Laying The 2009-2010 Ottawa Senators To Rest
by PPP on Apr 26, 2010 3:34 PM EDT
Email
Print
Two years ago, we laid the 2007-2008 Montreal Canadiens to rest and laughed at their premature elevation of Carey Price. Last year we teamed up with Travis Hair to have our way with the 2008-2009 Montreal Canadiens and their ridicously funny centennial celebration. This year, in the interest of ensuring that we are rightly considered the bane of every Canadian-based NHL team's fan's Puck Daddy asked us to turn our scorn on the Ottawa Senators. Enjoy.
Dearly beloved hockey fans (just kidding we dislike most of you), we are not here to discuss whether Puck Daddy is having a slow news day (they are) or if he's in the tank for the Caps or Penguins (because he's a Devils homer). We are here to remember the good times provided by the Ottawa Senators. Every year the Senators bow out of the playoffs our minds wander back to a beautiful day in 2004 when their Captain and part-time Krusty the Clown stunt double Daniel Alfredsson said the following:
"Go ahead and write it, I guarantee we'll win the Cup."
The Leafs may not have won the Cup in my lifetime but I can take solace in the fact that Ottawa's young core is finally dying and Daniel Alfredsson's open ended guarantee goes on unfulfilled. The trio of Heatley, Alfredsson and Spezza that terrorized the Northeast for so long has turned into Alfie's last days, Jason Spezza's creepy giggle, Jonathon Cheechoo and Milan Michalek who's having surgery on his knee and may never play again. It's amazing how little $14M and 180 goals in four seasons doesn't quite buy you what it used to anymore.
At the very least, Senators fans can take solace in the fact that Cory Clouston, Ottawa's longest-tenured coach in club history after his first full season, believes that he's "seen a lot of improvements in his game from Day 1. It's a process with him. He's moving in the right direction." You might remember similar quotations from such periods in Senators' history as "Jacques Martin Frowns as Leafs Eliminate Senators Parts 1 - 4" or "John Paddock's Grumpy Months" or "Craig Hartsburg Is In Over His Head".
Going deeper into the Heatley trade it's odd that he'd want out of Ottawa and even odder than Ottawa would let him go. Though you have to love a player like Heatley who demands a trade out of town and then uses his no trade clause to avoid ending up in Edmonton. The fact is Ottawa got nothing at all in the deal for Heatley besides salary they need to pay. As Canada's brokest team I can't imagine noted purse string opener Eugene Melnyk, upon learning of having to pay Cheechoo while on his private yacht in international waters avoiding another securities commission investigation, is thrilled to have not saved any money trading a goal scorer for two ex-goal scorers. The good news for Senators fans is that Eugene will have a lot of time to focus on the team and that'll allow him to share his own views on team building with successful GM Bryan Murray.
The Philadelphia Flyers catch a lot of flak for their decades-long disaster in net but the Senators are giving them a run for their money. Former Goalie of the future Jeff Glass is now Wendy's Assistant Night Manager of the future, Brian Elliott rode an 11 game unsustainable hot streak to a deceptive save percentage but he was well and truly exposed by the Penguins, and Pascal LeClaire will make contortionists out of Senators fans as they try to argue that 3 games of .920 sv% is more indicative of true talent than a career of .903sv% goaltending. I guess there's always Robin Lehner coming down the pipe. I look forward to Alfie guaranteeing his countryman's future success.
Brian Elliott being anointed goaltender of the future based on a bizarre hot streak wasn't the weirdest thing that happened to Ottawa this year. That dubious honor would have to go to the absolutely laughable notion that Mike Fisher should have been named to team Canada at the Olympics. 896 escaped mental patients lent their voice to the campaign. The groundswell of support was exaggerated in much the same way as another reality-averse group of fans or the demand for playoff tickets. To be clear Canada's four centres were: Sidney Crosby, Jonathon Toews, Ryan Getzlaf and Patrice Bergeron. Fact: Mike Fisher finished behind Matt Stajan in the scoring race the past two years. Another Fact: Matt Stajan is terrible. A Final Fact: Matt Stajan will still make a lot less money than Mike Fisher.
