Bonk has competition

It seems as though Bruce Garrioch has found another person whom he wants to get out of town: Karel Rachunek. Reading his articles from over the past few weeks, you’d think he wants Karel out of town more than Radek.

It seems as though Bruce Garrioch has found another person whom he wants to get out of town: Karel Rachunek. Reading his articles from over the past few weeks, you’d think he wants Karel out of town more than Radek.

Well, If I had to choose between trading one or the other, I'd rather trade Rachunek.

It seems as though Bruce Garrioch has found another person whom he wants to get out of town: Karel Rachunek. Reading his articles from over the past few weeks, you’d think he wants Karel out of town more than Radek.

I'm not defending Garrioch by any means, but Rachunek has been brought up as possible trade bait on this board many times this season (myself included). It's not a function of his play, but rather the circumstances around him. Redden and Chara are much too valuable to throw in trade rumours, as both play crucial roles for this team. Phillips play has been very good this season (although, it has dipped of late), and had a great playoffs for us. Volchenkov is an up-and-comer, and could take his spot among the top 4 if needed. It leaves Rachunek as the obvious choice IF the Sens wanted to make a major trade off our blueline.

Garrioch's probably doing what we're all doing. If he hears a rumour that involving another team wanting to make a trade with Ottawa, he mentions the players most likely to be moved out of Ottawa. That said, Muckler has said that he's not going to change the top four, and I'm inclined to believe him. It won't stop Garrioch and his columns, but nothing ever will, so why worry about it.

Rachunek is a healthy scratch tonight, according to Millen and Brown. I certainly hadn't seen any problems with his play. Not that I don't advocate making player's accountable in tough times, but if we're going to bench players, I'm amazed Chara has played in every game so far, becuase early on, he was pretty bad. That being said, Rachunek has struggled offensively this year, and that may be the problem.

Here’s a reason why we can’t trade Rachunek: Volchenkov is getting injured far too often. I love the guy, but he takes a beating with his style of play and if he’s expected to move into the top 4, then he’d better be able to stay healthy.

Chris Phillips has been awful of late. He’s terrible at making pinches and has been a turnover machine.

Here’s a reason why we can’t trade Rachunek: Volchenkov is getting injured far too often. I love the guy, but he takes a beating with his style of play and if he’s expected to move into the top 4, then he’d better be able to stay healthy.

Chris Phillips has been awful of late. He’s terrible at making pinches and has been a turnover machine.

Agreed on all accounts.

I think the difference between Rachunek and Volchenkov is mobility. Ken Hitchcock said the reason the Sens beat the Flyers was not only the size of our defence, but the mobility. In my opinion, next to Phillips, Rachunek is our fastest blueliner, and it's reasonably close anyways. I think Sens fans under-rate him, not to mention the rest of the league. Maybe I've just always loved the guy a bit too much, I don't know. Volchenkov is'nt suited to being a top 4 blueliner. I think we saw that the Sens defence lacks mobility without Rachunek tonight. Pothier is a solid player, but if he plays too much, he isn't as effective. Furthermore, Redden seemed to tire in tonight's game as well. Rachunek can log 20-24 minutes, with size, mobility and a strong first pass. That is something that we only have in Redden as well, at least consistently. I don't see him as expendable the way most do.

Phillips has been inconsistent. He seems to be panicking a bit, almost nervous all the time. He needs to calm down and keep things simple, which is why he began to thrive. He's not going to be an offensive blueliner, and the best defensive blueliners are succesful because they keep things simple.

...and don't forget to add the fact that Rachunek is a hard shooting right handed dman as well.

Sure, Pothier is a righty as well...but his shot doesn't exactly go "BOOM" off the blueline...more like "PUFF"...

I swear...Martin should tell Pothier to pass...not shoot because quite frankly it appears that a slight breeze in the opposite direction could stop his point shot.

Exactly. It’s not exactly easy to find young, right handed defenseman who are as good as Rachunek in the NHL. Hopefully being a healthy scratch will get him going, even though he wasn’t playing too bad to begin with, he just seems to get most of the blame.

And Pothier cannot handle 20+ minutes of ice. The guy is nothing more than a 5th defenseman AT BEST. He’s a nice depth guy, but if he’s playing 20 minutes, we’re in trouble.

Exactly. It’s not exactly easy to find young, right handed defenseman who are as good as Rachunek in the NHL. Hopefully being a healthy scratch will get him going, even though he wasn’t playing too bad to begin with, he just seems to get most of the blame.

And Pothier cannot handle 20+ minutes of ice. The guy is nothing more than a 5th defenseman AT BEST. He’s a nice depth guy, but if he’s playing 20 minutes, we’re in trouble.

I personally agree that Pothier becomes much less effective once he starts playing more than 18-20 minutes in a game.