Player Discussion Chris Neil

[Holdurbreathe]

Smith and Chiasson are the weakest links on this team. Smith hasn't upped his game like the rest of the team had (see: Condra, particularly) and Chiasson doesn't bring anything to the table aside from some above-average boards work. I don't see taking Legwand out of the line up. Look at those behind the scenes videos the Sens have put up; Legwand is a giant in the locker room, in terms of personality.

If Michalek is healthy, you scratch Smith and go with this:

Macarthur - Turris - Stone
Michalek- Zibanejad - Ryan
Condra - Pageau - Lazar
Hoffman - Legwand - Chiasson

If Neil is healthy, you scratch Smith and go with this:

Macarthur - Turris - Stone
Hoffman- Zibanejad - Ryan
Condra - Pageau - Lazar
Chiasson - Legwand - Neil

If both Neil and Michalek are healthy, you do this:

Macarthur - Turris - Stone
Michalek- Zibanejad - Ryan
Condra - Pageau - Lazar
Hoffman - Legwand - Neil

Are you really suggesting Neil is better than Chaisson?

Chaisson has played on the 1 - 4 lines all season, and has been inserted on both the Turris and Zibanejad lines through the run to the playoffs.

Neil on the other hand didn't play well enough to even be dressed many nights prior to his injury and you would still play him ahead of Chaisson?

Smith was put on the Zibanejad line just after his return from injury, so Cameron must think he has more to offer than you obviously.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

Nice. Getting Michalek back would be awesome.

 

[Spire2000]

Fantastic strategy to win. Destroy any scoring potential of Hoffman and Legwand by putting Neil on the ice with them. He can't even handle a pass anymore. But he will sure bring some useless penalties at the worst possible times.

Problem is, you cannot break up the top three lines if Michalek is good to go.

Hoffman will still get plenty of time on the PP to scores to his heart's content.

 

[Spire2000]

The "Smith vs Neil for the playoffs" argument might be a moot point at the moment...

And there ya go, guaranteed Hoffman is on the 4th line with that news.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

And there ya go, guaranteed Hoffman is on the 4th line with that news.

He is.

gord wilson ‏@gordwilson · 7m7 minutes ago

Playoff preview of lines?
Michalek-zibanejad-ryan
Macarthur-turris-stone
Condra-pageau-lazar
Hoffman-legwand-chiasson
Greening-smith-neil

 

[God Says No]

He is.

gord wilson ‏@gordwilson · 7m7 minutes ago

Playoff preview of lines?
Michalek-zibanejad-ryan
Macarthur-turris-stone
Condra-pageau-lazar
Hoffman-legwand-chiasson
Greening-smith-neil

I would still rather have Hoffman on the Zib line, but I gotta say those lines look nice.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

Nice. Getting Michalek back would be awesome.

Absolutely!!

 

[Spire2000]

Are you really suggesting Neil is better than Chaisson?

Chaisson has played on the 1 - 4 lines all season, and has been inserted on both the Turris and Zibanejad lines through the run to the playoffs.

Neil on the other hand didn't play well enough to even be dressed many nights prior to his injury and you would still play him ahead of Chaisson?

RE: Smith was put on the Zibanejad line just after his return from injury, so Cameron must think he has more to offer than you obviously.

Neil and Chiasson, side by side, you're right, Chiasson is the better player. However, I don't believe Chiasson's skill set is superior to Neil's, in the playoffs, with this team. Chiasson has a redundant capacity with this team, while Neil not only brings his toughness, but also his experience.

 

[Step]

I want Neil. He's made for the playoffs, both on and off the ice...but over Hoffman? Never.

 

[operasen]

I hope Neil never sets a skate on the ice again for this team. They are so far beyond what he can bring. Neil is slow to read a play and was most often out of position, behind the play, resulting in a penalty situation benefitting the opposition. No thanks.

He gave a solid decade, but the game has evolved.

We have enough toughness on the team and Chiasson has earned his chance all year long. Nevermind Stone, Ryan and Lazar.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

I would still rather have Hoffman on the Zib line, but I gotta say those lines look nice.

