Jared Crozier: Game Day: Senators @ Blackhawks & Some Team Canada Thoughts

Never thought this version of Team Canada was a serious contender. Strome played well, Marner was really good yesterday, Chabot looked solid playing against really tough talent. But right from the start there was way too much focus on top end of line up. So, when they played the Finns you knew they they were I trouble because the Finns had an even better top talented first line.

Great tournament for Sens prospects. All five guys played well and all five have a shot at playing in NHL.

Jaros, captain of Slovack team. Played a really physical game, good puck handler I think he could slot into Ottawa roster today over Cowen or Borowiecki.

Englund, captain of Team Sweden. Played against other teams top players, solid stay at home Dman. Holds his position really well, looks like a smart player. Obviously well respected by his highly talented team mates.

Chaplik played for Czech Republic. Did not see any of his games. Not sure how he played during tournament.

Thomas Chabot youngest and best Dman playing for Team Canada. Great skater, smart player that will probably be captain of Team Canada next year.

Colin White Assistant Captain Team USA. He plays head to head against other teams top players and so far in every game he has been able to outplay them. Scouts love his game. He will play in the NHL next year and will force Ottawa to make some choices down the middle. If the U.S. wins their next two games and the Gold medal, it will have a lot to do with White being able to outplay the top Russian and Swede/Finn players. This is a player that Ottawa fans can get very excited about. (Remember most players are delayed in getting to the NHL because they do not play a good defence game. Most highly talented forwards have spent most of their minor hockey careers on the attack. White has built his game around D first. He is the guy that first shut down Team Canada's offensive attack.)

The thing I hate about the World Juniors is it is always the kids that get blamed for poor play - what about the coaches? This team never gelled, never seemed to come together and was completely undisciplined - all coaching things.


And tha old quote about hockey "They should call it goaltending instead of hockey because without it you have nothing"

In a lot of ways I thought the Canda Finland game was like watching a Sens game - Totally out of control, all individual play and individual talent winning, poor coaching , no system and very exciting.

The Senators always seem to give Chicago problems. I am a Hawks fan living in the Ottawa area and I always seem to be eating crow after trash talking before the game.

It's interesting that you show Ottawa's ability to win when they are out-shot, because the same thing is happening in Chicago. They are actually a better team, as far as their record goes, when they get out-shot.

I'm expecting another game between these two that is high speed with a lot of scoring chances. Right now I would give the advantage to Chicago, but only slightly. This game should be close, and I'd think a 4-3 or 5-3 final either way should be expected.

The Senators always seem to give Chicago problems. I am a Hawks fan living in the Ottawa area and I always seem to be eating crow after trash talking before the game.

It's interesting that you show Ottawa's ability to win when they are out-shot, because the same thing is happening in Chicago. They are actually a better team, as far as their record goes, when they get out-shot.

I'm expecting another game between these two that is high speed with a lot of scoring chances. Right now I would give the advantage to Chicago, but only slightly. This game should be close, and I'd think a 4-3 or 5-3 final either way should be expected.
- Hawks_49

Ottawa is going to get pumped - we are in the denial stage of our season. We are denying how our team plays and lack of leadership - right now we are transferring to blame - blaming the schedule, the travel, the holidays for our play.

Denial - Blame - and then it will turn to Anger, then grief, then acceptance.

Seems be happening on a regular basis here, we have our 7 stages of Sens hockey all sorted out. After tonight we will be entering the Anger stage

Ottawa is going to get pumped - we are in the denial stage of our season. We are denying how our team plays and lack of leadership - right now we are transferring to blame - blaming the schedule, the travel, the holidays for our play.

Denial - Blame - and then it will turn to Anger, then grief, then acceptance.

Seems be happening on a regular basis here, we have our 7 stages of Sens hockey all sorted out. After tonight we will be entering the Anger stage
- tuna99

Nah, I don't agree that they'll get pumped. The team plays poorly defensively but not offensively, they definitely have leadership. They've not been very good defensively, but that's really the only issue with the team because the offence is still around top 5 I think, and the goaltending has been outstanding. It's not transferring blame to point at a tough schedule. It's nothing more than pointing out that they have a tough schedule. It's almost like you're already mad about the team losing games that they haven't even played yet.

They'll be fine. They won't be a contender until they've removed Wiercioch+Cowen from their roster permanently, but I'm pretty sure that they know this and are taking steps to correct this. It's just that those steps take time, obviously a trade can't be made in 10 minutes. It would also be nice to be able to put Hoffman-MacArthur-Michalek-Prince down the left side of the ice instead of having Smith out there for example. That's not making excuses either, those are some tough injuries to deal with and not having them makes games harder to win.

