And Somewhere, Don Brennan's Head Exploded...

Written by Nichols

Thursday, 10 July 2008 15:20

There's a serious pattern breaking out for the sports writers of the Ottawa Sun. Whenever it's been a slow news period for the Sens this summer, Don Brennan has reverted to use his offseason tactic of implying that the Sens should sign -insert former Ottawa 67's name here - to a contract. This trend has been going on for years and has effectively been employed on three occasions already this summer and that does not include an article recommending that Randy Cunneyworth be given the reigns behind the bench.

The latest former 67 to be lauded by Donnie is defenceman Brendan Bell, who would "provide some puck-moving depth to the Sens blueline." Interestingly enough, Bell was signed this afternoon to a two-way, one year contract and it marks the first time in recent memory that Don threw shit at the wall and had it stick.

I'm not even chirping Brennan because he advocated the Bell signing. Bell isn't anything more than depth fodder and he isn't a serious threat to crack the Sens lineup unless the team is riddled with injuries. What I do find hilarious is that the basis for the Brennan articles is, "This kid played with the 67's so he's a great option."

Yes article essentially comes about one week after Brennan penned a piece saying that Zenon Kenopka, a former 67's captain, would be a great addition to the team. It also comes a month after Don-Don proclaimed that the Sens needed to bring in Brian Campbell and Jason Spezza's friend, Gary Roberts. Notice a theme? Me too...it's called journalistic diarrhea.

Apparently Brennan didn't receive the memo that you're not supposed to advocate an Ottawa 67's acquisition after Chris Stevenson once wrote how the Sens erred by 'reaching' and picking Marian Hossa ahead of the more highly touted Matt Zultek.

I'm not even offended by the fact that the articles are the same except that the players' names and positions have been interchanged. I'm offended by the latest article because Don seems to think that Ottawa needs a puck moving defenceman. According to Brennan, "Bell has, in the past, exhibited the puck-moving, offensive skills the Senators organization requires in a blueliner."

You mean the puck-moving defenceman that the Sens had in Joe Corvo? You know the offensive-minded defenceman who you helped make feel uncomfortable and unwanted here by giving him the ridiculous nickname "Uh-oh". If anything, I fault Corvo for investing too much interest into what was being written about him. Oh, and I guess you can fault him for his emo tattoos and his frosted tips too (I'd link the article but it doesn't show in its entirety. Apparently you'd have to pay $12 to read the rest of it and it could possibly be the worst investment since Enron). But hey, for $2.5 million, Corvo would still look pretty good in an Ottawa uniform and yes, even with his Mickey Mouse tattoos.

Hilarious enough, in his July 4th blog Brennan actually had the audacity to question why Dan Boyle did not want to come to Ottawa in a trade. Here's an exerpt of what was written:

"Senators fans should hope that the reason has to do with Ottawa not wanting to also take Boyle's buddy Brad Lukowich in a trade, and that his inclusion was the only way the clause was getting ripped up. Otherwise, you might speculate that the Ottawa native detests the thought of living in this city again (unimaginable) or he doesn't think a whole lot of the Senators organization. Could it be that he doesn't see them contending again for awhile? What else?" - Don Brennan

Hmmm, how about the impulsive, knee-jerk reactions made by many of the sensationalist beat writers in this fine city? Nah!