With Ottawa though there's so much more to hate than the team that plays 30 minutes down the highway from a minor city. The National Capital Commission is working on re-branding the area's image. No, they won't be going with "Home of The Dynasty That Never Was" and they won't be going with "'fun', 'dynamic', "modern', 'cosmopolitan', or 'innovative.' in the slogan either. Despite eliminating the kinds of words that might make someone interested in visiting the area the NCC isn't quite going with truth in advertising either. They are expected to position the city as 'interesting' and 'beautiful' despite the fact that the city of Ottawa itself is a complete pit. During the 2009 World Junior Championships one couldn't walk around the "downtown core" (a McDonald's, Don Cherry's bar and four hundred unisex hair salons) without being bombarded by homeless people asking for money. At least in Toronto we have the good taste to round up ne'erdowells and use a bulldozer to push them in to Lake Ontario; aka. "The Giuliani".
Just this morning Chris Phillips announced that he won't accept a Team Canada invite for the World Championships despite not yet being invited. If Team Canada needs someone to score into their own net they'll wait for Dan Boyle to inevitably end up with some free time in a week and a half. Other players declining invites before being asked include Toronto's Garnet Exelby who doesn't want to block Chris Campoli's only shot at greatness.
Before reminding us in the comments that we're just bitter because we're Leafs fan we'll admit that you're right. As fans of a team that hasn't played in the postseason recently and may never do so again we'd like to welcome the Ottawa Senators to the offseason and remind you all that every Sens fan over the age of 25 used to cheer for Montreal or Toronto. Whenever the Dynasty that Never Was decides to face the facts and rebuild Ottawa can look forward to being the 2008-2009 Maple Leafs. Enjoy.
216 comments
|
18 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Fact: Mike Fisher finished behind Matt Stajan in the scoring race the past two years. Another Fact: Matt Stajan is terrible. A Final Fact: Matt Stajan will still make a lot less money than Mike Fisher.
owned. And Rec’d as well
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Apr 26, 2010 3:41 PM EDT reply actions
um...
So let me get this straight; Mike Fisher is making more money than he should AND he’s getting breakfast in bed from Carrie Underwood?
um…..
dion phaneuf makes 6.5 million, is dating elisha cuthbert and doesnt have to live in Ottawa
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
cuthbert is no Carrie Underwood.
But Dion is a leaf. Its all good. I wish like a Manon Rheaume on Fisher.
Cuthbert is still hot though
Boo hoo!
by Chris Stoikoff on Apr 26, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d take Cuthbert over Underwood. But i’ve had a serious crush on her ever since PMK, so I’m biased.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 26, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
also she isnt a country singer
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Carrie Underwood is incredibly hot as well
Boo hoo!
by Chris Stoikoff on Apr 26, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
but is she Jack Bauers daughter? I think not
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
damn right
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 26, 2010 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
.
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
THIS.
Brilliant eulogy, befitting the corpse. You may think it impolitic to speak ill of the dead, but I never liked these fuckers. Long may they rot.
Only notable oversight that I can think of is: that douchenozzle Chris Neil somehow escaped the thrust of your rapier wit. I would have mentioned Matt Carkner in this vein too, but his brain has been rendered so gelatinous by Colton Orr’s fists of fury that he’d never be able to read what you wrote anyway.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
by jrwendelman on Apr 26, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I absolutely love the venom being spit in this article.
by Five Minutes For Fighting on Apr 26, 2010 3:45 PM EDT reply actions
… the team that plays 30 minutes down the highway from a minor city
Maybe at 4:00 am on a Sunday morning. It’s closer to an hour and a half on game nights, since it’s Ottawa and we don’t have any multi-lane roads.
(By the way, I was exactly halfway through typing that sentence when Heath Ledger popped onto my screen and scared crap out of me.)
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 26, 2010 3:46 PM EDT reply actions
the best part is the dude behind him dancing at pace
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Hear hear! Well said!
Rec’d
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Apr 26, 2010 3:50 PM EDT reply actions
Not enough dick jokes.
And next time, may I humbly suggest photoshopping a pre-bought gravestone for Alfie that lists his name, date of birth and the guarantee.
www.stlouisgametime.com
Bryan Murray
So just as a reminder, this year Bryan Murray traded two second round picks for depth UFAs who won’t resign and who couldn’t even get the team into the second round. Oh, and he also didn’t manage to resign a guy who may legitimately be their best player and is in his prime, and who is now going to leave as a UFA with no compensation at all.
That’s not even mentioning the Heatley debacle, in which he managed to make the worst of a bad situation, and the continued failure to ever have a good goaltender, ever.
