Good points. I always come across as the negative nancy on these boards, so I have tried to play the optimist route generally. However, I just don't know why you wouldn't try to capitalize on a great run.

Like honestly, the Pens are the only team in the way in the East now with Washington looking like they are imploding.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yes ,they were 1 goal away from being in the cup final . .With a little bit more fire power ,that could have been obtained at the deadline. Some player who could have netted 5+ goals. if they had the spending power to max out it would have made the difference but the wallet was not open once again.To be fair Nashville was probably licking their chops at the thought of playing the Sens too. It would have been a great final 2 cupless teams battling it out . Intriguing story lines like ex Senator Fisher and the general dislike of Subban for cracking Stones wrist in the playoffs. 2 smaller markets. I think it would have been a battle royale for the ages
I give full credit to the players and coaching staff and a few of Dorions moves for their accomplishment. That was done by pure will and effort. It was a treat watching that playoff team. None of this ranting is to take away from what they accomplished . It is all directed at ownership

I agree the East is still wide open except the the big 2 and they are beatable. The buck now stops with Eugene .Completely. I am not going to debate what player to bring in or what assets to use to trade up. I am going to say Eugene has to open the wallet fully at this point there is no other way about it . No more exscuses from ownership. He was looking like the cat that ate the canary at those playoff games while drinking what appeared to be wine with his new liver. When in reality he should have been embarrassed for not knowing what opportunity he had and he blew it by not spending.

I remember a game last season with a between periods interview with Karlsson and he was all sweaty panting and after the first question the first thing he said is WE are a budget team.... Now with an all star like him starting to age.Does anyone think he is actually going to resign here . I would have to imagine that for a competitive top tier athlete that yes money is important but being a champion is equally as important . And the ownership here has yet again squandered an opportunity to surround a elite player with as much talent as possible. Not to mention what a waste of non advertising of such an elite player. It almost felt like the rest of the Nhl was just finding out who this guy is. Also Ottawa should be plastered with billboards of this guy . Is Eugene going to offer him a big bag of money and think he will take it. He does not live in tax haven Barbados avoiding Canadian taxes so i do not think money is the be all end all for this guy. So the Sens are at crossroad either start spending. To keep and attract the talent or lose it for next to nothing after Eugene has squeezed as much money out of the talent with spending next to nothing...That is a great way for making dollars but a poor way to build championships

Yes ,they were 1 goal away from being in the cup final . .With a little bit more fire power ,that could have been obtained at the deadline. Some player who could have netted 5+ goals. if they had the spending power to max out it would have made the difference but the wallet was not open once again.To be fair Nashville was probably licking their chops at the thought of playing the Sens too. It would have been a great final 2 cupless teams battling it out . Intriguing story lines like ex Senator Fisher and the general dislike of Subban for cracking Stones wrist in the playoffs. 2 smaller markets. I think it would have been a battle royale for the ages
I give full credit to the players and coaching staff and a few of Dorions moves for their accomplishment. That was done by pure will and effort. It was a treat watching that playoff team. None of this ranting is to take away from what they accomplished . It is all directed at ownership

I agree the East is still wide open except the the big 2 and they are beatable. The buck now stops with Eugene .Completely. I am not going to debate what player to bring in or what assets to use to trade up. I am going to say Eugene has to open the wallet fully at this point there is no other way about it . No more exscuses from ownership. He was looking like the cat that ate the canary at those playoff games while drinking what appeared to be wine with his new liver. When in reality he should have been embarrassed for not knowing what opportunity he had and he blew it by not spending.

I remember a game last season with a between periods interview with Karlsson and he was all sweaty panting and after the first question the first thing he said is WE are a budget team.... Now with an all star like him starting to age.Does anyone think he is actually going to resign here . I would have to imagine that for a competitive top tier athlete that yes money is important but being a champion is equally as important . And the ownership here has yet again squandered an opportunity to surround a elite player with as much talent as possible. Not to mention what a waste of non advertising of such an elite player. It almost felt like the rest of the Nhl was just finding out who this guy is. Also Ottawa should be plastered with billboards of this guy . Is Eugene going to offer him a big bag of money and think he will take it. He does not live in tax haven Barbados avoiding Canadian taxes so i do not think money is the be all end all for this guy. So the Sens are at crossroad either start spending. To keep and attract the talent or lose it for next to nothing after Eugene has squeezed as much money out of the talent with spending next to nothing...That is a great way for making dollars but a poor way to build championships
- spazzbot

Good post.

The Sens currently have around 10 mill in cap space this year. That sticks them in the middle of the NHL in terms of cap space. That sounds like a lot, but if we were to add just one big ticket player, like Duchene for example, that shrinks to at least to around 4 mill. That's not a lot to spend on Turris, Stone, and Andy (or his replacement) next year and Karlsson and Brassard the year after.

I do think management should be smarter with moving money around. People like to complain about the contracts of Ryan and Phanuef, but to me the one that sticks out is Brassard. 5 mill and and he really didn't add a heck of a lot last year. Despite having a no trade clause, I think he is a moveable piece so that we can clear that contract off the books and make a pitch for a more useful player.

Good post.

The Sens currently have around 10 mill in cap space this year. That sticks them in the middle of the NHL in terms of cap space. That sounds like a lot, but if we were to add just one big ticket player, like Duchene for example, that shrinks to at least to around 4 mill. That's not a lot to spend on Turris, Stone, and Andy (or his replacement) next year and Karlsson and Brassard the year after.

I do think management should be smarter with moving money around. People like to complain about the contracts of Ryan and Phanuef, but to me the one that sticks out is Brassard. 5 mill and and he really didn't add a heck of a lot last year. Despite having a no trade clause, I think he is a moveable piece so that we can clear that contract off the books and make a pitch for a more useful player.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yes they do have to keep in mind future contracts and injuries and trade deadline deals. There has been some questionable contracts doled out. I am sure the Penguins have some of those too. But if they have 10 million to spend on this 1 year why not spend it for 1 year and see if they can build on last year . I am not saying do this but as a example Jagr if you can get someone like him to a game 7 eastern final he would be over the top hungry to win. I cant give examples off the top of my head as to who to bring in for a year or 2 rental or who was available last year but there must be some pieces out there . What i do know for certain you have to spend as much as you can to stay competitive and attractive. I do not say spend with out due dilligence but do spend . I wonder how far below the cap Pittsburg is