This Won't Last Long

Matt Puempel and Stuart Percy at the 2011 NHL Draft

Yes that's Ottawa Senators prospect Matt Puempel and Leafs prospect Stuart Percy posing together, looking as happy as can be at the 2011 NHL Draft. Maybe they don't know it yet, but this won't fly in the future, and is pretty gutsy for them to take this picture given the maniacal fanbases of the two franchises. Lesson learned lads, don't do it again.

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Zibanejad Signs ELC

Mika Zibanejad posing at the 2011 NHL entry draft

The Senators 6th overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft has officially signed a 3 year entry level contract this afternoon. This is great news because since he was a Swedish player, we had a timeline to sign him with or he wasn't eligible to play for the Sens this season. I would imagine that since they got the deal done so quickly, they are planning on him playing in the NHL this season most likely.

Either way, shoutout to BM the GM for not letting it drag on and getting it done early, so the option of where he plays is ours and not forced by a contract issue. Congratulations to Mika as well, see you in camp.

Thoughts?

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And The Rest.....

Well already all know about the three 1st rounders from yesterday, as well as the 2 local kids from the 67's and Olympiques, but what about the other 5 picks we had. Time for a wrap up of the rest of the new prospects. The Sens continued to stockpile their forwards, taking 2 centres and a left winger, as well as 2 defenceman.  Let's go through them one by one shall we:

Fredrik Claesson: He is a 6ft 198lb defenceman, who plays on the same team as 6th overall pick Mika Zibanejad in the Swedish Elite League, Djurgarden. He had 2 goals in 35 games, but is as typcial for youngsters in SEL, he doesn't get a significant amount of ice time.

Darren Kramer:  He is a 6'2, 196lb left winger from the Spokane Chiefs, who by all accounts is a rough and tough customer, as his 306 penalty minutes this season have shown us. He did have 8 goals, but all you need to do is a quick google search to find out his specialty is fighting.

Max McCormick: He is a 5'11, 175lb forward drafted from Sioux City in the USHL. In 55 games he had 21 goals and 21 assists, good for 42 points. He is a native of Wisconsin and a former winner of Mr Hockey in the state.

Jordan Fransoo: He is a 6'2, 190lb defenceman from the Brandon Wheat Kings. He had 6 goals and 12 assists, good for 18 points and a +4 this season in the WHL. He seems to be able to throw the mits as well.

Ryan Dzingel: He is a 6', 188lb centre from the USHL's Lincoln Stars. In 54 games he put up 67 points, while being a +19. If you want to learn a little bit more about Ryan click here.







Thoughts on the picks from day 2?

Sens Go Local Again At #96

After taking Shane Prince at #61 earlier today, the Sens again went the local route, taking Gatineau player Jean-Gabriel Pageau with the 96th overall pick. He is also a centre, though undersized at just 5'9 and 163lbs. On a personal note, I was able to see him play several times during the QMJHL playoffs this spring and Pageau has good wheels and skill, but his size hampers him, being pushed off the puck quite easily. He did however register 29 points in 24 playoff games.

Sens Take A 67 At 61

The Senators took an Ottawa 67's player with the last pick of the 2nd round (61st overall) acquired in the Chris Kelly trade from Boston. The Sens took American Shane Prince, a 5'10 centre, who was the star of the 67's this year, registering 88 points. He is a native of Spencerport, New York.

Senators Trade For Filatov

Nikita Filatov at the 2008 draft in Ottawa

In a fairly shock move, the Senators traded their 3rd round pick (66th overall) to the Columbus Blue Jackets, in exchange for enigmatic forward prospect Nikita Filatov. If you recall, Filatov was picked 6th overall just three years ago here in Ottawa, but has never blossomed as expected in Columbus, clashing with management several times.

What we do know however, is that he is extremely talented and has the potential to be a star player, so for a 3rd round pick, you have to love the move Murray made. I like that we took a chance and are being aggressive to improve. Hopefully a change of scenery will bring out the potential everyone knows he has.





Thoughts on the trade?

Sens Trade Up To #24, Draft Matt Puempel

Matt Puempel of the Ottawa Senators at the 2011 NHL draft in Minnesota

The Sens made a significant move, trading their 39th and 48th picks overall to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for the 24th overall pick, which they used to select Peterborough Pete Matt Puempel. Two seasons ago he was named the OHL rookie of the year and is a goal scorer, compared by TSN to Brett Hull.





Thoughts on the pick?

Sens Draft Stefan Noesen At 21st Overall

With the 21st overal pick, the Sens took Stefan Noesen from Plymouth of the Ontario Hockey League. His is a native of Plano, Texas. He was slated to go early 2nd round, but the Sens liked what they saw and pounced, pulling the trigger at #21. He is 6'1 and 190lbs. Another off the board pick by Ottawa.





