With little Senators news to discuss, I opened up today’s post to our readers and Twitter followers by asking them to tweet us a few questions. If you’re not following the site on Twitter, what are you waiting for? Following this link to add our site’s account.
Now let’s get to it:
@6thsens who has the best shot at being successful in the sens lineup next season?Silfverberg, Zibanejad, Stone, or other(prince,lehner..)?— Slumdog Sport Picks (@SlumdogPicks) August 24, 2012
If by successful, you mean productive then I think Silfverberg stands the best chance amongst the players that named above. When Brynas won the SEL championship last season, Silfverberg was given an impromptu shot to play on a line with Spezza during games six and seven vs. the Rags. Of course it also helps that the SEL MVP and playoff MVP is also more mature and professionally accomplished than either of Ziba, Stone or lesser prospects like Prince, Pageau and Lehner – who are expected to play the entire season in Binghamton.
Last fall when the subject of whether management should return Zibanejad to Sweden, I looked at the active former top ten draft picks and examined their production in relation to what age they played their first season in the NHL. According to the numbers, recent history shows that 19-year olds who were held back one season who were also drafted in the 6th through 10th pick range averaged 11 goals and 29 points in their rookie season. Now assuming that those are the numbers that Mika will flirt with, I would like to think that the older Silfverberg will have a greater chance to eclipse those totals playing on Ottawa’s first line.
@6thsens Which Sens players with one-way contract do you think is most likely to play for Bingo in case of a lockout?— Pär Svedberg (@Svedbergarn) August 24, 2012
Although they seem young considering that their NHL careers are just in their infancy, it is easy to forget that players like Colin Greening, Erik Condra and Zack Smith are all 24 to 26 years of age. Given their age and the fact that they essentially have locked up spots as regulars in Ottawa’s lineup, I can’t envision any of them opting to go to Binghamton to stay in game shape. Ke
In looking at Capgeek, if I had to pick, I would say that there are two possibilities to play in Bingo in the event of a lockout: Kaspars Daugavins and Peter Regin.
I picked these two for entirely different reasons. On one hand, Daugavins signed a one-way contract this summer, he may be well liked by his teammates but I think you’d be hard pressed to find many who would label him as a player who is entrenched within the organization. With such a glut of forwards vying for spots in camp, I could see him playing in Binghamton to possibly earn more favor. On the other hand, thanks to the injuries to his surgically repaired shoulder, Regin’s been limited to 28 NHL games since the end of the 2010 calendar year. Simply put, he needs to play to shake off that rust and prove that he can stay healthy.
Who is and isn’t waiver susceptible is likely going to determine what young players end up in Bingo.
@6thsens would you rather have E. Kane or B. Ryan? And what would price be?— Alex Langlois (@flyal13) August 24, 2012
I’d prefer Kane.
He’s four years Ryan’s junior and if Bryan Murray HAD to build a package around the same highly regarded prospects – think Zibanejad, Stone and one or two other highly regarded prospects or players– to get involved on either player, I would prefer to see Murray acquire the guy who will be under team control for longer and give the organization a bigger window of opportunity to win. Kane could really breakout this year, he scored 30 last season and his shot per game rate was the 5th best in the league, bettering names like; Stamkos, Ovechkin, Parise, Perry, Couture, Tavares.
@6thsens will Methot be an upgrade over Kuba?— Brochenski (@Brochenski) August 24, 2012
I sure as hell hope so. Of all the moves made this offseason, should Kuba be replaced by Methot on the team’s first defensive pairing, it will inevitably have the most impact on the team this season.
In many circles, Kuba was underappreciated. Rather than impose his 6’4” frame on opponents, Kuba was viewed as a soft defender by his detractors. It was this criticism that often overshadowed his positioning and ability to use his stick and reach to disrupt passes and passing lanes.
On the offensive side of the puck, Kuba’s ability to move the puck will be missed; especially if Karlsson’s numbers take a hit or Gonchar’s game continues to diminish with age.
Largely considered the team’s weakest position, the Sens need a strong season out of Methot. If he bombs and Karlsson takes a step back, I will not be looking forward to the revisionists in the nation’s capital taking swipes at Murray for letting Kuba go.
@6thsens any Sens players/prospects who’d particularly benefit from a lockout?— Andrew K (@AndrooK_) August 24, 2012
Yes, the prospects who will benefit from a lockout are the ones in Bingo who won’t be pushed out the door to Elmira to make room for the likes of a Jared Cowen or a Jakob Silfverberg. I’ve seen writing in the past that suggested the ’05 lockout was extremely benefical to the ’03 draft that is now regarded as the best ever. Many top prospects played an extra year in the AHL instead of possibly being overwhelmed at the NHL level. If there’s any upshot to a lockout one would hope a few Sens prospects may be able to benefit in the same way.
Quick Hits:
@6thsens Favourite snack?— Adnan (@sens_adnan) August 24, 2012
Farm Boy’s sour ju-jubes for the win.
@6thsens What kind of toothpaste do you use and if you could date any female sports star who would it be?— Ian Gifford (@LeGiff) August 24, 2012
The toothpaste du jour is the Sensodyne Pro-Namel toothpaste with the ‘gentle’ whitening and mint flavor.
Admittedly, I never really watch women’s sports so what do you expect me to do, open up that page-whoring slideshow known as Bleacher Report to determine who some of the most attractive female athletes are.
Absolutely not.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
