I still dont get the MDZ thing. He has 27 pts in 24 games, 3PPG, 2 GWG and a +4. Why not bring him up against some of the weak team Ottawa will be playing this week?! Give him a look. There's definitely more to this story and I've been digging around on it.
- Kevin Francis

The thing I don’t understand, seem management was not happy with MDZ outside the rink. But why put him in Belleville with our young prospect. Why not leave him at home, until a trade

OK. So I've been thinking about this three goalie issue in Ottawa and I have to say I don't see a problem. None of the three - Murray, Forsberg or Gus inspire enough confidence in me to say that they are a bona fide starter. Murray blows hot and cold and seems to be injury prone. Forsberg can play lights out sometimes but then lets in softies like that third goal against Seattle. Gus played great at the end of last season but not so much in games this year.

Why not have three goalies for now; but the issue next year will be having to waive one of them as I understand it. Why?

If Murray is playing great and is available then let Forsberg or Gus be the backup and let the third guy be a healthy scratch. If Forsberg is playing great then do the same thing with the other two. If you want to waive one for some reason then let it be Murray because nobody is going to take him.

Two years from now Murray's contract is gone and if you give Forsberg two years the same thing. Two years from now you should know what you have in Gus or Sogaard or whoever. You're not going to be a serious challenger for the Cup for at least two years and if it turns out you need to trade for a number one goalie so be it. Neither Murray or Forsberg are taking you to the Cup in my opinion but they can get you to the playoffs next year even without acquiring a top six RW or a top 4 RD.

You just can't depend on any of these guys for now and I would hate to have to spend assets on acquiring somebody like Forsberg next year because you gave him away and now you're left with a struggling or injured Murray and a disappointing Gus.

A lot depends on what Sanderson will bring to the table along with JBD or Thomson or maybe even Kleven. Or Grieg. Keep Paul and Brown and even Watson because at least he knows his role and plays it. Ennis is fine for now.

They need management capable of bringing in a couple of bottom six guys that are actually interested and capable playing. I'm not a fan of Kelly. You have to love his heart but he's just not good enough and these guys like Sanford and Gambtel and Gaudette don't do much for me. Maybe it's because they're being slotted too high in the lineup.

They're making the playoffs next year unless the hockey gods poop all over them again! I have no doubt of this except for friggin Smith and Pierre "Proudest Day of My Life" Dorion because they seem to be capable of screwing up things like nobody's business.

Even I could take these guys to the playoffs next year. Somebody give me a job!

Amendment: I'm not nearly smart enough to get any team to the playoffs let alone the Sens but a good coach and a good GM could.
- Whatisavailable

Great post! The goalie issue, I think will sort itself out this summer as I know Dorion will be active in trying to move Murray. Murray isn't a fit here longterm, everyone knows it, move on and make sure there are no distractions to start next season. Ottawa is in good hands with what they have coming up the pipeline. Gus/Sogaard/Manolese and the Finish kid.

If DJ is still here to start the season, the one thing I hope he learned is to stop the ridiculous/out of control, intense training camps. Every player has stated off the record, over the last 2 seasons that they've never had a such a hard training camp. Then low and behold, this team comes out of the gate with no legs, hmmm.....I wonder why?! Another reason this coach is in over his head. This isn't the OHL where DJ did that sort of thing in Oshawa.

Naturally, a huge upgrade in the pro scouting department needs to take place in Ottawa! You watch teams like Vegas and Vancouver, they got Ben Hutton and Luke Schenn for peanuts, but Ottawa gives out a 2 year deal to MDZ when no other team was willing to give a 2nd year.

Finding the right role players over the next 2 years will be critical too, which is why pro scouting needs to get beefed up!

I hear your frustration about the 2 leading this franchise, it's beyond sub par and everyone knows it. It would be nice to at least see one of them let go and then if Ottawa misses the playoffs next year, for the 6th straight season, no way PD survives it.

The thing I don’t understand, seem management was not happy with MDZ outside the rink. But why put him in Belleville with our young prospect. Why not leave him at home, until a trade
- Crosside

They really weren't happy with MDZ when Murray went down, as they two of them put a ton of pressure on management as they both felt like scapegoats, naturally not to the same effect with MDZ but MDZ really felt like he wasn't given a fair chance here. In fact, he talked with DJ at length before signing in Ottawa to make sure what his role would be. This is the problem with DJ, he promised MDZ top 4 minutes then he was a healthy scratch to start the year, so that led to a lot of animosity off the ice by MDZ. The word is getting around the league about DJ and PD, how they run things. They need to tread lightly here because no UFA will ever want to sign here with those 2 running the show. Now, I do know for a fact that MDZ has been incredible with the young prospects down in Belleville, beyond big time pro. But still, if you are going to pay him, like you said, send him home til a trade happens or something in the off-season. But Belleville is desperate to make the playoffs so they will naturally use MDZ as he has been very productive down there. Eventually, I will write about a few other things with MDZ and what went on behind closed doors.

