Three Questionable Teams ?
Posted 3:16 PM ET | Comments 17
Well most of the time when you see me write blogs it will have
something to do with The Leafs.However now and then I like to
throw in my 2 cents on what other teams around the league are
doing with there respective franchises.So I figured why not do
a blog on (in my opinion) the Three most questionable teams as far
as freeagency,trades and roster changes in general have gone on
with them. So will start with 3. and work our way down to 1.
which ever team gets 1. is the team I believe has caused
the most problems for themselves.
3. The Ottawa Senators
Why not start off with my most disliked team (lol only because I am a
Leaf fan ) The Ottawa Senators have left me puzzled in many ways more
than one. Lets start with goaltending getting Alex Auld wasnt a bad
move at all in my opinion. I question why he is getting 1 million when
650k to 800k should of been all he got.Now I'm not going to complain
too much about a 200 to 350 k over pay considering some of the deals
that have gone down.My point is Ottawa is weak in net still Gerber is
a Average starting goalie at his very best!!! He has horrible rebound
control and really is the new version of Patrick lalime in many ways.
Remind you I would still take Martin Gerber over Ray Emery in a heart
beat. Statistics below
Martin Gerber
GP-W-L-OT-GAA-SV%-SO
57-30-18-4-2.72-.910-2
Alex Auld
32-12-13-5-2.68-.907-3
In Ruutu,Auld to an extent Karlson
Out Commodore,Stillman,Eaves,Corvo,Emery
Now keep in mind I'm not sayin Alex Auld isn't worth 1 million per
season I'm simply saying if he is going to be your back up he should be
making in between 650k and 850k for a back up goalie. Alex Auld also
isn't going to have Zdeno Chara and Dennis Wideman in front of him
in Ottawa.
Now Ottawa's D core well lets just say I'm very unpleased with that.
People bash Wade Redden for a lack luster season. Was Wade Redden
overpaid??OF COURSE HE WAS!!!However with that said he was still
Ottawa's best Defencemen I honestly believe Ottawa will be at a loss
without him. They have Phillips,Volchenkov,Meszaros are all good D man
but what is after them well I'll answer that for you NOTHING!They have
the likes of Lawrence Nycholat,Christoph Schubert,Brian Lee, that's
all the have on the Defence side of things. They have also only
signed Auld,Ruutu and resigned Donovan that to me is a bad off season
thus far. However there are reports out there that Ottawa is interested
in McClaren,Schnieder,Kubina and even McCabe however I dont believe
for a second Ottawa and Toronto will come together on a deal. We all
know Ottawa has a explosive Offense but I dont believe that alone will
save them. I think they will make the playoffs but there gone first
round again.
2.Florida Panthers
This team I believe the problem is there General Manager. Jaques Martin
in my opinion has to be amoung the worst GM'S in the NHL. I dont have
anything against Martin personally but from a buisness outlook of
things that comment is nothing but true.He resigned Gregory Cambell
who has done next to nothing in the nhl last season had 5 goals minus
12 in 81 games. Than he resigned Olesz, now dont get me wrong I like
Olesz alot he has good size and decent speed but six years 3.15 a copy
and he has never had more than 30 pts in a NHL season is just a
desperate move I think. I liked the Stillman signing might be the
Captain of that team this year in my opinion Brings grit,scoring and
leadership. There are still more than caplable Free Agents out there
of helping this team I really believe Florida can do something special
with the right guy making the right choices.Now it wouldn't be right
to wrap up my thoughts on the Florida Panthers if I didn't discuss
that horrid deal at the draft. I love the fact The Panthers got Keith
Ballard that was awesome the problem for me was Nik Boynton and a 2nd.
Martin really beat himself on this deal. I think they could of gotten
more else where. Florida as it is now will not make the playoffs...
AGAIN!!! They still have time to add a few pieces heck several pieces
before training camp and I hope they do. Why not finish it with JBOU
They let him go to arby where he is going to get I believe 5 to 6
million from and than I believe Florida would deal him thanks again
Martin!!!
1. TAMPA BAY
Now I know all the fans are hyped on Steven Stamkos and rightfully so
who wouldn't be? I hate to burst your bubble though You went out and
signed Gary Roberts,Radim Vrbata,Ryan Malone and Olaf Kolzig. Plus
traded away your only good proven D man.
What do I like about Tampa??
Well Lecavalier,St.louis,Stamkos,Jokinen,Malone,Vrbata,Roberts,
Prospal,is going to make for one heck of a Offense
and I liked the Addition of Kolzig in net he isn't great
anymore but he is a little better than average.
What I dont like
Well Matt Carle is a work in progress but could be a nice player but
what were they thinking dealing away Dan Boyle Tampa in my opinion
have given themselves one of if not the worst defence core in the
entire League.Unless there are more deals comming I still believe this
team will not make the playoffs.
