Question then - you can draft Andre Vasilevskiy or Victor Hedman who you taking?

I certainly think goaltending has become more fickle than ever. Goalies can win championships one year and then 2 or 3 seasons later, their play can fall off big time. Matt Murray won back to back cups, then was a liability a 4 years later (age not being a factor AT ALL). Jordan Binnington another example. And the names you mentioned. I think Ottawa could be a bubble team with a goalie like Shesterkin - I don't know if that's the case with STRONG defense but the goalies they had. Timely goalies are HUGE for this team. For majority of the year Sens had better goal differential than WASH - who made the playoffs. It's WHEN those goals happened
- AlfieisKing

I take Hedman. Like i said, you can win without an elite goalie as long as you have a strong defense. There is only a handful or so of goalies in the NHL that you know what you will get from year to year. The rest can be solid one year and look bad the next.

Wings had a better goal differential than the Caps all season. That stat can sometimes be misleading because of blowouts. There is 2 ways i think the Wings could have beaten out the Caps for the playoffs. If Yzerman had added a real top 6 center at the deadline or a solid top 4 RHD. The center would have helped make up for the loss of Larkin that sent them out of a playoff spot by losing all 7 games he missed in a row since they didn't have anyone that could step into the top 6 and produce offense. Even without that center, if they added a solid top 4 RHD to play with Edvinsson and knock that horrible Petry out of the top 4, i think they win a few of the games they lost without Larkin and beat out Washington.

Wow .... lots of people on this blog must have had someone poop in their cereal.

First of all .... what the hell do we care what fans of Vancouver or New Jersey say about Ottawa hiring Green. Like many Ottawa fans, they know poop about the coach and his style. Secondly, what do you think fans are going to say from those teams? That Green was amazing and they made a mistake firing him? Of course they are going to poop talk him. Plus the fact that many posting will generally be negative on their views because the forum gives them a place to squack and complain. Let's face facts .... all those coaches listed as favourites for the job in Ottawa have been fired at least 2 times from other coaching jobs .... but they are great candidates? Seriously? Quite frankly, I found it a bit of a lackluster group of guys. But then again .... I don't know any of their traits in detail.

Is Green the best hire? I don't know and quite frankly, none of us know. But we'll find out. As for his 4 year term. Who cares what the term was. Firing a coach with term left doesn't affect the cap (half the fired coaches still have term left that they are owed by the team that fired them .... Keefe, Berube, Evason, McLellan. As for the rest of the coaching prospect list is concerned .... did anyone stop to think that guys like Berube maybe really didn't want the job in the first place.

Everyone is concerned that the Sens need to get off to a quick start or its all a failure. Going 8-2 or whatever ..... at this point, this team is not that good. I don't expect a hot start. I want to see improvement, effort, structure, confidence. Wins will come in time, and over time. Just play like it matters, and no sulking like someone just shot their dog. I think if we see a better effort in the first half, then we will know progress is being made. I am actually thinking that we won't be making the playoffs this next season and I'm okay with that as long as everything continues to be put in place for a competitive run.

The real issue now is fix the goaltending and defensive structure. We'll find out if the group of players we have and the addition/trades we make can fix these issues. But it will take time. A year or 2 as we continue to rebuild and restock.

Really looking forward to seeing Halliday, Ostapchuk, Crookshank and Klevin get their shot in training camp. Merilainen played for Belleville tonight vs Cleveland. Not sure why but he looked pretty decent. Not sure why Sogaard wasn't in goal.
- OttawaB

I agree with most of this. People are overreacting to the hiring. Listen to the fans and you’ll be sitting with them. Staios gets a chance with his guy.

A lot of the guys that played for green have said great things and that hold more water than Nucks fans.

I do think the team needs to start well though. They can’t be out of it by November again.

