Ottawa Senators

The New York Islanders lost to the Ottawa Senators for the second time in the last week, dropping a road contest 5-2. The story of the game was not the fact that the Islanders lost, but more so that it appears that the Isles will be sellers at the deadline.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Islanders wanted to wait for the result of this game to decide whether they were going to be buyers or sellers. New York made no clear indication of their team's direction after the game, but most believe they will be sellers when all is said and done.

The top two players available from the Islanders are believed to be P.A. Parenteau and Evgeni Nabokov.

Recently the Islanders said they were 50/50 on signing Nabokov to an extension according to John Shannon of Sportsnet. Many believe that the Islanders are bluffing in order to get more in return for Nabokov. They may not be with the way he has played down the stretch; he has single-handedly kept the Islanders in the playoff run with the way he has played of late.

P.A. Parenteau is gaining interest from a variety of teams. The Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs have all inquired about the talented winger.

Although there was some recent buzz about forward Kyle Okposo, BD Gallof of New York's WFAN, has cited a source that says "no."

This game against the Senators may be the last game for Parenteau or Nabokov or both as an Islander. Garth Snow has a history of not making any big moves, but with Parenteau and Nabokov available, look for Snow to move at least one of them before the deadline hits on Monday. Isles fans can only hope for a lofty return.

Unless you've been too busy focusing on the upcoming trade deadline, you have to know about the recent third-year phenom defenseman, Erik Karlsson.

Over the past couple of months, Karlsson has been increasing his point total on nearly a nightly basis for the Ottawa Senators. 

He's made the struggling Senators into a legitimate playoff team, making his longtime Senator teammates Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza better in the process. 

Currently, Karlsson is on a seven-game point streak, racking up six goals, 11 assists and 17 points.

Overall, he leads all defensemen in scoring by a whopping 24 points with his 65-point performance this season. Brian Campbell is a distant second with 41 points. 

So, does Karlsson have the Norris Trophy all but wrapped up?

Not so fast. 

In the past, the Norris Trophy has steered away from purely offensive defensemen and has been awarded to two-way, point-producing stalwarts like Nicklas Lidstrom and Zdeno Chara. 

Shea Weber is a major player in the Norris discussion as well this season. He has led the Predators yet again into playoff position by notching 14 goals and a plus-17 rating. Amazingly, eight of his goals have come on the power play, making Weber one of the true power-play quarterbacks on defense in the league today.

However, using Duncan Keith's Norris Trophy winning season in 2009-10 as a template, it appears as if Karlsson has a pretty good shot at winning the Norris.

Keith had a breakout year in Chicago in 2009-10, registering 69 points in 82 games. Even though it can be argued that Keith is better defensively than Karlsson, you can't ignore that his offensive numbers are what really landed him his first and only Norris so far. 

When compared to what Karlsson is doing to the league right now, Keith's numbers almost look silly. If Karlsson keeps on his current pace, he'll finish the season with a plus-19 rating, 65 assists and an incredible 83 points in 81 games. 

A point per game or better performance by a Norris Trophy winning defenseman hasn't been seen since Lidstrom won his fourth in 2005-06. 

In the end, if Karlsson can keep up his current blistering pace, it will be hard for anyone to not vote him first in the Norris ballot.

Even though giving a purely offensive defenseman the Norris Trophy may be a bitter pill to swallow for some, it is the correct choice in this situation. 

Every St. Louis Blues fan knew that this deal was coming. The Blues had Jaroslav Halak locked up for a few years, and with the stellar play of Brian Elliot and his brand new, two-year contract extension, there was no place in St. Louis for Ben Bishop. The deal was inevitable.

Ben Bishop grew up in St. Louis. He played for the Chaminade Red Devils, a local high school, so playing for the Blues would have been a dream that not many players can achieve. But, Ottawa is still a great destination for the NHL-ready goaltender. 

Ottawa was having their fair share of goaltending problems. They chose to let Elliot go in this past offseason, and now he is having a career year with the Blues. Craig Anderson has not been the goalie that he can be. And now, he could be out long term after cutting himself with a knife and tearing a tendon in his hand.

Ottawa is currently sitting in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, and relying on a back-up goaltender is not the way to make it into April. Ottawa needed an NHL-ready goaltender, and Ben Bishop was the answer.

