BlogsMar 12, 2009Suck it up, Buttercup
BOSTON - Filip Kuba will miss his third straight game with an "illness" tonight.
To me, this just isn't right. At the risk of sounding like I'm just picking on the guy, how sick can he be? I mean, really. I saw Kuba this morning. He looked fine. He had just been to breakfast and he was on his way to the rink, where he and Chris Neil were the only two Senators to go for the morning skate. Afterwards, Neil determined that he was going to play tonight against the Bruins, but Kuba deemed it necessary for another couple of days off to make sure he's fully recovered from the flu? Nope, it just isn't right. Of course it would take a miracle finish for the Senators to make the playoffs. But it's like the "so you're telling me there's a chance," line from Dumb and Dumber. Even a long shot is better than no shot at all. And if they are still alive, they should be swinging with everything. That means playing even if you're not 100 percent. The guy is supposed to be one of their top defencemen, right? I don't agree but some even think he's been their best this season. So even at 75 percent, he should be able to help them. And if he's well enough to be eating regular meals and if he's no danger to the other players, what could possibly keep him out of the lineup? That his energy level isn't up to par? So what. Take shorter and fewer shifts. Just play the power play. Do what you can. Suck it up. If they were already mathematically eliminated from the race, it wouldn't be such a big deal. But with every game here on in virtually being like sudden death for the Senators, you better be telling the coach you're good to go even if you're not. Especially if you're the highest paid defenceman and supposedly a valuable piece of the team. I watched Hockey Night in Canada's After Hours a couple of weeks ago. They were asking Edmonton defenceman Steve Staois about playing a game when he was right in the middle of a bout with the flu. He said he had to because the team needed him. As long as they're still breathing, you'd think the Senators would need Kuba just as much. I guess that's the difference between being tough and being a cream puff. Comments:
Comment from: Recalcitrant Pierre [Visitor]
Always been the way with this team, that Alfredsson and Phillips are the only ones to sacrifice. Kuba has his big deal, mailing it in now.
Can't believe that Murray gave this stiff a NTC...but I guess it's part of the Ottawa experience now: See the Parliament, the Market, the Canal get a No Trade Clause too! "Visitor" 
12/03/2009 @ 15:27
Comment from: DANIEL MURPHY [Visitor]
Good Blog Don. I agree with you one hundred percent. I sometimes wonder if pro hockey players suffer twice and three times as long as average Joe's when it comes to flu bugs, colds etc... It sure seems so. Doesn't management, the coach or the team Doc not have any say as to whether he should be playing or not?
Everyone is talking that Ottawa needs 94 points to have a chance at 8th place. The way some of the teams ahead of them are playing, perhaps 90 points might be enough. If so, going 12-4 or 13-3 in their last 16 games is not the impossible dream and would give them 90-92 points. Something to strive for eh??? Imagine the excitement in Senatorville if we had a legitimate chance to make the playoffs with one or two games to go. Okay....as Aerosmith might say Dream On....Dream On!!!!
12/03/2009 @ 15:40
Comment from: Pavan Singh [Visitor]
Well said Don. We used to play rugby with broken fingers, toes and separated shoulders.
I like Kuba, but as you say, if he can help the team, even a little, he should play. Pansy. Dan - yeah I still have hope somewhere. If Ottawa makes the play-offs all drinks are on me for the night, and well.. you know how much Bobby and I can drink! haha. Don't let Mike Eastwood know that you are still hoping, he apparently has already mailed it in.
12/03/2009 @ 15:50
Comment from: bobby goodman [Visitor]
Hi gang, Dawn is right about Kuba but that is your reward for NTC. Don't you find it interesting that Shooburt isn't good enough most nights and is tgherefore relegated to the press box...but when he is in the line-up he plays his regular shift, the PK and the PP! We saw a good example of how vulnerable Compoli can be defensively...small, soft, slow but he does make an offensive contribution. Regin and Shannon look great out there. Who was the one guy who road the pines the entire 3rd period though and why????
12/03/2009 @ 16:03
Comment from: Pavan Singh [Visitor]
Bobby... see I kinda like Campoli... I think he can be something great for this team... he just needs to grow in to his role. Lets give me a full season to gel with the guys and turn it around.