Thoughts on the pick?

Zibanejad Video

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Sens Draft Zibanejad 6th Overall

Mika Zibanejad being drafted 6th overall by the Ottawa Senators

Meet your newest Senator, Mika Zibanejad, who we took 6th overall. He scored 9 points playing in the Swedish Elite League and his style of play is similiar to former Sen and frequent subject of my hate, Mike Fisher. I will try and reserve judgement but I would have preferred Sean Couturier personally. Then again, if there's one thing you can count on with the Sens, it's to do the unexpected and the opposite of what fans want.

Thoughts on the pick?

At least he is happy to be here right?

The Bizness: Draft Day 2011

So the big day is finally upon us, one that good very well alter the future of the franchise in some ways. If you have a top 6 pick, you have to nail it and this draft is full of depth but uncertainty. One thing we know is the Sens are really looking to move up, but have found the price too high so far, but that does't mean things won't change between now and draft time. Here are the rest of the days happenings......so far.

-It appears that Winnipeg franchise will be called the Jets after all and it will be announced tonight, but changing the jersey and colors? That's a fail for me, keep a classsic a classic..

These seem more ridiculous than the next to be honest, but figured I'd pass them on anyways. Jason Spezza has a NO TRADE CLAUSE and I really don't see SJ making a move for him and that salary at all. The Canucks, really?

This was the scene at a pre draft dinner last night in Minnesota. I knwo Sens fans everywhere are desperately hoping we are able to land one of the three, from left, Gabriel Landeskog, Jonathan Huberdeau and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. They are all represented by legendary tweeting agent Allan Walsh, so it's going to be a good day for him regradless of where they end up.

-If you're looking for a place to watch the Draft with people tonight, no you're not crazy, but the Senators are. There is NO OFFICIAL DRAFT PARTY!!!!!!!!! But there is a close alternative at St Louis Bar & Grill on Elgin. Click here for the details.

From what I've been hearing, if we don't move u, which is likely, the Sens will likely pick either Sean Couturier or Ryan Strome at 6th overall. Strome is a big twitter guy, so I wouldn't mind.

-There's a lot of crazy stuff being thrown around right now, as there always is at a draft, so I don't want to just but everything out there, but these are rumors I've been hearing a lot of. The Sens may be trying to make a move with their 21st overall pick, a 2nd/3rd and a prospect and/or roster player to get a 2nd pick in the top 6, while keeping their own 6th overall pick so they can lend TWO top end forwards for the rebuild.

-The Senators may trade down from 6th. This is a draft that's deep but not spectacular by all accounts. The Sens are said to like 5 players, so if they are all gone by 6 and a team comes calling then who knows. It seems like a good call to move back a few spots and gain another assest if the next 5 players value are all the same to you in my opinion.

-I've also been hearing that the Sens will likely stand pat at 6, but may try and move up from 21 to grab another guy. The Senators have been negotiating with the Dallas Stars for the 14th overall pick.

-There's also been some talk with Colorado about a trade, but likely not involving draft picks but rather roster players on both sides. Interesting! But if Brian Elliott comes back I will lose it.

-Speaking of losing it, rumors are the Sens and Rangers have been talking deal, one that would include Marian Gabrik coming to Ottawa. No! Please No! God No! It isn't fair!

And here is a shot of where all the work will be going on tonight in Minnesota. Looks like we have a pretty good seat this year. Let's hope it's a good night, one that helps the franchise get back to being succesful. I'm in a good mood today, I feel good things are going to happen tonight.


So that's it for now but I will be posting new information and live covering the drfat all day/night on twitter, so follow me @SensTown and stay up to date on the latest rumors and trade possibilities involving the Senators.

2011 NHL Draft Reader Polls

The 2011 NHL entry draft is tomorrow in Minnesota, and for the first time in a decade, the draft will play an important part of our team. With plenty of picks from trades made last season, this draft will be the building block of our total rebuild, so the next few days will be very important to our future as an organization. There's a ton of speculation and rumors going around right now about everything from moving up to the #1 overall pick, to trading Jason Spezza, to landing 2 top end forwards. So I figured let's hear what the fans want heading into Friday night with a post entirely made of polls. I look forward to seeing the feedback.






Simple question: Will the Sens make a big deal, a minor deal or stand pat on draft day?




Who do you WANT them to pick, not who they WILL pick.




When in a rebuild you need pretty much everything but what do you think we need most?




Will the Senators stay pat at #6 or will they move up as is being reported everywhere?




Not who do you want like earlier, but who WILL they pick. Predict the player we select at #6.





