Alfredsson a Sens for Life

According to ESPN, Alfie has agreed to a new deal

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3672688

Worst Sens Team in last 5 years?

Is this the worst team we've had in the last 5 seasons?

Inconsistent goalkeeping...slow and uncreative defence corps, and basically one scoring line. Mix that in with the recent contract extensions that Fisher and Vermette signed (one point combined in first 6 games) and this team doesn't really seem to be set up very well for this year, or next.

What do the Sens need to do?
1) Get Gerber out of there. this team's confidence level despite what they're saying in front of the cameras is obviously shot. Three shots on goal in the first period is unacceptable and this is solely due to the fact that the Sens players are tentative coming out of their own zone and can't create offence as a result.
2) Keep the "Big 3" together. It doesn't matter who they play against, on MOST nights, this line is dominant and can get players like Fisher and Vermette away from the other teams top checkers.
3) Send Picard to AHL and replace with Schubert. Picard is a borderline NHLer at best and has cost this team at least three goals directly form his turnovers. If you can't make a tape-to-tape pass out of your zone, go to the AHL. This would enable Hartsburgh to put Donovan back on the 4th line and create more energy.
4) Keep the lines together for more than a period. How are you supposed to develop any chemistry when your linemates change from shift to shift. The Sens looked disorganized and passes just weren't clicking last night.

Lets hear your suggestions...there are probably about 100 more things taht need to be done.

Go Sens!

Hartsburg Interview

http://senators.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=PodcastPlayer&pid=282&iid=8364

Highlights From Home Opener

Hartburgs Post Game Press Conference

Home Opener Preview

Success!!!

Alfie under went successful surgery and hopes to begin training on Monday.

http://senators.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=386098

Shit...Alfie going under the knife

Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is going under the knife to repair a bone chip in his right knee.

The Senators announced this morning the club's captain will be out of action because of an injury he suffered to his right knee last Sunday in Stockholm.

Gerber Vs. Auld Vs. Elliot

OK we are two games into the season and we already have a goal tending controversy. So I guess giving Emery all that money to end the controversy was some what a waste.

I think it is fair to say that Gerber barely played well enough to give the Sens a chance of winning on Saturday. Yes Spezza gave the puck up at the Penguins blue line, but it was Gerber who gave up a goal that had no business of going in. After watching today's game I have that feeling if Auld was in net for both games we would have been going home with 4 points instead of 3. I know 1 point is not a big deal right now, but come March one point could mean anything from home ice advantage to a playoff berth.

When coach Hartsburgh announced the starting goalie for today's game was going to be Auld he said that he was likely to get the start anyways due to the long layoffs between games, but if this was true why was it announced before Gerbers horrible Saturdays game. So I guess the question is who is deserving of the home opener next weekend. If we are to base the next start on performance alone Auld would be the easy pick, but now we have to take in Gerbers confidence. Gerber was all but assured the number one job coming into camp and from the sense I got around the city was that most people agreed.

I guess we could trade one problem for another. By this I mean Khabibulin, yes the Bulin Wall. If Bryan Murray is reading this I would like to pass this message on. PLEASE DON"T. Now that I have passed that message on I can continue with this blog. I will not even continue discussing this option because I think it is very unlikely and from what my source has said it has not even been discuss seriously in the Senators organization. There are a few other goalies out there to be had (Roloson) but I don't think any of the available goalies would be any big improvement in what we have now.

This brings us to Brian Elliot, who had a short but solid camp this year. I have heard from some people close to both Baby Sens and the Big Sens that he is pretty much ready for the NHL, and the only thing holding him back in the AHL is the fact that he will get a lot more ice time.

So This is the questions I put forth. Do you think it would be a good idea if Auld and Elliot split NHL games? Do you think we could trade Gerber for anything?

Game 2 Highlights Ott 3 Pitt 1

Hartburg's Pre-Game Press Conference

Auld Speaks About Start

Auld To Get Start Today

Auld to get the start in net this afternoon. What are your thoughts?