Anderson didn't have horrible D-men, but he did have a more traditional NHL blue line in front of him. But make no mistake, as a collective they were far more effective defensively than the current group. This is why Anderson's numbers were not only quite good, but also typically very comparable to his counterparts - including Lehner, Bishop, Hammond, and Condon. That's in large part because the D-men were providing a consistent level of defensive play in front of all of those goaltenders, and they were all able to put up decent numbers as a result.

What really stands out about the D-men from those years upon closer inspection is just how much bigger and more physical they were that the current roster...

2012/13 - Karlsson, Gonchar, Phillips, Methot, Wiercioch, Gryba
2013/14 - Karlsson, Phillips, Methot, Ceci, Wiercioch, Gryba
2014/15 - Karlsson, Methot, Ceci, Wiercioch, Cowen, Borowiecki
2015/16 - Karlsson, Methot, Ceci, Phaneuf, Wiercioch, Borowiecki
2016/17 - Karlsson, Methot, Ceci, Phaneuf, Wideman, Borowiecki
2017/18 - Karlsson, Ceci, Phaneuf, Chabot, Borowiecki, Claesson

They basically surrounded Karlsson with big physical D-men distributed over all three pairings, and for the most part it worked out pretty well. And it wasn't just 3rd pairing guys like Cowen, Borowiecki, and Gryba... Methot played a very physical game, Phaneuf always played the body hard, and even Ceci had >100 hits in multiple years. Claesson only made this list once, and that year he put up over 160 hits - which is more than any Senators D-man last year.

Now was that group as skilled? No they weren't, especially outside of Karlsson. But when you have all of Chabot, Sanderson, Chychrun, and Brannstrom trying to be puck-movers, who is disrupting the OZ entry, playing the body, or clearing the front of the net? 2/3 of the remaining regular D-men are Hamonic/Bernard-Docker, who most people want off the roster entirely. This is why the team falls apart whenever Zub gets injured... he's literally the only D-man on the entire roster who plays NHL-quality defence. He's also the only D-man on the team with >100 hits, which is the fewest of any NHL team. Contrast that to their 2016/17 team that made the Conference Finals, which had 4 D-men with >100 hits, including Borowiecki with a league-high 364.

So you can insult the D-men that played in front of Anderson all you want, but in reality I almost guarantee you that's the direction Staios will be headed over the summer to bring more defensive effectiveness to the blue line.
- khawk

I know it’s pretty simple, but the idea of Puck mover/Ass kicker for each pairing seems to work. It means one of Chabot/Chychrun needs to go and an ass kicker brought in. But we all knew that already.

I think you fix the D as first priority and then if you can improve the goaltending, do so, but I don’t think that’s going to happen because they can’t sell the future anymore.

I agree with most of this. People are overreacting to the hiring. Listen to the fans and you’ll be sitting with them. Staios gets a chance with his guy.

A lot of the guys that played for green have said great things and that hold more water than Nucks fans.

I do think the team needs to start well though. They can’t be out of it by November again.
- CooCooKaChoo

A lot of the Sens players said great things about DJ Smith... just saying

I do hope they look to set some parity on the D pairings - you can't just run an all offensive LD and all defensive RD - we will be far too predictable to play against unless you even it up.

The Sens remain a very young team. 2nd youngest in the league. More important, their best players are called on to be team leaders. They are still growing their games and have not yet discovered how to win more than they lose.

Staios and his management team decided on hiring a coach knowing his name would not be a popular choice with some fans or media. It tells us they believe in what they are doing. If they did not "believe" in their choice, they could have just thrown a lot of money at a better "name."

These guys are going to do what they think is right.

So, get ready, good probability the impending player moves will not have the Dorion news lustre that causes everyone to get excited before the puck is dropped.

So far I'm okay with the process. But, I think some folks might not like the decisions that are currently in the process of being made.

Staios said the goaltending was okay, not the problem.

But, yet, the Sens gave up too many goals.

I think the coming deals may be underwheming but highly strategic in making the Sens a tighter defensive group.

I am getting ready for commentators to be very unhappy when Staios pulls the off season trigger in giving up and acquiring players.

