Kevin Francis: Buffalo is soft/The real story about Matt Murray/DJ shouldn't be an NHL HC!

I have often wondered if having reduced capacity actually loses the Sens more money than no capacity, since they probably have to bring in more employees when fans are in the building and spend more on upkeep and getting the Rink Covid compliant than when it is empty.

I have often wondered if having reduced capacity actually loses the Sens more money than no capacity, since they probably have to bring in more employees when fans are in the building and spend more on upkeep and getting the Rink Covid compliant than when it is empty.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Lots of people lose money, I feel for all the people who need this work, part-time or full-time staff. But good question on you wonder how much the team loses or makes during the pandemic, but you gotta think the parking $, concession $ and $ spent at the Sens store hurts the bottom line.

Sens played a strong game against the Sabres. They lost despite carrying the play into the Buffalo end all night.

Stutzle, Brannstrom and Formenton all looked really good. In fact, I thought the Sens played better than what they did in the recent wins against Edmonton and Calgary.

Full credit to the Sabres for standing tough against the physical style the Senators play.

I am convinced Sens are building a team that will be a very hard out when they finally make the playoffs. Soft teams can't go deep in the playoffs. It is always the same. After Christmas teams get serious. Edmonton has collapsed. The triple axles so easily performed in the early season are now proving more difficult. Physical play makes that kind of difference.

I watched Sheldon Keefe in his post game interview last night try to explain how the Leafs blew a 3-1 lead against the Ranger last night. His only explanation..we are too soft!

Duh! All three games (Edmonton, Calgary and Buffalo) were great character building games for the kids. Folks need to be more open in understanding that there can be great progress even when the result is not a win.

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Does anyone know how to post a short 40 sec. video link in the comment section?

Sens played a strong game against the Sabres. They lost despite carrying the play into the Buffalo end all night.

Stutzle, Brannstrom and Formenton all looked really good. In fact, I thought the Sens played better than what they did in the recent wins against Edmonton and Calgary.

Full credit to the Sabres for standing tough against the physical style the Senators play.

I am convinced Sens are building a team that will be a very hard out when they finally make the playoffs. Soft teams can't go deep in the playoffs. It is always the same. After Christmas teams get serious. Edmonton has collapsed. The triple axles so easily performed in the early season are now proving more difficult. Physical play makes that kind of difference.

I watched Sheldon Keefe in his post game interview last night try to explain how the Leafs blew a 3-1 lead against the Ranger last night. His only explanation..we are too soft!

Duh! All three games (Edmonton, Calgary and Buffalo) were great character building games for the kids. Folks need to be more open in understanding that there can be great progress even when the result is not a win.

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- spatso

Completely with you on team that are soft and how Ottawa definitely isn't one of those, they would be a hard out in the playoffs. I agree that there is progress in a loss, but its hard to watch this team play up to the level of their competition but then fail in winning games they should win. For me there was far too much perimeter hockey when it came to scoring chances or SOG. Formenton was super last game, which is probably why he's finally get a shot on the PP. No idea why it took this long?! DJ kept rolling out Tierney, my goodness. Too many vets taking important minutes from the youth on this team.

i'm curious what everyone thinks are the softest teams in the NHL?

right offhand, no single team jumps to mind.

i'm curious what everyone thinks are the softest teams in the NHL?

right offhand, no single team jumps to mind.
- PDO-Speedwagon

Did you hear Sheldon Keefe rip on his team about being soft in NY last night?

I think they are boosting J Brown for a trade. Sad as his on ice play has been, his size and handedness (see: Gudbranson, Erik) will likely see somebody pay something for his services. I don't get it, but it is what it is. There aren't many better deployments you can make if you're shooting for a good draft pick.

Did you hear Sheldon Keefe rip on his team about being soft in NY last night?
- Kevin Francis

now that you mention it, Toronto is pretty soft. they used to be pretty rough and tumble back in the day, but you wouldn't know it now. Kinda like Philly.

I think they are boosting J Brown for a trade. Sad as his on ice play has been, his size and handedness (see: Gudbranson, Erik) will likely see somebody pay something for his services. I don't get it, but it is what it is. There aren't many better deployments you can make if you're shooting for a good draft pick.
- Bartacus

But he doesn't even play a physical game, heck is defense partner threw a better hit on Okposo than Brown did all game or even all year! But yes, the longer he's in the lineup, the better the draft pick. But I just cant see any team wanting this guy on their club Like AJ said on TSN1200 yesterday back when Vegas came to Ottawa in November, the Knights GM was yelling from the pressbox to dump the puck in on JBrowns side of the ice! If that isn't telling, I don't know what it is.

now that you mention it, Toronto is pretty soft. they used to be pretty rough and tumble back in the day, but you wouldn't know it now. Kinda like Philly.
- PDO-Speedwagon

So true! Losing Foligno hurt them, Nick brought the physical part every night.