Fisher Speaks About Injury

It has already been reported that Mike Fisher will not play in today's game.

Hartburg's Press Conference Day 5

Highlights From The Game Against Frolunda

Heatley To Wear "A"

Danny Heatley will be wearing that "A" this wear. The "A" was available after Wade Redden departed for greener pastures.

http://senators.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=384673

Post Game Report With Gord Wilson

Eugene Melnyk's Pre-Game Scrum

Alfredsson Pre-Game Scrum

Hartburg's Pre-Game Press Conference

Senators In Sweden Day 4

Alfredsson Walk Around Goteborg

Coach Hartsburg Press Conference Day 3

Senators In Sweden Day 3

Jason Spezza Ottawa Senators Forward with Daren Millard & Mike Brophy

Jason Spezza takes time out of his day in Gothenburg Sweden to talk about the upcoming season for the Sens, and share his experience of beginning the season outside North America.

http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20080930_132344_12676

Daniel Alfredsson Press Conference Day 2

Coach Hartsburg Press Conference Day 2

Day 2 In Sweden

Word is that Schubert will be moving up to the 4th line. This might be due to a mcAmmond injury to his kneee.

Stockholm Globe Arena

Thought it would be interesting to find out a bit about the Globe Arena that the Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins will faceoff in this coming weekend. It looks like the Igloo in Pittsburgh, and my source that is over in Stockholm now says its a complete different feel from the Igloo in Pittsburgh. For one thing there seems to be more pride behind the Globe Arena as it is the largest hemispherical building in the world and took two and a half years to build. Shaped like a large golf ball, it has a diameter of 110 meters (361 feet) and an inner height of 85 meters (279 feet). The volume of the building is 600,000 cubic meters (21,188,800 cubic feet). It has seating capacity for 16,000 spectators for shows and concerts, and 14,119 for Ice Hockey. It represents the Sun in the Sweden Solar System, the world's largest scale model of the Solar System.

It has also hosted Pope John Paul II held a mass in the arena in 1989 as the first pope to hold a mass in Sweden. Other notable appearances at the arena have included Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela. Not to mention countless concerts.

The Igloo (Melon Arena) is famous for the movie Sudden Death and the 1995 WWF Summer Slam.....

Sens Schedule For Rest Of Week

Tuesday, Sept. 30 - 10:30 a.m. practice at the Scandinavium Arena

Wednesday, Oct. 1 - 10:30 a.m. practice at the Scandinavium Arena

Thursday, Oct. 2 - 11:30 a.m. pre-game skate at the Scandinavium Arena; 7 p.m. game vs. Frolunda; leave after the game for Stockholm

Friday, Oct. 3 - 4:45 p.m. open practice at the Globe Arena

Saturday, Oct. 4 - 10:30 a.m. pre-game skate at the Globe Arena; 8:30 p.m. game vs. Pittsburgh

Sunday, Oct. 5 - 11:30 a.m. pre-game skate at the Globe Arena; 8:30 p.m. game vs. Pittsburgh; leave after game for Ottawa.

Erik Karlson Senators 1st Overall 2008 Pick

The Senators have been posting some very interesting videos of their trip in Sweden, here is what they have posted so far:



Coach Hartsburg Press Conference:



Captain Daniel Alfredsson Press Conference:



Gord Wilson Updates us on the Sens in Sweden:



Stuntman Stu Goofing off:

Celebrating Daniel Alfredsson

Frölunda Indians won the Swedish Elitserien 04/05. Alfredsson of course led the way.

Sens Hold First Practice In Sweden

The Senators held their first practice in Sweden Monday and coach Craig Hartsburg put Daniel Alfredsson back on the big line.

The lines were as follows:

Heatley - Spezza - Alfredsson
Vermette - Fisher - Winchester
Foligno - Kelly - Neil
Ruutu - Bass - Donovan

Sens Send 5 To Bingo

Senators have sent down five to the AHL. winger Brad Isbister and defenceman Brendan Bell.