I think my new fav player (other than Alfie) has to be Shannon. Man.. he is everywhere on the ice, fast, quick, good hands.. and he has no issues with the physical aspect too... and considering he is not the biggest guys....... I am pretty impressed so far. No idea what the heck is going on with Heatly. He should hang is head in shame. Bobby.. watching Spezza the last few games.. I have to admit that he is looking pretty good out there on the ice. I am not sold 100%, but lets see if he can become a true 2 way player.... 21 Mar 09 - Have a chance to get tickets and dinner at the senate club for 100$. Who is in?
12/03/2009 @ 17:08
Comment from: bobby goodman [Visitor]
Spez is special my man! If OV was on his line he would score 100 goals. Heater fans on a lot of opportunities. I like him though. Spez is creative as hell and the best passer I have ever seen. He makes passes like Gretz used to make...soft ones that fall into a hole expecting someone to be there; Yari Kurri would always be there but in Ottawa it is not the case. To me buddy, Campoli is no different from Bell or Pickard...what is the difference? Pickard is 6-2, 220 though! Gimme the big, tough and scary defencemen...right now, opposing forwards go over our blue line and race into each corner with reckless abandon (no fear)...Bell and Campoli allow them in the corners first and then try to fish out after...I have always hated that! Regin and
Shannon in particular are great. When is the dinner and a game...I am sick as a dog right now and for stupid reason my asthma is the worst it has ever been. No marathon this spring!
12/03/2009 @ 17:49
Comment from: bobby goodman [Visitor]
...of course there wasn't one last year or any year before that...
12/03/2009 @ 17:58
Comment from: Sun Comments [Visitor]
What, Don, nothing to write about today? If you saw Kuba today, did you ask him how he was feeling? Do you even know what's wrong with him. What's wrong with you?
Why do you have to pick on everything and everyone? I have a good idea, let's run Kuba out of town. Then you'll have someone new to pick on.
12/03/2009 @ 20:23
Comment from: Recalcitrant Pierre [Visitor]
Yeah Spezza is nice...I'm still torn about him though. He goes through so many quiet stretches where you just expect more and he breaks open a game sometime.
Foligno has to be one of my favorites right now...and hey, Don is allowed to ask questions isn't he? "Vistor"
12/03/2009 @ 22:58
Comment from: Ja Du [Visitor]
If Kuba was that sick, there is no way he would be around the team - no way they would risk that he spreads it to others. Is the flue perhaps the word being used to conceal and injury of some type?
If I am not mistaken, I believe his NTC is only for one year? Besides, he was willing to waive his not long ago. I think Kuba and Campoli have been good additions, like Pavan said, lets see in a years time. Shannon is good, Foligno looks good, etc...nice to see the young guys fitting in nicely. Who knows about this year, but I think we will be much stronger next year. I also like the new coach.
13/03/2009 @ 07:14
Comment from: Nancy Dddd [Visitor]
Hey Bobby, how about Pickard and Campoli as a defensive pair? Campoli brings the offense, and Pickard brings the pain. It would be an awesome combination. Besides, Campoli needs that big tough defensive d-man behind him to give him the freedom to use his offensive abilities without risking opportunities the other way.
And you guys are right on about Shannon. This kid really could've made a difference for this team if he was in Ottawa all season. I guess we do have some good things to look forward to next season. Some of these young guys can play, and picking int he top 10 we should get an NHL calibre player for down the road. As for Kuba..........if I have to go to work with the flu (with the added bonus on sneezing on as many people - and managers - as possible) then send the buttercup on the ice! As long as he isn't contageous to the rest of the team. And Bobby, I can feel your pain. This has been the worst winter for my asthma as well.
13/03/2009 @ 07:30
Comment from: dbrennan [Member]
I like the visitor who's giving me a hard time about the topic I decided to write on here yesterday. I thought it was a legitimate issue.
See Booby, people give me crap for being negative or hard on players, too ... ha.
13/03/2009 @ 08:27
Comment from: Sun Comments [Visitor]
Don, I'm just giving you a hard time because we all know you like Chris Neil more than Kuba. You're likely worried (rightly so) that Kuba's recent contract likely means there's not going to be enough dough to pay Neil this summer. So, it's probably a good time to kick Kuba while he's down while simultaneously hyping Neil. ;-)
13/03/2009 @ 09:59
Comment from: Pavan Singh [Visitor]
SunComments.. thats not what Don is saying at all. Don is saying that the team has a glimmer of hope making the playoffs and Kuba can help, even if its just a little bit.
