The tears from this fanbase are ridiculous.

Yes, they're got room to spend money. Something like $20mm in cap space or whatever. They need to sign Hoffman and Ceci. I guess they don't have to do either of those things, and if they had made that decision, then yes they probably would have spent that money yesterday. So let's say, for the sake of argument, that Hoffman gets $5mm x 5yrs. What LW would you have gone out and spent money on yesterday that would have been an upgrade on Hoffman?

So, set aside around $8mm of that cap space for resigning those two big RFA's. Yes, they still have cap space, but what would you have them blow it on? They could have blown money on guys yesterday, but at what cost? They've got 3 important RFA's up next year (Pageau, Lazar, Zibanejad), they've got Stone and Turris up the year after that, and they've got Karlsson up in year 3. There's at least 3 huge contracts in that group of 6, plus I'm positive they're going to want to keep Pageau as well. Admittedly, Lazar and Zibanejad could be expendable if the prospects develop, but it's not as though you're going to non-qualify either of them. They need to reserve money for the next three years, especially with the contracts that they'll have to give to Karlsson/Turris/Stone.

Being a 'budget team' does not mean 'being cheap'. I don't understand how this concept continues to be lost on people. It means planning for today AND tomorrow, and when you consider some of the buyouts that happened this past week (lots of which were contracts that were signed on July 1 in previous years), it seems that future planning is something that a lot of NHL GM's struggle with.

Ottawa doesn't need a roster overhaul. After resigning Hoffman and Ceci, they'll need a depth LD to play with Wideman, and they'll need a RW to play with Pageau. That's it. Two players. Assuming they don't trade for those positions, who's still out there? There's a pile of veteran depth guys who didn't sign yet that they could go with to fill those spots, and it's always possible that they're going to graduate guys from within. They've got tons of options right now, and not many spots to fill. If they suck this year, they'll know it wasn't the coaching, and the roster overhaul will begin. Doing it now, after replacing the GM and entire coaching staff, is premature.

The tears from this fanbase are ridiculous.

Yes, they're got room to spend money. Something like $20mm in cap space or whatever. They need to sign Hoffman and Ceci. I guess they don't have to do either of those things, and if they had made that decision, then yes they probably would have spent that money yesterday. So let's say, for the sake of argument, that Hoffman gets $5mm x 5yrs. What LW would you have gone out and spent money on yesterday that would have been an upgrade on Hoffman?

So, set aside around $8mm of that cap space for resigning those two big RFA's. Yes, they still have cap space, but what would you have them blow it on? They could have blown money on guys yesterday, but at what cost? They've got 3 important RFA's up next year (Pageau, Lazar, Zibanejad), they've got Stone and Turris up the year after that, and they've got Karlsson up in year 3. There's at least 3 huge contracts in that group of 6, plus I'm positive they're going to want to keep Pageau as well. Admittedly, Lazar and Zibanejad could be expendable if the prospects develop, but it's not as though you're going to non-qualify either of them. They need to reserve money for the next three years, especially with the contracts that they'll have to give to Karlsson/Turris/Stone.

Being a 'budget team' does not mean 'being cheap'. I don't understand how this concept continues to be lost on people. It means planning for today AND tomorrow, and when you consider some of the buyouts that happened this past week (lots of which were contracts that were signed on July 1 in previous years), it seems that future planning is something that a lot of NHL GM's struggle with.

Ottawa doesn't need a roster overhaul. After resigning Hoffman and Ceci, they'll need a depth LD to play with Wideman, and they'll need a RW to play with Pageau. That's it. Two players. Assuming they don't trade for those positions, who's still out there? There's a pile of veteran depth guys who didn't sign yet that they could go with to fill those spots, and it's always possible that they're going to graduate guys from within. They've got tons of options right now, and not many spots to fill. If they suck this year, they'll know it wasn't the coaching, and the roster overhaul will begin. Doing it now, after replacing the GM and entire coaching staff, is premature.
- the_terror

Agree completely ,why does Ottawa need to sign another 50 point forward ??We already have enough of them ,what we need cant be bought in F/A .We will look to add a top 3 forward through trade, or roll with what we have and resign our guys

The tears from this fanbase are ridiculous.

