Peter Bondra, Bryan Smolinski, Tyler Arnason, Oleg “Freakin’ Saprykin, Cory Stillman, Marty Lapointe, Mike Commodore.
Other than the first coming of Mike Comrie (2006-07: 13 goals, 25 points in 41 games) the Senators haven’t had much luck with rentals in recent years.
Most of them either stopped scoring or didn’t make a difference when they were acquired by Ottawa for the stretch run and playoff drive. Except for Smolinski, the rest of the aforementioned soon hit the free-agent waters.
Although he didn’t get off to a very good start in his Senators debut, perhaps Matt Cullen will be an exception. The 33-year old former Hurricane, who is making $2.875 million US this season, can go anywhere he wants July 1. Exactly where he’ll take his wife and two small boys, however, he does not know.
“It’s fair (to ask), I just don’t have an answer,” Cullen said after his first skate with the Senators Saturday morning. “That’s the farthest thing from my mind right now. Right now I’m focusing on the season here, and trying to help this team.
“The main thing I’m thinking about is the playoffs, that I’m going to a team that’s in a good spot right now and hopefully we’ll continue to climb. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about. Playoff hockey.”
Flight delays kept Cullen from arriving in Detroit until 3 a.m. Saturday. He declined the Senators’ offer to put him up in Philadelphia Friday night, because he felt it important to participate in the team’s game day practice. Against the Red Wings, he centred Peter Regin and Alex Kovalev on a line that has potential.
But the first period is one Cullen will want to forget.
He lost a faceoff to Kris Draper that led to Detroit’s first goal. On his first penalty as a Senator, he was in the box for 21 seconds before the Red Wings went up 2-0.
In between the two scores, he had his own chance. But after accepting a smooth Kovalev pass, he fired the puck into the midsection of goalie Jimmy Howard.
“It’s fun to come to a team that’s playing this well,” Cullen, who was moved to left wing on a line with Mike Fisher and Daniel Alfredsson in the second, said before the game. “There’s a kind of excitement around it.”
He’ll add to it, too, if he turns out even just a little better than previous Senators rentals.
THINGS I THINK I THINK:
Smokin’ hot Red Wings anthem singer Karen Newman used to tour with both Bob Seger and Kid Rock bands. Did I mention she’s also smokin’ hot? ... Separated at birth: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock and Senators F Shean Donovan ... Tim Horton’s now has coffee-pouring rights at Joe Louis Arena, where they also sell the I Love You Red Wings donut. If you guessed it has red and white sprinkles, move to the front of the class.
STARTS AND STOPS: Cullen has played 860 regular-season NHL games. Still,“I was nervous before the morning skate,” he said with a chuckle. “I’d be lying if I told you otherwise.” ... If what turned into an uncomfortable exchange Saturday with a Red Wings beat reporter over that night’s lineup is any indication, Team Canada coach Mike Babcock appears to be feeling some Olympic pressure already. He even fake-laughed an Ottawa reporter who tried to lighten the mood. Imagine.
BETWEEN PERIODS: On his first visit to Joe Louis Arena, Cory Clouston marvelled at the uniqueness of the glorious old building. He might have been more excited about being next door to Cobo Hall. “KISS Alive, 1975,” said Clouston, obviously an old rocker at heart. “I still have the eight-track.” ... The Red Wings expected a sellout for the game, and if they did hit that goal at least part of the credit can go to Senators D Derek Smith, a Belleville boy. “It’s a pretty short 5˝-hour drive, I think,” he said before his NHL debut. “A lot of family and friends are coming down.” Detroit’s Tomas Holmstrom left with a knee injury. If it keeps him from playing for Sweden in Vancouver, his replacement will be teammate Johan Franzen.
