Don't Call It A Crawlback: The Temporary Return of Stranger In Leaf Nation

(Photo via sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

It's been a Recchi age since I've dropped a post for y'all on SILN. The main reason is mostly laziness, or as most people call it these days, "being busy". The other secondary reasons are the Sens inactivity since they decided not to make the playoffs this year, watching other teams play while offering them my temporary allegiance (Canucks) and trying to get Paqman & Bull to a top 100 ranking with Technorati (we were a Top 100 hockey blog for a few weeks). You can check out a few of my hockey related posts here and here.

A few stories of interest to pass along:

- The BSens have won the Calder Cup in 6 games thanks to everybody's favorite Swedish ticking timebomb and your 2011 AHL playoff MVP Robin Lehner. From what I've read on the Sens blogosphere, the Kid was lights out. The incredible part about his first year with the Pros was his journey. He was the franchise's yo-yo: called up, sent back down, played in the WJC...basically no stability. Some said that it would seriously hinder his development. So much for that. This kid has a bright future ahead of him.

- Alfie opted to get surgery to repair his nagging back issues. He should be good to go in a month and a half. Knowing Alfredsson, he'll be fully recovered the next day and will start his summer training. He is Wolverine, with more ginger.

- I lost my Sens cap! So pissed since I can't find the same style...if you see a fitted black Sens hat with a monochrome logo on the front and the "O" on the back, take that thieving mofo out and email me for shipping details.

- Looks like the Cory Clouston Fashion Review broke up with me without letting me know...which is cool since I wasn't contributing much. I still have nothing but love for that blog, and I'm a huge fan of James. I've never seen a blogger post such sporadic, borderline insane posts that are absolutely brilliant and hilarious at the same time. Anyone who drops that many Wu-Tang references is top notch in my book! Kudos to the CCFR crew and I really hope they keep the name even though Clouston is a goner. Maybe someday SILN and CCFR will make up in the McDonald's washroom on Rideau street. Only time will tell.

- I've been asked to help out a new hockey blog collective called yourhockeysite.ca. I've contributed one post so far, and will probably keep up a "post a month" pace for the time being.

- Enough with the Spezza trade talk/bullshit. Seriously.

- Once the playoffs are done, I'm gonna write about the Sens Effect on the 2011 NHL Playoffs. ***spoiler alert: it will be awesome.***

- Did I mention my other blog, Paqman & Bull? WTF are you waiting for? Go now!

- The entry draft is around the corner and it looks like we'll get a fine prospect. I'm hoping the Sens can snag a cat like Couturier, Strome or Landeskog at the 6th spot.

If you've been waiting for a new post over the last 2 months...sorry. Expect posts every once a while until the season starts again, them I'm going hard! If you don't give a shit, I'm sorry you're a Leafs fan and a jerk.

-Marc P

Anderson Running Away With Your Votes

Anderson really wants Karzai's hat. Trade for Senators PJs? (Photo kinda via daylife.com)

As a Federal election looms, a new candidate has burst onto the scene. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present your new representative for Carleton-Mississippi Mills and Prime Minister hopeful: Craig Anderson.

His platform includes:

- heavy investments in the Department of Defense
- option to veto any new Senators
- zero tolerance for "elitist" Media dissension towards his team
- infusion of young talent into his party for a fresh perspective and palpable energy

Mr Anderson is committed to a four year term and will consider his options once that time has passed.

His catch line: 'I'll take one in the chest, arm, or leg for the team."

Harper doesn't stand a chance. I'm positive he'll throw mud at the Anderson Movement with statements like "He didn't come here for you" or "Anderson formed a previous coalition", but do not believe a word of it. Be strong and make the right choice.

4 More Years

This is late (so don't hate). I wanted to wait a few days before posting my opinion on Anderson's new contract with the Sens. My initial thoughts on the signing remain: money for the new #1 is fair, NTC and NMC are absent which is great and length of the contract is...well...too long. Anderson had most of the chips during the negotiations, and it seems like he wanted security with the 4 year re-up. On the flip side, it wasn't a 5 to 7 year deal. If that would've been the case, I would've lost my mind. 4 years is a mid sized contract in term of years. I prefer 2 to 3 years, especially for a guy that has played such a small sample of games for Ottawa, to assure that the investment isn't a knee jerk reaction. Others will say that the team needed a guy like Anderson. I'll be the first to admit that he has brings confidence and swagger to the club, which was terribly needed. This signing gets the SILN seal of approval...still feel that's it 1 year too long.

