Senators News

Coach likes Kovalev's effort
Comment
November 7
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Seconds before Jason Spezza's game-winning goal Thursday night, Ottawa Senators coach Cory Clouston took Alex Kovalev off the ice, replacing him with Mike Fisher. Fisher then created the traffic in front as Spezza's shot hit the top of the net. Clouston, however, praised Kovalev for his play in the game, suggesting it might have been his best effort of the season. "He played very well, our power play was clicking, he set up a beautiful goal by (Fisher)," Clouston said. "He hit a post. I think there was a highlight-of-the-night type of save off him (on a setup by Spezza). He did a lot of creative things, and that's what we need him to do. I thought he had a little ... I don't want to say ..."
A young Leclaire was big fan of Brodeur
Comment
November 7
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Perhaps Ottawa Sena-tors goaltender Pascal Leclaire was trying to make Martin Brodeur feel too good about himself. Maybe he was thinking the veteran New Jersey netminder would let down his guard when the teams meet at Scotiabank Place tonight. On Friday, after practice, Leclaire couldn't say enough about Brodeur, who is one shutout short of tying Terry Sawchuk's NHL record of 103, a mark that once seemed as secure as Wayne Gretzky's all-time points record. Once Leclaire got started on the topic of his goaltending idol, he was like a faucet, overflowing with praise about what Brodeur means to a legion of young Quebec goaltenders, about his upbeat personality, his athletic style in net and, ..."
Michalek misses practice
Comment
November 7
Ottawa Sun
 
"No sign of Milan Michalek today at Senators practice. He will be there tomorrow. While the Senators winger was given the day off to rest some bumps and bruises, that doesn't mean he'll miss tomorrow night's visit by Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils to Scotiabank Place. Coach Cory Clouston said Michalek is "fine" and will play. That's good news for the Senators because the Devils, who face the New York Islanders tonight at home are tough customers, especially on the road. The Devils are a perfect 7-0-0 this season as the visitors and are closing in on the NHL record which is 10 straight victories."
Spezza shines as Senators down Lightning 3-2
Comment
November 6
Ottawa Citizen
 
"That 7-1 home ice beating the Ottawa Senators put on the Tampa Bay Lightning a couple of weeks ago was an aberration. This time, other than Chris Neil levelling Lightning rookie Victor Hedman with a clean, but devastating hit, there was no beat down. After letting a 2-1 lead get away, the Senators needed an power-play goal in overtime to handle the Lightning 3-2. Nice timing, Jason Spezza, on your first goal of the season. This is how it will be most nights: the Senators trying to eke out a victory in a tight game, needing big saves from Pascal Leclaire (who needed his best friends, the posts). The home team was in need of a fix after consecutive losses and talked about the importance of ..."
Downie goes off on Neil
Comment
November 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"Depending on who you talked to Thursday night, Senators winger Chris Neil is either: a) A good, hard-nosed player who hits with the best of them. b) An axe murderer. Tampa forward Steve Downie was definitely in the b) camp. It all started when Neil knocked Lightning rookie defenceman Victor Hedman out of the game with a fierce hit behind the Tampa net with about six minutes to go in the second period. Downie raced in to fight Neil and got an instigator and misconduct for his trouble. "He's not the cleanest player," said Downie (who admitted he didn't see the hit), "and he's always preaching about dirtiness every time we play them, calling players gutless. Then he does something like that. ..."
Spezza to the rescue
Comment
November 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza's timing was perfect. Returning to the lineup after missing two games with what's believed to be a back/groin injury, the Senators centre fired his first goal of the season past Antero Niittymaki at 4:17 of overtime to give Ottawa a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay at Scotiabank Place. While the Senators came out of the dressing room to salute the troops on Canadian Forces Night, those left in the crowd of 17,511 saluted them right back. Mike Fisher and Daniel Alfredsson also scored for the Senators, who halted a two-game losing skid. Goalie Pascal Leclaire made 18 saves. "To get one in overtime, get the win and get my first is always nice," said Spezza, who hadn't scored since April ..."
Victor Hedman hurt in Lightning Loss
Comment
November 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman was on his back behind his goal line, and teammate Steve Downie was fighting Ottawa tough guy Chris Neil in his defense. Tampa Bay fell 3-2 in overtime Thursday night at Scotiabank Place, but the result seemed secondary after Hedman, 18, Tampa Bay's prized rookie, left the game in the second period and did not return after Neil crushed him on a play that, depending on who was speaking, either was defended or condemned. Lightning coach Rick Tocchet, after saying he believes Hedman is "okay" and calling him day to day, said the hit was clean. So did Neil: "I got my shoulder right in his chest. He's like 8 feet tall (actually 6-6), so it's not like I could ..."
Spezza looks ready to play
Comment
November 5
Ottawa Sun
 