The team also assigned forwards Matt Carkner, Greg Mauldin and Peter Regin.

Good or bad decision?

Luke Richardson Speaks

The defenceman talks about being on a tryout basis with Ottawa and how training camp is going, but most importantly, he gives many pieces of advice to young Maple Leaf Luke Schenn.

http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20080924_140248_8520

Alfredsson Conference Call

The Ottawa Senators posted this conference call between Alfredsson and some members of the media. Pretty interesting and worth listening to.

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=PodcastPlayer&pid=7&iid=7874

Head Coach, Ottawa Senators, with Jack Armstrong & Doug MacLean

The new coach of the Senators joins The Game Plan to detail how this NHL coaching stint will be different from his previous efforts, and to preview the upcoming season for Ottawa.

http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20080917_152650_30324

EA NHL 09

OK OK I know this game came out on the 11 and today is the ummm, I really don't know. I have lost track of time since I have bought this game. This game is by far the best EA Hockey game ever produced.. no wait the best sports game EA has ever produced. Never before have they made the game so real. You can literally do it all. They have improved the classic dynasty mode, and have added "Be A Pro" where you create your own player (or take over an existing player) and begin your career in the minors on the 3rd line or the starting goalie and have to work your way up to the pros. This is not even the best part...

I have been a big fan of X-Box live right from day 1 as I do most of my gaming through X-Box live. The online play of EA NHL 09 is very addicting. You can play games 1 on 1 versus gamers across the globe. The game play is very smooth and have had no major issues. It only takes about 1 second to hook up with a random player.

Of course I save the best for last. The Online Team Play mode is where I have spent most of my mornings, afternoon, dinners, and evenings. You go online and find yourself a bunch of guys to play with as a team and join a league. EA keeps your stats and rank of your team. There have been some early glitches with this mode but would be expected at a release of any popular game. The glitches are not with the game play but in recording personal stats. Downloading rosters is very easy as well and you can select all the teams brand new third jerseys to play in.

Before i end this blog I just want to say that the controls are very easy to learn. Off the top of my head you really only need to hit two buttons to have success at this game. RT to pass and the A button to lift the opponents sticks ( a very cool part of the game). Shoot of course is your thumb stick that you move up and do so with out even thinking. What I am trying to say is that a one arm monkey could play this game.

http://www.easports.com/nhl09/

NHL 2K9

Just thought I post a quick review of NHL 2K9 which was released Tuesday for the Nintendo Wii...first of all if you're used to the realism and graphics of the previous 5 years of NHL from EA sports, don't bother - they're terrible. It reminded me of my NHL99 for the N64. The skating is choppy, the players' faces don't resemble the real thing, and the stadiums are sub par, and with no real online option it falls short of today's gamers expectations...however....

The new controls, although they take some getting used to are pretty cool. There's nothing like winding up for a huge slap shot and driving it right through your television screen! Hitting is also pretty neat as you actually have to swing your "nun chuck" toward the player with - or without the puck (we call that "a Steve") - to hit somebody.

The actual game play is OK...I find the announcers annoying and the camera angles weird but that could be because I'm used to the EA franchise so I'll give it some time to sink in. I really like the option to review the video of the goals, big hits and 3 stars after the game.

Overall, I think the NHL2K franchise did a decent job bringing hockey to the Wii...after all, it's better than being stuck playing Wii tennis! Can't wait for NHL 2K10.

Let us know what you think.

T-minus 25 days until the puck drops for real!

Just wanted to pass on this article I found at

www.marketwire.com

I have copy and pasted it for you guys to read. Nice to know that our Sens still find scouting very important.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 5, 2008) - Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray announced today that the club has made several changes to its scouting staff.

