Last year's anomaly season is killing the Sens. They were a very poor team that somehow over-achieved and made an eastern conference final. So they proceeded to give up legit young assets to acquire Burrows and Duchene because they were thinking like an eastern conference contender, when in fact they were a bottom-feeder

No one is taking Dion without Ottawa eating a considerable chunk of salary. And NO ONE is taking Ryan...period. Easily the worst contract in hockey (history?). If Ottawa was stacked with young prospects, they could attach one of them to Ryan in order to entice a team like Arizona or Buffalo, but the farm system is pretty weak. So that's not an option. And there's no way Dorion would EVER give up his first round pick in the Rasmus Dahlin draft (wait....he already did??? Je$us....)

Anyways, bottom line - don't overreact to success in the standings. Look deeper - this team was terrible last year! And due to a series of missteps, Karlsson is gonna walk, and they have no first-round pick and a relatively weak prospect pool to kick off their rebuild
- AxlRose91

Might want to get your facts straight or do some research before posting a paragraph like this.

Plenty of awful contracts around today: https://www.sbnation.com/...salary-cap-2017-18-season

You want all time? Here: https://www.thesportster....contracts-in-nhl-history/

Still not sure how people don't understand that the East was open for the taking last year and Ottawa was the beneficiary. Could have been anyone. If they were truly awful, they wouldn't have made it. That's the playoffs for ya. It was an exciting couple of months. Team still needed to make changes to be a true contender. I like how people say last year was a one off, but assume the teams struggles right now are forever.

Oh and that first overall pick Dorion potentially traded according to you? Top 10 protected.

Why does anyone think either Karlsson or Duchene will resign? Neither can be a huge fan of the way this team plays, and if they get the $$ that other teams will offer, no chance Melnyk pays to surround them with the necessary talent to battle for a cup. This time next year - if both are still with the Sens at that time - we'll be in full blown rumour mode.

That said, if you follow the script, this time next year Sens will have a new coach, will be over-achieving again, and operating on the assumption that they are elite and planning for a cup run in 2019/2020. Wash Rinse Repeat.

Almost feel sorry for this fan base... almost.

This just in... no practice after the bye week. Rest is a weapon.

No one is taking Dion without Ottawa eating a considerable chunk of salary. And NO ONE is taking Ryan...period. Easily the worst contract in hockey (history?).
- AxlRose91

Look at the deal that David Clarkson received from TML. Much worse than the Ryan signing.

I could see Phaneuf going to Calgary if that is on his list if ownership is willing to eat some money and that's a big if.Ryan would have to be a serious salary retain of 3-4 mill before any team touches him. I have been a supporter of Ryan even when it appeared he did not know how to skate but these hand injuries are becoming ridiculous .Overall i think it would be solid advice to move the 2 of them eat some salary and get some picks and prospects back.Also move Burrows for a free mcdonalds voucher. Goalies need upgrading but i would assume those 3 are high priority . Leave the rest of the team alone for this season,unless they are on last season of contract

Why does anyone think either Karlsson or Duchene will resign? Neither can be a huge fan of the way this team plays, and if they get the $$ that other teams will offer, no chance Melnyk pays to surround them with the necessary talent to battle for a cup. This time next year - if both are still with the Sens at that time - we'll be in full blown rumour mode.

That said, if you follow the script, this time next year Sens will have a new coach, will be over-achieving again, and operating on the assumption that they are elite and planning for a cup run in 2019/2020. Wash Rinse Repeat.

Almost feel sorry for this fan base... almost.

This just in... no practice after the bye week. Rest is a weapon.
- grim

its a dream world if you think the leafs are contenders,its only a matter of time before austin wants to bale out

its a dream world if you think the leafs are contenders,its only a matter of time before austin wants to bale out
- spazzbot

oh

What should happen:

Sens buyout Phaneuf next summer. Ottawa is not going to be in 'salary cap hell' until EK's new contract (assuming he signs) kicks in. That gives us one more decent year out of Phaneuf and less of a buy out cap hit for his remaining years.

https://www.capfriendly.c...t_calculator/dion-phaneuf

I am not sure how legit this thing is, but outside the one year (20-21) the cap hit is relatively small.

