Trevor Shackles: Senators First Half Grades: Defense and Goalies Grading the first half of the season for the Senators defense and goaltenders

I remember watching Ceci play a game in a 67's uniform (small sample size I know), and my brother and I were shocked that he was drafted so high in the first round, he looked awful competing with his 67 squad.
I watch Ceci play, and I have no idea what his identity is. I don't find that he excels at anything with his game. He's just a warm body to put on the ice.
And wasn't he labelled as Ottawa's best or second best D man before the season started?

The biggest issue with Ceci is that he has zero hockey sense.

Watch him in his own zone when he doesn't have the puck and he has no idea who to cover or where to go. He can't even defend a basic 2-on-1. He just backs up and typically always allows the pass for the tap in goal.

When carrying the puck into the offensive zone he inevitably just carries it into the corner because he has no ability to read the play to make a good pass.

Also, for a guy who is 6' 3" he rarely wins board battles. It is not a question of effort. He just seems to always lose battles.

The salt in the wound for Sens fans is that Ottawa apparently was offered Taylor Hall straight up for Ceci. When Dorion did not immediately accept the deal Edmonton moved on and made the trade for Larsson instead.

Pageau back tomorrow. That was one hell of a quick recovery from a torn Achilles.

Andy, Chabot, and Jaros all skating again, and Balcers called up.

Obviously they aren’t a playoff team....but if they get healthy I’m confident they can play themselves comfortably out of the basement

Pageau back tomorrow. That was one hell of a quick recovery from a torn Achilles.

Andy, Chabot, and Jaros all skating again, and Balcers called up.

Obviously they aren’t a playoff team....but if they get healthy I’m confident they can play themselves comfortably out of the basement
- sensarmy_11

I agree with first two, but I don't have confidence in this team until chabot it back, and ceci is traded

LA has Doughty, Quick, Kopitar.........STL has Pietrangelo, Tarasenko, and good players around them.......and their both struggling. If some of the young guys overahiceve then maybe

Btw, I don't know if people are talking about Pettersson being out and what that could mean for Tkachuk

Pageau back tomorrow. That was one hell of a quick recovery from a torn Achilles.

Andy, Chabot, and Jaros all skating again, and Balcers called up.

Obviously they aren’t a playoff team....but if they get healthy I’m confident they can play themselves comfortably out of the basement
- sensarmy_11

Excited to see what Balcers can do tomorrow.

John Ruttle
@JohnRuttlectv
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Of all the forwards, defensemen, and goalies rated, I really only take issue with your grading of Andy. I don't care what stats you post to make him seem 'below average'. That guy gets his a$$ kicked game in and game out, facing more rubber than a Vanier crack slore. And he's overplayed because we have next to zero help by way of backup. Take ANY goalie in this league and put him behind this team and see what his numbers look like.

That mother trucker gets a solid A in my book. Ottawa's MVP all day, bro!