And here I was, going to write about how much I hate the long layoff between Sens games. It wasn't because I don't get to watch my favorite hockey team play for awhile. No. It's because everything that's written about the Ottawa Senators is the same.

I had these two introductory sentence all typed out.

Were you aware that Jason Spezza had zero goals so far this season? Were you also aware that he's become a much better defensive player?

If you answered no to either of those questions then today's your lucky fucking day.

Consequently, I was all set to make fun of the numerous local articles that articulated that Spezza's defensive prowess made up for the fact that he wasn't producing. And then I was set to make fun of the non-local commentary that was opining his lack of production. I even had the links and headlines all typed up and ready to go.

• Ottawa Sun - Spezza rises to Sens' defence
• Ottawa Citizen - No Worries Mate
• Sportsnet's Ian Mendes - No Goals, No Problem For Spezza
• CTV Olympic Coverage, Mike Brophy - Team Canada: Early Season Auditions
• The Hockey News - Sen-sational Start

And then Bryan Murray had to go out and resign Matt Carkner to a new two-year contract extension. (Ed. note: The Ottawa Citizen has revealed that the terms of the deal are two years, $1.4M total.) If this wasn't interesting enough, things only got better when two of the local Sens bloggers got into a dispute on Twitter.

In one corner, Sens Chirp. In the other, The Universal Cynic, Erin Nicks. Sit back and enjoy the fireworks. And while you're at it, start following The 6th Sens on Twitter.

I love Anton Volchenkov. I love everything about the guy -- his nickname, his willingness to block shots, his patented hits along the boards by the blueline and the fact that I know nothing about the guy's personality even though he's been here for years.

That's why it was so refreshing to hear Chris Campoli recall a story to the Citizen regarding that he and Volchenkov spent hours searching the Internet for footage of a hit that the A-Train put on Campoli when he was playing for the Isles. (Allegedly, the hardest one that Campoli's received in his career.)

So if I like Volchenkov so much, why did I spend a few minutes this morning wiping coffee off of my laptop monitor after reading that Sens Chirp believes that Volchenkov was poised to get $4-5M from the Senators on a contract extension?

Here were Chirp's exact words...

There are already whispers that Murray is working on an extension for Volchenkov but those talks are very much in the early stages. Volchenkov is expected to bring down anywhere from $4-5 million on a long term deal.

Either way, locking up Volchenkov has to be a priority for the Senators this season and the sooner they get it done the better. Volchenkov appears to be well on the way to a career season and if hes allowed to hit the open market he will certainly demand top dollar.

So why would I be so hesitant to give the A-Train that kind of coin? Probably because there's a lot of inherent risk involved. Especially when history dictates trusting that much money and years into a player who's a physical, shot-blocking machine isn't necessarily the safest long-term investment.

One recent example of this is Jay McKee. On July 1st, 2006, McKee signed a 4-year, $16M contract as an unrestricted free agentthat saw him register 98 hits and led the league with 241 blocked shots for the Buffalo Sabres.

McKee, a 10-year veteran, had been Buffalo's senior player. He was coming off a strong season in which he helped the Sabres win a franchise-best, 52 regular-season games and clinch their first playoff berth since 2001. McKee then played a big role in Buffalo's extended post-season run, which ended with a Game 7 loss in the Eastern Conference finals to eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina. ~ Canoe

After three injury marred seasons, McKee had his contract bought out by the Blues. When asked for his opinion on why he was let go, Mckee said, "The bottom line is, I didn't fit in their depth chart and my salary was probably a hindrance to their payroll."

Now I'm not saying that Volchenkov's going to be the next McKee, wherein injuries could adversely affect him in the same way. It's just that I view physical, defensive defencemen like I view NFL running backs. Once they're on the wrong side of thirty, the bumps and bruises that they've accumulated over the course of their careers tend to take their toll. Because of the way he plays, he's likely to be more suceptible to injury. (I know this is completely circumstantial evidence. Believe me when I say that I'd like to back this up with statistical data. But, I can't. You'll just have to take my word or decide for yourself whether this is a reasonable assertion or not. Although, Wade Redden's softness is a fine Exhibit A in my defence.)

While the nature of his play could be a deterring factor later in his career, it's equally as important to examine his financial worth moving forward. Since Volchenkov is Ottawa's premier shutdown defenceman, it's imperative to discuss the current open market rate for comparable players.