What about Lehner? According to an interview that I read with Lehner and Bingo beat writer Joy Lindsay, he is learning the English language and is ready to play with the B-Sens for the next few years to develop his game after meeting with Old Man Murray. So we can expect the Lehner-niac to challenge for the #1 spot within the next few years.

Winning by Committee

The Sens have been without their Captain for what seems like an eternity. Another sad chapter in the longest season in ages. It's weird seeing this team play without their Captain for a huge portion of the year. But there is a bright side to all of this: Spezza has stepped up huge since Alfie went down. Kinda makes me wonder what would have been if Spezza was around during that massive losing streak that determined the fate of this season. What if they went .500 during the losing streak? Or even .750? Would they be fighting for a playoff spot?

The kids keep impressing and are producing with the ice time they have be awarded. Greening, Condra, and Butler continue to show that they belong with the club and are putting up impressive auditions for next year. This team will be fun to watch for the next few years, even though they might really suck.

Another Saturday Hiatus

The Sens are playing this afternoon at 2 against the Thrashers, which is the Game of the Day in Uzbekistan. Anderson starts again for a team that has won 7 of their last 10 games. So they are one of the hottest clubs in the league. Too bad it doesn't count for much except pride. The pride of winning when it doesn't count and working for next season. Awesome.

-Marc P

Comeback Futility



(photo via bjjafter40.com )


Great game in Columbus last night. I had written them off as dead after the 3rd Blue Jacket goal but they thankfully proved me wrong. Alfie had a great game netting the equalizer in the 3rd and it looked like he could've scored a few more. Kuba also looked great in the press box. I read that he'll be back in the lineup tonight against the Leafs while Lee will be the healthy scratch. Ruutu is also sitting out to allow O'Brian to play in his second career game.

Minny Jimmy was by far the most aggressive Ottawa forward. He skated hard, took shots and fought for the puck. Now I'm no NHL coach but I never like seeing the bench shortened with your best line taken out of the equation. The Jimmy-Jesse-Zachy line were creating chances all night. Common sense would dictate more ice time. Clouston sense says no. I would expect a rookie to bobble the puck in OT but Kovalev played that role, which ended up being the game winning giveaway. The team will take the point on the road.

Also caught the Canada/Sweden tilt which was very entertaining. The Swedes deserved that win since they took it to the Canadians for the better part of the third and OT. Lehner made the key saves (and also let in some questionable goals). The future looks bright for the Senators with Lehner and Cowan in the wings.

Leafs are in Ottawa on this first day of 2011. A perfect way to start off the New Year.

All the best to you and yours in the year before the 2012 apocalypse. Hope you all have a successful year.

-MP

New Year's Resolutions (Besides Scoring More Goals)

UPDATE: According to the official Ottawa Senators twitter account, O'Brien and Lee are in, Kuba and Ruutu are out. Oh hell yeah!!

Kovalev let Murray know that he's doing a great job...no changes necessary (photo via randomjottings.net)

My plan to attend the game on Wednesday didn't come to fruition, which ended up not being such a huge loss (pun somewhat intended). As is always the case during the holidays, friends and family are first in line. 2nd is beer (which can be mixed with holiday option #1). 3rd is the World Junior Championship. And last but not least is pretty much everything else, from hockey to sleep.

All I saw from Wednesday night's game were the highlights from NHL.com and it looked like the Sens had their chances. I also cruised through the World O Senators blogs to get some background for this post and the conclusion is a 2 part breakdown: missed opportunities and weak defensive play.

It looked like Elliott let in a few softies with no thanks given to his first line of defense. Kuba....what more can be said about the high priced veteran? He brings nothing to this team except giveaways and turnovers.

