To say that Jonathan Cheechoo has been living on borrowed time is a gross understatement. By all accounts, he is a great guy. He works hard, does what he's told and no one has a bad word to say about the guy. But this isn't little league, where just doing your best is good enough and you always get a trophy. This is the pro's and all that matters are results, and let's be real, he hasn't been getting it done for a long time.
In just his 2nd NHL season, he had a very unexpected 28 goals with San Jose and many were surprised. Could he do it again? Yep. The next season he lead the NHL in goals, with an unimaginable 56, playing alongside Joe Thornton, but San Jose wasn't fooled. Even after that amazing season, he was only signed to a contract of 3 million a year, hardly a fair deal for a 56 goal scorer. They knew what everyone else didn't, that he was getting lucky and his speed was a huge problem.
After that 56 goal year, the pressure was on, as people now expected big things from the Moose Factory native. He defied critics though, and posted a very respectable 37 goals in 2006-07. But that was the beginning of the end for Cheechoo. The next year he only scored 23 and last season was down to a measly 12 on a high scoring Sharks squad. The magic was gone and he was dead weight.
Imagine Doug Wilson's smile when he realized he would be able to dump Cheechoo's contract in the Heatley deal. So I'm gonna get ths best player, dump a horrible contract on you, no first round pick and all I really have to give up is a top six forward who has potential, but is completely expendable? Come on Bryan, what's the catch? You don't really expect me to believe you will take Jonathan Cheechoo do you? When Murray said yes, how long do you think it took Doug Wilson to say yes. A milli second? Wait, what's faster then a milli second?
All of us here in Ottawa all talked ourselves into him though the minute he became a Senator. I know I tried to. Oh he just needs a change of scenery, you don't score 56 by sheer luck right? I stand corrected, because as far as I can tell, apparently you can. Then I started bargaining with myself. Well 56 is asking too much, but he could maybe score 30 playing with Spezza right? How wrong we all were. Who knew we'd be all be longing for Patrick Marleau months later.
The NHL season is a long one and injuries are a large part of it. You almost certainly expect most guys to miss a few games. There are only 5 guys on this years Senators team that haven't missed one yet. The lucky 5 are Matt Carkner, Chris Kelly, Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Phillips and yep you guessed it, Jonathan Cheechoo. So injuries aren't the problem, his play is. I was all for giving him a chance when he got here and I think Sens Army and the Sens coaching staff have given him every opportunity in the world to get it going, but he hasn't. Our patience is wearing thin.
He's played on the 1st line with elite talent and that didn't work. He's played on the 2nd line, where maybe he could be a secondary scorer, nope! He played on the 3rd line with no success either. He now finds himself on the 4th line, averaging less ice time then any other regular Senator, with a miniscule 5 goals in 59 games played. It's a pretty big fall for a guy who just 4 seasons ago won the Rocket Richard trophy. No wait, that isn't right. A pretty big fall doesn't do it justice, the fall from grace is unbelievable.
The truly sad part is he doesn't even deserve to be on the 4th line. He deserves to be in the AHL, or quite frankly, out of hockey, as he has plateaued and would be taking up a roster spot of someone who has big league potential, like Zack Smith. How is it that Nick Foligno has been a healthy scratch this year but Cheechoo hasn't? Or even Shean Donovan for that matter? At least Chum brings a phsycial presence and speed to the rink each night. Cheechoo does neither.
As one of my favorite rappers Jay Z says, men lie, women lie, numbers don't. Sorry Jonathan but the numbers don't lie. Cheechoo has 5 goals and 8 assists this season, good for 13 points in 59 games and is a minus 11 on the season, which doesn't sound nearly as bad as it is until you have someone to compare it to. Let's look at our least offensively talented player on our team, Anton Volchenkov. The A-Train, who can barely hit the net with a shot, or who stickhandles with the grace of a cerebal palsy patient, has 3 goals and 9 assists, good for 12 points and is a plus 8, all in only 44 games, while playing against all the top lines in the league every night. Yep you read that right, Cheechoo has ONE more point the Anton Volchenkov in FIFTEEN more games.
