head coach: Jacques Martin

roster: C - Alexei Yashin, Radek Bonk, Sergei Zholtok, Shaun Van Allen, Derek Armstrong, Vaclav Prospal. LW - Randy Cunneyworth, Shawn McEachern, Magnus Arvedson, Denny Lambert. RW - Daniel Alfredsson, Pat Falloon, Andreas Dackell, Bruce Gardiner, Chris Murray. D - Lance Pitlick, Chris Phillips, Wade Redden, Stan Neckar, Jason York, Janne Laukkanen, Igor Kravchuk, Radim Bicanek. G - Damian Rhodes, Ron Tugnutt.

injuries: Bruce Gardiner, rw (knee, day-to-day); Magnus Arvedson, lw (shoulder, day-to-day); Stan Neckar, d (knee, day-to-day); Vaclav Prospal, c (fibula, expected to return in March); Jason York, d (returned to action against Washington from concussion suffered Jan 3rd).

transactions: Returned Radim Bicanek, d, to Manitoba (IHL), January 14. Waived Dennis Vial, rw, January 10. Traded Alexandre Daigle, rw, to Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Pat Falloon, rw, Vaclav Prospal, c, and a 2nd-round pick in the 1998 entry draft, January 17.

standings:

Eastern Conference - Northeast Division
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   
Pittsburgh   50  26  15   9    61  138  114
Montreal     51  26  18   7    59  153  124
Boston       49  21  19   9    51  122  121
Ottawa       50  20  22   8    48  116  121
Buffalo      48  19  21   8    46  117  122
Carolina     51  19  26   6    44  127  144

game results:

1/13  at Washington      L 4-0
1/20  at Pittsburgh      T 0-0
1/22  Carolina           L 4-2
1/24  New York Islanders W 3-2

team news:

by The Nosebleeders, Ottawa Correspondents

By far the biggest news this period was the trade of Alexandre Daigle to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Senators sent Daigle to the Flyers in exchange for Pat Falloon, Vaclav Prospal and a second-round entry draft choice. The trade allows for a fresh start for both Daigle and Falloon, both of whom were not achieving with their current teams.

Weight of the Franchise Lifted

Daigle, 22, was the first overall pick of the 1993 NHL draft and at 18 entered the NHL for the 93-94 season. The 1992-1993 season was a battle for what was referred to as the "Daigle Cup", a last place race between the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks for the first overall pick. Daigle was touted as being a franchise player and the second coming of both Guy Lafleur and Jean Beliveau. His junior career highlights included breaking Mario Lemieux's junior points record for a 16 year old. Even before being drafted, trade rumors had both Quebec and Montreal falling all over themselves and begging then Sens GM Randy Sexton for a trade. Rumors included Quebec sending six players to Ottawa (including Joe Sakic and the rights to Peter Forsberg).

Sexton didn't move on a trade and the result was Daigle signing a five-year, $12.25 million dollar contract. Daigle netted 20 goals his first season but his play did not impress many. His contract and the way in which he was obtained can be linked to the following significant events:

* Quebec Nordiques fail to get funding for new arena and move to Colorado.

* Colorado on the strength of Joe Sakic and others win the Stanley Cup.

* NBA style lottery introduced for first overall entry draft pick. This meant that the Daigle Cup would be the last of its kind.

* The pace of salary escalations was increased significantly. Daigle's salary caused many a jitter amongst many veteran NHLers who were not paid a fraction of what he was to make.

* The NHL rookie salary cap was introduced.

Falloon was a rookie sensation in the (WHL) Western Hockey League and taken second overall by the San Jose sharks behind Eric Lindros in the 1991 entry draft. After a solid rookie year, Falloon's numbers gradually declined. His defense and work ethic were questioned and during his fifth season with San Jose he was traded to the Flyers, spending the majority of his time on the Flyers third or fourth line. Falloon is more of a sniper than Daigle and may be just the third player that the Yashin-McEachern line is looking for.

Prospal, a young prospect, was injured January 3rd against the Sens battling Lance Pitlick for the puck and is not expected to return before March. Before his injury he was expected to make the trip to compete in the Olympic games.

Leaving Las Vegas

Daigle found out about the deal during his return from an All-Star Break vacation in Las Vegas. Calling from the plane for a ride home from the airport, he was informed he would have to find his own ride - Philly is too far.

Remember Me?

Speaking of first picks overall...What's the difference between Daigle and Lindros? That question was asked of Daigle just after he was drafted first overall. It was a time when headlines had Lindros involved in an Ontario bar confrontation where he allegedly spit beer on a woman. Daigle's response to the difference question was, "I drink my beer." Daigle may drink his beer but doesn't like the rough stuff. Lucky for him, Lindros has promised that there will be ample protection.

On the Flyers, Daigle joins the third overall 1993 pick Chris Gratton. Gratton and second overall 1993 pick Chris Pronger surely recall Daigle's comments after being picked first, "Nobody remembers number 2." After Daigle's first practice with the Flyers, Gratton was asked if he had reminded Daigle of the comments. "Not yet, but I'm sure I'll bring it up once or twice, maybe when I get him in the corner during the practice."