"A lot of the Sens players said great things about DJ Smith... just saying "


Exactly this.
I don't want them to like the coach.
I don't want them to fear the coach.
I want them to respect the coach and follow instructions and find success.

The GM is responsible for giving the coach the correct chess pieces to match up against opponents. The coach is expected to use those pieces and play the game.

This is an underwhelming hire. He probably wasn't getting hired anywhere else. That speaks volumes. Heck didn't Staois allude to some guy they had in the AHL? Or OHL ? Chris Kelly? Probably not taking calls during the play offs. They wanted some one now who could oversee summer camp? This will be an embarrassing hire if they flop out of the gates again in October and November.

"A lot of the Sens players said great things about DJ Smith... just saying "


Exactly this.
I don't want them to like the coach.
I don't want them to fear the coach.
I want them to respect the coach and follow instructions and find success.

The GM is responsible for giving the coach the correct chess pieces to match up against opponents. The coach is expected to use those pieces and play the game.

This is an underwhelming hire. He probably wasn't getting hired anywhere else. That speaks volumes. Heck didn't Staois allude to some guy they had in the AHL? Or OHL ? Chris Kelly? Probably not taking calls during the play offs. They wanted some one now who could oversee summer camp? This will be an embarrassing hire if they flop out of the gates again in October and November.
- Octavarium

1000%

Sens To Do List this Summer:

1 - Get Coach. Check! (Debate it all you want but they were proactive and seem happy with the choice. Jury is still out. I'm middle of the road to this hire. Better than someone who had no experience - Shaw, Gruden, Kelly - but lacking pedigree - Berube, et all. Either way, its done.)

2 - address RD issues, either via trade or UFA signing. THIS WILL BE THE KEY TRANSACTION THIS SUMMER. It will also give us more insight on how Staios is going to act.

3 - fill the empty roster spots. At least one with a scoring winger. And one with a veteran.

4 - Practice and train with some defensive structure and overall accountability.

5- figure out the LD log jam. (Although Chychrun has way more value as a TD acquisition).

6- restock the cupboard with young players with skill

Only after all that is done, and we can see the product on the ice (either preseason or first ten games) can we judge ANY of the moves. And only the first 4 really matter.

First 10 games are the key. US Thanksgiving is the other marker (need to be 2 pts within a playoff spot at that point to have a legit shot at playoffs next year).

AFTER that point is when we:
- make a call on the coaching hire
- make a call on Staois
- realize that something is fundamentally wrong with core and the goaltending
- blow it up...again.

Buffalo had a boatload of good young talent. They were getting close to making some noise. But fans and ownership got impatient and rather continuing to build around their youth and bring some vets they blew everything up and had to commit to rebuild phase 2.

In the meantime the teams that were the beneficiaries of Buffalo blowing up their roster (Las Vegas and Florida) had great playoff runs last year.

The biggest problem is often the guy who cannot be patient.

Buffalo had a boatload of good young talent. They were getting close to making some noise. But fans and ownership got impatient and rather continuing to build around their youth and bring some vets they blew everything up and had to commit to rebuild phase 2.

In the meantime the teams that were the beneficiaries of Buffalo blowing up their roster (Las Vegas and Florida) had great playoff runs last year.

The biggest problem is often the guy who cannot be patient.
- spatso

Buffalo still has a boatload of good young talent. Their situation is actually very similar to Ottawa - very young, far too heavy on left D, though they did have the benefit of solid goaltending (finally) from UPL. It is shocking how much every single forward on that team regressed. We are talking drops of 20-40 points from their entire top 6. The only players who managed to outperform were Jordan Greenway, who had a renaissance year after being acquired at last year's deadline, and Peterka, who should be a Senator. Too much hope on Devon Levi at his age, but IMO their decline makes less sense than the Sens' stagnation.

