Been following Lehner since day one and there is enough evidence to be concerned. He's blowing up chance after chance to seize opportunity and I haven't seen the flashes of brilliance that should put him above the majority of NHL prospects.
- Not_Yan

Well, if you say so.... LOL

So calling Markstrom to come here is the answer BTW? He has fizzled out more than most prospects and what happens when Andy, Lehner are healthy.... he just goes back to the minors and waits for another injury?

No you said a bust. On a good team, Hoffman, Stone and others aren't slotted as high either. Makes no difference. If anything though, playing on a good team, he still gets equal points because the talent around him is better.

The guy is well on his way to being a top 6 player and perhaps could shape out to be a 1st line C in a few years. Time will tell. But make no mistake, you said you're thinking he could be a bust. Don't try to massage your dumb remark into something else.
- BodyCheckRadio

No, go back and read what I wrote. I said as a top 6, clear as day (and I've reminded you of it every time you come on here spouting your stupidity.

I know he is an NHL player for god sakes. You really think I would say that a guy who can clearly play in this league at that young of an age, will suddenly get worse and stop being able to play in the NHL?

I'm not massaging anything my friend. I think you need to take a reading comprehension class. I even quoted and italicized the 'top 6' part that day in the very next post I wrote after you jumped on me.

Again, his line is doing well right now in spite of him, not because of him.

He's got 12 pts in his last 23 games while his linemates have 17 and 21 points over that same stretch.

He has also been a -2 over that time, while his line mates have both been significant pluses.

No, go back and read what I wrote. I said as a top 6, clear as day (and I've reminded you of it every time you come on here spouting your stupidity.

I know he is an NHL player for god sakes. You really think I would say that a guy who can clearly play in this league at that young of an age, will suddenly get worse and stop being able to play in the NHL?

I'm not massaging anything my friend. I think you need to take a reading comprehension class. I even quoted and italicized the 'top 6' part that day in the very next post I wrote after you jumped on me.

Again, his line is doing well right now in spite of him, not because of him.

He's got 12 pts in his last 23 games while his linemates have 17 and 21 points over that same stretch.

He has also been a -2 over that time, while his line mates have both been significant pluses.
- Charliebox

You said bust. If I had the time to go back and read it I would. But for all I know you edited your posts.

You said in your original post, LOOKS LIKE HE COULD BE A BUST. End of story. Those words say it all. You changed your tune after I and others jumped down your throat in following posts. Stop trying to defend your point and admit you were wrong. I did it with Hoffman. I thought he wasn't going to be anything, and he stuck it to me. Im happy he did.

Been following Lehner since day one and there is enough evidence to be concerned. He's blowing up chance after chance to seize opportunity and I haven't seen the flashes of brilliance that should put him above the majority of NHL prospects.
- Not_Yan

For some reason, he has been solid early in the season in '13 and '14, probably more so in 2013. There have been games in 2012/13 that I thought he was brilliant. His improbable Calder Cup was also an indication that he might be a great goalie. I wouldn't cast a verdict just yet as this year has been his worst in a Sens Jersey. He's definitely passionate, but I think its a mental game at this point for him; does he have the drive to want to be the best and the focus to stay sharp throughout a game and a season?

You said bust. If I had the time to go back and read it I would. But for all I know you edited your posts.

You said in your original post, LOOKS LIKE HE COULD BE A BUST. End of story. Those words say it all. You changed your tune after I and others jumped down your throat in following posts. Stop trying to defend your point and admit you were wrong. I did it with Hoffman. I thought he wasn't going to be anything, and he stuck it to me. Im happy he did.
- BodyCheckRadio

End of story?!? God you're an idiot.

Ever heard of a 'qualifier' before? When someone makes a statement and they qualify it with another statement? If you honestly think that I, or anyone, would say that Zibby will somehow suddenly get worse and stop being an NHL player then that person is so stupid that there would be no point in even responding to them.

I hope they put Ryan with Turris to close-out the season. I think Turris needs some help right now, and it would be good for his confidence to end the season on a productive note. Test out the Trio of Hoff- Zib - Stone on the 2nd line, and see if Zib is ready to carry a line without Ryan.
MM - Turris - Ryan
Hoff - Zib - Stone

Been following Lehner since day one and there is enough evidence to be concerned. He's blowing up chance after chance to seize opportunity and I haven't seen the flashes of brilliance that should put him above the majority of NHL prospects.
- Not_Yan

This really was his opportunity to come out and seize the crease.

The guy has 86 NHL games under his belt now and he's looked... well, just "okay" for most of them.

At the end of the day, I'm calling it like I see it.

Ottawa's biggest weakness is at center. This is why a guy like Zibby is even able to play with our top wingers right now. On any other decent to good team, based on what he's shown, he would be slotted as a 3LC right now.