Yes, they're got room to spend money. Something like $20mm in cap space or whatever. They need to sign Hoffman and Ceci. I guess they don't have to do either of those things, and if they had made that decision, then yes they probably would have spent that money yesterday. So let's say, for the sake of argument, that Hoffman gets $5mm x 5yrs. What LW would you have gone out and spent money on yesterday that would have been an upgrade on Hoffman?

So, set aside around $8mm of that cap space for resigning those two big RFA's. Yes, they still have cap space, but what would you have them blow it on? They could have blown money on guys yesterday, but at what cost? They've got 3 important RFA's up next year (Pageau, Lazar, Zibanejad), they've got Stone and Turris up the year after that, and they've got Karlsson up in year 3. There's at least 3 huge contracts in that group of 6, plus I'm positive they're going to want to keep Pageau as well. Admittedly, Lazar and Zibanejad could be expendable if the prospects develop, but it's not as though you're going to non-qualify either of them. They need to reserve money for the next three years, especially with the contracts that they'll have to give to Karlsson/Turris/Stone.

Being a 'budget team' does not mean 'being cheap'. I don't understand how this concept continues to be lost on people. It means planning for today AND tomorrow, and when you consider some of the buyouts that happened this past week (lots of which were contracts that were signed on July 1 in previous years), it seems that future planning is something that a lot of NHL GM's struggle with.

Ottawa doesn't need a roster overhaul. After resigning Hoffman and Ceci, they'll need a depth LD to play with Wideman, and they'll need a RW to play with Pageau. That's it. Two players. Assuming they don't trade for those positions, who's still out there? There's a pile of veteran depth guys who didn't sign yet that they could go with to fill those spots, and it's always possible that they're going to graduate guys from within. They've got tons of options right now, and not many spots to fill. If they suck this year, they'll know it wasn't the coaching, and the roster overhaul will begin. Doing it now, after replacing the GM and entire coaching staff, is premature.
- the_terror

While I agree with you here and most of your posts, I think there's a bit of rationale to complain or be worried.

You've posted here for awhile. You post something praising the Sens organization and kind of shoot down any of the issues people are complaining about. While they are good posts, when we will we start to see good results? When will this slow play roster building pay off? It's been 9 years since we had a roster that was seen as a contender. the last 5 or so years we seem to be stuck in the middle of the pack with other mediocre teams. If we have the same roster this season as last, the result likely won't change.

I don't think we should have spent like gangbusters on free agency, but there is a continuing pattern of just sticking with what we have hoping it gets us by. While we do that, we loose a player or two one way or another and don't really replace them.

It's time to try and stock up the roster we have now and go for it. As you say we have some key contracts coming up. The likelihood everyone will be here in 3 years, is unlikely and we will continue to see your "everything is alright" posts while we struggle to get out of the middling teams for another 5 years.

The tears from this fanbase are ridiculous.

Yes, they're got room to spend money. Something like $20mm in cap space or whatever. They need to sign Hoffman and Ceci. I guess they don't have to do either of those things, and if they had made that decision, then yes they probably would have spent that money yesterday. So let's say, for the sake of argument, that Hoffman gets $5mm x 5yrs. What LW would you have gone out and spent money on yesterday that would have been an upgrade on Hoffman?

So, set aside around $8mm of that cap space for resigning those two big RFA's. Yes, they still have cap space, but what would you have them blow it on? They could have blown money on guys yesterday, but at what cost? They've got 3 important RFA's up next year (Pageau, Lazar, Zibanejad), they've got Stone and Turris up the year after that, and they've got Karlsson up in year 3. There's at least 3 huge contracts in that group of 6, plus I'm positive they're going to want to keep Pageau as well. Admittedly, Lazar and Zibanejad could be expendable if the prospects develop, but it's not as though you're going to non-qualify either of them. They need to reserve money for the next three years, especially with the contracts that they'll have to give to Karlsson/Turris/Stone.