"Jason Spezza appears ready to return. And, it looks like Jonathan Cheechoo is going to get demoted. Getting ready to play the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at Scotiabank Place, Spezza looks like he is ready to return after missing two games with a back/groin injury that has hampered him all season. "You bring back an elite player. He's a lot closer to being 100% than he was," said coach Cory Clouston. "That is what the rest was about. He's obviously a big part of our team.""
Where are the goals?
Comment
November 5
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The five Ottawa Senators who are still without a goal this season are not exactly the names you'd expect to see on the list: Jason Spezza, Jonathan Cheechoo, Ryan Shannon, Chris Kelly and Filip Kuba. Kuba has an excuse, in that he has only played four games, but the others are drifting into embarrassing territory. Coach Cory Clouston said there's not much he can say to them. "Just keep playing hard," he said. "It's no different than what I told the whole team the last game (a 3-1 loss to Atlanta). We had 43 shots in two periods. The good thing is you're getting the chances, you're getting the opportunities. Just stay with it. It's a long season. You still have 70 games left and a lot of ..."
Spezza a maybe
Comment
November 5
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators will be crossing their fingers that centre Jason Spezza's back feels OK when he shows up for Thursday morning's pre-game skate. That will determine whether he returns after a two-game absence and plays Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning or whether he sits again. Coach Cory Clouston was buoyed by Spezza's performance in Wednesday's practice, but said he'd reserve judgment until Thursday morning. "He looked good, so as long as everything holds true to the way it was (Wednesday), he'll play," Clouston said. Spezza was upbeat. He has been about the only beneficiary of the long layoff the team has had since playing Atlanta on Saturday afternoon. It was a plus that he ..."
Alfie waffles on vaccination, while Sweden says get flu shot
Comment
November 5
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Until this week, Daniel Alfredsson had pretty much decided against getting an H1N1 flu vaccination. Now the Ottawa Senators captain is not so sure. Unlike players from the Calgary Flames, who jumped to the head of the line, the Senators will continue to wait their turn for the vaccine. And even when the vaccine is made available to the broader public, the team will not mandate that each player get a shot. That's a personal decision, head coach Cory Clouston said Wednesday. But some players, like Alfredsson, are feeling a little pressure to roll up their sleeves. The Senators captain's inclination is not to get vaccinated, and for now he says he isn't close to changing his mind. But a ..."
Spezza could return to lineup
Comment
November 5
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators could get a shot in the arm tonight. No, not for H1N1. This isn't Calgary. Centre Jason Spezza, out for the last two games with what's believed to be back trouble, will likely make an unexpected return to the lineup to face the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Place. Spezza skated with his teammates Wednesday for the first time this week and if there was no setback overnight, he will be ready to take his place in the lineup. "I felt pretty good. I got through the whole practice and I didn't have to leave. The rest has definitely helped it, but the only way you can tell how it's going to be is by skating," said Spezza, who is still looking for his first goal, but has eight ..."
Spezza returns to the ice
Comment
November 4
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Injured Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza could be back in the lineup Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Spezza skated with his teammates Wednesday or the first time since suffering an upper body injury last week. He has missed two games so far and was expected to sit out Thursday. Coach Cory Clouston said his top centre looked fine and, if nothing changes in the next 24 hours, No. 19 will suit up. "It's the type of injury — you can't just put a timeframe on it," Clouston said. "He had a real good day yesterday and he looked like he was real good today.""
Melnyk wants his money back
Comment
November 4
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The current battle between Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and superstar Dany Heatley could set the emotional level for the National Hockey League's next round of contract talks. The NHL has served the NHL Players' Association a grievance over a $4-million US signing bonus Melnyk had to pay Heatley on July 1 after the disgruntled forward refused a trade to the Edmonton Oilers. Melnyk wants his money back. He thinks Heatley should have accepted the trade. Heatley, who demanded a trade, had a no-movement clause in his contract, which did give him the right to veto a trade. Melnyk might be stuck by the very contract he approved for Heatley. However, at the time the possibility of a ..."
Metal fan Ruutu leads fellow Senators to Metallica concert
Comment
November 4
Ottawa Citizen
 
