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

With the Senators playing their first game since the Olympic break tonight, GM John Muckler has some very important decisions to make. The trade deadline is fast approaching: March 9th. And the worst news came for Sens' fans with the announcement of Dominik Hasek's "adductor" injury, which is just fancy talk for groin. Hasek used a word when asked about the injury that scared the daylights out of me: "Worried." Darn right. There's lots of speculation of whether or not he'll be back, and if he does come back, if he'll be 100%. The Ottawa Sun said he's going to be "rehabbing" for a week. Not "returning" in a week...REHABBING. This isn't good. So, if you're John Muckler, what do you do?

Even if you erase backup Ray Emery's abysmal performance in his last four games, there's absolutely no way he can be counted on to carry the team through the playoffs. He's young, inexperienced, and hasn't tasted the post-season. So if you can't count on Emery, and you're unsure if Hasek will be ready to play and play well, what do you do?

Do you address the teams need for a second line centre and hope for the best between the pipes, or do you forgo the need to strengthen the team up front and get a new goaltender?

Rumour has it Ottawa might deal for Coyote Curtis Joseph. I have no problems with his play this year, but he and Hasek do not get along. If you recall when Cujo was signed to play in Detroit as their new #1 during the 2003-04 season, Hasek came back from retirement and Detroit took him back with open arms. This caused a lot of problems between the two and as far as everyone knows, they don't like each other. If Hasek does return while Cujo has been taking over, then who's your #1? It would be a tense locker room to say the least.

If Florida is willing to deal their #1 centre, Oli Jokinen, maybe their willing to trade their #1 goalie Roberto Luongo. Now, this is a longshot, but when Luongo didn't want to sign his $30 million contract, money wasn't the issue. Competing was. He wanted the Panthers to prove to him they are trying to build a contender as he stated his sick of watch the playoffs on TV every year. Maybe something can be worked out. After all, Hasek is pretty much done once this season is finished and Ottawa has to consider their goaltending situation for next year. Any deal for the above players would likely have Ottawa giving up at least Martin Havlat.

It will be interesting to see what transpires up to the deadline. In the end, if Ottawa has Emery in nets April 21st...this season is over.

Other Sens news: Couldn't help but smile when I read that former NHLer Mats Naslund, my favourite player when I was a kid, paid the highest complement possible after Sweden's gold medal performance.

"To me, Alfredsson has been our best player."

This experience should prove invaluable for Ottawa. A taste of what it takes to go over the top and be champions is just what Alfredsson needs. He's been a great captain for Ottawa, and this will just make him that much better a leader.

- Andrej Meszaros is replacing Anton Volchenkov as Wade Redden's defensive partner starting tonight in Pittsburgh. Not so much because Volechenkov has been playing poorly but rather Meszaros has simply worked his way as a top 4 D for Ottawa. We'll see how he handles it starting tonight.