Here’s my question: Is it even possible for Bryan Murray to get fired any more? I mean, at this point can we just assume that he could take a big runny poo into a Sens jersey, put it in net as the starting goalie, and Sens fans and media would just mutter about how hard he’s trying?
I mean, Toronto fans will put up with a lot, but we killed and ate JFJ over less than this.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 26, 2010 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 21 recs
brilliance
I mean, at this point can we just assume that he could take a big runny poo into a Sens jersey, put it in net as the starting goalie, and Sens fans and media would just mutter about how hard he’s trying?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I also love how they traded Vermette (and a 2nd) who would be their 2nd highest in points 65 behind clown boys 71) AND their best goal scorer (27 to Fishers 25) for Pascel Fucking Leclair
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember seeing Vermette in the post-trade interview looking like “Really, well OK…I mean I don’t care that I’m leaving, but for him? Whatever! Peace out.”
yeah, i mean he was having a bit of a rough go in ottawa, but it was a terrible trade that no one talks about
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
It was a horrible trade because they did what we did with Raycroft and Toskala: moved a functioning hockey player or asset for a shitty goalie.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
exactly
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
You forgot the first rounder he traded for a quarter of a season of Mike Comrie (didn’t re-sign) and Chris Campoli (healthy scratch).
Not to mention the coaching carousel farce. But I guess Melnyk has his back.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
And don’t forget that he drafted Jared “The Next Human Pylon” Cowen after we snatched Kadri from him. Seriously, Cowen is going to be the next Hal Gill. (read as: fucking terrible)
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
:(
I liked Hal Gill.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
How do Cowen’s junior stats compare to Gill’s?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Cowens highest jr totals are 9 points more than Gills
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
also no questionable knee surgury
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
wow, uh….
just wow.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
God, Cowen REALLY sucks then
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Apr 26, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
he was projected to go top 3 before his injury too
that memorial cup totally juiced his value
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I think in the end, Jared Cowen will be described as a media creation
Congratulations, you just made “fetch” happen, scouts.
As per new community rules; all signature tags on PPP must contain the word "truculent".
(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score
by Wrap Around Curl on Apr 26, 2010 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
Not only did we take the guy Ottawa wanted, but we got them to take a “media creation”…gotta love Brian Burke ;)
Truculence...starting 10/1/09
Mr Cowen has a lots of turning things around to be worth his salt. Perhaps I’m being overly harsh. But I had all the faith in his dynamic abilities and then he just stopped.
As per new community rules; all signature tags on PPP must contain the word "truculent".
(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score
by Wrap Around Curl on Apr 27, 2010 3:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Is that the kid you want? We’re taking him.
Fantasy = Berezin - Grabovski - Moi
by Sergei Puckizin on Apr 26, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I reeeeally love how, when they’re side-by-side, Burke looks like Spike the Bulldog, while Murray is the yappy little Jack Russel Terrier.
Fantasy = Berezin - Grabovski - Moi
by Sergei Puckizin on Apr 26, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
But I guess Melnyk has his back.
Maybe Melnyk just doesn’t want to have to towel off after he delivers the news and Murray says “Ah, shucksh Eugene, let me shtay, the tashk shtill needsh to get done, we gotta win a Shtanley Cup!!!”
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
by jrwendelman on Apr 26, 2010 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well said
It is astonishing how they cannot see the signs of a franchise in decline.
They all think that “The Sens are back as a power in the east”.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Apr 26, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
All that’s left is for Volchenkov to walk and Alfie to retire. Nail in coffin.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 26, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
how long after that does spezza demand a trade?
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
a week after they sign Torres for a 5 year 4 million per deal with a NTC
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Apr 26, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
he’s already given his agent a standing order of 7 and a half minutes.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Apr 26, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
July 17, 2007 – Traded Peter Schaefer to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Shean Donovan
February 11, 2008 – Traded Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves to the Carolina Hurricanes for Mike Commodore and Cory Stillman.
February 26, 2008 – Traded a sixth-round draft pick in 2008 (#169, Ben Smith) to the Chicago Blackhawks for Martin Lapointe
June 25, 2008 – Traded Brian McGrattan to the Phoenix Coyotes for the Boston Bruins’ fifth-round draft pick in 2009 (#146, Jeff Costello)
August 29, 2008 – Traded Andrej Meszaros to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Filip Kuba, Alexandre Picard and San Jose’s first-round draft pick (previously acquired) in 2009.12
September 2, 2008 – Traded Lawrence Nycholat to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Ryan Shannon
November 10, 2008 – Traded Alexander Nikulin to the Phoenix Coyotes for Drew Fata
February 20, 2009 – Traded Dean McAmmond and San Jose’s first-round draft pick in 2009 (#26, Kyle Palmieri) to the New York Islanders in exchange for Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli
March 4, 2009 – Traded Antoine Vermette to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Pascal Leclaire and a second-round draft pick in 2009 (#46, Robin Lehner).