Bishop has played in only 13 games, but has been the back-up for many more. He was the back-up during the Blues' 2008 playoff run, and knows what it takes to be the starting goaltender. He is arguably the best goaltender in the AHL, being the first star in the AHL All-Star game this season. Bishop would have been the back-up to Jaroslav Halak had Brian Elliot not been playing out of his mind this season.

For the Blues, this trade is a bittersweet trade. The Blues loved having the homegrown talent in Bishop. He worked as hard as anyone else on the team, and was putting everything on the line.

However, the Blues knew they couldn't hold on to Bishop and had to trade him, for fear of losing him in the offseason for nothing. By sending him to Ottawa, Bishop is all but guaranteed to be playing in Ottawa, if not starting.

The Blues, in return for Bishop, get a second round pick. St. Louis always has drafted well, with players like David Perron, TJ Oshie, and David Backes, all who are now the core of the St. Louis Blues, being picked from the amateur leagues. This pick should be like every other one, a great player that will eventually be part of the winning organization.

Ben Bishop was all but out of St. Louis. There was nowhere for him to go at the NHL level, even though he was playing like he should be there. Ottawa was in desperate need of an NHL-ready goaltender, and Bishop was the answer. It's a win for everyone involved. 

The Ottawa Senators are reportedly close to acquiring St. Louis Blues goaltender Ben Bishop, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

League sources say Senators closing in on deal for Ben Bishop from STL Blues. Could be done today. #Sens #SNTrade

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) February 26, 2012

UPDATE: Sunday, Feb. 26 at 11:50 a.m. ET

According to the Ottawa Sun, Bishop has been traded to the Senators from the Blues for a draft pick.

Senators gave up a draft pick for Ben Bishop. #Sens #NHL

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) February 26, 2012

According to TSN, the Blues have acquired a 2013 second round pick for Bishop.

This is a great move for the Senators, who were able to acquire a talented young goaltender without giving up an NHL player or a top-tier prospect. It will be interesting to see if they re-sign Bishop in the summer when he could become an unrestricted free agent.

With starting goaltender Craig Anderson out for an unspecified time after undergoing surgery on his right hand last week, the Senators found themselves in a situation where trading for another talented goalie for the playoffs became a priority.

Backup netminder Alex Auld has not played well this season, and he gave up four goals in a loss to the Northeast division rival Boston Bruins on Saturday night.

Bishop, 25, is arguably the best goaltender in the AHL and is fourth in GAA and first in save percentage. With Bishop eligible to become an unrestricted this summer, the Blues would be smart to trade him because there isn't a spot for him on the NHL roster in the immediate future.

The strong play of Jaroslav Halak and the emergence of veteran Brian Elliott has made it very tough for Bishop to crack the Blues lineup this season. Since there isn't a good chance he re-signs with the team in the offseason, St. Louis might as well get some value in return for him before he's lost for nothing.

It will be interesting to find out exactly what the Senators are offering the Blues for Bishop, because with several playoff-contending teams in need of serious goalie help—like the Toronto Maple Leafs—St. Louis could get a very nice package of players and/or draft picks in exchange for Bishop.

#SNtrade talk. Bishop regarded by many as best #AHL goalie. Wonder how many #NHL teams made play for #Blues UFA prospect besides #Sens?

— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) February 26, 2012

If the Senators can acquire Bishop without overpaying, it will be a tremendous addition to the team and may help them secure a playoff berth over the next few weeks.

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Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.

Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray would be crippling the team's chances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by dealing defenseman Filip Kuba. Hopefully for Senators fans, he actually meant this statement quoted by Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun:

"I think he's one of our best defencemen, if not the most steady guy at this point in time," Murray said at Scotiabank Place Tuesday, the day before his once-again red-hot Senators host the struggling Washington Capitals. "He's played penalty-killing, power play, been Erik Karlsson's partner. (He) plays a lot of minutes, has great respect on the team. I'm not sure why his name has ever come up, but at this point in time, unless I got something awfully, awfully good, it wouldn't do us any service to not keep him here."

It would make sense since the Senators are still right in the thick of the Northeast Division race. They sit only two points behind the Boston Bruins, despite being mired in a horrific seven-game losing streak just two weeks ago.

Murray would be crazy to tinker with this team right now.

The Senators have won three games in a row, and they just got back in step after that brutal end to January and beginning of February.

Kulba has played well during this stretch. He has a goal, two assists and he's plus-six during the win streak. He has been a significant part of a defensive effort that surrendered only two goals during that time.