I like Hoffman a lot, but don't have a problem with Michalek on that line.

Ryan has been struggling and Zibanejad needs another big strong forward to help cycle the puck and get to the net, so I think Michalek is the best choice ATM.

Hoffman also adds a much needed dimension to the 4th line with his speed and ability with the puck, also seems to play well with Chaisson.

All I hope for is Cameron decides Smith can add more speed and physicality at center on that line.

 

[Boud]

I hope Neil never sets a skate on the ice again for this team. They are so far beyond what he can bring. Neil is slow to read a play and was most often out of position, behind the play, resulting in a penalty situation benefitting the opposition. No thanks.

He gave a solid decade, but the game has evolved.

We have enough toughness on the team and Chiasson has earned his chance all year long. Nevermind Stone, Ryan and Lazar.

I totally disagree with that statement. Chiasson has been a borderline NHLer for 90% of the season and he has been just horrible. His penalties alone have cost us games and he is by far the biggest liability oif this team in the penalty department. I think an argument can be made for him to be on the team before Neil for sure though. I found he played a lot better lately and he could be a great asset come playoff time with his board work.

The only problem I see with Neil is that he hasn't played in a very long time but I never thought he was as bad as people made him to be.

I'm really happy Michalek is back, he's going to bring some better defensive play to that line and hopefully he can pick up where he left off.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

Neil and Chiasson, side by side, you're right, Chiasson is the better player. However, I don't believe Chiasson's skill set is superior to Neil's, in the playoffs, with this team. Chiasson has a redundant capacity with this team, while Neil not only brings his toughness, but also his experience.

There is nothing redundant about being able to skate, forecheck well, cycle the puck and win puck battles, all of the things Chaisson does well.

While Neil is the better fighter and will throw the occasional huge hit, he really brings little else at this point in his career.

I realize many fans love Neil, but like many players time has made them much less than what they were.

The Senators made the playoff run without Neil and Phillips, both of whom contributed significantly to this team and community over the years.

However time isn't kind to professional athletes and both Chris' really have a very limited role with this team, if any at all.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

I totally disagree with that statement. Chiasson has been a borderline NHLer for 90% of the season and he has been just horrible. His penalties alone have cost us games and he is by far the biggest liability oif this team in the penalty department. I think an argument can be made for him to be on the team before Neil for sure though. I found he played a lot better lately and he could be a great asset come playoff time with his board work.

The only problem I see with Neil is that he hasn't played in a very long time but I never thought he was as bad as people made him to be.

I'm really happy Michalek is back, he's going to bring some better defensive play to that line and hopefully he can pick up where he left off.

My only comment is that Neil has probably taken more bad penalties in the 38 games he played than any other player on the team.

In 38 games Neil has 78 PIM and quite a few of those were in the "dumb" category.

 

[blahblah3]

Problem is, you cannot break up the top three lines if Michalek is good to go.

Hoffman will still get plenty of time on the PP to scores to his heart's content.

Hoffman is far better 5 on 5 than he is on the PP. And it isn't like this team is ever getting out hit. Neil has no spot on this team as it stands and it would be a regression if they force him back onto it, just for some nostalgia.

 

[pm88]

I hope Neil never sets a skate on the ice again for this team. They are so far beyond what he can bring. Neil is slow to read a play and was most often out of position, behind the play, resulting in a penalty situation benefitting the opposition. No thanks.

He gave a solid decade, but the game has evolved.

We have enough toughness on the team and Chiasson has earned his chance all year long. Nevermind Stone, Ryan and Lazar.

Chiasson was absolutely useless for 90% of the year. He stepped his game up a little bit in the past couple of weeks so credit to him for that but if i'm Murray I give him one more year in this organization to prove he can be a consistent offensive contributor to this team going forward. If Murray could get rid of him and Gryba this off season it'd be ideal

 

[starling]

At least Chiasson was useless. Neil had negative usefulness this season.

 

[Boud]

My only comment is that Neil has probably taken more bad penalties in the 38 games he played than any other player on the team.