Well it's time to go over a few New Year's resolutions for your favorite Ottawa based pro team located in Kanata:

Filip Kuba

Work on hitting offensive players from the opposing team, remember that clearing the puck out of the defensive zone is a good tactic and stop with the giveaways.

Mike Fisher

Take the rest of the season off to get healthy and realize that he's a 3rd line centre getting primo minutes. Be thankful.

Chris Kelly

Thank the good people at Easton for the magical sticks of goal scoring. Get more.

Alexei Kovalev

Ease off the saxophone practice and work on attacking the offensive zone alone against 5 defenders.

Jason Spezza

Stop crying himself to bed while clutching his Heatley plush doll and repeating "I'm a creative guy and those turnovers are gonna happen."

Cory Clouston

Buy a Hugo Boss suit and hire Ray Emery as his personal fashion advisor.

Erik Karlsson

Continue to embarrass the forwards on the team. Out: Two and a Half Men. In: CSI: Byward Market.

Brian Lee

Start a food vendor business at Scotiabank Place featuring the Lee Me Down: a battered deep fried burger topped with jalapeno cheese and chicken fingers (preferably dinosaur shaped) and 2 regular burger patties used as buns.

Daniel Alfredson

Keep doing what he does and continue to bleed out profusely for this team...and not complain about it. Can someone give this guy the fuckin Order of Canada already?

Bryan Murray

Get a nice letter of recommendation from Melnyk and ask players to give recommendations on LinkedIn.

New Year's Eve Showdown

Columbus is on tap tonight with Jim O'Brien getting the call up to play. So I'm assuming that Mr. Smith will hang out with Lee in the press box and Jimmy O will get his shot. Looking forward to seeing the kid play.

Also looking forward to the Canada / Sweden tilt today which will showcase the future of Ottawa's last line of defense: Lehner from Sweden and Cowen from Canada.

-MP

My HFBoards Trade Wish List Madness



The Elliott Christmas stocking. New feature!! It's full of holes (pic via sportskids.com) 

I made this list. And checked it twice. I'm getting rid of all the naughties in my (newly) annual HFBoards Trade Wish List Madness. I'll do my best to not propose ridiculous trades as the title of this post might suggest, but this might prove ridiculously difficult given the state of the Club as we're nearing the end of 2010. With that said...

Carrie Takes the Wheel

To Nashville

Fisher
Foligno
Kuba

To Ottawa

Ellis
Leanne Rimes

With Mrs Fisher living the country bumpkin's dream it only makes sense for Fisher to live and play in Predator Country. Rimes' cheating heart will surely bring stability to the Sens locker room.

Ellis is an undersized defensive prospect but will compliment the back end when guys like Cowen and Weircioch join the ranks. Epic power play win in the long term.

Minnesota Dreaming

To Minnesota

Lee
Shannon
Winchester

To Ottawa

Pretty much anyone under 25 with less than 3 concussions

2010 press box All-Star Lee needs out and playing in his home state will do him good. Maybe even rejuvenate his career at the ripe old age of 23. The 4th line plugs will bring some stability to either the Wild's 4th line or AHL affiliate.

I'm positive that you've noticed what I'm trying to accomplish here. Purge the "not working so well" parts and bring in some youth. I don't have hard stats but the majority of teams that won that heavy silver cupped trophy have focused on building their roster internally through youth...and not by signing past their prime Russian athletes.

Return To Sender

To San Jose

Michalek

To Ottawa

Cheechoo

Hmmmm...why the heck not? This ones all about shots and giggles.

This One Hurts so Much

To Vancouver

Alfredsson
Philips

To Ottawa

Bieksa
Hodgson

I ruined 4 keyboards typing this section. Short circuits due to crying too much. As painful as this trade would be, I need to see the Captain win a cup before he retires and nothing would make me happier. The Sens had their chance and I believe the windows has closed and is boarded shut. Vancouver is by far the greatest Canadian based contender and the logical choice.

Phillips will walk off during the off season and I'm sure the Canucks can use him in a supporting role. Bieksa is the roughnecked defensman with an offensive touch that the Sens need. Hodgson would be a nice fit with the newly implemented youth movement, even if he is injury prone. Injured Hodgson > healthy Kovalev.

