Conacher

[mrkevo]

Bruce Garrioch ‏@SunGarrioch 20m
Spezza skating with Michalek and Conacher. #Sens

Perfect, now I hope Maclean keeps this line together for a couple of games and gives it a fair chance. If Conacher doesn't do anything in those couple of games then move him down.

 

[Tampacuseforever]

Perfect, now I hope Maclean keeps this line together for a couple of games and gives it a fair chance. If Conacher doesn't do anything in those couple of games then move him down.

Cant say I like it at all ! Feast or famine ? Zibby on the forth line WTF ? PLEASE put Zibby and Conacher on the third line together and let them develop at the proper pace. Use the forth line as the shutdown line and have three offensive lines. Think of it as top 9 and the checking line. Distribute the minutes as the score dictates.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

You have hit on my point exactly at this point he is not top six but he certainly isn't a forth line player. He should be playing third line. There doesn't seem to be a fit and if that is the case trade him. I agree a couple of weeks in Bingo would do Cory some good but it isnt going to happen. I strongly disagree with you that he would have any chance of passing through waivers. A kid with his skill and drive making less than a million and years away from free agency, who and why wouldn't teams take a chance on him ? As far as the Bingo boys go you heard Murray say that if they force the issue he would have to move a few veterans to make room. By the way Zibanejad taking forth line reps at practice today ? I keep thinking something is going on things just dont make sense ?

Zibby played on the fourth line a few shifts on Saturday afternoon and that line looked very good, actually had some offensive pressure.

Regarding the waiver concern, you may be right Cory would be claimed.

However given any GM that claimed him would have to keep him on the NHL roster, hoping he could develop his game playing 8-10 minutes a game, I believe the risk of a claim is small.

I also believe the discussion about Conacher, or any Sens player, is mute as long as the Sens keep improving, being competitive and winning enough to stay in the playoff race.

I don't believe Murray will do anything if the above conditions are met, at least not until the New Year or another GM makes an offer he just can't refuse.

 

[mrkevo]

Cant say I like it at all ! Feast or famine ? Zibby on the forth line WTF ? PLEASE put Zibby and Conacher on the third line together and let them develop at the proper pace. Use the forth line as the shutdown line and have three offensive lines. Think of it as top 9 and the checking line. Distribute the minutes as the score dictates.

I agree about Zibanejad. I would like to see him and neil switch. You want Conacher and Zibby on the third line though? So who would you suggest fill in for Conacher on the Spezza line? Greening? I can't say I like that idea. If we had another good winger to fill in that spot I'd be all for it.

 

[Tampacuseforever]

Zibby played on the fourth line a few shifts on Saturday afternoon and that line looked very good, actually had some offensive pressure.

Regarding the waiver concern, you may be right Cory would be claimed.

However given any GM that claimed him would have to keep him on the NHL roster, hoping he could develop his game playing 8-10 minutes a game, I believe the risk of a claim is small.

I also believe the discussion about Conacher, or any Sens player, is mute as long as the Sens keep improving, being competitive and winning enough to stay in the playoff race.

I don't believe Murray will do anything if the above conditions are met, at least not until the New Year or another GM makes an offer he just can't refuse.

You maybe correct about Murray doing nothing, winning trumps all, but I will argue you to death about the waiver claim Have you seen the lack of depth on some teams out there ? Did you see the top 6 in Columbus ? Brutal Your trying to tell me the Florida Panthers would pass on him ? Come on Tampa would scoop[ him up in a second put him with Stamkos then trade him again

 

[Micklebot]

Zibby played on the fourth line a few shifts on Saturday afternoon and that line looked very good, actually had some offensive pressure.

Regarding the waiver concern, you may be right Cory would be claimed.

However given any GM that claimed him would have to keep him on the NHL roster, hoping he could develop his game playing 8-10 minutes a game, I believe the risk of a claim is small.

I also believe the discussion about Conacher, or any Sens player, is mute as long as the Sens keep improving, being competitive and winning enough to stay in the playoff race.

I don't believe Murray will do anything if the above conditions are met, at least not until the New Year or another GM makes an offer he just can't refuse.