Again I welcome all comments and look forward to reading them.
something to do with The Leafs.However now and then I like to
throw in my 2 cents on what other teams around the league are
doing with there respective franchises.So I figured why not do
a blog on (in my opinion) the Three most questionable teams as far
as freeagency,trades and roster changes in general have gone on
with them. So will start with 3. and work our way down to 1.
which ever team gets 1. is the team I believe has caused
the most problems for themselves.
3. The Ottawa Senators
Why not start off with my most disliked team (lol only because I am a
Leaf fan ) The Ottawa Senators have left me puzzled in many ways more
than one. Lets start with goaltending getting Alex Auld wasnt a bad
move at all in my opinion. I question why he is getting 1 million when
650k to 800k should of been all he got.Now I'm not going to complain
too much about a 200 to 350 k over pay considering some of the deals
that have gone down.My point is Ottawa is weak in net still Gerber is
a Average starting goalie at his very best!!! He has horrible rebound
control and really is the new version of Patrick lalime in many ways.
Remind you I would still take Martin Gerber over Ray Emery in a heart
beat. Statistics below
Martin Gerber
GP-W-L-OT-GAA-SV%-SO
57-30-18-4-2.72-.910-2
Alex Auld
32-12-13-5-2.68-.907-3
In Ruutu,Auld to an extent Karlson
Out Commodore,Stillman,Eaves,Corvo,Emery
Now keep in mind I'm not sayin Alex Auld isn't worth 1 million per
season I'm simply saying if he is going to be your back up he should be
making in between 650k and 850k for a back up goalie. Alex Auld also
isn't going to have Zdeno Chara and Dennis Wideman in front of him
in Ottawa.
Now Ottawa's D core well lets just say I'm very unpleased with that.
People bash Wade Redden for a lack luster season. Was Wade Redden
overpaid??OF COURSE HE WAS!!!However with that said he was still
Ottawa's best Defencemen I honestly believe Ottawa will be at a loss
without him. They have Phillips,Volchenkov,Meszaros are all good D man
but what is after them well I'll answer that for you NOTHING!They have
the likes of Lawrence Nycholat,Christoph Schubert,Brian Lee, that's
all the have on the Defence side of things. They have also only
signed Auld,Ruutu and resigned Donovan that to me is a bad off season
thus far. However there are reports out there that Ottawa is interested
in McClaren,Schnieder,Kubina and even McCabe however I dont believe
for a second Ottawa and Toronto will come together on a deal. We all
know Ottawa has a explosive Offense but I dont believe that alone will
save them. I think they will make the playoffs but there gone first
round again.
2.Florida Panthers
This team I believe the problem is there General Manager. Jaques Martin
in my opinion has to be amoung the worst GM'S in the NHL. I dont have
anything against Martin personally but from a buisness outlook of
things that comment is nothing but true.He resigned Gregory Cambell
who has done next to nothing in the nhl last season had 5 goals minus
12 in 81 games. Than he resigned Olesz, now dont get me wrong I like
Olesz alot he has good size and decent speed but six years 3.15 a copy
and he has never had more than 30 pts in a NHL season is just a
desperate move I think. I liked the Stillman signing might be the
Captain of that team this year in my opinion Brings grit,scoring and
leadership. There are still more than caplable Free Agents out there
of helping this team I really believe Florida can do something special
with the right guy making the right choices.Now it wouldn't be right
to wrap up my thoughts on the Florida Panthers if I didn't discuss
that horrid deal at the draft. I love the fact The Panthers got Keith
Ballard that was awesome the problem for me was Nik Boynton and a 2nd.
Martin really beat himself on this deal. I think they could of gotten
more else where. Florida as it is now will not make the playoffs...
AGAIN!!! They still have time to add a few pieces heck several pieces
before training camp and I hope they do. Why not finish it with JBOU
They let him go to arby where he is going to get I believe 5 to 6
million from and than I believe Florida would deal him thanks again
Martin!!!
1. TAMPA BAY
Now I know all the fans are hyped on Steven Stamkos and rightfully so
who wouldn't be? I hate to burst your bubble though You went out and
signed Gary Roberts,Radim Vrbata,Ryan Malone and Olaf Kolzig. Plus
traded away your only good proven D man.
What do I like about Tampa??
Well Lecavalier,St.louis,Stamkos,Jokinen,Malone,Vrbata,Roberts,
Prospal,is going to make for one heck of a Offense
and I liked the Addition of Kolzig in net he isn't great
anymore but he is a little better than average.
What I dont like
Well Matt Carle is a work in progress but could be a nice player but
what were they thinking dealing away Dan Boyle Tampa in my opinion
have given themselves one of if not the worst defence core in the
entire League.Unless there are more deals comming I still believe this
team will not make the playoffs.
