Earlier this week, I made three predictions to occur before the end of June. I said Heatley would be traded, Neil would be re-signed, and Murray would trade up in the draft. Talk about a hat trick. After one day, I am retiring from the guarantee business, although it is more of a dishonourable discharge, eh? My last statement was that if Heaters was traded to the Kings, I'd eat my jersey. Luckily, it was reported that "LA has withdrawn from the Heatley sweeps". This is code for, they were never interested in Murray's demand for Brown et al. But give me credit for one thing - I made a prediction, it didn't happen, and I've owned up to it. Imagine if all bloggers did that?
Moving on, I'm still holding out hope that a strong offer comes together. I'm just not as confident considering the draft was a great place for talks. There are still teams that could really use a player like Heatley. One interesting note from Booboo was that "Murray was disgusted by the Rangers offer of Roszival and Zherdev". If that was the offer, then yeah, Heatley will be around for a bit.
From another angle, perhaps we resolve ourselves to preparing for another season of the pizza line! I'm reading a lot of comments from people suggesting that he can play well and drive up his value at the deadline. My question is, what's to say things haven't changed between Heatley, Clouston, the rest of the team, and the fans by then? Kobe asks for a trade out of LA often, but he changed his attitude and they just won a championship. Last week, I wrote a piece about how we handle another season of Heaters. Long story short, a reconciliation is definitely possible. These guys are professionals and on the ice, they'll take care of business. If Murray can't execute his trade, then it isn't at all out of the question that he actually plays out this contract's remaining five years. Let's just hope that if he stays, then Clouston becomes hockey's Master of Zen.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Your Jared Cowen Primer
Here's some tidbits about our newest defenceman, Jared Cowen. I'll admit that I wanted Kadri as I think we need a centre, but when Burkie took him and we were down to Cowen, MSP, and Kulikov, I'm thrilled we kept it Canadian. Cowen will be a great balance for this team for Karlsson and if Lee is still around. But make no mistake - this kid is ugly.
Name: Jared Cowen
Position: D
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-5
Weight: 218 lbs
Birthdate: 1991-01-25
Eligible for Draft: 2009
Drafted: 2009
Hometown: Allan, Saskatchewan
Acquired: 1st round (9th overall), 2009 by OTT
Playing In: CHL
There have been comparisons to Braydon Coburn and Adam Foote - both guys aren't highlight reel players but are solid, tough defencemen. If Cowen can become a Foote, then we've made a great pick here. In all likelihood, he'll be fine coming out of knee surgery (done on 2/18/09) and we picked a player that wasn't necessarily supposed to be on the board at 9th. Recovery for him and the extent of the injury is said to be 5-6 months. He also appears to be a great person, hard working and focused on the recovery, and excited about playing in Canada. I love players like that! Check out the sound bytes in the second clip, too. Just sounds like a good dude, prairie boy that wants to work his ass off and get to the bigs.
Live posts - smoke 'em if you got 'em
(10:20) Alright, this will be it for posts until the Jared Cowen profile later tonight. The Pronger trade was the only trade of significance, other than small movements in draft order. Let's hope that Brennan can have a convo with BM tonight. I'm curious as to what was out there and where we go from here. Sure, we can trade him on July 2nd, but that handcuffs us on the 1st with free agents. I still have to think this 'he'll play for us in the fall' is all bluff. Right?
(9:15) slats and murray talking again but dreger says murray returned to the sens table and shook his head no.
(8:57) Edmonton keeps their pick, Minnesota trades down. Both are suitors for Heatley.
(8:25) Murray on stage with the crew. Please let it be Cowen. Done deal - Jared Cowen!
(8:20) so Burke takes Kadri as Murray says, yeah that's the guy we want. Glennie to Dallas is great as it let's us pick Cowen. I'm not anti-Euro, but I want a Canadian this year. Kulikov and MSP still out there, as well. And Dreger says Murray told him no trades, nothing serious. Apparently our price is still too high - 3 good players.
(7:48) top four are as planned, duchesne to avs, kane to atl
(7:28) As planned, tavares first and hedman second. Will Colorado keep that 3rd pick.
(7:25) pronger for sbisa, lupul, and back to back first rounders. Wow!
