yes, like Chara and alfredsson said no to the turds.
- prock

And like EE said no to the BJs

That's why I see them finishing so low. Because they're a mediocre team that got unbelievable goaltending last season and I can't see that repeating.

Karlsson will be the cause of as many chances against as he'll generate just like he always is.
- GreatGigInTheSky

If you think it was just goal-tending, then you're not completely informed.

Ottawa brought in a new coaching staff, and they implemented a new, team defensive system, that improved the teams ability to get the puck out of their zone more often than in previous seasons, cut down on the number of shots against from high percentage scoring positions and more ........ and this helped the goal-tending numbers improve as a result.

Did you notice that Erik Karlsson lead the NHL, for most of the season, in blocked shots, until he missed the last five games at the end of the season?

He finished 2nd overall, and with 26 more blocked shots than the previous system despite having played 5 fewer games.

The Boucher system also lead to Mark Borowiecki leading the NHL in Hits, with 364 in only 70 games, 78 more than Luke Schenn, who finished second and who also played 8 more games than Mark Borowiecki did.


So you may think the team was "mediocre" last season, and all that happened was some lucky goal-tending ............ but you'd be wrong.

Having Karlsson block tons of shots is just going to guarantee that he plays less games each year. Dumb decision.

And like EE said no to the BJs
- D0PPELGANGER

I know you want to try and give a jab back but the least you could do was be accurate. The Jays said no to Eddy.

They intentionally offered him a contract that what his agent believed to be below market value, so Eddy said he'd test the waters. And immediately after that the Jays signed Morales.

Congratulations. You're wrong in 2 sports.

If you think it was just goal-tending, then you're not completely informed.

Ottawa brought in a new coaching staff, and they implemented a new, team defensive system, that improved the teams ability to get the puck out of their zone more often than in previous seasons, cut down on the number of shots against from high percentage scoring positions and more ........ and this helped the goal-tending numbers improve as a result.

Did you notice that Erik Karlsson lead the NHL, for most of the season, in blocked shots, until he missed the last five games at the end of the season?

He finished 2nd overall, and with 26 more blocked shots than the previous system despite having played 5 fewer games.

The Boucher system also lead to Mark Borowiecki leading the NHL in Hits, with 364 in only 70 games, 78 more than Luke Schenn, who finished second and who also played 8 more games than Mark Borowiecki did.


So you may think the team was "mediocre" last season, and all that happened was some lucky goal-tending ............ but you'd be wrong.
- D0PPELGANGER

Hit totals are notoriously unreliable. Also are primarily an indicator that your team doesn't have possession.

if you are in a fantasy league that has hits as a category boro is the wayne gretzky of hits. multiple games with 10+ in a game. his actual hockeying isn't so good though

If you think it was just goal-tending, then you're not completely informed.

Ottawa brought in a new coaching staff, and they implemented a new, team defensive system, that improved the teams ability to get the puck out of their zone more often than in previous seasons, cut down on the number of shots against from high percentage scoring positions and more ........ and this helped the goal-tending numbers improve as a result.

Did you notice that Erik Karlsson lead the NHL, for most of the season, in blocked shots, until he missed the last five games at the end of the season?

He finished 2nd overall, and with 26 more blocked shots than the previous system despite having played 5 fewer games.

The Boucher system also lead to Mark Borowiecki leading the NHL in Hits, with 364 in only 70 games, 78 more than Luke Schenn, who finished second and who also played 8 more games than Mark Borowiecki did.


So you may think the team was "mediocre" last season, and all that happened was some lucky goal-tending ............ but you'd be wrong.
- D0PPELGANGER

It means the team system revolves around trying to allow as little shots as possible and having all your players on the ice block the path to the net. Just like the way the Rangers played in their own zone for so many years. Also means you're being hemmed in your own zone a lot.

And still, your goaltending is what got you to the playoffs.

No, not "lucky goaltending". Great goaltending. It's highly unlikely that the goaltending, which was the backbone of the team, will be as great next season.

And like EE said no to the BJs
- D0PPELGANGER

Dumb Jays said no to him first, unfortunately.

Having Karlsson block tons of shots is just going to guarantee that he plays less games each year. Dumb decision.
- daeth

So the Captain, of a team should not "buy into" the Coach's system, and not lead by example?

So the Captain, of a team should not "buy into" the Coach's system, and not lead by example?
- D0PPELGANGER

Smaller superstar players should not be asked to block shots in large quantities, no. The more shots you block the more likely you are to get hurt while blocking a shot. Karlsson being on the ice and not blocking shots > Karlsson being hurt.

It means the team system revolves around trying to allow as little shots as possible and having all your players on the ice block the path to the net. Just like the way the Rangers played in their own zone for so many years. Also means you're being hemmed in your own zone a lot.

And still, your goaltending is what got you to the playoffs.

No, not "lucky goaltending". Great goaltending. It's highly unlikely that the goaltending, which was the backbone of the team, will be as great next season.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Again, you're off the mark ............ the Sens did not get "great goal tending" last season, the better numbers were a direct result of the new defensive system the team implemented........ and resulted in fewer shots against, fewer goals against and second place in their division.



Did you notice that Ottawa's best goaltender, Craig Anderson, only played in 40 games last season?

So over half the games last season, was NOT played by their starter .................. so if Mike Condon was so "great", as you claim, then why did Anderson get the starters Job when he returned?

You cockamamie theroy holds no water.