By 4th line do you mean with Grant and Conacher? Cause if so, with Conacher taking his spot on the Spezza line that 4th line would become with Kassian and Grant, severely limiting any chance of Zibanejad looking effective on it.

You maybe correct about Murray doing nothing, winning trumps all, but I will argue you to death about the waiver claim Have you seen the lack of depth on some teams out there ? Did you see the top 6 in Columbus ? Brutal Your trying to tell me the Florida Panthers would pass on him ? Come on Tampa would scoop[ him up in a second put him with Stamkos then trade him again

I think they'd have to waive him before they could trade him.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

Cant say I like it at all ! Feast or famine ? Zibby on the forth line WTF ? PLEASE put Zibby and Conacher on the third line together and let them develop at the proper pace. Use the forth line as the shutdown line and have three offensive lines. Think of it as top 9 and the checking line. Distribute the minutes as the score dictates.

Well I'm not sure a practice means much, MacLean will switch the lines around after two shifts if things are working as he hoped.

I seriously doubt MacLean is willing to have two young relatively inexperienced guys on the same line, be that with Smith, Spezza or Grant.

In the last game Zibby played both with Spezza and Grant, in the few shifts with Grant that line actually applied some offensive pressure.

I think MacLean is just trying to find the best combinations to balance out lines 2-4. To do that he is basically trying to find the best combinations by moving around five wingers (Ryan, MacArthur, & Michalek are in the top six) and not just creating the best possible 2nd or 3rd line.

MacLean likes to play four lines with some regularity, so he has to spread out the talent somewhat, whether we agree with his alignments or not.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

By 4th line do you mean with Grant and Conacher? Cause if so, with Conacher taking his spot on the Spezza line that 4th line would become with Kassian and Grant, severely limiting any chance of Zibanejad looking effective on it.



I think they'd have to waive him before they could trade him.

Zibby is better suited to help out Grant on the fourth line than Conacher, at least as things stand now IMO.

Zibby is handling the puck better, is confident enough to skate with the puck and as a natural center finds open linemates faster. I am not suggesting Kassian, Grant & Zibby will get a lot of O-Zone time or pressure, but I do think Zibby will improve the 4th line.

At the same time it gives Cory an opportunity to hopefully gain some confidence with the puck, a goal or two would make a huge difference to his play IMO.

My guess is if MacLean takes Cory off the Spezza line after a period or two against Philly, then Murray will be forced to do something. Specially with Stone back playing and Hoffman on a tear in Bingo.

 

[Tampacuseforever]

By 4th line do you mean with Grant and Conacher? Cause if so, with Conacher taking his spot on the Spezza line that 4th line would become with Kassian and Grant, severely limiting any chance of Zibanejad looking effective on it.



I think they'd have to waive him before they could trade him.

sarcasm only

 

[Back in Black]

I like Conacher, but he's definitely replaceable. If he's thrown in on a trade, or lost in waivers, then bye bye!

 

[Micklebot]

Zibby is better suited to help out Grant on the fourth line than Conacher, at least as things stand now IMO.

Of course he is. Zibby is a better player. That said, Zibby or not, that line isn't producing with Kassian. The reason it looked good is because it had 3 players who can actually play hockey (grant, Conacher and Zibanejad).

Zibby is handling the puck better, is confident enough to skate with the puck and as a natural center finds open linemates faster. I am not suggesting Kassian, Grant & Zibby will get a lot of O-Zone time or pressure, but I do think Zibby will improve the 4th line.

Sure, but it would be a tremendous waste of Zibby's talent. Grant and Kassian don't really create offence would anchor down Zibby. At least Grant can be complementary in a Condra sort of fashion.

At the same time it gives Cory an opportunity to hopefully gain some confidence with the puck, a goal or two would make a huge difference to his play IMO.

Agreed here. If Conacher can get some confidence back, I think he can be an asset and provide real a secondary scoring threat

My guess is if MacLean takes Cory off the Spezza line after a period or two against Philly, then Murray will be forced to do something. Specially with Stone back playing and Hoffman on a tear in Bingo.

IDK about this, I think Conacher has an opportunity to add something that line has missed, speed that goes to the net. Hopefully that opens up space for Spezza and maybe Michalek can find some holes in the coverage for some quality opportunities.

