Should the Sens break up their top line? Mon, September 15, 2008
Craig Hartsburg isn't waiting to shake things up in his first season behind the Senators' bench.
As the players prepare to report for medicals tomorrow at Scotiabank Place, Hartsburg told Sun Media that he's breaking up the trio of Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson.
While Heatley and Spezza will stay together, Hartsburg wants Alfredsson on another line -- possibly with centre Mike Fisher -- to create a more balanced attack.
Do you consider this a good move by the Sens' coach? Have your say in our forum.
Ah... the annual Senators training camp "we are going to split up Alfie, Heatley and Spezza" story. We've heard this one many times before from at least 4 different coaches over the years. It never works and if they get off to a poor start they will be right back together again.
Reid, 2008-09-15 13:25:05
Correct. It doesn't matter what they do, they're going to have a rough couple of seasons rebuilding. I can't wait to watch the losses mount!
Mr. Corvo, 2008-09-15 12:19:27
Big Mistake! Breaking up the only scoring line is like committing suicide. It's like breaking up the 'French Connection' of the Sabres of the 1970's. It works. Why fix it? Any time that the previous coaches broke up that line, the team scoring suffered. Whenever those same coaches wanted more scoring, they reunited the line.
It was tried before and it failed. The problem really is the under-achieving second and third lines. Why penalize the scorers?
Vince in Ottawa, 2008-09-15 11:56:54
Why am I the only one that thinks, if you are splitting those three up, leave Alfie with Spezza, and move Heatley to the "2nd" line? Heatley can be set up by anybody, but Spezza really needs support defensively...
Deek, 2008-09-15 11:53:26
Nothin is gonna help the Sens till they get some players with a little guts, instead of a bunch of pretty boys.
Mike, 2008-09-15 11:42:42
It should create more balanced scoring and they could still play the power play together, so I think it's good. The hard part is find the right support players that can either make chances for Heatley/Spezza or can chip in a goal or two with the setups they should give.
It also hints at the post-Spezza or Heatley era when one of these guys may be moved. Might as well start adjusting now
Rick W., 2008-09-15 11:41:45
This is a much better team than last year. I expect them to have 3 scoring lines this year. Watch for Vermette to continue to step up. Breaking up the line isn't really news as lines will change as situations call for it.
Doug, 2008-09-15 11:29:13
Don't matter. They tried it before and it didn't help. Their reign as contenders is over. Thanks for coming out!
ben, 2008-09-15 09:58:40
Should the Sens break up their top line?
Reid, 2008-09-15 13:25:05
Mr. Corvo, 2008-09-15 12:19:27
It was tried before and it failed. The problem really is the under-achieving second and third lines. Why penalize the scorers?
Vince in Ottawa, 2008-09-15 11:56:54
Deek, 2008-09-15 11:53:26
Mike, 2008-09-15 11:42:42
It also hints at the post-Spezza or Heatley era when one of these guys may be moved. Might as well start adjusting now
Rick W., 2008-09-15 11:41:45
Doug, 2008-09-15 11:29:13
ben, 2008-09-15 09:58:40