Everybody hates the Sens

What a difference two seasons makes.

It doesn't seem that long ago that the Sens barnstormed through the Eastern Conference, enroute to a Stanley Cup Finals showing in the spring of 2007.

Since then? Well, its not going out on a limb saying the Ottawa Senators have not lived up to expectations in the past season and a half.

This season has been putrid, to say the least. Off to a 12-16-5 start in their first 33 games, the ship seems to be sinking fast. They sit dead last in the Northeast Division and a woeful 12th in the Eastern Conference. Ten points out of a playoff spot.

If you are a Sens fan, you are in panic mode. You have been for a while.

So who is to blame for this mess? Last season, Ray Emery was the team whipping boy, and he was unceremoniously rode out of the country, banished to Russia. This season, the role falls to former saviour Jason Spezza. Fans and media alike have grown tired of his turnovers, his blind passes, his big wide turns on the ice.

And the more he is scrutinized, the more he struggles. Right now, Jason Spezza is simply trying too hard. When that happens, more mistakes are bound to arise, and the boo birds aren't likely to quiet down anytime soon.

While Spezza's play has not been up to standard, the blame for the Sens downfall is to be shared among others.

Lets first look at Bryan Murray. Murray was behind the bench for the most successful season(s) in Sens history. He took the team to the Finals, albeit only to lose to Anaheim. After that series, he stepped down and said he didn't want to coach anymore, he wanted to focus more on the G.M. position.

So in comes John Paddock, promoted from Binghamton. He had coach much of the Senators young corps, including Jason Spezza. He was the natural selection as predecessor, taking over the reigns from Murray.

It didn't work out so well. After a 15-2 start, the Sens tanked. It all came to a head on February 26, 2007 in Boston. In what turned out to be Paddock's last game as head coach, the Sens phoned in an embarrassing loss to the Bruins that night. The game was televised nationally on TSN, and it was the most dispicable act I've ever seen from a pro sports team. Rumours had been swirling for weeks leading up to the game about Paddock's job security. Murray had no choice after this game. The team was playing to get John Paddock fired. An ECHL team could have beat the Senators that night. They weren't playing, they had simply quit, and it was disgusting to see.

Murray took over for the rest of the season, one that couldn't end soon enough for Sens fans. A first round sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins was all she wrote for the disappointing 2007-08 Ottawa Senators.

Murray once again announced he wouldn't be back as head coach, and the search was on for a replacement last summer. They ended up hiring Craig Hartsburg, he of great junior success, but marginal pro coaching results (one good year in Chicago). I questioned the hiring right away, and so far this season, I haven't been proven wrong.

All of a sudden the team can't score. Two years ago fans at the Scotiabank Place were chanting "Pizza, Pizza!", hoping for that sixth Sens goal, which would mean a free slice for all fans in attendance. Now, they are one of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL.

Why? The core forewards are still there. Alfredsson, Heatley, Spezza obviously have to be better, but what the Sens are missing is secondary scoring. From 2005-2007 guys like Mike Fisher, Antoine Vermette, and Chris Neil provided that back up offensive punch. While Fisher has been hobbled by injuries, Vermette, and Neil are mere shadows of their former self.

Then there is the defense. Chara, Redden, Pothier, Corvo, Priessing, Meszaros...all gone. While Corvo struggled in his time as a Senator, do you not think they could use a puck moving, strong skating defenceman right about now? Perhaps the team and fans gave up on Corvo too soon. Carolina doesn't seem to mind him.

One thing that the Sens cannot blame their tumble down the standings on is goaltending (this season, at least). Alex Auld has come in and taken the number one job from Martin Gerber, and has played well enough and kept the team in a number of games. Unless you are expecting offensive production from Auld, there should be no blame pointed his way.

So the bottom line in all this? The Sens ability or lack thereof to turn it around. Growing mustaches hasn't worked (Lame, by the way). New, ugly third jerseys haven't helped (even MORE lame).

Me thinks its too late. Hartsburg is on borrowed time, thats no secret, and Murray may be as well.