September 12, 2009 – Traded Dany Heatley and a fifth-round draft pick in 2010 to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and San Jose’s second-round draft pick in 2010.
February 12, 2010 – Traded Alexandre Picard and a second-round draft pick in 2011 to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Matt Cullen.
March 2, 2010 – Traded a second-round draft pick in 2010 to the New York Islanders in exchange for Andy Sutton.
No really good trades, some bad ones, and a bunch of “meh” as his core rotted.
And this doesn’t include the Kovalev, Spezza and Fisher contracts, all of which involve overpayments that have handcuffed the team going forward.
If he has any balls they’ll trade Alfie. This team is the Leafs circa 2005.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Except they aren’t going to re-sign their McCabe (Volchenkov), and they don’t have a Tomas Kaberle to deal for help.
Resident Capologist
Man Heatley really fucked them bad.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 26, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Did he ever. That trade is Vince Carter-esque.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
The big question for me is whether Murray saw Cheechoo as an asset or not. In other words, did SJ make OTT take Cheechoo, or did Murray actually want him.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
It depends when you’re asking the question.
When the deal was made: What a crafty pickup for Ottawa!
Today: Well, obviously Murray was forced to take him…
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 26, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This should be known as the Mark Bell effect.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Mark Bell, the destroyer of Alfredsson, shall be revered!
I demand it!!!
(But yes, good point).
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Did anyone think Bell was an asset when acquired? Made me want to gouge my eyes out.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I tried to make myself believe he could recapture something, or atleast make himself useful
and he did!
in the final game of the season
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I knew he was bad salary but hoped he could find his form.
As usual he didn’t.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Easy for me to foresee bad things, I’m just barely north of mf37 on the pessimism scale.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I saw it as a salary dump from San Jose, but I tend to see the bad in all Leaf acquisitions.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
you? really?
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
no, I’m sure he’s being sarcastic.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
him? really?
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he was just excited to have a “star” player without an S in his name.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Apr 26, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Murray loves him some CTHeeTHoo
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Apr 26, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s a long way from when they traded Yashin for Chara and the pick that became Spezza.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
If he has any balls they’ll trade Alfie. This team is the Leafs circa 2005.
The two biggest challenges in Ottawa are ownership and the market.
Melnyk thinks this club can still win it all, which means no tearing it down or ballsy moves.
The market is small, lacks any corporate heft, and has to see that the window of opportunity is closing, or has closed, for the foreseeable future.
I think Ottawa is in the awful mushy middle: not talented enough to make a run and not bad enough to acquire elite talent at the draft.
Given the market and the owner, I’m not sure how they manage to get out of the situation they’re in.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
The Sens “ballsy” (talk about an oxymoron) moves will probably be moving draft picks to get players to help another doomed run at the Cup.
Melnyk kept the Senators in Ottawa but is dooming them to failure on the ice.
Truculence...starting 10/1/09
Agreed.
I’m no expert, but it seems to me they either need to cash every chip to make a run before Alfredsson needs a walker or cash in all their parts that are over 27 to rebuild a more competitive team.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
They need to not do what the 05 Leafs did in their situation: hold on to old assets until their value disappears.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
I have a strange feeling
That Alfredsson will retire an Ottawa Senator and the Sens will get nothing for him.
Besides that, who knows?
Truculence...starting 10/1/09
I kinda hope he pulls a Sundin, just so they can shut the fuck up about it
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
From an emotional standpoint you want your team’s leader for a decade to retire in that jersey as a shining beacon of light for your franchise to show off forever.
From a real life business standpoint you’d be a complete halfwit to not try and move Alfredsson at the deadline of his final real year (he has three left on his contract, doubt he plays them all) for assets.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
From an emotional standpoint you want your team’s leader for a decade to retire in that jersey as a shining beacon of light for your franchise to show off forever.
This idea works fine, except it’s Alfredsson….in Ottawa….I’m no expert, but it doesn’t seem like that bright a beacon to start with.