The thing no one can figure out, is why he hasn't been watching from the press box, not even once this season. We all want to root for the guy, but name me one thing he brings to the table? He's unbelievably slow, as in he makes Carkner look fast. He isn't an enforcer or a physical player, who could at least set the tempo with a big hit. He can't score anymore, and as we've all seen, even if he has a great scoring chance, he finds some new weird way to not score. You can tell the guy is run down and has lost his confidence by his body language and his failure to complete even the simplest of plays, like dumping the puck in the opposing teams zone without it hitting an opponents player or fanning on the shot. It's honestly sad to watch.
Bryan Murray and Coach Cory Clouston are the Kings of preaching accountability, so why is he still playing? Would it be much better for our team with a player like Zack Smith in the lineup? A young, hungry player, who has speed, hits, has a scoring touch if given the chance and is willing to do whatever is he told to do. The answer is an easy yes.
With Nick Foligno being banged up, Cheechoo may have bought himself a few more weeks, but when Foligno does come back, there is no way there is a roster spot for him, and that's with Zack Smith remaining in Binghamton. That's also assuming we don't make a move for a top 6 forward before the Olympic roster freeze on Friday or the NHL trade deadline on March 3rd, as Bryan Murray has hinted heavily at doing.
I know it might not be a popular move around the NHL to send him to the minors, being such a good guy and all, but in a league where cap space is as valuable as can be, it's a necessity, and being nice doesn't get you any W's in April, May or June. Optioning him down to Bingo, would free up the much needed cap space to bring on another player for the cup run, and fresh off an 11 game win streak, Melnyk and Murray have to be feeling we have a decent shot at Lord Stanley this season. It's the only move to make.
That's the thing about living on borrowed time, you never really know how much you have left, until you have none at all.
Thoughts?
Congratulations goes out to Jarkko Ruutu, for winning a bronze medal with Team Finland at the Olympics. He was the only Senator player to win a medal at the games. Luckily for us, none of our players were hurt either during the games, so we will be pretty healthy when the NHL season picks up again on Tuesday. Congrats again Jarkko from Sens Town.
Sid the Kid comes through with the overtime winner.
We all know all about what's at stake.
Well that was interesting. The 2 teams I picked won, but in reverse order. The US ended up embarassing Finland, while Canada had a tough time with Slovakia, the opposite of what I expected. But in the end the results are all that matters and North America owned the day, with both teams making the gold medal game. Loved seeing my boy Getzlaf score the game winner for the win.
Not the signing everyone was hoping for exactly, but Ryan Shannon has been resigned to a one year contract worth 675k, which is a 75k raise from this year. I can't really complain about signing him to such a reasonable contract for what he brings to the table. Good depth signing by BM.
With the Olympics coming to an end and the semi's of hockey about to jump off, I figured I'd take some time to answer some of the questions I've been getting from readers since the games started. Enjoy....
The NHL trade deadline is Wednesday at 3pm eastern. That's only 4 days away and we have a few burning questions. Do we roll the dice and make a move for a big defenceman that may cost us some of our future or do we stand pat? Do we add another forward or was Matt Cullen our play in that regard? But the biggest question to me and I imagine most Sens fans is what do we do about Anton Volchenkov?
Sens defenceman Brian Lee has been recalled from Binghamton to join the big club. He was brought back up due to the injury to Chris Campoli, which should keep him out of the lineup for another 2 weeks or so. Brian Lee is no stranger to going back and forth, though he likely won't be here too long with the traded deadline coming ina few days. Welcome back Brian, enjoy it while you can.
Well that was a shocker. Who saw that coming? No one, that's who.
Well we got em. The Canadian fans were feeling pretty good late last night, so they started the we want Russia chant and I have to say it sounded pretty awesome. So tonight we get the final everyone was hoping for, but in the 1/4 finals at 7:30pm, along with the other 3 quarterfinals all today. It's a great day for hockey, but for one superpower, the Olympics will be over and no medal will be awarded.
What's that you say, actual Senators news? No way!
So much for a Super Sunday right? Brian Burke and Team USA won the day, beating Canada 5-3 to win the group and make us play an extra game on Tuesday. Oh ya, say goodbye to a Russia-Canada final as well. If we win Tuesday, we play Russia in the quarter's on Wednesday. Bet Burkie had a smile from ear to ear.