Something needs to happen fast, because Sens fans are jumping ship. Whispers of John Tavares anyone?

Year in Review Podcast

What was the biggest sports story of 2008? It was a busy year, what with the Beijing Olympics, a Patriot meltdown, a U.S. Open for the ages, and so much more. Its our last podcast of 2008, so give it a listen and give us some feedback. AroundSports360.com's Year in Review Podcast

A sign of the times

The NHL Board of Governors meetings are currently taking place in Florida and one the main issues that will be discussed in the slumping economy and its affect on the NHL. It was reported that there are a number of teams in serious financial trouble (didn't need a BOG's meeting to nail that one Gary), as many as 5 teams come to mind.

One team, probably the most seriously pressed team of the bunch, is the Phoenix Coyotes. It's projected that the team could lose up to $34 million this year and has lost over $200 million in the last ten years.

Another team that is requiring immediate support is the Florida Panthers. I came across a site that pretty much explains itself, 2 free tickets and parking if your a Florida resident who has yet to take in a Panthers game.

Check it for yourself http://www.panthersfirsttimer.com/

From what I gather they throw in the free parking because there is no mass transit system to the arena.

steve@aroundsports360.com

Somebody please sign Shanny

So we can see more of this...

Year in Review Podcast Thursday Night

The time has come for our 2008 Year in Review podcast. A look back at the year that was in the wonderful world of sports. Topics that we probably won't discuss: lacrosse, curling, billiards, the LPGA, bowling, and sadly, horseshoes. Among the topics that probably will be touched on is the NEW YORK GODAMN GIANTS STEALING THE SUPERBOWL. In the words of the great Charlie Brown: "AAAAARRRGGGHHH!" I blame Steve. He was there, after all. Be sure to listen this Thursday night for the Year in Review cast.

K-Rod close to signing

Free Agent Fransisco Rodriguez, is close to signing a three year deal with the New York Mets reportedly worth $37 million. There is said to be a fourth year potentially involved along with a $14 million vesting option depending on the young relief pitchers health.

As a type "A" Free Agent, the Angels will receive a 2009 draft pick from the signing team.

In other Free Agent news, C.C. Sabathia will be meeting with the Giants this weekend to discuss a potential contract offer.

steve@aroundsports360.com

Hey, you know who you look like?

Brothers seperated at birth? Both share the same level of hockey knowledge so maybe.... steve@aroundsports360.com

Hockey Analyst Roll Call

In our last podcast we briefly talked about a current active hockey player that has made his career after the game has passed him simply by his classy and "original" interviews. Here is a short list of some players, active & retired, off the top of my head that I think would be great as a hockey analyst in no particular order:

Mats Sundin - Say what you will but after over a decade of dealing with the Leafs/Canadian sports media, this guy can field questions and hardly sound cliche.

Brendan Shanahan - Have you seen his mocking of the Senators players from a few years back? This guy has a sense of humor and would be a welcomed addition to any broadcasting team.

Ron Tugnutt - A personal favourite. Being from Ottawa I often listened to him in his interviews on our local sports radio and thought he was well spoken. Does this mean it can be carried over to television? Maybe not, but I'd like to see him try if offered. (Must have been an Oiler that year I was in my coma)

Trevor Linden - Former Canuck, Isle and Hab who's words are listened to and respected. Involved in the NHLPA, Linden has a good idea about the intricacies of the game.

Joe Thornton - Other than a slightly missed judgement call a few off-seasons ago which landed him some community service hours, Big Joe still carries the class and attitude of a true professional. That professionalism should be carried over to television.

Craig Conroy - The best for last. If you don't know why he'll be in broadcasting after the game then you don't watch hockey that closely, simple.

Now the worst...

...REPLACEMENT NEEDED, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

steve@aroundsports360.com

Podcast!

This week we discuss Plax's gunplay, David Frost miraculously avoiding prison, and all kinds of sloppy seconds. Get it? What that guy said? Ya you got it. Listen to the podcast by clicking on the link below! AS360.com Podcast Season 3 - Episode 4

Breaking News!!!

