View Full Version : Ottawa Senators 05/06 Roster
Madferret
8-21-05, 8:53 PM
Ottawa Senators 05/06 Roster
With Hoss the only Sen left to be signed, (*be it a 1 year deal or multi-year deal, he will be skating October 5th), and confirmation on what direction roster wise Muckler / Murray are going to run with at the start of the season through interviews etc, I think we can safely start playing with our lines from the comfort of our CPU desks..
L1 Havlat / Spezza / Hossa
L2 Schafeer / Fisher / Alfredsson
L3 Varada / Smolinski / Eaves
L4 Langfield / Vermette / Neil
Looking at that I can see Vermette getting bumped to center Line 3 and Smoke getting shipped out if he's dragging within the first month or two. This would open up a spot for Martins or Kelly. Anyways on to the blue line..
D1 Chara / Phillips
D2 Redden / de Vries
D3 Volchenkov / Pothier - Schubert - Meszaros - Platil
I'd like to see Meszaros, Schoobs & Platil inserted or rotated into the line-up. Of course in a penny pinching CBA that might not be possible...the core is solid with plenty of room to experiment. Leading us to goaltending..
Starter Hasek
Back Up Emery
Ah, our weakness. Or greatness, depending on Dom. I don't expect Dom to play more than 65 games as a precaution; really it's all going to be about what Dom is going to do in the playoffs. I can't for one moment allow myself to believe that Mucks doesn't have a Plan B in place for a 'worse case scenario'. What it is I haven?t the foggiest.
http://www.sportslogos.net/images/design/banners/team/ban_21.gif
LONG POST. But it basically has all my thoughts so I won't have to clog up the thread with mutliple replies. BTW, good thread idea, Dev.
I'm in agreeance with most of what you posted, but some things I'd like to switch around. Fisher looks awful nice as 2nd line C and I hope he plays there, but according to Murray Murray will be a LW to start the year. These types of things are always subject to change due to how players perform at different positions, injuries, etc but I think we need to pencil him in on the wing for now. I don't think Eaves makes the big club as a regular unless he has a huge camp. Look for him if people get injured long-term however like Varada did last season. There's no need to rush him as we are very deep at forward, don't lack his gritty style in the bottom-six (he's not ready for scoring line duty yet IMO) and Ottawa prefers to have their players make a stop in Bingo first. If we made Spezza make play in the AHL for a while I can only help but think Patrick will be no different. Langfeld can't be included in anyones plans as he's no longer with the club. I expect McGratton will no be our 4th line LW to ad another fighter to the roster to help Neil. That's probably why we sigend Clouthier too. To have an enforcer in Binghamton after Gratts leaves. I'd much rather have Alfredsson on Spezza's right to start the year not only because he's a right handed-shot but because he brings experience in what will be a transition year for the young center as a #1 in the league. It'll be interesting to see if we bring Kaigorodov over from Russia. I doubt it due to $$$ issues and us being able to take our time with him but Ottawa is really high on the lad and he just led the RSL in scoring against tough competition, outscoring young guns like Ovechkin/Malkin.
We seem to all agree on defense although the pairings may be juggles. The big 5 are as solid as any. One of Pothier/Schubert will get that 6th spot. Platil isn't ready for the NHL IMO as he at times can't even perform like a top-4 guy in the AHL and Meszaros/Malec will likely get a few snifs for experience while mainly anchoring a Bingo D. If long-term injuries occur, like to Volchenkov last season, Meszaros will likely be the guy to be called up and see regular duty on the bottom-pairing. I expect the vet de Vries to play along-side the younger guy who will be on the 3rd pairing. Like what happend with Leschshyn and Volchenkov in the A-Train's rookie year. Curtis was a huge factor in his successful debut IMO and it definatly hurt to have him sign with Colorado for depth, experience, and leadership reasons. I wish him all the best out West. Also, Anton was playing the right side of the ice all last season in Bingo. I can't help but think he was being groomed for that reason. To ease him into top-4 minutes beside a guy like Redden while also letting an experienced guy like de Vries be with a freshman. All three pairings will see plenty of ice-time IMO.