(7:10) Tavares will go first. You can just tell in his demeanour that Garth told him already.
(7:00) Pronger to Philly.
(6:56) Dreger from Murray:no trade for Heatley. BM used the word 'dead'.
(6:46) Bolland re-signs in Chicago for 5 yrs, $18M. Saw his name in a Heatley rumour. At this point if you're an NHLer and have NOT been linked to Heatley, is that an insult?
(6:30) Niedermeyer supposedly re-signing in Anaheim, which will fuel the Pronger rumours, and the Kaberle/ Kessel trade is not even close. Apparently, they each thought they were getting the other team's pick. Oops.
(6:25) Master insider Bob McKenzie just said on the nhl network: "I don't think Dany Heatley will be traded tonight. I would be surprised if it happens.". Screw you, Bob.
(6:13) Burkie has already gone public with his attempts to trade up in tonight's draft. But don't be shocked if Murray finds a way to move up, as well. As Tim Murray said, they're about quality, not quantity in the draft. If they have to give up one of those two second rounders to slide up a couple of spots, don't fall out of your chair.
(9:15) slats and murray talking again but dreger says murray returned to the sens table and shook his head no.
(8:57) Edmonton keeps their pick, Minnesota trades down. Both are suitors for Heatley.
(8:25) Murray on stage with the crew. Please let it be Cowen. Done deal - Jared Cowen!
(8:20) so Burke takes Kadri as Murray says, yeah that's the guy we want. Glennie to Dallas is great as it let's us pick Cowen. I'm not anti-Euro, but I want a Canadian this year. Kulikov and MSP still out there, as well. And Dreger says Murray told him no trades, nothing serious. Apparently our price is still too high - 3 good players.
(7:48) top four are as planned, duchesne to avs, kane to atl
(7:28) As planned, tavares first and hedman second. Will Colorado keep that 3rd pick.
(7:25) pronger for sbisa, lupul, and back to back first rounders. Wow!
(7:10) Tavares will go first. You can just tell in his demeanour that Garth told him already.
(7:00) Pronger to Philly.
(6:56) Dreger from Murray:no trade for Heatley. BM used the word 'dead'.
(6:46) Bolland re-signs in Chicago for 5 yrs, $18M. Saw his name in a Heatley rumour. At this point if you're an NHLer and have NOT been linked to Heatley, is that an insult?
(6:30) Niedermeyer supposedly re-signing in Anaheim, which will fuel the Pronger rumours, and the Kaberle/ Kessel trade is not even close. Apparently, they each thought they were getting the other team's pick. Oops.
(6:25) Master insider Bob McKenzie just said on the nhl network: "I don't think Dany Heatley will be traded tonight. I would be surprised if it happens.". Screw you, Bob.
(6:13) Burkie has already gone public with his attempts to trade up in tonight's draft. But don't be shocked if Murray finds a way to move up, as well. As Tim Murray said, they're about quality, not quantity in the draft. If they have to give up one of those two second rounders to slide up a couple of spots, don't fall out of your chair.
3 Draft Day Scenarios for the top 3
Sit back while we blow your mind:
Scenario One:
1. NY Islanders take Tavares, getting a face for the franchise
2. Tampa changes their shorts and gets Hedman, the one they wanted.
3. Colorado, already determined to pass the torch from Sakic to Stastny, is luke warm on Duchesne and start to whore it out to the highest bidder. The Avs can get some nice, warm bodies in exchange for dropping down a few spots to 5, 6, etc. I wonder if they can find a way to peddle the 3rd overall plus Smyth for a younger, cheaper impact player plus a pick a few spots down...I just think that knowing how popular Duchesne has become, Colorado could drop down a few spots and clean up their payroll at the same time and still get a solid player.
Scenario Two:
1. NY Islanders take Hedman, confusing the Isles 10,000+ draft party attendees as to why he spells his name with a K.
2. Tampa freaks out because they need a d-man, not Tavares or Duchesne. They immediately trade down a few spots in a great move. They can basically drop to as low as 6th or 7th where they can pick up Cowan. By dropping those spots, they can rob another team of a top player. Toronto comes to mind. If you're Tampa, do you take Hedman, or do you swap picks with Toronto (7th) and take Kaberle and Cowan?