Again, you're off the mark ............ the Sens did not get "great goal tending" last season, the better numbers were a direct result of the new defensive system the team implemented........ and resulted in fewer shots against, fewer goals against and second place in their division.

Did you notice that Ottawa's best goaltender, Craig Anderson, only played in 40 games last season?

So over half the games last season, was NOT played by their starter .................. so if Mike Condon was so "great", as you claim, then why did Anderson get the starters Job when he returned?

You cockamamie theroy holds no water.
- D0PPELGANGER

Who said Condon was great??? The turds had a .564 pts % with him in net. And a .675 pts % with Anderson in net. And Condon wasn't bad last year, he was pretty average.

Anderson had an exceptional year, for him. Pretty close to career. And the turds pts% was .675 with him in net.

so if you're argument is that they didn't need great goaltending to win, and you're pointing to Condon playing half the games, you've failed quite miserably. With Condon in net, the turds played to the place of about 11th place. I think when you look at how the team was with Condon, it's quite clear they needed the goaltending to carry them.

Again, you're off the mark ............ the Sens did not get "great goal tending" last season, the better numbers were a direct result of the new defensive system the team implemented........ and resulted in fewer shots against, fewer goals against and second place in their division.



Did you notice that Ottawa's best goaltender, Craig Anderson, only played in 40 games last season?

So over half the games last season, was NOT played by their starter .................. so if Mike Condon was so "great", as you claim, then why did Anderson get the starters Job when he returned?

You cockamamie theroy holds no water.
- D0PPELGANGER

Just because you play an insane trap game doesn't mean the goaltending wasn't superb. Ottawa absolutely had great goaltending. You're daft if you think otherwise.

No, I fully saw that. How many games he played is irreverent. All that matters is how he was when he did play. And he was great. And in his absence, Condom played way way above his head. The reason Anderson got back in the net, even though Condom played really well, is because he was even better.

You cockamamie theroy holds no water.
- D0PPELGANGER

Your sieve brain retains nothing you're told.

Who said Condon was great??? The turds had a .564 pts % with him in net. And a .675 pts % with Anderson in net. And Condon wasn't bad last year, he was pretty average.

Anderson had an exceptional year, for him. Pretty close to career. And the turds pts% was .675 with him in net.

so if you're argument is that they didn't need great goaltending to win, and you're pointing to Condon playing half the games, you've failed quite miserably. With Condon in net, the turds played to the place of about 11th place. I think when you look at how the team was with Condon, it's quite clear they needed the goaltending to carry them.
- prock

condom was hot and cold; and had a career year.

i don't think he gets .564 next year as he comes back down to earth.

condom was hot and cold; and had a career year.

i don't think he gets .564 next year as he comes back down to earth.
- Tumbleweed

I dont' think Condon will be the one that it depends on. It will be Anderson. And I'm pretty sure they won't manage a .675 pts% with him. because he won't manage a .927 sv%. No chance in that happening. And he just doesn't seem to be able to play more than 50 games, so that could be a factor too.

I dont' think Condon will be the one that it depends on. It will be Anderson. And I'm pretty sure they won't manage a .675 pts% with him. because he won't manage a .927 sv%. No chance in that happening. And he just doesn't seem to be able to play more than 50 games, so that could be a factor too.
- prock

i think they both slip.

2-3 points less from each and they're out of the playoffs.

condon is one of the better backups in the league and as long as his age doesn't finally catch up to him anderson has the ability to put up great numbers as a starter. goaltending probably won't be a concern but it's not a guarantee.

condon is one of the better backups in the league and as long as his age doesn't finally catch up to him anderson has the ability to put up great numbers as a starter. goaltending probably won't be a concern but it's not a guarantee.
- daeth

Yeah pretty much, when Anderson is on his game he can ride a pretty good hot streak. Worst case SENario is him being only slightly above average.

Unless he gets hurt of course.

condon is one of the better backups in the league and as long as his age doesn't finally catch up to him anderson has the ability to put up great numbers as a starter. goaltending probably won't be a concern but it's not a guarantee.
- daeth

I dont think the point is that it will be a concern. I think the point is that it was a boost last year, and one that they needed. Even if not a concern, it's not likely it can continue to cover things up like it did for the turds last year. So, they'd better find something else to make up for that.

Yeah pretty much, when Anderson is on his game he can ride a pretty good hot streak. Worst case SENario is him being only slightly above average.

Unless he gets hurt of course.
- Cape Breton Bruins

And with goaltending like that (which is pretty similar to what Condon gave them last year), that's not good enough.

with their offense being what it is yes, if they start to give up more goals than they did last year they are in trouble. i wouldn't assume that will happen though.

with their offense being what it is yes, if they start to give up more goals than they did last year they are in trouble. i wouldn't assume that will happen though.
- daeth

You can't assume anything WILL happen. I think it's highly likely though. Anderson is 36 or 37, and he just put up some of the best numbers of his career. The odds of that repeating are not high.

And with goaltending like that (which is pretty similar to what Condon gave them last year), that's not good enough.
- prock

Yeah wouldn't find too many people who can't agree that the worst case SENario for Ottawa is missing the playoffs.

You can't assume anything WILL happen. I think it's highly likely though. Anderson is 36 or 37, and he just put up some of the best numbers of his career. The odds of that repeating are not high.
- prock

Tim Thomas won the Stanley Cup, Vezina and Conn Smythe at age 37.

Tim Thomas won the Stanley Cup, Vezina and Conn Smythe at age 37.
- Cape Breton Bruins

i think you're proving the point that the odds of that happening aren't high.