Pierre Dorion has been named the Senators chief amateur scout. Dorion will be responsible for directing the scouts who cover the amateur ranks in the United States, Canada and Europe. He joined the Senators' organization in July 2007 after spending the previous two seasons as an amateur scout for the New York Rangers and 11 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens.

The Senators also hired two new scouts: Jim Clark, who spent the last nine seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, will join the staff as a professional scout and Greg Royce joins Ottawa as an amateur scout. Royce spent the last three seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes after spending eight seasons with the Nashville Predators.

Other changes in the Senators scouting department see Lewis Mongelluzzo re-signing with the club and being named National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recruiting co-ordinator, while amateur scouts George Fargher and Bob Lowes have moved from part-time to full-time scouts positions.

The Senators scouting department is as follows:

Pierre Dorion, chief amateur scout

Vaclav Burda, amateur scout

Jim Clark, professional scout

George Fargher, amateur scout

Anders Forsberg, amateur scout

Archie Henderson, professional scout

Bob Janecyk, amateur scout

Bob Lowes, amateur scout

Bill McCarthy, amateur scout

Lewis Mongelluzzo, NCAA recruiting co-ordinator

Nick Polano, professional scout

Greg Royce, amateur scout

Mikko Ruutu, amateur scout

Boris Shagas, amateur scout

Sens sign Isbister

The Ottawa Senators signed forward Brad Isbister to a one-year, two-way contract on Thursday.

Isbister, 31, had 11 points (6-5) in 55 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season.

He has 222 points (106-116) in 541 career NHL games with Phoenix, the New York Islanders, Edmonton, Boston, the New York Rangers and Vancouver.

The Edmonton native was a third-round draft choice, 67th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets in 1995.

GM, Ottawa Senators, with Jack Armstrong & Doug MacLean

Bryan Murray joins Jack Armstrong and Doug MacLean on the Game Plan and talks about the Meszaros trade and what his opinions are on unrestricted free agency.







http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20080902_153726_37876

Sens deal Nycholat

Sens acquire RW Ryan Shannon from the Vancouver Canucks for D Lawrence Nycholat. Nycholat had been asking for a trade for a while now so this comes as no surprise.

Check out Ryan Shannon's history and scouting report here:

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospect/ryan_shannon

Mezaros gets offer sheet

Just a quick post....

The Hockey News is reporting that Meszaros has in fact received an offer sheet from Tampa for $5 million a season...and signed it - not sure how many years but the dollar figure is substantially higher than the $3 million per season that Murray is prepared to pay. If this in fact the case, I say don't let the door hit you on the way out and thanks for the draft picks Tampa.

What does Sens Army think? Is $5 Million far too much or should Murray match?

Rookie Tournament A Go For Sens

The Ottawa Senators will participate in a four-team round-robin rookie tournament, hosted by the Florida Panthers, from Sept. 13 to Sept. 15 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener, Ont. Joining the Senators and Panthers prospects will be squads from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Rookie Tournament Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 13: Florida vs. Ottawa at 2 p.m.; Pittsburgh vs. Toronto at 6 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 14: Florida vs. Pittsburgh at 2 p.m.; Toronto vs. Ottawa at 6 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 15: Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh at 2 p.m.; Toronto vs. Florida at 7 p.m.

Melnyk Speaks about World Jr., 09 Season & MLS

The Sens owner chats with Roger Lajoie about the upcoming NHL season from a Senators perspective, new head coach Craig Hartsburg, the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa as well as the potential of an MLS franchise coming to Ottawa.

http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20080822_140444_28192

Jason Spezza Is Getting A New Ottawa Address

The Ottawa Citizen is reporting that Jason Spezza just purchased a 6 million dollar home in the Island Park Drive area. The news article is attached but some of the spects of the home are:

five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home, which dominates its 90-by-101-foot lot and has limestone fireplaces, coffered ceilings, a nanny suite, sauna and fitness centre. The basement boasts a custom wine cellar and one of the dressing rooms off the master bedroom is fitted with a makeup sink, vanity and limestone centre island.