And as Sens Chirp alluded to, recent contracts like Mike Komisarek's have set a bit of a benchmark. I've done some research and have come up with a list of some players who have posted similar high shot blocking and hits totals on par with Volchenkov -- 7GP, 18 hits, 24 blocked shots, $3.2M salary ($2.5M cap hit)

• Jay McKee -- 8 GP, 8 hits, 28 blocked shots, $800k
• Matt Greene -- 8 GP, 19 hits, 21 blocked shots, $2.95M
• Brendan Witt -- 6 GP, 10 hits, 24 blocked shots, $3M
• Scott Hannan -- 8 GP, 9 hits, 19 blocked shots, $4.5M
• Brooks Orpik -- 8 GP, 23 hits, 15 blocked shots, $3.725M
• Mike Komisarek -- 8 GP, 25 hits, 13 blocked shots, $4.5M
• Brad Stuart -- 7 GP, 25 hits, 12 blocked shots, $3.75M
• Niklas Kronwall -- 7 GP, 15 hits, 13 blocked shots, $1.5M salary ($3.0M cap hit)
• Brent Seabrooke -- 8 GP, 22 hits, 15 blocked shots, $3.5M
• Dennis Seidenberg -- 6 GP, 20 hits, 17 blocked shots, $2.25M
• Rob Blake -- 8 GP, 8 hits, 20 blocked shots, $3.5M
• Kyle Quincey -- 8 GP, 13 hits, 19 blocked shots, $550k ($525k cap hit)
• Matt Carkner --7 GP, 14 hits, 19 blocked shots, $500k
• Barrett Jackman -- 3 GP, 8 hits, 7 blocked shots, $3.625M

Interestingly, no one on this list earns more than $4.5M per year. While I'd give Volchenkov the nod over almost all of the names on the list, I think it's important to note that both of the players who earn over $4M (Komisarek and Hannan) are considered amongst many to be overpaid.

So if you're Bryan Murray, what do you do? Obviously, trading Volchenkov isn't an option unless the Senators suddenly fall flat and perform a Battle of the Blades'esque death spiral out of the playoff picture or contract negotiations stall and he promises to go on the open market. However, as Sens Chirp indicated, there allegedly is optimism from both sides that a deal can be reached.

During negotiations, however, there's a fine line to be drawn here: One one hand, A-Train's too valuable to lose on a blueline that can best be categorized as average. And on the other hand, an overpriced contract in a salary cap system can seriously debilitate the team's financial flexibility as the team continues to improve in the future.

Here are three options that I have come up with for Bryan:

• Since Volchenkov's turning 28, give him big dollars on a two or three year deal. $4M-$4.25M maximum offer. The key here is not to extend the contract past the point where the A-Train's prime of his career is over.
• Offer a staggered contract extension similar to the one that Kronwall signed in Detroit to manipulate the cap. Ken Holland manipulated his average cap hit by giving Kronwall $1.5M in his first year and $3M, $3.25M, $3.5M, and $3.75 in the subsequent years for a $3M average.
• Offer a contract extension similar to the ones that are being investigated by the NHL for circumventing the cap. (ie. Hossa's contract.)

So readers, what would you do?

I'm a little bit pressed for time but have put together enough material to post another grab-bag of sorts. Enjoy this Monday morning linkage:

Jack Todd from the Montreal Gazette said...

Once again Saturday, Price played just well enough to lose. The difference in the Ottawa game (just as it was against Colorado and Edmonton) was the difference between Price and the opposing goalie.

In Edmonton, it was Nikolai Khabibulin. Against the Avalanche it was Craig (not Shawn) Anderson. Against Ottawa, it was Pascal Leclaire, who is proving what a difference a goalie makes for a Senators team that is playing well once again.

I didn't get a chance to watch the finer details of the game, so I'll have to cross reference this statement with some credible Ottawa writing. Let's see what SLC from Five For Smiting has to say...

Blech.  And a lucky blech at that.  Had Pascal not stood on his head early, had the PK not been batshit crazy solid, had the Habs spent even just a little bit more time playing and a little less shooting themselves in the foot, I'm filling this space with enraged yammerings targeting everyone and everything wearing a Sens jersey (YA HEARD ME, SPARTY!).  Instead, we'll take the two points, thank our gracious hosts and slink out of town like thieves.  Oddly enough, I'm okay with that.

