SenShot writers are back at it, as we present to you the second segment of Honourable and Dishonourable Mentions. This was quite the week for the Senators, as a win against rival Montreal and a pounding of Florida made Ottawa fans feeling good. Still though, there were good and bad things from this past week.
Jack Leiper:
Honourable Mention – Milan Michalek
I’m pretty sure Milo was my honourable mention last week, but I’ve got to go with him again as he continues to be excellent for this team. Michalek had 9 points through his first 33 games, and since then has 15 points in his last 17 games. He’s played like that 4 million dollar player we’ve come to know in 2015.
Whether that means he becomes a trade chip, or if someone is willing to pick up his contract is another question. For the time being, congrats to Milo who continues to play at an amazing pace.
Dishonourable Mention – Senators Management on Erik Condra
When we heard Bryan Murray speak of Erik Condra last week, things didn’t sound to great in discussing the prospects of re-signing Condra. At that point, it sounds like Condra could be the most likely on the go at the Trade deadline.
Erik Condra is certainly a durable and useful 3rd line winger and has shown his value to this team in the past. Murray didn’t even mention the idea of re-signing Condra, and for that… Sens management gets my dishonourable mention.
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Honourable Mention – Colin Greening
A true professional, as his waiver process through his demotion yielded no interest but Greening sucked it up and played hard for Binghamton while maintaining a positive attitude in his 12 games. He started out on the first line and moved his way down to the third but never complained and fitted right in as evident of him getting into a fight while sticking up for a team-mate in his very first game back.
His last action in the city where his pro career began four years ago had him participating in winning the Calder Cup for the first time in 40 years of hockey in the Southern Tier of NY. Greening is now back in Ottawa and should do well as he perhaps needed this refresher in Binghamton that seems to have paid off.
Dishonourable Mention – Peter Mannino
Hard choice to make but he needs to get some wins under his belt and improve his play in the blue paint as everyone is rooting for the veteran but he’s just not getting the job done on a consistent basis, which seems fitting for all three goaltenders for Binghamton this season. Shows times of brilliance while flashing the leather, but gets scored upon too often.
It’s been a problematic situation that won’t go away for this team, as that was once thought to be solved with Mannino’s signing a couple of months ago, but I’m not seeing it. I still think he can finish with some great numbers, but without some help on the defense could make a difference in that quest.
I’m still scared to see Chris Driedger come in, but so far Hammond has done a superb job of at least keeping this team competitive
Zachary Prenner:
Honourable Mention – Andrew Hammond
Who would’ve guessed that once Robin Lehner went down we’d go 2-0? Stranger still, with a .955 SV% after only allowing 3 goals total. I know it’s a team game, but I would give Hammond a mention even if the numbers were half as good as I expected our goaltending to turn into the hull of the Titanic and sink us down to a nice low draft spot.
Rather, Hammond was solid in both games, making all the saves you’d hope he would. I’m still scared to see Chris Driedger come in, but so far Hammond has done a superb job of at least keeping this team competitive.
Dishonourable Mention – Calling up Colin Greening
I’ll say I do certainly agree with what a lot of Jeff says about Greening, and my dishonourable mention isn’t meant to be personal – it’s more that I believe Greening’s ship has sailed and am in full support of bringing up the young guns that hold much more promise for the future of this team.
I would’ve liked to see a player like Buddy Robinson brought up as I think it would be very interesting to see how he’d fit on a 3rd/4th line with his size and speed; I also hope that with should Cowen be suspended that they might even look into bringing up Chris Wideman, but with the dearth of defensemen we already have I know this is unlikely.
Trevor Shackles:
Honourable Mention – Erik Karlsson
The last couple months Karlsson has brought his game back up to being Norris-worthy, and specifically the last stretch he has been on fire. He has one goal and eight assists in his last five games. He had four straight games with two assists until Saturday night, but even then he scored an amazing goal.
He now sits only two points behind Mark Giordano for the lead in points by defensemen, and he has two games in hand. With the pace he’s on, he may get Norris recognition at the end of the year.
Dishonourable Mention – Jared Cowen
Cowen just got suspended for three games earlier today, and will miss the California games. Whether it was clean or not (it was quite a harsh suspension), Cowen still deserves a dishonourable mention. He looks like the player of last year again, and since November he’s fallen back to his old ways. The pairing of him and Ceci looks horrendous, but most of that is from Cowen. Hopefully with him out, Ottawa calls up Chris Wideman or Fredrik Claesson to see what they can do.
Turris has been known to have lengthy scoring droughts, and he’s had a few bad ones this year, but he’s generally played well overall even when the team has struggled
Josh Chenoweth:
Honourable Mention – Kyle Turris
After a rough January, the Senators’ de facto first line centre seems to have found his scoring touch playing on a line with Milan Michalek and Mark Stone, and he has 9 points in his last 6 games to show for that. Turris has been known to have lengthy scoring droughts, and he’s had a few bad ones this year, but he’s generally played well overall even when the team has struggled. To see him having some success with the puck and new linemates is great. It also bodes well for the team’s future that he continues to show great chemistry with Stone.
Dishonourable Mention – Jeffrey Simpson and his ramblings
Some of you may have heard about Globe and Mail columnist Jeffrey Simpson and his lengthy piece criticizing the Senators and, especially owner Eugene Melnyk. Now, I’m definitely among those frustrated by Melnyk’s tight budget and his statements that, well, would have benefitted from a PR team or ten looking them over before he actually said them in public. There are some legitimate points to Simpson’s piece, and I encourage people to read it.
However, its lack of focus, rambling nature, and several statements that are outright false or rely completely on hindsight (ignoring the information available at the time) make it a tough read. It comes off more as an angry fan instead of a sharp critique you would expect in a national newspaper. When most of the mainstream media do give the Senators’ management and ownership a fairly easy time, that this is the best “analysis” we get is a tad disheartening.
Travis Valois:
Honourable Mention – Andrew Hammond
My player of the week is Andrew Hammond. Hammond has played well for the Senators. He saved 42 of 44 shots against the Montreal Canadiens. Hammond playing well is nice to see after there has been so much turmoil with goaltending.
Dishonourable Mention – N/A
I do not have any real player or element of the team to pin point as a low point. The Senators have won a few games and are putting the puck in the net. The only low point would be the wins the Sens are amassing are not contributing to a better draft pick.