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Are we witnessing one of the biggest regular season collapses in sports history? Quite possibly, the only comparison I can make to the Senators right now is the 2007 New York Mets. Last September, the Mets had a game 7-game lead atop the National League East with 17 games left in the season. Not only did the Mets blow their lead and completely miss the playoffs, they blew their lead in style. Errors? Tons. Base-running mistakes? Yep. Crappy bullpen? You betcha. Clutch hitting? Non-existent. Fractured dressing room? They had that too, hell half their guys cannot speak English.
After watching last night's debacle of a game, the only positive I could take from the loss was that a lower position in the standings would translate into a higher draft pick. The only way that this team could wind up with a low draft pick is for the team to win the Stanley Cup . By losing their game last night, the Sens have only won 2 of their last 8 games. They have now been passed in the standings by the Rangers and now sit tied for 6th with Boston (although the Sens have the tie-breaker). More interestingly, we sit 2 points ahead of the 9th place Capitals and 1 point ahead of the 8th place Flyers. Right now, the Senators ship is sinking and sinking fast. At this rate, I'd be desperate enough to take a life preserver thrown by the crew of the Rosie Family Cruise.
I do not even think it's necessary to analyze this team until the either miss the playoffs or make the first round. The only thing you can say about this team right now is that they don't have "it". In a moment of weakness, I'll go out on a limb and say that they flat out suck. In fact, the only optimism I have is that the fans and the media continue to write off the club. For the first time possibly ever, the work ethic and production of certain players is being called into question. Whether or not this bursts the comfort bubbles of players like Chris Phillips or Mike Fisher remains to be seen. But the locals in this city are seething and continue to point the finger at every player on the roster.
I will give Spezza credit for coming out on camera and saying that it's BS that they're not putting forth a significant work ethic. Hell, Spezza even dropped the gloves with Andrei Markov in the second period of the game against the Habs. Interestingly, if you watch the video of the fight, you'll notice that hardly anyone on the Sens bench is standing to cheer him on as the fight was going on? It was only after the fight that people got up to bang their sticks on the side of the boards.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwHQkGFTVrQ&hl=en]
As I continue to peruse the NHL standings, I cannot help but notice that San Jose has gone 18-0-2 in their last 20 games. At this point, I'd like to take the time to thank Wade Redden for refusing to accept a trade towards the trade deadline. Not only will you flee for a Western Conference team in the off-season, you have set back Ottawa's ability to retool. Imagine receiving the compensation Buffalo did when they dealt Brian Campbell to San Jose. Damn, who wouldn't want Bernier and a first-rounder for a "shell of what Wade Redden used to be".
The biggest complaint against No-Trade was the fact that he was a positive influence in the community and that he had a box at ScotiaBank Place for kids from Cheo. While I am not a spokesperson for the Sens Army, I think that it's safe to say that members of the Sens Army (including myself) would pony up the cash to continue to allow Cheo kids to come to games. Just get this clown out of town.
If the Sens don't make the playoffs, I propose we protest outside No-Trade's Kanata Lakes home. Or better yet, make like OJ Simpson's fans during the Juice's chase on the LA freeway. We'll find out what day he's leaving town, have fans line up on all the overpasses over the Queensway holding signs and banners while cheering his departure. Here are some suggestions:
1. "Thief!"
2. "Wade Redden Pissed On Me" - A favorite suggestion made by my friend Nick. Borrowed from the movie Ed TV when Woody Harrelson's character puts out a book entitled, My Brother Pissed On Me.
3. "Bruce Garrioch Crapped Out Wade"
4. "Hit the Gym! Not the Bars!"
5. "Where's My Alimony?"
6. "Prick!" - My personal favorite.
If you have any other suggestions...feel free to post them.
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