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Wade Redden is pretty much hated in Ottawa. He doesn't play a physical style and combine that with his good looks (hey, I'm perfectly secure as a heterosexual male in saying that) with the female fans who squeal in delight when his name is heard over the PA, and you have a player that the majority of fans want shipped out of here.

His selection to the 2004 and 2006 Team Canada rosters are gross errors. Wayne Gretzky is blinded by all the hype as Redden has hardly any playing ability. His point production and strong +/- are proof stats can be misleading.

Having said all that, this is the first time since Redden has started his NHL career that I'm siding with the Redden bashers out there. He has been the weakest player on the Senators team and for the life of me, I can't understand what's wrong.

I've never seen him get outmuscled so much for the puck before. Although he doesn't throw a lot of hits, I give him credit for taking hits to make a play. He's usually quite skillful in stealing the puck and getting it safely out of the zone. This playoff season, he has looked like a ragdoll. He's falling over all the time. He can't take the hits like he usually can. And his one-a-game turnovers have increased to 3 or 4.

Looking at his face, he looks sick. He has a pale white complexion and I'm wonder where his mind is. Is he ill? Bryan Murray hasn't really done much to change the situation. He still gets about 20 minutes of ice time, and he's on the 2nd powerplay unit. Despite the improved play of Joe Corvo, he seems unwilling to label him a 5th defencemen.

The issue is magnified because of his $6.5 million dollar salary. With the drop off in production and one year left on his contract, I can't help but think he'll be gone in the summer. With pay raises to Phillips & Volchenkov and Tom Preissing set to be an unrestricted free agent, the cap room has to come from somewhere, and Redden's contract may be it.

I've appreciated what Redden has brought to the table since he started in Ottawa about 10 years ago. But he isn't the same. This year is perhaps the worst season he's ever played. Whatever's wrong, I hope he snaps out of it, because he'll be needed if Ottawa plans for a long playoff run.