Jared Crozier: Skinner Stabs Senators In The Heart - Again

Skinner !!!! (I hear his name said by Superintendent Chalmers every time).

And so goes the Senators season.....still in need of a 1C and top 6 LW.

takes some cojones to wind up for a clapper with that little time

Indeed. It worked, though. I don't think he expected to get it through. 3 months ago he would have hesitated on that shot and not gotten it off trying to pick a spot.

Jared, I see you mentioned that Hoffman was stuck in no-man's land on the tying goal. That was his man. It was missed coverage.

And as I said on the last thread, he had no business even being on the ice. He spent the last 1m23s out there, while his linemates changed with 40s left in the game. He is also a LW so he is closest to the bench. The Sens cleared the zone 3x so he had ample opportunity to change.

People wonder why Cameron benches the guy or demotes him, and it is because of stuff like that. Cameron put him out with the empty net (something he wouldn't normally do) to try to show confidence in the kid. Also, sometimes a simple empty-netter can get a player out of a slump.

What does Hoff do? Make Cameron look like a fool. Now people are questioning why Hoff was even out to defend the lead with the Canes goalie pulled.

Cameron 'is damned if you do, damned if you don't' with this kid right now.

Seems every week is the same. Sens win a game or two and everyone is on the positive wagon. Loose one and everyone jumps off. I think the percentage of chance for the Sens to make the playoffs is the same as last season (1.5%) or something, but it's unrealistic to assume they will put together a run. I'll watch and hope they do, but odds are odds. With no 1st line centre and really no 2nd line centre (with Turris out), you can't expect too much offence from this team.

Smith's play has been solid, but people need to pump the breaks on his hot streak. It won't last forever. He's at most a 3rd line player who can play in variety of situations.

Stone is becoming an elite talent. In my opinion he is the next building block behind Karlsson. Everyone else is a level behind. He has that work ethic and skill that is required to be elite in all situations. Too bad we don't have a few more of those kinds of guys.

You guys are way too hard on Mike Hoffman.

You guys are way too hard on Mike Hoffman.
- BINGO!

Actually, it seems to me that most Sens fans want to let him do whatever he wants.

Most Sens fans (judging by comments on here) are mad at Cameron for trying to discipline the kid.

I feel like I'm the only one who has the coach's back when it comes to Hoffman.

Seems every week is the same. Sens win a game or two and everyone is on the positive wagon. Loose one and everyone jumps off. I think the percentage of chance for the Sens to make the playoffs is the same as last season (1.5%) or something, but it's unrealistic to assume they will put together a run. I'll watch and hope they do, but odds are odds. With no 1st line centre and really no 2nd line centre (with Turris out), you can't expect too much offence from this team.

Smith's play has been solid, but people need to pump the breaks on his hot streak. It won't last forever. He's at most a 3rd line player who can play in variety of situations.

Stone is becoming an elite talent. In my opinion he is the next building block behind Karlsson. Everyone else is a level behind. He has that work ethic and skill that is required to be elite in all situations. Too bad we don't have a few more of those kinds of guys.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Nobody expects Zack Smith to be a 20 goal scorer in the future, do they? I mean, the guy had 3 points last year. THREE.

Actually, it seems to me that most Sens fans want to let him do whatever he wants.

Most Sens fans (judging by comments on here) are mad at Cameron for trying to discipline the kid.

I feel like I'm the only one who has the coach's back when it comes to Hoffman.
- Charliebox

I would take him in a heartbeat. I don't understand Ottawa's obsession with running offensive players out of town.

The thing too, is that this is a young team.

You guys don't think the entire team took notice of Hoffman staying out way past his linemates? I guarantee you they all saw it.. especially considering it helped lead to the tying goal.

If Cameron doesn't discipline play like that, then he could 'lose' a couple more guys.

Now many EK is the type of guy to stand up in the room and give Hoff poop, but he doesn't strike me as the type.

I would take him in a heartbeat. I don't understand Ottawa's obsession with running offensive players out of town.
- BINGO!

Getting him to play properly is not the same as 'running him out of town'.

I don't want to lose Hoff at all. Thing is, he's restricted for one more year. If he wants to play hockey, he has to play it in Ottawa (unless we trade him). That gives the coaches one more year to try to break him.

The thing too, is that this is a young team.

You guys don't think the entire team took notice of Hoffman staying out way past his linemates? I guarantee you they all saw it.. especially considering it helped lead to the tying goal.

If Cameron doesn't discipline play like that, then he could 'lose' a couple more guys.

Now many EK is the type of guy to stand up in the room and give Hoff poop, but he doesn't strike me as the type.
- Charliebox

6th youngest in the league.

Jared, I see you mentioned that Hoffman was stuck in no-man's land on the tying goal. That was his man. It was missed coverage.

And as I said on the last thread, he had no business even being on the ice. He spent the last 1m23s out there, while his linemates changed with 40s left in the game. He is also a LW so he is closest to the bench. The Sens cleared the zone 3x so he had ample opportunity to change.

People wonder why Cameron benches the guy or demotes him, and it is because of stuff like that. Cameron put him out with the empty net (something he wouldn't normally do) to try to show confidence in the kid. Also, sometimes a simple empty-netter can get a player out of a slump.

