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

Wade Redden was one of the original Ottawa Senators who saw the franchise from it's early times in the cellar of the NHL, blossom to it's first playoff appearance, to many disappointing post-seasons and finally to elite status among NHL teams, where last season's Stanley Cup final was perhaps the last step before the Ottawa Senators can realize their dream and win the Stanley Cup. So you can understand why, after 11 seasons, Wade doesn't want to leave his team, his friends, and his home, to get lost in the California hockey scene where the San Jose Sharks have expressed interest in his services and leave the #1 team in the Eastern Conference.

It was funny to hear the response to the news GM Bryan Murray approached Redden about waiving his no trade clause. Many actually accused Redden of being selfish for wanting to stay, not making room for what was perceived as a move that would put Ottawa over the top (two names mentioned: Patrick Marleau, who has stunk it up for the last two years, and Matt Carle, a defenseman who's been a healthy scratch more than once this year). If you ask me, it's just one problem for another.

Redden's stats aren't actually that bad with over 30 points and a plus 16 or so, but the fact of the matter is that his glaring weakness: turnovers, have made Ottawa fans cringe when he steps on the ice, afraid he'll make a back-breaking mistake that will cost his team any chance of success. As Ottawa's top salary earner this year @ $6.5 million, he's not playing to that amount. I find that his defensive partners, Andrej Meszaros and Joe Corvo, are playing just as bad or worse than Redden, but no one really throws them under the bus as often for the simple reason they're making a whole lot less than Wade.

So, what will happen? Well, what I'm hoping is Redden will want to show up management and the fans and play his best hockey of his career, and once the season comes to an end everyone will come begging for him to come back. Could it happen? Last night, Redden was solid and played well, and he capped the evening getting into a tilt with a Montreal player. Was he sending a message? Do the fans buy he's starting a turnaround?

I find Redden hasn't been liked at all by Ottawa since he arrived, even when he was playing well and made Team Canada in the 2004 World Cup. But he's slowed down and everyone wants to drive him out of town, forgetting someone else will have to play his 23 minutes a game and take his place. I don't trust Corvo, Meszaros, Scubert or Richardson to step up in his absence personally. Murray would have to acquire someone else to take his spot even if he were shipped out and how many top defenseman are available? And this is why fans don't realize Ottawa actually needs Redden to play to his full capacity if the Sens are to get back into playing for the Stanley Cup. I thought it was kind of unfortunate and mean that this news got out on Redden, but hopefully this might be the fire to set him off and who knows, maybe he won't be done with Ottawa after the season's over. Well, maybe I shouldn't get too carried away.

Wouldn't it be funny?

If Mats Sundin was traded to Ottawa and won the Stanley Cup, then decided he wanted to stay? I can just picture it: "I'm having too much fun," said Sundin, moments after captain Daniel Alfredsson insisted he hoist the Cup first before getting his hands on it, "Being with a team that cares only about winning and achieving the ultimate dream of every hockey player is just awesome. I told Murray: I want to come back. Don't worry about cap issues...I'll play for the league minimum! Just make sure to line me up with Alfie and Fish each night, and you won't hear me complain. GO SENS GO!"