I didn't mind tha Cowen was getting ice time and making mistakes. What I didn't like was who he was bumping into the press box, Patty Wiercoch. A guy who always deserved the ice time more than Cowen. Another guy in a long string of guys who the stats guys were right about and the guys who live ball tests were wrong about.
- Mikelly_18

the issue with cowen, as i see it, is that if (and that's a big if) he's going to get better, he has to play. but right now, can anyone honestly say that he's one of the six best d-men on this team?

it's probably not much of a step down to play him over gryba or boro........but the fact that it is in fact a step down (over those two), is pretty bad.

i would understand if he was making mistakes due to nagging injuries, or that he wasn't 100% recovered from the hip issue..........but his problem seems to be 100% between the ears. you look at him on the ice, and half the time he looks like he has no idea where he's supposed to be, or who he's supposed to cover...........he basically looks like a tall version of me on the ice.

Pretty sure your blogger was talking bout taking him at 3 or something I can't rememeber! Weren't Sens bottom 5 around world Juniors? I think he will bust as well.
- ClarksonDavid

yikes, i don't remember the blog talking about crouse at 3.............you could be right though.

ottawa was at 5, but it only lasted about 2 days......the were locked in at around 8 or 9 for about a month or so.

yikes, i don't remember the blog talking about crouse at 3.............you could be right though.

ottawa was at 5, but it only lasted about 2 days......the were locked in at around 8 or 9 for about a month or so.
- sensarmy_11

He is right.

He is right.
- JaredCrozier

really.....you were thinking crouse at 3? i don't remember that blog at all. he shouldn't even sniff the top 5 IMO.

really.....you were thinking crouse at 3? i don't remember that blog at all. he shouldn't even sniff the top 5 IMO.
- sensarmy_11

Granted, #3 was a stretch. I like his ability to play the body, and score goals. He is the true power forward Ottawa hasn't had since Hossa. Plus can skate and is smart defensively. Can make the big hit but doesn't go out of his way to do it. Certainly worthy of top 3 in any other year, perhaps not this one. But if he falls out of top 5 then someone is getting a steal.

He is right.
- JaredCrozier

Dude I'm always right. He does have a cool skill set.

As always great write up Jared

But I think their are far too many red flags with Cowen's game right now and if a deal is available Ottawa should move him as fast as they can.

1. He's a bandaid - What is this now the 3rd major surgery in the last 4 years? I think the hip surgery he had really slowed him down. Thats where I noticed a giant drop off in terms of speed, pivoting etc

2. Bad Attitude - Now this is pure speculation but I've got a gut feeling that this guy isn't well liked in the dressing room. Murray has gone out of his way to defend him time after time and what does Cowen do...He basically takes a shot at the team during the playoff run. Complete Bozo move.

and lastly but most important IMO

3. ZERO HOCKEY IQ - He has all the tools that should make u succesful (big,strong,good shot, decent hands) but his biggest struggle is between the ears. I would argue he has one of the worst hockey iq's in the league. Constantly out of position, pinches at the wrong time, and is indecisive with the puck which typically then leads to turnovers.


I've defended him for a while but enough is enough. The poopty part is with the news of the sports hernia he now has as much trade value as Greening. Again, I think he could of been a true shut down D but unfortuantely injuries and hockey smarts have plagued his career thus far.

Granted, #3 was a stretch. I like his ability to play the body, and score goals. He is the true power forward Ottawa hasn't had since Hossa. Plus can skate and is smart defensively. Can make the big hit but doesn't go out of his way to do it. Certainly worthy of top 3 in any other year, perhaps not this one. But if he falls out of top 5 then someone is getting a steal.
- JaredCrozier

I wouldn't even think about taking him over Marner or Strome

I wouldn't even think about taking him over Marner or Strome
- ClarksonDavid

Fair enough. Depends on the situation. But they are grouped together by Central scouitng, Strome - 4, Crouse 5 and Marner 6, so my opinion isn't exactly in left field. And I wrote that before the mid-term rankings came out and Crouse had jumped up to 4...just sayin

What do you guys think about Wiercioch?
- jfkst1

Amazing pass out of the neutral zone. Has a good shot from the point. Good to have on the 2nd PP unit. His mobility isn't as impressive as I thought it was going to be. Isn't a guy that will carry the puck up the ice through traffic (again mobility). He certainly will never be a top pairing Dman in my opinion. He's also not physical enough for his frame. But like someone said, he's getting a bitter smarter.