Speaking of Saturday night's game against the Canadiens, Alexei Kovalev had this to say afterwards, 

"I can't find any more words to describe how I feel, and how much support I keep getting from these fans."

I'll help you find the words Alex. Thanks for not torching the team bus Habs fans.

While Darren from Silver Seven Sens has come up with a list of reasons why the Senators have reversed their fortunes from last year, Chris Stevenson nails it by showering the Senators second overall ranked penalty killing unit with love.

According to Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen, what got lost in Saturday night's win wasn't the fact that the Senators didn't play that well. It was that Erik Karlsson's best game of the season was overshadowed by the Alexei Kovalev story.

"Maybe it was anxiousness, the nerves, the atmosphere," Clouston said.

"But I thought the last 40 minutes might have been his best. He looked comfortable, he was making some better plays with the puck, he had a lot more poise with the puck, and physically he was a lot more involved, as well."

The key for Karlsson, Clouston said, is in playing as if he believes he belongs in the NHL, not as if he is still trying out. That can only lead to tentativeness and uncertainty.

"I think he has just got to play his game," Clouston said.

"He has got to, basically, realize that he belongs here and not be in awe. Just go out there and play his game. And, for the most part in the last two periods, he really did that.

"He just said, 'You know what? I'm going to have to make a difference here, that my team needs me."

Jeff Blair of The Globe and Mail has two interesting blurbs from his piece this morning:

Circle Oct. 30 on your calendar: You want a look-ahead? On Oct. 28, the Toronto Raptors open the NBA regular-season at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers while the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Dallas Stars. The Leafs have just two games before then (in Vancouver and Anaheim) so if they can continue losing and the Raptors can pull off an upset, there you’d go: Toronto’s NBA team has its first win before its NHL team. You don’t like the Raps’ chances against the Cavs? Neither do I, but not to worry: On Oct. 30 the Raps are in Memphis and the Leafs are in Buffalo. Lookahead? There’s your stinkin’ lookahead ..

and...

Turfed as president and chief executive officer of the Ottawa Senators and Scotiabank Place, Roy Mlakar received early consideration for the Toronto Blue Jays presidency, I’m told.

Let’s see how San Jose Sharks left winger Dany Heatley handles this delicious new career challenge. With the Sharks’ power play stuck in an early season slump, coach Todd McLellan bumped Heatley down to the No.2 unit for last Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders.

Predictably, the move to reunite last year’s top unit of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Devin Setoguchi paid immediate dividends as the Sharks went an efficient 2-for-3 with the man advantage, with Thornton turning in a virtuoso performance. Heatley, remember, demanded a trade of out Ottawa last season after his role was “diminished” by Senators’ coach Cory Clouston, in part because he was shifted to the second power-play unit.

Since pouting in his new NHL home is not a viable option, Heatley’s patience – and the ability to bite his tongue – will be put to its first test of the new season, as the Sharks’ six-game trip continues tonight in Manhattan, against the streaking New York Rangers. ~ Eric Duhatschek, The Globe and Mail

Uh-oh. Expect a Don Brennan angst-induced column that shits on Dany Heatley any minute now.

It's hard enough to write a game recap that can be as encapsulating as an AP one, it's even more difficult when...

• ...you're in a Guinness-induced drunken state
• ...the nearest television screen is at least 25' away
• ...your team is killing it at The Glen's Trivia Night and takes home 1st place.

Consequently, I've decided to piece together a Sunday night grab-bag.

Enjoy.

First Line Chemistry:

Listening to last night's pre-game show on the radio, I couldn't help but notice that a lot of love being directed to the two-way play of Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek. A number of the "experts" believed that Jason Spezza's interest in the defensive aspect of the game can be attributed to his two new linemates. Regardless of his motivation -- Olympic consideration, linemate influence, maturity -- Spezza's defensive zone play thus far deserves to be recognized, even if it isn't reflected in his stats.

Looking Back:

Speaking of the return that Murray actually received for Heatley, I was doing some revisionist research and examined Edmonton's statistics to gauge the development of the return that could have been. Apparently, the trio of Oilers are doing quite well...

Dustin Penner -- 7GP, 5G, 4A, +5

Andrew Cogliano -- 7GP, 2G, 3A, +3

Ladislav Smid -- 7GP, 0G, 3A, +8

Maple Leafs Keep Losing

I don't hate the Maple Leafs organization or their fans as much as some Sens fans. That being said, it sure is fun to watch the losses mount and watch a potential lottery pick slip away. Besides, I'm in favour of anything that makes Mike Toth look like a bigger idiot than he already is.

