Nobody has given Melnyk money. If he has taken on a partner, even a silent one, it would have to be approved by the Board of Governors I believe.

And yes, they are spending money now going forward, but it is on the core of the team and the youth movement is in progress. Like I said yesterday, they never really hit rock bottom, to get the prime prospects and they are making do with what they have.
The kids are still making mistakes like kids will. But not spending to bring in quality veterans has forced the team to bring up a lot of players before they really should be.
There is a reason Detroit makes the playoffs every year....they don't rush their young talent, and the players entering the system pay their dues in the minors so they are ready when they come up.
Really, Stone, Lazar, Ceci, Cowen and Wiercioch all could have used some more AHL seasoning (obviously Lazar junior), but because of the purges that went before, the depth is just getting rebuilt now and those players were rushed.
- JaredCrozier

I think there has been a change in a recapitalization of the Sens and somewhere in the details there is a formula for a future new partnership despite Melnyk's vehement denials. I believe the casino file is reopened. Watson and Melnyk are making nice. Something big is coming.

Tuna... Step back from the ledge my friend...

We are a bad team yes... but let's not over react

Because Muckler left the cupboard absolutely bare, with no farm system to speak of...and Brian Lee
- JaredCrozier

Seriously? Explain this team to me - explain our compete level, explain Alfie leaving, Spezza leaving, Legwand signing, the Hemsky trade, just explain the last year of this franchise to me (2 captains traded, lame duck coach, 2 teams expected to make the playoff that will miss the playoffs, disgruntled fan base, dwindling season ticket base, going to need a new coach)

How about this Muckler argument - Muckler had a sold out building every night so the revenue was there to spend to the Cap - Murray's teams have taken a hit with season ticket holders and the money isn't there to spend - sold out building and solid season ticket base = cap team - should we go there or just talk about Brian Lee?

"The sky is falling, the sky is falling, said Chicken Little."

This team is playing the way everyone thought they would play. Everybody needs to step back and realize just how good Tampa, Florida and the Islanders have become. The Sens are 4 points out of a playoff spot. Close to where they will likely end the season.

Never been a fan of the Bobby Ryan trade or signing. Do like his character and he is a good player. He does not hurt the team. But his age is entirely out of alignment with the young guys who will take this team to the next level.

Best players last night were Hoffman, Lazar and Stone.
- spatso

Why do you always have to dump on Ryan? I mean seriously dude you mention you not liking the signing EVERYDAY! Just F off man...

Seriously? Explain this team to me - explain our compete level, explain Alfie leaving, Spezza leaving, Legwand signing, the Hemsky trade, just explain the last year of this franchise to me (2 captains traded, lame duck coach, 2 teams expected to make the playoff that will miss the playoffs, disgruntled fan base, dwindling season ticket base, going to need a new coach)

How about this Muckler argument - Muckler had a sold out building every night so the revenue was there to spend to the Cap - Murray's teams have taken a hit with season ticket holders and the money isn't there to spend - sold out building and solid season ticket base = cap team - should we go there or just talk about Brian Lee?
- tuna99

Alfie - left over money
Spezza - left over money and because the team took a different direction
Legwand signing - doesn't look great, but less than a half season in
Hemsky - not a good deal, but not a big deal either
Lame duck coach last year - ???
Disgruntled fan base - you mean fan base with overly high expectations, right?
Ottawa failing to sell out - maybe Ottawa isn't the greatest sports town? In any case when teams are rebuilding it's not surprising that the people aren't in the seats to the same extent.

I am on the verge of cheering for the Sens to tank.

They just seem to be so far away from being a contender. If our goaltending wasn't as spectacular as it has been all year, the Sens would be a basement dweller along with the Oilers, Jackets and Sabres.

The Sens desperately need a #1 center. And no, it doesn't mean I want Spezza back, either. He isn't a bona-fide #1 center and really never was IMO. Outside the one year that he dragged Michalek and Greening around, Spezza always relied on others to get his game going.