Article1: "I WANT HER TO BE A PRINCESS! THIS MAKES HER LOOK LIKE A SLUT!"
From a “complete disaster” standpoint, of course, you want to fail to trade your leader for anything and then still see him retire in another jersey.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 26, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
/depressed
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, it’s luck of the draw that your teams has success in your franchise darling’s final season, or close to it. The only ones that comes to mind are Yzerman and Stevens.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
What about Ray Bourque? Wait, nevermind.
Fantasy = Berezin - Grabovski - Moi
by Sergei Puckizin on Apr 26, 2010 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
you’re saying you wouldn’t have liked sundin to get a cup in vancouver?
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 27, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
I would have hated Vancouver to get a cup
if he’d gone to a team i didnt despise then yes
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 27, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
god help my poor tv if that had happened.
Fantasy = Berezin - Grabovski - Moi
by Sergei Puckizin on Apr 27, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Would’ve been happy he retired with a cup. Still been pissed how he went about doing it.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 27, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Never underestimate the "Ottawa Factor"
Never underestimate the Ottawa Factor in this org’s decisions. Murray being from Shawville gets him a free pass from the docile media.
When Phil Melanson and Lee Versage are the only lost voices asking questions, you know this is a town full of poodles with media passes affixed to their leashes.
When a guy from Carleton Place lands a weekly radio gig (that would be Shean Donovan), that tells you all you need to know about this team and this town, a town afraid to challenge for anything more than a mediocrity induced by years of government-level apathy and disengagement with high standards.
On the plus side, Murray being there ad infinitam gives us a clear and free run toward a playoff berth and playoff success over the next little while.
Long live Bryan Murray, Long live the Ottawa Senators and their relentless pursuit of mediocrity.
by BesterThanYesterday on Apr 27, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
up on puckdaddy now
sens fans (and nucks fans) comments hilarious in totally unintended ways as always
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:13 PM EDT reply actions
“They are expected to position the city as ‘interesting’ and ‘beautiful’ despite the fact that the city of Ottawa itself is a complete pit.” This is relevant to hockey, because? The Leafs GM traded all his past, and present, at least the Sens actually have a future…
The Sens have a future? bahahahhahahhahhaa
Senators are ranked 21st in organizational prospect depth by hockeysfuture. Leafs are 6th.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
did you post this on puck daddy?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
@ 11
The Senators do have a future; albeit a very bleak one. HockeysFuture.com has them ranked 21st in organizational depth whereas the Leafs are ranked 6th. I bet you guys can’t wait to dress Jared “The Human Pylon” Cowen next year once Murray lets Volchenkov walk this summer. Should be a great season!
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
by SkinnyFish on Apr 26, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ohh they must be enjoying that
WWGRD? (What Would Gary Roberts Do?)
by PassivelyTruculent on Apr 26, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
This was an awesome comment. Even his suggestion the Leafs had traded their “past and present”—I mean, isn’t that what a rebuilding team is supposed to do?
The notion that Ottawa has a bright future is laughable beyond words unless they deal Alfie and Spezza for a bucket of prospects.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d actually give them serious props if they did that. But unloading their contracts AND getting decent picks/prospects? That’d be tough.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 26, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Alfie would get a serious return; his contract’s not bad.
Spezza would be interesting. I bet there’s a sucker out there for him.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Ottawa would burn if they traded alfie
I hope they do it
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope they don’t, because it’s actually the smart thing to do.
But you’re right, they never will.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, actually I dont hope they do it because it would actually help their franchise.
he is the best player they have ever grown and held onto
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah that guy totally exemplifies the classiness of Sens fans.
WWGRD? (What Would Gary Roberts Do?)
by PassivelyTruculent on Apr 26, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I got your sucker!!
Actually, two of them: Tambellini and Sather.
I'm thinking that when the Leafs win the Cup, I'll lose my drinking problem.
by leafsfan4life94 on Apr 26, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
What’s the going rate for a “playmaker” who has a $7M cap hit,. can’t hit, can’t play defence, won’t shoot, makes behind-the-back passes that lead to goals for the other team, and is in general a giant douchebag?
Resident Capologist
What did the NYR get for Gomez?
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Higgins!
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Apr 26, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Gomez and Pyatt for Ryan McDonagh, Higgins, & Pavel Valentenko
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
yeah, but bob gainey retired
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
wasn’t McDonagh like their top prospect?