I would choose to keep Ryan over Phaneuf for a few reasons:
1. we have far more D prospects
2. his contract is longer and the cap hit will be worse for a longer period of time
3. he was fantastic in the playoffs last year and as the pace of play slows down in the playoffs, he seems to be able to produce more.

Compare to Phaneuf to Ryan's cap hit:
https://www.capfriendly.c...out_calculator/bobby-ryan

Now, obviously, if we can trade one or both of them and retain less salary than the buyout would cost, it's obviously something you do. I can't see that happening though, considering the Sens were unable to deal Phaneuf in the summer.

Ok, now that I'm done talking about it as if we had good, stable ownership.. let's talk about what likely will happen:

The Sens will trade Hoffman in a terrible deal, with terrible return. He'll score 15 goals down the stretch with his new team.

They'll look to dump more salary and chuck a character player in Pageau for a 2nd rounder.

#melnykout.

What should happen:

Sens buyout Phaneuf next summer. Ottawa is not going to be in 'salary cap hell' until EK's new contract (assuming he signs) kicks in. That gives us one more decent year out of Phaneuf and less of a buy out cap hit for his remaining years.

https://www.capfriendly.c...t_calculator/dion-phaneuf

I am not sure how legit this thing is, but outside the one year (20-21) the cap hit is relatively small.

I would choose to keep Ryan over Phaneuf for a few reasons:
1. we have far more D prospects
2. his contract is longer and the cap hit will be worse for a longer period of time
3. he was fantastic in the playoffs last year and as the pace of play slows down in the playoffs, he seems to be able to produce more.

Compare to Phaneuf to Ryan's cap hit:
https://www.capfriendly.c...out_calculator/bobby-ryan

Now, obviously, if we can trade one or both of them and retain less salary than the buyout would cost, it's obviously something you do. I can't see that happening though, considering the Sens were unable to deal Phaneuf in the summer.

Ok, now that I'm done talking about it as if we had good, stable ownership.. let's talk about what likely will happen:

The Sens will trade Hoffman in a terrible deal, with terrible return. He'll score 15 goals down the stretch with his new team.

They'll look to dump more salary and chuck a character player in Pageau for a 2nd rounder.
- Charliebox

welcome to toronto, pageau.

What should happen:

Sens buyout Phaneuf next summer. Ottawa is not going to be in 'salary cap hell' until EK's new contract (assuming he signs) kicks in. That gives us one more decent year out of Phaneuf and less of a buy out cap hit for his remaining years.

https://www.capfriendly.c...t_calculator/dion-phaneuf

I am not sure how legit this thing is, but outside the one year (20-21) the cap hit is relatively small.

I would choose to keep Ryan over Phaneuf for a few reasons:
1. we have far more D prospects
2. his contract is longer and the cap hit will be worse for a longer period of time
3. he was fantastic in the playoffs last year and as the pace of play slows down in the playoffs, he seems to be able to produce more.

Compare to Phaneuf to Ryan's cap hit:
https://www.capfriendly.c...out_calculator/bobby-ryan

Now, obviously, if we can trade one or both of them and retain less salary than the buyout would cost, it's obviously something you do. I can't see that happening though, considering the Sens were unable to deal Phaneuf in the summer.

Ok, now that I'm done talking about it as if we had good, stable ownership.. let's talk about what likely will happen:

The Sens will trade Hoffman in a terrible deal, with terrible return. He'll score 15 goals down the stretch with his new team.

They'll look to dump more salary and chuck a character player in Pageau for a 2nd rounder.

