Bleacher Report - Articles by Mark Browsky

Dany Heatley Wants out of Ottawa? Good Riddance

Mark Browsky — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:59:00 -0400

Word has recently that Sens winger Dany Heatley has requested a trade through his agent.

Citing a difference of opinion with new coach Cory Clouston as the main reason, Heatley wants out.

Clouston wants Heatley to work for his goals and Heatley couldn't be bothered because he has Jason Spezza doing all the work while he stands in the slot waiting for the one timer, that nine times out of ten, he misses the net with or fans on.

Of course, a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then and he gets a few goals out of it (sarcasm). Opponents have been getting wise to this strategy, and Clouston wants Heatley to mix it up a little and find other ways to use his unquestionable knack for finding the net.

The debate has gone on all year over who has to go—Spezza or Heatley? Well, Sens fans, now you have your answer.

In my opinion, things could not have worked out any better for the Sens. Jason Spezza is improving every year and is among the premier playmaking centers in the league, while becoming less and less of a defensive liability out there at the same time. Spezza is the main reason Heatley has had back-to-back 50-goal seasons and all the while he lets Spezz take all the criticism during the bad times.

Nice teammate. Maybe now we'll see Spezza for what he is—a potential leader on this team who is an natural talent and one of the best players to ever pull on a Sens' Jersey. And to think, management gave Mr. Selfish, Spoiled, Lazy Multimillionaire the A this season. Probably because he whined or threw some sort of tantrum.

All of this brings up interesting options for Bryan Murray. What will he get in return for Heatley? I'm hearing the Oilers, Sharks, Flames, and Blue Jackets are interested at this point. Nash for Heatley would be interesting, as would Camalleri plus prospects or maybe even Patrick Marleau. How about Lecavalier for Heatley?

All these are possibilities along with moving up in the draft or getting a stable of young, cheap, blue chip prospects and using the new cap space to sign say, Hossa (how ironic would that be?) or another top-tier free agent.

Discuss among yourselves, Sens fans. This should be a crisotunity for our team—meaning what looks on the surface to be a bad thing could turning out to be a blessing in disguise.

Chris Kelly to Be Traded?

Mark Browsky — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:17:55 -0500

I am hearing rumblings of a deal between the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings is brewing. Some names I have heard is Chris Neil and Chris Kelly. Detroit currently sits last in the NHL in Penalty Killing percentage and could use Kelly. From what I have heard, a bona-fide prospect is on his way to Ottawa in return.

Columbus management was spotted at Scotiabank Place last night to take in the Leafs-Sens tilt. Speculation there is that the Blue Jackets are also interested in Chris Kelly with Bryan Murray looking at Jared Boll as a return. This could make sense as Murray plans on trading Chris Neil and Boll is showing to be a suitable replacement.

Vancouver is apparently interested in Antoine Vermette to boost their penalty kill and provide some secondary scoring with Kevin Bieksa being mentioned as a return.

Please, stop by my blog Ottawa Senators Rumors for more trade rumours and analysis.

Chris Kelly To be traded?

Mark Browsky — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:44:00 -0500

I am hearing rumblings of a deal between the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings is brewing. Some names I've heard is Chris Neil and Chris Kelly. Detroit currently sits last in the NHL in Penalty Killing percentage and could use Kelly. From what I've heard, a bona-fide prospect is on his way to Ottawa in return.

Columbus management was spotted at Scotiabank Place last night to take in the Leafs/Sens tilt. Speculation there is that the Blue Jackets are also interested in Chris Kelly, with Bryan Murray looking at Jared Boll as a return. This could make sense as Murray plans on trading Chris Neil and Boll is showing to be a suitable replacement.

Vancouver is apparently interested in Antoine Vermette to boost their penalty kill and provide some secondary scoring with Kevin Bieksa being mentionned as a return.

What Next For The Ottawa Senators?