"About half of the Ottawa Senators went to the Metallica concert on Tuesday night, led by one of the heavy-metal band's biggest fans, Jarkko Ruutu. He "fell in love" with the band when he was in school in the early '80s and has seen them in concert probably 10 times since. It helped that Ruutu was high-school classmates with another noted heavy-metal fan, former NHL defenceman Janne Niinimaa, who owns a concert hall in Oulu, Finland. Twisted Sister was the first of numerous heavy-metal bands to play there. So what is it with Finns and their love of heavy metal? Ruutu is not sure. "Finland is a metal country, big time," he said. "A lot of bands come there because they sell out right away, ..."
'Waste of time for Melnyk?'
Comment
November 4
Ottawa Sun
 
"Senators owner Eugene Melnyk shouldn't count on a Christmas card from Dany Heatley with a $4-million cheque inside. An NHL source told Sun Media yesterday the Senators' owner faces "long odds" if he thinks he can recoup a July 1 $4-million bonus he paid to the disgruntled winger, who refused to waive his no-movement clause to accept a trade to the Edmonton Oilers. While officials with the NHL and NHLPA both confirmed a Sun Media report yesterday that the grievance had been filed, Heatley was tight-lipped with a reporter from the San Jose Mercury News when asked about the grievance following a practice in Columbus. "I'm just focused on hockey," Heatley told the newspaper. Dealt to the ..."
Senators file grievance against Heatley
Comment
November 3
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The National Hockey League, through vice-president of media relations Frank Brown, confirmed Tuesday morning that Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has filed a grievance against Dany Heatley. Melnyk is seeking the return of the $4 million signing bonus he was forced to give Heatley on July 1 after Heatley refused to accept a trade to the Edmonton Oilers. The league had no other comment than to acknowledge that the grievance was filed."
Spezza and Volchenkov improving
Comment
November 3
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Injured Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza (back) and defenceman Anton Volchenkov (elbow) are both feeling better today, but there's no change in their return dates. Coach Cory Clouston, who gave his morning press briefing surrounded by roadies and concert gear (Metallica is playing Scotiabank Place tonight), said both players had experienced "significant improvement" overnight. Volchenkov is expected back sometime in the next ten days and Spezza is doubtful for Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning."
Volchenkov could be back in Senators' lineup soon
Comment
November 3
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators hope to have their best defensive defenceman back in the lineup in about 10 days. Coach Cory Clouston said Anton Volchenkov had an MRI that showed some ligament damage in his elbow, but that it wasn't serious enough to keep the blueliner out long-term. "He's already riding the bike and all that," Clouston said. "It's a matter of getting the swelling out of the elbow and once that happens, basically we get some strength back in and ready to play.""
Playing in NHL venues incentive for Binghamton players
Comment
November 3
Ottawa Citizen
 
"As they head out on a three-game road trip that will end at Scotiabank Place with Sunday's game against the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Binghamton Senators don't have much to show so far this season. They're 3-5-2, sixth in the seven-team East Division of the American Hockey League. Still, coach Don Nachbaur is keeping his fingers crossed that better days are ahead. "Obviously as a coach you'd like a better record, but I think for me the measuring stick is that we work hard and compete hard," Nachbaur said Monday. "We haven't had much puck luck. For the most part, we're doing the right stuff, but we haven't been rewarded for it." Nachbaur says defenceman Erik Karlsson, demoted to Binghamton ..."
Elliott still proving himself
Comment
November 3
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Amid the rubble of a terrible 2008-09 season, Brian Elliott was one of the bright spots for the Ottawa Senators. Called up from Binghamton of the American Hockey League in January, he stepped into a mess and put up a 16-8-3 record in 31 games. In effect, he was the Senators' No. 1 goalie almost from the moment of his recall to the end of the season. However, even that didn't give him much leverage during offseason contract talks. With the arrival of Pascal Leclaire, Ottawa had a new No. 1. That made Elliott No. 2. He was a promising young goalie, certainly, but one who nonetheless had only 32 National Hockey League games under his belt. That explains the modest two-year contract worth $1.7 ..."
Spezza out another week
Comment
November 3
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators expect to have to wait until at least the end of the week before Jason Spezza will be ready to return to the lineup. The Ottawa centre wasn't on the ice today and the team does not expect him to play Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Place. It will be the third straight game Spezza has missed with what's believed to be a back/groin injury which has hampered him since the start of training camp. "He's doubtful for Thursday," said coach Cory Clouston as the team returned to the ice today."
Melnyk files grievance over Heatley debacle
Comment
November 3
Ottawa Sun
 