#melnykout.
- Charliebox

If your predictions of what is likely to happen does indeed happen. The whole hockey world will know that ownership and management in Ottawa is the most incompetent buffoons in all of NHL
As far as all the moves made before this year i give them full credit they went for it and almost got there. But now is time to be logical ,eat some cash because last years window is closed,retool properly and they will be in the mix next year,after all in this division you dont have to be great just good

If your predictions of what is likely to happen does indeed happen. The whole hockey world will know that ownership and management in Ottawa is the most incompetent buffoons in all of NHL
As far as all the moves made before this year i give them full credit they went for it and almost got there. But now is time to be logical ,eat some cash because last years window is closed,retool properly and they will be in the mix next year
- spazzbot

everybody already knows ottawa is 2nd to edmonton in this regard.

everybody already knows ottawa is 2nd to edmonton in this regard.
- Tumbleweed

you got me there in regards to ownership,yet he has put the money up but still he opens his mouth and that just washes anything good away
Management has been good so far , the upcoming transactions will solidify just how competent they really are

you got me there in regards to ownership,yet he has put the money up but still he opens his mouth and that just washes anything good away
Management has been good so far , the upcoming transactions will solidify just how competent they really are
- spazzbot

giving up a better player and pick for brassard

giving up the equivalent of 2 1sts and turris for a lateral move.

overpaying for burrows and then doubling down on the mistake by signing him

overpaying a backup in term and money (after passing on him on waivers and then trading a pick for him)

overpaying an aging starter

screwing up the expansion draft

yeah, dorion is not good. and by not good, i mean really bad.

giving up a better player and pick for brassard

giving up the equivalent of 2 1sts and turris for a lateral move.

overpaying for burrows and then doubling down on the mistake by signing him

overpaying a backup in term and money (after passing on him on waivers and then trading a pick for him)

overpaying an aging starter

screwing up the expansion draft

yeah, dorion is not good. and by not good, i mean really bad.
- Tumbleweed

I can see your point,and it is easy to pick it apart this season.However like i said they went for it and almost did it.I can appreciate that myself.And they thought they might have had 1 more year this season of that open window,wich was a fair assesment imo,unfortuantely it went haywire.
Its what is now is going to happen that will prove managements worth

giving up a better player and pick for brassard - Total money move.

giving up the equivalent of 2 1sts and turris for a lateral move. - According to Turris, management wanted him to stay but it was the owner who didn't want him in Ottawa.. I don't see why he would lie.

overpaying for burrows and then doubling down on the mistake by signing him - this one is on management

overpaying a backup in term and money (after passing on him on waivers and then trading a pick for him) - yeah, not good.

overpaying an aging starter - anyone manager could have made this mistake - it's only a two year deal, so hardly a huge mistake.

screwing up the expansion draft - Completely money related.

yeah, dorion is not good. and by not good, i mean really bad.
- Tumbleweed

So if we break it down, the big moves (Turris trade, Zibby trade, Methot loss) are all on ownership.

The little mistakes are on Dorion.

Based on how he drafts I would completely live with those little mistakes. Also, those little money mistakes (backup money, Burrows money) are hugely over analyzed.. why? Because the owner refuses to spend to the cap. If the Sens were a cap team, the fans would go 'meh' over those two deals. But since we aren't.. backup money and 4th line money is a huge deal.

For the record, I don't see Duchene and Turris as lateral whatsoever.

While I think the Sens gave up too much (the extra 3rd rounder was to dump Hammond money), I think Duchene is a significant step up over Turris.

Sure, he's started slowly, but this is the type of deal that we can't really judge for a couple years.

Anyone who's watched the last 5 or so Sens games can see that Duchene is a game-breaker. Turris isn't that type of player.

oh
- Tumbleweed

How in earth would he know that Matthews is going to eventually want out?? Is Melnyk buying the Leafs???

Why does anyone think either Karlsson or Duchene will resign?
- grim

Maybe because the entire team's strategy is essentially designed around Karlsson, in addition to the fact that he's the team captain, has won two Norris trophies with the team, and come within a single goal of making the Stanley Cup Finals? He and his wife also live in Ottawa, he's repeatedly said how much he likes to community, and he and his wife are now expecting a child. Now it's certainly possible that he'll decide to go in a different direction, but not everyone is like Kevin Durant.

As for Duchene, I think an experience like he had in Colorado tends to make you think pretty carefully about going to some random team for a paycheque, versus staying with a team that's made a significant commitment to bringing you on board and wanting you to be a big part of their team. Again, it could be that Duchene signs elsewhere, but I wouldn't be so quick to just assume that either player is necessarily looking to jump ship.

its a dream world if you think the leafs are contenders,its only a matter of time before austin wants to bale out
- spazzbot

Didn't want to make this about Matthews on a Sens thread, but since you reacted like an infant, I'll share my thoughts...