Mark Browsky — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:06:33 -0500

Since my last article, the Ottawa Senators fired morbidly-awful coach Craig Hartsburg and replaced him with AHL affiliate Binghamton's head coach, Cory Clouston.

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Since returning home, the Sens have lost two straight, making them 5-3-1 under Clouston.

To further the shake-up, Murray has managed to become both a buyer and seller nearing the trade deadline by unloading little used veteran Dean McAmmond along with a first round draft pick from San Jose in the upcoming draft to the Islanders for center Mike Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli.

It was a good trade in my books as McAmmond and Comrie are unrestricted free agents at season's end with Comrie bringing more to the table now in his second stint as a Sen while Campoli is a puck young moving defenseman who is under a cheap contract for two more years.

All things being equal, if Comrie and McAmmond both don't re-sign with their new club, the Campoli for the Sharks' first is a good deal as Campoli has NHL experience and is closer to helping the club than anything Murray would pick up with a 26-30th pick in the draft. The Senators simply don't have three or four years to do a full rebuild via the draft. The fans and ownership simply won't stand for it and with a decent core locked up long term, a minor retooling is more in order.

Campoli immediately proved this by potting two assists in his debut against Montreal.

Does this signal more moves by Murray prior to the deadline or on draft day? You bet. What will he do with impending unrestricted free agents, Chris Neil and Filip Kuba? Mt thoughts on that later.

Something to ponder in the meantime, however. I challenge all you anti-Neilers to the following:

Find me a player with the following criteria:

Not on an entry level contract.

Has a minimum of 20 points for three seasons in a row.

Scored more than 15 goals at least once.

Has a minimum of 150 PIMS in EVERY one of his NHL seasons.

Has a mimimum of eight fighting majors EVERY one of his NHL seasons.

Contributed to a SCF run.

Makes under $1.5million/year.

Off you go now. Good luck!

What Now For The Senators?

Mark Browsky — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:29:00 -0500

Since my last article, the Ottawa Senators fired morbidly-awful coach Craig Hartsburg and replaced him with AHL affiliate Binghamton's head coach, Cory Clouston.

One reason I like this move so far—OK, two reasons—is because one, they fired Hartsburg and two, Clouston, like myself has trained trotting and pacing race horses.

On to my thoughts on the latest shakeups in Sensland.

I was a fan of the firing of Hartsburg, but wasn't sure what to make of the hiring of Clouston, a no name minor league coach when bigger named, proven coaches were out there. I couldn't help but think that perhaps Sens owner, Eugene Melnyk handcuffed Murray and forced him to bring in an interim guy as a premonition to his imminent firing leaving his successor free to bring in his own coach. In retrospect, however, I am under the impression that Murray has been looking for his next Babcock and figured the third try was the charm after failing miserably with John Paddock and the aforementioned Hartsburg.

The team responded with an unbelievable nine out of 10 points on the road of all places and provoking talk of a run to the playoffs.

Since returning home, the Sens have lost two straight, making them 5-3-1 under Clouston.

To further the shake-up, Murray has managed to become both a buyer and seller nearing the trade deadline by unloading little used veteran Dean McAmmond along with a first round draft pick from San Jose in the upcoming draft to the Islanders for center Mike Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli.

It was a good trade in my books as McAmmond and Comrie are unrestricted free agents at season's end with Comrie bringing more to the table now in his second stint as a Sen while Campoli is a puck young moving defenseman who is under a cheap contract for two more years.

Not on an entry level contract.

Has a minimum of 20 points for three seasons in a row.

Scored more than 15 goals at least once.

Has a minimum of 150 PIMS in EVERY one of his NHL seasons.

Has a mimimum of eight fighting majors EVERY one of his NHL seasons.

Contributed to a SCF run.

Makes under $1.5million/year.

Off you go now. Good luck!

Craig Hartsburg Fired...Finally!

Mark Browsky — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:24:00 -0500

Thank the lord above, Murray finally woke up and fired coach Craig Hartsburg.

As this blog has mentioned for months now, this coach was simply not suited to this team.