In what can only be described as a stunning turn of events, Detroit may have to relinquish the Stanley Cup and hand it off to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A coalition consisting of teams from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto have petitioned NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to remove the 2007-2008 cup from Detroit. Last year the three tams combined to score 759 goals while racking up 126 wins. Detroit had a mere 54 wins and scored only 257 goals. The coalition states that due to the fact the Red Wings are currently 3rd overall in the league, hockey fans have lost faith in the current champions. This change is needed to restore confidence in the game of hockey. Mr. Bettman has returned early from a spending spree in Europe to deal with the crisis. While he is no longer captain of the Maple Leafs, Mats Sundin would be presented with the cup, perhaps as early as Dec. 6th on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada before the Maple Leafs host the Capitals in a rare nationally televised game on the network. Management for the Detroit Red Wings has requested that the league be shut down until Jan. 26th at which time perhaps cooler heads will prevail. Bettman may decide to replay the 2007-2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs at a cost of 300 million dollars during which time all other vital issues will remain unsolved. steve@aroundsports360.com

A question

With Plaxico Burress healing his self-inflicted gunshot wound to the thigh and now facing criminal charges, I started thinking about the root of the problem with these athletes who find themselves in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Before I go on, I want to state that I am in no way being an apologist for these men. What they do criminally comes with no excuse and they should be held accountable just like every other normal person.

If an athlete feels they may be placed in a threatened position, they have a few options.

1) Hire protection.

2) Enter a safe establishment. Don't go to a club that has to check for weapons or make you feel like you need to strap the gat.

3) Stay home, play scrabble.

These options are some ways to ensure the safety for athletes however I think that there may be one more that could prevent any future-related problems. Should professional leagues make player salaries public? In more ways than one I am beginning to think that they shouldn't.

I think of Wal-Mart, Sony, Tim Horton's. Do these companies release this information about their employees to the public? No, nor should they. What about actors? We may know what a movie pulls in from the box office, but we only sometimes hear what the actor actually earned for his/her performance.

If this private piece of information is withheld it might provide a sense of security for athletes, actors or anyone else making the millions I wish I had. And really, is there any reason for John Q. Public to know this information? Not really. If worried about a salary cap for our favourite sport, then just have the league release the status of the team's payroll as a whole. If John Q. Public then thinks that this release of information isn't accurate, who cares. It doesn't change anything for the sports fan.

Listen, a bad apple is a bad apple. If someone would act against league conduct regardless of this idea then so be it. However this could be a method of protecting a league's assets and maybe Plaxico then doesn't bring the gat to da club.

At least we wouldn't have to hear about the Yankees ridiculous offers anymore.

McCoy

steve@aroundsports360.com

Well that should end all the Tom Brady trade talk

Great day yesterday if you're a Steelers fan. Two things for sure if you are one...a) you're pleased as punch that they beat the Patriots, and b) your a dickhead. Matt "Not Tom Brady" Cassel showed his true colours yesterday. After back to back 400+ yardage games versus the Jets and the Dolphins, he fell back to earth (hard) against a strong Steelers defensive corps. This was a measuring stick game for Cassel. For the past two weeks all we've heard is how good the guy is and how much money is going to get thrown his way in 2009. There were even Tom Brady trade rumours. I kid you not. Well, after an afternoon that included two inopportune fumbles, five sacks, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 48.7%, that talked has died down considerably. And rightfully so. I can't believe I even have to write this blog actually. Nothing like a planning a future for a never-will-be quarterback after TWO good games (one of which the Pats lost by the way, to the Jets). If the Patriots ever pulled a move off that made Matt Cassel their current and future starting quarterback, I would find a very high cliff somewhere. The loss was huge for New England. The two teams they need to catch in the AFC WildCard race, Baltimore and Indianapolis, both won. The only solace is that the Jets laid an egg against Denver. What this means is that the Pats probably have to run the table the rest of their schedule. Good news is, they play in Seattle next weekend. Bad news is, Matt Cassel will be their starting quarterback. Le sigh.