Why Fisher trade transcends hockey in Ottawa

September 1999. Alexei Yashin decides he won't be honouring his contract and Sens management decides that a 19 year old centre will be forgoing his final year in Sudbury to take his spot. So yes, Sens fans, the most selfish player in club history helped launch the career of arguably the most selfless.

My simple take. Fisher's hefty contract expires after 2 more seasons when he'll be 33, and the chances of the Sens being a Stanley Cup contender before then are remote. This trade makes sense from a hockey standpoint.

However, after doing the show today I decided to look back on just what Mike Fisher meant to hockey fans here in the Ottawa area. Sure, they appreciated his work ethic and rugged style of play, but it's Mike Fisher the person that really made a connection.

I know Mike just from covering him over the years. We're not friends. Just two people that know each other through work. When I was hospitalized for a few weeks a number of years ago I received a card and Fisher sought me out to see how I was doing. When our friend Buzz passed away, there was Mike sending in emails to our shows supporting everyone at Team 1200.

Those are just a couple personal stories I can pass along, but I know there are litterally thousands of others scattered throughout our community. So even if the trade makes "hockey sense", that's why we received some phone calls and emails from irate fans saying they would not be renewing their season tickets. That's why Bryan Murray said he felt something in the pit of his stomach as he was finalizing the trade. I could list the many charities Fisher supported and appearances he made over the years, but this picture from 2007 (and the story behind it) pretty much sums up who Mike Fisher is and why so many fans are having a tough time letting go. All the best Mike.

We'll see if Burke stays true

In light of Phil Kessel's comments yesterday. Here's what Leafs G.M. Brian Burke offered NHL live in June 2009 when asked about the Sens and Dany Heatley:

"When you have players come ask you for a trade, I tell the players 'don't finish that sentence,' because once you ask, I'm going to move you, If a player wants out, you're darn right I'm going to move you. I'm not kissing anyone's ass to play in my town, so to hell with you, don't finish the sentence. My second rule is if I hear about this, you're not going anywhere."

"For a player to pop off and say he wants out or leak it, in my mind you are now no longer interested in your team. If you've done that you've handicapped them, you've handcuffed your GM."

"As long as you are on that team, you owe them to maximize the asset, and once you've taken that step, sorry I don't accept that."

We'll see. There could be a little spin doctoring to come today.

CFL Expansion Draft Format

Courtesy of CFL Director of Communications Jamie Dykstra, the differences between the 2002 Renegades expansion draft and the one that will be used for the new expansion team.

First off. The draft this time will happen about a month earlier than in 2002.

Quarterbacks:

2002: Member clubs could protect two quarterbacks http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifon its roster.

Now: Member clubs will be able to protect one quarterback on its roster.

Through the Canadian Draft:

2002: Ottawa did not have the option of selecting Redshirt Juniors in the CFL Canadian Draft in the year preceding its return (2001 Draft)

Now: Ottawa will select in rounds one, two, three and four of the CFL Canadian Draft in the calendar year preceding the year it begins play, possibly 2012

2002: Ottawa was given priority for the 2002 CFL Canadian Draft, meaning they held the first selections of each round. Ottawa also received a bonus selection prior to the start of the draft.

Now: Ottawa will have the first pick in every round of the CFL Canadian Draft in the calendar year in which it begins play, possibly 2013.

Import Draft

2002: Member clubs protected 9 imports.

Now: Member clubs will be able to protect 10 imports.

Non-Import Draft

2002: Member clubs protected 7 non-imports in the first round and 6 non-imports in the second round.

Now: Member clubs will be able to protect 6 non-imports in the first round and 6 non-imports in the second round.

(Member clubs may be able to protect additional non-imports if Ottawa selects a quarterback, punter or kicker from its roster)

2002: In the second round of the non-import draft, Ottawa had the opportunity to choose a team’s second round draft pick in the upcoming Canadian Draft instead of a roster player.

Now: Throughout both rounds of the non-import draft, Ottawa must select roster players.

This eliminates the opportunity for the Ottawa franchise to choose draft picks instead of known roster players.

Negotiation List

2002: The Ottawa franchise had the opportunity to choose between a negotiation list draft and establishing its own 40-man negotiation list.

Now: Ottawa may operate a Negotiation List in advance of its return to the league. Ottawa’s interim Negotiation List can include a maximum of 25 players, including a maximum of 10 quarterbacks.