"It's payback time for Eugene Melnyk. Sun Media has learned the Senators owner was so furious with being forced to shell out a $4-million bonus to Dany Heatley, who refused to accept a trade to the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, he has filed a grievance asking for his money back. An NHL executive confirmed last night Melnyk filed the paperwork early in the summer, not long after Heatley wouldn't lift his no-movement clause before the bonus was paid. Sources say the grievance — which will be defended on Heatley's behalf by the NHL Players Association — is pending and no hearing date has been set. Indications are it could take a while to be heard, especially with the frazzled state of the union ..."
Melnyk's power play
Comment
November 3
Toronto Sun
 
"It's payback time for Eugene Melnyk. Sun Media has learned the Senators owner was so furious with being forced to shell out a $4-million US bonus to Dany Heatley, who refused to accept a trade to the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, that Melnyk has filed a grievance asking for his money back. An NHL executive confirmed last night Melnyk filed the paperwork early in the summer, not long after Heatley wouldn't lift his no-movement clause before the bonus was paid. Sources say the grievance -- which will be defended on Heatley's behalf by the NHL Players' Association -- is pending and no hearing date has been set. Indications are it could take a while to be heard, especially with the frazzled ..."
Layoff not what Senators want now
Comment
November 2
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Forget rest. The Ottawa Senators don't play again until Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but if general manager Bryan Murray had his way, the National Hockey League team would be playing today. Heck, Murray probably wouldn't even mind a morning game in front of thousands of children, just like the Ottawa 67's. He'd welcome anything that might keep the Senators from thinking about the two points that got away in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, or, more appropriately, were stolen by Thrashers goalie Ondrej Pavelec. Murray is anxious for the stretch of 12 games in 24 days that begins Thursday night. "That's probably what we need," Murray said. "We've had a few games ..."
Nov. looks favourable for Sens
Comment
November 2
Ottawa Sun
 
"The calendar has changed to November and as the nights grow longer, the Senators should have a chance to put some daylight between themselves and their pursuers for a playoff spot in the NHL. Not that anything is ever easy in today's NHL. The Senators have 12 games this month — a relatively light workload — starting with Thursday's visit by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Significantly, nine of the 12 games are at Scotiabank Place. Talk about a chance to make some hay. Not that the competition is easy pickings. Six of those home games will be against teams which, as of last night, were ahead of the Senators in the standings (the New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh ..."
Thrashers weather Ottawa storm
Comment
November 1
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Halloween is all about putting a great face on. The Senators were able to put a good face on this 3-1 loss to Atlanta because they threw everything they had, including 43 shots over the final 40 minutes, at Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec. Maybe it wasn't fair that the 22-year-old Czech should dress up as Jacques Plante for the occasion -- and play like him, too. During a goalmouth scramble, the Plante impersonation went to another level as Pavelec lost his mask, and took a high shot up around the face, reminding every one why Plante invented the mask 50 years ago today -- Nov. 1, 1959. Plante got tired of stopping shots with his mug. Senators goalie Pascal Leclaire, who played well ..."
Ice-cold Cheechoo starting to get scoring chances
Comment
November 1
Ottawa Sun
 