You are reading way too much in to it. Its like you are looking for things to pick on. I am in 100% agreement... Kuba is well enough to play and help. Plain and simple.
13/03/2009 @ 10:06
Comment from: bobby goodman [Visitor]
Yes indeed Shannon and Regin look good out there! I love to "Yutes" who actually want the puck and thenc do something with it! I don't know about Kuba's health, but to hear that Dawn saw him in person, means he isn't sick enough to be in bed...so as Dawn suggests "suck it up and play" my man! Last night showed some deficiencies, the lack of speed in Bell, Comrie and Campoli's game. I saw Campoli hit the breaks hard to let someone in the corner first...I hate that. Shoobert has now sat out 28 games and now has 2 goals (tied with Kuba one behind Wince). He hit people too...imagine what he could do if they invested in him like they have invested in Wince. Spezza gets two goals and should have got two assists and was not a star. Heatley, who gave the puck away (and really did give the puck a number of times) got a star. He takes a shot from a bad angle - Spezza bangs in the rebound and Galley says Spezza scores on a nice feed from Heatley.??? Spezza gets another goal from fighting for position in front of the net after Boston lost control of the puck and Alfie took a wild swing at the bouncing puck (that is all he did as the play came right after the face off and Galley says Spezza scores after some hard work from Alfie. Shannan makes a pass to a Senator driving to the net and Galley says GREAT PASS from Shannon but Spezza makes a dozen of those a game and others of more spectacular variety and nary a word is mentioned. Methinks Spezza is like Patrick Swayze in the movie Ghost.
13/03/2009 @ 12:48
Comment from: Ja Du [Visitor]
Bobby you clearly have favorites....Is Comrie not bringing more than MacAmmond? Campoli, the guy has produced to date...no? Like our forwards, some crash hard into the corners and others, thats not their game. I think in many ways we expect everyone on defence to play like Chara - man how I wish that!!! But that is not reality.... Reality is we need a mix of guys. We need the Neil, we need the Spezza, we need A train, and we need guys like Kuba and Campoli....Would love to debate at the next pint call.....LOL ....have a great weekend everyone!
14/03/2009 @ 00:13
Comment from: bobby goodman [Visitor]
I would love to raise a pint with you my friend!! I have relegated Pav and Murph to make this happen...again. I absolutely do have favorites Ja Du. There are some truisms in hockey. Everyone is looking for a player who is big and fast. If you are not big...you gotta play big...if you are not big and don't play big...you had better be very fast! Comrie most definitely is doing more than McAmmond but, like Bell and Campoli, he is good from their blue line in only! I really don't see a diference between Campoli, Bell, Kuba and Pickard, Lee and very soon Karlson...all are soft and in my mind, that does not bode well for the future. This is just my opinion budd c'est ca!
14/03/2009 @ 10:10
Comment from: Pavan Singh [Visitor]
All... the next drink up.... how about next weekend? I am still fending for my self till Sunday... :P
They are playing the Islanders..... anyone suggest a place? H&C was good.. actully Bobby.. it was great huh? :P Thoughts? 3PM game.... Hope I can watch... busy renovating.. fun fun.
14/03/2009 @ 12:07
Comment from: bobby goodman [Visitor]
I am in for next weekend and the H and C was great! I would also do a Filthy McNasty's. I am typing away killing time between the 2nd and 3rd and miffed as the missed opps. I think it is silly to have Campoli and Bell as a team on the point at anytime in the game. Campoli has given the puck away 3 times and way to slow to revover and Bell was grossly out of position on Sid's gift!
14/03/2009 @ 16:53 Leave a comment:
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Don Brennan, Bruce Garrioch and Chris Stevenson are Ottawa's all-star hockey writing trio, and all will be regularly contributing to Off The Posts. Their combined experience of more than 60 years as sports writers means they have the sources to get the inside information not available to others on the Senators and the NHL. Check back often for notes, quotes and commentary. They might even disagree with each other once in awhile. Last 10 postsLast 10 comments
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
