Pre-Game Talk: Islanders @ Senators Nov. 1 (7:30 p.m. Eastern, 4:30 p.m. Pacific)

[DrunkUncleDenis]

Neil will be chirping at Spezza all game you can bet on that. Putting Spezza with two of the hardest working players will make him realize that the game is not just all pretty stuff.

This could actually work now that spezza is starting to shoot a lot more.

 

[booger]

It reminds me of Sundin playing with Domi. It worked on occasion, but you certainly didn't want that to be your long term solution.

 

[SelleckStache]

I have no problem with the forward lines if it forces them to play a little more cautiously

 

[YNWA14]

you mean Alfie made everyone better (younger Alfie obviously)

Spezza shows his true colors because he can't make anyone better and is the worst defensive player on the team. But ya keep dreaming...

Yeah...it was Alfie that made Butler look like a 25 goal scorer, and Greening a 40+ point player, and Alfie also got Michalek a 35 goal season. Heatley was definitely a product of Alfie, too.

Oh, also, Alfie's numbers actually got better when he didn't play with Spezza. Also, Spezza didn't have his best ever season playing away from Alfredsson (probably a product of Michalek)...

Hmm...

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

you mean Alfie made everyone better (younger Alfie obviously)

Spezza shows his true colors because he can't make anyone better and is the worst defensive player on the team. But ya keep dreaming...

Spezza definitely makes players better. No question about it. He'll make them look 3 times their worth.

At the same time though he'll make the whole line worse defensively. People don't understand the value Alfredsson held on that line defensively.

To be honest, last year, to start the year, Spezza looked dominant at both ends of the ice and he was also very good against NYR in defensive end.

Spezza CAN be good defensively but this is the worst Spezza I've seen in years. I don't know if the injuries are haunting him and he's not trying harder but it's not like Spezza has always been like this lately.

What's frustrating me is that we are in position to win now and I don't need the Captain of all people to start playing some of the worst hockey of his career that'll make this team start second guessing itself, argh. I'll give it 5-10 more games (especially since it's against easy weak Eastern teams) to judge what type of Spezza is showing up.

 

[YNWA14]

Spezza started the season coming off back-surgery (unless you count the Pitts series), a knee injury and then injured his groin.

The last 2 - 3 games he's been much better defensively effort wise, and responsible with the puck. I'd say he's more likely to round into form as the season goes on than stay at his current level.

I think a lot of people understand what value Alfredsson held defensively with Spezza in his earlier years. I think having someone like that on his line now would be great...it's why I wanted Eriksson so badly -- great defensively and a strong possession player that could emulate what Alfredsson brought to the old Pizza line. Eriksson - Spezza - Zibanejad/Ryan would have been so good...

That said when Michalek was healthy and skating hard he also brought a strong element of defensive responsibility to the line. Now I'm not really sure I like what I see from Michalek on either side of the ice. Finding a defensively responsible possession type winger to play with Spezza would be ideal ATM IMO.

 

[Filatov2Kovalev2Bonk]

NM.

Hopefully Neil opens up some room for Spezza out there.

 

[starling]

NM.

Hopefully Neil opens up some room for Spezza out there.

I don't see how. Opposition will start playing tighter on Spezza since Neil is not much of a threat offensively.

 

[Super Cake]

I don't see how. Opposition will start playing tighter on Spezza since Neil is not much of a threat offensively.

Neil is a big body who can push people around. He will crash the net and will give spezza the chance to shoot the puck at the net more.

 

[Mercurial]

Neil is a big body who can push people around. He will crash the net and will give spezza the chance to shoot the puck at the net more.

1 D and 2 F will just crowd Spezza, they'll quite happily leave Conacher and Neil floating around. No threat.

I predict by the beginning of the 2nd period Michalek will be back with Spezza.

 

[Super Cake]

1 D and 2 F will just crowd Spezza, they'll quite happily leave Conacher and Neil floating around. No threat.

I predict by the beginning of the 2nd period Michalek will be back with Spezza.

First of all, you have absolutely no idea what the opposition will do, so stop trying to act like you do.

Second of all, Michalek is no ****ing offensive threat either. If he gets back on the first line, then i really question the coaches decision. Michalek is NOT a top 6 forward.

 

[M4TR1X]

Michalek is no ****ing offensive threat either. If he gets back on the first line, then i really question the coaches decision. Michalek is NOT at top 6 forward. Even Conacher is more of an offensive threat then michalek.

So the 35 goals in 2011-12 season doesn't do it for you?
Maybe not Line 1, but surely he's a solid Line 2 forward.

 

[Super Cake]

So the 35 goals in 2011-12 season doesn't do it for you?
Maybe not Line 1, but surely he's a solid Line 2 forward.

Why would one season do anything for me? I need a much larger sample size.

 

[starling]

I think Mac wants to see how these 3rd and 4th lines mesh together and reshuffle one that doesn't look good with Spezza line as game goes on.

 

[M4TR1X]

Why would one season do anything for me? I need a much larger sample size.

Being a 20 goal scorer nearly 6 times can't make him at least into the top 6?

 

[Qward]

Why would one season do anything for me? I need a much larger sample size.

NHL
561 GP
173 G
190 A


(173/561)x82 = 25.28 Goals per year
(190/561)x82 = 27.77 Assists per year

Average points per full season 53pts

 

[Indrew]

Michalek might not be an ideal 'first liner', but he is more than capable at playing in the 'top 6'.

 

[dasboot]

Really don't get the Milan hate. He hasn't been amazing but 8 points in 12 games and I remember on multiple occasions him making good defensive plays.

Got to remember he's still coming off the different method he tried to repair his knee this summer. This whole team is still getting into season form and once we do I'm not worried at all.

 

[Qward]

problem with moving Michalek is now you have to find another top 6.

 

[SenzZen]

problem with moving Michalek is now you have to find another top 6.

So same problem as keeping him?

 

[The Waffler]

Keeping him just adds to our depth.

 

[Super Cake]

Keeping him just adds to our depth.

He adds depth to our waterboy position if that is what you mean?

 

[Qward]

Get Simmonds, and we can have this as our top 6

Michalek/Spezza/Simmonds
MacArthur/Turris/Ryan

That is a top 6 that would be dangerous. Simmonds opens room up for Milan and Spezza to snipe some.

 

[Super Cake]

Get Simmonds, and we can have this as our top 6

Michalek/Spezza/Simmonds
MacArthur/Turris/Ryan

That is a top 6 that would be dangerous. Simmonds opens room up for Milan and Spezza to snipe some.

MacArthur/Spezza/Simmonds
Michalek/Turris/Ryan

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

Michalek might not be an ideal 'first liner', but he is more than capable at playing in the 'top 6'.

I agree, he's going to get better as the season goes on unless he blows out his knee or something again.

An underpreforming UFA with a 6 million dollar salary and a 4m dollar cap hit isn't going to bring u back much of anything in a trade anyway.

Im not sure what people expect to get for the guy, the Sens are better off just hoping he finds his groove and decide if they want to re-sign him or not as the season goes.