Who do you want the Sens to take with our second 1st round pick at 21 overall?



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Since The Sens Dropped The Ball...AGAIN

In a really hard to understand move, the Ottawa Senators organization are not having an official draft party this year, which makes little to no sense since this will be our busiest/most important draft in 10 years. Just another bone head move by the front office.

But fear not, someone has picked up the slack, so if you want to watch the 2011 NHL Draft with some fellow Sens fans, head on down to St Louis Bar & Grill on Elgin and watch with Sens Chirp, the Red Scarf Union and the rest of the Sens Army. It should be a fun event, so head on down and hang out with everyone and talk some hockey.


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Episode 2

After episode 1 being a bit of a bust, episode 2 of Senate Reform is here, mostly featuring potential draftee interviews, which of course is pretty boring. It was interesting to hear Ty Rattie say his comparable NHL player is Jason Spezza, which I'm sure had made them immediately scratch him off their list. Enjoy episode 2.

Thoughts?

Senate Reform

I'm not exactly sure what's coming June 6th, but I am curious to see. It's an interesting date they chose, since the video is all about the NHL draft and the 2011 draft edition isn't until the end of June.

Thoughts?

Memorial Cup Final Has Many Sens Twists

Sens and Mississauga owner Eugene Melnyk at Memorial Cup press conference

The final game of the junior hockey season is tonight, as the Memorial Cup Final has the Saint John Sea Dogs taking on the Mississauga St Michael's Majors at the Hershey Centre (7pm on sportsnet). Now you may be asking yourself, why are you writing about junior hockey, it has nothing to do with the Sens. If you thought that, how wrong you are. There are several Sens related storylines featured in the final, observe.

-First off, the tournament is hosted by Sens owner Eugene Melnyk, who of course owns the Mississauga St Michael's Majors. So not only is the host, but his team is also in the final.

-Second of all, many Sens fans (msyelf inculded) are dreaming of a scenario in which Jonathan Huberdeau ends up in an Ottawa jersey come draft day. His very strong play in the playoffs is making that less likely by the minute, but still worth a watch to see the Sea Dog lace em up. If that wasn't enough, Saint John also has 9 players, yes 9 players ranked in the top 60 of North America's top skaters for June's draft. So this is must see TV for all you draft geeks out there. There's a decent possibility one of them maybe be our property with our second first round pick, or one of our 2nd round picks.

-And thirdly, Mississauga coach Dave Cameron appears to be a front runner for the head coaching vacancy in Ottawa. I don't really approve, and from what I've heard, neither do most Sens fans, but Melnyks comments recently suggest it will likely be Cameron behind the bench. You'd have to think it's almost a sure thing if he manages to win tonight.

So there are your Sens related storylines for the final tonight. Tune in to watch since hockey is almost done for the year.

Thoughts?

Bruins Win Almost Finalizes Kelly Deal

The Bruins and Chris Kelly (#23) celebrating their game 7 victory to send them to the Stanley Cup Finals

With the Boston Bruins winning game 7 last night and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final, it also almost concludes the details of the Chris Kelly deal from February. In the deal, the Sens were to recieve the Bruins 2nd round pick in this June's draft in Minnesota, and with the B's now advancing to the final, the pick will either be #60 or #61 overall. If Tampa had of won it would have been 58th overall. So now all that's left is to see if the Bruins win the Stanley Cup or not to determine if we move back a spot or stand pat at 60th.

Thoughts?

Draft Lottery Tonight

Tonight is the start of the Sens offseason, with the 2011 NHL Draft Lottery taking place at 8pm on TSN. This may not seem like a big deal, but it could be franchise altering. By the end of the show, we will find out where we will be drafting in June.

Due to our season ending strong play, we have moved down from dead last at one point and a certain top 3 pick, to 5th last overall. So what does that mean exactly? It means we still have a chance to move up to get the #1 overall pick, but it's only 8.1%, so don't hold your breath. All I'm hoping is that we move up at least one spot into the top 4 so we're able to grab one of so called big players. For your odds info click here.
So who are we hoping to get?

Well yesterday the NHL released its final player scouting rankings, so take a few minutes and browse the guys and check out some of the top prospects. I was hoping for Landeskog, who is a Sens fan, but I doubt he goes past pick 2, so unless we move up, we're out of luck. And THAT is why it was foolish to start Anderson so much down the stretch, especially once he was re-upped. If we hadn't of played so well, we would have been in much better draft position. Let's just hope the ping pong balls bounce our way tonight.

So will the Sens move up? Who do you want them to draft?

We will be covering it all and joking around on twitter during the lottery, so add me on twitter to get in on all the fun @SensTown