It was the most expensive home for sale in the Ottawa Market.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=5081244d-30bf-454f-aa98-ca09f38fa731

The Future of Physio is here for Sens

As I watch the Olympics I began to notice all these weird taping jobs on the athletes, and of course the question myself was what it was.

Kinesio Taping donated 50,000 rolls of this tape to the athletes of the Olympic Games. It is important to note that they paid no money to market this tape at the games, so there was no other motivation for the athletes to use this tape except that it works.

I noticed this right away watching beach volleyball as there is a lot of my focus on the girls. Kerri Walsh of the womans USA beach volleyball team had recent shoulder surgery and has been finding the tape very useful.

The Kinesio Taping® Method involves taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction. The first technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to actually give support while maintaining full range of motion. This enables the individual to participate in their normal physical activity with functional assistance. The second technique, which is most commonly used in the acute stage of rehabilitation, helps prevent overuse or over-contraction and helps provide facilitation of lymph flow for an entire 24 hour period. Correctional techniques include mechanical, lymphatic, ligament/tendon, fascia, space and functional. Kinesio Tex® Tape can be used in conjunction with other therapies, including cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, and electrical stimulation.

Would of been nice to see this on Heatleys shoulder or Fishers groin last year (Wait that didn't sound right, but you know what I mean).

http://kinesiotaping.com/index.php

Senators Have Fattest Heads!!!

OK it is officially the slowest day in the NHL off season. This might seem like we are reaching for quality topics to discuss... well we are!! I came across this interesting study by Brock University.

Brock University neuroscience researcher Justin Carre who studies fluctuations in hormone levels, wanted to test recent theories that link male facial width-to-height ratio to behaviour such as aggression.

They Studied all 6 Canadian NHL teams and yes, guess who won? The Ottawa Senators! Carrying the team literally on his shoulders was Chris Neil with the fattest head on the Ottawa Senators and the most penalty minutes with 199 in 68 games.

The measurements, performed with the help of a digital ruler, compare the width of the face at the cheekbones with the height between the bottom of the eyebrows and the upper lip. An unusually wide male face has a ratio of about 2.3, while a relatively narrow face has a ratio of about 1.6. Chris Neil had ratio that was apparently off the charts 2.3.

The article is worth the read and quite funny. So my question to you guys is, do you think Bryan Murray should be signing guy with bigger or smaller heads?

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=08120302-b790-4855-afcd-1fc0bb33bd49

Heater!!

I found this an interesting video of Danny Heatley's summer home.

http://senators.nhl.tv/team/launch.htm?type=fvod&id=20325&catid=

Its on you!!!

OK guys and girls, as we all know things are slowing down in Sens Army Central. So I ask you guys what topics would you like to cover? Anything about the Sens, NHL, rumours, trivia 2010 Olympics? Let us know!!!

Senators Sign 2008 Third-Round Draft Pick Smith

Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray announced today that the club has signed centre Zack Smith to an entry-level contract.

Last year Smith led the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos in scoring with 69 points on 22 goals in 72 games, while adding 136 penalty minutes. He added five goals, five assists and 29 penalty minutes in 12 playoff games for the Broncos, who were eventually defeated by the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL’s Eastern Conference semi-final.

http://senators.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=379687&page=NewsPage&service=page

Zack Smith
Center
Born Apr 5 1988 -- Medicine Hat, ALTA
Height 6.02 -- Weight 202 -- Shoots R


Selected by Ottawa Senators round 3 #79 overall 2008 NHL Entry Draft

--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004-05 Swift Current Broncos WHL 14 1 1 2 0 -- -- -- -- --
2005-06 Swift Current Broncos WHL 64 2 5 7 78 3 0 0 0 9
2006-07 Swift Current Broncos WHL 71 16 15 31 130 6 0 2 2 11
2007-08 Swift Current Broncos WHL 72 22 48 70 136 12 5 5 10 29
2007-08 Manitoba Moose AHL -- -- -- -- -- 6 0 1 1 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wall of D-Fence

By far our most important unit will be the Defensive pairing of Phillips and Volchenkov. Assuming that this is our first line of defense, other top line are going to have a hard time against these two and will probably think twice about going into the corners. Expect both of these guys to get a lot of ice time and see time on every PK. I think Bobby Orr's goal scoring will be safe for another year, but these two defensive defense men will sacrifice their bodies by being one of the most physical players in the league. Expect both players to get about 5 goals and 15 assist this year, but a respectful +/-.

