Some pretty bizarre rankings here from the CSB Final Rankings for the coming NHL 2021 Draft...
http://www.nhl.com/ice/dr...&sort=finalRank&year=2021

I'm not even sure which of the following is the most bizarre, but highlights include:
- McTavish at #2
- Johnson at #3
- Beniers at #6
- Lucius at #12
- Clarke at #7
- Lysell at #9 (European)

My takeaway is that the top-12 is really a bit of a toss-up. With the #10 pick, at least two or three of McTavish, Lysell, Wallstedt, Johnson, or Lucius should still be on the board.

Regardless, I'm still trying to process the fact that you don't appear to be acknowledging the horrendous asset mismanagement of trading Brannstrom, Gustavsson, Tierney, and Logan Brown for two impending-UFA, who they could just sign as UFA. If RNH and Barrie are keen on leaving Edmonton, then they're not exactly going to be keen to do a sign-trade arrangement... and if they're keen on Ottawa as a new team, then they'll be happy to sign here. As for the four players you mentioned, trade them away if you really want... but at least get some kind of substantial value back at the draft or something.
- khawk

My post to Fakepartofme

"Both Nugent-Hopkins and Barrie are UFA. Sens would have to be sure they sign before making deal."
Where is it that I say the Sens should make the deal without the players being under contract. Besides when it comes to Brown and Brannstrom they're NHL players and they should be in the NHL, Gus should be given a real shot and Tierney obviously doesn't fit here. So what does Dorion do with Brown, Brannstrom and Gus, keep them on the Smith carousel until they're 30 years old and pay Tierney 3.5 mil to play on the 4th line. What do you expect to get for 3 minor leaguers and a serviceable 3rd line C that everybody knows you have no room for. That's why I floated their names.

Wonder if Norris, 2021 1st, and Sanderson would get it done?

Too much? Not enough? Just right?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Too much, this would be the worst Ottawa trade ever. Sanderson will be our best D Man in 3 years and Norris is awesome. White and our first round pick in a weak draft are expendable.

Ottawa has the cap space to overpay a UFA and keep all our young assets.

Kadri would be be a great addition, could you imagine him and Brady on the same line!

Too much, this would be the worst Ottawa trade ever. Sanderson will be our best D Man in 3 years and Norris is awesome. White and our first round pick in a weak draft are expendable.

Ottawa has the cap space to overpay a UFA and keep all our young assets.

Kadri would be be a great addition, could you imagine him and Brady on the same line!
- Barrykerr1

One playoff suspension is a fluke. Two might be a coincidence. Three is a pattern. If I'm grabbing Kadri I want him for some playoff pushes. I love him as a player. As a person, you avoid him.

My takeaway is that the top-12 is really a bit of a toss-up.
- khawk

In my unprofessional view, this years draft is a very "Nail Yakupov goes first and Alex Galchenyuk goes 3rd" kinda draft. A bunch of good players, but zero stars (not including goalies). That could be because of shortened seasons/non-existing seasons, but we'll find out in 5+ years.

In my opinion, leave the team alone. Ottawa was one of the best teams in the entire league down the stretch with good goaltending, why is management now trying to change the chemistry, again. The only kind of moves that I would be ok with is getting Colin White out for whatever they could get and try to sign Nugent-Hopkins as a UFA, but that is it. Norris and Pinto will make a great 1-2 punch down the middle just like they did the last 10 games of the season. Let's let the team grow and re-assess any kind of trade activity until mid-season or end of the next season. This right now is the best opportunity I've ever seen for a team to really build amazing chemistry amongst its players (they are all in the same age range and new to the league).
- Sage

Totally agreed!...Stay the course, be patient and keep drafting another 2 or 3 valuable young players during this coming draft (RD or C or RW sniper)...Our young team needs to solidify their chemistry and keep growing steadily together as a Team!....You only try to get an upgrade player (C or RD), if PD gets a tremendous opportunity, from a team who needs cap space or from a UFA ready to sign for a descent contract, or maybe a smart trade with Seattle!...

In my unprofessional view, this years draft is a very "Nail Yakupov goes first and Alex Galchenyuk goes 3rd" kinda draft. A bunch of good players, but zero stars (not including goalies). That could be because of shortened seasons/non-existing seasons, but we'll find out in 5+ years.
- PogBoi

Power seems to have some real potential. Over than that though, I just don't know.

How about white/Brannstrom/L.Brown and 2021 1st
- sens4life1971

I'd make this trade very quickly, which means Buffalo likely wouldn't.

They'd still have JBD and Sanderson on the Defence, and all the young forwards from this season

All of these trade proposals are nuts. To me, we are on track in our team development. If we are going to make a trade, we shouldn't be giving up the future.

I could see maybe a Claude Giroux because he's a hometown talent and could like be had just as a cap dump for Philly.

I would also love to bring in Brayden Schenn because I think he would fit in extremely well, but again wouldn't give up the future to get him.

I'd make this trade very quickly, which means Buffalo likely wouldn't.

