Ah! I know how much you miss me.

But, it is nearly a year since I've been gone.

I have promised I will return to the thread and post a commentary on the anniversary of my having been asked to leave (October 27). It will be a single post without follow up and it will include my annual evaluation of the blue team. I don't remember exactly how many years it has been since they have won a playoff round. I will provide clarity on the prospects for success and the ways to avoid choking off nervousness among the faithful.
- spatso

Yeah because you've been a real Nostradamus up to this point.. can't wait to bet on that hot take

I may be reading between the lines on this but watching the player interviews. Everyone seems to be pretty positive. A lot of the guys don't seem upset that Karlsson is gone. Stone was full on smiling and Boro said that Karlsson chose to explore other options rather then resigning. Which very much echos Anderson's comments about it over the summer.

I've also heard a few times that the reason Stone only signed a one year, was that he and Karlsson didn't get along and he didn't want to sign long term if Karlsson was here.

I absolutely think we got a terrible dead on Karlsson and this team is not in great shape but I kind of wonder if behind closed doors, Karlsson was the problem, not Hoffman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxlVoiAkuMk
- Maverick1818

I was told early in the summer that Stone did not want to play with Karlsson.

There was huge drama in the dressing room and most of the players wanted it all to go away.

But, I think they are now far too invested in the rebuild and I think the team is more likely to want to trade both Stone and Duchene.

Yeah because you've been a real Nostradumbass up to this point.. can't wait to bet on that hot take
- poopstash

Fixed

keep up there buttercup.

I posted that before he came out with a rebuttal and it was going viral all over hockey twitter

And a normal level headed Sens fan my man David22 posted the rebuttal which I commented on oh the Shade by Stone but I feel like you will see a lot of these stories on sens players this year bc of the click bait

Nice try, too slow Alfie as per usual
- DDM-Coga

Would probably be faster on his new account.

I was told early in the summer that Stone did not want to play with Karlsson.

There was huge drama in the dressing room and most of the players wanted it all to go away.

But, I think they are now far too invested in the rebuild and I think the team is more likely to want to trade both Stone and Duchene.
- spatso

By whom?

I may be reading between the lines on this but watching the player interviews. Everyone seems to be pretty positive. A lot of the guys don't seem upset that Karlsson is gone. Stone was full on smiling and Boro said that Karlsson chose to explore other options rather then resigning. Which very much echos Anderson's comments about it over the summer.

I've also heard a few times that the reason Stone only signed a one year, was that he and Karlsson didn't get along and he didn't want to sign long term if Karlsson was here.

I absolutely think we got a terrible dead on Karlsson and this team is not in great shape but I kind of wonder if behind closed doors, Karlsson was the problem, not Hoffman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxlVoiAkuMk
- Maverick1818

I would think that the majority of the Sens players would be happy that the Karlsson saga/drama is at least over at this point. Not saying they are happy he is no longer on the team, but happy they won't enter the season with his potential trade looming over the team.

By whom?
- david22

Somebody who is not involved in the hockey part (business or playing) but has reason to be in constant contact with many of the players.

It is actually kind of funny. I think I may have posted a few random comments. But, on October 27 I stopped regularly posting.

Since, then, several guys kept posting my old stuff and Leaf fans would comment on what I had said the year before.

It was actually kind of neat.
- spatso

I remember now - you left that thread because we kept throwing your summer talk at you, and went to the Atlantic discussion thread, where you kept talking about how the sens were the better team. Only to flee that one when the Sens started their long overdue collapse to where they are now.

I would think that the majority of the Sens players would be happy that the Karlsson saga/drama is at least over at this point. Not saying they are happy he is no longer on the team, but happy they won't enter the season with his potential trade looming over the team.
- poopstash

I think Stone does want to stay and I think he wants to be captain. I would guess 30% probability he signs long term deal in January and is named captain. 70% chance he is traded.

Would probably be faster on his new account.
- poopstash

Huge if true

By whom?
- david22

I slide into his DMs

I remember now - you left that thread because we kept throwing your summer talk at you, and went to the Atlantic discussion thread, where you kept talking about how the sens were the better team. Only to flee that one when the Sens started their long overdue collapse to where they are now.
- Feeling Glucky?

I'm sorry. I promised I would post once on October 27 with my evaluation of the blue team. But, get a hold on yourself. My opinions are merely my opinions. You should not let them upset you so much. I don't understand why more of you guys are not grateful for my leaving you alone. Without me you are free to go on forever affirming with one another that there will be no blue choke this year.

I may be reading between the lines on this but watching the player interviews. Everyone seems to be pretty positive. A lot of the guys don't seem upset that Karlsson is gone. Stone was full on smiling and Boro said that Karlsson chose to explore other options rather then resigning. Which very much echos Anderson's comments about it over the summer.

I've also heard a few times that the reason Stone only signed a one year, was that he and Karlsson didn't get along and he didn't want to sign long term if Karlsson was here.

I absolutely think we got a terrible dead on Karlsson and this team is not in great shape but I kind of wonder if behind closed doors, Karlsson was the problem, not Hoffman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxlVoiAkuMk
- Maverick1818

I got that feeling too, great player, maybe not a great teammate. Havent heard anyone really say they'll miss him as a person. For the leafs, when Kessel left or when Bozak left, guys talked more about them as people, how they'll miss their friend etc. I dunno, jhard to say what goes on behind closed doors but wouldn't be shocked if there was a weight lifted off the team now that he's gone.