3. Colorado is in the same spot with Duchesne on the table.
Scenario Three:
1. NY Islanders take Duchesne, the Nassau Coliseum is burnt to the ground with Tavares jerseys used as kindling. Don't laugh, there is talk of Duchesne being the man here, and think about how Jets fans react when they don't like the draft pick...there will be way more people at Nassau...
2. Tampa gets Hedman
3. Colorado has Tavares on the table. Again, if you're the Avs and you have Stastny, Hejduk, Wolski, etc., I wonder if you don't peddle the pick for a few players and then draft a few spots down...Would that blow your mind if Tavares doesn't get drafted in the top three?
Alright, so basically all three scenarios have the Avs trading the pick and dropping down. In all likelihood, they'll just take the last of the big three available. But these aren't completely out of the question and goes to show you how much is riding on that Islanders pick in less than four hours...
Scenario One:
1. NY Islanders take Tavares, getting a face for the franchise
2. Tampa changes their shorts and gets Hedman, the one they wanted.
3. Colorado, already determined to pass the torch from Sakic to Stastny, is luke warm on Duchesne and start to whore it out to the highest bidder. The Avs can get some nice, warm bodies in exchange for dropping down a few spots to 5, 6, etc. I wonder if they can find a way to peddle the 3rd overall plus Smyth for a younger, cheaper impact player plus a pick a few spots down...I just think that knowing how popular Duchesne has become, Colorado could drop down a few spots and clean up their payroll at the same time and still get a solid player.
Scenario Two:
1. NY Islanders take Hedman, confusing the Isles 10,000+ draft party attendees as to why he spells his name with a K.
2. Tampa freaks out because they need a d-man, not Tavares or Duchesne. They immediately trade down a few spots in a great move. They can basically drop to as low as 6th or 7th where they can pick up Cowan. By dropping those spots, they can rob another team of a top player. Toronto comes to mind. If you're Tampa, do you take Hedman, or do you swap picks with Toronto (7th) and take Kaberle and Cowan?
3. Colorado is in the same spot with Duchesne on the table.
Scenario Three:
1. NY Islanders take Duchesne, the Nassau Coliseum is burnt to the ground with Tavares jerseys used as kindling. Don't laugh, there is talk of Duchesne being the man here, and think about how Jets fans react when they don't like the draft pick...there will be way more people at Nassau...
2. Tampa gets Hedman
3. Colorado has Tavares on the table. Again, if you're the Avs and you have Stastny, Hejduk, Wolski, etc., I wonder if you don't peddle the pick for a few players and then draft a few spots down...Would that blow your mind if Tavares doesn't get drafted in the top three?
Alright, so basically all three scenarios have the Avs trading the pick and dropping down. In all likelihood, they'll just take the last of the big three available. But these aren't completely out of the question and goes to show you how much is riding on that Islanders pick in less than four hours...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The 10 Biggest Transactions in Ottawa Senators History
On the eve of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, Ottawa Senators fans know that their franchise is about to change forever. In all likelihood, GM Bryan Murray is less than 24 hours away from making a trade that will severely alter the dynamic of our hockey team. Dany Heatley will be shipped out of the capital city, per his request. I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the transactions over the course of the modern day Senators history and their impact on the franchise. The impending Heatley trade will no doubt be in this list somewhere by this weekend. Here are my picks in order:
10. 7/15/94 Randy Cunneyworth signs as a free agent
Okay, so this is a mild start. Let us not forget, though, that when we first made the playoffs in 1996-97, it was Cunney that wore the 'C' in Ottawa. He was one of the leaders of this team when we went from laughing stock to model franchise.
9. 11/27/96 Ottawa trades the rights to Pavol Demitra to St. Louis for Christer Olsson
In our defense, Demitra was holding out that fall and wanted nothing to do with what at the time was a brutal team. Little did he know, Randy Cunneyworth would get us into the playoffs, right, mates? Olsson managed 5 points in 25 career NHL games. Demitra is slightly better and would have been a force in those playoff matchups with Toronto.