Matthews will sign a deal for less but similar to McDavid, meaning he'll be a Leaf for another 6-7 years. Should he wish to "bale" (Donald Trump loves the uneducated) at that point, will worry about it then. I don't consider them contenders, at least not yet, but am very satisfied with the state of the organization at this time - and it's a been a long wait. My main concern is a panic, knee-jerk move that changes the long term. For what it's worth I was not a fan of the Marleau signing. With better linemates, Connor Brown would have identical if not better production at this point in the season.

one of my favorite thing in the world is Leaf fans do their hardest to squat around in other teams forums trying to make themselves feel better about what has been one of the most disastrous all-around franchises in all of pro sports since the 60's. (Profits aside because well, why not!)

one of my favorite thing in the world is Leaf fans do their hardest to squat around in other teams forums trying to make themselves feel better about what has been one of the most disastrous all-around franchises in all of pro sports since the 60's. (Profits aside because well, why not!)
- wilkobecks

To be fair, some provide decent commentary on these boards. Let's face it, without some of them, these threads would be dead.

Though it was pretty funny to see not one Leaf fan provide any input after meaningless loss vs the Sens. Guess, they are a sensitive bunch.

To be fair, some provide decent commentary on these boards. Let's face it, without some of them, these threads would be dead.

Though it was pretty funny to see not one Leaf fan provide any input after meaningless loss vs the Sens. Guess, they are a sensitive bunch.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

No hiding it, Sens own the Leafs of late head-to-head. Don't understand it, certainly don't like it. Hopefully that changes on Saturday. I don't come here to make trouble and try to be objective but people see the "favorite team" on the left, fire back and it's on. We take our fair share too... if I had a dollar for every time locals remind me of Chara rag-dolling McCabe, Alfie cross-checking Tucker into the boards or fake tossing his stick into the stands I'd retire and start my own silly hockey rumour board.

Obviously on the high end, but, well, Julien Gauthier hasn't adapted well early, and we need somebody to help NOW.
- BINGO!

Duchene warrants much more than a top draft pick.

Why does anyone think either Karlsson or Duchene will resign? Neither can be a huge fan of the way this team plays, and if they get the $$ that other teams will offer, no chance Melnyk pays to surround them with the necessary talent to battle for a cup. This time next year - if both are still with the Sens at that time - we'll be in full blown rumour mode.

That said, if you follow the script, this time next year Sens will have a new coach, will be over-achieving again, and operating on the assumption that they are elite and planning for a cup run in 2019/2020. Wash Rinse Repeat.

Almost feel sorry for this fan base... almost.

This just in... no practice after the bye week. Rest is a weapon.
- grim

Well for one thing Karlsson, Duchene and Stone are the players for which will most likely get want they want or close to. The other players are the ones that will most likely be traded to make room to re-sign those players. Duchene gets to play number 1 centre, which is never a gurarantee on any team of the NHL and Karlsson gets to remain captain those are considerable factors that players look at besides just the salary and the team. Besides, Ottawa has the small city charm that some people like. But I hope you are wrong, but it is hockey and NHL anything could happen.

Duchene warrants much more than a top draft pick.
- PtotheY

Just because your idiot GM burned his own house down to get him doesn't mean other teams will.

Enjoy Not making trades and somehow being even pooptier next season!

Well for one thing Karlsson, Duchene and Stone are the players for which will most likely get want they want or close to. The other players are the ones that will most likely be traded to make room to re-sign those players. Duchene gets to play number 1 centre, which is never a gurarantee on any team of the NHL and Karlsson gets to remain captain those are considerable factors that players look at besides just the salary and the team. Besides, Ottawa has the small city charm that some people like. But I hope you are wrong, but it is hockey and NHL anything could happen.

- PtotheY

There isn't a player in the world that would choose being the captain or 1C on a terrible team over winning.

Plus who's to say Melnyk will actually open his wallet to sign these guys to what they'll get on the open market?