Agreed with Hasek. No more than 65 games for him to be cautious. Hopefully Razor can build some nice confidence with his starts for next year if we decided he's good enough to take over as starter. Dom can brings us proven Cup-quality goaltending ala Detroit if he pans out. If he gets hurt or plays poorly we're left with a huge hole in net. Fingers crossed. My lines:
Havlat - Spezza - Alfredsson
Fisher - Smolinski - Hossa
Schaefer - Vermette - Varada
McGratton - Kelly - Neil ................ *Kaigorodov/Martins/Eaves
Chara - Phillips
Redden - Volchenkov
de Vries - Pothier/Shubert ............. Meszaros/Malec
Hasek
Emery
Madferret
8-21-05, 10:29 PM
Langfield's gone? Oops...hehe
Darsehole Tucker
8-22-05, 5:40 PM
Putting Vermette on a line with Schaeffer and Varada wastes his skills though. I would just switch him with Fisher on ManU's lines.
Newfie John
8-22-05, 5:56 PM
Putting Vermette on a line with Schaeffer and Varada wastes his skills though. I would just switch him with Fisher on ManU's lines.
I agree.. I like Vermette better on the wing anyway.
So... uh.. yeah, put Vermette at center. :thumb:
Putting Vermette on a line with Schaeffer and Varada wastes his skills though. I would just switch him with Fisher on ManU's lines.
I dunno. He had a 4th line role last season and was quite impressive so he can certainly play such a role and be a benefit to the team. A third line role would be more fitting for a sophomore like him IMO. At least to start the season. Maybe he earns more ice-time like the did in the playoffs. And since Murray has stated on multiple occasions that both Fisher and Havlat will play LW to start the season - and we know Alfie and Hossa are #1 and #2 on the right side - there doesn't seem to be an opening for him as a top-six winger anyway. We could put him as 2nd line C (a role a feel he is being groomed for, contributing to his place in the lineup), but that leaves us far too inexperienced down the middle for our first two lines if we hope to be a contender.
In regards to surrounding players, I openly concede that Varada has proven to have hands of stone from his time with Bonk and Hossa on the second-line. But overall he was fine in a top-six role providing grit, a pest-like presence, and a solid two-way game. He's even a good set-up man which is something most people never realise.
Schaefer is terribly underrated and the most under-appreciated player on the roster as far as I'm concerned. It seems he does something amzing every game. Maybe he keeps the puck alive for minutes at a time, maybe he scores a highlight reel goal like against Montreal to start last season, or maybe he throws a huge hit like in our recent playoff series. He's just the type of guy who can be placed anywhere and excell. His great cycling ability and work along the boards, untapped offensive potential, and excellent two-way play make him a perfect compliment to a skilled player on a scoring line like he was to Alfredsson at times. Those very same qualities make him ideal grinder in a bottom-six role. So Vermette won't have linemates that "waste his skill" although they obviously don't hold a candle to a super-star like Hossa. A line of Schaefer - Vermette - Varada could well pass as a second line in this league IMHO although not an overly impressive one.
Antoine being able to play ever position up-front and succeed makes him an invaluable memeber of this organization going forward. He has stated he feels more comfortable at center though, just FTR.
Madferret
8-22-05, 8:03 PM
Schaef's got the skills to play with Vermette, and the speed of the both of them is punishing. Throw Varada out there with them to crash the net, draw penalties etc. & it could be a very effective 3rd line.