If you're not prepared to accept tough opponents and key injuries as reasons for losing some games, then what do you attribute it to? No matter what you link here, it's still an excuse. Doesn't matter in the end, they'll play the games and I'm sure we'll soon see the last of Cowen in particular, and probably Wiercioch by the deadline as well. They will improve.

Yup. Gotta agree that TC didn't have the IT factor this year, but also lacked top end defencemen and the goaltending was dissapointing.
As for the sens; We are at a stage in the rebuild where the team can finally properly evaluate the younger players and see how they project in the lineup. There's almost no more Vets to insulate and shoulder the blame. We are seeing lots of positives in late round gems like Hoffman and Stone which is HUGE for the team, first line talent is very difficult to acquire. But we are clearly seeing that our D core and bottom 6 are lacking. I think another year of retooling is necessary to fill up the roster.
I'd prefer it if the sens are clearly out of the playoffs by the tdl so that they can be sellers and clear out the peices that don't fit. And get some legit help on D and the bottom 6 on the free agent market. Aside from peumps, white and Chabot, the rest of our prospect pool are depth role players, most of the rebuilt peices are in the lineup now, this summer is the time to surround our core with quality players.

How many goals will Ottawa spot the Hawks before they wake up tonight? 2/3/ 4??
and..given that this is occasionally a rumor blog,...Hey Jared, any thoughts on the Sens going after Drouin?
What would it cost to get it done?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK00KESZ-YA

sad, but now true...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK00KESZ-YA

sad, but now true...
- ahjnkn

There is way too much focus put on a 19 year old tournament. Canada will now freak out and say that we don't develop hockey players as well as the rest of the world, untill we win gold next year and then we can say we are better at developing hockey players then any other country. Team just didn't seem to gel and had poor goaltending.

There is way too much focus put on a 19 year old tournament. Canada will now freak out and say that we don't develop hockey players as well as the rest of the world, untill we win gold next year and then we can say we are better at developing hockey players then any other country. Team just didn't seem to gel and had poor goaltending.
- cburgess

I agree. The whole tournament is nothing more than an over-glorified NHL scouting combine anyway for players drafted in the last few years or who are about to be drafted, and serves as a ratings play by TSN for boosting ad revenue over the holiday season and during their summer draft coverage.

Adding petty nationalism into the mix is idiotic, because in the end most hockey fans don't care where future stars come from, as long as they become stars for their NHL team. Ottawa cares more about a Swedish defenceman now than anyone who has played for Canada in the last ten years, and even though players like Cowen and Stone both wore the Maple Leaf, we owe more to the Swedish national development program for our hockey happiness than anything thanks to Alfie and Karlsson.

But if we emphasize their triumphs so much when they win, they will also react in an equivalent manner if they lose. It's the bad hockey parent mentality reflected at a national level, and something we should really be thinking about in terms of how it impacts not only the players, but the culture of hockey as a whole.

The Jonothan Drouin saga in Tampa bay reminds me a lot of the Turris in Arizona saga from 4 years ago.. That trade worked out pretty good for Ottawa.

Tampa has no cap space, so it would have to be a pick and prospect(s) going back the other way. Unless the Sens take back a bad contract like Matt Carle.


To Ott: Drouin, Carle

To TB: 2016 2nd, Weircoch, Lazar


Hoff - Turris - Ryan
Drouin - Zib - Stone
Mac - JGP - chiasson
Michalek - Smith - Neil

Methot - karlsson
Carle - Ceci
Cowen - Boro

When will they score a goal?

Scratching my head: Bobby Ryan plays a shift with Neil and Smith with 2 minutes left. They change to first line, pull Anderson, and Chiasson comes out as extra attacker. Yikes

This team is getting frustrating to cheer for.

The bottom 6 outside of JPG are just a big minus. Over 82 games most won't be near 20 points and that with generous power play time for Chiasson and sometimes Lazar. Every one has a serious deficit in their capabilities that makes them suspect, whereas other teams have some reasonably good players in that mix who are solid. Chiasson by the way has zero even strength goals half way through the season.

The top guys aren't scoring now, but are reasonably good, outside of not much speed.

If Colin White is nearly NHL-ready, would you be willing to give Zibby+ for Drouin, or maybe Zibby + Lazar for Drouin + a little something? I love Zibby 25 nights a year, but the other 57 he just doesn't give you the feeling that making a difference is anything he is overly passionate about.

It is also getting a little frustrating watching the captain involved in so many goals against lately, with risky plays or just not tying anybody up the cause of many. Maybe the extra ice time is adding up, or the lack of others producing makes him feel he needs to do too much, but having your captain making a lot of the plays that are losing games does not add to the team first mentality.

This team is getting frustrating to cheer for.

The bottom 6 outside of JPG are just a big minus. Over 82 games most won't be near 20 points and that with generous power play time for Chiasson and sometimes Lazar. Every one has a serious deficit in their capabilities that makes them suspect, whereas other teams have some reasonably good players in that mix who are solid. Chiasson by the way has zero even strength goals half way through the season.