"Not everyone has soured on "the other guy" the Senators retrieved in the Dany Heatley deal. Take the four young sweeties in Section 108 yesterday, for instance. (And don't say, "Would I.") Adorned in their various, extremely sexy Halloween costumes, they also showed up at SBP for a game against the Atlanta Thrashers with a sign that read: "All Aboard The Cheechoo Train." Surprising there wasn't a stampede to the nearest platform, the first time they flashed it. (The sign). As hot as those girls were, Jonathan Cheechoo has been just the opposite since arriving from San Jose along with Milan Michaleck, who leads the Senators with six goals. Cheechoo, who you might remember had 56 goals in in ..."
Senators notebook
Comment
October 31
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Injuries have created some changes to the Senators lineup. Poor results have resulted in others. Jonathan Cheechoo, who has spent most of the season on a line with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek, but is still scoreless (no goals, two assists) found himself on a third line with Nick Foligno and Chris Neil at practice Friday. Although Alex Kovalev missed Friday's practice, he will remain alongside Mike Fisher and Daniel Alfredsson. Ryan Shannon was with Michalek and Peter Regin and the fourth line — the team's most consistent through 11 games — will consist of Chris Kelly, Jarkko Ruutu and Shean Donovan. After spending a long week with the flu, goaltender Pascal Leclaire says he almost felt ..."
Speed and size creating NHL injury pandemic: Murray
Comment
October 31
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The speed increase in the National Hockey League since the 2005 lockout has also led to an increase in severe injuries, according to Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray. "It's the game," Murray said Friday, when asked about why so many top NHL players have been hit by injuries early this season. "Without the red line (allowing two-line passes), with the stretch passes, it's a faster pace. Some guys are getting blindsided, guys are looking back for passes and other guys are coming at them from the side. We've built so much speed into the game, but as a result, there's now more contact at different spots on the ice." In recent weeks, there have been some jarring open ice hits, with ..."
Spezza won't play Saturday, Volchenkov out 3 weeks
Comment
October 30
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Jason Spezza will miss his second straight game Saturday, when the Ottawa Senators play host to the Atlanta Thrashers. The Senators will also be without defenceman Anton Volchenkov, who suffered an elbow injury Wednesday and is expected to be out for three weeks. Spezza's injury has been labelled as "upper body" injury, but has all the appearances of being a back ailment."
Lightning get revenge against Sens
Comment
October 30
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Everyone was wondering what would happen. Just two weeks ago, the Ottawa Senators gave the Tampa Bay Lightning their worst beating of this young National Hockey League season, 7-1 at Scotiabank Place. How would the Lightning react in the return match? This time the Lightning did all the spanking, by a 5-2 count that was worse than it looked. Ottawa scored its two goals when the game had already been decided. The next meeting will be on Thursday at Scotiabank Place, with the Senators looking for their little slice of revenge. Thursday night, Steven Stamkos scored two power-play goals (and had one assist), while singles came from fourth-line left wing Todd Fedoruk, Ryan Malone, and Alex ..."
Lightning strike back
Comment
October 30
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Everyone was wondering what would happen, even the coach. Just two weeks ago, the Ottawa Senators gave the Tampa Bay Lightning their worst beating of this young season, 7-1 at Scotiabank Place. How would the Lightning react in the return match? Would they get their revenge, as Tampa Bay coach Rick Tocchet hoped? Or would the Senators carry on with the psychological edge they earned with the first win? Tocchet wasn't certain. "Obviously, when you get spanked by a team, you're looking for some guys to react a little better than they did in Ottawa," he said. "But I think we've righted the ship a little since then. I think we're a little more confident." He needn't have worried. Roles were ..."
Penalty parade proves downfall for Sens
Comment
October 30
Ottawa Sun
 
"For the second straight game, the Senators penalty killers were called upon to save the day. This time, the task was made more difficult by the nature of the initial call against them. "The first goal almost set the tone for the game," coach Cory Clouston said after last night's 5-2 loss to the Lightning at St. Pete Times Forum — a final score that was made to look respectable by late goals from Jarkko Ruutu and Alex Kovalev. "It was a power- play goal on a penalty (where) they high-sticked themselves. Those are hard to take." The referees, one (Justin St. Pierre) of whom also worked the night before when the Senators were given one power play to Florida's seven, had sent Jonathan Cheechoo ..."
Karlsson OK with Bingo play
Comment
October 30
Ottawa Sun
 