Kulba and Erik Karlsson have been excellent together, logging just under 23 minutes of play per night during the Senators' resurgence.

Moving Kulba could result in ruining the chemistry in the unit.

We've seen more improbable runs to Stanley Cup glory than the one the Senators would have to make to accomplish the goal.

If Murray trades the veteran this season, Senators fans will never get a chance to see what could have been. Kuba is making $3.7 million dollars and last year was a down season for him, so the notion is understandable. He turned in an abysmal -26 in the +/- department, but has since turned it around to a solid +18 this season.

Kuba already has more points this year through 54 games than he did through 62 last season.

Kuba has been solid, though not spectacular. Still, he is a vital piece of what could be a strong contender in the Eastern Conference.

For that reason, Murray should let this team compete as is.

Zenon Konopka, respected hockey player and successful businessman, deserves a toast for his latest off-ice venture, one that will have people raising a glass while a worthy charity receives recognition and funds.

Whether it’s sticking up for his Ottawa teammates or running a successful business, Konopka, a veteran of nearly 250 NHL regular season games, is certainly a dedicated man.

Recently, the native of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, launched his new red and white wine line, appropriately called ZK28, during the annual NHL All-Star weekend party, this year in Ottawa. Made by Palatine Hills Estate from his hometown, a dollar from each bottle sold will be given to www.stopconcussions.com.

“I’ve always enjoyed wine,” said Konopka, who grew up on a fruit farm that yielded grapes, apples, plums, peaches and more. “I have some familiarity of what goes into making wine, but it’s something you can always learn more about. I think that’s one of the most compelling things about wine…it makes you want to know more.”

As for the charitable side of the initiative, Konopka was eager to offer his support to what he believes is something all in the hockey world can relate to.

Stopconcussions.com was co-founded by former NHLPA member Keith Primeau, whose mission is to spread awareness on the cause, effects and consequences of concussions.

'“Obviously, it’s been an issue that players have had to deal with, and after speaking with Keith, I felt it was something that we could work together on to bring recognition to their message,” said Konopka, who signed as a free agent with the Senators on July 5, 2011. “It was important to me to align this with a charity.”

Konopka, whose hockey career has seen him play in Idaho, Utah, West Virginia and Russia; is busier than he’s ever been. But the former captain of the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s, who had 86 points in 61 games in his final junior campaign in 2001-02, prefers it that way.

Uniting his passions—hockey, charity and business—doesn't always leave much time for sitting back and kicking up his feet, but Konopka finds satisfaction in his often hectic lifestyle.

“I really enjoy everything, but obviously, hockey is the main focus,” said the forward, who has also suited up with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks. “But I don’t have any complaints whatsoever.”

Konopka owns and operates Pure Press, a supplement company he launched over five years ago, that produces therapeutic grape seed oil. He also owns a minority stake in Vin-Aire, producers of a popular wine aerator that takes mere seconds to decant a glass of wine.

On the ice, he continues to receive kudos for his strong physical presence and faceoff skills, a blue-collar player who relishes his role on a Senators team working towards a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For his part, Konopka, who won a Memorial Cup championship with the 67’s in 1999, is willing to do whatever it takes to help Ottawa net a Top-Eight spot in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.

“I want to contribute whatever I can on the scoresheet, but I don’t mind doing the little things, either,” said the 31-year-old, who was the most penalized player in the league the past two seasons. “The bottom line is that we all bring something to the rink that can make a difference. It’s a long season and you have to be able to endure through the tough times and gain confidence when things are going your way.”

He sees his business ventures in much the same way.

“If you want something to work successfully, you have to be prepared in all aspects and be committed to every detail,” said Konopka, who still resides in Niagara-on-the-Lake during the offseason. “I enjoy the challenges that come with each aspect of what I do.”

Whether it happens to be in a business suit or a hockey jersey, Zenon Konopka continues to work overtime to make sure he’s always up for those challenges.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand. 

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With the 61st pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators selected Shane Prince. However, there was no point in introducing the player to the city, nor the city to the player. After all, Prince has laced up his skates in the city since the middle of the 2009-2010 OHL season. He shockingly produced 25 goals and 63 assists for 88 points for the Ottawa 67's in the 2010-2011 season. So while a new dawn awaits, the transition should be painless. Hard work got him to where he is, yet it is has only just begun.

