Bleacher Report - Articles by Pete Barr

Total Rumours, But This Ottawa Senators Fan Likes Them!

Pete Barr — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:47:33 -0500

I normally don't write about rumours, but these two I had to share. They are not from a substantiated source, but I got pretty excited at the chance they were for real.

Trade No. 1

To Ottawa, from Florida: Jay Bouwmeester and Nathan Horton

To Florida, from Ottawa: Mike Fisher, Antoine Vermette, and a 2009 first-round pick

Trade No. 2

To Ottawa, from Atlanta: Ilya Kovalchuk, Matthieu Schneider, and 2009 first-round pick

To Atlanta, from Ottawa: Jason Spezza, Brian Lee

At first glance, I thought the Thrashers and Panthers were crazy, but consider that Bouwmeester and Kovalchuk are both UFA's at the end of the season. I love these moves as an Ottawa fan, as long as at least one of the new additions signs in Ottawa.

What do you think?

Note to NHL GMs: Get Off the Fence!

Pete Barr — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:59:23 -0500

Seems to me that, these days, GMs are paid more for sitting on their hands than they are for tweaking their teams through trades. I understand trades are not the only responsibility of a GM—drafting is in fact key—but why so silent on the trade front?

There are a number of teams out there that are struggling, and even though we are only 15-20 games into the season, nobody is pulling the trigger?

In my opinion, they are all afraid of losing their jobs. They would rather do nothing than take a chance via trade and have it backfire. This does not make any sense. Their job is to put as much talent on the ice as possible under the salary cap.

Give the fans and owners some credit, in today's NHL (with exception to Detroit—and its day will come soon enough) we all understand that you have about a four-year window before a team needs a significant overhaul.

This is due to the rising player salaries, long-term injuries and speed that comes with youth entering the game at what seems a faster rate every year. There will be peaks of performance and there will be valleys of frustration on every team depending on the year. Eventually all need to trade, what was their franchise player, for youth.

Take for example, my Ottawa Senators. I admit to being extremely excited when they were able to lock up Alfredsson, Spezza, Heatley, Phillips long term. Things looked great for at least four years.

But when nearly two thirds of your total cap space is paid to four or five players, you had better hope those players NEVER get injured, NEVER slump, and NEVER lose chemistry. If one of these things does happen, you are forced to rely on unproven youth or under-skilled veterans to fill the void. Nine times out of ten, you are not going to be happy with the outcome.

So my argument is why wait? If you could get a solid return for one of these players, why would you not take the chance? Why wait until you are 25-30 games into the season when you are trying to deal from a position of extreme weakness?

Right now, you could probably get a high draft pick, an AHL top prospect and an everyday player for one of your franchise players. Let's not forget, you would also be adding to your cap space which could lead to even more flexibility down the road.

I can't understand why there is so much interest in Brian Burke going to the Leafs when we all know that he is simply going to sign free agents in the off season, and perhaps make a small deal or two close to the deadline. Having $4 million a year to start from scratch, no expectations for three or four years? Where do I sign?

Enough With Your Antics: NHL "Schoolboys" Need to Learn a Lesson

Pete Barr — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:07:36 -0500

I have had enough with the unskilled trying to earn spots on teams through nothing more than school yard antics.

Darcy Tucker, Ryan Hollweg, Steve Ott, and Sean Avery to name a few should have their heads handed to them by the next actual enforcer that plays against them. Sorry to rant, but this is embarrassing. No wonder the sport has trouble attracting "real" fans in the U.S. I say behind closed doors, the GM's should be making calls to each other to teach these guys a lesson! Here's what the conversation might sound like.

Doug Reisbrough (GM-Minnesota Wild): Hey David, any chance you caught our game against the Colorado Avalanche last night?

David Poile (GM-Nashville Predators): Yeah, that Tucker is a real piece of work.

Reisbrough: Funny you should say that, that's why I'm calling. I'll trade you "future considerations" for you to call up your biggest, baddest minor leaguer to take care of him. I will also pay that player $50,000 on top of his fines for his actions, just make sure that Tucker "learns his lesson."

And once the deed is done, if you could ask your player to get down on his hands and knees and whisper something into that piece of s*$!'s ear, "The Minnesota Wild say hello!"

Poile: I can arrange that. And don't worry about the money, we'll take care of it. Eventually we will all have done these types of favors for each other so it all comes out in the wash. Remind me to bring this up at the next GM meetings, we have to protect our skilled players from these weasels.

Reisbrough: Thanks Dave, you're the best!

I wish this could really happen. Instead, Tucker will live to play another day. Or am I on to something here?

NHL Northeast Prognostications

Pete Barr — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 07:40:11 -0400

Admittedly, I am a Sens fan. I pride myself, however, on being able to take a step back and present a realistic view of how the 2008-09 season will play out.

The Northeast division will be an interesting one this year. With the exception of the Maple Leafs and Sabres, the other teams (Boston, Montreal and Ottawa) will all have a legitimate shot at first place in the division. It seems that everyone has flaws, it will just depend on which teams' flaws are exploited the most.