This year is going to be a damn good draft. No harm in getting a good pick, considering the best the Sens will be able to muster is a "one and done" playoffs.

Why do you always have to dump on Ryan? I mean seriously dude you mention you not liking the signing EVERYDAY! Just F off man...
- riceroni

C'mon man, don't be like that

You're right to some extent, Ryan seems to be the new victim of the Spezza syndrome... Except, unlike Spezza, he seems to be drawing criticism over lack of production instead of over lack of effort.

On one hand, Ryan DOES have to be better - it would be helpful if he were healthy and on a 40-goal pace, obviously. At the same time, I think it's pretty obvious that this team is NOT just a single underachieving top-liner away from being successful, if the early returns from the Spezza trade are any indication, so this narrative of the 'blame the one high-end underachiever' is wearing thin.

Alfie - left over money
Spezza - left over money and because the team took a different direction
Legwand signing - doesn't look great, but less than a half season in
Hemsky - not a good deal, but not a big deal either
Lame duck coach last year - ???
Disgruntled fan base - you mean fan base with overly high expectations, right?
Ottawa failing to sell out - maybe Ottawa isn't the greatest sports town? In any case when teams are rebuilding it's not surprising that the people aren't in the seats to the same extent.
- Mr_Clean

Alfie - left over money (Murray)
Spezza - left over money and because the team took a different direction (Murray)
Legwand signing - doesn't look great, but less than a half season in (Murray)
Hemsky - not a good deal, but not a big deal either (Murray)
Lame duck coach last year - ??? (Murray threw Maclean under the bus at the end of last season when the players floated all yer the end of season press conference went something like this "we want a nicer Paul back" The solution to players floating is to be nicer to them, this is like giving your spoiled brat kid a bigger allowance thinking it will make them a better person
Disgruntled fan base - you mean fan base with overly high expectations, right? (Murray every year says we are a playoff team - this year is no different so he either is out of touch, thinks we are stupid or doesn't know what he is doing)
Ottawa failing to sell out - maybe Ottawa isn't the greatest sports town? In any case when teams are rebuilding it's not surprising that the people aren't in the seats to the same extent (Ottawa isn't a great sports town but it is a great hockey town)

I am on the verge of cheering for the Sens to tank.

They just seem to be so far away from being a contender. If our goaltending wasn't as spectacular as it has been all year, the Sens would be a basement dweller along with the Oilers, Jackets and Sabres.

The Sens desperately need a #1 center. And no, it doesn't mean I want Spezza back, either. He isn't a bona-fide #1 center and really never was IMO. Outside the one year that he dragged Michalek and Greening around, Spezza always relied on others to get his game going.

This year is going to be a damn good draft. No harm in getting a good pick, considering the best the Sens will be able to muster is a "one and done" playoffs.
- Charliebox

Spezza was absolutely a number one center, IMO. His health just caught up with him.

I feel like this team never really went into a rebuild like they were supposed to. They traded for Anderson, and then he played great and they ended up drafting Zib that year.They never finished lower than that since.

This will be a good draft, lets not forget they still hold Dallas`2nd round pick as well. Really hope murray isn`t pressured into making a trade.

I am on the verge of cheering for the Sens to tank.

They just seem to be so far away from being a contender. If our goaltending wasn't as spectacular as it has been all year, the Sens would be a basement dweller along with the Oilers, Jackets and Sabres.

The Sens desperately need a #1 center. And no, it doesn't mean I want Spezza back, either. He isn't a bona-fide #1 center and really never was IMO. Outside the one year that he dragged Michalek and Greening around, Spezza always relied on others to get his game going.

This year is going to be a damn good draft. No harm in getting a good pick, considering the best the Sens will be able to muster is a "one and done" playoffs.
- Charliebox

Dude, really?

Revisionist histories, forgetting that Alfie and Heatley also had by far their best seasons playing by his side.