There was an article a few days ago on how the Flames should pick up JB. Speculation, but some people seem to see something in his play beyond what 20/20 vision shows to be evident.

There was an article a few days ago on how the Flames should pick up JB. Speculation, but some people seem to see something in his play beyond what 20/20 vision shows to be evident.
- Bartacus

Hey Glen Sather gave Wade Redden 4 years 24 million when everyone here knew Wade had no legs left and was fading. So I'm sure some team out there that doesn't know the full story might think he can help them!

I may be reading in between the lines a bit, but I believe there is a mental thing going on with Murray. There have been clues to it for a few years now going back to his time in Pittsburgh. Should be taken seriously for the person but also, you must think of the organization as a whole. If you aren’t able to show up every day, a prolonged absence might be best. That way, the individual gets the proper help they need and the organization can continue day to day without the disruptions. I believe long term IR could play a role if I am not mistaken. The NHL is one of the few professions where this can occur. Not as easy for average joes.

Kevin Francis: Buffalo is soft/The real story about Matt Murray/DJ shouldn't be an NHL HC!
- Kevin Francis

Would hate to lose to a soft team

Would hate to lose to a soft team
- TheSabresTaco

As an outsider, do you really think you guys carried the play for more than 25% of the game?! Your first goal was so awful, Forsberg was looking elsewhere. Then your second goal, the play should've be blown dead because a 5'9" defensemen blew up Kyle O at the benches lol. Then the only legit goal was your empty netter lol bhahah.
Ten hits, man your team really knows how to take the body to the opposition lol.

I may be reading in between the lines a bit, but I believe there is a mental thing going on with Murray. There have been clues to it for a few years now going back to his time in Pittsburgh. Should be taken seriously for the person but also, you must think of the organization as a whole. If you aren’t able to show up every day, a prolonged absence might be best. That way, the individual gets the proper help they need and the organization can continue day to day without the disruptions. I believe long term IR could play a role if I am not mistaken. The NHL is one of the few professions where this can occur. Not as easy for average joes.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yeah that TSN 1050 blurb Kev mentioned, Jeff O'Neill raises that very point.. Your obs about it going back to Pit is telling - I cannot believe Sens front office didn't see writing on the wall back then that Murray might be fool's gold, not the least of which being the Pens not resigning him at 26yo after helping win them two cups. I hope he figures it out, he seems like a good guy, albeit one lacking confidence.

TSN

"Today, I just thought we played soft, and we made poor decisions defensively," Keefe said. "We couldn't sort anything out. It was just far different. Each game has been different, so it's hard to talk about patterns other than the obvious that we've been giving up leads. I just thought we got exposed today for being a team that was just soft, soft and purposeless, and just kind of playing the game and hoping it was going to work out."

Is that not the same thing as Babcock said multiple playoff collapses ago?

I really do think the Sens are being developed to be much more than another pretty team that scores goals and gets everyone excited through the regular season only to collapse when it really matters.

This is a time for great patience. Not a time to over react. Look at the foundation that is being laid down. Is it sturdy? What it look like 2 and 3 years out?

Are the Sens allowed to play home games somewhere else, that can allow fans perhaps?

Are the Sens allowed to play home games somewhere else, that can allow fans perhaps?
- Ottawa Fan

I have really mixed thoughts on the 500 fan limit. 500 is so insignificant, I wonder if there is something more to be added to the plan. At a practical level, there is barely any difference between 500 and 0.

I look at the news release and the press conference and wonder if 50% was somehow reconfigured and came out as 500. I do not believe that number will stand for more than a few days before it is revised.

Jarry in goal for Pitt and Murray isn't even dressing at the back up tonight!

I have really mixed thoughts on the 500 fan limit. 500 is so insignificant, I wonder if there is something more to be added to the plan. At a practical level, there is barely any difference between 500 and 0.

I look at the news release and the press conference and wonder if 50% was somehow reconfigured and came out as 500. I do not believe that number will stand for more than a few days before it is revised.
- spatso

But you can have 1500 students all day at High School together, in a much smaller building than one that seats 20k lol! These kids eat together, do phys ed together, unreal, but 500 fans in an arena, yup makes sense!

500 Fans starting Jan. 31st until Feb. 21st.....then 50% capacity if the covid cases remain low.

Are the Sens allowed to play home games somewhere else, that can allow fans perhaps?
- Ottawa Fan

I say put down a sheet of ice at TD Place and have 23,000 outdoors instead!

Another soft first goal let in by Forsberg ugh!