Steve Ott

[Falco Lombardi]

It's been a few weeks now since the trade and wanted to see how opinions had changed.

While we may have disagreed to how much of an upgrade he was, it was pretty unanimous that Miller was an upgrade on Halak/Elliott (even if you thought it was marginal)

That definitely was not the case regarding Steve Ott. In fact, I would say his inclusion to the deal was met with a largely negative reaction. ( I personally was neutral to disappointed he was included at the time)

I'm just curious if opinions on Ott had changed at all. I love what he's brought to the team and I think he adds a lot to the team, certainly more than what Stewart was bringing.

I'm of the opinion that I would bring him back next year if possible.

Click to read more...

 

[Dbrownss]

OTT>>>>>> Stewart and I don't care if he never scores a goal. The 3rd line is solid, all 4 lines play much better with him(the 3rd line is no longer a liability). If we have the roster space and money, I would love to have him back. Dude is a wrecking ball out there.

 

[Alklha]

He has been great, but a lot is going to come down to money. If Armstrong is still wanting to resolve our issues at centre then we really don't have a lot of money to spend, and even then it isn't going to be easy.

 

[ManyIdeas]

Love him on the team. Exactly as expected, every forward we have can now maintain possession of the puck for an extended period of time in the offensive zone and battle on the boards.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

I was also one of the people that questioned his inclusion. Not that I didn't think he could help us, but I just questioned whether or not it was worth it to give up the extra for him. Boy was I wrong. Even without bringing a ton of offense, he's been a significant upgrade over Stewart on that third line in terms of overall play. If we have the money to sign a center and Miller and still manage to have some left over, I hope we try to bring him back. I still think center is much more pressing though so if it came down to a center or Ott, I'd take the center.

 

[Dbrownss]

I was also one of the people that questioned his inclusion. Not that I didn't think he could help us, but I just questioned whether or not it was worth it to give up the extra for him. Boy was I wrong. Even without bringing a ton of offense, he's been a significant upgrade over Stewart on that third line in terms of overall play. If we have the money to sign a center and Miller and still manage to have some left over, I hope we try to bring him back. I still think center is much more pressing though so if it came down to a center or Ott, I'd take the center.

With Halak, Stewart, Elliott, Roy and maybe morrow gone, I don't think we'll have an issue, I haven't played on cap geek lately but I'm sure it'll work

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

I'm still convinced Army will keep Roy over Ott.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

I'm still convinced Army will keep Roy over Ott.

Based on what?

There's absolutely no way I see that happening.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

I'm still convinced Army will keep Roy over Ott.

He can barely find a place for Roy in the line-up now. I'll be surprised if a healthy Blues squad even plays him in the majority of play-off games.

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

Based on what?

There's absolutely no way I see that happening.

I wouldn't like it either.

I just feel like the Blues would have traded Roy when they had the chance if letting him go was in their plans. Army doesn't usually let guys go. Also, I think the role of Ott's can be more easily replaced inside the system, whereas the team would have to likely get another replacement for Roy. I would much rather have Ott though, but the guy will get into trouble soon, it's only a matter of time. I just don't see why people have already fallen in love with him. Clearly Roy's position as a PP specialist and versatile C/W has been a premium for Army, one that Jaskin cannot replace.

In the 8 or so games he's played on this team, I haven't seen more than 1 or 2 moments where he's shown his grit and toughness. I would expect more, and this team needs more going forward.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

I wouldn't like it either.

I just feel like the Blues would have traded Roy when they had the chance if letting him go was in their plans. Army doesn't usually let guys go. Also, I think the role of Ott's can be more easily replaced inside the system, whereas the team would have to likely get another replacement for Roy. I would much rather have Ott though, but the guy will get into trouble soon, it's only a matter of time. I just don't see why people have already fallen in love with him. Clearly Roy's position as a PP specialist and versatile C/W has been a premium for Army, one that Jaskin cannot replace.

In the 8 or so games he's played on this team, I haven't seen more than 1 or 2 moments where he's shown his grit and toughness. I would expect more, and this team needs more going forward.

Huh? What Cup contender trades their pending UFAs away for futures? Teams need that depth and experience for the playoffs. Blues are the same.

Colorado will probably re-sign Stastny, but if not its still the smarter move to keep him for the end of the season and give it their best shot at the playoffs.

It would make little sense to me to trade Roy, unless it was to clear salary for a player coming back that fits better. That trade wasn't out there (and Roy has little to no trade value). Also, realize we would have been trading him to a contender (as a rental) and why on earth would we do that? (Help another team get better for the post-season)?

One of the great thing about the Perron and Stewart trades was that both players went places where they'll be no factor in the playoffs.

 

[erderuft]

I was very negative to Ott being included in the deal. I've just seen him as a huge ****** earlier, especially in his Dallas days. But I've embraced the trade, embraced the fact that Ott is with us now. That he's OUR ******. And if he can keep up the way he's been playing, why not keep him on? And if it somehow would be about either him or Roy -- bye bye Derek. Nice knowing you.

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

Huh? What Cup contender trades their pending UFAs away for futures? Teams need that depth and experience for the playoffs. Blues are the same.

Colorado will probably re-sign Stastny, but if not its still the smarter move to keep him for the end of the season and give it their best shot at the playoffs.

It would make little sense to me to trade Roy, unless it was to clear salary for a player coming back that fits better. That trade wasn't out there (and Roy has little to no trade value). Also, realize we would have been trading him to a contender (as a rental) and why on earth would we do that? (Help another team get better for the post-season)?