Absolutely could like that. I think the need to upgrade the defense is far more concerning that the top6 forward. Not saying getting another forward with skill shouldn't happen, but every time Murray gets hurt its when Zaitsev or JBrown are on the ice and they crash into him, no joke! It's Murray's biggest hang up with this defense. Like I wrote about 3 weeks ago.
- Kevin Francis

If they go after top 4 better buyout Zeitsev lol

You have a young exciting Hockey Team with Brady driving the bus, enjoy them.

You have a young exciting Hockey Team with Brady driving the bus, enjoy them.
- henny1953

A+

Over the next few weeks the Sens will be bringing Sanderson into their line up plus adding Batherson and maybe even Pinto. It is probable both Sanderson and Pinto head for some playoff ice time with Belleville.

I am disappointed they did not hang closer to the leaders (at least until Christmas). However, I am not at all discouraged, this is going to be a very good team.

If they go after top 4 better buyout Zeitsev lol
- sens4life1971

Zaitsev as a 6 D is okay. As a 2D, not so much.
Just moving him down the lineup or saddling Chabot with him improves the team greatly.

If u just ignore the cap hit...

Canes working on a 8 year deal with KK for 4.25-4.5M per, he has so far 11g and 12A in 53 games, Would you rather have White or KK at that price

Canes working on a 8 year deal with KK for 4.25-4.5M per, he has so far 11g and 12A in 53 games, Would you rather have White or KK at that price
- Mithos

This is where teams are nuts, just crazy overpaying for a guy like that. In 3-4 years they will be buying him out. He's a small forward that doesn't go to the dirty areas and wasn't developed properly in Montreal in his early years. CAR could spend the money better elsewhere, like on defense when there young guys need new contracts.

You have a young exciting Hockey Team with Brady driving the bus, enjoy them.
- henny1953

Sure they are but I hesitate to crown them anything as long as they have Pierre Dorion and DJ Smith driving the bus as you say.

Canes working on a 8 year deal with KK for 4.25-4.5M per, he has so far 11g and 12A in 53 games, Would you rather have White or KK at that price
- Mithos

Jesperi Kotkaniemi Playoff stats spread over 82 games:

22 goals, 13 assists - 35 points

He's still only 21 years old (white is 25), I'll take KK

after whiffing on so may short handed chances, brown finaly gets one

What a BS call! There was nothing wrong with that hit.

What a BS call! There was nothing wrong with that hit.
- Whatisavailable

THey punish the result, that was the problem with that one!

what a shot by Chabot

Nice to see Ottawa up 2-0 early!

what a shot by Chabot
- Mithos

Yup and great screen!

after whiffing on so may short handed chances, brown finaly gets one
- Mithos

Yes, finally! Nice to see him get rewarded.

Fun game to watch. Everybody playing well. Lots of hits. Good speed. Scoring chances and a two goal lead. Gotta love it.

now watch OTT win most of their remaining games and draft in the mid to late teens./..

Spoke too soon.

now watch OTT win most of their remaining games and draft in the mid to late teens./..
- Mithos

They need to stay in the bottom 10 of the overall standings! Ugh! Just like the year Anderson came in, they wanted Landeskog but he was gone at pick number 6, because they finished strong! They got Mika Z instead!

Fun game to watch. Everybody playing well. Lots of hits. Good speed. Scoring chances and a two goal lead. Gotta love it.
- Whatisavailable

Yup, it has everything this game, great game to watch. But man Forsberg looks tired, not as quick and square to shooter like normal, he was showing signs of it in the 3rd period against Seattle. This coach needs to get a better read on his players. By the time Gustavsson starts on Monday, he will have been off 10 days and this kid needs games right now, not to be watching! I'm telling you, his development this season has been average, because he never plays! He needs game action. Then if he has a bad outing everyone will be doubting him, but when he's seeing a lot of game time, like to end last year and in Oct/Nov this year, he is on top of his game. But he needs game action!

Spoke too soon.
- Whatisavailable

Yikes, 3rd goal by CHI, weak! Horrible angles by Forsberg.