Who's the problem in Ottawa?

[The Bandit]

Who's the problem in Ottawa?

IMHO I think Spezza, wasn't he traded in junior for the same reason.

They got rid of Emery, changed coach, no change in poor play...there has to be something that's causing their downfall.

 

[21pro]

I don't think it's Spezza. He's there most gifted talent and is still too young to be under the blame.

IMO, it's Heatley. He's at an age where he should be in his prime but his career is already slowing down. or it just went dead stop. actually, he's still scoring somewhat (inconsistent at best) but he's regarded as an elite gifted scorer and should be the team's clutch guy when they need a win.

but, you know in Ottawa... It's already been delegated...

Cory Clouston is the town's new wipping boy.

but seriously, no one has been consistently good. and still a goal scorer that should score would still be able to steal games. Heatley has been a floater of late and kinda resembles a zombie on ice- not moving his feet and not creating much offense. Don't even get into his brutal, undisciplined penalties. and on some nights Fisher outplays and outworks Heatley.

how's this for tomorrow's headlines:

The Ottawa Senators have fired interim head coach Cory Clouston on Tuesday. TSN has learned Eugene Melnyk is not happy with his coach's performance. When TSN's own Brent Wallace asked General Manager Bryan Murray his thoughts on interim head coach Cory Clouston, he simply replied, "Cory is a guy that promised a more offensive game. We haven't seen that yet. He hasn't won a game for us all year, despite not coaching any".

"Losing is unacceptable" added Melnyk.

Speculation is rampant in Ottawa that Mr. Melnyk, who is being aggressive in landing an MLS franchise, is going to hire Pat Quinn himself, who he will later fire in February 2010.

 

[The Bandit]

his career is already slowing down. or it just went dead stop.

Just like his Ferrari, after he killed his buddy in Atlanta.

 

[jackd1959]

The problem with the Senators is three fold:

The lack of a transition game because they lost all of their puck moving defensemen. They are having a difficult time getting out of their own zone.

They are only getting scoring from their top line.

Add shakey goaltending and you have a team that isn't going to win a lot of games.

You have the Senators...

 

[JohnLarue]

They are a bunch of soft, but skilled players who do not understand what it takes to win.
Never been the same since the big defense man (Chara??) went to Boston

 

[jackd1959]

They are a bunch of soft, but skilled players who do not understand what it takes to win.
Never been the same since the big defense man (Chara??) went to Boston

They actually went to the cup finals after Chara left so I don't think losing him was the only issue... They've lost 5 of their puck moving d-men in the past three years, some to trade and some to free agency.

 

[21pro]

jackd- you are too sensible in arranging such a smart and truthful reply. i agree.

but, i'd thought i should take a stab at heatley because he seems to be sheltered from any criticism directed his way. in fact, most of it gets deflected onto either Spezza or the coach.

but, as of today... the new problem in Ottawa is now Clouston, lol...

in my opinion they need to hire Gordon Bombay. If anyone can get this rag tag group of misfits to play hard it's him.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPf3-oKaUkw/SIvNduy-4eI/AAAAAAAAAjc/ZcFMHNV7zb0/s320/bombay1.jpg

 

[jackd1959]

jackd- you are too sensible in arranging such a smart and truthful reply. i agree.

but, i'd thought i should take a stab at heatley because he seems to be sheltered from any criticism directed his way. in fact, most of it gets deflected onto either Spezza or the coach.

but, as of today... the new problem in Ottawa is now Clouston, lol...

I've been a SENS season ticket holder since their run to the cup... I remember when the Flyers (I've been a Flyers season ticket holder for 17 years) only had one line that could score (Lindros + LeClare + Insert body here) and it isn't difficult to shutdown a one line team, especially if that line has to go deep in their defensive zone to bring the puck out.

I was never a big fan of Hartsburg... I wanted the guy that is in Florida now for the SENs this year... but at some point you have to look at the GM... I hate the coaching carousal... I also watched the Flyers go through that when Clarke was GM... it doesn't work.

As a coach how do you convince a team to buy into your system if they figure you won't be there very long?

 

[Scenicdrive]

I was never a big fan of Hartsburg... I wanted the guy that is in Florida now for the SENs this year... but at some point you have to look at the GM... I hate the coaching carousal... I also watched the Flyers go through that when Clarke was GM... it doesn't work.

As a coach how do you convince a team to buy into your system if they figure you won't be there very long?