8. 7/10/06 Ottawa trades Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinski to Chicago for Tom Preissing, Josh Hennessy, Michael Barinka, and a 2nd round pick in 2008 (Patrick Wiercioch).
Tough call here because Havlat's contract demands were higher than we could afford in the early cap years. But we got fleeced in this one. The only silver lining right now is Wiercioch as a solid blue-liner in a few years. Otherwise, this was the last time that Ottawa formally had a second line winger. Secondary scoring has been an issue ever since Havlat left town.
7. 6/18/99 Ottawa trades Ted Donato and Anti-Jussi Niemi to Anaheim for Patrick Lalime.
I'm going to give Patty some props for being arguably the best goalie we've had in Ottawa (not counting the guy in #6, but don't read ahead). Unfortunately, Lalime will never be remembered too kindly in Ottawa as he made a regular habit of not beating Toronto in the playoffs. Lalime got a bit of a rough deal in that it was usually our offence that couldn't get pucks past guys like Joseph and Belfour. After giving up three goals in the first period in 2004, including two absolutely brutal ones to Joe Nieuwendyk, Lalime was traded on 6/27/04 to St. Louis for a 4th round pick, who turned out to be sometimes-touted prospect Ilja Zubov. I also forgot to mention that in the year we acquired Lalime, we also moved Tugnutt and Laukkanen on 3/14/00 at the deadline for supposed playoff warrior Tom Barasso, fresh off his two Cups in Pittsburgh. I always liked Tugger better.
6. 7/6/04 Ottawa signs Dominik Hasek
Hard to call this an impact signing because he never played the whole season, but a lot came from this. For starters, it was the first time ever that we had a legitimate 'elite' goaltender, a Hall of Famer. He played lights out for us, too. He also allowed us to see that we had some talent in our hot-headed backup, Ray Emery, who was shown to his spot in the crease in March and April before we were bounced by Buffalo in the playoffs.
5. 6/26/93 Ottawa drafts Alexandre Daigle first overall, leaving Chris Pronger to be picked second by Hartford.
I don't want to turn this into a 'we should have drafted that guy' article, but this one stands out as one of the most catastrophic disasters in pro sports. Daigle was a bust and Pronger still stands as one of the most feared defencemen in the league and has a Stanley Cup to his name. Daigle was traded on 1/17/98 to Philadelphia for Vinny Prospal (I think we called him Vaclav back then), Pat Falloon, and a 2nd round pick, which turned into wunderkind Chris Bala. The only reason this blunder isn't higher on the list is because even Pronger couldn't have helped Ottawa in the early 90's.
4. 1/23/96 Ottawa trades Don Beaupre, Martin Straka, and Bryan Berard to the NY Islanders for Wade Redden and Damian Rhodes
Berard, another holdout, refused to play in Ottawa after being picked first overall. No worries, let's just swap with the second overall pick and also get some goalie that was known better for his girlfriend than his on-ice performance. Say what you want about losing Straka, because Wade Redden was an elite defenceman for most of his career in Ottawa. Like a few others, he'll be remembered for his last season, which sucks, but he was a pivotal player for us for a very, very long time. Ironically, we made sure Berard didn't amount to much. Boooooooo.
3. 8/23/05 Ottawa trades Marian Hossa and Greg DeVries to Atlanta for Dany Heatley
So Muckler, the shrewd bastard that he is, puts on his thick-rimmed glasses and signs Hossa to a 3-year extension on the morning of his arbitration hearing. But the joke was on Hossa as he was sent off and we picked up one of the most prolific goal scorers of the decade, and the best goal scorer in Ottawa history. Hossa had always been criticized for his poor playoff record. Those feelings were validated when Heatley helped us reach the Stanley Cup Finals in his second year in Ottawa (disregard that Hossa has played in the Finals the last two years). In terms of magnitude of talent going both ways, this is one of the biggest trades in all of hockey in recent memory. Heatley helped give the Sens some Canadian content and we all watched love blossom between him and Jason Spezza, one of the most lethal tandems in the league.
2. 6/23/01 Ottawa trades Alexei Yashin to the NY Islanders for Bill Muckalt, Zdeno Chara, and their first round pick (second overal), who turned out to be some goofball named Jason Spezza.