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Apr 26, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
he was “arguably” the Habs best defensive prospect (when they arnt slathering all over Subban) but since the trade he was a fringe prospect with no future, of course
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
hmmm… a little bit more than Lecavalier would get you?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
And...
By Sunday evening, at least 2 Sens fans “advised” me that Alfredsson played injured with a torn assho- sorry abdomen muscle and referred to him as a hero.
BS
He played with a severe case if “is old”.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
by Chemmy on Apr 26, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Because when healthy he’s known for his playoff heroics…. oh wait… hmmm.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 26, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
It takes a lot of accuracy to shoot the puck deliberately at someone.
WWGRD? (What Would Gary Roberts Do?)
by PassivelyTruculent on Apr 26, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
thats when you say “you know Kessel played injured his last few games too right?”
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I mentioned that…was told it was meaningless regular season games, not the playoffs – that’s where the hero part came in. Imagine that.
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Apr 26, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
shoulda countered
“so you’re telling me he played injured, and was infective while doing so, and took a roster spot away from someone who might have been able to make a difference? you have a terrible definition of hero”
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That’s way better than my typical “Pascal Leclaire looks like skeletor”
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Apr 26, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
"Pascal Leclaire looks like skeletor"
OMG, he does!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
or as Muppet so elegantly put it , Leclaire looks like a retarded bunny rabbit
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah like the Donny Darko Rabbit, but not intimidating in the least.
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Apr 26, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
He also kinda looks like goofey
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
hey now, lets not insult the man
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, I try to remind these young naive Sens fans, that hockey – like all sports and life – is cyclical.
You have you’re ups now, after years of down. You make fun of the Leafs when there down, but it will come back to bite you. Eventually your hero’s will age, and you’re trading away assests for success now, and you will suck again too.
Keep your mouth shut, and enjoy you’re team while they are/were hot. Soak it up, enjoy it.
Don’t focus on the bottom feeding Leafs and how sucky they are – focus on your team and how successful they are/were. If you are comparing them to the Leafs and gloating about it, you’re wasting your time. Compare them to a Detroit, or an NJ, and how you can improve.
But nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. You know Sens fans.
Hopefully the landslide begins, and we have our day!
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Apr 26, 2010 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
i've admitted before
that i kinda sorta like Mike Fisher, but if I could get this printed on a t-shirt:
Fact: Mike Fisher finished behind Matt Stajan in the scoring race the past two years. Another Fact: Matt Stajan is terrible. A Final Fact: Matt Stajan will still make a lot less money than Mike Fisher.
i’d wear it every day
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Apr 26, 2010 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Matt Stajan for Team Canada at the WJC!!
Should I start another petition?
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Where do I sign?
WWGRD? (What Would Gary Roberts Do?)
by PassivelyTruculent on Apr 26, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
where’s Likely?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
#26's comment is just...wow...
as a leafs fan and more importantly a hockey fan, I do not and cannot support this view. Ottawa at least made it to the play-offs and have done so consistently when “our” team has not. Good for you Ottawa, congratulations and another successful year, you at least went down swinging unlike “our” miserable team finishing 29th overall…talk about eulogy!! …and a special congratulation to Daniel Alfredsson how played his 1000 game and who was tied for top points on this team in spite of being injured. We would be lucky to have a captain like Mr Alfredsson! PPP boys….grow up!
Can we kick him off the bandwagon? We don’t need fans like this.
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Apr 26, 2010 4:41 PM EDT reply actions
just read that, he is so off the bandwagon
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Apr 26, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Clearly this is a Senators fan masquerading as a Leafs fan. No true Leafs fan would have positive to say about the Senators let along that asshat Daniel Alfredsson.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
so many spelling errors. I turn into Jared when I’m heated.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
I am your incredible hulk
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
i was thinking
he’s Bizarro Jared
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Apr 26, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
so if I get mad my spelling improves?
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
you become a Rhodes Scholar!
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Apr 26, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
no
that’s if you drink
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
but im always drinking
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
d’oh
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
apparently you are an embarrassment to us all
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
this makes me proud
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 26, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
eh, what are you going to do?
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
probably point and laugh
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
haw! he sassed you back!
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Apr 26, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
This isn't a Leafs fan
When they say Alfredsson we say BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
When they say Senators we say
fuck the fucking senators
Truculence...starting 10/1/09
Huzzah!
