First off, these next three days will be hectic as I help co-host the trade deadline show here at hockeybuzz which will be streamed for season ticket holders. On top of that, we will be doing a variety of hockey talkcasts at various times throughout the day, segments on XM Satellite Radio and segments on a variety of sports radio stations in Canada and the U.S. We will post all the dates and times that you can listen in.
Next up, big Sens win in overtime over the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 after trailing 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. Cory Stillman continues to be a presence since joining the Sens adding a goal and an assist. Dany Heatley broke out of his funk with two goals and the captain Daniel Alfredsson scored the winner.
The Sens defense is really playing well as a unit. There is no doubt they have elevated their game of late which is nice to see. If Ray Emery can eliminate the soft goals, this team just might turn the corner. Unless a trade is reached in the next few days, Emery is the guy the coaching staff is going with and he will really need to elevate his game as the playoffs approach. For the second straight game, the opposition hit a few posts and one crossbar, meaning he was beat on other chances but got some help. He needs to string together a complete sixty minute effort on a more consistent basis and once in awhile steal a game for his team, something he hasn't done yet but if he can build off his second half of the game against the Pens then maybe he is on the right track. Regardless, Eli Wilson has his work cut out for him in cleaning up aspects of Emery's game.
Sens have been a three line team in terms of icetime lately and John Paddock has to start spreading the minutes. Burnout is a real possibility for a few players on this team.
Sens outhit the Pens 33-25 and won the faceoff battle which is a step in the right direction but outside of Vermette in the faceoff circle, Fisher and Spezza continue to struggle winning key draws. Pens outshot Ottawa 35-28.
Boxscore hits - Volchenkov 5 hits and 3 blocked shots........Fisher 3 hits and 2 BS but a -1 again......Alfie 3 hits and the GWG......Commodore 4 hits and 2 BS.....Vermette 4 SOG and 2 hits.....Heatley 7 SOG and 2 goals.....strong games by Kelly and Meszaros again, they have been very consistent of late, nice to see and Sens fans hope they keep it up!
Sens rumours - There is plenty of talk about the Sens possibly acquiring Nikolai Khabibulin and Tuomo Ruutu. With the possibly longterm injury to Chris Neil and the Sens inconsistent play in goal this trade makes ALOT of sense. Emery would be going the other way along with the Hawks 2nd rd. pick that was acquired in the Havlat deal along with a prospect.
Sergei Federov rumours won't go away and Bryan Murray would only have to give up a draft pick or a prospect for the smooth skating/puckhandling Russian.
Mats Sundin is definitely a possibility for the Sens. One of Vermette or Meszaros would be part of the package. Nick Foligno would be included in the deal as well. More to come on this in the next 24-48 hours.
I am hearing tonight that the Sens and Coyotes are talking again. Radim Vrbata and Nick Boynton are the names I am hearing along with the possibility of Brendan Bell. Bell would be a nice pick-up and a draft pick would be in play for him, while Vrbata is a UFA this summer so a top prospect would be the going price as he is having one heck of a season.
Oh and Peter Forsberg is still possibly in play......I know I know.....but Ottawa could be his destination.
I personally feel GM Bryan Murray would like to make at least one move and possibly two, depending if he could make a multiple player trade then one trade is all you will see Murray pull off. Once Murray sets the roster he wants then he will focus on the coaching situation. Murray will give Paddock a few weeks with the new line-up before making a decision on his status. This team has been extremely inconsistent since the 15-2 start. The Sens are 21-24 in their last 45 games, I am just talking straight up wins and losses, I am not talking about extra points for OT/SO wins. Something has to give soon with 20 games left in the regular season.
I will be travelling to Philadelphia Sunday so if anyone has a question, please be patient in getting a reply via e-mail.
Kevin
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