Being a 'budget team' does not mean 'being cheap'. I don't understand how this concept continues to be lost on people. It means planning for today AND tomorrow, and when you consider some of the buyouts that happened this past week (lots of which were contracts that were signed on July 1 in previous years), it seems that future planning is something that a lot of NHL GM's struggle with.

Ottawa doesn't need a roster overhaul. After resigning Hoffman and Ceci, they'll need a depth LD to play with Wideman, and they'll need a RW to play with Pageau. That's it. Two players. Assuming they don't trade for those positions, who's still out there? There's a pile of veteran depth guys who didn't sign yet that they could go with to fill those spots, and it's always possible that they're going to graduate guys from within. They've got tons of options right now, and not many spots to fill. If they suck this year, they'll know it wasn't the coaching, and the roster overhaul will begin. Doing it now, after replacing the GM and entire coaching staff, is premature.
- the_terror

they are a cheap budget team and uncle eug is an absolute joke and a cheap ass and a disaster when it comes to addressing the media. Dude needs to go it's just that simple. Sorry.

Well there goes that idea. P.A goes to NYI 1 year , $1.25 mill

They have already said they may do some tweaking to the bottom 6 if something comes up but they feel our top 6 and 4 top D are cup ready.

Personally, i'm not so sure, I think we are a #1C and a #2LW away from being a contender

I've said before the Yak could be a very cheap solution to take a chance on, I think Duchene, B Schenn, E Kane. could all be options as well.

As for FA's Sam G could be a good option for a bit cheaper

The tears from this fanbase are ridiculous.

Yes, they're got room to spend money. Something like $20mm in cap space or whatever. They need to sign Hoffman and Ceci. I guess they don't have to do either of those things, and if they had made that decision, then yes they probably would have spent that money yesterday. So let's say, for the sake of argument, that Hoffman gets $5mm x 5yrs. What LW would you have gone out and spent money on yesterday that would have been an upgrade on Hoffman?

So, set aside around $8mm of that cap space for resigning those two big RFA's. Yes, they still have cap space, but what would you have them blow it on? They could have blown money on guys yesterday, but at what cost? They've got 3 important RFA's up next year (Pageau, Lazar, Zibanejad), they've got Stone and Turris up the year after that, and they've got Karlsson up in year 3. There's at least 3 huge contracts in that group of 6, plus I'm positive they're going to want to keep Pageau as well. Admittedly, Lazar and Zibanejad could be expendable if the prospects develop, but it's not as though you're going to non-qualify either of them. They need to reserve money for the next three years, especially with the contracts that they'll have to give to Karlsson/Turris/Stone.

Being a 'budget team' does not mean 'being cheap'. I don't understand how this concept continues to be lost on people. It means planning for today AND tomorrow, and when you consider some of the buyouts that happened this past week (lots of which were contracts that were signed on July 1 in previous years), it seems that future planning is something that a lot of NHL GM's struggle with.

Ottawa doesn't need a roster overhaul. After resigning Hoffman and Ceci, they'll need a depth LD to play with Wideman, and they'll need a RW to play with Pageau. That's it. Two players. Assuming they don't trade for those positions, who's still out there? There's a pile of veteran depth guys who didn't sign yet that they could go with to fill those spots, and it's always possible that they're going to graduate guys from within. They've got tons of options right now, and not many spots to fill. If they suck this year, they'll know it wasn't the coaching, and the roster overhaul will begin. Doing it now, after replacing the GM and entire coaching staff, is premature.
- the_terror

OK.... you stop making sense and being logical.... theirs no place for that here... The Sens are doing a great job preparing for next year and the future (cap wise) ...... sign Hoffman (30g) and Ceci (solid #4) + a couple depth signings (Kelly) and we're good

OK.... you stop making sense and being logical.... theirs no place for that here... The Sens are doing a great job preparing for next year and the future (cap wise) ...... sign Hoffman (30g) and Ceci (solid #4) + a couple depth signings (Kelly) and we're good
- SensnRBs

Here's what I like about your statement - I do believe the Sens are doing a better job preparing for next season as they did last summer; but that's mainly because they didn't do anything to build off the team that went on that run.

i think they expected to just come back and start playing the way they did. BUT to say that "we're good" is classic optimistic thinking.

