SyndicationGood morning Sens fans!! By some strange altercation in the laws of the universe, I'm actually more awake and alert than usual (despite being responsible for polishing off more than a few pitchers last night at the bar on account of some four designated drivers "knowing their limits").
Anyways, down to business. This is the first official installment of Matt's Morning Mashup. For those who haven't checked out previous posts, it's nothing special, just a sampling of all some of the work that some of the outstanding Sens bloggers have put up in the last day or so.
Note: Quotes are in blue, and all blog-source names are hyperlinked.
Enjoy!!
It seems the Sens had a practice scheduled yesterday for 1 p.m., but it had to be moved to a different location as there was a Barack Obama rally scheduled for the arena. Graeme over at the 6th Sens had this so say on the matter:
"Incidentally, Fox is reporting that this is the second time in two seasons that a Sens practice has been derailed by a black person."
Keeping a close on those Bingo Sens is Mike Sharp. One of the tryout signings has been released, but on the flipside, Zubov-Smith-Shannon now comprise the top line. Good for them, they've been lighting it up this season.
"Encouraging news on the Denis Hamel front: Clouston said the team is encouraged by Hamel's recovery from a sprained MCL, and that team officials are hoping he might be ready to return in 10 days."
What I took from this article and was most shocked about was actually a misplaced decimal (read: extra zero). If you read the blog you'll know what I'm talking about. That said, he gives some further insight into the Neil/Mair saga that's sure to give us a great rematch with the Sabres when next we meet.
"Richardson told him, 'That happens on the ice, it doesn't happen out here' or something like that. Good for Richardson, he's like the dressing-room bouncer."
Just in case you missed it, the 6th Sens posted the Youtube link for the Mair incident.
"Not too sure who Luke's going to be protecting by sitting in the pressbox all season but this clip is funny nonetheless. You have to love YouTube."
Ben (important note: this guy is a long-time Gerber hater, and tends to be a a biiiit biased in his posts), has posted some goaltending stats which paint a pretty clear picture in my opinion. Too bad "softies" isn't a stat. We all know who'd run away with that category.
"Who do you think has the confidence of the team?"
Heeey, Daigle or Bust is back!! This is a great blog, but has been MIA for the longest time. Check out the blog for his take on the season so far. It's a great read where the key issues (and reasons for optimism) are identified.
"As a Senator fan, I of course have much more emotional investment about our team and get far too angry about Gerber's first goal or ecstatic about Alfie's goal or depressed about Vermette's last minute attempt. But when I allow myself to step back a bit, I am less fearful. I see plenty of great elements on a team that just needs to connect the dots. "
What a treat, I awake to find Daigle or Bust has produced not one, but TWO new blogs. The second weighs in one what has been (ridiculously) a topic of discussion: new media whipping-boy in the making, Jason Spezza. There are some good takes and defences for all of the usual knocks on Spezza.
"Spezza giggles when asked a playful question about visiting Melnyk on the back of a win, not when asked why he turned the puck over in overtime. Follow Spezza on the ice and realise he is one of the most intense, focused players on the ice. How he responds to a question after a game has absolutely no impact on what happened before nor on what will follow. "
Oh no... we've all seens this before. From Sens Chirp:
"Martin Gerber is healthy.
This move means the goaltending controvery can officialy start up in Ottawa."
Mike Sharp posts some interesting bits and pieces from around the AHL (including a bit about our old friend Steve Downie):
"Albany captain Tim Conboy, whose knee-to-knee hit with Denis Hamel has sidelined Binghamton's captain for a few weeks here, was back in the news this week after a, shall we say, "odd" incident with Philadelphia's Steve Downie, himself no stranger to Senators fans."
Sharp also gives us an update on second year pro and Sens draftee Jim McKenzie, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. He injured himself by playing hurt and aggravating his condition, but he's back, and this is a guy I'll be following very closely!
"He took a hit, falling forward with his arm extended out in front of him, and the impact dislocated his shoulder.
But McKenzie had it popped back into place and returned to the game, which went to double overtime. Eventually, he took a second hit."
- Sharp on the Sens
Graeme gives us an update on a topic that I'm sure we all have a vested interest in: Daniel Alfredsson's contract. From the sounds of things, a $5M cap hit would be a HUGE hometown discount. A little misnomer in the Sun article being referenced is that the cap-hit can decreased on a front-loaded contract in the final years of the contract.
"I was always under the impression that the cap hit was determined by dividing the sum of the contract by the amount of years? Am I wrong or is this classic Ottawa Sun editing at its best?"
I post the following ONLY because it doesn't involve the Sens (for once!):
"Bulin Bulin Bulin Sundin Bulin Foppa Bulin!!"
- That Guy
So that's it for today!! Come back tomorrow for another installment of Matt's Morning Mashup (Halloween edition. I plan on spending all of today coming up with as many hockey related Hallows Eve puns as possible!)