Do you see Phillips and Volchenkov playing side by side this year? If not who would be a better fit? Should Murray be looking for another top 4 D-Man?

Sens Sign Geoff Waugh To 1 Year Deal

Bryan Murray announced today the signing of Geoff Waugh to a 1 year two way contract. In 2007-08, Waugh appeared in 71 games for Ottawa’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, recording six points (three goals, three assists) and 139 penalty minutes.

Geoff Waugh Defense
Born Aug 25 1983 -- Winnipeg, MAN
Height 6.04 -- Weight 215 -- Shoots R
Selected by Dallas Stars round 3 #78 overall 2002 NHL Entry Draft

--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002-03 Northern Michigan Univers NCAA 39 0 7 7 41
2003-04 Northern Michigan Univers NCAA 41 2 12 14 72
2004-05 Northern Michigan Univers NCAA 39 2 8 10 89
2005-06 Northern Michigan Univers NCAA 39 0 7 7 74
2006-07 Johnstown Chiefs ECHL 56 1 12 13 91 2 1 0 1 4
2006-07 Springfield Falcons AHL 10 0 0 0 25 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Binghamton Senators AHL 71 3 3 6 139 -- -- -- -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://senators.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379557

Sens first to hit the ice

The NHL released this season's pre-season schedule which will kick off on September 20th when the Sens host the NY Rangers. While it's much too early to get into "Keys of the game" (as much as I'd like to) is isn't too early to talk about how the Sens schedule might affect the start of their regular season...

I think you can look at this from two points of view:
1) The Sens are at a huge disadvantage by having to travel to Sweden and play 3 games (1 exhibition +2 regular season games)
2) The long trip to start the season will be a great opportunity to promote team bonding and greatly benefit the team

In my opinion, I think we'll have to wait until the 20 game mark until we know exactly how the Sens will be affected but I truly think it'll be a bit of both. I think we are a quite the disadvantage having to do all that travelling but I also think that the experience as a whole will create a stronger sense of "team"...especially with all the new faces. I don't think the travel will affect as much as some people may think - especially since it's right at the beginning of the year.

The rest of their pre-season schedule looks like this:
Sept 20: Sens vs Rangers
Sept 22: Sens @ Rangers
Sept 24: Sens vs Flyers
Sept 26: Sens @ Canadiens
Sept 27: Sens vs Canadiens
Oct 2: Sens @ Frolunda HC Goteborg Jr.

T-minus 41 days...

The Second Line

I predicted on August 5 that the second line would end up being Foligno, Fisher and Vermette. So what could we see from this year?

Mike Fisher: As Mike fisher stated in his blog http://blogs.ottawasenators.com/player/ he believes his knee is on track and will be ready for a very important pre season. I think we will see a brand new and very confident Mike Fisher. He has a lot to prove, and the weight of $4,200,000 on his shoulders. I believe Mike Fisher is more than capable of scoring about 30 - 35 goals and 35 - 40 assist. This will be the year Fisher turns people heads and starts earning his pay check.

Antoine Vermette: Well what have we not said about this guy already? Vermette has a new contract under his belt but over the last few years has been in some peoples eyes underachieving in the goal scoring department. I am hoping Vermette can pass the 30 goal mark. As much as the Senators need the second line scoring depth, Vermettes face off winning percentage will be among the leagues best this year and a valuable commodity in the PK department. Hopefully we will see Vermette with between 60 and 70 points.