Perpetual sour grapes - guy who is practically PPG over his career was never a true #1 centre

Alfie - left over money (Murray)
Spezza - left over money and because the team took a different direction (Murray)
Legwand signing - doesn't look great, but less than a half season in (Murray)
Hemsky - not a good deal, but not a big deal either (Murray)
Lame duck coach last year - ??? (Murray threw Maclean under the bus at the end of last season when the players floated all yer the end of season press conference went something like this "we want a nicer Paul back" The solution to players floating is to be nicer to them, this is like giving your spoiled brat kid a bigger allowance thinking it will make them a better person
Disgruntled fan base - you mean fan base with overly high expectations, right? (Murray every year says we are a playoff team - this year is no different so he either is out of touch, thinks we are stupid or doesn't know what he is doing)
Ottawa failing to sell out - maybe Ottawa isn't the greatest sports town? In any case when teams are rebuilding it's not surprising that the people aren't in the seats to the same extent (Ottawa isn't a great sports town but it is a great hockey town)
- tuna99

Yeah, Murray sets the budget for this team, for goodness' sake dude.

And guess what, the Senators still have not missed the playoffs in back to back years since the 90s, they had back to back appearances heading into last season, so if the fan base abandons the team after ONE year of mediocrity, then I'm sorry but they are not a great hockey market on par with, at least, the Western Canadian cities.

Yeah, Murray sets the budget for this team, for goodness' sake dude.

And guess what, the Senators still have not missed the playoffs in back to back years since the 90s, they had back to back appearances heading into next season, so if the fan base abandons the team after ONE year of mediocrity, then I'm sorry but they are not a great hockey market on par with, at least, the Western Canadian cities.
- Mr_Clean

Can you imagine what would happen if they were as bad for as long as Edmonton has been.

don't jump tuna, you're too young

Seriously? Explain this team to me - explain our compete level, explain Alfie leaving, Spezza leaving, Legwand signing, the Hemsky trade, just explain the last year of this franchise to me (2 captains traded, lame duck coach, 2 teams expected to make the playoff that will miss the playoffs, disgruntled fan base, dwindling season ticket base, going to need a new coach)

How about this Muckler argument - Muckler had a sold out building every night so the revenue was there to spend to the Cap - Murray's teams have taken a hit with season ticket holders and the money isn't there to spend - sold out building and solid season ticket base = cap team - should we go there or just talk about Brian Lee?
- tuna99

Hey Tuna, are you a season ticket holder? If not, why aren't you? I am... Ya, I'd love the team to be a top contender and at the moment we are not. But that doesn't change the fact that I love going to games... Why don't you go? Surely if you decided to then you could help with one of your points...

[quote=Mr_Clean]Yeah, Murray sets the budget for this team, for goodness' sake dude.

And guess what, the Senators still have not missed the playoffs in back to back years since the 90s, they had back to back appearances heading into next season, so if the fan base abandons the team after ONE year of mediocrity, then I'm sorry but they are not a great hockey market on par with, at least, the Western Canadian cities.
- david22

Can you imagine what would happen if they were as bad for as long as Edmonton has been.

Yeah, seriously... I mean, the senators haven't been a great team in a number of years, but no-one can match the fanliness of an oilers sth

Maybe it's because they have so much historical success? Even if that's true, though, it doesn't explain the fanaticism of jets fans

Dude, really?

Revisionist histories, forgetting that Alfie and Heatley also had by far their best seasons playing by his side.

Perpetual sour grapes - guy who is practically PPG over his career was never a true #1 centre
- Mr_Clean

Put any 2nd line center with Alfie and Heatley in their prime and they will have a PPG, easy. Turris would have easily had a PPG playing with those two all stars.

You talk of revisionist history. I think you're remembering things incorrectly. I remember many, many times, when the Sens tried to take Alfie off that line, it stopped producing. The Sens desperately wanted Alfie on the 2nd line to have a nice 1-2 punch, but they could never take him off that line.

Why?

Cause Spezza and Heatley relied on him to create things and even more so defensively. It was always Alfie back first.

