Not too sure why both the Leafs and Sens moved away from the tougher rosters they had. They're still tough but not as much as in recent years. It brought both teams success. And the Habs actually added toughness. Of course, there is still a huge gap, and the Habs are still among the softest teams in the league. Theyll never win a round in the playoffs like that.
- prock

And now I hear Prust is done for the season. They may end up being the easiest draw in the opening round.

And now I hear Prust is done for the season. They may end up being the easiest draw in the opening round.
- Doppleganger

Except for the fact the leafs play well against the habs i think they would be one of the easier draws. When you have teams that give up the amount of shots and goals as they leafs they don't usually stick around very long.

Except for the fact the leafs play well against the habs i think they would be one of the easier draws. When you have teams that give up the amount of shots and goals as they leafs they don't usually stick around very long.
- jordan456789

Interesting. I think the habs may be the easiest draw in the east. Small, soft teams are generally easy pickings in a 7 game series. Its why the Sens had such an easy time with them last year. Not much has changed.

Not to mention, drawing the habs sets a team up quite nicely for the second round. You'd end up moving on, being nice and fresh, while the team you face is potentially a little worn down from playing a team like the Pens, Bruins, hell even the jackets. A team with a little more of a physical edge to them.

Interesting. I think the habs may be the easiest draw in the east. Small, soft teams are generally easy pickings in a 7 game series. Its why the Sens had such an easy time with them last year. Not much has changed.

Not to mention, drawing the habs sets a team up quite nicely for the second round. You'd end up moving on, being nice and fresh, while the team you face is potentially a little worn down from playing a team like the Pens, Bruins, hell even the jackets. A team with a little more of a physical edge to them.
- prock

Size is important come playoff time but the sens had such an easy time because Price sucked and Anderson played great and they didn't do quite so well in the next round. In terms of controlling the play the habs did fine just couldn't convert.

They say size counts in the playoffs as well as defense and goaltending. Both our teams have one aspect but which one is more important?

Size is important come playoff time but the sens had such an easy time because Price sucked and Anderson played great and they didn't do quite so well in the next round. In terms of controlling the play the habs did fine just couldn't convert.

They say size counts in the playoffs as well as defense and goaltending. Both our teams have one aspect but which one is more important?
- jordan456789

Haha. I wouldn't be too confident you'll get either if history is any indication.

And we all saw it. The habs got pushed around last year.

Haha. I wouldn't be too confident you'll get either if history is any indication.

And we all saw it. The habs got pushed around last year.
- prock

The habs were pushed around but my opinion was they had the majority of scoring chances and the goaltending had more to do with the outcome than size.

The habs were pushed around but my opinion was they had the majority of scoring chances and the goaltending had more to do with the outcome than size.
- jordan456789

Well you're entitled to that. I'm sure its a popular opinion among habs fans. Its not really the prevalent one otherwise though.

Well you're entitled to that. I'm sure its a popular opinion among habs fans. Its not really the prevalent one otherwise though.
- prock

And they did try to bring in some more size with Parros, who will not see much ice time in the playoffs.

And they did try to bring in some more size with Parros, who will not see much ice time in the playoffs.
- Doppleganger

It is less about him and more about the size in vanek Murray and tinorti who play a bigger role

It is less about him and more about the size in vanek Murray and tinorti who play a bigger role
- jordan456789

Murray for sure, was brought in for his size and physical play. I don't think you can say the same for Vanek. Yes he is bigger than a lot of the forwards, but he is not know for physical play, but for his scoring.

Murray for sure, was brought in for his size and physical play. I don't think you can say the same for Vanek. Yes he is bigger than a lot of the forwards, but he is not know for physical play, but for his scoring.
- Doppleganger

No but due to his size he is less prone to getting wore down.

Besides we may be small but very strong. Did you see the that push by the 5' 6" desharnais that threw the 6'3" Phaneuf to the ice with ease?

In my opinion Mark Stone has made the team for next season.

His spot is his unless he plays himself off the roster.

Mike Hoffman still has to prove himself a little more. He has blazing speed, and a wicked shot, so I see him on the team if there are other player(s) who will move on this summer via free agency, and not replaced.

In my opinion Mark Stone has made the team for next season.

His spot is his unless he plays himself off the roster.

Mike Hoffman still has to prove himself a little more. He has blazing speed, and a wicked shot, so I see him on the team if there are other player(s) who will move on this summer via free agency, and not replaced.
- Doppleganger

Agreed. And if Hoffman has a good work-out summer I have very high hopes for him - I think he can stick as long as he puts the effort into it. He has an excellent skillset to build upon. And if he wastes this opportunity, then he'll be back in Bingo and further down the ladder.

http://proxy.autopod.ca/p...er%20full%20%28jip%29.mp3


Paul MacLean is given the vote of confidence from Eugene Melnyk , and puts to bed all the rumours that he would be let go this summer.