Details of the trade, with NHL statistics for each player involved:

                               Age GP PTS  G  A  +/-  PM   S  PCT
To Philly: Alexandre Daigle     22 38  16  7  9   -7   8  68 10.3
  
To Ottawa: Pat Falloon          25 30  12  5  7   +3   8  63  7.9
           Vaclav Prospal       22 41  18  5 13  -10  17  60  8.3
           1998 2nd-round pick
           Total                   71  30 10 20   -7  25 123  8.1

Good Luck, Alex

After four and a half seasons Daigle leaves the Sens spotlight. His 74 goals netted represent a $165,000 per goal value. Daigle's attitude during his years with the team was outstanding and his ability and commitment to conversing with media and fans in both French and English will be missed. Despite his on ice problems he never blamed anyone other than himself, and for this he deserves a lot of credit. Despite widespread expectations of less pressure in Philadelphia, the Nosebleeders feel that Daigle will still put himself under pressure and try to live up to expectations involving a three-for-one player swap. Joining the Flyers may just be the best thing that happens to Daigle as he (re)starts his NHL career.

Note: In order to write the last paragraph, Steve deliberately had Dave shackled down to the floor with duct tape over his mouth.

Up Again, Down Again

Radim Bicanek was returned to the Manitoba Moose this period after joining the team as a healthy scratch from January 5th to January 14th. Bicanek was sent down for the second time this season and sixth in two seasons.

Free Bacon-Cheese All Around?

The 11,109 fans in attendance at the Sens-Capitals game went home happy when the home team Capitals netted four goals in the game; triggering a free bacon-cheese hamburger giveaway. The three main problems for the Sens on this night were, in no particular order:

- they failed to score (obvious we know)
- the power play continued to misfire
- they were not considered to be in the crowd and were therefore ineligible for the free giveaway.

Sens fired a total of 24 shots at Olaf Kolzig, including just one during a two-man, 55-second advantage. The Sens went 0-3 on the power play. Washington got a lucky break to open the scoring 80 seconds in, when Sergei Gonchar's shot from the point went off Igor Kravchuk's stick. Andrew Brunette got credit for the goal.

It's Trivia Time!!!

Who holds the record for most shots by a Senator in a game? Answer at the end of this column.

Third Straight All-Star Game...

Daniel Alfredsson, playing in his third straight All-Star Game, didn't know how to answer the question of what would mean more to him - an Olympic Gold Medal or Stanley Cup. "To play for your country and to win a gold medal would mean so much to me, but being part of a team that won the Stanley Cup would also mean a lot. It's tough for me to say. I'm not sure if one is better than the other. I think the best thing would be to have both."

Another ZZZZZZ

The Sens played the mighty Penguins to a 0-0 draw. This game was not only the second scoreless draw for the Sens this season, but also the second time this season that they have played a very boring game against the Penguins.

Hurricane Visits Ottawa

No, folks, we are not talking about Ice Storm 98, the famed Eastern Ontario, Quebec Ice Storm that has knocked out power to 100s of thousands of homes for over two weeks. We are talking about the Kirk McLean-led Carolina Hurricanes. McLean, recently dealt from the Vancouver Canucks, blew the Senators away with his play, in particular during the last minutes of play, leading the Hurricanes to a 4-2 victory. McLean stopped Shawn Van Allen with four minutes to go on what would normally be a sure goal.

Pat Falloon scored his first for the Sens. His power-play goal was the Sens' first in 11 games and broke an 0-for-36 streak.

Early Justification

Pat Falloon was charged early in the game with a goaltender interference call as he headed for the net looking for rebounds. That - my fellow Senator friends - is all it took to justify the Daigle trade. In his years here, Daigle drove to the net about as often as Claude Lemieux won the Lady Byng Trophy.

Note: Can you tell this was Dave's notes?

Bowness on the Brink

The Sens' victory against the Islanders was only their third in 13 games. The Sens must have had mixed feelings after their 3-2 victory as Islander coach Rick Bowness, with one win over the last 15 games, was put on "alert" by GM Mike Milbury. Ottawa fired 35 shots at Tommy Salo while the game's first star, Ron Tugnutt, faced 25. The Sens got the first goal of the game but entered the second period down 1-0. Sens defensemen Chris Phillips deflected Mike Hough's pass from the corner past Tugnutt. The Senators overcame both 1-0 and 2-1 Islander leads.

Random Notes

* 11 months have passed since Rod Bryden's attendance ultimatum. The NHL released the lasted attendance figures this period and the Sens lead the pack up by 4.4% for an average of 16,500 per game...overall league averages have attendance down 4.1%. For the record, the Nosebleeders do not believe Rod's ultimatum has anything to do with the Sens' attendance increase.

* Alexei Yashin may be named the Russian Olympic captain. Yashin is having a solid season leading the team by example.

* Janne Laukkanen hasn't scored a goal in 31 games.

* The usually productive Daniel Alfredsson is due to break out. Since coming back from a broken bone in his ankle six games ago, he has no goals and only two assists. His last goal came December 4th against the Kings and he's fallen off his point-a-game pace.

* With 32 games to go, the Senators find themselves in the thick of a playoff race with Buffalo and Carolina two points back and the New York Rangers just one point back.

Power Play Wows and Not-So-Wows

The Senators end the period having allowed just two power-play goals in 17 attempts over their last five games. Contrast this to having scored one goal in their last 41 power-play attempts.

Drumroll Please

Alexei Yashin's eight shots against the Colorado Avalanche is the team high.

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