Darsehole Tucker
8-22-05, 9:18 PM
Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Schaeffer fan, but aside from once-twice/year explosions of highlight-reel goals he's mostly a defensive forward. One of the best at doing that if you ask me, but that's why I like him playing with Fisher and Varada as our own grind line. Schaeffer - Fisher / Draper - Maltby? That's really my point.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Schaeffer fan, but aside from once-twice/year explosions of highlight-reel goals he's mostly a defensive forward. One of the best at doing that if you ask me, but that's why I like him playing with Fisher and Varada as our own grind line. Schaeffer - Fisher / Draper - Maltby? That's really my point.
I totally see what you're saying. And I could really go either way with switching Vermette and Schaefer. I just think Vermette should be placed at 3rd C, at least to start the season, as I'm not totally sold on his offensive upside at the NHL level. Plus he's more comfortable as a pivot despite being able to play all three forward positions. And with Murray saying Fisher will start the season as a LW, the line combos just fell into place for those two.
Schaefer may be a great defensive foraward, but he's been a pretty consistant 15 goal scorer his entire career. Infact, in every season of his to date in which he's played more than 25 games he's notched either 15 or 16 markers. He just leaves people wanting more with goals like the ones he scored against Montreal. And does anyone else remember the beautiful goal against Dallas last season?!?! He flew down the wing, totally deked out the Star's last defender, and then when Turo went for the poke check he literally juggled the puck in the air over him and batted it into the cage. The NHL network recently did a top 10 on best goals of the '03-'04 season + honorable mentions. Both Schaefer goals made appearances. :boogie:
Max Power
8-23-05, 12:09 PM
I have to pretty much agree with most of what Man U has said. It looks as what he's saying might materialize based on what we've heard. But things can and will change once the season starts based on peoples performances. One thing I anticipate in the new NHL is much less ice time for the 4th liners so the first three lines should see all the ice time. Given our depth on the top three lines we should see plenty of ice time for all three lines based on how they're playing together. If it was my choice this is how the top three would look.
Havlat - Spezza - Alfredsson/Hossa
Varada - Fisher - Hossa/Alfredson
Schaefer - Smolinski - Vermette
I know Varada is probably more of a natural RW but I'd love these combinations and I don't like Smolinski on the second line. The only problem with these lines is 3rd RW position. I like Vermette on the wing and think he would be more productive there. He's also a left shot so he might be productive on the RW. Schaefer on the LW can fill any top three roll IMO. He has plenty of offensive upside while being reliable defensively. Like Man U said he?s underrated. The only change I?d possibly make is swapping Vermette and Varada
As far as D goes the lines are pretty much in stone other then a few. Pothier will obviously get the chance to prove himself and I think he?s capable and has the skill to be a good solid D man. But I think I stand alone with that opinion and his lackluster play for Bing in the post season didn?t help my cause =]
The only real gripe I have with people listing Hossa and Alfredsson as interchangeable (and I know I sound like a broken record here) is that we plan on having Spezza as our first-line C. Coming off of bottom-six duties. That's a big adjustment. I think at least for the first few weeks of the season we'd be much better off putting a veteran like Alfredsson beside him. Once Spetzky gets used to the role we can start putting Hossa there if wanted.
Newfie John
8-23-05, 2:52 PM
The only real gripe I have with people listing Hossa and Alfredsson as interchangeable (and I know I sound like a broken record here) is that we plan on having Spezza as our first-line C. Coming off of bottom-six duties. That's a big adjustment. I think at least for the first few weeks of the season we'd be much better off putting a veteran like Alfredsson beside him. Once Spetzky gets used to the role we can start putting Hossa there if wanted.
I guess you're right but when you look at the skill set of the two players I think that Hossa and Spezza will have the better chemistry. That's just me.
I guess you're right but when you look at the skill set of the two players I think that Hossa and Spezza will have the better chemistry. That's just me.
Time will tell as he has never played with either Alfredsson or Hossa excluding the PP (and even then he was almost always on unit #2 behnd Whtte and Bonk :rolleyes: ).