Too much talk here on making judgements on Staios and Green by Thanksgiving of this coming season. Its ridiculous to judge someone on such a short body of work. As I said, I don't expect to make the playoffs this coming season. I just want to see improvement in players and team structure. Too often we see coaches etc. ditched after a year or 2. Too much change brings zero stability and structure. Its just an endless carousel. GM's need 4-5 years realistically to put their plan in place. Coaches aren't that far behind, unless there is visible issues with the players they coach.

For me the next step is to bring in credible assistants to run the defensive structure and special teams. Travis Green can't do it all himself. I would like to see this put in place before the draft so the management/coaches can begin discussions on what they view is needed to start fixing this team.

Interesting view of a trade potential with Philly ..... Chychrun + ? to Philly for ??? (my guess is Cotourier and/or Laughton .... or both? Just what would be included with Chychrun (maybe Boston's first round pick) ...... but I wouldn't be giving up much more of significance for these veteran players. Maybe tossing in Greig if Philly adds youngster Bonk (Right defence but only 19-20 years old). Why trade Greig? We have Ostapchuk and Halliday (who both play a similar style to Greig) coming shortly. Greig's style makes him more prone to injury.

If Norris has improved health wise .... IF ! I could see Boston making a move to shore up its forward ranks ... add to Pastrnak scoring depth with Norris .... Norris/Forsberg + Boston's first round pick for Ullmark + ??. Maybe chase after Debrusk in free agency? Probably $5 million to 6 million for 3-4 years.

Too much talk here on making judgements on Staios and Green by Thanksgiving of this coming season. Its ridiculous to judge someone on such a short body of work. As I said, I don't expect to make the playoffs this coming season. I just want to see improvement in players and team structure. Too often we see coaches etc. ditched after a year or 2. Too much change brings zero stability and structure. Its just an endless carousel. GM's need 4-5 years realistically to put their plan in place. Coaches aren't that far behind, unless there is visible issues with the players they coach.

For me the next step is to bring in credible assistants to run the defensive structure and special teams. Travis Green can't do it all himself. I would like to see this put in place before the draft so the management/coaches can begin discussions on what they view is needed to start fixing this team.

Interesting view of a trade potential with Philly ..... Chychrun + ? to Philly for ??? (my guess is Cotourier and/or Laughton .... or both? Just what would be included with Chychrun (maybe Boston's first round pick) ...... but I wouldn't be giving up much more of significance for these veteran players. Maybe tossing in Greig if Philly adds youngster Bonk (Right defence but only 19-20 years old). Why trade Greig? We have Ostapchuk and Halliday (who both play a similar style to Greig) coming shortly. Greig's style makes him more prone to injury.

If Norris has improved health wise .... IF ! I could see Boston making a move to shore up its forward ranks ... add to Pastrnak scoring depth with Norris .... Norris/Forsberg + Boston's first round pick for Ullmark + ??. Maybe chase after Debrusk in free agency? Probably $5 million to 6 million for 3-4 years.
- OttawaB

I think they showed their hand when they signed him for four years. Green will get a full year at the very least, likely two, even if he's objectively bad - we owe new management some grace in making these decisions, and agree we should give the team time to adjust. Talking heads are correct in here though - the fan base is not likely to be kind to a repeat of the DJ era, irrespective of new faces. Ironically, given his name, the one thing DJ couldn't do? Remix.

I like your Norris move suggestion - Boston certainly needs centre depth. I just worry Norris has a broken toy rep - under normal circumstances he'd be more than enough for Ullmark+, as it stands we'd need to sweeten the pot and I don't know if two firsts, let alone one, are worth the risk at his AAV/duration.

I think they showed their hand when they signed him for four years. Green will get a full year at the very least, likely two, even if he's objectively bad - we owe new management some grace in making these decisions, and agree we should give the team time to adjust. Talking heads are correct in here though - the fan base is not likely to be kind to a repeat of the DJ era, irrespective of new faces. Ironically, given his name, the one thing DJ couldn't do? Remix.

