been showing while in the press box. The only way I can see him on the team is if all the rookies flop, or if some of our defensemen are a part of another trade, but that too is doubtful.
From the Ottawa Citizen, we get a good look at Brian Elliot, and the efforts being made to turn him into our goaltender of the future. No doubt, he has potential, and looked good in his single NHL game. With Gerber gone and Auld having one year left come season's end, I can't necessarily see Elliot making the jump to the team at that point. As Ken Warren points out, we have yet to develop a goaltender, with Emery being the closest we have come. Since we don't want to follow the example the Leafs set by rushing defensemen into full service too quickly, my guess is that Murray might look into getting a strong number one goaltender via free agency or trade, and keep him with Auld next season. Then, hopefully, Elliot might climb into the NHL as a backup, much as Emery did behind Hasek, only this time I would hope that the two have a more gradual transition between duties. I'd still take it as a good sign that there is faith in Elliot, since the Sens traded up to draft Karlsson this draft, rather than going with the common prediction and taking goaltender Chet Picard.
Via KK, a link to the Bolts Report, referring to a Tampa Bay Online story that suggests Kuba might have gotten the Boyle/McCabe treatment when he learned of his impending trade to the Ottawa Senators. "The way it was presented to me at the time, I knew even if I said no to the trade I wasn't going to stay here on the team," Kuba said. "So it didn't make any sense to say no I'm going to stay and then know I'm going somewhere else anyway." Hmmm, how else might we be able to interpret this? Another situation perhaps where a player is presented with a good deal, but then threatened to be placed on waivers to end up who knows where? Hearing this, I certainly hope that our team will give a very loud, proud, and warm welcome to Kuba, and I hope that Tampa will take over as heir apparent to the seemingly UFA-repelling champ Vancouver Canucks. How much Koules-Aid do you have to drink before you really start to wonder if guys like these and others under fraud investigations are better for the League than billionaire, hockey-obsessed men like Balsillie?
The Ottawa Sun brings us more word that indeed there will be battling for roster spots. Of particular interest is Murray suggesting that we have less skill this season, but more depth, likely alluding to the fact that we could nearly fill the whole roster with NHL pros, while still having many AHL guys looking to get their crack at the big leagues. He goes so far as to say that "If we have to move somebody as the result of a young guy making our team, that's just the way it is." To me, that suggests that should some of the younger players (Bass, Foligno, Winchester, Zubov, Nikulin, Bell, Carkner, etc) outwork some of the older ones, we might see the senior players traded off. Considering in such a situation you would not be trying to fill out the roster, it might mean that they would be traded for younger prospects, or else picks. It's not like we couldn't use more picks to perhaps help us turn our late 1st rounders into higher picks in this reportedly deep 2009 draft.
Also from the Ottawa Sun, we hear that Richardson is looking forward to attending training camp. For the first time in his 20 NHL seasons, he is without a contract. In his favour is that Murray says that "He wants to play. He's really convinced he can continue. I go over to watch him skate, and there's not anything missing from last year. He's the same player." Working against him is that the 'same player' implies a reliable 5th-7th defenseman, competing against youngsters over a decade his junior, some with the offensive skills he lacks. Again, he might stick with the Sens regardless of making the team or not, as word is they like the coaching skills he's been showing while in the press box. The only way I can see him on the team is if all the rookies flop, or if some of our defensemen are a part of another trade, but that too is doubtful.
From the Ottawa Citizen, we get a good look at Brian Elliot, and the efforts being made to turn him into our goaltender of the future. No doubt, he has potential, and looked good in his single NHL game. With Gerber gone and Auld having one year left come season's end, I can't necessarily see Elliot making the jump to the team at that point. As Ken Warren points out, we have yet to develop a goaltender, with Emery being the closest we have come. Since we don't want to follow the example the Leafs set by rushing defensemen into full service too quickly, my guess is that Murray might look into getting a strong number one goaltender via free agency or trade, and keep him with Auld next season. Then, hopefully, Elliot might climb into the NHL as a backup, much as Emery did behind Hasek, only this time I would hope that the two have a more gradual transition between duties. I'd still take it as a good sign that there is faith in Elliot, since the Sens traded up to draft Karlsson this draft, rather than going with the common prediction and taking goaltender Chet Picard.
Via KK, a link to the Bolts Report, referring to a Tampa Bay Online story that suggests Kuba might have gotten the Boyle/McCabe treatment when he learned of his impending trade to the Ottawa Senators. "The way it was presented to me at the time, I knew even if I said no to the trade I wasn't going to stay here on the team," Kuba said. "So it didn't make any sense to say no I'm going to stay and then know I'm going somewhere else anyway." Hmmm, how else might we be able to interpret this? Another situation perhaps where a player is presented with a good deal, but then threatened to be placed on waivers to end up who knows where? Hearing this, I certainly hope that our team will give a very loud, proud, and warm welcome to Kuba, and I hope that Tampa will take over as heir apparent to the seemingly UFA-repelling champ Vancouver Canucks. How much Koules-Aid do you have to drink before you really start to wonder if guys like these and others under fraud investigations are better for the League than billionaire, hockey-obsessed men like Balsillie?
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