| Newsbreakers |
|
|
| With regular captain Daniel Alfredsson out a number of weeks, forward Dany Heatley will take on the role as temporary captain, according to the Ottawa Citizen. |
Our View: Heatley is very skilled, and already has three goals in the team's first two games. It would not be unreasonable for him to accumulate 50 goals for fantasy owners this season. |
|
|
|
| Goalie Martin Gerber stopped 38-of-41 shots but ended up taking a loss to the Red Wings on Saturday night. |
Our View: We're sure the local press will keep the goalie controversy theme going. Frankly, we think it's silly to discount Gerber so early in the season. |
|
|
|
| Former Tampa Bay Lightning head coach John Tortorella, who now does television broadcasts for TSN in Canada, had some choice words for Ottawa center Jason Spezza, according to Sun Media. "If Jason Spezza doesn't learn how to be a pro, (the Senators are) going nowhere ... And the last thing -- just shut up and play. I watch his interviews and it's like he has three Stanley Cup rings already. You haven't won squat. Play," said Tortorella. |
Our View: Tortorella has won a Stanley Cup, but he was also fired from the Lightning last year, and replaced by ESPN analyst Barry Melrose. Spezza has played two games this season, and three points on a goal and two assists. |
|
|
|
| Daniel Alfredsson will undergo surgery to remove a bone chip from his knee and will be out of action for two weeks, according to the AP. |
Our View: Alfredsson, the Senators' captain, hurt his knee in the team's game against the Penguins last Sunday. Alfredsson had two assists in the game, which Ottawa won, 3-1. |
|
|
|
| Cody Bass has been sent to the minors, according to the Ottawa Sun. |
Our View: The young center exudes toughness, but was unable to crack the Senators' solid veteran roster. |
|
|
|
| Mike Fisher skated on his own Tuesday and is expected to do the same today, according to the Ottawa Sun. He has been recovering from a groin injury. |
Our View: If all goes favorably, he'll practice with the team tomorrow. There is a chance he can take the ice Saturday against Detroit. |
|
|
|
| Ottawa goalie Martin Gerber will remain the starter for the Senators, despite not playing well in the first game of the season and backup Alex Auld excelling, according to TSN.com. |
Our View: Auld played well in the team's second game of the year, holding the Penguins to one goal. The team is downplaying any type of goalie controversy, and maintain that Gerber is the man. |
|
|
|
| Alex Auld will get the start for the Senators on Sunday, The Ottawa Citizen reports. The team wanted to give him a start with only three games over the next two weeks. |
Our View: Auld has minimal value as a backup, but Martin Gerber does not seem to have the strongest hold on the job as Ottawa's starting goaltender. |
|
|
|
| Mike Fisher will be a scratch for the second game in a row with a groin injury, the Senators' team website reports. |
Our View: Ottawa has some time off after Sunday's game, so Fisher probably won't miss many more games. |
|
|
|
| Dany Heatley scored two power-play goals in the Senators 3-1 victory over the Penguins in Sweden on Sunday. |
Our View: Heatley already has three goals in two regular season contests and is off to a quick start as he looks to return to the 50-goal plateau he reached in his first two seasons in Ottawa before falling back to 41 last season in a campaign that was cut a bit short due to a shoulder injury. |
|
|
|
| Making his first regular season start for the Senators, Alex Auld turned aside 30 of 31 shots in the Sens 3-1 victory over the Penguins. |
Our View: Martin Gerber allowed four goals in his first start but he is still expected to hold down the number one job in Ottawa. Look for Auld to appear in 25-30 games this season unless Gerber fails to impress. |
|
|
|
| Daniel Alfredsson had two assists on Sunday, both coming on the power-play, as he was able to play in front of his countrymen in Sweden in the Senators 3-1 victory over the Penguins. |
Our View: Alfie is still working on a contract extension off the ice, but on it he had a nice rebound effort today after a poor first outing (zero points, -3). Alfredsson will put up a point per game this season while providing tons of production on special teams. |
|
|
|
| Filip Kuba racked up a pair of assists in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Penguins. |
Our View: The defenseman looks to be productive while serving on the power-play this season, and is worth consideration as a flier. One of his assists today came on the power-play. |
|
|
|
| Jason Spezza generated a goal and an assist in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh. |
Our View: Spezza averages 34 goals and 55 assists over his last two seasons with Ottawa, and looks to stay on par in 2008, making him a strong choice as a fantasy center. |
|
|
|
| Martin Gerber stopped 26-of-30 shots in Saturday's 4-3 preseason loss to the Penguins. |
Our View: Gerber won 30 games last season, but only held a .910 save percentage. He ranks as a solid No. 1 fantasy goalie, but is not going to push for elite status. |
|
|
|
| Senators center Mike Fisher aggravated his groin injury and may miss the team's season opening game against Pittsburgh, according to the Ottawa Sun. |
Our View: If Fisher can't go, Shean Donovan or Dean McAmmond would take his place in the lineup. |
|
|
|
| Daniel Alfredsson's representatives will meet with Senators management to begin negotiations on a contract extension, according to TSN.com. |
Our View: Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza have long-term deals, and though Alfredsson has option years left on his contract, he can opt out if he reaches 70 points in 70 games next season. |
|
|
|
| Christoph Schubert has been moved back to forward from defense, according to the Ottawa Sun. |
Our View: He is working as a fourth-line winger, and will provide insurance in case one of the defensemen gets hurt. He should also remain active on defense as a penalty-killer, and is worth drafting in the final rounds of larger leagues, based on his versatility. |
|
|
|
