I know I'm late but interesting conversations in this thread and lot of facts need to be added
Don't know why people think we're going to be that bad lol
Wishful thinking
Leafs and Habs have been mediocre or bad for a very long time (except a few years) and they don't like the Sens who have been better overall in the last 18 years.
Personally, I take the Sens line-up over the Habs, not only most players are more "likeable", but there's also a ton more of untapped potential. And if Lehner becomes the goalie like I think he can, then the question is not even needed to be asked.
Funny how we could all see that Greening's contract was bad when it was signed, but management couldn't.
So funny to read that... You might want to check the Greening signing thread...
I can't stop smiling at this, how quick people forget when it fits their argument
So basically, Neil,
despite often being a defensive liability, needs to be kept in the lineup because of intangibles?
How do you know he'll be a competent player if minutes are reduced?
And how about both Boro and Smith if you need someone to drop the gloves? Neil was once a solid 3rd liner, he's not now. He's there for show now because fans love fighters no matter the quality of their actual on-ice play.
You choose to base your opinions on what you dislike, I choose to base my opinions on facts.
http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/rat...100&teamid=21&type=goals&sort=A20&sortdir=ASC
6th among Sens forward for goals against per 20 minutes at Even Strenght, but that includes forwards that didn't play much like Stonqe, Hoffman and Kassian who are all higher
Now do this but with players who played more than 300 minutes...
http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/rat...300&teamid=21&type=goals&sort=A20&sortdir=ASC
Neil is 3rd... For a defensive liability, he was close to Condra and Turris in defensive efficiency/results, which is goals against... Weird, no?
Yes Neil is another player (like Phillips) in decline (which is totally natural when you get older), but there's absolutely no problem with him playing 8-10 mins on the 4th line. It's just another of this board misconceptions. Somebody says something, another one say "hey you're right" and it escalates very quickly into "Neil is this" "Phillips is that". Kinda annoying
Yes, those 2 guys have declined, how strange. First time I ever see this in the NHL.
Huh. I just saw the stronger player swatting the other away as though he were an insignificant fly. Credit where it's due no?
Where's the penalty?
Credit where it's due, it was a great play but Subban really did take off Hoffman's stick with his hand (maybe I'm wrong but that's what I see watching the replay) and there was an obstruction on Ceci that went unnoticed (however maybe too "gentle" to be called. I would hate that call on the Sens, but lol they happen a lot). Typical MTL
Anyone have any concerns about Lazar playing for a really bad team? Not saying the sens will be bad this year(im optimistic) but it is a possible that we take steps back after losing Spezza and Hemsky.
Ya losing Hemsky and his 20 games is a big argument (team was about the same pace WITH Hemsky...) And losing Spezza can only help everyone defensively. The main thing I was worried is the PP, but it seems they can get it done based on what we've seen so far (not that I put a lot of sotck in pre-season)
Karlsson was -2
Preseason +/- leaders
Cowen +5
Ryan +2
Smith +2
Ouch, doesn't help the naysayers who also happen to put a lot of stock in pre-season
In before, +/- is a meaningful stats. Actually it does say something when you put context (QoC, etc) and compare it to teammates.
He also hasn't playef a real game yet this year. He was basically a top 4 guy two years ago.
Skating cleaned up and that was the biggest issue
Only Karlsson and Methot played more minutes than Cowen last season... He was basically Sens #3 last year, which was too much responsibility under the context he was (injury + sat out camp, etc)
"In before", need to say this :
Two years ago, he was 5th in ice-time per game as a 20 y/o D-man ROOKIE, behind a veteran defense (Kuba, Gonchar, Phillips) and an elite young D-men in Karlsson. Only 13 seconds less than Phillips per game. Safe to say he was sharing the #4 with Phillips.
Thanks. Every time I did searches on 'Paul' I got slammed with ones about fans *****ing about the coach.
Welcome to Sens HF board. Tons of whiny bratz
Biggest worries this season are Jared Cowen and Milan Michalek. More Michalek IMO. He disappears for long stretches and I was one of the Sens fans that didn't want him back. He wasn't cheap either at 4mil/season. B Murray has made some bad contracts over the years based solely on a players potential. If the team looks like crap you have to put some blame on Murray's shoulders and have to wonder how long he last's as our GM.
As long as cancer allows him to.
By the way, I know Michalek often leaves something to be desired but he
has scored an average of 25 goals per 82 games he played since he joined the Sens. In my books, it's worth something.
I agree that Michalek was subpar defensively last season but I think he can rebound with a new set of linemates.