So here are the new lines:

Smith - Spezza - Butler
Petersson - Hodgson - Wick
Neil - Kelly- Ruutu
O'Brien - Silfverberg - Cheechoo

Alt: Rimes

Karlsson - Bieksa
Gonchar - Ellis
Weircioch - Gryba

Elliott
Lehner

It will be painful to watch this team at first, but the agony will pay off eventually.

Ottawa is in Nashville Thursday. Let's hope we get an early Christmas gift.

-MP

The Streak Remedy

Surgery is a beautiful thing (photo via flickr)

The Sens were exactly what the Caps physician ordered. The diagnosis: a comeback sparked by 3 unanswered goals all scored in the second period ending an 8 game losing streak. As for the Senators, the role players led the charge while the million dollar actors stayed behind the scenes. Kelly is 3 goals away from being the team's leading scorer. A very telling stat for the 2010-11 season which can be summed up with a 3 letter acronym: WTF.

What the Blood Clot

Ottawa is winning 67% of their games when scoring first. Which, if you ask me, isn't very strong. Over the last 5 years, they averaged out at 74%. If you look at the top tier teams and their average, well they come in at a cool 83%. Sens Army, welcome to the bottom 33%.

Doctor Not-So-Feelgood

Leclaire was playing well until he broke his jaw eating oatmeal and Elliott has not held up his end of the bargain in his absence...which is stopping pucks...when he's in front of the net...while the team is playing hockey. This would be the perfect time for Lehner to get some experience but we'll see him play for Team Sweden in the WJC. Update: Brodeur on the fast Greyhound to Binghamton, Leclaire backing up or hopefully starting.

Offensive Cardiac Arrest

Barring triple bypass surgery, this offense needs a kick start that a defibrillator cannot provide. Alfie missed the net early in the first on what looked like a guaranteed goal. The significance of that missed shot proved to be huge. What about the dudes that were expected to, I don't know, score some goals during the season? The biggest culprits are Foligno and Regin. Head on down to Black Aces to read his take (which I'm really feeling) on these young players.

Sick Days

Sens will play their next game Thursday against the Nashville Predators. A few days off might do this team some good.

Big thanks to Greg @ Puck Daddy for introducing SILN to the puck heads out in the wide world of blogs. Cheers!

-MP

Groundhog Day in December

Kuba decided to continue hibernating for another 6 weeks.

It happened again. The Sens score 3 or more goals,  outshoot their opponents and lose in overtime. Some of the players are saying that they are missing the killer instinct. I would say that they're missing the defensive instinct. And Mr. Clouston, please stop with the trap when you have the lead. That sh!t never works. Oldest hockey cliche # 2: your best defense is great offense. It works. Yellow ties with black dots don't.

Bill Murray-ian Effort

Alfie scored another goal which now brings his total to 3 in 3 games. Looks like the Alfie-Fisher-Foligno line is starting to come together which is great news. Now if the Spezza line can start getting some points on the board (and stop being a wimp), the Sens will have 2 strong offensive units. Now they should find a way to fix that defense thing, which is kinda important.

Scared of Their Own Shadow

So you figure that scoring 5 goals would be enough to win a game. You figured wrong. This defense is porous  at best. It would be easy to continue to point out that everyone's favorite shot blocking Russian left a big hole on the defense, but he's only one dude. You can't replace a defender of his ilk with an offensive minded Dman like Gonchar. Too many puck moving cats, and not enough defensemen that thrive on playing...well...defense. PS Kuba was terrible once again.

I'm Such a Douch-ene Bag

In my last post, I said that I was looking forward to seeing Duchene play since we don't get exposed to much Western hockey. Well he showed the Sens why he's a young star on the rise. Smarts, speed and that killer instinct I spoke about earlier. His goal in OT demonstrated how vulnerable the Ottawa defensive can be...and is. Fun to see him play. Not so fun seeing him take care of business against the Sens.

The Header is Alright

I upgraded my blog's header image. From a Chevette to a Cadillac. This is due to using Photoshop instead of Paint. This is my first time using the program and it was a bit frustrating, but I'm pretty happy with the results. I also created the pic for this post (Kuba-hog) and I'm hoping to do some more...well at least until the Photoshop trial runs out.