With all the Olympic hockey on, I'm sure many of you forgot that the AHL held it's 1st ever outside game yesterday, a game that featured our farm team, the Binghamton Senators. Unfortunately the Baby Sens fell 2-1 to the Syracuse Crunch, in front of an AHL record crowd of more then 21,000 which is pretty awesome. To see highlights of the game click here
So the Olympic tourney really gets going today, with 3 outstanding matchups, dubbed Super Sunday. Very original I know. In fact, they are rematches of the last 3 gold medal games. Finally some rivalries, finally the good teams play each other and yes, the Sens players will be featured heavily in these games. I come in to these games 14-1 in my predcitions, but most of them were pretty easy, so the real predicting starts for me today as well.
Day 4 is now in the books and most of the weak games are out of the way thankfully. Tomorrow will be a bit of a down day, but Sunday will be awesome, with 3 sweet games on. All rematches of the past 3 gold medal games.
Shoutout to the Captain, who last night scored a pair of goals in Sweden's 4-2 victory over the overmatched Belarussians. Congrats Aflie.
We have the first upset of the tournament, as Slovakia beat Russia in a shootout. Goals from former Sen Hossa and then Demitra scored the shootout winner on a beauty. It also handed me my first loss but I didn't mind at all. I'm know 8-1, still pretty good I think.
Welcome to day 3 of Olympic hockey, where another triple header is ahead of us, including Canada tonight. Once again, there's games at 3pm, 7:30pm and then midnight, all eastern times of course. So let's get to it.
Day 2 is in the books, with no real surprises, though the Czech-Slovakia game was a fairly hard fought one. It allowed me to run my record to 6-0 so far, with one exact score predicted, plus calling Ruutu with a goal in the same game. All in all not too shabby.
Welcome to day 2 of Olympic hockey, where there is another triple header to keep you entertained all day long. There are 4 Senators in action today, Jarkko Ruutu with Finland, Alfie with Sweden and Kuba and Michalek with the Czechs.
Day one of Olympic hockey is in the books and what a pleasure it is to watch, and that's with none of the games even being good yet. Contenders, Russia, Canada and the United States were all in action, and all won.
Wait no more, as the most anticipated tournament in years begins today in Vancouver. I know I'm excited and plan to watch practically every game I can. There's a triple header to get everyone started today.
Brian Lee and Derek Smith have been sent back down to Binghamton following last night's game in Long Island. Binghamton of course will still be playing during the break, with their big outdoor game coming up this weekend in Syracuse.
Just wanted to wish all of my fellow Ontarians a very happy family day. Yep, gotta love made up holidays. Me and the lady are going to hit up the canal for a good old fashioned outdoor activity of skating, hot chocolate and beavertails. Not a bad way to spend a Monday afternoon right?
The Sens played poorly early, but rallied to score 3 in the third, to win 4-3 and go into the Olympic break with the win. They are now back in the division lead going into the break.
The Sens are back it tonight at 5pm, as they play their final game before the Olympic break against the New York Islanders in Long Island. Expect about 12 fans there, as per usual, especially considering it's Valentine's Day.
The new look Sens are back at it tonight, as they have a rare matchup with the Detroit Red Wings at 7pm. If the Sens look lighter today, it's because they were able to shed some dead weight that had been slowly them down. Gone are Alexandre Picard and Jonathan Cheechoo and I think I speak for most Sens fans when I say, awesome, what took ya so long?
With his departure from the team yesterday, figured it was as good a time as any to feature a foul with Cheechoo involved. Spotted this one at the Vancouver game last week, these two fans sitting right near the ice btw, decided to customize their jerseys ala Buffalo Sabres, with the numbers on the front as well.
Somebody pinch me, am I dreaming? First Picard is moved, now Cheechoo is off the team. If we pick up a nice defenceman today, I will lose it. I couldn't be happier at today's developments so far and it's only noon.
TGIF!
The Senators announced today that GM Bryan Murray has been given a one year contract extension by the club. Kinda makes no sense to me by extending him only one year, but then I suppose it leaves up options should it not go well. I think he's done a pretty good job as head honcho though, so I can't really complain. Congratulations Bryan.
So the Olympic roster freeze begins later today at 3pm eastern time and ends on february 28th, just a few days before the March 3rd trade deadline. So with just over 12 hours and counting to the deadline, was last night the last time we may have seen some Sens in an Ottawa uni?
With last night's win over Washington, combined with Buffalo's OT loss to the lowly Carolina Hurricanes, the Sens are now on top of the Northeast Division. Just a few weeks ago it seemed impossible to catch the Slugs but now we've passed them. Sounds like another classic Buffalo choke job. Go Sens Go!!