Hoffman isn't a 30 goal scorer. He's hit 27, 29 - both in contract years. I think sometimes we're guilty of automatically assuming players will hit 30 because they came close and missed games or didn't get enough PP time. A good example of this was Kessel going to play in PIT. For years it was bozak and kadri so people assumed playing with Malkin and Crosby meant 40-50 goals. I predicted 37..... how many did he get? 26. And points wise one of his worst in his career.

The above post is a valid opinion.... but this team has way to much $ Flipping invested in 3 players whose health and on ice performance can't be absent this season: ofcourse I'm talking about Ryan, Phanuef, and MacArthur. IF.....and only IF.... younger players can step up and take on bigger roles - Stone, Zibanejad, Hoffman, Ceci, Lazar - ONLY then can this team take the next step and justify those contracts at the same time. Otherwise if Lazar stays a bottom 6, Zibanejad doesn't step up... and Hoffman slides behind 25 goals..... it could be a long season.

The good news is that Boucher knows this and will be leaning on his veterans for support to lead by example. It also looks like Mac is fully healthy which will create a lot of locker room chemistry; as well as the potential of having a very strong top 9

The tears from this fanbase are ridiculous.

Yes, they're got room to spend money. Something like $20mm in cap space or whatever. They need to sign Hoffman and Ceci. I guess they don't have to do either of those things, and if they had made that decision, then yes they probably would have spent that money yesterday. So let's say, for the sake of argument, that Hoffman gets $5mm x 5yrs. What LW would you have gone out and spent money on yesterday that would have been an upgrade on Hoffman?

So, set aside around $8mm of that cap space for resigning those two big RFA's. Yes, they still have cap space, but what would you have them blow it on? They could have blown money on guys yesterday, but at what cost? They've got 3 important RFA's up next year (Pageau, Lazar, Zibanejad), they've got Stone and Turris up the year after that, and they've got Karlsson up in year 3. There's at least 3 huge contracts in that group of 6, plus I'm positive they're going to want to keep Pageau as well. Admittedly, Lazar and Zibanejad could be expendable if the prospects develop, but it's not as though you're going to non-qualify either of them. They need to reserve money for the next three years, especially with the contracts that they'll have to give to Karlsson/Turris/Stone.

Being a 'budget team' does not mean 'being cheap'. I don't understand how this concept continues to be lost on people. It means planning for today AND tomorrow, and when you consider some of the buyouts that happened this past week (lots of which were contracts that were signed on July 1 in previous years), it seems that future planning is something that a lot of NHL GM's struggle with.

Ottawa doesn't need a roster overhaul. After resigning Hoffman and Ceci, they'll need a depth LD to play with Wideman, and they'll need a RW to play with Pageau. That's it. Two players. Assuming they don't trade for those positions, who's still out there? There's a pile of veteran depth guys who didn't sign yet that they could go with to fill those spots, and it's always possible that they're going to graduate guys from within. They've got tons of options right now, and not many spots to fill. If they suck this year, they'll know it wasn't the coaching, and the roster overhaul will begin. Doing it now, after replacing the GM and entire coaching staff, is premature.
- the_terror

Comical. The Penguins, Blackhawks and Kings win Cups. Who, at their roster spot might makes their teams at the same place in the line up?

Karlsson, maybe Anderson on the Pens, Methot? Stone? Nobody else other than maybe Zach Smith.

Who of the recently acquireable would make these teams? Okposo, Hall, Lucic...

We have 4 or 5 guys punching their weight, a lot who try hard and are nice people, and we are seemingly finally trying to get some size to have a foundation for a team strategy.

But we have no money, some nice middle calibre prospects, and an owner who just pocketed $17M in expansion money and spent nothing on a team that was badly outshot in over half its games last year, while divisional opponents loaded up.

This team might make the playoffs, might even win a round, but will not challenge until it has another 5 to 10 at calibre guys compared to the real contenders.

And with Cheapo at the helm, we look like the Cinncinati Reds of hockey, always a little in the mix, with no shot of making anybody sweat, year after year after year.