Capital Cup is going down tonight. Caps. Sens. 2 struggling teams playing on a Sunday. Should be a barn burner.

-MP

Wait Til Your Father Gets Home

Gonchar is quite the artist (Photo via familyfunshop.com)



It seems like we're seeing a pattern here. Success follows the Sens when they participate in non hockey activities. In this case, it was hanging out with their dads. Senalesson #1: stop focusing on hockey and continue with activities that have nothing to do with your game, including practice. Allen Iverson is smiling somewhere in Turkey since he knew he was right all along.

Alfie is Your Daddy

Nice to see the Cap get his second goal in 2 games after ending that atrocious streak. His shot was wired to the top right corner and reminds all the haters out there that he can still do what he does best: Be Alfredsson. He also added an assist on Chris "Empty Netter" Kelly's goal. Oldest cliché in hockey: keep your stick on the ice and drive to the net. In the end, it's a simple game so K.I.S.S. it up.

Look at me Pops! I'm not a Lee-sor!

Mr. Hockey Brian Lee was back playing against his hometown team in what seemed like a pity insertion into the line up. I heard from my sources (always wanted to say that even though I have none) that Carkner is injured and that's why Lee replaced him. Besides the penalty he took in the second period, he was unnoticeable. But I have to give it up to Lee for being so damn patient. Sitting out for 25 games must suck and it looks like the management team rewarded him.

Twinkle in his Eye

Karlsson brought his offensive game to the ice last night by collecting an assist on all 3 Ottawa goals. That's the good news. The not so good news is that his defensive game needs to pick up ASAP. He needs to learn how to stop forwards that come into Ottawa's zone by using his stick and cutting off angles. I understand he's a small dude (we are the same height and weight) but that's no excuse. I saw too many Wild forwards slip by him and that really sucks for his defensive partner since they need to cover his butt. Gotta take the positive with the negative.

Avs are on tap tonight. Looking forward to see Duchene play tonight.

-MP

Spezza Giveth And Giveth Away

Jason Spezza picked Bryan Little for the NHL's secret santa exchange (Image via pajamahearts.com) 

Did anyone else fist pump the shit out of the air in front of their TV when Spezza scored on that penalty shot? For a quick second I convinced myself of the "turning the corner" moment. 3 unanswered goals to tie it up, agressive forecheck, Clouston's grey tie..it was all there.

The Gift of Alfie

After what seemed like an eternity, the Captain got on the board. They were playing well up to the point when he scored, even though they were down by 3. Isn't it absolutely mental that Alfredsson is the team's leading offensive player even though he had an 10 game pointless streak? As Alfie goes, the team goes. And the team rallied back to tie it until...

The Charitiosity of Spezza (the giveaway was so ridiculous that the creation of a new word was necessary)

Spezza got into the holiday spirit by giving Ottawa the lead, then charitably turned over the puck in OT where Little scored the winner. He'll learn his lesson someday, right? I don't mean to go all Pierre McGuire on you by stating the obvious, but Giggles has done this before and will continue to do so until he retires.

The Fall from Grace O'Malley's

All of y'all screaming for a trade or hiroshiming the club need to realize this: the Senators have had a great run over the last 12 years and its time for a new plan. A plan sans Murray and possibly Clouston. Both of their contracts are up this year and we can expect them to be working in a different postal code.

...but cheer up Ye Faithful! 104 potential points are up for grabs.

- MP

ALFIE FINALLY SCORES!!!!

Praise be Alfredsson!!!

Broken Glass Everywhere

UPDATE: 100 pageviews! Awesome!

Alfredsson skates by as Leclaire tries to put his shattered self together  (picture via rpccrazy on Flickr)

Leclaire is injured again. I'm as shocked as you are. I'm going to start a rumor: Leclaire to the Islanders for Dipietro. Problem solved...No clue who will be called up yet since Lehner will be loaned to Sweden for the World Junior Championship.