 

[Tampacuseforever]

Zibby is better suited to help out Grant on the fourth line than Conacher, at least as things stand now IMO.

Zibby is handling the puck better, is confident enough to skate with the puck and as a natural center finds open linemates faster. I am not suggesting Kassian, Grant & Zibby will get a lot of O-Zone time or pressure, but I do think Zibby will improve the 4th line.

At the same time it gives Cory an opportunity to hopefully gain some confidence with the puck, a goal or two would make a huge difference to his play IMO.

My guess is if MacLean takes Cory off the Spezza line after a period or two against Philly, then Murray will be forced to do something. Specially with Stone back playing and Hoffman on a tear in Bingo.

And how do we expect him to gain confidence after he is removed after a period or two ? By the way my guess is a shift or two that is what happened the last couple of times. I guess if he doesn't produce in 2 minutes playing time we should just release him. I do agree about Zibby he is a player that can carry a line. By the way why would Murray be forced to do something ? You just stated if they are winning he wont do much of anything ? As far as playing rookies together the Conacher Zibby Silf line was excellent in there time together (3 rookies). MacLean split it up just before the playoffs because thats when other teams would go right after them and there lack of experience. Just MO

 

[Holdurbreathe]

You maybe correct about Murray doing nothing, winning trumps all, but I will argue you to death about the waiver claim Have you seen the lack of depth on some teams out there ? Did you see the top 6 in Columbus ? Brutal Your trying to tell me the Florida Panthers would pass on him ? Come on Tampa would scoop[ him up in a second put him with Stamkos then trade him again

I appreciate where you are coming from, however I just don't feel Cory has shown enough for any GM to consider him a top six player that can help a struggling team.

Of course I may be wrong.

As far as Tampa claiming Cory, no way. The reason Cory was available was because the Lightning had Tyler Johnson (5'9" 182lbs) who they believed was better than Cory.

It was also reported Stevie Y didn't want three small forwards in the line up and St Louis wasn't going anywhere.

 

[GimmeMyJetpack]

Zibby or Conacher on the fourth line and everyone on here makes afuss (as they should). Pageau on the fourth line for the first part of the season and everyone calls him a bust, says he under-performing, needs to be sent down.

hmm go figure?

BTW Pageau has more points in less games than Zibby did in the AHL when Zib got called up.

not trying to say he's better but surely he should be in the NHL

 

[Holdurbreathe]

And how do we expect him to gain confidence after he is removed after a period or two ? By the way my guess is a shift or two that is what happened the last couple of times. I guess if he doesn't produce in 2 minutes playing time we should just release him. I do agree about Zibby he is a player that can carry a line. By the way why would Murray be forced to do something ? You just stated if they are winning he wont do much of anything ? As far as playing rookies together the Conacher Zibby Silf line was excellent in there time together (3 rookies). MacLean split it up just before the playoffs because thats when other teams would go right after them and there lack of experience. Just MO

Forced may be the wrong verb, but I just don't believe it is fair to Conacher to be bounced around the lineup. If MacLean doesn't see or can't find a fit for Cory, then Murray is either going to ignore the situation of take some action.

Does that mean Murray will trade Cory if it doesn't work out playing with Spezza? IMO no.

But I also don't believe Murray can just sit and watch a young asset not getting the maximum opportunity to develop, so I believe BM has to find an answer.

IMO if Cory could be sent to Bingo without the waiver issue, he would have been sent down already.

What happened last year carries no bearing on now. Last year many things that happened were out of necessity, not design.

This year Silf has been traded, Zibby was sent down, and Cory has played mostly on the fourth line. Who would have thought last year any of this would have happened?

 

[Holdurbreathe]

Zibby or Conacher on the fourth line and everyone on here makes afuss (as they should). Pageau on the fourth line for the first part of the season and everyone calls him a bust, says he under-performing, needs to be sent down.

hmm go figure?

BTW Pageau has more points in less games than Zibby did in the AHL when Zib got called up.

not trying to say he's better but surely he should be in the NHL

Pageau was not playing well to start the season and really needed time in Bingo to reestablish his game. Yesterday he scored his first and second goals in the AHL.

