The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Note: Call ups and oft-injured players I didn't grade

Mike Fisher

Games Played - 36, Goals - 13, Assists - 9, Points - 22, plus/minus - 17, penalty minutes - 41

Struggled early and got injured to start the season, but since then has gotten better and better and perhaps is one of the most consistent forwards Ottawa has. Comparisons to a young Mike Peca are justified, and he isn’t afraid to drop the gloves (loved his tilt with Sean Avery, can’t stand that guy). Could replace Alfredsson as captain once he retires.

Grade: B+

Brian McGrattan

Games Played - 39, Goals - 1, Assists - 0, Points - 1, plus/minus - -1, penalty minutes - 85

If he were to end his career today, he’ll be fondly remember as the guy who busted Tie Domi’s nose. This guy isn’t quick, isn’t very skilled, and you wouldn’t give him a lot of minutes of ice time, but what he’s paid to do: protect the star players and drop the gloves when need be, he’s one of the best.

Toughness Grade: A
Skills Grade: D+

Peter Schaefer

Games Played - 40, Goals - 9, Assists - 18, Points - 27, plus/minus - 14, penalty minutes - 24

He’s small in comparison to the average NHL player but it doesn’t deter him. He plays great along the boards, makes crisp passes and has great hands. He needs to shoot the puck more, and maybe bulk up a little so he play a more physical game. Hasn't really proven he can be a gamebreaker.

Grade: B

Bryan Smolinski

Games Played - 39, Goals - 8, Assists - 16, Points - 24, plus/minus - 10, penalty minutes - 20

This guy just doesn’t cut it for me as a second line centre. With Spezza out, this was his chance to show what he can do and he didn’t step up. He seems to always get outworked for the puck and seems reluctant to play physical. He’s gotten a little better since the start of the season, but his numbers aren’t good and he’s on pace to score less than 20 goals. Ottawa needs an upgrade here.

Grade: C

Chris Neil

Games Played - 37, Goals - 11, Assists - 9, Points - 20, plus/minus - 5, penalty minutes - 87

Having a career year, he’s already tied his one year goal total and he’ll be scoring some more before it’s over. Perhaps feeling some freedom knowing he’s not the only one counted on to drop the gloves, he’s an effective agitator and gets the lunchbox goals needed in close-scoring games. Coach Bryan Murray has enough confidence in him to be put on the power play and gets him to park himself in front on the net & take all the punishment that comes with it.

Grade: B

Dany Heatley

Games Played - 40, Goals - 26, Assists - 30, Points - 56, plus/minus - 27, penalty minutes - 50

GM John Muckler looks like a genius swapping Greg De Vries and Marian Hossa for Heatley, who is playing like the superstar he's supposed to be. A change of scenery from Atlanta was just what he needed to get his pacing back. Has perfect chemistry on a line with Alfredsson and Spezza, he’s struggled a little when his linemates are injured but so has the whole team. He has a wicked shot and plays with a confidence & passion every good ol’ Canadian boy has. Here’s hoping he stays in Ottawa for a long time.

Grade: A

Daniel Alfredsson

Games Played - 36, Goals - 25, Assists - 30, Points - 55, plus/minus - 25, penalty minutes - 16

Ottawa’s best player hands down, and a definite contender for the Hart trophy as league MVP. He wears the “C” with pride, leading the team with his offensive production and his contributions to special teams. Gets his nose dirty and battles hard in the corners. Even Don Cherry admitted he wished Alfredsson was born in Canada so he could play for them at the Olympics. I hope one day to see the #11 hanging in the rafters of the Corel Centre, having played for one team and one team only from start to finish of his career that will hopefully include a Stanley Cup.

Grade: A+

Jason Spezza

Games Played - 31, Goals - 13, Assists - 35, Points - 48, plus/minus - 19, penalty minutes - 23

Has developed into the #1 centre Ottawa hoped for. His skating has improved but could still be better, and you’re definitely not going to ask him to kill penalties for you. But you are going to put him on the ice to set up the goals you need to score, and you love his passion and young enthusiasm he brings to the ice. He might have been relegated to “taxi squad” duties for the Olympics, but he’ll be a regular for Team Canada in due time.

Grade: A-

Vaclav Varada

Games Played - 35, Goals - 2, Assists - 9, Points - 11, plus/minus - 4, penalty minutes - 22

He’s probably overpaid for the ice time he gets, but he supplies the sandpaper and agitation every team needs. He was upset at the less than 5 minutes of playing time he got saddled with at the beginning. Good. I want him to be mad. Since then, he’s moved up regularly to the third line and puts in 10 minutes of solid, gritty hockey. This guy won’t be confused with Alexei Ovechkin by any means, but he plays the role he’s assigned perfectly.

Grade: B-

Chris Kelly

Games Played - 40, Goals - 3, Assists - 5, Points - 8, plus/minus - 10, penalty minutes - 56

Wears #22 as homage to his mentor & ex-Senator Shaun Van Allen, Chris is the perfect 4th line centre and continues to improve. Fans remember the way he stuck up for his teammate Patrick Eaves after a cheap shot, and he can be thrown on the ice to kill penalties when the big guys need rest. Surprisingly quick. Not a lot of natural hockey ability, a definite ham & egger type.

Grade: B-

Antoine Vermette

Games Played - 40, Goals - 8, Assists - 7, Points - 15, plus/minus - 7, penalty minutes - 24

Inconsistent. He's been bounced from 4th to 2nd line duties all season. In his defense, he was drafted because he put up points, but when he started playing for Ottawa he was assigned 4th line duties and thus played a defensive role. He's fast and has some natural ability, but it's hard to say if he'll ever become a 1st line player.

Grade: C+

You might notice that overall, I've assigned fairly high grades to the players. It's not bias. They're tops in the NHL for a reason, they have tremendous depth and that's what you need to be successful. Hopefully for the Sens, we'll see a continuation of their performance for the rest of the 2005-06 season.