Forgetting about the way they've been dominated in the past couple games, if you told me we could go 2-2-2 on this road trip, I think I'd be pretty happy with that. If we beat Phoenix tomorrow night, that's the record. Not bad for the toughest road trip of the year.

However, the month of October is a brutal one for the sens. After playing NJ and EDM at home, they play Detroit, Anaheim and San Jose again, and then Chicago. Who the hell made this schedule????
- Jordo

What goes around always comes around though. If you just get through this in even half-decent shape, you'll be in good shape for the season.

OK I am asking this of a few fan bases

can anyone tell me...

Have you guys ever heard a rumor of an Ottawa player sleeping with the wife of another Ottawa player?

Wouldn't call it carlye kool aid. He's very hit and miss, not a bad hockey player by any means but he can be very streaky forsure.
- LeafsFan64

MacArthur: I heard that as well. I'm not sold on MacAthur being a legit top 6F. He's certainly been a good one thus far but with the team loosing it's not that comforting. Spezza & Michalek need to show up. It's disgraceful that if they don't produce in a big way in the next 4-6 games.

Michalek: Structured defense (especially down low), carrying the puck (slowing the play down). Milan Michalek is not looking good. After the 35 goals in 11-12 he hasn't been himself. He is a shadow of his former self -- last season and this season, all 2013 (5 goals in 38 games). I'd talk to PHX about Michalek for Yandle

Ottawa Line Ups: With Silfverberg, Alfredsson, Gonchar being shipped out, Sens lost two top 6Fs and 1 top 4D from last season. Ryan & MacArthur fill the void left by the sweeds but Weircioch isn't Gonchar. He may have an amazing pass and strong shot but he is no where close to the hockey IQ and the leadership. Plus positioning is still much worse by most dmen; even when compared with the 39 year old from last year. Sens need a top six winger & a legit Top 4Dman that can move the puck

Keep sipping the Carlye kool-aid, MacArthur has been one the best Sens so far, looks great with Turris.
- Talkshowhost

no Kool-Aid...just didn't like his play in T.O. - good he's doing well with Turris.

It's still early, I like the guy, just don't think he's worth $3m/yr

..Have you guys ever heard a rumor of an Ottawa player sleeping with the wife of another Ottawa player?
- Aetherial

such a pointless topic for fans to discuss.... every player could be banging each other for all I care... if their winning hockey games, not breaking crimes what they do in their private lives is pointless(pathetic) to discuss

such a pointless topic for fans to discuss.... every player could be banging each other for all I care... if their winning hockey games, not breaking crimes what they do in their private lives is pointless(pathetic) to discuss
- AlfieisKing

I am pointing out to someone that this kind of rumor happens at least once a year.

This person believes some of them are true.

My point is that it is a load of crap, so chill sparky.

no Kool-Aid...just didn't like his play in T.O. - good he's doing well with Turris.

It's still early, I like the guy, just don't think he's worth $3m/yr
- Garnie

Hmm. well you're right about the early party. Consistency is the name of the game. If Mac scores 20 goals or hits 50 pts I'm happy with the signing without a doubt. If he doesn't he better be a two way player that competes, or else yes he's isn't worth that much and then I'll be pissed again they didn't sign Alfie. This year Sens aren't underdogs so expectations are higher. Although I still think their overrated

I am pointing out to someone that this kind of rumor happens at least once a year.

This person believes some of them are true.

My point is that it is a load of crap, so chill sparky.
- Aetherial

Yes- the rumor is very common. See it everywhere, indeed; load of crap

Yes- the rumor is very common. See it everywhere, indeed; load of crap
- AlfieisKing

I agree; why is this even a point for discussion? cheesous!

#whocares


as for tmrw, SENS BETTER BUST THEIR BUTS AND WIN! apparently (according to the credible news source the sun) everyone is "on watch"

except lehner, turris, and probably bobby ryan lol

I wouldn't even consider messing with the top two lines yet. We have played five games and the last three were against three of the leagues best teams. All but one of our loses were decided by one goal. When you start juggeling your lines 5 games into the season is when you lose your players and then probably lose your job. Jason Spezza is our captain and a proven first line center and Turris is playing like a excellent second line center. We need to work on not taking so many pointless penalties, coming out faster and stronger and winning face offs also home ice will make a huge difference. People need to relax including the blogger. Bringing up Zibby after he has only played two games in the minors will just be telling him it's ok to float around in training camp and take your spot on the team for granted, zibby needs to learn how to play like every shift could be his last shift in the NHL. A win tommorrow night puts its at 500 which is what I was hoping for when I saw the schedule. Have faith in our boys they will get it together and start rolling soon

no Kool-Aid...just didn't like his play in T.O. - good he's doing well with Turris.