Good sign for sure.

I have no problem with MacLean playing guys where he thinks they will help the team the most.

 

[saskriders]

Bruce Garrioch ‏@SunGarrioch 20m
Spezza skating with Michalek and Conacher. #Sens

I hope that means

Greening-Zib-Condra
Grant-Smith-Neil

 

[Hossa18]

You're still dealing with fantasy though.

How so? Do you think Edmonton would have done Zibanejad + Bishop for Eberle or Philadelphia say Michalek + Bishop for Simmonds

 

[God Says No]

I got a solution, how about both Zib and Conacher on the line with Spezza. Give them more than 2 games though. Let them play out.

I'm sorry, but the way Greening has been playing he belongs on the 4th line. Conacher has brought more to the team in limited minutes than Greening. I'd like to see Conacher on the line with Spezza for a while. I thought he did an OK job while he was there. Not sure why he was demoted, but I'm not a coach so maybe I didn't notice the problems.

 

[Tampacuseforever]

Zibby or Conacher on the fourth line and everyone on here makes afuss (as they should). Pageau on the fourth line for the first part of the season and everyone calls him a bust, says he under-performing, needs to be sent down.

hmm go figure?

BTW Pageau has more points in less games than Zibby did in the AHL when Zib got called up.

not trying to say he's better but surely he should be in the NHL

Not me I thought Pageau wasn't given much of an opportunity. Just look at the bright side he didn't get his own "bash him" thread.

 

[GimmeMyJetpack]

Hoffman is off to a pretty good start in Bingo these days, I would replace Conacher with him for a few games to see if we can get some scoring out of him. We ae not getting any scoring out of Conacher & he doesn't do anythig else that matters IMO. Greening & Michalek can & have dome much more for this team in there time here than Conacher has, I tired of waiting for him to score. Greening is a defensive specialist & plays his role well enough although I wish he was meaner & played with more of an edge.

So we should wait for another 20 games before giving other people a chance? Michalek and Greening both stink. They are also both very bad defensively. Im pretty sure Greening doesnt even play the PK anymore. He's soft, he loses battles in the corners and has almost zero effort.

I'm actually a big Greening fan, but his play has been so atrocious it's impossible for me to give him any more leash. If he's going to turn around his game he better do it while playing 10 minutes.

Conacher does way more on the ice. period.

 

[Stylizer1]

Zibby or Conacher on the fourth line and everyone on here makes afuss (as they should). Pageau on the fourth line for the first part of the season and everyone calls him a bust, says he under-performing, needs to be sent down.

hmm go figure?

BTW Pageau has more points in less games than Zibby did in the AHL when Zib got called up.

not trying to say he's better but surely he should be in the NHL

I would love to see Pageau next to Spezza for a few games. It is just his size that worries me but he plays with no fear.

 

[Xspyrit]

When you write one I will respond accordingly.

You said this...

So you are saying Murray traded for him just so he can do what he is doing right now?

I then said that I was going to let you figure out what the problem in your analysis was... which you didn't and probably still won't unless I draw a picture for you. Well, I highlighted in bold to help you, again.

On dirait que t'as pas inventé le bouton à quatre trous... lol

And you know what? This situation exactly reminds me about... the Bishop threads when he was a Senator. So much criticism of the move when we gave up a 2nd round pick to get him... Again, some people were trying to bring perspective but in vein, as always. There's a few things called patience, time and small sample size. Don't think I really need to explain it all.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

So we should wait for another 20 games before giving other people a chance? Michalek and Greening both stink. They are also both very bad defensively. Im pretty sure Greening doesnt even play the PK anymore. He's soft, he loses battles in the corners and has almost zero effort.

I'm actually a big Greening fan, but his play has been so atrocious it's impossible for me to give him any more leash. If he's going to turn around his game he better do it while playing 10 minutes.

Conacher does way more on the ice. period.

While Greening and Michalek may not be playing up to the expected standards, they are doing more than Conacher and they should be.

 

[Tampacuseforever]

While Greening and Michalek may not be playing up to the expected standards, they are doing more than Conacher and they should be.

Michalek accomplishes some things but Greening NO WAY, and I like Greening but he has been bad.