He was trying to force-feed a system that was not only boring as hell to watch, but also not suited to the team he had before him.

"You can't coach the players you wish you had. You have to coach the ones you have," Brent Sutter once said.

Having one guy go in on the forecheck only to have his linemates wait inside the blue line for him to gain possession before going on the offensive was ridiculous. Having all the forwards backcheck at the same time gives the defense no one to spring the breakaway pass to once they gain possession.

No puck-moving defenseman? What good is one when he has no one up ice to move the puck to? Antoine Vermette scored many, many goals on the breakaway over the past two seasons. Hard to start a breakaway from your own faceoff circle.

Bottom line—the players hated the system, knew it wouldn't work and quit on their coach when he refused to adjust.

Cory Clouston is a band-aid for this season as for as coaching goes, but I suppose there was no sense paying for a big name NHL coach like Quinn or Hartley when the season is already toast and Sens owner Eugene Melnyk is already paying two coaches not to coach on top of two goaltenders not to tend goal.

Let the rebuild begin in earnest. This should be a very interesting trade deadline, Sens fans. Stay tuned.

Ottawa Senators: A Ray of Hope?

Mark Browsky — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:36:00 -0500

Well, well, well...the Sens head in to the All-Star break with seven out of their last eight possible points while beating top conference rivals Montreal and Washington in the process. The team currently sits 12 points out of the final playoff spot with about half the season left to play.

Boding even better is the fact that the Sens have two to four games in hand over teams above them in the standings. Win those games and the team all of a sudden is within six or eight points of the eighth and final playoff seed.

The arrival of Brian Elliot has really sparked this team who looked hesitant with both Gerber and Auld in net, although they did look a little more comfortable in front or Auld for a short stretch.

Just knowing that their goalie will bail them out of mistakes allows the team to play more aggressively and offensively-minded.

Mistakes are magnified when they end up in your net 90 percent of the time.

For those Sens "fans" who were hoping to tank and get a lottery pick, I say, "move to Long Island or Tampa Bay and enjoy your Hedman or Tavares." There is no way the Sens, even if they dress the entire AHL lineup, will finish worse than Tampa or the Islanders.

The Leafs suck large and are finally achieving to their capabilities (sorry Tim) and the Penguins are struggling mightily and could fall further. That leaves the Sens with a N.3 to six pick at best anyways.

Why not go for it and try to make the playoffs? It's not like any of these first round draft picks will help the team next year (right, Steve Stamkos?).

In any draft, early picks in the first round are a wash and if you have decent scouting, you can get the better player with a later pick (Marian Hossa and Martin Havlat).

I believe Bryan Murray is waiting another week or so to see how close the team is from eighth place in their conference to decide if he is a buyer or seller at the trade deadline.

I would not be surprised if he becomes a buyer prior to the deadline and grabs a puck moving defenseman to make the final push if the team is within striking distance.

By the way, thanks to Coach Craig Hartsburg for finally listening to fans and bloggers alike and playing Brendan Bell instead of that lunkhead Chris Schubert on defense, as well as taking Mike Fisher off the point on the power play among other things.

Thanks coach. Keep reading the blogs and forums out there for advice and maybe you'll still have a job here next season.

Ottawa Senators Lose to The Toronto Maple Leafs

Mark Browsky — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:00:41 -0500

The true sign that you are insane is when you do the same thing over and over and expect a different result. I think Sens' coach Craig Hartsburg is now officially insane.

Why is Mike Fisher still playing the point on the power play? Why did this great, wise coach pair Jason Smith with Anton Volchenkov? They both play the same game and are slow as molasses in January.

Why is Gerber still in the NHL? This guy never seems to know where the puck is. The Leafs' second goal was soft, their third goal was a wrap around you could see coming from the upper deck and he never even reacted to the first goal.

Mike Fisher and Nick Foligno were the best Senators on the ice and I think I actually saw Antoine Vermette hit an opponent. The effort was there from the players but Hartsburg was simply out-coached by Ron Wilson.

