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

You think they're out of a slump, and they get right back in one.

They start getting healthy, then someone else falls to injury.

I have seen the Senators play some brutal hockey lately. The 7-2 spanking handed by the Boston Bruins just might be their worst loss of the season. Just a couple of games prior, Nashville game them a 6-0 c'est qui ton papa. I cannot recall a time in recent Sens history that they have just been so dominated on the scoresheet.

Now Jason Spezza has a fluke knee injury and he's out 4-6 weeks. Depth is an issue on this team, everyone has to be healthy for them to be any good. Mike Fisher has been moved to the top line in his absence, and Dean McAmmond will likely see more than the 87 seconds of ice team his 4th line teammates saw Tuesday night.

Muckler needs to go out and get some depth guys. The boys in Bingo aren't ready, as proven by their current position in the Eastern conference of the AHL (dead last). There are some guys who are still unsigned that I think might be worthwhile getting while the season is still salvageable.

Jason Allison is still looking for a contract. Before you laugh, this guy still put up 65 points last year. And although he is slow, he is a powerplay specialist, something Ottawa has been inconsistent with all year. If you're going to have games where Murray won't even ice his 4th line, how much worse can Allison be? He's cheap and won't hurt the cap. There's an option.

Another one would be to sign Brian Leetch. While he may no longer be a #1 defenceman, he can still put in 10-15 minutes of ice time, and again can work the powerplay. He can also provide a veteran presence that Ottawa is lacking (the Senators are the 2nd youngest team in the NHL). Once again, he's cheap. This would also allow Murray the option to move Christoph Schubert back to forward, and make Brian McGrattan a healthy scratch where there are no heavyweights to worry about on the other team (more teams don't have them than do).

Anyway, something to consider. No trades can be made now while the freeze is on during Christmas. But Spezza going down to injury is a monster blow to the team. They can't sit on their hands. Muckler MUST make a move of some kind, even if it means signing two former Leafs. The boys needs help.