Nick Foligno: I believe Foligno could find a place on the second line this year. I know that Foligno has put on valuable muscle and knows he is not guaranteed anything on this team. Foligno played 45 games last year but expect him to be a full time NHL er this year. We saw sparks of greatness last year. I see a big increase in points for this guy, due to a big increase of ice time. This might seem favourable but I just have one of those feeling where he can get close to 20 goals this year and about the same in assist. So about 40 - 50 points. Also expect one Foligno leap at some point.

So obviously I feel very good about our first two lines, maybe feeling a little too optimistic. There is just something about our second line that I can see fun and exciting things happening to. Who knows maybe worthy of a nickname.. The M.A.N Line (first letter of their first names)

Fisher Knee Is On Track

Just came across Mike Fishers blog and wanted to pass it on to our loyal readers. In his blog he touches on how his knee is feeling and thinks he will be ready to go by opening of training camp. If you remember Fisher missed much of the 2007 training camp due to a groin which I think did not heal properly and affected his play throughout the season. For Ottawa to be successful they need a 100% healthy Fisher.

Fischer still feels very optimistic about the upcoming season and really likes the additions that Murray has added. He still feels the team is full of youth with a good mix of older experience players.

Fischer spoke with Coach Craig this summer on the phone and is excited what he will bring to the team.

http://blogs.ottawasenators.com/player/

NHL 2K9 For The WII

OK as you might of notice by reading the newspaper or on the Internet there is not much going on in the hockey world. So I am going to take a break from talking about our beloved Ottawa Senators and talk about what really is close to our hearts... Video Games. Who's on the cover and finally the much anticipated NHL hockey for the Wii (about time)

NHL 2K9 WII: Apparently Nintendo has simplified the controls quite a bit aiming for a family oriented game. The Graphics look very good, and the play looks smooth. I was unable to find out the price or the release date but probably close to drop of the puck. Also look for a down loadable trailer on your Wii Console. The use of the Wii remote as a hockey stick looks interesting and fun. Rick Nash will also be on the cover of the game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd0TUPJanIo

Great Expectations!!

All right, we have some new big contracts that are full of lots of money this year, and with lots of money come great expectations. I have listed some targets that I think are very reasonable if everyone stays healthy.

Alfredsson: As all Sens fans know we have the best bargain in the league with this guy! Not only does he play lots of minutes he is valuable on all units; power play, penalty kill, four on four and so on. At $4,338,996 this year most people would be happy if the player got 30 goals, but we are not talking about any player. Expect Alfredsson to score at least 40, and maybe come as close as 50, but unlikely. He will also add 50 helpers bringing him in the 90 point range for the year. I could see Alfredsson getting 6 of those goals short handed.

Heatley: OK Big expectations for this guy. He came up short last year on the quest for 50, but if he was healthy would of been there for sure. If we get the same Heatley that we saw in the World Hockey Championship expect him to break Gretzky record of 92 goals..... OK that might be a little far fetched, but I could see him getting career highs and getting somewhere between 55 and 62 goals. Now his total will also depend how Spezza does this year. The more effort Spezza puts forth the better off Heatley will be. Expect a healthy Heater to get about 105 points.

Spezza: Probably the most fustrating Senator to watch last year. I do believe this guys will come out of the gates more motivated then any other player on this team. I could see this guy getting 50 goals, but probably not this year. I can see him getting around 40 goals and 60 assist. I have heard Spezza has also added about ten pounds of muscle, so hopefully this brings a more physical presence to his game.

So there is our top line and expectations that a majority of fans and people around the team are praying for. As long as groins and shoulders stay in tack...

Do you agree or disagree with these expectation? As the days lead up to the season we will focus on other lines and "D" Pairings.

Line Ups & Payroll

OK so the Sens are 46 days away from playing their first pre-season game against the New York Rangers, and 60 days away from opening up against the Pittsburgh Penguins. So what does an every day normal guy think of after the August long weekend is? Line Ups and Payroll of course!