Shattered Dreams

Kovalev is unhappy. Clouston is unimpressed. Murray hates Melnyk for convincing him to sign Kovalev. Sens Army is confused, but not surprised. In the end, here's the deal: Kovalev holds all the cards here since he has a no movement clause in his contract, and if any team is crazy enough to want this guy, he can kill the deal. According to everyone's favorite daily tabloid rag newspaper the Ottawa Sun, a hockey team from Missouri actually wants this guy. What's up with pre-madonna forwards and the Senators? 

2 points

The Leafs are 2 points behind the Sens with 2 games in hand. Toronto easily beat the Habs last night (yes I know that Carey Price wasn't playing) 3 to 1. They have beat some tough teams recently, which is more than Ottawa can say. The Sens beat the Devils...that's like saying that I beat my 2 year old niece at tic tac toe. 

How fun has Crosby been to watch this year? This cat is on a mad tear and I hope he keeps his point streak going as long as possible. An 18 game point streak while the team has won 12 in row. What makes this even more incredible is that he plays with Dupuis and Kunitz. I hope I get a chance to see him when I'm in Ottawa for the holidays. Got December 26th marked down on the calendar.

Unsolved Mysteries

When will Alfie get a damn point? Who will be Elliott's back-up? Will Kovalev accept a trade and how quickly can they get that done? Is Jared Cowen the real deal? Is grey the winning Cloustonian tie color?

-MP

The Weak Shall Inherit the Earth

Clouston prepared his house for the upcoming apocalypse (Image via bigfishgames.com)

How many times can you hold the lead until you lose a game? According to last night's performance, the answer is 3. Sens are winners of 1 of their last 6 and the Fearless Captain hasn't collected a point in 10 games, which is freaking me out. Getting a shotgun, boarding up the windows and doors, hiding in the bunker with 2 years of supplies freaking out.

Glimmer of Hope

Spezza and Butler: good. Butler looked much more comfortable and had a few quality chance. The kid can play and can make those thread the needle passes. Spezza was playing with blazing speed yesterday which I thought would've rubbed off on the rest of the team. It didn't but...Fisher and Foligno: gooder. Fisher scored a few and played well with Foligno. That Foligno kid has game. Needs to bring it consistently or pretend its the pre-season.

Couldn't Hold Down the Fort

When your best D-man is Campoli, there's a problem. This is not a knock on his play. From where in sitting near Queen and Yonge, he's been the most consistent blueliner for a bit. Speed, quick decisions and intensity. If I see the defense back off one more time when opposing forwards enter Ottawa's zone, I might throw my remote through my LCD. The first Ranger goal was preventable but Gonchar let Stepan get to the net with ease. And Kuba...what's point of talking about him again.

This defense needs serious help. If the team can address this issue, the wins will come.

Elliot had a bad game too. Consider this your mulligan, sir.

Hit me!

Please send me some feedback on the blog so far. Would love to hear what you have to say.

-MP

Flying Elbows of Fury

Weber was in shock after he was hit by Kelly's elbow, but quickly gathered himself for the ensuing powerplay.

From what I can see online, there's no talk of Kelly getting a suspension for his hit on Weber. From my point of view, it was accidental and Weber didn't prepare himself for the hit. But what really karateed my chops was seeing Weber laughing on the bench after the hit. Life goes on while the world witnesses just how untouchable Kelly really is.

"If do Right Kuba, no can Defense" - Mr Miyagi (kinda)
Did you know that  "Kuba" translated to English from Czech means "really, really, really....really bad giveaway"? I wasn't keeping track, but at least 2 of the Canadiens goals where a direct result of Kuba's bumbles. I wasn't sad when he was out of the lineup.

Gimme that Black Belt. Here Take this White One Instead.
BB Gunns, or Butler, was quickly demoted to the 4th line and played minimal minutes. Maybe this kid should not have been called up and they should have let him develop with the B-Sens. I'm no Bryan Murray, I'm just shlaying.

Seriously out of Ninja Stars
The Sens have scored one or less goals in 12 of their 29 games played this year. Well that's brutal. To make matters worse, Alfie is on an 8 game pointless streak. Let's hope he ends this streak against the Rangers. And PLEASE put Regin back in the lineup!

The CTCE tracker has been updated.

-MP