Everything from his choice of starting goaltender to his line combinations and matching. Using a rested and previously struggling Vesa Toskala versus using the Swiss Cheese known as Martin Gerber was Wilson's coup de grace. Toskala was superb in the win and was probably the main reason his team has 2 points.

Let the drive for Tavares begin in earnest.

Don't forget to get on the bandwagon to Fire Hartsburg by signing the petition

Leafs Beat Sens in Another Battle of Ontario

Mark Browsky — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:46:00 -0500

A true sign of insanity is when you do the same thing over and over and expect a different result.

I think Sens' coach Craig Hartsburg is now officially insane.

Why is Mike Fisher still playing the point on the power play? Why did this great, wise coach pair Jason Smith with Anton Volchenkov? They both play the same game and are slow as molasses in January. Why is Gerber still in the NHL? This guy never seems to know where the puck is.

The Leafs' second goal was soft, their third goal was a wrap around you could see coming from the upper deck and he never even reacted to the first goal.

Mike Fisher and Nick Foligno were the best Senators on the ice and I think I actually saw Antoine Vermette hit an opponent. The effort was there from the players but Hartsburg was simply out-coached by Ron Wilson.

Everything from his choice of starting goaltender to his line combinations and matching. Using a rested and previously struggling Vesa Toskala versus using the Swiss Cheese known as Martin Gerber was Wilson's coup de grace. Toskala was superb in the win and was probably the main reason his team has two points.

Let the drive for Tavares begin in earnest.

Senators' Do or Die Road Trip Begins

Mark Browsky — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:25:00 -0500

After the Sens' last game in Philly, the Sens have a daunting task ahead of them to get themselves into the playoff race. The Philly game gave me heart attacks, hope, joy, elation, and then utter frustration. The team found yet another way to lose.

Daniel Alfredsson, of all people, gave the puck away with a boneheaded play to give away also a hard-fought point and effectively kill the Sens' comeback. The Chris Phillips goal moments before to tie the game late in the third period sent me into an amazed euphoric happy dance, only to throw myself to the ground, writhing in agony mere moments later.

Some strange coaching moves in this game, including pulling a successful power play unit off the ice after only 25 seconds of time and scoring a 5-on-3 goal. More ammunition for the Fire Hartsburg Petition, perhaps?

If this road trip yields less than half of its possible points, look for big changes on this team. Firing Hartsburg is one option, as is the always mentioned and incredibly stupid move to trade Spezza.

This is a guy whose talent is so rare and under the right coaching, he is a superstar. He was drowning under Jacques Martin, flourished under Bryan Murray, and is struggling, albeit in a minor way, under Craig Hartsburg. Spezza is what he is, and when allowed to play his game, he will mature into one of the greatest playmaking centres in the game.

What I do see transpiring and as a more sensible option is trading Antoine Vermette and Brian Lee to Florida for Jay Bouwmeester. Jacques Martin's man crush on Vermy is legendary, and he may see Lee and a project who could help replace the loss of Jay Bo.

If Bouwmeester is dead set against signing in Florida, which is reported to be the case from his father of all people, GM Jacques is not dealing from a position of strength, and this would probably be the best deal he will see, as the Sens are also dealing from a weak position. Hopefully the Sens can sign Jay Bo to a decent contract in the three-year/$16-million range after the trade. Here's hoping.

Good luck on the road trip, boys. You have the tools to succeed, and if you put it all together, you WILL make the playoffs and could last a round or two.

Sens—Stars 5- 4 (OT) Great Effort!

Mark Browsky — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:25:00 -0500

And Martin Gerber almost blew it. Chalk it up to another poor decision by coach Hartsburg for starting this clown. The Sens "netminder" almost completely wasted a decent performance against a struggling Dallas Stars team. Had it not been for Marty Turco being equally bad at the other end, the Sens would have lost.

Hopefully, the team can build on this moral victory and have some success on their upcoming road trip.