If there was an internal motor that got players going, Prince would never get tired. He didn't get the same opportunities as a Kitchener Ranger that he did as a 67. He was among the league leaders in scoring, but was an afterthought in the CHL Top Prospects Game. He got screwed over by the USA junior hockey team, but learned that politics run the game. However, the adversity is setting Prince up for success in the professional game.

Prince should bring a unique skill set to the city's big time club. The days of Daniel Alfredsson are numbered in Ottawa. The Senators know that, making the acquisition of a goal scorer essential in the 2011 draft. Prince is young and has potential. A great training camp left coaches feeling as if they stole Prince at number 61. However, making an impression on a team is not the same as contributing to a team day, after day, after day.

The Senators know that Prince can play in the OHL; he has proven that. Prince has the advantage of his proximity to the franchise. If a scout or coach wants to see if Prince plays a certain way or with a certain characteristic, a matter of minutes can take them into the Ottawa Civic Center. While size may hinder him, the NHL has a handful of smaller players agile enough to avoid the bruising hits of Zdeno Chara. The difference between the speed of the junior and pro game is night and day. Fortunately for Prince, he has proven that he is a step ahead of the opposition in the OHL.

What Ottawa needs is a playmaker. Somebody who is not afraid to put their body on the line to score a goal. Somebody who is not afraid of being a hero. Since the Senators rejoined the NHL in 1992, they have not won the Stanley Cup. Can Prince, an unproven player, be expected to be the difference? Can he hoist the trophy for the city that has basically adopted him? Prince sure seems ready.

While nothing is guaranteed in sports, Shane Prince figures to be staying in Ottawa for quite some time. First, he needs to prove that he is an NHL player, not a junior star or a superb AHL player. His goal was to make an NHL roster and he must prove he is worthy. Once that happens, his career is what he makes of it.

The American, yes American, can restore greatness to the franchise that came up just short of the championship in 2007. So while he skates for one team today, he represents the fate of another. Can Prince be expected to bring glory to the Senators? Can he even make the team and compete for time on the ice? No need to contemplate what we can't control. All we know is that when Prince comes out of the Scotiabank Place locker room next summer, it's all about business.

The Ottawa Senators would be in the playoffs if the season ended today, but the season doesn't end today. There's still a lot of hockey to be played and that means the Senators can afford to take nothing for granted.

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk told the Ottawa Citizen back in January that the team would look into making moves at the trade deadline, and the latest word around the campfire is that the Senators are indeed making some calls.

According to ESPN.com, the Senators have been poking around trying to find a forward for the stretch run. The trouble they're running into is that teams are asking for one of the team's top prospects.

"I’m not doing that, I can tell you that," said general manager Bryan Murray on Thursday. "I’m not looking for a short-term fix." 

Murray said that he is okay with acquiring a rental player, but only if he can get one at the "right price." In this case, that apparently means no top prospects, which would presumably mean a low-impact acquisition.

Seeing as how the Sens could use some help for their playoff run, that wouldn't exactly be ideal. But if giving up top prospects is the only way to make a big splash at the trade deadline, Murray would be foolish to go ahead and pull the trigger.

Murray clearly knows as well as anyone that this Sens team is developing into a winner well ahead of schedule. The future of the Ottawa franchise is very bright, and it will be even brighter if the team's top prospects continue to develop. Before long, they'll be able to join in the fun.

The Senators are already young and talented. They stand to get even younger and even more talented in the near future.

Trading away the team's top prospects wouldn't necessarily ruin Ottawa's future, but it would definitely be risky. It would be great if the Sens won the Stanley Cup this year, but it's far more realistic to expect them to compete for the Cup in the near future. That's what the Sens should be planning for. Prioritizing the present at the expense of the future would be chasing a dream that's probably not going to materialize.

Instead of going for it all now, Murray and the rest of the front office are wise to make sure the team has the assets in place to go for it all later. There's a good chance their patience will pay off.

As the NHL's February 27 trade deadline draws nearer and nearer, the Ottawa Senators continue to lose ground in the Eastern Conference standings. The Sens have fallen behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs as of late.

In order to build on their surprisingly good start, the Senators (27-22-7) must add to their active roster. Ottawa boasts an abundance of fourth-line centres such as Zack Smith, Zenon Konopka, Jesse Winchester and Peter Regin, but lack a bona-fide third-line centreman. In order for the Senators to continue to be competitive, general manager Bryan Murray will need to add that type of player.