Arguably the most lopsided transaction in sports history. In terms of trades, nothing has shaped our franchise more than this one. We moved our most disgruntled employee (I tallied 5 contract battles in his tenure) for a great draft pick and some tall oaf that couldn't skate. Chara just won the Norris Trophy and Spezza is a 100-point centre making $7M a year. Yashin was bought out and now plays in Russia while the Isles continue to send cheques.
1. 6/28/94 Ottawa drafts Daniel Alfredsson in the 6th round of the NHL Entry Draft, 133rd overall.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, has done more or meant more to this franchise than Daniel Alfredsson. He exemplifies everything that we are passionate about in Ottawa Senators hockey. In reading through this list and seeing the holdouts like Berard and Demitra, and the trade demands in Yashin and Heatley (and Corvo, Preissin, Schaefer, Nicholat, Nikulin...), it gives you goosebumps to know that we have a guy like Alfie as our captain. He has quietly gone about his business for over a decade, taking paycuts to fit in salaries, signing lifetime contracts, and telling us that he wants to stay in Ottawa after his playing career is over. He is one of the best all-around players in all of hockey and he loves playing for the Ottawa Senators. That, my friends, makes his draft choice the most important trasaction in the history of this franchise.
So, any ommissions? I left out things like the Eaves/Corvo trade, the Emery buyout, etc. Also, where will Friday's Heatley trade rank in this list? And one more time, don't you just love Daniel Alfredsson?!?!
10. 7/15/94 Randy Cunneyworth signs as a free agentOkay, so this is a mild start. Let us not forget, though, that when we first made the playoffs in 1996-97, it was Cunney that wore the 'C' in Ottawa. He was one of the leaders of this team when we went from laughing stock to model franchise.
9. 11/27/96 Ottawa trades the rights to Pavol Demitra to St. Louis for Christer Olsson
In our defense, Demitra was holding out that fall and wanted nothing to do with what at the time was a brutal team. Little did he know, Randy Cunneyworth would get us into the playoffs, right, mates? Olsson managed 5 points in 25 career NHL games. Demitra is slightly better and would have been a force in those playoff matchups with Toronto.
8. 7/10/06 Ottawa trades Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinski to Chicago for Tom Preissing, Josh Hennessy, Michael Barinka, and a 2nd round pick in 2008 (Patrick Wiercioch).
Tough call here because Havlat's contract demands were higher than we could afford in the early cap years. But we got fleeced in this one. The only silver lining right now is Wiercioch as a solid blue-liner in a few years. Otherwise, this was the last time that Ottawa formally had a second line winger. Secondary scoring has been an issue ever since Havlat left town.
7. 6/18/99 Ottawa trades Ted Donato and Anti-Jussi Niemi to Anaheim for Patrick Lalime. I'm going to give Patty some props for being arguably the best goalie we've had in Ottawa (not counting the guy in #6, but don't read ahead). Unfortunately, Lalime will never be remembered too kindly in Ottawa as he made a regular habit of not beating Toronto in the playoffs. Lalime got a bit of a rough deal in that it was usually our offence that couldn't get pucks past guys like Joseph and Belfour. After giving up three goals in the first period in 2004, including two absolutely brutal ones to Joe Nieuwendyk, Lalime was traded on 6/27/04 to St. Louis for a 4th round pick, who turned out to be sometimes-touted prospect Ilja Zubov. I also forgot to mention that in the year we acquired Lalime, we also moved Tugnutt and Laukkanen on 3/14/00 at the deadline for supposed playoff warrior Tom Barasso, fresh off his two Cups in Pittsburgh. I always liked Tugger better.
6. 7/6/04 Ottawa signs Dominik Hasek
Hard to call this an impact signing because he never played the whole season, but a lot came from this. For starters, it was the first time ever that we had a legitimate 'elite' goaltender, a Hall of Famer. He played lights out for us, too. He also allowed us to see that we had some talent in our hot-headed backup, Ray Emery, who was shown to his spot in the crease in March and April before we were bounced by Buffalo in the playoffs.