I think the Fisher comparison is apt. When he moved up in the lineup and got to play with Alfie, he played pretty well. We all knew at the time that he was a fringe 2nd liner and was better suited to be a 3rd line center. He benefitted from playing with Alfie not the other way around.

The same thing is happening with Zibby right now. He is benefitting from playing with our current best sniper and current best playmaker. Take those two away from him and his points would plummet.

Zibby is a big body, pure north/south with a heavy shot. He doesn't see the ice well right now, though.

This really was his opportunity to come out and seize the crease.

The guy has 86 NHL games under his belt now and he's looked... well, just "okay" for most of them.
- BINGO!

Yeah. The argument for his inconsistency before this stretch was that he never got a chance to find his rhythm. Which could be a fair argument. But now he's gotten a ton of starts, and he still looks shakey.

He's young and has lots of room to grow, but I expected a little more from him right now, especially since it would make trading Anderson at some point down the road a possibility.

Is now the perfect time to call on Jacob Markstrom? Him and Lehner I can see as our future goaltending tandem. This off season Anderson will be traded (or at the deadline).
- riceroni

I've been saying this for a long time, but I fear that the cheap ship has sailed with Markstrom.

He is playing very well once again, so the price will be high. I still think a trade of Anderson in the offseason and making a trade for Markstrom (for a draft pick and maybe a minor leaguer) is the right play.

I was at the game and noted a few things:

1. Goaltending: People should relax about Lehner. He's young, he will develop. He's inconsistent, which is a hallmark of a young player. This will get better.

2. Shane Prince: He looked great out there with the puck. Was strong on the boards and made a couple of great opportunities for himself. He looked a little lost without the puck a couple of times, but I think that comes with adjusting to a new system. He's exciting to watch (nice ovation from the crowd too).

3. Mika: Had a very strong game. He's using his strength and his poise with the puck well. I think he will become a very solid player - not a star, but a dependable and productive player.

4. Stone and Hoffman: these guys are for real. Mike Hoffman's skating is on another level. He is light-years faster than some of the other players and, to be honest, his smarts with the puck make him look like a veteran. Mark Stone has some of the best hockey sense on the team. He is always in the right place when he doesn't have the puck, and seems to know exactly where his teammates are when he does have the puck. These guys will be great for us in the long run.

5. Gryba/Cowen was the most frightening combo out there. While I thought Cowen looked decent, I felt nervous every time they were out there together - neither seems to know when they should be checking, skating, passing or shooting. That's troubling.

I hope they put Ryan with Turris to close-out the season. I think Turris needs some help right now, and it would be good for his confidence to end the season on a productive note. Test out the Trio of Hoff- Zib - Stone on the 2nd line, and see if Zib is ready to carry a line without Ryan.
MM - Turris - Ryan
Hoff - Zib - Stone
- BruteSquad

Don't think this will happen. Something tells me Ryan and Turris don't mix.

Don't think this will happen. Something tells me Ryan and Turris don't mix.
- sensano

really I find they are awesome together. I still don't know why they split up the Ryan-Turris - Mac line. It was so consistent right up to the point where they split them up.

I say get that line back together and use them as a 2nd line. and either develop or trade for a first line that can score. it's really what we need at this point.

Shane Prince looked pretty good last night.. He has NHL size and speed. Hopefully his skills continue to show up at this level like they did last night

really I find they are awesome together. I still don't know why they split up the Ryan-Turris - Mac line. It was so consistent right up to the point where they split them up.

I say get that line back together and use them as a 2nd line. and either develop or trade for a first line that can score. it's really what we need at this point.
- Maverick1818

no, i mean, I think Turris and Ryan don't like playing together.

really I find they are awesome together. I still don't know why they split up the Ryan-Turris - Mac line. It was so consistent right up to the point where they split them up.

I say get that line back together and use them as a 2nd line. and either develop or trade for a first line that can score. it's really what we need at this point.
- Maverick1818

Are you sure you were watching this season? That line did next to nothing early this season. Ryan began to play a lot better once being shuffled around. The line did alright last season. I think it also helped that they were the only line to stop as it was like this year.

I like Ryan's game more and more this season. He's just a smart hockey player. Just wish he could capitalize a bit more often. Turris and Mac have both had off years. Too much pressure from the organization and fans to perform as 1st liners when they are at best 2nd liners.

Well, if you say so.... LOL

So calling Markstrom to come here is the answer BTW? He has fizzled out more than most prospects and what happens when Andy, Lehner are healthy.... he just goes back to the minors and waits for another injury?
- BodyCheckRadio

Calm down. I just think it's not a bad idea to give a try to Markstrom, and that Lehner is probably not as good as we all thought. The rest is up to the Sens management.