Third-line centres who could be on the market include Buffalo's Paul Gaustad, a big, physical player who is great on face-offs. Gaustad is an unrestricted free agent at season's end and is owed just $721,081, so he is extremely affordable.

There has been an online campaign by Senators fans to bring back Chris Kelly, who was traded to the Boston Bruins last season. Kelly is also an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, and has yet to be re-signed by the defending Stanley Cup champions. 

Goaltending has also been somewhat of an issue for the Senators. Craig Anderson, Alex Auld and Robin Lehner have combined to stop just 90.4 percent of the shots the team allows. This is a minor catastrophe for the Senators, considering they allow 32.2 shots per game—good for second-highest in the NHL. Anderson alone has a mediocre .908 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average.

If Murray wishes to address his goaltending, he could add a veteran such as Evgeni Nabokov of the New York Islanders, who has played stellar this season. Nabokov has posted a .925 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average this season while adding a pair of shutouts for the Isles.

Adding another top-nine forward should also rank high on the list of Bryan Murray's priorities.

The Senators don't boast an incredibly deep pool of forwards, which is a must-have for a contending team.

Some players who could fit that bill include Travis Moen of the Montreal Canadiens, Tuomo Ruutu of the Carolina Hurricanes, R.J. Umberger of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ryan Malone of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

At any rate, the quick-sinking Senators will need to do something quick to counteract their recent slouch, which has seen them slide to 0-6-1 in their last seven games. The NHL Trade Deadline could provide an ample opportunity for Murray to improve his roster in hopes of a post-season appearance.

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Popularity plus effort equals success.

Not a bad formula for the Ottawa Senators especially when team captain Daniel Alfredsson was named captain as one of the two teams for this Sunday’s All-Star Game.

Capitalizing on Ottawa as the venue for the up-coming NHL All-Star Game and Alfredsson’s status as one of the elite players in the game, his appointment became a no-brainer to recognize the Gothenburg, Sweden native in his adopted city.

After 1,102 career NHL games,1,061 points (at the current All-Star break) and countless accolades from teammates, former teammates and opponents, Alfredsson has come to characterize the rising success enjoyed this season by the Senators and ballot-stuffing by the Ottawa faithful. The result is an honor for Alfredsson, many believe, is well earned, well deserved and long overdue.

“He’s an iconic figure in this league, and as easy choice for captain,” said Ottawa coach Paul McLean. “Look, when you play over 1100 games and score over 1000 points, you have to look at a player like this for this position.”

With the game slated for Ottawa, given the passion for hockey in the capital city, and the Senators rising status in the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break, there is no reason not to believe the faithful will vote early and often.

With the combination of this success and game to be played Scotibank Place, the honor of naming Alfredsson captain of one team came without question.

“It’s an honor, to be sure, and at this stage of my career, I may not have too many seasons left,” Alfredsson said after Phoenix defeated the Senators 3-2 on Jan. 24. “This will be a special moment for me and my family. My kids will be there and several friends and family are coming from Sweden. So, yes, this is a very special moment for me.”

Given the venue, Senators fans not only cited Alfredsson for reward but also voted teammates Milan Michalek, Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson as starters. At the All-Star break, Karlsson leads NHL defensemen in scoring, and the aggregate trio of Alfredsson, Michalek and Spezza have combined for 60 goals at intermission of the schedule.

“Just awesome, and such an honor,” said linemate Nick Foligno, who has 31 points (12-19) at the break in describing Alfredsson‘s appointment. “I know this is special moment for him, but also for us. As a team, we’re playing well, in the middle of the playoff race, and (Alfredsson) is a big part of our success so far this season.”

At the break, the Senators are fifth in the Eastern Conference and just behind the Rangers, Boston, Florida and Philadelphia. Despite dropping three straight prior to the break for only the second time this season, Ottawa, sparked by its All-Star selections, could be positioned for a strong second half surge.

“We’re getting great contributions from two different sets of players,” McLean added. “First , we have the veteran core, led by Daniel, Sergei Gonchar, Chris Phillips, Chris Neil, and younger guys have made trips the AHL championship series. Plus, all of these guys are leaders, and certainly that works to the team’s advantage.”

While the second half is still days away, the immediate spotlight remains on Alfredsson and rightly so.

EDITOR’S NOTE - Quotes used in this story were obtained by the author in post-game interviews, Ottawa at Phoenix, Jan. 24, 2012.