But if I had to venture a guess I'd actaully say Alfredsson would have better chemistry with Spezza than Hossa would. Marian has produced well in junior, in Europe, and on the international stage with a good playmaking center by his side. But based on his play in Ottawa he's at his best when the puck is on his stick, not his center's. He's like Forsberg in that sense. Peter was always better as the main offensive threat on line 2 than as offensive threat 1A as Sakic's LW on the first line.
Obviously, any talented scorer would benefit from a great playmaker if they could develop any sort of chemistry - and the Forsberg situation is a bit different as he is most comfortable at center - but I think Alfredsson would be a better fit style-wise.
Max Power
8-23-05, 4:58 PM
New lines =]
Havlat - Spezza - Alfredsson
Varada - Fisher - Heatly
Schaefer - Smolinski - Vermette
Still looks good until we hear this d-man BS
Still looks good until we hear this d-man BS
Apparently it's de Vries. Out D was fine before he came into the picture, as good as he is for depth. We did have Rachunek last year, but a healthy Volchenkov who was out last year due to injury can replace him.
Havlat - Spezza - Alfredsson
Varada - Fisher - Heatly
Schaefer - Smolinski - Vermette
Chara - Phillips
Redden - Volchenkov
Schubert - Pothier
:shrug:
Madferret
8-23-05, 5:52 PM
Heatly / Spezza / Havlat
:eek:
Max Power
8-23-05, 6:58 PM
Heatly / Spezza / Havlat
:eek:
TSN has Heatly as a right-winger and I remember him as a RW but the team is saying he's a LW/C?
Must be a mistake
Madferret
8-23-05, 7:35 PM
TSN has Heatly as a right-winger and I remember him as a RW but the team is saying he's a LW/C?
Must be a mistake
He's a left shot, maybe that's it?
:confused:
I would imagine Heatley can play both sides, but usually played RW because Kovalchuk was on the left in Atlanta. Either way, that line could be amazing this year.:eek:
Madferret
8-23-05, 7:56 PM
http://www.ottawasenators.com/images/banners/newsrelease-wh-600.gif
OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators general manager John Muckler today announced the club has acquired right-winger Dany Heatley from the Atlanta Thrashers for right-winger Marian Hossa and defenceman Greg de Vries. The Senators have also signed Heatley to a three-year contract worth 13.5 M.
Welcome to Ottawa Heats...
http://www.ottawasenators.com/pictures/0506/050514Heatley-sm.jpg
Heatley like Havlat has been playing RW but on the odd occasion skated on the other side. I'd imagine that between the two of them one could successfully make the switch.
4.5M per year for three years? For a PPG or better player? Yes please, even if it means giving up a great guy and player like Hossa.
Max Power
8-24-05, 5:30 PM
Well Murray says Spezza will play with Heatly and havlat will play with Alfredson =]
Havlat - Fisher - Alfredsson
Schaefer - Spezza - Heatly
Varada - Smolinski - Vermette
Looks good to me
As Max said in the previous post, the starting top-six is all but set barring a change of mind by coach Murray. Spezza will center Heatley as his RW on line 1. Alfredsson and Havlat will flank Smolinski on the second line. We still don't know who the 1st line LW will be on opening night. I'd assume either Fisher or Schaefer. Maybe Vermette but that's a bit much for him at this point IMO.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2005/08/25/1187592-sun.html
"I was just going through some things. I was thinking we'll start Heatley on the right side with Spezza and we'll go from there. I've seen Dany Heatley play a lot of left wing and we're going to need some help there, but I want to see how he plays with Spezza. Nothing is set in stone. You make changes all the times with these things."
Winger Martin Havlat can expect a call from Murray in the coming weeks asking him to play the left side on a line with captain Daniel Alfredsson and likely centre Bryan Smolinski in the middle.
Schaefer (?) - Spezza - Heatley
Havlat - Smolinski - Alfredsson
Looks good. But I think I'd rather have Fisher as 2nd line C.
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