Shoutout to Mike Fisher, who last night against the Caps, played in his 600th career NHL game, all with the Ottawa Senators. Congratulations on the milestone #12. In a nod to Office Space, do you think Fisher will be showing Carrie his Six Double Oh Face?
What a crazy game that was, as it seems to be whenever the Capitals lace em up. There is definitely not a more exciting team in the NHL then Washington. It was an exciting game and great to give the Caps a 2nd straight loss after that amazing 14 game win streak they had going. Was it just me or was this just really poor goaltending tonight? I mean at least 6 or 7 of those combined 11 goals were pretty iffy. It will be both of our teams' achilles heel if either of us stumble in the playoffs. With the win the Sens now have taken over the division lead from Buffalo, take that Sabre fan. If there are any.
It's a battle of super hot teams tonight, as the Sens take on the Washington Capitals at SBP. The Sens have won 12 of 13 and Washington has won 14 of 15, so you know it's two elite teams playing tonight, should be a good one.
Shoutout to Brian Elliott, who last night got his 20th win of the season, a new career high. He was key to our 11 game win streak, winning 9 in a row and often played spectacularly. He has now won 10 of his past 11 starts, not too shabby. During the streak, he was named 1st and 2nd NHL star of the week in consecutive weeks. Congratulations to Brian on the milestone.
I doubt many of you noticed, in fact I'm pretty sure no one did, since it wasn't reported anywhere in the media as far as I can tell, hell I barely figured it out, but with last night's win, we have now beaten every Canadian team. Good enough reason for me to call us Canada's best team.
Shoutout to Jonathan Cheechoo, who last night played in his 500th career NHL game. He celebrated by assisting on the game winning goal and being named 1st star of the game. I know I've been tough on him but I was happy to see him play well last night, no hard feelings. Hopefully this will help him turn it around and get his game back on the tracks so to speak, get it? Congratulations on the milestone from Sens Town.
What a slow start, reminded me of the Toronto game for a second, but we managed to pull through and fight back and got the all important W, which is really all that matters in the end. Snappy headline aside, it was a good win in a bounce back type of game for us. If we lost this, it would be 2 in a row and with Washington coming in on Thursday and a game at Joe Louis on Saturday, it could have been a losing streak as we entered the break. Thankfully, a new winning streak was started instead.
The Sens are back at it tonight, trying to start a new win streak, as they take on our fellow Canadian squad, the Calgary Flames. The Flames have been struggling as of late, hence the departures of Dion Phaneuf and Olli Jokinen last week. In return, they got a mix back of average level talent, so if at time you think you're watching the Maple Leafs, don't check you eyes, the Flames now have many of them in their lineup.
To say that Jonathan Cheechoo has been living on borrowed time is a gross understatement. By all accounts, he is a great guy. He works hard, does what he's told and no one has a bad word to say about the guy. But this isn't little league, where just doing your best is good enough and you always get a trophy. This is the pro's and all that matters are results, and let's be real, he hasn't been getting it done for a long time.
It's been quite awhile since I've done the links and I apologize for it. So in honor of our 11 game win streak that is no more and Superbowl Sunday, I present the first edition of the links for 2010, enjoy!
Seems ironic that the annual Sens Skill competition comes after a game in which they showed none, but in any event, it's a good time for a good cause. Then event takes place at 1pm today at SBP and features 2 teams competing in events like the breakaway challenge, fastest skater and hardest shot.
The win streak is over!
First off, I'd like to send out my condolences to Brian Burke on his son's tragic accident last night. I know Burkie can be a jerk or a loud mouth most of the time, but this is more important then hockey and I'm sure he is distraught as can be, so all the best goes out to you and your family on this awful day.
.........with a win tomorrow against Toronto in the Battle of Ontario, which would be our 12th in a row, we could move into first place in our division, surpassing the Buffalo Sabres. With a win and a Sabres loss, we would then have 72 points, to their 71, though they would have 2 games in hand, but still an amazing feat considering the way it looked a few weeks ago. Not that they need extra motivation to ever beat Toronto or anything, but this sure would be a nice reward for all their hard work over the win streak. Buffalo takes on Columbus tomorrow night too, so keep your eyes on the scoreboard.
