Archive for the 'Coaching' Category

28
Dec

Time to pack it in?

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Coaching, Player Talk and Team

The last two losses have been devastating for the fans and team alike.

On Dec 23rd the Sens dropped their first of this 8 game road trip to the Flyers in dramatic fashion.  After falling behind 4-2 they fought back to actually tie the game on a Chris Phillips slap shot with under ten minutes to go.

But then the unthinkable happened.  As Captain Alfie picked up the puck on the boards with three minutes to go he dropped it back to no one in particular.  The Flyers picked it up and put it past Gerber for the win.

Last night the Sens took a two nothing lead on a strong Calgary squad and seemed to be in control of the game.  In a matter of three minutes they gave up three goals to fall behind 3-2.  They then tied the game — once again, remarkably, on the strength of a Phillips slapper.  But only minutes later the Flames regained the lead and then cruised to a 6-3 win which included an empty net goal after Fisher coughed up the puck.

These losses are not your run-of-the-mill events, but rather heart breaking setbacks.

Interestingly, the team continues to find new ways to lose games daily.  Now four games below .500 time is running out for the Sens to regroup.  They have 6 games left on the road trip and unless they can go at least 4-1-1 in those games they may as well start dumping players and shooting for Tavares.

Will the road to respectability start tonight against Vancouver?  Only father time knows for sure!

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27
Nov

Fisher back and on the point

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Coaching, Player Talk and Team

It has been announced that Fisher is going to play tonight and Hartsburg will use him on the point again.

While I think Hartsburg has made some real solid decisions (Auld over Gerber) since his arrival, some have been quite odd.

Fisher has zero ability to run a PP. Sure he has a canon of a shot, but even then he never hits the net! He’s more likely to injure one of the big three than hit the back of the mesh.

Further, he’s always found it difficult to click with skilled players…thus, running a PP seems like a real odd choice.

It seems as thought this organization is still afraid to put Alfies back there based on what happened against Buffalo three seasons ago. But the reality is that the team had the best PP in the league that year and Alfie was a big reason why.

 #11 sees the game about as well as anyone in the league. And while his shot might not crack the 100 mph barrier - it is incredibly accurate!

In conclusion, put Alfie on the point and Fisher in front of the net, or on the bench, and the Sens’ PP will be all set.

26
Nov

Back in Blog

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Coaching, Entertainment, Injuries, Player Talk, Prospects and Team

Sorry about the prolonged absence … let’s get this show on the road.  To celebrate the Sens’ fantastical stumble out of the gate I will attempt to summarize the first 20 games with 20 points.

It’s in modified chronological order.

20.  Sens start 1-0-1 after the Sweden trip against the defending Eastern Conference Champions and Sidney Crosby.

19.  The top two players to finish the 2007-08 campaign, Cody Bass and Brian Lee, didn’t make the team.  Or in Lee’s case - he didn’t make the team for very long.

18.   The big line gets off to a relatively fast start points wise through 8ish games.

17.  The big line gets broken up.

16.  The Sens lose roughly 8 of 12 games.

15.  Schubert is aparently despised by the new coach.  He’s been benched for about half the games and Hartsburg has no plans to re-insert him into the lineup.

14.  Gerber sucks.

13.  Big line broken up.

12.  Gerber gets injured.

11.  Sens lose a pile of games. 

10.  Despite losses, Auld posts top 5 numbers for goalies in the NHL.

9.  Auld takes over #1 goalie position.

8.  Kuba leads all NHL d-man for assists!

7.  Big line tails off big time….likely because they’re no longer playing together.

6.  No secondary scoring….Fisher fails to pick up his first point until November 4th - game 12 on the year.  Further, 20 games in ad Vermette has 5 points, Fisher has 6.

5.  Fisher and Neil get injured.  Ruutu suspended.  Shannon called up and injured.  Zubov and Bass called up. 

4.  Big line reunited. 

3.  Sens have picked up four of 6 points in their past three games.  While the lost two games 1 and 2 in that stretch they only did so in a shootout.  Their play has been much improved.