I got that feeling too, great player, maybe not a great teammate. Havent heard anyone really say they'll miss him as a person. For the leafs, when Kessel left or when Bozak left, guys talked more about them as people, how they'll miss their friend etc. I dunno, jhard to say what goes on behind closed doors but wouldn't be shocked if there was a weight lifted off the team now that he's gone.
- 13sundin13

There was huge animosity between Karlsson and Melnyk and I wonder if it spilled over into the dressing room. You lose your senses of character and identity when situations become delicate to the point that the entire psyche of the team becomes fragile.

I got that feeling too, great player, maybe not a great teammate. Havent heard anyone really say they'll miss him as a person. For the leafs, when Kessel left or when Bozak left, guys talked more about them as people, how they'll miss their friend etc. I dunno, jhard to say what goes on behind closed doors but wouldn't be shocked if there was a weight lifted off the team now that he's gone.
- 13sundin13

I'm not so sure. That same clip, Stone mentions how it's hard to lose a friend. Does that count?

On a more shallow note: what's with Stone's ear-lobes? It's like Auston Matthews' nostrils, I'm wigged out when I see them.

I'm sorry. I promised I would post once on October 27 with my evaluation of the blue team. But, get a hold on yourself. My opinions are merely my opinions. You should not let them upset you so much. I don't understand why more of you guys are not grateful for my leaving you alone. Without me you are free to go on forever affirming with one another that there will be no blue choke this year.
- spatso

You've been asked not to post in that thread (laughable). You're really going to risk everything by posting in there again?

That'll be the end of trolling from church. Be careful.

Somebody who is not involved in the hockey part (business or playing) but has reason to be in constant contact with many of the players.
- spatso

Lol fake!

I was told early in the summer that Stone did not want to play with Karlsson.

There was huge drama in the dressing room and most of the players wanted it all to go away.

But, I think they are now far too invested in the rebuild and I think the team is more likely to want to trade both Stone and Duchene.
- spatso

I've heard it a few times, But Boro very clearly says in that interview I posted. that Karlsson chose not to stay. Earlier Anderson was interviewed about asking to a trade and he said that he wanted to be here as long as the drama is gone and that he hoped by the start of the year it would be (That was well after Hoffman had already been traded). Everyone kind of thought he was talking about Karlsson.

I disagree, they are invested in a rebuild but they still need vets and they still need top line guys. Stone and Duchene are simply that.

I got that feeling too, great player, maybe not a great teammate. Havent heard anyone really say they'll miss him as a person. For the leafs, when Kessel left or when Bozak left, guys talked more about them as people, how they'll miss their friend etc. I dunno, jhard to say what goes on behind closed doors but wouldn't be shocked if there was a weight lifted off the team now that he's gone.
- 13sundin13

It makes sense. Stone and Hoffman were friends, Hoffman and Duchene were friends.
I've heard people say they will miss having Hoffman there and great guy and all that... They aren't saying those things about Karlsson.

The only positive they've really said was that he is a great player and he's been here a long time.

I've heard it a few times, But Boro very clearly says in that interview I posted. that Karlsson chose not to stay. Earlier Anderson was interviewed about asking to a trade and he said that he wanted to be here as long as the drama is gone and that he hoped by the start of the year it would be (That was well after Hoffman had already been traded). Everyone kind of thought he was talking about Karlsson.

I disagree, they are invested in a rebuild but they still need vets and they still need top line guys. Stone and Duchene are simply that.
- Maverick1818

I agree with you on keeping some team leadership through rebuild period. But, I think they are going to go full blow out on salaries.

You've been asked not to post in that thread (laughable). You're really going to risk everything by posting in there again?

That'll be the end of trolling from church. Be careful.
- walshyleafsfan

Not much church lately. Had to have some knee/leg reconstruction and not able to do very much. Still a couple of weeks before I go back to work.

I agree with you on keeping some team leadership through rebuild period. But, I think they are going to go full blow out on salaries.
- spatso

To be honest, they kind of have too. Fans already wont forgive them for getting rid of Hoffman and Karlsson and all the other stuff. Losing Duchene or Stone should be an absolute "can't happen".

Fans were already pissed when we had an internal cap but were still 11th in spending. take Hoffman, Karlsson, Stone and Duchene and we would be in the bottom of the league.

Interesting Karlsson interview in San Jose. Say's he 's never felt that like this before. And he sounds very eager to get the season started.

Interesting Karlsson interview in San Jose. Say's he 's never felt that like this before. And he sounds very eager to get the season started.
- david22

The more and more information comes out and the more I see interviews with Karlsson and the current roster of Ottawa Senators. The more I seriously feel like Karlsson was the problem in the room and Ottawa wanted to sign him and there was no negotiations because Karlsson just flat out said "I will never sign... trade me"

All the Sens seem almost happy he's gone, there have been a few slip ups from multiple players saying "He chose to leave" and stuff like that.

Somebody who is not involved in the hockey part (business or playing) but has reason to be in constant contact with many of the players.
- spatso

This doesn't sound made up at all