However, Melnyk did not really say to much to quash any Spezza trade rumours, and I would not be surprised if he is actually traded.

http://proxy.autopod.ca/podcasts/chum/179/21450/melnyk%20presser%20full%20%28jip%29.mp3


Paul MacLean is given the vote of confidence from Eugene Melnyk , and puts to bed all the rumours that he would be let go this summer.




However, Melnyk did not really say to much to quash any Spezza trade rumours, and I would not be surprised if he is actually traded.
- Doppleganger

I'm not sure if you listen to the media dudes that much, but do you think the media places a much higher certainty on his departure than is really justified by anything Melnyk/Murray did or did not say? It seems like if you're breathing into a microphone you're obligated to find a new home for Spezza.

As an Edmonton fan, I'm all too aware of the things that Management/Ownership groups can do to damage the reputation of the franchise for future Free Agents/Trade Prospects.

Just as giving Ryan Smyth a fond farewell with a C on his jersey is a plus for the perception of Edmonton - and the Sedins being classy in leading the Canucks back onto the ice to congratulate him is a plus for the perception of Ottawa - the feuding Lowe got into with Brian Burke, and Darryl Katz pouting until he got his publically funded arena have a negative impact.

I wonder whether Ottawa jettisoning Alfredsson and Spezza, at least in part each of a matter of dollars and cents, in the span of a calendar year will make people wary about Ottawa in the future. They should tread (trade?) carefully.

I'm not sure if you listen to the media dudes that much, but do you think the media places a much higher certainty on his departure than is really justified by anything Melnyk/Murray did or did not say? It seems like if you're breathing into a microphone you're obligated to find a new home for Spezza.
- Mr_Squeaks

I listened to all the year end interviews yesterday, and today, the local media people took almost everything out of context, making it sound almost like the opposite of what was said.

I listened to all the year end interviews yesterday, and today, the local media people took almost everything out of context, making it sound almost like the opposite of what was said.
- Doppleganger

Ok, so it's not just me, then?

I swear, our media is racing to the bottom. I thought Booboo was bad, but guys like Don Brennan are making a strong push...

As they go deeper into the season more and more people will understand the benefit from dealing Spezza. The return would be enormous. At the beginning of the season I thought that the deal with Columbus for Johanson and Voracek might happen. Now, i believe Senator fans should be wary of any deal in reverse. Perhaps columbus might be looking to move Nash for a #1 pick and an elite prospect. Ottawa should not do that deal. If the Senators want to play for a Stanley Cup 5 to 7 years out they need to operate from the understanding that their current leaders like Spezza and Michalek will be long gone. I think they can take a run at a playoff spot in 3 years.
- spatso

Finally your wish has come true, and the re-build has taken a step back.

It was going to be impossible to replace one of the better points scoring centres in the NHL.

Only 5 players currently playing in the league have a higher PPG than Spezza's 1.06 over the past 10 seasons.

I suspect Phillips will be granted the Captaincy for the next two seasons, while the Senators have lost some ground compared to some of the other Eastern Conference teams, if the stay put as they are today.

Finally your wish has come true, and the re-build has taken a step back.

It was going to be impossible to replace one of the better points scoring centres in the NHL.

Only 5 players currently playing in the league have a higher PPG than Spezza's 1.06 over the past 10 seasons.

I suspect Phillips will be granted the Captaincy for the next two seasons, while the Senators have lost some ground compared to some of the other Eastern Conference teams, if the stay put as they are today.
- Doppleganger

No Johansen or voracek?

No Johansen or voracek?
- prock

the return wasnt so enormous

the return wasnt so enormous
- senstroll

Yeah, but we made up for that with a flurry of signings that fill our ranks with... Michalek?

Yeah, but we made up for that with a flurry of signings that fill our ranks with... Michalek?
- Mr_Squeaks

I honestly think you might have to go back to expansion teams to come up with any NHL teams that are such a mess. Two captains jump ship in under 12 months because they don't feel the organization cares about winning. They look like they may come within tens of thousands of the cap. Depleted prospect pool, a few of which were sent out for a decent, not spectacular winger, who is almost surely going to jump ship too. Attendance figures, as a % of total arena capacity, are the worst of any Canadian team in over a decade. Money issues.

What a nightmare.

I honestly think you might have to go back to expansion teams to come up with any NHL teams that are such a mess. Two captains jump ship in under 12 months because they don't feel the organization cares about winning. They look like they may come within tens of thousands of the cap. Depleted prospect pool, a few of which were sent out for a decent, not spectacular winger, who is almost surely going to jump ship too. Attendance figures, as a % of total arena capacity, are the worst of any Canadian team in over a decade. Money issues.

What a nightmare.
- prock

It starts and ends with the owner. Prudent or frivolous spending by the GM aside, if your owner is hard up for cash, bad things happen.

It starts and ends with the owner. Prudent or frivolous spending by the GM aside, if your owner is hard up for cash, bad things happen.
- Morris

it makes me so happy.