Put this man's face on the front of Scotia Bank Place

A four year extension. After eleven games played.
Well..... ok
When asked about the recent Craig Anderson signing, Bryan Murray explained that he will provide stability in goal. This basically provides the answer to "Will Lehner be the starter next year?"
I guess he's the new poster boy.

Hockey Violence. The Ongoing Saga

First of all, I would like to say:
What the **** Quebec?
If the police in Montreal are investigating the hit Chara laid on Pacioretty (please ignore the ignorant comments on the linked video) is a criminal offense, the Quebec Legal System has more problems than National Hockey League. If this was Hal Gill ( okay, work with me here) rubbing out, say, Rich Peverley, do you honestly think that the Quebec government would be involved? No.

I am not saying that the law does not belong on ice and in every sport, but the line has to be drawn somewhere. What has happened in the QMJHL, with the police getting involved in any violent thing there is one thing, but this is totally different.
If you want to think about it, Quebec is also a province where MMA is perfectly legal, and where the Ultimate Fighting Championship is loved. This is hypocritical by the government.

So he wasn't traded....

And Chris Phillips remains an Ottawa Senator, signing a 3 year, approx. $9M extension. Although many were worried that the Phillips situation would be prolonged to this June's entry draft, we should not have been worried about a guy like Chris Phillips doing the right thing. He is after all, a better role model for the organizations future blue liners than say, Filip Kuba.

And than the inevitable happens....

Murray has already expressed his wish that at least one of the prospect defence-man, such as David Rundblad or Jared Cowen, will play next season in the NHL, so since Phillips was coming back, someone had to go.  That man was Chris "I cant believe we got a second rounder for him" Campoli. Coming back to Ottawa from Chicago is Ryan Potulny (a one time 15 goal scorer in the NHL) and the aforementioned second rounder. 
At least somebody is staying.

Sorry Brian

 Finally, a trade where a fan favourite isn't involved. Out of all the deals, I think I like this the best because it seems one of the large pieces of managements "plan" is coming clearer. Besides the obvious fact that the Sens want to get younger,It is also clear that a veteran goalie is badly wanted for next season, possibly to serve as a mentor for Robin Lehner.
Enter Craig Anderson.
Back in the disastrous 2008-09 season, I particularly remember one game against the Florida Panthers. The only reason I remember a game against Florida was because of the dominant performance, where the Senators got about twenty shots in third period, and did not score a single goal. The goalie in net for the Panthers was Craig Anderson. That type of single game dominance was displayed last night against the Leafs, with a 47 save shutout performance. Anderson seems like the right type of goalie for a team like Ottawa will be going forward. Since not many are expecting a playoff appearance next season, Anderson could be the guy. He can be a very entertaining goalie who could backstop a young team that's sole purpose is to keep losing while selling tickets in the process.
As great of a game Anderson played last night, we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, here.

Side note: We probably witnessed the fight of the year last night, with minor league heavy weights Francis Lessard and Jay Rosehill throwing 'em.


Here are the highlights:

Phillips Update: And now.........

According to Bruce Garrioch's Twitter, Phillips want to stay in Ottawa and be part of the solution.
Sorry Chris, but fans around town have said that you are part of the problem.
For this little situation, I think it is best to look at possible outcomes for this scenario:


1. Phillips realizes that to make this team get better, he should move on.
It really would be sad to see Phillips leave.  He, like Kelly and Fisher are great team guys who provide an important veteran presence for their teams. Phillips says he wants to stay now, but that could change if Bryan Murray and Eugene Melnyk give him an old fashioned "talking to". It's also possible Chris finds another fit that works better for him and his family than Ottawa. But that's enough speculation on personal life. I have already mentioned the situation of the Vancouver Canucks depleted blue line. Well that situation has gotten worse. Keith Ballard, Andrew Alberts, Alexander Edler and spare Lee Sweatt are all on the injured reserve. Depending on the severity of those injuries, the Canucks could make some cap space for Chris Phillips.
What could be coming back to Ottawa is a prospect, mainly because I doubt a significant prospect will be coming back to Ottawa for a rental. A player like Anton Rodin, could be sent to Ottawa. Rodin would, in a couple years, fit well with Jakob Silverberg, who he played with for Team Sweden at the World Juniors.

Some other  possibilities are coming soon.

Who is next to go?

After the huge deal of Mike Fisher, it looks like Chris Phillips will be moved next, possibly in the next few days.
One team that could use him, is Vancouver. Even though their defence was ranked second by the hockey news, they have suffered some key injuries. Coming back to Ottawa could be a first round pick, and likely be a younger player that takes up some salary. But this rumor that was reported by a certain reliable site, is one I'm not buying. First, Vancouver is great right now, even though they have some injury problems. But it is not likely they will be able to fit him in an uptight Vancouver roster.  I don't think they have the cash. But hey, I've been wrong before.

He's Actually Gone.........

Mike Fisher has been traded. When I first heard those words, something in the back of my mind was telling me it was a joke, but I knew it wasn't. Although the return the Sens received from Nashville was pretty good (first round pick and conditional pick) for what is really a third line centre, there is something telling me that Fish is more than a great third liner. Ya i know, I'm a sap, but the guy did more than play what was defined as "Ottawa Senator Hockey" on the ice, he was a first-class citizen off the ice, going to third world countries to help them get by. With who was going to be the next captain gone, Fish leaves us with not only a couple picks and a hole in our hearts, we also have that ongoing wonder about who is the next great Senator. I know that I'm talking like both Alfie and Fisher are dead, but we seriously need to think here. Karlsson is too young, but he will get there, and Phillips will be dealt within the next few weeks, so who's it going to be Ottawa? How about Gabriel Landeskog? Well on behalf of all of Ottawa, thanks Mike, for being the prototypical Senator, and being an all around great role model. Even though he's gone, he still plays like every  Senator should: with no fear, no quit, and no mercy. He's proven he is more than just Mr Underwood