Kovy Ovations

The Mayor, over at Sens Town, has posted two videos from last night's game that captured the fan response after Kovalev's goal and his third star selection.

The Enigma?

Like I mentioned on the website's Twitter account, how big of an enigma is Kovalev, if everyone predicted that he'd produce against his former club and he followed through?

Too Much Depth

Gerald Norton, of Sensay, makes a valid point discussing Ottawa's layoff and the roster implications that it could have as some of Ottawa's injured players get healthy. He even goes the extra-mile and proposes a trade that he'd like to see Ottawa pursue with Nashville.

With Peter Regin, Filip Kuba and Jesse Winchester to return soon, have your say -- Who should stay? Who should go?

Since the start of the season, I've been participating in James Gordon's (of the Ottawa Citizen's Hockey Capital blog) game-day prediction panel. Here's my prediction for ce coir...

...Senators 3, Canadiens 1

If the Montreal Canadiens could stickhandle their way through Ottawa's defence like Georges Laraque could stickhandle past the women in that Octane energy drink commercial , Ottawa might actually be in trouble. Pundits often allude to Montreal's lack of size at forward, but it really hasn't helped matters that in the last three years, they've lost Souray, Komisarek and Streit on defence and have replaced them with Paul Mara, Hal Gill and Jaroslav Spacek respectively. When you compound this problem with Andrei Markov's injury, it's the talent on the Habs defence that really comes up short.

If you want to check out the rest of the panel's predictions, click here.

"Payback for McAmmond," Carkner said afterward. "I hate that little prick (Downie)." ~ Steve Perry courtesy of The Ottawa Citizen

Repeat after me...My name is _____ and I'm a Michalek.

Now that you're an official member of MA, here is the twelve step program:

1: We admitted we were powerless over Michalek's speed -- that without him everything looks slow by comparison.
2: Came to believe that someone not named Alfie could restore us to sanity. 
3: Made a decision to turn our will and our fandom over to the care of Milan as we understood him.
4: Made a searching and fearless inventory of how good this team's roster could actually be.
5: Admitted to Milan, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. (Admitting that at the time, you thought Milan + Cheechoo + 2nd rounder wasn't equal value for Heatley.)
6: Were entirely ready to have Milan remove all these defects of character. (Do best Wayne's World imitation. We're not worthy. We're not worthy. We're scum.)
7: Humbly asked Milan to remove our shortcomings and fix our power play.
8: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Except for Steve Downie. He can promptly go fuck himself.
9: Made direct amends Use the threat of violence to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. and thank Matt Carkner when he's done with them.
10: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Karlsson was -1 in a 7-1 win. Ship him out!
11: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with Milan, as we understood him, praying only that our spawn will someday share his rare blend of size, skill and speed. 
12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to as many Sens fans as possible, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Hey readers, I really appreciate all of the feedback and commentary in the last topic. I was going to just post my thoughts there, but decided that a new post might be better.

Anyways, I think I should rephrase my thoughts to better articulate my position.

I'm not adverse to returning Erik Karlsson to his Sweden per se.

When it was announced that Karlsson had earned a spot on the roster, Bryan Murray forewarned the fans that he and the coaching staff were willing to weather Karlsson's defensive shortcomings. Which is fair, provided that Karlsson provides the puck-moving and offensive prowess that Ottawa lacked last season.

It hasn't helped matters that his veteran partner, Filip Kuba, will miss his fourth straight game tonight and it's had a residual effect on Karlsson's game in two ways. One, he's playing more minutes and is at risk of being exposed more often. And two, he's forced to play with Chris Campoli who's ill-suited to compliment Karlsson's inexperience and style.

Five games just seems like too few to appropriately gauge Karlsson without considering that he hasn't been put in a position to succeed.

If his confidence is waning and it adversely affects his offensive capabilities then he deserves to be sent down. But just give him his ten game sample size first.

And another thing, Don Brennan and the Ottawa Sun have tried to dub Matt Carkner with the nickname "Big Country". It's okay but kind of bland. For the purposes of this site, from now on, I'll only refer to Carkner as Steve Perry because he's a Journey Man. Hi-yo!