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

With the season just over 1/2 way done, it's time to grade my Sens as they get closer and closer to April and the Stanley Cup playoffs. If this was done in November, everyone probably would've gotten a D, but they've rebounded nicely since their early season slump:

Forwards

Dany Heatley: I've seen a new side to Dany Heatley the last six weeks. Before he'd rely purely on his skill and Jason Spezza to make plays & score goals. Now, his work ethic has improved tenfold. I see him grinding it out in the corners and working hard for puck possession. Murray has been impressed enough with his all-round game that he has him out killing penalties. Here's hoping Heatley is a Senator for life. Grade: A+

Jason Spezza: Over the last year, can you say he's improved? Probably not. He still has the great vision, hands and playmaking ability. But of course, there's no way you'll put him on the ice when you're trying to prevent the other team from scoring, but it'll be interesting to see how he plays now that he's back from injury and the team is playing a different type of game. Regardless of many Sens fans opinions, Spezza makes the team better and will be needed come playoff time. Grade: B+

Daniel Alfredsson: He struggled early, like the rest of the team, but he's back to his old self. He's starting to find the net again and has found great chemistry with Heatley and Chris Kelly in Spezza's absence. Still plays hard in the corners and can be put out on the powerplay and penalty kill. We'll see that #11 in the rafters of Scotiabank Place one day. Grade: A-

Mike Comrie: Lots of natural talent, but I'm not 100% sold on this guy. He's excellent for depth at center, and can be used on the powerplay on the first or second unit. I just wonder about his work ethic. Sometimes I see him mucking it up and getting into other people's faces, other times I see him floating and playing indifferently. Jury is still out on him. Grade: B

Peter Schaefer: Same old same old can be said about him: Works well along the boards, can cause plenty of opposition turnovers and is a decent penalty killer. He was invisible to start the season but the story was he was injured. I still think he needs to put on 15 pounds or so so he can play more physical. Grade: B-

Mike Fisher: He was supposed to be the #2 centre after a great pre-season, but he simply doesn't have the scoring touch to completely justify that slot. Last season's Selke nominee always brings a strong worth ethic and he's my first choice to be on the ice to kill penalties, but his style of play has also causes him to miss time due to injury. Probably played his best hockey last year but hasn't matched it yet this season. Still, this guy puts on the hard hat every night. Grade: B

Antoine Vermette: Rarely takes a shift off. This guy has some good scoring ability and may crack the 30 goal mark. Extremely quick, he was one the boys who stepped up when Spezza was out of the lineup. Has the potential to be a career 2nd line scorer, but for the moment still has to prove himself with third liners. Grade: B

Chris Kelly: Kelly has hands of stone and seems to always miss the net, but this guy answers the call when called upon. He might just look good because he gets to play with Heatley and Alfredsson, but I also think his effort is clearly evident in his play. I like the way he drives to the net and is also a very responsible backchecker. He doesn't have the natural ability to be a true #1 centre, but with the balanced attack that line provides, there's no sense in shaking it up. Grade: B+

Patrick Eaves: He's been somewhat of a disappointment this season. He's started to score some goals in the last 2-3 weeks, but otherwise he's suffering from the sophomore slump. You wouldn't count on him to shut down the opposition and you're not going to slot him on the top powerplay unit, either. He's the type of player that may have the potential to be top-scoring winger, but compared to last year, it's still just potential. Grade: C

Chris Neil: 20 points in over 50 games isn't anything special, but that's not why he's on the team. Leading the NHL in hits, he can motivate his teammates with his physicality and still drops the gloves when need be. A good guy to park in front of the net to get a garbage goal as he's not afraid to get hacked and slashed for his team. A true character guy. Grade: B+

Dean McAmmond: He played a lot better when the team was felled with injuries, but he's not much more than a third liner, and with the depth they now have he'll likely stick to the 4th line. Nothing special, but he's solid enough that he won't cost you a game and just might chip in with the odd point to make a difference. Grade: C+

Christoph Schubert: He's played more forward than his natural position as a defenceman this season, which makes him an invaluable commodity. In case of an injury that occurs in the midst of a game, you can move him to his alternate position. He's been seen killing penalties as both a forward and d-man and throws decent hits. Has a booming slapshot that unfortunately misses its target more times than not. I also happen to like this guy's sense of humour. Grade: C+

Brian McGrattan: His teammates really like him, perhaps the glue that binds them together. He has the reputation of being the toughest fighter in the league, but when it comes time to score a winning goal or shut down the opposition, you'll find him on the bench playing the role of spectator. If fighting was banned, he'd be unemployed. Still, he does what he's paid to do very well. Grade: D+

Denis Hamel: I feel bad for this guy. He hasn't really been given a chance to show why he led the AHL in scoring with 56 goals last year. He's not going to score when his linemates are McGrattan & Schubert and when he only gets about 5 minutes of ice time each game. Perhaps on another team, he could really show everyone what he can do. Grade: C

Tomorrow, I'll rate the defencemen and goalies.