Ready to roll

Posted by Gord Wilson on September 18, 2007

Well, here we are just a little over three months since the last time we watched the Senators play, and now it's time to get back at it. And I for one, cannot wait. Hi everyone, and welcome to my one and only BLOG. Please don't ask me what the word means, or how to spell it for that matter. What matters is, with this little space provided on the internet, I hope to provide to you as much 'behind the scenes' inside information throughout this season as possible.

When the Senators approached me about writing something this year, I immediately began thinking the way a fan thinks. Thinking about what information I'd like to see and get on a regular basis, from someone who's at the rink just about as much as he is at home.

Well, beginning this week, I'll be at Scotiabank Place on a very regular basis, and will be able to provide you with all the little things I get to see that I think you might find interesting.

Things like practice drills, line combinations, starting goalies and injuries.

I'll write about a player's equipment preference, and why. You'll find out that Patrick Eaves will be wearing a new type of helmet this year... one with a little more padding, because of the concussion he suffered during the playoffs last year.

I'll write about things that interest me as a fan, that I hope will interest you as well. And if they don't pique your interests, then by all means, let me know. This blog will give you the opportunity to offer your opinions as well.

And speaking of opinion, let me offer mine, on the off-season that was.

Certainly not a lot of 'player' activity from the Senators over the past three months but then, why should there have been?

The Senators had one of the best records in the second half of the season last year, and fully deserved to get to the Cup final. Keeping the core of the team intact was vital, and that has been done.

The change in management is one that I think we all knew was coming sooner or later. In Bryan Murray, the Senators have a wealth of experience and to his credit, Bryan has not made significant change. His biggest challenge when he became the GM was to get key players signed. Emery, Kelly, and Schubert were key restricted free agents that this team needs under contract. Those signings were done seamlessly.

The transition for John Paddock from assistant coach to head coach has also happened seamlessly.

John certainly knows this organization and the players, and now it's up to them to respond to whatever changes he implements.

As for the players, well, the big question is, can they duplicate what they did in the second half of last season, get into the playoffs, win the East, and then win the Cup? ( I said it was a big question!).

If the season were to start today, we'd likely see Heatley and Spezza starting with Patrick Eaves or Chris Kelly.

Mike Fisher would centre Antoine Vermette and Daniel Alfredsson. (how much fun would this trio be to watch?).

Dean McAmmond in between Shean Donovan and Chris Neil could make for a pretty good energy line, and then a fourth line could feature Brian McGrattan, Danny Bois, and maybe Niko Dimitrakos.

Your six defencemen are obvious ones right now.... Phillips/Volchenkov, Redden/Meszaros, and Schubert with Corvo. But don't count out veteran Luke Richardson, who will push for a spot.

I think the rookie camp left all of management feeling a little better about certain draft choices, and the health of the minor league team in Binghamton. Remember, this team had to be rebuilt.

Nick Foligno and Brian Lee will be fun to watch when they're on the same ice as Alfredsson, Spezza, and Phillips on an everyday basis. Any rookie will be hard-pressed to make this team this year, but anything is possible. So is a trade or two, or perhaps a last-minute signing of a veteran player still available.

Camp is short this year... we're less than a week away from the first pre-season game. Like this BLOG, it all adds up to getting down to business as quickly as possible. I hope you enjoy the read throughout the season. I look forward to your feedback.

Cheers, Gord Wilson