Alfie was the straw that stirred the drink on that line, not Spezza. The only time in his career that Spezza was a consistent + player (as well as a PPG player) was when he was on that line (except for, as I already mentioned, the year he dragged Greening and Michalek around).

Edit: if you also remember correctly in all those years, Spezza had an injury per season. He missed 10-20 games each of those years. Who did they put on that line? Chris freaking Kelly.. and that line didn't miss a beat.

Wow, everyone is fired up.

I'm excited in the youth. Excited with what Stone and Hoffman are showing. No way they would have signed Michalek if they knew both would be playing so well.


Just too bad there is dead money in Greening, and Michalek.

At the end of the day, this next stretch of games will define the Sens season.

If they can go at least .500, they will still have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. The toughest part of their schedule will be behind them.

I am on the verge of cheering for the Sens to tank.

They just seem to be so far away from being a contender. If our goaltending wasn't as spectacular as it has been all year, the Sens would be a basement dweller along with the Oilers, Jackets and Sabres.

The Sens desperately need a #1 center. And no, it doesn't mean I want Spezza back, either. He isn't a bona-fide #1 center and really never was IMO. Outside the one year that he dragged Michalek and Greening around, Spezza always relied on others to get his game going.

This year is going to be a damn good draft. No harm in getting a good pick, considering the best the Sens will be able to muster is a "one and done" playoffs.
- Charliebox

Im already there. Could you imagine what a player like McDavid or Eichel would do? Look at stamkos to Tampa, Crsosby to Pits, Tavares to NY.. And those were terrible teams with bare cupboards. We have some real good talent coming up, if we add a top pick in that mix... Look out!

Put any 2nd line center with Alfie and Heatley in their prime and they will have a PPG, easy. Turris would have easily had a PPG playing with those two all stars.

You talk of revisionist history. I think you're remembering things incorrectly. I remember many, many times, when the Sens tried to take Alfie off that line, it stopped producing. The Sens desperately wanted Alfie on the 2nd line to have a nice 1-2 punch, but they could never take him off that line.

Why?

Cause Spezza and Heatley relied on him to create things and even more so defensively. It was always Alfie back first.

Alfie was the straw that stirred the drink on that line, not Spezza. The only time in his career that Spezza was a consistent + player (as well as a PPG player) was when he was on that line (except for, as I already mentioned, the year he dragged Greening and Michalek around).

Edit: if you also remember correctly in all those years, Spezza had an injury per season. He missed 10-20 games each of those years. Who did they put on that line? Chris freaking Kelly.. and that line didn't miss a beat.
- Charliebox

And the year he turned michalek into a 35 goal scorer, and made greening look good? You used that in your first post above.

The fact that heatley never repeated his performance with spezza, even playing with Joe thornton?

Those two facts would indicate that spezza was more than just a player who relied on his linemates


I feel like this is just a bit of sour grapes. But writing this, its Spezza who made management think Greening would be worthwhile, so we can all hate on him for that,.

And the year he turned michalek into a 35 goal scorer, and made greening look good? You used that in your first post above.

The fact that heatley never repeated his performance with spezza, even playing with Joe thornton?

Those two facts would indicate that spezza was more than just a player who relied on his linemates


I feel like this is just a bit of sour grapes. But writing this, its Spezza who made management think Greening would be worthwhile, so we can all hate on him for that,.
- david22

He never repeated his performance because he missed Alfie more than Spezza, that's my point.

Again, refer back to those years. Without Alfie, that line was mediocre. With Alfie it was the best line in the league.

A bona-fide #1 NHL center should be able to produce with Heatley in his prime on his wing. He shouldn't need another playmaker (Alfie was more of a playmaker than finisher) to make the line tick.

I agree that Spezza had a great season with Michalek and Greening, but to me, that season was the exception, not the rule.

So, Lazar, send him to the worlds or no?

So, Lazar, send him to the worlds or no?
- david22

i vote yes

i vote yes
- sensarmy_11

He could gain some chemistry with Nick Paul

He could gain some chemistry with Nick Paul
- david22

as well as mcdavid, woudl be handy for next year.