Rumours abound in the blogosphere, but they remain rumours. Typically, they include the much-reported requirements for the 2008-09 Sens team to fill itself out; a top-six forward, and a top-four defenceman. But which one does the team need more?
Top-six forward
The Sens have needed another top-six forward for the last two seasons. The firepower of Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and Dany Heatley is nothing to scoff at, but if a team is able to shut that line down--as has happened (most notably in the the 2007 Stanly Cup Final against Anaheim), there is no fall back plan. Mike Fisher is intense, but he can't be counted on for offensive production. Antoine Vermette has gotten his opportunities, but failed to make them count. After them, there's really no option, unless prospects like Jesse Winchester, Ilya Zubov, or Alexander Nikulin surprise a lot of people. The Sens have acquired the likes of Mike Comrie and Cory Stillman to try and fill the void, but for various reasons they didn't work out as long-term solutions.
If the Sens fail to acquire more scoring depth, the onus once again falls entirely on Spezzalfredheat. And the team, more likely than not, remains as vulnerable to a good shut-down defensive tandem as they have been in past years. We'd heard that Jason Williams was (apparently) close to becoming a Senator, but that proved incorrect. There aren't many offensive forwards remaining on the free agent market, so the only avenue the Sens really have is through a trade, and, with 13 NHL-calibre forwards plus several potential prospects, there are tradeable assets on the team right now.
Top-four defenceman
In the past three seasons, the Sens have lost Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Joe Corvo, Tom Preissing, Brian Pothier, and Mike Commodore, and the only new faces are Lawrence Nycholat, Brian Lee, and Jason Smith (and possibly Mattias Karlsson). There is an obvious problem with this picture. As good as Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov are, they can't do everything. Andrej Meszaros isn't even signed yet, but if he is signed most don't think he's ready to be the Sens go-to guy on the powerplay. The Sens desperately need some help on the blue line.
All sorts of names have been mentioned. The Sens were apparently in the Dan Boyle and Brian Campbell sweepstakes, but couldn't match market offers. Trade rumours have included the likes of Jay Bouwmeester (fat chance) and Cam Barker, but those are just rumours and are probably built on blind hope. Ottawa's goaltending tandem of Martin Gerber and Alex Auld makes the defensive needs more evident; although both are capable NHL goaltenders, neither is good enough to regularly steal games.
Verdict
Man, this is a tough choice. Both are pressing needs, but if I had to choose one or another, I'd say that a top-four defenceman is more important at this point. What do you think?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
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9 comments:
I say Top 6 forward more than the D is needed. I think Lee will have a breakout year.
Williams seemed like a good fit (though I still question his offensive abilities), too bad that deal went sour.
Oh yeah - one more problem with the Sens: #1 goaltender still needed. (As has been the problem since Lalime - or some would argue Tugnutt - left)
Gerber is absolutely a number one goaltender if he can get opportunities on a regular basis and don't be stressed by the fact that a loss will make him a backup goalie.
It's definitely a tough call but I'd love to see them get a big, physical guy who could play the wing with Heatzza so they could put Alfie on the second line with Fisher, which automatically makes Fisher more dangerous and might even make Heatzza play a more aggressive game, or at least the Heatley part since he seems to step up that aspect of his play when he's on a line with someone a bit more in your face than Spezza.
The puck-moving defenceman would be nice too but I just don't see it happening.
I think top 6 forward...
since right now only roughly 1/3 of the forward can score and 1/2 of the defence can "move" the pick...
Bell and Lee and everyone else should be given the chance to fail... with Phillips, Volchenkov, Smith, Lee, Schubert... that's already a very good group of D there... if they sign Meszaros... then I don't see any more problem... Lee or Schubert's spot could be the wild card where Nycholat or Bell could get a chance...
why does every one dislike Gerber???
for forward... if no one is added, I don't see anyone from the farm can fill the scoring hole... and it would be the same story as last year...
Ben: I seriously doubt that Lee is ready to make a real impact. Young D always take longer to develop and Lee likely has some serious growing pains to go through.
Which is one reason why I REALLY want Mez to stay - We've been through the tough times and the growing pains, and I realy think he's ready to break out.
Also I believe a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised by Jesse Winchester. He has a ton of skill and when placed beside Spezza and Heatley (in his first NHL game) he didn't look out of place. We have 3 franchise forwards, 1 franchise grinder, and now a top-6 forward. Depending on how Foligno develops, we may not even need a top-6...we'll already have them.
future ottawa sun headlines for jason winchester:
"Winchester pulls the trigger"
"Winchester shoots down competition"
"Winchester backfires"
"Winchester jams"
"Winchester won the west now winning with senators"
patent pending
"future ottawa sun headlines for jason winchester:
"Winchester pulls the trigger"
"Winchester shoots down competition"
"Winchester backfires"
"Winchester jams"
"Winchester won the west now winning with senators"
patent pending"
I don't know about Jason Winchester, but Jesse Winchester will certainly shooting down the competition and winning with the Senators.
Top 6 or D?
.. hm, a goalie. jk, FAITH IN GERBER!!
Anyways, I think one or the other is gonna break out of Bingo/Europe this year, so the other could be obtained by trade deadline in February.. the team's pretty stacked; everyone's just overexaggerating.
Too bad they couldn't get Shanny for a year at 2 mil + incentives. He probably hasn't signed anywhere yet because he wants too much, but he would be a scoring threat and provide more veteran presence. Gary Roberts with scoring punch. As for D, I think the mistake was trading Corvo. His offensive ability far outweighed the few defensive gaffs he may have made. Corvo and Eaves for 3 weeks and a 1st round playoff of the Commodore and Stillman show. What a waste. Be smart Murray.
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