What does Hoff do? Make Cameron look like a fool. Now people are questioning why Hoff was even out to defend the lead with the Canes goalie pulled.

Cameron 'is damned if you do, damned if you don't' with this kid right now.
- Charliebox

I was trying not to dump on him too much because there is enough of that to go around, but he certainly did look like a player on the table top hockey game stuck going in circles.

It has now been about 10 games since it came out that ( or implied that ) the coaching staff wanted Karlsson to 'reign in' his game.

He's had 4 points, and is a minus 6 since then. Oh and his Corsi and FF stats have plummeted.

He still looks dynamic, but he's clearly not playing the same game out there, and it isn't for the better. Why anyone would want to take what is working, really really well, and change it to be more like what is NOT working, is beyond me.

Maybe if it were helping the team win. But when the team is desperate for wins and only managing a 5-3-2 record, I wouldn't say it is really doing much to help them win either.

6th youngest in the league.
- BINGO!

If you still include Chris Phillips.

It honestly seems like most Sens fans need a scapegoat when things are rocky. Cowen took the brunt of that over the last few years, but now that he is gone attention has turned to Hoffman. Yes he has played poorly, yes he is ineffective when he's not scoring, which he has not been. But that doesn't mean he is not a vital part of this team going forward.

Another note, this fan base is notorious for calling for the coaches heads when times get rough as well. We have to remember, this is the same coaching staff that sent us on the magical run just a short season ago. Players we expected to progress, didn't. Teams exposed our deficiencies on the back end and lack of depth when injuries occurred. At one point, you have to say enough is enough and honus has to be on the players. I'm not saying Cameron is a great coach. And in all honesty, was kind of disappointed, but not surprised given his history with Melnyk. I highly doubt the coach or Hoffman will be going anywhere. In fact, I don't see a whole lot of changes happening to this club. A free agent signing to shore up some depth up front. A veteran 7th dman, maybe dealing Smith while he's shooting at a crazy rate. It's slightly unfortunate, but we will have to live with this situation including all the female dogging.

The goal was not Hoffman's man. In our defensive zone the LW job is to cover the other teams LD not their LW. Hoffman was in position on the last goal and when he saw the they were setting up for a poop, he skated in to try and stop it. to me he is doing his job.

From what I saw last night, he was dangerous all night, getting scoring chances every time he got the puck despite again having deduced ice time and put on a horrible line and it was extremely clear the Carolina was targeting Hoffman and making sure players got on him quick.

There was an article put out yesterday why Hoffman should walk and the Sens get basically nothing and I wouldn't blame him.

But as he is our best scorer and should be our #1LW and a core player on the Sens. i hope we sign him long term and get him back scoring again.

The goal was not Hoffman's man. In our defensive zone the LW job is to cover the other teams LD not their LW. Hoffman was in position on the last goal and when he saw the they were setting up for a poop, he skated in to try and stop it. to me he is doing his job.

From what I saw last night, he was dangerous all night, getting scoring chances every time he got the puck despite again having deduced ice time and put on a horrible line and it was extremely clear the Carolina was targeting Hoffman and making sure players got on him quick.

There was an article put out yesterday why Hoffman should walk and the Sens get basically nothing and I wouldn't blame him.

But as he is our best scorer and should be our #1LW and a core player on the Sens. i hope we sign him long term and get him back scoring again.
- Maverick1818

Seriously, man? :|

you do understand how RFA status works, right?

He can be offer sheeted. We then have a right to match ANY OFFER.

There is no walking possible for Hoffman, unless we fail to qualify him.

Seriously, man? :|

you do understand how RFA status works, right?

He can be offer sheeted. We then have a right to match ANY OFFER.

There is no walking possible for Hoffman, unless we fail to qualify him.
- Mr_Clean

Traded for Phaneuf probs

I would take him in a heartbeat. I don't understand Ottawa's obsession with running offensive players out of town.
- BINGO!

Now you know how I feel. I swear most fans would be more satisfied with an entire team of Zach Smiths and JG Pageaus running around. Screw actual talent.

Now you know how I feel. I swear most fans would be more satisfied with an entire team of Zach Smiths and JG Pageaus running around. Screw actual talent.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

These are the same people who think the Hurricanes should trade Jeff Skinner. Why the hell would a person do that? You can teach someone to play defense. That kind of offensive instinct is very hard to find.

Conversely there are about 100 guys in the AHL and NHL who can do what Zach Smith does.

but, but.....the reason he wasn't scorign was because he didn't have enough ice time.
- sensarmy_11

Doesn't help that one of his linemates is a ghost and the other a one-legged baboon.

These are the same people who think the Hurricanes should trade Jeff Skinner. Why the hell would a person do that? You can teach someone to play defense. That kind of offensive instinct is very hard to find.

Conversely there are about 100 guys in the AHL and NHL who can do what Zach Smith does.
- BINGO!

Why does Jeff Skinner need to play good defense? I don't understand that line of thinking either. He's there to score goals and create offensive magic, same with Hoffman. I don't understand the fascination with having all players capable of playing two-way. It's not practical.