Ottawa Senators on the Decline

How the mighty have fallen - the Ottawa Senators have dropped 3 straight games to the horrible New York Islanders and are just 2 points in front of Dallas, the worst team in the league. The same Ottawa team that set a new NHL record for the best start after the first 16 games last season. Many would argue that the record is unjustified and this is a bump in the road to success. I on the contrary believe the once powerhouse Senators team is on the decline and dropping fast.

Reasons for the Decline:
- Defensive players such as Redden, Meszaros, and Corvo has been replaced by Kuba, Picard, and Smith. Although Kuba is a pleasant surprise, Corvo is having an excellent year in Carolina and Redden/Meszaros are all top-end NHL players in my opinion.

- The Dominik Hasek experiment was to sure up the skeptical goaltending situation Ottawa has been receiving for the past decade. That turned out to be a bust. Fast forwarding to 2008, Ottawa is still having problems in net - and with an unacceptable defensive unit, the Ottawa back-end although stats-wise seems decent, it is definitely not as good as previous years.

- Surprisingly, Ottawa has been struggling to put pucks in the net this season. The power line of Spezza, Heatley, and Alfredsson is contributing, but not tearing up the league like we're accustomed to. Secondary scoring has practically disappeared. Behind Alfredsson, Heatley, and Spezza, the next three scorers are defenders and Jarkko Ruutu.

What to Do:
1. Here is a suggestion. Blow up the team and make a trade with Vancouver. Start rebuilding the team from the back-end by acquiring a defence from Vancouver (Ohlund? Bieksa?) and Cory Schneider for one of the top forwards on the team (Spezza? Heatley?). Vancouver has Luongo and Cory Schneider is a top-end goalie that might very well be expandable for the right price.

2. Time to rebuild the franchise. Alfredsson recently signed a long-term contract to stay with Ottawa for the rest of his career. Restructure the team for couple of years around Alfredsson and either Spezza/Heatley with a solid defensive core and make a run in a few years time.

3. Continue to go in the tank and hope for Tavares or Hedman. Previously i suggested for Vancouver to throw away the season if Luongo was out for an extended period of time in hopes of picking up one of the two prospects. Throwing away a season for a draft pick might not be the best idea, but when the top two picks has the caliber of Tavares or Hedman, finishing last is not a bad idea.

Something needs to be done in Ottawa to turn the franchise around. If they think things will just improve as is, they are in for a big surprise. There are too many flaws in the team to have a legit shot for the playoffs. Scoring was the key to the team for the past few years and do they really think Alex Auld or even Gerber can carry them into the playoffs. Key to the Sens - Make a Trade!

Marion Gaborik on the Move

The question is, Where and what team is Marion Gaborik going to? We are weeks, if not days away from the inevitable trade of Marion Gaborik from the Wild to a team that is risking a lot for an injury prone player who when on top of his game is one of the best in the NHL.
Here are the teams that are rumored in the running as well as my thoughts:

Vancouver Canucks
I know the Canucks would love to grab Gaborik to play alongside his good friend Demitra, but it is highly unlikely for Minnesota to trade their franchise player to a North West Divisional Rival. Demitra/Sundin/Gaborik. WOW! Instant Stanley Cup contending team with that line.

Montreal Canadiens
Montreal has been in all the big talks this season first with Hossa then with Sundin. Gaborik will be joining a heavily stacked Montreal team that is definitely pushing for the Stanley Cup this season.

New York Rangers
I can never rule out the Rangers. They are a star-hungry team that wants to load up on superstars instead of considering about the fit. I have no idea how they are going to make it work with Gaborik, but another superstar that can score will never hurt.
Maybe its a New York thing, with the Yankees doing the exact same thing.

Philadelphia Flyers
A baby Rangers in my opinion with the team always hungry for superstars. Sundin, Forsberg, and now Gaborik. The team was a Stanley Cup contender in many people's mind at the beginning of season, but with the underachievement, changes needs to be made. Although the back end is what I think the team needs, but maybe they will take the route of outscoring the opponents. They took a chance with Forsberg and his injury, we know they will too with Gaborik.

Chicago Blackhawks
I still think Chicago is a year or two away from being a Stanley Cup contender, but they have been in all the major trade talks and signings this season. Rumors about Chicago wanting Nylander just stirs the pot even more. If the trade falls through, I can imagine them dumping Khabibulin or Huet to Minnesota for Gaborik. Sundin, Nylander, and Gaborik - they can only choose one. Who will it be.

Teams trading for Gaborik hoping to sign him instead of a Loan:

Atlanta Thrashers
Although they are rebuilding, I can see Atlanta making a trade for Gaborik to play alongside Kovalchuk. The team will be rebuilding around these two players.

Carolina Hurricane
The team has cap space to deal with. A current strong team that wouldn't mind the offensive help Gaborik will give to Staal.

New York Islanders
Also a rebuilding team that would not mind building around Gaborik. With Charles Wang and Garth Snow in charge, anything crazy can happen on Long Island.

Where is Sundin Going Part Deux.

Another week with more speculations on the Mats Sundin return front. Everybody in the hockey world is still asking, "where is Mats Sundin going" and all the fans are wondering about the constant rumors on Mats Sundin. This week he met up with Mike Gilles while the Canucks had a roadtrip through California and I don't think anything interesting came from the meeting. But Gilles is a man of little words not giving an inch to the media and rumours, so I am wondering what was said and if Sundin showed any interest in the Canucks. He also met with Brian Burke of the Ducks since he is working out in L.A. Here is an update on the Sundin front from individual teams worth mentioning.

Vancouver Canucks:
I really am skeptical on Sundin going to the Canucks. Besides the money, which I don't think he needs, does he want to move to the West with all that travelling? Out of all the teams in the running however, I think he would help the Canucks the most. Think of this line. Wellwood, Sundin, Demitra. Or even better, Sundin, Demitra, Gaborik. That will give Heatley, Spezza, and Alfredsson as the best line in hockey. I hope it happens, but I really doubt it will. We can dream can't we.

Anaheim Ducks:
I swear if Sundin goes to the Ducks, Brian Burke has officially driven the team down to the ground. Why I say that is because they would need to trade away players to make cap room for Sundin. Remember the Andy MacDonald trade? That sure blew up in their face. Looking at their salary cap issue, I don't see anyone who they can trade away without devastating the team. Beauchemin, R. Niedermeyer, Ryan, Kunitz? Teams will line up for players like these. Morrison, Marchant, O'Donnell? No one would want these players for that price. I don't think Sundin will go to the Ducks. Maybe that is a blessing in disguise for them.

Ottawa Senators:
Even with Sundin in the lineup, its not going to fix the goaltending problem they are and will be facing. Why Ottawa, Sundin. Do you really want to ruin your Toronto reputation by joining Ottawa? They are farther away from the Stanley than New York Rangers. So why would he choose to go to Ottawa.


New York Rangers:
I still think NYR is high on the list of teams Sundin will likely end up with. Yes Salary cap issue is still a problem, but a team one step away from the Stanley Cup and the chance of playing in New York City are all great selling points. Who wouldn't want to play for the New York Rangers.

Conclusion:
I still think he will end up with Toronto. I know his house is up for sale, but I just have this feeling he is returning to TO. Especially the way the team is playing, they are not bottom dwellers like everyone thought they were going to be, so its not a total waste of him to return and strengthen his legacy of the wealthiest hockey team in the world.
Who knows. I can also see him landing with some weird team out of nowhere. New Jersey? Philadelphia? Calgary? San Jose? Detroit? A more detailed look on all the teams in the Sundin Sweepstakes.