Jared Cowen: I know people don't want to give up on him (a part of me doesn't either) but the fact is that some times people don't work out where they are. I'd certainly look at Cowen if I was a west team like a St. Louis (not likely to get him) bcuz he'd slide in and not need to be "the guy". Also playing on a physical team like that would really benefit him. Although, again, it's a health and consistency thing for him. Biggest thing actually is not seeing that mobility that we saw when he was drafted (was moving like a Nurse or poor mans Myers)

Cowen as your #5 Dman paired with Gryba is what champonship teams are made of - Boro is also great as a depth #7 guy like a Matty Carkner who can fil in and play a game that the team needs sometimes.

Our depth is our best attirbute - but some of these great prospects will need to be traded for Eric Stall, I imagine Lehner might be one of them

Would you guys pull of this trade:

To Ottawa: Jordan Eberle *
To Edmonton: Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen, Robin Lehner

OR

To Ottawa: Jordan Eberle
To Edmonton: Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen, Rights to Andrew Hammond

Cowen as your #5 Dman paired with Gryba is what champonship teams are made of - Boro is also great as a depth #7 guy like a Matty Carkner who can fil in and play a game that the team needs sometimes.

Our depth is our best attirbute - but some of these great prospects will need to be traded for Eric Stall, I imagine Lehner might be one of them
- tuna99

Please god no...alright alright we can keep Cowen but do not trade for Staal

Cowen as your #5 Dman paired with Gryba is what champonship teams are made of - Boro is also great as a depth #7 guy like a Matty Carkner who can fil in and play a game that the team needs sometimes.

Our depth is our best attirbute - but some of these great prospects will need to be traded for Eric Stall, I imagine Lehner might be one of them
- tuna99

Maybe on Xbox or on paper but the problem is the defensive IQ and endurance

Here's what would need to be traded for Eric Staal: Michalek (4M) Greening (2.65) Cowen (3.1)

That's 9.75M. Eric Staal is 8.25M for years. That's simply not working unless he's in the top 10 NHL scoring (I mean that).

Would you guys pull of this trade:

To Ottawa: Jordan Eberle, 2015 1st round pick
To Edmonton: Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen, Robin Lehner

OR

To Ottawa: Jordan Eberle
To Edmonton: Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen, Rights to Andrew Hammond
- AlfieisKing

The first one is an absolute joke right?

The first one is an absolute joke right?
- JaredCrozier

I was gonna say...were getting McDavid? YESSSSSSS

If we could somehow pry Eberle without giving up Hoffman that would be solid.

The first one is an absolute joke right?
- JaredCrozier

Upgrading Rights to Hammond to Lehner gets you McDavid

Would you guys pull of this trade:

To Ottawa: Jordan Eberle, 2015 1st round pick
To Edmonton: Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen, Robin Lehner

OR

To Ottawa: Jordan Eberle
To Edmonton: Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen, Rights to Andrew Hammond
- AlfieisKing

These trades are a joke. Remember, it's Chiarelli now.

In order to get Eberle we would have to give up:
Anderson, Cowen, Hoffman.. and possibly a draft pick.

Would you guys pull of this trade:

To Ottawa: Jordan Eberle, 2015 1st round pick
To Edmonton: Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen, Robin Lehner

OR

To Ottawa: Jordan Eberle
To Edmonton: Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen, Rights to Andrew Hammond
- AlfieisKing

really?!?!?!?!?

i hope that was an oversight on your part.

Upgrading Rights to Hammond to Lehner gets you McDavid
- DDM-Coga

well D'UH........that's a pretty big upgrade.

well D'UH........that's a pretty big upgrade.
- sensarmy_11

bold move, I think its clearly worth it

really?!?!?!?!?

i hope that was an oversight on your part.
- sensarmy_11

Lol. I didn't have it in there on in the first one

the one I purposed to my oilers buddies: Eberele for Hoffman, Cowen, Lehner

These trades are a joke. Remember, it's Chiarelli now.

In order to get Eberle we would have to give up:
Anderson, Cowen, Hoffman.. and possibly a draft pick.
- Charliebox

I'd rather trade Anderson than Lehner.

Anderson is 34 years old in a few weeks. I'm sure he's got MAX 2-3 years left

Lol. I didn't have it in there on in the first one

the one I purposed to my oilers buddies: Eberele for Hoffman, Cowen, Lehner
- AlfieisKing

that's too much IMO

I'd rather trade Anderson than Lehner.

Anderson is 34 years old in a few weeks. I'm sure he's got MAX 2-3 years left
- AlfieisKing

I think Edmonton is going to realize that goaltending isn't the biggest issue. They see what dubnyk is doing now. Maybe they should try getting NHL caliber defencemen and it might help out their goaltending situation.