"Erik Karlsson is over the initial shock of being demoted to the AHL. Now, the Senators rookie defenceman is willing to accept his assignment to Binghamton, and he's ready to work hard as he prepares to make his debut tonight against the Rochester Americans at the Broome County Memorial Arena. After suiting up for nine games with the Senators, Karlsson, 19, the club's No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft, was a little surprised when GM Bryan Murray told him he was being sent down after practice Tuesday. After taking some time to digest the news, however, the young Swede said he is determined to make the best of the situation."
Tampa Bay Lightning defeats Ottawa Senators 5-2
Comment
October 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The shot was a blur, and when it hit the net, you knew you had seen something special. Lightning center Steven Stamkos continued Thursday night solidifying himself as one of the game's best young stars with two goals and three points in a 5-2 victory over the Senators at the St. Pete Times Forum. But it was his second tally that got the raves. "A special goal," coach Rick Tocchet said. "That," wing Alex Tanguay said, "was beautiful." Stamkos made it look simple: a move with speed around Ottawa's Milan Michalek, an undressing of veteran defenseman Chris Phillips and a wrist shot into the short-side top corner past goaltender Brian Elliott. "I tried that move the shift before and didn't ..."
A measure of revenge for Lightning
Comment
October 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"Maybe it was because they were well-rested and their opponents were playing on consecutive nights. Maybe they were mad. Or maybe they've gotten that much better in two weeks. Whatever the reason, the Lightning on Thursday night looked like a different team than the one that lost at Ottawa by six goals Oct. 15. Their 5-2 victory against the Senators at the St. Pete Times Forum was one of their best outings yet. "I don't know if revenge is the right word," Coach Rick Tocchet said after his team improved 4-3-3 overall, 4-0-2 at home. "You just learn from situations you're put in. Obviously, it left a bad taste in our mouth." The Lightning used an 11-day period in which they played only two ..."
Senators hold off Panthers
Comment
October 29
Ottawa Citizen
 
"For the Florida Panthers, they can't build that new arena in Quebec City fast enough. Unless the Phoenix Coyotes beat them there, the Panthers should be just about ready to become the next Quebec Nordiques as soon as the doors open in three or four years, maybe before that. It's difficult to believe that the National Hockey League has a future here. The 19,250-capacity BankAtlantic Centre was maybe half-filled for Wednesday's game between the Ottawa Senators and the Panthers. They can't even give tickets away. To make a dollar any way they can, they've slapped advertising on anything that moves: from timeouts to icing calls. They even sell a "ceremonial" opening faceoff for each game. It ..."
Kuba's back with a bang
Comment
October 29
Ottawa Sun
 
"As any one of the 7,000 fans or so actually in attendance surely noticed, it didn't take Filip Kuba long to make an impact in his return to the Senators lineup. The veteran defenceman even managed to help the ailing Ottawa power play. In his first game back after missing eight with a groin injury, Kuba assisted on two goals and was a plus-2 as the Senators dumped the Florida Panthers 4-3 last night at BankAtlantic Center. Kuba said he felt "rusty" and that it was "like the beginning of the season for me." "It wasn't easy to jump in," said Kuba. "We won the game, that's the important thing. The more playing time I get, the more comfortable I'll get." While the Senators converted their one ..."
Puck bounces the other way as Florida Panthers lose 4-3 to Ottawa Senators
Comment
October 29
Miami Herald
 
"The Panthers took another baby step toward respectability Wednesday night. Too bad moral victories don't count in the standings -- because improvement there is what the team desperately needs. When asked if it was tough being patient after his team's 4-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Panthers coach Pete DeBoer chuckled. ``That's an understatement,'' he said. The Panthers played one of their most complete games of the season against the Senators, outshooting the visitors and getting plenty of chances around the net. But Florida gave up three goals in the second period -- one a fluke shot that bounced off Bryan McCabe's skate -- and never fully recovered. A SOLID EFFORT ``That was by far our ..."
Karlsson takes demotion hard, but will benefit
Comment
October 28
Ottawa Citizen
 
"On the bright side, at least nobody said, "this is a men's league and he's still a boy." With greater sensitivity than Jason Spezza encountered years ago, the Senators demoted Erik Karlsson to AHL Binghamton on Tuesday, triggering the kind of emotional response usually associated with a bubble player at training camp. It's a common enough scene -- a young player tries with every ounce of his fibre to make an NHL roster, but gets demoted for his own good and is overcome with emotion in the general manager's office. Karlsson survived the late September cut, but not the contractual trigger deadline nine games into the season. The 19-year-old was stung, breaking down with emotion in the office ..."
Bingo! Emotional Karlsson gone
Comment
October 28
Ottawa Sun
 