The top guys aren't scoring now, but are reasonably good, outside of not much speed.

If Colin White is nearly NHL-ready, would you be willing to give Zibby+ for Drouin, or maybe Zibby + Lazar for Drouin + a little something? I love Zibby 25 nights a year, but the other 57 he just doesn't give you the feeling that making a difference is anything he is overly passionate about.

It is also getting a little frustrating watching the captain involved in so many goals against lately, with risky plays or just not tying anybody up the cause of many. Maybe the extra ice time is adding up, or the lack of others producing makes him feel he needs to do too much, but having your captain making a lot of the plays that are losing games does not add to the team first mentality.
- WillieAA

Just beccause Droiun was a good jr sure as hell doesn't mean he is worth top end talent like zibby or lazar. right now i wouldn't trade either player straught up for droiun. he has bust written all over him. bad attitude and one dimensional player. sorry bud you are not in the Q anymore. He wasn't even that great in the world juniors, when he is playing against top talent he gets shut down pretty quick.

The lines are baffling. I can't even comment. Cameron should explain why he keeps going to failing combos and not going back to what worked.

Murray should be pressing hard to get Drouin. I really think Lazar could be a big piece in a deal that Yzerman would like. Of course a couple of other assets would have to be added, but Lazar + would be a fine deal. Especially with Colin White on the way to replace Lazar. Drouin would look good on the 2nd line on the left wing.

Just beccause Droiun was a good jr sure as hell doesn't mean he is worth top end talent like zibby or lazar. right now i wouldn't trade either player straught up for droiun. he has bust written all over him. bad attitude and one dimensional player. sorry bud you are not in the Q anymore. He wasn't even that great in the world juniors, when he is playing against top talent he gets shut down pretty quick.
- JS_19

Since when are Zibby and Lazar "top end talent"? I wouldn't hesitate to trade Lazar for Drouin straight up (we will have to add more in that deal in reality). I think making a Zibby/Drouin deal is a bit of a sideways move. We'd get a good left winger but loose a centre for the short term. Drouin is a good player. He just doesn't fit in with the Tampa garbage. St. Louis wanted out, now Drouin, Stamkos is next. Something isn't going right down there.

This team is cursed with horrible coaching.

Since when are Zibby and Lazar "top end talent"? I wouldn't hesitate to trade Lazar for Drouin straight up (we will have to add more in that deal in reality). I think making a Zibby/Drouin deal is a bit of a sideways move. We'd get a good left winger but loose a centre for the short term. Drouin is a good player. He just doesn't fit in with the Tampa garbage. St. Louis wanted out, now Drouin, Stamkos is next. Something isn't going right down there.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

He is for sure worth taking a chance on, as top end talent I was refering to top end prospects Zibby and Lazar are basically kids still. St Louis wanted out because he felt unapreciated when he wasn't named to team canada, Drouin wants out because he expects ice time rather then earning it and if Stamkos goes it's simply because he just doesnt wanna be in the state of florida playing hockey. Colin White is simply awesome and like I said before I was amazed he was still available when it was time for us to pick. As for Cameron he is like the rest of the coaches we had they all seem to fall into this stuborn trap of thinking they are doing the right thing and won't admit they should be doing something else. Anyone putting Zack Smith a number one line has no buisness coaching in the NHl. Zack Smith is lucky to be in the NHl as a fourth line hockey player.

Dissapointing game offensively, but defensively that was actually pretty decent. Wiercioch has turned it around and Claesson looked solid.

"EMPTY NET! Chiasson in all alone, with the breakaway on the EMPTY NET - he shoots it wide. Gets his own rebound, he hits the Post. Still digging for it, he's banging away at it on the side of the net, how did he not score there?"

"Well Dean, Alex Chiasson just can't seem to be able to move the net to where he is shooting the puck and Dave Cameron talked about this, Instead of shooting the puck into the open areas of the net, Chiasson is trying to use the force and have the net go to where he is shooting the puck, it might look unorthodoxed but you can't blame this young man for trying to break his slump."

I'd could use a Spzza giggle right now.

Lazar should have started the year in Bingo. He wasn't ready to make the jump to the NHL so early. If it wasn't for the fact that Ottawa doesn't have the top end talent that they so desperately need I think the Sens needed to see just what he was capable of. Once Michalek and MacArthur get healthy I would like to see Lazar and Chiasson both get sent down.

As for last night, I'm not sure why they're having such a problem getting the damned puck on the net. I'll give Chicago credit for taking away the shooting lanes quite often but that doesn't account for all the perimeter shots. Maybe now they'll find time to get a few practises in and start practising their shooting techniques.

Also, why does each power play need 20 passes before a shot is even taken?