To elaborate, here is what 'no bomb in hand' Melnyk said on 1/28/2008:

"Anybody that says we should blow up this organization should get their own bomb and go blow themselves up," Melnyk said at a press conference on Wednesday. "This is not an organization that is completely crippled. It needs fine tuning, it needs some tweaking, it needs a player here, a player there, a few good bounces and that's it. But we are nowhere near that type of environment."
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=264894&lid=sublink03&lpos=headlines_nhl


Apparently now Mr. Melnyk decides he has a bomb for the crony head coach.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=265548&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl

Wonder how long one has to wait for Melnyk to bomb that sissy GM Murray.

Not to worry, Melnyk has another bomb for Murray if and when the 'mighty' Senators failed to make the playoffs this season. Sissy Murray better pray that does not happen but luck is probably not on his side.

 

[GlavaMan]

The players are too 'comfortable'. The Sens have been one of the worst teams in the league since they gave out all those big contracts to their core last year.

Had Murray not entered the Ottawa scene, the current GM would have been Peter Chirelli who was the assistant to Muckler. Chirelli went to Boston to become their GM & he took Chara with him.

 

[lawyerman]

The problem with the Senators is three fold:

The lack of a transition game because they lost all of their puck moving defensemen. They are having a difficult time getting out of their own zone.

They are only getting scoring from their top line.

Add shakey goaltending and you have a team that isn't going to win a lot of games.

You have the Senators...

Those are three of the main problems. Well done.

 

[shack]

The problem is that the fans keep showing up no matter what kind of product the team puts on the ice.

As long as they sell out where's the motivation for the owner to spend money and improve?

 

[The Oracle]

Let's look even further and examine some + - stats. Because this is scary.

Phillips -20
Volchenkov -13
Vermette -11
Fisher -11
Heatly -9
Spezza -9
Even Alfredsson who's has been their best two way player for the past decade is a -3. So what's the problem?
Melnyk got rid of Muckler and gave the helm to Murray Who assembled this team. This is his responsibility and he should pay the price.Changing his coach is just a desperate move by a desperate gm. Time to blow it up and trade some of their assets while they can still get some value for them.

 

[bigdik]

The problem with the Senators is three fold:

The lack of a transition game because they lost all of their puck moving defensemen. They are having a difficult time getting out of their own zone.

They are only getting scoring from their top line.

Add shakey goaltending and you have a team that isn't going to win a lot of games.

You have the Senators...

So they are weak at the back, with no puck moving defencemen and bad goaltending. They have no depth, therefore no secondary scoring. They were also in the final 2 years ago, when John Muckler was GM. Hmmm, I wonder who the problem might be?

 

[bigdik]

The problem is that the fans keep showing up no matter what kind of product the team puts on the ice.

As long as they sell out where's the motivation for the owner to spend money and improve?

Does this seem familiar Leafs fans? Anyone?

 

[bigdik]

The players are too 'comfortable'. The Sens have been one of the worst teams in the league since they gave out all those big contracts to their core last year.

Had Murray not entered the Ottawa scene, the current GM would have been Peter Chirelli who was the assistant to Muckler. Chirelli went to Boston to become their GM & he took Chara with him.

They wouldn't want to give the gig to a bright young mind though would they. We Bruins fans thank you, Eugene.

 

[pdson2]

Does this seem familiar Leafs fans? Anyone?

I have heard this over and over again and it is so much bullshit. The Leafs have always spent money,they just haven't spent it wisely.When there was no salary cap they were always near the top in payroll. There is a salary cap now so how much do you want them to spend. They are under the cap this year only because they are rebuilding, expect them to spend on free agents in the offseason. They are paying their GM Burke more than any GM in the league plus several assistants. So the argument of them not spending money does not wash.

 

[yabut]

My thoughts on this is Ottawa lived and are now dieing by the draft. The last 5 or 6 years the Sens have not had much luck with the draft and to me the troubles led back to bad drafting by John Muckler.

 

[bigdik]

I have heard this over and over again and it is so much bullshit. The Leafs have always spent money,they just haven't spent it wisely.When there was no salary cap they were always near the top in payroll. There is a salary cap now so how much do you want them to spend. They are under the cap this year only because they are rebuilding, expect them to spend on free agents in the offseason. They are paying their GM Burke more than any GM in the league plus several assistants. So the argument of them not spending money does not wash.

Ok, I should restate shack. The Laffs have always spent, but never wisely. They are under the cap this year only because they have less talent than most OHL clubs. They were not rebuilding when they built this roster. They gave up draft picks for washed up never weres. If you really think Burke is the messiah, good luck. He didn't build the Ducks. Under this ownership they will NEVER win the Stanley Cup. The Leafs should have hired Peter Chiarelli.

 

[bigdik]

My thoughts on this is Ottawa lived and are now dieing by the draft. The last 5 or 6 years the Sens have not had much luck with the draft and to me the troubles led back to bad drafting by John Muckler.

Mucks wasn't ever a great GM. Murray is worse.