Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Buh-Bye Meszaros

I am pretty disappointed to see Meszaros get traded to Tampa Bay.  But good for him.  He wanted more money and got it. Tampa is quickly becoming the "Rangers of the Southeast" with their new ownership that is throwing money at any and all available talent this summer.  I'm glad that Murray ended the Meszaros drama sooner than later and got a solid, experienced (read: older) defenseman, prospect defenseman, and '09 first rounder in return.  Next year's draft is supposed to be deep and the Sens now have two first rounders.
Meszaros had an awesome rookie year, but has tailed-off the last two seasons.  Interesting, that Wade Redden also tailed off the last two years and he's gone to the Rangers. What happened two years ago?  The Sens dealt Chara, instead of Redden.  In hindsight, I think they chose wrong.
I am holding a cautious optomism about the Senators 'new look' defense. New to the team are Jason Smith, Filip Kuba, Alexandre Picard & Ryan Shannon.  Back from last year, Volchenkov and Phillips are studs. Jason Smith is a former captian and veteran warrior. Kuba is a big, veteran D-man with a heavy point shot. (Picard and Shannon are probably prospects.) Add-in youngster Brian Lee and Christoph Schubert and that's the top 6.
I'm glad that the Senators are re-tooling with solid, character guys. But I do miss Joe Corvo.  The guy was a turnover machine at times, but was a dynamic skater coming out of the zone. His spot was supposed to be filled by Meszaros. Now, there isn't anyone to fill that role. I'm hopeful that Brian Lee will be that guy, but that's a lot to be putting on a first year player....

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