"Just when he was starting to get over the flu, Erik Karlsson took a turn for the worse yesterday. Travelling westbound, it's otherwise known as a left off the 401 and on to Interstate 81. The Senators demoted their No. 1 prospect to their AHL farm team in Binghamton after GM Bryan Murray received clarification from the league that, in doing so, they would not lose a year on Karlsson's contract. Should he play one more game with the big team this season — and a recall at some point is definitely a possibility — then the defenceman's deal would be kickstarted. Murray had previously believed the only way the team wouldn't lose a year on Karlsson contract was if the player returned to Sweden ..."
Sens look for ways to take advantage
Comment
October 27
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators devoted almost an entire practice to special teams play on Monday, but there was no mistaking which unit the session was aimed at. While the Senators are the owners of the NHL's top penalty kill (89.7-per-cent success rate and four shorthanded goals), the 29th-ranked power play remains about as scary as a puppy in a Halloween costume. After Ottawa once again failed to find the back of the net with three opportunities in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to Boston, coach Cory Clouston zeroed in on the PP and added a familiar wrinkle by putting Daniel Alfredsson on the point. The real key to success may be more personnel than play, however. Defenceman and power-play ..."
Show will go on
Comment
October 27
Ottawa Citizen
 
"To raise the roof or not raise the roof? That is the question. Fans at Scotiabank Place went berserk Saturday night after Ottawa Senators tough guys Chris Neil and Matt Carkner celebrated fighting wins against the Boston Bruins by throwing their hands in the air on the way to the penalty box. Elder puck statesman and Hockey Night in Canada commentator Don Cherry was none too pleased, however, and he quickly called them out on the air for alleged showboating. One might expect a team guy such as Senators coach Cory Clouston to come out on the side of hockey traditionalists who shun any show of personal flair, but it wasn't quite that simple. His message on Monday? Do it, but don't overdo it. ..."
Sens face decision on rookie Karlsson
Comment
October 27
Ottawa Sun
 
"There could soon be a vacancy at Hotel Alfredsson. It's the room that's been occupied by Erik Karlsson for the past month and a half. No final decision has been announced, but the Senators appear to be leaning toward sending their top prospect back to Sweden for the season. They are as excited as ever about Karlsson, the 15th overall pick in the 2008 entry draft, but they have concerns about the slight defenceman's confidence as he battles through the growing pains of his first year in the NHL. And, for the most part, it has been a battle. Karlsson, who is averaging 17:25 of ice time, has no goals and three assists through nine games. He is also tied with Alex Kovalev for the worst ..."
Sens face decision on rookie
Comment
October 27
Ottawa Sun
 
"There could soon be a vacancy at Hotel Alfredsson. It's the room that's been occupied by Erik Karlsson for the past month and a half. No final decision has been announced, but the Senators appear to be leaning toward sending their top prospect back to Sweden for the season. They are as excited as ever about Karlsson, the 15th overall pick in the 2008 entry draft, but they have concerns about the slight defenceman's confidence as he battles through the growing pains of his first year in the NHL. And, for the most part, it has been a battle. Karlsson, who is averaging 17:25 of ice time, has no goals and three assists through nine games. He is also tied with Alex Kovalev for the worst ..."
Grisly outcome
Comment
October 26
Ottawa Citizen
 
"He is in another league. Make that eight straight wins for the Bruins goaltender over the Senators. This time he needed a shootout victory, following a brutal collapse by Ottawa, unable to close out a 3-1 lead with a minute and a half left in regulation. Stunning the largest home crowd of the season (20,154), the Bruins cashed in a deflection by the ancient Mark Recchi at 18:32 of the third and then sent the game to overtime on a redirection goal by David Krejci; both goals set up by defenceman Derek Morris. The two-point gift was made complete on a shootout goal by Patrice Bergeron, while the Senators failed to beat Thomas on three shootout attempts. "It's frustrating," said Senators ..."
Their wacky week that was
Comment
October 26
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Sunday was a day off for the Ottawa Senators, time for reflection about how lucky breaks, weird bounces and good and bad results tend to even themselves out over the course of time. In the case of the Senators, all of that's happened in the past two games. On Thursday, they picked up a point they didn't deserve in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators. On Saturday, they lost a point that should have been in the bank in a 4-3 shootout defeat to the Boston Bruins. Worse still about the Saturday loss, when they yielded two goals in the final 1:32 of regulation, is the fact they handed over two points to a Bruins club treading water while dealing with injuries to Marc Savard and Milan ..."
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