With the season basically done, no way ottawa can come back 3 games vs a team as talented as pittsburgh, I’ve started looking forward to what will surely be a busy off-season. Changes are definitely coming in Ottawa, and I think this team will look quite different at the start of next season. Our defense is shaky, we don’t have much in terms of secondary scoring, even though gerber has played well, I still think we need a legit #1 goalie, need a coach and maybe a new GM. I’m curious to know what people think should, and will be done with this team. We all know that Redden is gone, no way they’re gonna resign him. Who else should go, and what replacements would be a good fit?
Regardless of how this series finishes (as a fan, you don't give up until they're done), the following, I think, ought to happen:
1. Redden: gone. It's no secret. His contract is up, he hasn't lived to the kind of expectations one of your "top" defencemen should live up to, and Murray tried to trade him twice last year. Plus, there's the other baggage. To put it succintly, if that had been him getting nailed in the head by the puck, I doubt we would have seen him back. In fact, I can't recall a time I've ever seen Redden block a shot, something I'd expect from a top blueliner. Lee should fill Redden's spot in the lineup well enough. And at about $6m cheaper.
2. Emery: gone. Murray's an old-school hockey guy like Muckler. Emery's shenanigans, which contributed to the firing of Murray's friend, can test him so long. Prediction: contract bought out before July 1.
3. Robitaille: gone. This guy was the biggest bust all year. Considering he was put on the top line for portions of it is unfathomable. If he's that good, why are the Sens his, like, 9th team. Ditch his unproductive ass for someone with a bit of heart and grit. Foligno can take his spot.
4. Stillman: resign. His work ethic and contributions to a dismal 2nd-half were a bright spot. Plus, he's got the Cup-winning experience which is what they need.
5. Commodore: possibly re-sign. Murray obviously wanted him for a reason. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a contract with a plan to see if he can adapt to whatever Ottawa's style is out of training camp. If not, find someone else who's big and mobile.
7. Lapointe: keep. You need to fill your 4th line with some bodies, I would say he fits the bill. He can score, he can fight, he can hit, and he's got leadership qualities, not to mention he's got two rings.
8. Everyone else I would hang on to, with the exception of possibly Gerber, depending on what the open market offers. He's decent enough, but he's prone to making some brutal gaffes. Plus, it bugged me how he "called out" Volchenkov a couple of times this year when Anton accidentally deflected a puck into the net.
9. In terms of players they HAVE to resign, Kelly and Vermette are right up there. I think Kelly is a UFA, and probably the defensive heart and soul of the team. Vermette is one of the fastest guys in the League. Both are needed. Meszaros, perhaps with a different partner than Redden, could be useful, still. He is still pretty young. Schubert would also be nice.
10. Get a coach that knows how to win and can teach a little defense. I don't doubt the players liked Paddock a lot, but his record before taking on the Sens was atrocious.
Yo army boy - do you have some kind of closet fetish for me. You seem awfully consumed by me and chase me all around scoring me 1 star. Actually I'm very flattered that I take up that much space in your brain. I just hope you don't have a little shrine to me in your bedroom like some of the other wackos such as yourself do. God only knows what you do when your on your knees in front of it. Gets kind sticky down there doesn't it
So don't go away mad - just crawl back under your rock and curl up and shrivel away
Actually Avery, I like to read your posts and rate them 1 cuz you’re a typical new york fan. You know absolutely NOTHING about sports. you just sit there on the boards and bash other people and other teams, never contributing anything intelligent or inciteful. You’re just like the idiot that you’re named after, cause $hit just to cause $hit, but really have no idea what you’re doing or saying.
The fact that I actually post about sports, with facts and stats, as opposed to the “all my teams rule, and all your teams suck” verbal diarrahea that comes out of your mouth, means that I actually know something about sports. I’m all for supporting your team, but the way you do it is idiotic and childish. You really need to grow up and get a life.
Gee thanks coming from you I will definitely take all that into consideration and then promptly toss it in the dumpster where it belongs. The clown that runs around and warns people because he doesn't like what he hears is calling someone idiotic and childish. Will wonders never cease
Well clearly I’m not the only one warning you. How many times has your account been cancelled now? 5 or 6? Which means that there are quite a few people on this website who seem to think that you’re a douche bag too.
Anyone catch the press conference? Wonder who was the only player that skipped the meeting with Murray - Comadore? Redden? Emery?
The biggest need is a goalie. Not many choices in the market this summer that would seem to fit the philosphy. Theodore? Huet? After writing the big cheque last summer, I'm not sure the Sens will do it again on a Goalie. But then again, they should have known what Razor had been like, not just what he had done last season.