It's still early, I like the guy, just don't think he's worth $3m/yr
- Garnie

I've been pretty happy with MacArthur, effort is there, seems to be giving it his all every shift, production hasn't been there yet, but if he keeps that up I'm sure that will come.

I don't understand why people are acting like the friggin sky is falling.......

yes, the sens have lost a few games, and haven't looked great....but guess what, it's the very beginning of the season, and ottawa has probably had the toughest opening schedule of almost any team in the league.

a lot of the guys who are off to slow starts have played little to no hockey in the last 16-17 months (spezza, karlsson, cowen, etc) so it's understandable that it might take them a few games to "get back into it".

this team will be fine

I don't understand why people are acting like the friggin sky is falling.......

yes, the sens have lost a few games, and haven't looked great....but guess what, it's the very beginning of the season, and ottawa has probably had the toughest opening schedule of almost any team in the league.

a lot of the guys who are off to slow starts have played little to no hockey in the last 16-17 months (spezza, karlsson, cowen, etc) so it's understandable that it might take them a few games to "get back into it".

this team will be fine
- sensarmy_11

it's because deep down they're worried this is the real sens......... not the over achieving team from last year. That's why the panic button is getting close to being pressed.

it's because deep down they're worried this is the real sens......... not the over achieving team from last year. That's why the panic button is getting close to being pressed.
- Sheppy99

hmm. No I don't think there's any debate right now that the Sens are a playoff team. BUT the REAL ISSUE is that the team has problems more internal to their roster. 1) Injured players from last year are not playing up to their ability/potential; Spezza, Michalek, Cowen, even Karlsson. 2) team lacks defensive coverage; especially down low 3) not controlling puck control like they were playing with last year. All these reasons come down to chemistry. The team needs to gel with the players that weren't here all last year-- Spezza, Ryan, MacArthur, Michalek, Karlsson, Cowen, Corvo-- to the players that were-- Neil, Condra, Smith, Greening, Phillips, Gryba. 4) 6 game roady against tough opps to start

it's because deep down they're worried this is the real sens......... not the over achieving team from last year. That's why the panic button is getting close to being pressed.
- Sheppy99

what about the team from the year before.........i think the real issue is that perhaps you're unwilling to admit (likely due to some bias) that the "real sens" are a legit playoff team

it's because deep down they're worried this is the real sens......... not the over achieving team from last year. That's why the panic button is getting close to being pressed.
- Sheppy99

You mean the same core that made the playoffs and took the Rangers to 7 games?

Phew, yeah panicking hard.

I am pointing out to someone that this kind of rumor happens at least once a year.

This person believes some of them are true.

My point is that it is a load of crap, so chill sparky.
- Aetherial

I said the same thing when I read his response.

You mean the same core that made the playoffs and took the Rangers to 7 games?

Phew, yeah panicking hard.
- Talkshowhost

Alfie, Gonchar, Kuba, Foligno - not really fair to say it's the same core. Lots of the same players but the Captain and beating heart and #2 and #3 D are not there.

I think one of the problems with this start is the GM, Coach, pundits, experts adn fans have been saying all summer this is a better team then last year and we will be a Conference and Cup contender. The team goes out to California and looks loose, going to baseball games and doing some touring when in reality this core hasn't proved anything.

New Captain, basically a D that hasn't played together outside of the top pairing which had about 20 total games together, we have guys like Pageau, Conacher, De Costa, Gryba, Weircoche in the lineup who might have a total of 100 NHL games put together. The players were caught thinking the season was going to be a big success, I think now more then ever they miss Alfie and Gonchar.

But in reality this team wins and losses on the play of of Karlsson and he has been awful this season. You can see the magic at times but overall he hasn't skated or played fearless hockey like he used to.

Alfie, Gonchar, Kuba, Foligno - not really fair to say it's the same core. Lots of the same players but the Captain and beating heart and #2 and #3 D are not there.

