Written by Graeme Nichols | 01 April 2009

Well, they did it. They finally did it. By defecating the mattress last night in Florida, the Senators have finally managed to get themselves mathematically eliminated from the 2009 playoff picture. It's fitting that they were eliminated by the Florida Panthers for two reasons:

1) Florida needs as many points as possible to eclipse the Montreal Canadiens as the 8th-seeded team in the East. Given Ottawa's deep-rooted hatred for the bleu-blanc-et-rouge, last night's loss had a silver lining.

2) With last night's loss, the media will spend every day until July discussing Ottawa's need for a top 6 forward and an elite defenseman. With Jay Bouwmeester being the headlining talent, brace yourselves for an onslaught of Bouwmeester rumors.

While the Florida Panters are hoping that a playoff run will be enough to convince him to sign an extension it may not be enough to keep him in Sunrise Florida. The Ottawa Senators should have started their Bouwmeester campaign by keeping the Sun writers as far away from this target as possible. They can write players out of town but they can't write them in.

Bozak Rumors

The Senators held talks with University of Denver star C Tyler Bozak yesterday. They are on his short list of NHL teams, but it's not known who else he's considering. The coveted unrestricted free agent is expected to make a decision in the next couple of days. ~ Bruce Garrioch, The Ottawa Sun

Normally, the thought of adding an unsigned, NCAA sleeper prospect would perk my interest. However, after last year's signing of the talented, 4th line grinder, Jesse Winchester, I'll reserve my optimism.

If I'm the Oracle of Bullshit...

...then Tim is the Oracle of First Sentences by Bad Beat Writers.

Welcome back Don and the technicolor dream shirt. You haven't missed a beat. From the man who thinks the shirt in the above picture was a good idea, comes this piece of verbal diarrhea:

Even on defence, what can they do? There's Phillips and Volchenkov and Kuba. Are they going to buy out Smith? Doubt it. Then there's a cheap Campoli and Brian Lee. And I realize nobody knows I think this, but Brendan Bell is a guy I'd sign to a one-way deal as a 5-6 guy and someone to work the power play. And then what if Erik Karlsson adds some muscle, like I did in the off-(baseball) season? There could be a spot for him too.

Brendan Bell a 5th defenseman? On a team that Don expects to bounce back and make the playoffs next year? To quote Mr. Slave from South Park, "Jeesuthhh Christ!'

< Prev