I like your Norris move suggestion - Boston certainly needs centre depth. I just worry Norris has a broken toy rep - under normal circumstances he'd be more than enough for Ullmark+, as it stands we'd need to sweeten the pot and I don't know if two firsts, let alone one, are worth the risk at his AAV/duration.
- Bartacus

The difference is if he is hurt, in Boston, that Norris can be thrown to LTIR. Boston has the money.

the "difference" is he's never playing center again...

He can't.
That's how he's doing in his shoulder. Yes that fluke of being run into the net was just that - a fluke. But the real taxing thing on it is taking face off draws.

Not sure what to do with Norris but keep him and play him.

The difference is if he is hurt, in Boston, that Norris can be thrown to LTIR. Boston has the money.
- OttawaB

You don't voluntarily want to use large portions of LTIR though because it completely hamstrings your ability to make off-season moves. LTIR can be helpful, but it's not something you want to accrue - it's not free salary space.

the "difference" is he's never playing center again...

He can't.
That's how he's doing in his shoulder. Yes that fluke of being run into the net was just that - a fluke. But the real taxing thing on it is taking face off draws.

Not sure what to do with Norris but keep him and play him.
- Octavarium

Exactly - I don't believe there's any legitimate trade potential, and if they're going to play Norris despite such a high-degree of volatility they need a roster structure that limits the potential disruption of future injuries. This is precisely why they need to start considering Norris as an expensive 2nd line winger - who might be able to play ~60% of the season, but shouldn't be relied upon as a 1C/2C. It's also why Pinto has become so important to the team, because he can actually play a 2C role effectively right now from both an offensive & defensive perspective. Greig/Halliday might eventually be good enough for that role as well, but at least in the immediate sense Greig lacks ideal size and offensive upside, while Halliday will almost certainly need to work on his skating and defensive play.

To Chicago: Josh Norris, 2024 BOS (1st)
To Ottawa: Andreas Athanasiou

Do you do this deal or not?

In the up-coming draft, who would you like to see the Senators pick up.

Let's assume Celebrini, Demidov, Silayev, Levshunov are all picked before the Senators reach their 7th pick. Lots of choices ... Why? Because there is no real consensus on the top 15 potential picks other then the first 3 or 4 guys.

1) Cayden Lindstrom
2) Sam Richardinson
3) Zayne Parekh
4) Zeev Buium
5) Konsta Helenius
6) Tij Iginla
7) Berkly Catton
8) Carter Yakemchuk
9) Someone else not mentioned here.
10) Trade the pick away for something else.

In the up-coming draft, who would you like to see the Senators pick up.

Let's assume Celebrini, Demidov, Silayev, Levshunov are all picked before the Senators reach their 7th pick. Lots of choices ... Why? Because there is no real consensus on the top 15 potential picks other then the first 3 or 4 guys.

1) Cayden Lindstrom
2) Sam Richardinson
3) Zayne Parekh
4) Zeev Buium
5) Konsta Helenius
6) Tij Iginla
7) Berkly Catton
8) Carter Yakemchuk
9) Someone else not mentioned here.
10) Trade the pick away for something else.
- OttawaB

I wouldn't be shocked if Silayev is there at 7.
To answer let's look at the depth 2 years out:

Centers: Stutzle, Pinto, Ostapchuk (don't see Norris there)
Wingers: Tkachuk, Batherson, Grieg
Left D: Sanderson, Chabot, Kleven, Brannstrom
Right D: Zub

This depends on what the return will be for Chychrun. I am guessing either a right shot D-man OR a forward will be coming back.