The line juggling continued to with varying degrees of success. Jason Spezza and Antoine Vermette both scored, however, were on the ice for three Dallas goals. Foligno looked super with his new linemates.

The fact that no one stuck up for the captain getting absolutely creamed speaks volumes about the team play here. Someone at least has to go talk to the offending Dallas player. Even better, someone drill him on his next shift. Alas, neither transpired.

The fact that the Sens needed overtime to beat a depleted and struggling Stars squad speaks volumes, but two points are two points and hopefully some of the slumping players can build some confidence from the effort. At least the team looked like it was trying. You have to start somewhere and that is as good a place as any.

Don't forget to visit our Fire Hartsburg page.

Hartsburg Should be Fired

Mark Browsky — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 02:28:58 -0500

Since the beginning of the 2008-2009 season, the Ottawa Senators NHL hockey club has played a lacklustre and uninspired brand of hockey.

The team has consistently been among the league leaders in goals scored and made the playoffs every season for the past decade.

All of a sudden, this team is last in the NHL in goal scoring, despite having three of the best point getting forwards in the league.

General Manager Bryan Murray, has provided his coach with a good mix of previously notorious team players and hard working charges. These players had a reputation of working hard and playing for the logo on the front of their sweater rather than the name on the back.

Granted, the team lost some puck movement on the back end, but that is far from an excuse to be as bad as they are. This team has the calibre of players to be far better than a sub .500 team who is last in goals for.

This year's squad should be a playoff team that, through hard work and team play, could have success in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now it appears that they will not even qualify for the NHL post season.

No secondary scoring? Antoine Vermette and Mike Fisher scored around 100 points between them last season and in past seasons as well. This year, they are on pace for 40.

No offence from the defence? Recently acquired Filip Kuba is among the league leaders in assists, more than replacing what was lost in trading Meszaros.

Chris Kelly is struggling; Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov, who were among the best shutdown defencemen in the league for the past couple seasons, are a combined minus-24 as of December 20th, 2008.

Is it possible for all these players to slump at the same time? These are good players.

Jason Spezza has been singled out by his coach for poor play, despite the fact that he is just under his customary point per game pace, while cutting down on his giveaways and being less of a defensive liability.

Players who are playing poorly are given huge amounts of ice time, whereas hard working players, such as Cody Bass and Shean Donovan, are rewarded by getting a few paltry minutes of ice time per game or, in Bass' case, sent to Binghamton.

This is a poorly coached team that needs a coach who has had NHL and Stanley Cup success; someone they would have reason to listen to. I'm sure coach Hartsburg had success coaching in Junior because the kids wanted to learn from someone of his ilk, who had a great NHL career.

NHL players aren't impressed by that, and they need a coach who has a proven track record and the type success that they crave. Pat Burns would be my personal choice, but there are others out there just as deserving.

Please sign our petition here and let the team's management and ownership know how you feel. We as fans love our team, and it pains us to see them struggle needlessly.

Ottawa has the best fans in the NHL and deserves a coach who can get the most out of our beloved players, not throw them under the bus every opportunity he gets and guide them down a path to nowhere. Let's go from nowhere to Now Here.

Here is a great read on the "Fire Hartsburg" subject by the Ottawa Sun's Earl McRae.

Craig Hartsburg Is What's Wrong with the Ottawa Senators

Mark Browsky — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:22:00 -0500

Wasn't this the coach who promised accountability?

The problem of team bonding lies squarely with the coach and captain. They are the leaders.

But this coach gives Antoine Vermette and Mike Fisher 20-plus minutes of ice time, when they clearly don't deserve it. Meanwhile, a guy like Shean Donovan getting four minutes while working his ass off will cause hard feelings within the team.

Cody Bass doing everything asked of him, then getting two minutes of ice time, made a healthy scratch, or sent to Bingo, will make him bitter.

Chris Schubert's bitterness is self explanatory.