5. 6/26/93 Ottawa drafts Alexandre Daigle first overall, leaving Chris Pronger to be picked second by Hartford.I don't want to turn this into a 'we should have drafted that guy' article, but this one stands out as one of the most catastrophic disasters in pro sports. Daigle was a bust and Pronger still stands as one of the most feared defencemen in the league and has a Stanley Cup to his name. Daigle was traded on 1/17/98 to Philadelphia for Vinny Prospal (I think we called him Vaclav back then), Pat Falloon, and a 2nd round pick, which turned into wunderkind Chris Bala. The only reason this blunder isn't higher on the list is because even Pronger couldn't have helped Ottawa in the early 90's.
4. 1/23/96 Ottawa trades Don Beaupre, Martin Straka, and Bryan Berard to the NY Islanders for Wade Redden and Damian Rhodes
Berard, another holdout, refused to play in Ottawa after being picked first overall. No worries, let's just swap with the second overall pick and also get some goalie that was known better for his girlfriend than his on-ice performance. Say what you want about losing Straka, because Wade Redden was an elite defenceman for most of his career in Ottawa. Like a few others, he'll be remembered for his last season, which sucks, but he was a pivotal player for us for a very, very long time. Ironically, we made sure Berard didn't amount to much. Boooooooo.
3. 8/23/05 Ottawa trades Marian Hossa and Greg DeVries to Atlanta for Dany Heatley
So Muckler, the shrewd bastard that he is, puts on his thick-rimmed glasses and signs Hossa to a 3-year extension on the morning of his arbitration hearing. But the joke was on Hossa as he was sent off and we picked up one of the most prolific goal scorers of the decade, and the best goal scorer in Ottawa history. Hossa had always been criticized for his poor playoff record. Those feelings were validated when Heatley helped us reach the Stanley Cup Finals in his second year in Ottawa (disregard that Hossa has played in the Finals the last two years). In terms of magnitude of talent going both ways, this is one of the biggest trades in all of hockey in recent memory. Heatley helped give the Sens some Canadian content and we all watched love blossom between him and Jason Spezza, one of the most lethal tandems in the league.
2. 6/23/01 Ottawa trades Alexei Yashin to the NY Islanders for Bill Muckalt, Zdeno Chara, and their first round pick (second overal), who turned out to be some goofball named Jason Spezza.
Arguably the most lopsided transaction in sports history. In terms of trades, nothing has shaped our franchise more than this one. We moved our most disgruntled employee (I tallied 5 contract battles in his tenure) for a great draft pick and some tall oaf that couldn't skate. Chara just won the Norris Trophy and Spezza is a 100-point centre making $7M a year. Yashin was bought out and now plays in Russia while the Isles continue to send cheques.
1. 6/28/94 Ottawa drafts Daniel Alfredsson in the 6th round of the NHL Entry Draft, 133rd overall.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, has done more or meant more to this franchise than Daniel Alfredsson. He exemplifies everything that we are passionate about in Ottawa Senators hockey. In reading through this list and seeing the holdouts like Berard and Demitra, and the trade demands in Yashin and Heatley (and Corvo, Preissin, Schaefer, Nicholat, Nikulin...), it gives you goosebumps to know that we have a guy like Alfie as our captain. He has quietly gone about his business for over a decade, taking paycuts to fit in salaries, signing lifetime contracts, and telling us that he wants to stay in Ottawa after his playing career is over. He is one of the best all-around players in all of hockey and he loves playing for the Ottawa Senators. That, my friends, makes his draft choice the most important trasaction in the history of this franchise.
So, any ommissions? I left out things like the Eaves/Corvo trade, the Emery buyout, etc. Also, where will Friday's Heatley trade rank in this list? And one more time, don't you just love Daniel Alfredsson?!?!
Heatley to Minnesota?
Take it with a whole jar full of salt, but Brennan is saying that BM has found a deal with the Wild that he likes and he's now asking Heatley's agents if he'll waive the NMC to go there. Click here for link. Honestly, it pains me so deeply to quote Brennan and link twitter in the same post. Sad day for me, no doubt. Unless Minnesota put a deadline on the offer, I can't imagine why Murray would do anything before the draft begins. I said earlier that Murray's challenge was to go to bed Thursday night with an offer in hand and then spend Friday telling the other teams to try and match it all the way up to the first round.
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