In 38 games Neil has 78 PIM and quite a few of those were in the "dumb" category.

Chiasson LEADS THE LEAGUE with 25 minor penalties and he is playing on average 13 mins a night. I don't know how you can say that Neil has taken more bad penalties in the 38 games he played than Chiasson since most of Neil's penalties are fighting majors. Neil has 9 minor penalties in his 38 games and 3 of those are roughing which is completely normal for a player that sends a message or that tries to get a player to fight. I mean if there's one player that should have more bad penalties than anyone on this team it's Neil and he'd be onpace for 18 minors while Chiasson is at 25 and Chiasson is not a fighter, not a guy that sends messages. he has 8 hooking, 4 high stick, 3 slashing, 3 interference and 2 holding. For a guy that's not hard-nosed and that barely ever fights, doesn't make big hits, doesn't get under the opponents skin, Chiasson's number of penalties is unacceptable and he is in fact the worst player in the league at taking stupid penalties.

Since Chiasson has played better as of late and Neil hasn't played for a long time I'd put Chiasson in the lineup before him but otherwise I'd go with Neil any day. He works harder and knows his role. He can get under a team's skin and get them off their game alone. Not many players can do that.

 

[Bilbo]

Chiasson does not lead the league in minors, Downie has 49. He does not even lead his team, Gryba has 26.

In the past Chris Neal could contribute physically without hurting the team with his play, this largely offset the minor penalties. Those days are in the past. I do not believe he has enough left in the tank to be a net positive anymore.

 

[Boud]

Chiasson does not lead the league in minors, Downie has 49. He does not even lead his team, Gryba has 26.

In the past Chris Neal could contribute physically without hurting the team with his play, this largely offset the minor penalties. Those days are in the past. I do not believe he has enough left in the tank to be a net positive anymore.

I was at page two and saw he was equal with Perry and Getslaf at the top, my bad you're right. I still think Chiasson is the worst on this team though especially combined with the fact that he plays so little. He always, just always takes bad penalties it's mind numbing.

 

[Icelevel]

He is.

gord wilson ‏@gordwilson · 7m7 minutes ago

Playoff preview of lines?
Michalek-zibanejad-ryan
Macarthur-turris-stone
Condra-pageau-lazar
Hoffman-legwand-chiasson
Greening-smith-neil

Awesome that G-S-N is finally reunited!! and not playing!!

 

[Lenny the Lynx]

Awesome that G-S-N is finally reunited!! and not playing!!

There is a lot of chemistry in that press box.
I think people will be pleasantly surprised with the level of conversation they get going.



The lines look good to me. Its weird to have your leading goal scorer on the fourth line, but on the plus side it will make our attack a bit sneakier. Plus Hoffman will get a decent amount of PP time, and Michalek is a better 5on5 player

 

[operasen]

I totally disagree with that statement. Chiasson has been a borderline NHLer for 90% of the season and he has been just horrible. His penalties alone have cost us games and he is by far the biggest liability oif this team in the penalty department. I think an argument can be made for him to be on the team before Neil for sure though. I found he played a lot better lately and he could be a great asset come playoff time with his board work.

The only problem I see with Neil is that he hasn't played in a very long time but I never thought he was as bad as people made him to be.

I'm really happy Michalek is back, he's going to bring some better defensive play to that line and hopefully he can pick up where he left off.

I'm pleased we agree on Michalek. He has stepped up before his head injury. I was thinking he might have been dealt at the deadline. I still have concerns for his durability year over year.

As to Chiasson, after a LD upgrade, RW is the top need to upgrade, maybe even in the draft. Ryan seems to have durability issues as well. Stone looks fine, as does Lazar. Too bad Prince does not play that side.

 

[coladin]

I think Neil in the right situation can help this team, and Chiasson would be the guy to come out...unless they move Smith to center and Legwand sits

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

I think Neil in the right situation can help this team, and Chiasson would be the guy to come out...unless they move Smith to center and Legwand sits

Why would a guy named Legs sit?