I think one of the problems with this start is the GM, Coach, pundits, experts adn fans have been saying all summer this is a better team then last year and we will be a Conference and Cup contender. The team goes out to California and looks loose, going to baseball games and doing some touring when in reality this core hasn't proved anything.

New Captain, basically a D that hasn't played together outside of the top pairing which had about 20 total games together, we have guys like Pageau, Conacher, De Costa, Gryba, Weircoche in the lineup who might have a total of 100 NHL games put together. The players were caught thinking the season was going to be a big success, I think now more then ever they miss Alfie and Gonchar.

But in reality this team wins and losses on the play of of Karlsson and he has been awful this season. You can see the magic at times but overall he hasn't skated or played fearless hockey like he used to.
- tuna99

Our defense is very young in the top 4 , and its showing a bit early .It will get better.As for the forwards ,the top 6 will sort itself out .The bottom 6 however needs work .

The Decosta experiment is over for me ,bring up the faster and more physical Zbad,and maybe another decent defensive grinder in Grant to help with the pk .Other than that we are fine

Nobody on this post will convince me that Phillips is struggling. He has been our most stable defenseman year in and year out and he has looked "faster" this year. In fact, I met him shortly before the season started and he looked like he had lost twenty pounds. The problem on D is Cowen and Gryba who turn the puck over non-stop. They do not look comfortable out there and make poor choices trying to get the puck out of their zone. Has anyone noticed the propensity of the Sens to shoot from the wing as they cross into the offensive zone? I say this because every time they miss the puck goes right out the other side and creates and odd-man rush the other way. For the love of all things hockey shoot from inside the circles and hit the damn net! Lol. I agree Da Costa has to go, but Pageau is ready but playing on the wrong line. Put him on L1 with Spezza and Ryan. That line would be money. Michalek is not top line material and needs to be put on a line that sees softer matchups. I also agree that Zibanejad needs to be back. As for the overall roster, I had heard that Ottawa and Edmonton were close on a swap of Smith/Greening + d-man for insert forward here + d-man, before the start of the season. I'd like to see both gone. Smith is the king of stupid penalties and Greening is not the player the Sens think he will be. It's kind of like Mike Fisher all over again with these two. Every year will be the breakout year and every year we are left disappointed. Deal them now and bring up the young'uns.

This kind of puts what Turris (and, MacArthur) are doing vs. everyone else.

Ideal is big-blue / top / left. Worst possible is big-red / low / right.


- Travis Yost

This is interesting to me for a few of reasons. Correct me if I'm wrong...
- STC and Neil appear to be working well together defensively, against average competition. They just haven't converted on opportunities. Don't abandon the SDC experiment just yet.
- Pageau and Condra are failing against below average competition, although they start in the defensive zone a LOT! Ziba Time?
- Ryan is obviously being dragged down by 19, 9. Moving him to the Turris line is the right move. Give them more ice time.
- Kassian stinks. Full stop.

Also , who cares how many 'natural centres' you have on a team. Watching the california games, one team, LA I think, has 6 or 7 of them on the roster.

I wouldn't even consider messing with the top two lines yet. We have played five games and the last three were against three of the leagues best teams. All but one of our loses were decided by one goal. When you start juggeling your lines 5 games into the season is when you lose your players and then probably lose your job. Jason Spezza is our captain and a proven first line center and Turris is playing like a excellent second line center. We need to work on not taking so many pointless penalties, coming out faster and stronger and winning face offs also home ice will make a huge difference. People need to relax including the blogger. Bringing up Zibby after he has only played two games in the minors will just be telling him it's ok to float around in training camp and take your spot on the team for granted, zibby needs to learn how to play like every shift could be his last shift in the NHL. A win tommorrow night puts its at 500 which is what I was hoping for when I saw the schedule. Have faith in our boys they will get it together and start rolling soon
- JS_19

GOOD STUFF

Sigh. More Turris humping...

Turris has played great, but Bobby Ryan is the best player on the Sens right now.

Sigh. More Turris humping...

Turris has played great, but Bobby Ryan is the best player on the Sens right now.
- AlfieFever

Lehner is staring you down

Lehner is staring you down
- tuna99

I stand corrected. Besides Lehner...Bobby Ryan is tops.