From Winning to Hope

Players, coaches and management don't believe it's over, nor should they, there's "lots of hockey left" and as professionals you never say never. However, fans and media alike can look at recent history to help predict the future. After doing just that, here on December 10th, it's a pretty safe bet to say: "turn out the lights, the party's over." At least in terms of the Senators making the playoffs this season. That's not an opinion, but a statistical fact.

We are more than one-third through this season. Since the end of the lockout in 2005 that brought the three point game, only one eastern conference team has come back to make the playoffs after being more than six points out on December 10th. The 2007-08 Capitals were dead last and eight points out and went on to win the southeast division.

If you're a fan that draws hope from the autumn of 2006 when the Sens were floundering but rebounded all the way to a stanley cup final, I've got more bad news. That team was 15-15-1 on December 10th, just one point out of 8th. This edition is seven points out sitting in eleventh. Apples and oranges.

It's time for this team to reassess and come up with a new plan. A plan that focuses more on the seasons beyond this one. It's time to start identifying those that will be members of this organization next year from those who won't. You don't totally gut things and give up on this season, but you have to realistic about the odds and starting planning for a rebound in 2011-12.

Attendance has been waning. I'm in the camp of those that believe that the average fan is starting to become apathetic because he/she doesn't know what this team is supposed to be. Organizations have to be selling one of two things; winning or hope. A re-tool or maybe even a re-build has to be coming. The fans in "Hockey Country" could use a little hope.

Beer League Hockey

Futher to our discussion about beer league hockey on today's show, a listener sent this is in. I originally saw it a couple of months ago but is just as funny no matter how many times you watch it. There is some "colourful" language so viewer discretion is advised.

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7192553/

Shean Donovan to hang 'em up

Got a text from Shean Donovan this morning as to why he left his Professional Tryout with Syracuse. "Missed the kids, knew it would be a long road and had enough. Time to move on"

-951 games,112 goals 241 points, 705 PIMs
-49 playoff games, 6 goals, 6 assists, 12 points, 39 PIMs

1995 World Junior Gold Medalist
1997 World Senior Gold Medalist

At 951 games Donovan sits 309th on the all time games played list. One ahead of Tomas Steen and one back of Tommy Albelin and Todd Bertuzzi. Of those 951 games only a handful early in his career were played as a top 6 forward. Donovan knew what he was and knew he had to earn his place in the league year after year. To play almost 1000 games as mostly a 4th and occasionally 3rd line player is a testament to his attitude and tenacity. Something teammates around the league appreciated and respected everywhere he played.

Upon returning to the Ottawa area to play for the Sens three years ago, Donovan could often be seen in what he calls his hometown, Carleton Place, lending his NHL name to worthy causes with little publicity. Something I'm sure will continue in retirement.

Congrats on a great career Dono.

Is it time to panic?

The Sens have stumbled out to an inauspicious 1-4-1 start. Chicken Little has arrived in the nation's capital and it's not even Halloween. Is there still time to turn things around? With 76 games left on the schedule of course there is....but time is shorter than what you might think.

www.shrpsports.com is a website that tracks the standings of various leagues by date. Going back five seasons(every year post lockout) it's amazing to see how little movement there is in the top eight on November 1st compared to the final standings.

05-06
-TOR & FLA had playoff spots on Nov.1. PHI & MTL had them at the end. (2)

06-07
-TOR, MTL & CAR had spots on Nov.1. OTT, TB & NYI had them at the end (3)

07-08
-TOR, NYI & CAR had spots on Nov.1. WSH, NJ & NYR had them at the end (3)

08-09
-TOR & BUF had spots on Nov.1. WSH & PHI had them at the end (2)

09-10
-NYR had a spot on Nov.1. BOS had it at the end. (1)

Thanks to three point games, in the last five seasons combined only eleven Eastern Conference teams have made the playoffs after not being in the top eight by November 1st. (on a side note, be sure to point out to your Leaf fan buddy that Toronto gave up an early season spot 4 of those 11 times :) In a more recent trend it's only happened three times in the last two seasons.

When you compare the final standings to December 1st, the five year number falls to eight, and in the last 2 years it's happened only twice. Both of those times coming last year.

So, is it time to panic Sens fans? Not really, but you might want to at least flip open the plastic cover. With three point games being handed out like candy these days, digging yourself a hole early can be fatal.