So after the brilliant signing of Vermette (thank Bryan), our payroll stands at 50,202,329 leaving us with 6,497,671 in cap space. We still have to sign Meszaros, or at least trade him. For argument sake I am going to assume we sign him for about 3, 000, 000 but my sources are saying that Bryan is far from the 3, 000, 000 mark.

This is how I see the Line up 60 days from now if the are no further transactions:

Alfredsson, Spezza, Heatley
Foligno, Fisher, Vermette
Mcammond, Kelly, Neil
Ruutu, Bass, Donovon/Schubert

Press box: Jesse Winchester

As far as our forwards go I have mixed feelings. First of all I could see Alfredsson and Foligno switching spots, as to even out some talent, only if Foligno can step it up and play constantly every night. I am also very excited to see Spezza back on the ice. I think he learnt a lot watching is team mates play in the World Hockey Championships. I think he will be more motivated to play this year then any other year as he has lots to prove still and his huge contract kicks in this year.

As for our third and fourth lines I am absolutely nervous about this as I see defensive liabilities and a definite lack of scoring and speed. Look for Winchester fighting hard for one of those spots in camp this fall.

I see our defense looking like this:

Phillips, Volchenkov
Meszaros, Lee
Smith, Nycholat/Schubert

Expect to see a lot of the Schubert shuffle this weekend as I believe he will be more valuable this then any other year, especially as injury's add up. Also expect him to once again be under rated by Sens fans. I have also heard that Murray is not done adding defensemen and is looking to trade in the next 14 days. Or when Meszaros is signed.

Look for Murray to use Vermette, Neil, Meszaros, Gerber as trade bait. There names keep coming up in conversation I have. Also don't expect Murray to spend right to the cap as it is usually a smart move to leave some room in case of injury's. Expect sens to use that money at the trade deadline if the think they can compete in the post season.

3rd Jersey?

This image of a "heritage" jersey to be used this season as the Sens 3rd option has beed floating around the internet for the past week or so...what are your thoughts? (http://www.sensheritagejersey.blogspot.com/)

I think it's absolutely amazing! I always loved when they played in their black and gold uniforms a couple of years ago - so intimidating! The only change I'd like to see would be to change the "O" to an "S" - I find the "O" looks too much like a zero. I do love the fact that it pay homage to our great hockey past - whether we were in the NHL or not - they don't call Ottawa Hockey Country for nothing.

If you like it, support it by going to http://www.gopetition.com/online/20872.html and sign the petition.

Sens ink Vermette: 2-years, $5.525 Million

About an hour ago, and about 15 min before their arbitration meeting was to take place, the Sens and Vermette came to a 2-year agreement worth $2.525 in year one and $3 million in year two.

I haven’t heard if there is a no movement or no trade clause involved but I sincerely doubt it. Vermette got about 15-20% more than what Murray was prepared to pay but I still think it was a good deal for Ottawa as he would have received more from the arbitrator and we most likely would have had to trade him during the season or lose him for nothing next summer.

Vermette and Kelly (Signed July 1^st) are both key penalty killers (some may say they are the best duo in the league) and his speed is exactly what a team needs in ‘the new NHL’. Many people forget, he has scored an average of 23 goals and 23 assists a year over the past three seasons with the Sens…my only problem with Vermette is the +/-…the last two seasons he’s a dismal +1 – not good enough on THIS team.

I expect Vermette to play a key role in our secondary scoring and penalty killing this year…who knows, you may even see him on the top PP unit.

One last question we need to ask is: Because the Senators play in Canada’s capital, which is officially bilingual, is it important for them to target and sign French-Canadian players? Or does it not matter? Personally it doesn’t bother me either way – I just want to see a winning team take the ice. Some people on the other hand want their team to represent their community (See: Montreal Canadiens)

Let us know your thoughts!