There is no incentive to work hard when you do, then get scratched or minimal ice time. There is no incentive to work hard when you float, and get 20 minutes. Lazy play is rewarded and hard work is punished. Nice coaching.

This coach sucks and the captain should have spoken up to him.

This is essentially the same team who went to the Stanley Cup final two seasons ago minus a few spare parts up front and the defensivee corps. Granted, the defense back then was more mobile, but this group is better defensively. Call it a wash.

But all of the sudden, these same forwards can't score?

There is a distinct lack of effort and teamwork evident on this team—and that is a coaching issue. This coach is sending mixed and misguided messages at his players and pissing them off in droves. They don't want to work for him. It is obvious.

I would love to see some stability in the coaching ranks of the Senators, but this hiring was another mistake. Bryan Murray seems quite adept and making player moves, but sucks royal ass at hiring coaches. I hated the John Paddock signing and hated the Craig Hartsburg signing even more. Both coaches are proven losers at the NHL level.

This team needs a Ted Nolan, Pat Quinn, Bob Hartley or Pat Burns. My personal fave is old Burns. He's local, has a winning history, the Jack Adams Trophy, and has beaten cancer. If he can't get them going, no one can.

A decent coach, a puck-moving defenseman and a decent second-line forward, and this team is a contender again.

Just my two cents. Something has to be done.

The Gerber Baby Wets His Bed: Martin Wearing Out Welcome in Ottawa

Mark Browsky — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:04:00 -0400

For those of you who didn't see Ottawa goaltender Martin Gerber's season debut this past Saturday, you missed the most horrifying display of inept goaltending ever put forth by a member of the Senators. Keep in mind, this is a team that's had Daniel Berthiaume and Don Beaupre as goaltenders in the past, which says a lot.

It turns out the Sens lost in overtime, 4-3. Here is the winning goal:

Just for fun, here's the first goal of the game as well:

An NHL goalie needs to make those saves. Imagine how disheartening it is to the rest of his teammates that they work so hard only to lose in overtime after their goalie lets in not one, not two, but three soft goals.

Everyone is entitled to a bad game here and there, but this guy lets in more softies in one game than Roberto Luongo lets in all season. He also does it often. The team is constantly working from a 1-0 deficit early in the game due to his first-shot-of-the-game follies.

What are the options for the Sens? Many are saying Chicago Blackhawks goalkeeper Nikolai Khabibulin can be had, but his $6 million-plus salary is handcuffing. Apparently, Thrashers goalie Ondrej Pavelec is unhappy about going to the minors and wants to be traded. Is he the answer, or should the Sens stick with Brian Elliott as the goalie of the future?

Will the Sens swing a trade for a legitimate No. 1, or will they ride out an Alex Auld/Elliott tandem for this season and test their luck with the free agent market this summer?

The status quo is probably not an option for Sens fans, as the message boards are rife with posters calling for Gerber's head. Fans won't sit by and watch these goaltending follies any longer. Something needs to be done.

Can Auld carry a starter's load all season? Can he work in tandem with Elliott? Can Murray bring in an elite goaltender this season? Many questions, and even more possible answers.

Hopefully, the Ottawa Senators can come up with something, because this team is a decent goalie away from being a legitimate threat to make another Stanley Cup Final appearance.

Alex Nikulin, Unhappy? Quelle Surprise!

Mark Browsky — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:57:00 -0400

Alex Nikulin has apparently expressed his desire for a trade—or he's heading back to Russia. I think I eluded to that in an earlier blog. In any event, here is a translated version of Nikulin's personal nlog:

"Goodbye, Ottawa.
October 1, 2008.

I will say right away that if I’m going back to Russia, it’s only to play for the CSKA. When I’d be able to join the team I don’t know. Maybe in about two weeks, but perhaps more time needs to pass.