2.  Zubov sent down.

1.  Ruutu beats Rangers.

22
May

Who’s the boss?

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Coaching, Management and Rumour Mill

The potential coaching list for the Sens is a long one - including;

Mike Babcock, Pat Quinn, Pat Burns, Dale Hunter, Pierre McGuire, Tim Murray, Randy Cunneyworth, Pete De Boer, Jacques Demers, Bob Hartley, Paul Maurice, Joel Quenneville.

I think they tried the rookie route with Paddock and it failed miserably. For my money there are simply too many big name coaches available for the Sens to take a chance on another rookie at the helm.

Pat Burns seems to be the people’s champion…or at least is being heavily championed by the people of the Sens Nation (or Army if you must). He also comes with a glowing recommendation from Heatley and Spezza coming out of the World Championships. The duo can now confirm his “tough, but fair” aura…and Healtey’s MVP performance combined with Spezza’s growth throughout the tournament make you think it’s just might be needed.

After Burns, I’d really like to see Babcock. He’s another “tough, but fair” coach. You’d think, because the Wings have made the finals, that he’s unavailable. But, consider that he was highly doubted by the management in Detroit as recently as only a month ago. Moreover, his close ties to Murray AND the possibility of not living in the shit-hole that is Detroit likely make a move to this Nation’s capital appealing.

17
Apr

The Question is: Do you trust Murray?

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Coaching, Management, Player Talk and Rumour Mill

If you do then this swift exit could be a blessing is disguise!

Face it, this team, no matter how many bounces & breaks it got, wasn’t going to win the cup. So changes need to be made. Some drastic ones. Had they gutted out a win in Round 1 and maybe even in Round 2 then certain players would have demanded higher salaries this summer AND it would have been harder to remove people that clearly need to go.

Now, Murray will have absolute carte blanche to change key pieces on this team.

Let’s state the obvious - Afredsson, Heatley and Spezza all had injuries. In the case of Healtey and Spezza they seemed to be nagging ones more than anything. They probably should have played better. BUT the problem does not lie here. These guys have shown to be solid playoff performers in the past two seasons…they’re young guys who got caught in the implosion of this year’s Senators.

This team’s problems - including a lack of forecheck, seeming effort AND scoring - were the symptoms of more devious culprits. (1) A lack of confidence in room and (2) a lack of team chemistry [which both caused and was the cause of the lack of confidence]. Continue reading ‘The Question is: Do you trust Murray?’

13
Apr

Season on the line…

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Coaching, Player Talk and Playoffs

Well tonight shit hits the fan at the Sc’ank.

In the 3rd period of Game 2, for the first time, the Sens actually looked like a team that could play with the Penguins. Oddly enough, it was propelled by 3rd and 4th liners - whilst Spezza and Heatley remained dormant.

Tragically Martin Lapointe’s negligent high stick “cost us the game” (Lapointe’s own words). I’m glad he realizes it. While I’m sorry that he feels sorry - the fact is he’s right. The Sens had all the momentum and he blew it. Oh well - onto game 3.

The other two Eastern teams down 2-0 (Bruins, Devils) won Sunday night…here’s hoping the trend continues.

According to the Sun Spezza missed Sunday’s practice and is questionable (but still likely) to play in Game 3. Alfie, Fisher and Kelly are all still no shows, but…

The club called winger Alexander Nikulin from its AHL affiliate in Binghamton. He will play no matter what Spezza’s status is.

Which has to mean Randy Robitaille is out…which is good news for hockey fans everywhere!

Assuming Spezza plays - him and Heatley simply need to produce in Game 3 or it’s over. If the crowd can get the team going and they can score early then maybe the Sens can pull back into this series.

The ideal result would be if the Sens come out physical, get a healthy lead (3+ goals) heading into the third…and then simply start line brawls with the Penguins. This team needs to start showing they give a shit about each other. That would be a good way to start. To start the line brawls perhaps devastating hits on Roberts or Commodore would be appropriate - either one works for me.