One of the great thing about the Perron and Stewart trades was that both players went places where they'll be no factor in the playoffs.

That makes sense, but I still haven't fully seen Ott's usefulness. He's been fast, and a good checker but I haven't seen the grit he had with Dallas and whatnot.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

That makes sense, but I still haven't fully seen Ott's usefulness. He's been fast, and a good checker but I haven't seen the grit he had with Dallas and whatnot.

He doesn't show up a lot on the scoreboard, but I also don't remember seeing a single shift where the cycle ended when the puck got to his stick (like seemed to happen so often with Stewart), and I have seen several defenders make a bad pass because Ott was bearing down on them. You won't see Ott as a healthy scratch like you will with Roy. (Morrow is going to be for a few times, but I think that is to get his legs back under him for the playoffs.)

I'm not certain that Roy'll be back next season, but I think Hitchcock would like him to be.

I think guys like Morrow and Ott are going to be very important for any kind of lengthy post-season run.

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

It's weird to see the merits of Ott/Roy being debated as a Sabres fan.

It's even weirder to see Roy talked about as a PP specialist who's bad defensively, since the play always died when it got to him at the half-wall, and his defensive contributions as a center are what Buffalo misses most about him.

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

It's weird to see the merits of Ott/Roy being debated as a Sabres fan.

It's even weirder to see Roy talked about as a PP specialist who's bad defensively, since the play always died when it got to him at the half-wall, and his defensive contributions as a center are what Buffalo misses most about him.

Funny how things change

 

[Robb_K]

I'm still convinced Army will keep Roy over Ott.

I don't see that, at all. Roy is as good as gone, unless Armstrong can't pick up any decent centre.If he can't land Ststny, he'll find someone who fits The Blues' style better than Roy.

 

[simon IC]

He doesn't show up a lot on the scoreboard, but I also don't remember seeing a single shift where the cycle ended when the puck got to his stick (like seemed to happen so often with Stewart), and I have seen several defenders make a bad pass because Ott was bearing down on them. You won't see Ott as a healthy scratch like you will with Roy. (Morrow is going to be for a few times, but I think that is to get his legs back under him for the playoffs.)

I'm not certain that Roy'll be back next season, but I think Hitchcock would like him to be. I think guys like Morrow and Ott are going to be very important for any kind of length post-season run.

No offense, but I dearly hope you are wrong about that. I have never understood Hitch's (apparent) love affair with both Roy and Leopold. I wouldn't be upset if both were benched during the playoffs. On topic I love Ott and I hope he is re-signed next year.

 

[bleedblue1223]

It's weird to see the merits of Ott/Roy being debated as a Sabres fan.

It's even weirder to see Roy talked about as a PP specialist who's bad defensively, since the play always died when it got to him at the half-wall, and his defensive contributions as a center are what Buffalo misses most about him.

Makes me scared to to ask about the defensive contributions from your other forwards.

Now, I do think Roy defensive game has improved massively from the beginning of the season and most of the posters here are still criticizing him for that, but his only real defensive contributions at this point is the ability to exit the zone.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

With Halak, Stewart, Elliott, Roy and maybe morrow gone, I don't think we'll have an issue, I haven't played on cap geek lately but I'm sure it'll work

I'm very concerned. Both Miller and Stastny will command at least 6 million. Schwartz is going to get a significant bump, Sobotka will probably get into the 3 million range. Berglund needs a new deal as well. Not to mention Tarasenko's contract is up next season as well. I'm thinking Ott would want at least 3 million. There's no doubt I want to keep him, but running the numbers in my head I don't know that it would work.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Makes me scared to to ask about the defensive contributions from your other forwards.

Now, I do think Roy defensive game has improved massively from the beginning of the season and most of the posters here are still criticizing him for that, but his only real defensive contributions at this point is the ability to exit the zone.

And unfortunately, even that is questionable at times. I've never seen a center make so many high risk passes in his own zone. It's like he wants to make the fancy pass instead of the simple one.

 

[bleedblue1223]

And unfortunately, even that is questionable at times. I've never seen a center make so many high risk passes in his own zone. It's like he wants to make the fancy pass instead of the simple one.

He's a less good McDonald who's only lost a half step instead of 1 or 2.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

He's a less good McDonald who's only lost a half step instead of 1 or 2.

So, we've replaced Mcdonald with...Mcdonald

 

[bleedblue1223]

Basically, but since he still has speed, he's still somewhat effective and since he has no concussion history, he doesn't completely shy away from contract.

He's not going to be a liability in the playoffs like some think, but I don't think he'll produce much either. He's still our best option for 3rd line center.

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

I'm very concerned. Both Miller and Stastny will command at least 6 million. Schwartz is going to get a significant bump, Sobotka will probably get into the 3 million range. Berglund needs a new deal as well. Not to mention Tarasenko's contract is up next season as well. I'm thinking Ott would want at least 3 million. There's no doubt I want to keep him, but running the numbers in my head I don't know that it would work.

Honestly I don't know how Stastny can be in the picture. If Miller, Schwartz, Sobotka and Berglund all get extended/signed, I just don't see how it's possible. Out of Ott, Roy, and Morrow, I see the team bringing back Ott and using Jaskin as a Roy replacement.

I do believe Roy will be cheaper than Ott, so he's the backup option.