With regards to picking at 7, I would stay away from Zayne Parekh. Great talent but he looks like a bust or a prospect that won't match the hype. My ranking would be this:

Cayden Lindstrom, Tij Iginla, Berkly Catton, Zeev Buium in this order. I am not against Diickson, great pick. But would be better to get Buium as a high riser

Carter Yakemchuk is a dark horse for me. I need to think about it more

I wouldn't be shocked if Silayev is there at 7.
To answer let's look at the depth 2 years out:

Centers: Stutzle, Pinto, Ostapchuk (don't see Norris there)
Wingers: Tkachuk, Batherson, Grieg
Left D: Sanderson, Chabot, Kleven, Brannstrom
Right D: Zub

This depends on what the return will be for Chychrun. I am guessing either a right shot D-man OR a forward will be coming back.

With regards to picking at 7, I would stay away from Zayne Parekh. Great talent but he looks like a bust or a prospect that won't match the hype. My ranking would be this:

Cayden Lindstrom, Tij Iginla, Berkly Catton, Zeev Buium in this order. I am not against Diickson, great pick. But would be better to get Buium as a high riser

Carter Yakemchuk is a dark horse for me. I need to think about it more
- AlfieisKing

First off ....that Chicago trade you proposed. NOT in a million years. Athanasiou is a perennial underperformer. Sens can find a better free agent then this guy.


Looking out 2 years from now ...... Brannstrom won't even make it through this summer with the Sens. I think he is gone asap. He does not have the bulk or skill to play on a 3rd pairing defence. He would be destroyed in the playoffs.

2 years out .... Halliday ..... Giroux ? While older, Giroux may still be able to play a role on the 3rd line.

First off ....that Chicago trade you proposed. NOT in a million years. Athanasiou is a perennial underperformer. Sens can find a better free agent then this guy.

Looking out 2 years from now ...... Brannstrom won't even make it through this summer with the Sens. I think he is gone asap. He does not have the bulk or skill to play on a 3rd pairing defence. He would be destroyed in the playoffs.

2 years out .... Halliday ..... Giroux ? While older, Giroux may still be able to play a role on the 3rd line.
- OttawaB

You don't think dumbing Norris contract could allow Ottawa to target a FA?
I agree, my bad, Brannstrom was a typo

I think Giroux won't be a factor on this team in 2026. Agree could be a third liner, but he could be gone too

To Ottawa: Darcy Kuemper
To Washington: Joonas Korpisalo +

To Ottawa: Darcy Kuemper
To Washington: Joonas Korpisalo +
- AlfieisKing

Kuemper effectively lost his starter's job to Lindgren and he has an even worse contract then Korpisalo at 5.2 million per year for 3 more years, and has a modified NTC. So my bet is Ottawa is in the no-fly zone. Kuemper has an 0.890 Save % and a 3.31 GAA. Also not good numbers.

I can't see either team wanting to make this deal.


I think what it comes down to realistically, is Ottawa trying (and probably failing) to swing trades for Markstrom or Ullmark. My best guess if I had to bet on it ..... Ottawa may (if the hockey gods smile on us) be able to trade Forsberg but will end up with Korpisalo and some other goalie that is a slight upgrade over Forsberg. At least we can bury Sogaard in Belleville for 1 more year before he would have to clear waivers.

Kuemper effectively lost his starter's job to Lindgren and he has an even worse contract then Korpisalo at 5.2 million per year for 3 more years, and has a modified NTC. So my bet is Ottawa is in the no-fly zone. Kuemper has an 0.890 Save % and a 3.31 GAA. Also not good numbers.

I can't see either team wanting to make this deal.

I think what it comes down to realistically, is Ottawa trying (and probably failing) to swing trades for Markstrom or Ullmark. My best guess if I had to bet on it ..... Ottawa may (if the hockey gods smile on us) be able to trade Forsberg but will end up with Korpisalo and some other goalie that is a slight upgrade over Forsberg. At least we can bury Sogaard in Belleville for 1 more year before he would have to clear waivers.
- OttawaB

Darcy Kuemper - 3 years (6M, 4.5M, 3.75M = 4.75AVV - 14.25M)
Joonas Korpisalo - 4 years (16M over 4 years)

I'll take a chance on a goalie who won the stanley cup 24 months ago and has great career stats