One thing is clear: I will not be playing for Ottawa. A lot of stuff’s happened during this time. Ilja Zubov and I were sent down to the farm, prior to which I was told they were unsatisfied with the results of my tests. That was rather strange to hear, because I improved all my results from last year. And anyway, tests are one thing; playing the game is another. They didn’t give me a chance to play in the exhibition games. But did give that chance to Ilja Zubov. Put him on the fourth line with the tough guys—try and prove yourself there. I don’t even know what’s better; maybe, like in my case, to never take to the ice at all. And could the tests really matter that much? Especially given the fact I played on the big team last season, having worse conditioning status than I do now. Plus, players with better results were sent down. So it’s not just the tests.

Only afterwards did it become known that the coach just doesn’t see me on his team. Just doesn’t see me there, and that’s it. He didn’t explain anything to me personally, my agent was told of this, but that’s the official version. That seems a lot more like the truth, but I still don’t understand why I couldn’t have been given just one chance, why I was simply crossed out.

So, I’ve asked for a trade, and the General Manager of the Senators Bryan Murray has agreed. But for some strange reason it’s been really dragging. Because I was supposed to have been traded last week by Friday. Then they moved the deal to Monday. But then on Monday nothing was clear again, so I wait. Now the team has left for Europe where they’ll start the season. I’m hoping everything will be settled there. For now I’m training with the farm team. But I’m not prepared to wait a long time for a deal, two weeks at most. If Ottawa can’t find a deal, I’m heading to Moscow.

But then again, a lot depends on where I’d be traded. For instance, if it’s Detroit, then I can buy a ticket to Russia right away. I won’t have a chance to play for that team. I would like to get on an average team, so I can play. By the way, should the new team also send me down to the AHL, I’ll again have to think. I will find out for how long this would be. I’m not going to waste a season in the minors.

Obviously, I’m hoping everything works out in the best way. I won’t say where I would like to end up. I’ve become a bit superstitious lately. At any rate, I’m waiting now, but it’s apparent now that I’m spending my last days in Ottawa."

Apparently, this kid just doesn't get it. He is a perimeter player, the coaches wanted him to get more involved, he didn't—and he winds up back in the AHL to learn how to dig.

He obviously thinks he's too good to play on the fourth line with "the tough guys". Maybe he'd learn something about desire and heart from some of those guys.

Like I've often alluded to, drafting Russians is more often than not a wasted draft pick.

Did he even think of going to Binghamton, working hard, getting more involved in the game, and waiting for his shot in the bigs as an injury callup?

Bah! Perish the thought!

Now this crybaby has published his trade request on his blog, which in turn hit the local news media, thus driving down his trade value. Thanks, kid.

The NHL needs to put its foot down with these players who are under NHL contracts bolting back to Russia and playing hockey over there. The IIHF needs to step in and not allow these players to play. Anywhere. Period.

Would anyone like to start a pool as to when Zubov pulls the same stunt?

Potential Chicago Blawkhawk Trades

Mark Browsky — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:47:00 -0400

I'm catching some heat regarding my last post on a possible Hawks/Sens trade. Everyone relax, this blog is just food for thought and entertainment. I do have a couple decent sources around the business, but am by no means the Nostradamus of trade predictions.

Sit back, enjoy and discuss amongst yourselves.

TSN's Bob McKenzie reports the Chicago Blackhawks have placed goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin on waivers, suggesting GM Dale Tallon either knows a GM who might take him off waivers or perhaps via re-entry waivers if he goes unclaimed.

At half his $6.75 million salary upon re-entry waivers, would Murray be interested? Works out to even less than Gerbs is making now.

Martin Gerber on His Way to the Chicago Blackhawks for Nikolai Khabibulin?

Mark Browsky — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:42:00 -0400

Word out of Chicago has Nikolai Khabibulin scratched tonight, after being declared the starter earlier this week by Savard.

No reason given, and no admission of injury on the part of the Hawks. Could Bryan Murray have been working the phones earlier today?

Martin Gerber has looked shaky in the preseason, and the Sens will have a couple disgruntled Russians sitting in Binghamton if they don't get some NHL time in this season.