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Apr 26, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I can see why Sens fans are frustrated. It’s got to be kind of annoying to have to read a trash-talking eulogy for your favorite team written by some embittered Leaf fans.
(Drums fingers.)
(Goes back to writing something.)
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 26, 2010 4:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
i like where this is heading
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Apr 26, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Ya, they only had good things to say about us when we didn’t make the playoffs.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 26, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
The bar has been set.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 26, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Well to be fair I think we set the bar with last year’s Habs eulogy. Our schedules were bad this weekend and I don’t think the Ottawa eulogy was our best work to be honest.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
“But you had months to write it!”
Gotta love the need for Sens fans to feel like we’re as obsessed with them as they are with us.
by BetterThanBester on Apr 26, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
PPP and I wrote this in about an hour this morning.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Yeah
I agree. Of the three, last year’s was our best by a mile.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
the picture of alfredsson in the tutu never stops being funny either
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 5:10 PM EDT reply actions
I still don’t believe it’s real.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Apr 26, 2010 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
It is. It was a team party. That guy with the microphone is a hypnotist.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
I guess I mean can’t. It’s just too perfect. We should have sent the Pens a poster sized version of it to put up in their dressing room.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Apr 27, 2010 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions
2 words
Fuck and Yes!
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
Have to say, I’m crazy impressed you managed to write this without one mention of Alex Kovalev. Though from his performance this year, you’d be forgiven for not realizing he was on the team.
Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.
http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo
Yeah, we left a bunch of stuff off I would have loved to get into just because of our time constraint.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Yeah
If we had had the entire weekend we could have written a book.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
Between the Puck Daddy message board and the TSN Your Call for the Sens wrap-up, I think it’s begging for either an MBA or NNN.
Sure, we’re jealous of the Senators and their 1st round exit, with a declining future…. you know, as opposed to contenders that have actually won something. But no, it’s the Sens we’re jealous of.
by BetterThanBester on Apr 26, 2010 5:20 PM EDT reply actions
In all honesty, the Senators are one of the very few teams I’m not jealous of right now.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 26, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly…
“Want to cheer for a team with no history of success, a bleak future, and an apathetic/ignorant fanbase?” Where do we line up.
I was at a pub in the market last week, after game 4, and they had up one of those “Countdown to the next Sens Game” clocks… and it was listing it as 162 days away. The group of us, all fans of other teams, had to laugh at how quickly everyone gives up.
by BetterThanBester on Apr 26, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't forget
The arena’s out in Kanata Arnprior, so you have to drive through really slow traffic to get there.
Truculence...starting 10/1/09
I was soooooo happy to see the Ottawa Senator window of opportunity slam shut.
I hate the Senators.
I cant believe
people know this much about the Senators!
Im impressed.
ALSO!
I hate ALL other teams, not just most.
by Johnny Bower's Pokecheck on Apr 26, 2010 6:22 PM EDT reply actions
I get to watch what happened to us 5 years ago from a safe distance! Popcorn!
Keep Firing, Assholes!
The world on a string doesn't mean a thing.
It's only real in the way that I feel from day to day.
It’s going to be toe-tappingly tragic.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 26, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
The greatest moment I’ve had in NHL 10 was a win against Ottawa where the go-ahead goal was an own goal by Phillips.
It was glorious.
"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer
Brian Burke says the same thing, except he replaces “NHL 10” with “Stanley Cup Final”.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
Did Daniel Alfredsson guarantee that the Swedes would medal in the olympics, or has he learned to keep his mouth shut?
Baby goes crazy for a sharp dressed man
they lost for one reason
No Sundin
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 26, 2010 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
We should at be glad that Pittsburg got the job done since the Caps seem to be incapable of containing a team that clinched their spot on a technicality.
Gotta question the viability of the Caps as Stanley Cup contenders. A championship-calibre team would have found a way to win this game. Now, once again, Caps find themselves in a Game 7 situation where anything can happen.
If nothing else, whoever is supposed to write the Habs eulogy has to be pissed he/she doesn’t get to use it yet.
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
They don’t have the goaltending and they don’t have the defence.
I don’t know how many times we have to see this to realize it doesn’t work. If you can’t stop other teams from scoring when you need to, and your goalie can’t steal you a game, you don’t have a backup plan if the offence can’t score at will.
If I’m Nick Backstrom and the Caps choke this away, suddenly I’m not in such a hurry to re-up.