Here are my predictions:

First place - Montreal Canadiens (103-108 points)

Second place - Ottawa Senators (95-100 points)

Third place - Boston Bruins (93-98 points)

Fourth place - Buffalo Sabres (87-92 points)

Fifth place - Toronto Maple Leafs (65-70 points)

Montreal Canadiens

There is no more rebuilding to do in Montreal. The time is now, and as part of a growing theme in the NHL, they need their young talent to perform as well (if not improve) on last year.

The biggest question is with Carey Price. Personally, I feel that he is the "real deal," but I have been wrong before. If the youngsters can click, this team will be scary—fast and skilled, and with the addition of "The Rock" they will all feel about two inches taller.

Ottawa Senators

If you listen to all the "experts," Ottawa's window of opportunity has closed. I completely disagree. Although I believe Montreal has surpassed them in talent, I think they will be a team that will be tough to play against EVERY game.

They may not finish first, but they will be a team that no one will want to play in the playoffs. Defence is much improved, and much tougher—but will they be able to score enough? We'll leave that up to the pizza line.

Boston Bruins

Other than what I believe is below-average goaltending, this is my sleeper pick. With Bergeron back, Savard healthy, and overall team toughness, I think the Bruins are going to surprise a lot of people this year.

Look for them to keep their eyes and ears open for an available, affordable goalie. They are crossing their fingers that Fernandez can do the job—but it WILL blow up in their faces.

Buffalo Sabres

Miller is great, this team is average. They have some skill, but they are a little short in virtually all categories. They have decent speed but lack toughness and defence.

Miller will steal a few games for them, but they will finish in fourth. Not bad enough to join the Tavares-Hedman sweepstakes, but not good enough to make the playoffs.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Where do I begin? Clearly rebuilding—and although they would never admit it, wanting to finish dead last in the league or at least very close to it.

I even get the feeling that Fletcher will try to figure out which other teams are just as bad, early in the season, so that he can trade what little talent the Leafs do have for first rounders. He probably has Atlanta and the New York Islanders on speed dial.

I don't think Antropov or Toskala, or even Kaberle will be in Leafs jerseys by the end of the season.

Well, there it is. Just my opinions, but it will be interesting to revisit this around Christmas time. That's the fun of it, you just never know. Let me know your feelings, and whether I've touched a nerve.

NHL Draft Pools: The Basics

Pete Barr — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:50:29 -0400

Not to brag, but in the twenty years or so that I have been entering live draft pools for the NHL regular season, I have finished in the top five eighteen times.

Luck plays a very large role in the outcome of any hockey pool, because of injury and ice time, but here are a few relatively simple guidelines that have worked for me throughout the years:

1. First lines and power-play units

You will be surprised how many people make the mistake of choosing second or third line players from a strong team before first-liners from what can be considered softer teams. Remember that power play time and overall ice time are integral to your success. I would much rather have Kopitar on my draft team than Franzen for example.

2. Don't go with your heart, go with statistics

NHL fans tend to be the most team-loyal fans in all of pro sports. Don't be, if you want to win. Choose the best player available, regardless of the team they play for.

3. Stay away from injury-prone players as long as possible.

I'm not saying to never pick someone with an injury history, but beware! Gaborik is a great example, if he plays 80-plus games you are golden, but really only count on 65 to 75 games. Do the math with points versus games played, and figure out if he is the one you still want.

4. Rookies? Not for me.

Usually, they are too risky. Many are not use to playing in the gruelling NHL, and some coaches are unpredictable when it comes to their ice time. I don't pick a rookie unless they are still around about half way through the draft.

5. Coaching

Some coaches are more defensively-minded than others. Remember that the number of wins a team gets means nothing. You are looking for offensive players, whether your player's team wins 5-0 or loses 8-5.

6) Changes of scenery

In the later rounds, look for underachieving players on new teams. Sometimes a change of scenery is the recipe for a turnaround season.

I know that everyone has their own ideas when drafting, just wanted to share what has worked for me.

Cheers, and let the season begin!

Ottawa Senators Looking to Make "Wild" Deal?

Pete Barr — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 05:53:48 -0400

Brian Murray has received some criticism lately for being (what some call) too cautious. There is an outcry in Ottawa from Senators fans saying he's unwilling to roll the dice with the same core of players they have had for the past two or three seasons.

It's not that Brian hasn't been on the phone with just about everyone, trying to land the perfect trade, it's just that there is a general consensus from other GMs that his asking prices for his "star" players are too high.

Recently, I have learned that a blockbuster deal was discussed with the Minnesota Wild. After numerous discussions, the proposed deal was for the Senators to send Jason Spezza, Martin Gerber, and a 2009 first-round draft pick to Minnesota in exchange for Marian Gaborik, Niklas Backstrom, and a third-rounder in 2009.

The hard sell for Murray was that Gaborik and Backstrom are both set to become unrestricted free agents very soon, and he feared what it would take to lock them up long-term. Gaborik is expected to sign for Malkin-type money, and with a recurring groin problem that may be too much. He is an elite player that just might push Ottawa over the hump, but is giving up Spezza (who is signed to a reasonable contract, long-term) worth Gaborik's glass groin?

I understand Murray's cautiousness, but at some point you have to stop worrying about taking a gamble, and make bold moves that will improve your hockey club.

I, for one, would have done the deal, even if it meant making Minnesota sign both players to long-term contracts before the deal was done.

It should be a win-win deal for both clubs.