The Hawks would like to move some cap space, and the Sens, who have a ton of depth, need an upgrade in goal.

Could we see Gerber and maybe Schubert plus a prospect(s) heading out west for Khabby and Barker?

Something to ponder. What's worse, a year of Gerber at $3.7 million—or a year of Khabby at $6.75 million?

Chris Neil Expendable?

Mark Browsky — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:05:00 -0400

I don't think so. There has been much Neil-hate on the forum boards and even in the local newspapers. "Losing his edge," "Thinks he's Gretzky," "Too many dumb penalties," they all yelled. "$1.1 million for him? Tead him!" they all screamed.

Granted, he may have lost his way a little last season, but which Sen didn't to some degree?

Let's start off with some stats:

Detractors said that with the acquisition of Ruutu and the emergence of Cody Bass, the writing was on the wall for Neil: he would become trade bait. Which NHL GM wouldn't want this guy, right? He hits, he fights, he agitates, he chips in the occasional goal or assist, and isn't a defensive liability. A team can't have too many of these types.

What I think happened last year was basically a coaching issue. Paddock seemed to send mixed messages to his players and they lost their roles. When used in his proper role, Chris is one of the best in the league among those in that role.

I can hear Paddock now: "Go poke that guy with your stick, Chris...oh not that hard, okay, okay, okay...try using that Gretzky wrap around play every time you're around the net...okay, okay, okay...that didn't work...try creaming the opposing defenceman into the end boards on the forecheck, get a good run in there...oops, not that much of a run...okay...try fighting George Laraque...hmmmmm."

This being a contract year, watch for Neil to step it up large and redeem himself big time. He is great at what he does, when he does it consistently. Expect 15 goals, 15 assists, 200 PIMS, and expect him to be among the top 10 in hits this year in the NHL. Book it.

Ottawa Senators: Who's in and Who's Out?

Mark Browsky — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:41:00 -0400

As most Sens fans are aware, the team has an abundance of NHL caliber players signed for this season. Compounding that quagmire is the fact that the team also have several rookies who are NHL ready or close to it.

Obviously, some players are guaranteed a spot on the big club come training camp. We have the likes of Spezza, Heatley, Alfredsson, Vermette, Kelly, Neil, Fisher, and Ruutu up front, and Phillips, Volchenkov, Smith, and Kuba on defense.

That leaves one forward spot and two defensive jobs open.

Waiting to fill those spots are NHL experienced forwards Foligno, McAmmond, Donovan, Bass, Isbister, Shannon, and Schubert as well as NHL ready rookies like Winchester, Nikulin, and Zubov. All are battling for that one forward spot.

Couple that with NHL defensive veterans Schubert, Lee, Bell, Carkner, and Picard all fighting it out for two jobs on the blueline.

Something has to give. Players will not be happy no matter how you slice it. Guys patiently toiling in the AHL waiting for their shot will tire of the buses, and others will be sitting in the press box on a regular basis, which never bodes well for their morale.

In goal, Brian Elliot is chomping at the bit to get more NHL action and he's almost ready. Behind Gerber and Auld on the depth chart, can Elliot be patient and wait until Gerber's contract expires at season's end, or will he push for an NHL job sooner?

Even worse, some of these players (like Winchester) are on one-way deals. That deepens the conundrum for Sens management. Could a trade be in the works? My sources tell me me yes, but who and where?

Look for Russian forwards Nikulin and Zubov to threaten to play in the KHL if they are forced to wait too long for NHL action. Isbister will be chomping at the bit to return to the NHL, as will Picard and Shannon. Schubert won't be happy switching from defense to forward all season between his time in the press box.

My feeling is that vets like McAmmond and Schubert will be packaged with promising young talent like Nikulin and/or Zubov to a rebuilding team for a marquee goalie, stud defenceman, or a true top six power forward.

It's not a question of if, but when. Stay tuned. Training camp opens later this month and should prove very interesting.