Lol at all the rage in this thread, Zibby is gonna be our #1, and in the words of Dave Batista: Deal with it

This really was his opportunity to come out and seize the crease.

The guy has 86 NHL games under his belt now and he's looked... well, just "okay" for most of them.
- BINGO!

There you go. I've read silly comparisons with all NHL goalies at his age on other threads. Of course he's young and all, but Rask, Price, etc. were inconsistent but were at least showing glimpes of great talent and very few holes in their game.

There you go. I've read silly comparisons with all NHL goalies at his age on other threads. Of course he's young and all, but Rask, Price, etc. were inconsistent but were at least showing glimpes of great talent and very few holes in their game.
- Not_Yan

To be fair, those glimpses were seen last season for roughly a month early in the year. I believe he even won NHL player of the week? Since there, over a calendar year, we haven't seen that glimpse of that dominance. Is it concerning? A little bit. I don't think he'll ever be the next Price, Rask, or Lundqvist, but the chance is there for him to be a starting goalie. All he has to do is cut down the bonehead/lack of focus goals and he'll be ok.

Lol at all the rage in this thread, Zibby is gonna be our #1, and in the words of Dave Batista: Deal with it
- karlsson

People have to stop thinking guys will be "our" number 1 centre, "our" starting goalie, and "our" top 4 d-men. We need guys to evolve that they would be other teams go to guys as well. I'm loving Zibanejad's development, but is it good enough to eventually be up there with some of the best centres in the game (1st line centres)? I'm not so sure about that.

It's just like posting our lines before a game. Looks alright on paper, but when you throw down Pittsburgh, New Yorks, Chicago, St. Louis, etc down next to it, you see where the problems are.

Turris is our number 1 centre right now. I don't think you'll find many fans particularly excited about that. Not even sure how many other teams he would be a number 1 centre on.

My doubts about Lehner go back a long way. He seems to get caught out of position on his angles. And, he seems too slow on picking up on the play in tight and behind the net. Something is very wrong when he has the post covered but still gives up goals on the wrap around. But, I am okay to be patient and wait for further growth in his game. I hope I am wrong in my assessment.

At the end of the day, I'm calling it like I see it.

Ottawa's biggest weakness is at center. This is why a guy like Zibby is even able to play with our top wingers right now. On any other decent to good team, based on what he's shown, he would be slotted as a 3LC right now.

I think the Fisher comparison is apt. When he moved up in the lineup and got to play with Alfie, he played pretty well. We all knew at the time that he was a fringe 2nd liner and was better suited to be a 3rd line center. He benefitted from playing with Alfie not the other way around.

The same thing is happening with Zibby right now. He is benefitting from playing with our current best sniper and current best playmaker. Take those two away from him and his points would plummet.


Zibby is a big body, pure north/south with a heavy shot. He doesn't see the ice well right now, though.
- Charliebox

The defence is the exact same as last season and big (frank)ing surprise they are getting dominated every night.

Karlsson, Methot, and Ceci are solid but everyone else is basically a 6-7.

We need to get Mctavish drunk and tell him to send a Petry over for Cowen. Resign Petry to 4 per and voila a decent T4D

Karlsson-Methot
Ceci-Petry

Jared Cowen has arguably the worst hockey IQ on planet earth...we're talking Jeff Finger bad

People have to stop thinking guys will be "our" number 1 centre, "our" starting goalie, and "our" top 4 d-men. We need guys to evolve that they would be other teams go to guys as well. I'm loving Zibanejad's development, but is it good enough to eventually be up there with some of the best centres in the game (1st line centres)? I'm not so sure about that.

It's just like posting our lines before a game. Looks alright on paper, but when you throw down Pittsburgh, New Yorks, Chicago, St. Louis, etc down next to it, you see where the problems are.

Turris is our number 1 centre right now. I don't think you'll find many fans particularly excited about that. Not even sure how many other teams he would be a number 1 centre on.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I think your right on. If the Sens were in a playoff position everyone would be singing a different song about Turris and Zbanejad. Both of them will likely come in around 50-60 point range. That's okay for a very young team just learning how to win.

Huge change for Turris taking on the #1 role at the beginning of the season without another experienced top line center (Spezza) to share some of the load. If the trend continues Turris will likely duplicate or exceed point total of Bergeron. And, we know Bergeron is the model that the Sens are wanting Turris to follow in building his game.

The defence is the exact same as last season and big (frank)ing surprise they are getting dominated every night.

Karlsson, Methot, and Ceci are solid but everyone else is basically a 6-7.

We need to get Mctavish drunk and tell him to send a Petry over for Cowen. Resign Petry to 4 per and voila a decent T4D

Karlsson-Methot
Ceci-Petry

Jared Cowen has arguably the worst hockey IQ on planet earth...we're talking Jeff Finger bad
- SENS 613

Petry is just as bad as Cowen.