Resident Capologist
I like Varlamov but he’s young and inconsistent and not ready to be a #1 guy. He was forced to be the guy after Theo let 2 goals in on 2 shots. I think Caps need to go back to Theo for game 7.
Their defense is pretty weak, I like Schultz but as much as Caps fans say its not true, Green is not at the defensive part of his game and makes some silly plays in his own end.
That being said, they’re still a very dynamic team, I don’t see them having any trouble re-signing Backstrom. Tonnes of centres in the NHL dream of having a winger like Ovi. It’s frustrating to watch them lose to the Canadiens, Caps just don’t seem to be able to respond to the Habs style of play. Plus Halak was redonkulous tonight.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 26, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
They can’t go to Theodore for Game 7 because they’ve already made the switch in this round. Going back to Theo does 2 things; first, it gives the Habs a major confidence boost. They’re already on a pretty big high from running them out of the rink to force a Game 7. Martin will be in the room telling them, “We can do this. We’ve already chased this guy. They’re desperate. They have no confidence in either of their goaltenders.” In a one-game scenario, that’s a dangerous motivation boost to give to the underdog. Second, it will make the Caps press. They’ve already shown that they don’t have any confidence in their D and goalies to take over a game, evidenced by their game plan to simply outscore everybody. They switch again, they’re gong to press the action and take risks to make plays because if they fall behind, they won’t be confident to have their goaltender keep them in the game. The Caps need to come out and absolutely throttle the Habs from the opening faceoff. And they need to project 100% confidence in Varlamov.
The whole defence makes silly plays in their own end; Green, Corvo, Poti, Carlson… they’re all offensively minded defenceman. They don’t have a true shut-down guy (as much as they’d like to believe it’s Jeff Schultz) and they’re screwed if they meet Pittsburgh, because the Pens will throw Staal’s line and Orpik out against Ovechkin-Backstrom every shift, and Washington doesn’t have anyone to match up against Crosby and Malkin.
Resident Capologist
I disagree on the point about Varly/Theo, but I see where you’re coming from with the confidence thing.
I think Theo will play. Canadiens went from Halak back to Price back to Halak, worked out OK for them. What they really need is to start scoring some f@#*ing goals.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 27, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
With all due respect...
A championship-calibre team would have found a way to win this game.
Poppycock.
The Habs stole a game because of a hot goalie. That’s the beginning and the end of it. It’s happened to good teams, as well as bad teams, since this game was invented.
The 80s Oilers didn’t seem to have a problem winning Cups with all O and no D. And don’t tell me Fuhr was some “clutch” magician. Experts on this subject have debunked the whole “goaltending to the score” myth. He was an OK goalie playing behind an amazing team.
The Habs may win Game 7 but it won’t be because the Caps choked, or they can’t win with their style of play. It’ll be because in a 7 game series, stuff happens in a dynamic sport like hockey.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 27, 2010 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I respectfully disagree
Halak played wonderfully, no doubt. But there are ways to beat an outstanding goalie. Screens, tips, good puck movement on powerplays, things like that. I didn’t see the Capitals do enough of those things in Game 6, even though they carried the play and took a huge number of shots.
Now maybe the real sin for the Caps was their atrocious performance in Game 5. But as well as they played in Game 6, I still didn’t think they did enough of the right things to win. And that’s not meant to slight Halak’s performance, he was terrific.
Bottom line, the Caps have to have all facets of their game working to win Game 7. For our sake, let’s hope that happens.
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
Sooooo who gets to eugoogaly the Sabres? Leave the honours to Stanley Cup of Chowder?
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
Not sure
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
No sir.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Apr 27, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
no, they have the Senators
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 27, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Not entirely true, they do have the 67s, who have accomplished more than the Senators ever will.
Of course, Melnyk doesn’t own the 67s…
by BesterThanYesterday on Apr 27, 2010 1:49 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Thursday’s Three Stars: Max Pac hat trick; Chris Phillips’ memorable 1,000th game
- It’s over: Montreal’s Scott Gomez finally ends goalless streak (Video)
- Scott Hartnell’s goal celebration now includes fighting Dion Phaneuf (Video)
- Puck Previews: Leafs meet Flyers; Steve Yzerman not playing in Winter Classic Alumni Game?
- Three theories on why Hurricanes might pull Tuomo Ruutu off trading block
SBNation.com Recent Stories
StatCounter
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