Again I welcome all comments and look forward to reading them.
hahhahahhah your write up on Ottawa is too awful. I couldn't continue to read on. Wade Redden was Ottawas best defencemen????? when exactly was this? Pre lockout? Your focus of their writeup is concerning a 250k gap in paying a backup goaltender. Let's just hope Auld plays 2-5 more games then most backups as that 250k overpayment could really handcuff them in future years. What were you thinking Murray :s Just because a team doesn't go out and sign big name FA's doesn't at all qualify them as having a bad offseason. They got rid of Emery, Wade, Robitaille, Richardson, Mcgratton. That to me is progress. Murray isn't an idiot and knows that they are not going to be a true contender in the upcoming season so he is doing what the leafs have not done for 5 seasons and that is plan for a following year. Saving draft picks, acquiring good team guys, allowing young prospects to get time and hopefully advance their development (Zubov, Lee, Foligno, etc.) will all help Ottawa in the near future. I agree that Ottawa needs at least 1 more solid D man but you are underestimating the likes of Lee, Nycholat, and Schubert if you think that they can't play a 5th or 6th D-man in the league, especially Lee.I sure hope the rest of your blog isn't as terrible as the start.
LOL got to love critics if i recall ottawa was the team that held on to a playoff spot by the skin of there teeth. I have nothing against Brian Murray he is a Huge improvement on Jaques Martin but I guess time will tell how good Ottawa's Roster Movements were. Everyone is titled to there own opinion but hey think of it this way if Ottawa is as good as you claim. Perhaps they might win ONE game in the playoffs this year. Heck though what do you or I know right Ottawa could win the cup or miss the playoffs who knows but if they dont get a Veteran on Defence there finished IMO.
What do you mean if they are as good as I claimed? I claimed they will not be very good but they are building for not the current season but the seasons after. By no means do I think they will be terrible but they certainly are not going to be a legitimate contender. Playoffs, Likely. Stanley Cup, No Chance. By the 2009/2010 season though I would bet that they'll be right back in the hunt.
I dont consider Brian lee a Standout prospect let me see what he does with a full NHL season under his belt than i know more and they will win again when they have a caplable goaltender.
Umm, Sajus13 - no offense, but are you 13 years old? We get the fact that you hate the Sens and even Jacques Martin. Whatever. I don't think you should be blogging - at least not about hockey. Just keep loving your Leafs.
and Gerbers contract is up after the end of this season so I think it is highly likely Ottawa will acquire a very strong goalie by the start of next season through trade or FA. Time will tell though. If Murray doesn't then yeah I would agree he failed.
hab your words hurt me why would you do that ? All though I love when people bash me or my blogs lol. It least nasty had some valid points the only valid points you had were the same number of number 1 center's The habs have...NONE
Do you actually watch teams other than the leafs?? or do you just go by what TSN and sportsnet feed you? Wade Redden the Sens best D-Man??? LOL!
loool a leaf fan making fun of the habs and sens, what else is new. great comeback to HabStuckinTO, no #1 center. neither do u as i recall, seeing as sundin is off looking for better things to do than play on a team that couldnt make the playoffs if they were in the AHL. how many stanley cups do the leafs have in the past 4 decades...NONE
Hey I didnt star this The Habs are one of my favourite teams believe it or not. The AHL comment is about as realistic as Sundin comming back to the Leafs. I love the leafs because i grew up watching them. I'm not stupid the leafs blew last year and probably will again this year. Heck I was pulling for Sundin to join the habs. I was just stating habsstuckinTO made no valid point thats all if your going to come on here or any other site and bash someone it least make valid points like Nasty. I feel sorry for The Canadiens and Players not wanting to sign there doesnt make much sense. The fact is they dont have a number 1 center and thats probably there biggest fault.
There are a bunch of reasons why the Sens are confusing and seem to be going backwards rather than forwards, Swapping Auld for Emery isn't one of them. If you like Emery as a goalie and figure he'll get his head on straight soon, then he could become what Belfour was in his prime, a little bit crazy but a potential leader. Myself - I just figure he's nuts and needs a season or two back in the minors to get some perspective. If you hate Emery - then Auld is a big upgrade for lots less money. Auld is a decent back-up who is still big enough, skilled enough and young enough to have some upside with maturity. Other moves they've made though seem to have watered down the forward and defense corps and I expect it will take a couple of break-out years on their squad to surpass what they did last year. As for Tampa, I disagree there too. This team has more character now than almost any team in the league. If you add in the first line run and gun power, and get the players on the same page as the coach, they could do something.
why hire barry melrose though , the guy hasnt coached in forever Surely there was someone else with better qualifications to run the team then him. I dont understand why tampa bay isnt going after someone like Jason Smith on D I would love that move. I agree with your character assesment though.
not to shabby of a post . But i would have to agree with the other gents here is saying that redden was not much of a D-man . Was to pilon-like at time and did not use his body as well as he could of . reminded me of souray with the pilon like defending....(shudders) souray defending...
Redden was the Ottawa fans' scapegoat. He hated it there the last 2-3 years and now he'll have a fresh start. He'll be fine.
I agree I think the Leadership Redden provided for that team isnt counted for and it's going to show this year.