They'd still have JBD and Sanderson on the Defence, and all the young forwards from this season
- david22

I personally wouldn’t want Eichel think he’s cancer in locker room 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Now I’d sign Kadri even if he does have a reputation of getting playoffs suspension 🤷‍♂️

I wasn’t arguing that eichel hasn’t had his share, I was just saying if you’re looking to get longevity I wouldn’t say monahan has a huge edge. He also played through a number of games with those injuries.
- RedC21

You seem convinced Monahan is done it seems which is insanity. His 26 years old & has had how many 30 goal seasons? Kid is lethal when he's healthy. Problem is, he plays through injuries even when his performance suffers. Not sure why management allowed that & made him heal up especially when we had a kid like Bennett chomping at the bit for an extended chance for some top 6 centre minutes. Personally, I would rather keep Monahan unless a team like Ottawa really stepped up to the plate. For the returns Im seeing here I would rather just trade Backlund for that type of return & keep Monahan as our #2 C.

You seem convinced Monahan is done it seems which is insanity. His 26 years old & has had how many 30 goal seasons? Kid is lethal when he's healthy. Problem is, he plays through injuries even when his performance suffers. Not sure why management allowed that & made him heal up especially when we had a kid like Bennett chomping at the bit for an extended chance for some top 6 centre minutes. Personally, I would rather keep Monahan unless a team like Ottawa really stepped up to the plate. For the returns Im seeing here I would rather just trade Backlund for that type of return & keep Monahan as our #2 C.
- Kevin R

I wouldn’t say I’m convinced he’s done as none of these injuries are career threatening. I just think some of us Calgary fans are being overtly optimistic expecting him to bounce back, I didn’t want to move him last off-season as I thought it would be selling low but it appears now this is what he is.

He’s not good defensively, he doesn’t drive play offensively, he’s not physical or does puck battles and is pretty much a ghost if he’s not scoring a goal which tends to be streaky. I think his point totals are inflated by being Gaudreau’s passenger and even in his career year 2019 his success was a large byproduct of the chemistry between JG and lindholm.

So now that the team is moving away from that pairing I think he’s going to be exposed as a 20 goal 40-50 point player so if the team is going to move on from him doing so while he still has a reputation of a borderline 1C 30 goal scorer may be in the team’s best interest.

And I don’t think the market for backlund is that great either, not because he’s a bad player but his contract isn’t the best and most teams aren’t going to value him like we do.

Power seems to have some real potential. Over than that though, I just don't know.
- david22

The thing that would nerve me about power is I’ve also heard he’s closer to a hanifin than he is a hedman or if you’re to sum up the top 4 D:

Power - high floor, mid ceiling
Hughes- high ceiling, mid floor
Clarke- mid floor, mid ceiling
Edvinsson- high ceiling, low floor

To me they’re very interchangeable and it will depend on what team thinks they can get the most of each player

For the forwards

Beniers- potential low end 1C but more likely 2C

Eklund- cooled off in the second half, had he have been born 2 months earlier would have been in last years draft and had a better year than both Raymond and holtz’ D+1 season.

Guenther- could have taken 1st place if he continued his torrid pace (12 games, 12 goals, 24 points). Short sample size but who knows whoever does wind up with 1st will be thinking.

There may be no game breakers in this draft but I also think we’re exaggerating how much this year will be like 2012 due to lack of scouting. It also doesn’t help power and raty the preseason favourites had worse years than expected as far as evaluating this draft. If anything I think what we’ll see is a fair number of mid-late 1st round busts and guys that went in the 2nd/3rd round looking like they should have been 1st rounders

While the Sens have made some astute picks the past few years including some great wingers and a few good defenders. The obvious dilemma is that none of the players appears to be a potential 1C, 1D or 1G. Acceptable players will eventually be needed to fill these roles. This is a requirement for playoff success.

The only way to get these players is through the draft or by overpaying in lopsided deals. Although it carries some inherent risks, continuing with the present course seems to be the best option. The Sens should continue to sign players with trade value in the off-season with an eye toward protecting current assets while acquiring more picks at the trade deadline. Continuing to draft often and wisely is the key. Some picks must be hits, while other assets can be used to trade for needed pieces.

It is also important to properly develop young assets, while trading those with development issues before other teams notice. Calgary did this with Phaneuf as did Montreal with Subban. Ottawa has instead chosen to hold onto Chabot. Had the Sens acted on Chabot's apparent decline 15 months ago, it is possible he could have been packaged in a trade for one of the needed commodities. Unfortunately, his decline has now been recognized league-wide. Hopefully the Sens can find a way to protect him next year, allowing him to focus on developing positional play while excelling as a PP specialist. This will require a significant reduction in ATOI. Assets like this cannot go to waste.

The path of teams drafting and developing talent has a proven track record. It has been followed by most of the league's current elite teams and all but one post-lockout Cup winner. I suggest the Sens need at least another year of drafting and developing before they step into the trade market for a 1C, 1D or 1G.

I like Kadri. It will not cost a lot to acquire him. So many teams struggling with cap issues. Colorado has some expensive negotiations ahead with some real great assets. I think the Sens might acquire Kadri for a 2nd round pick or prospect equivalent.

While the Sens have made some astute picks the past few years including some great wingers and a few good defenders. The obvious dilemma is that none of the players appears to be a potential 1C, 1D or 1G. Acceptable players will eventually be needed to fill these roles. This is a requirement for playoff success.

The only way to get these players is through the draft or by overpaying in lopsided deals. Although it carries some inherent risks, continuing with the present course seems to be the best option. The Sens should continue to sign players with trade value in the off-season with an eye toward protecting current assets while acquiring more picks at the trade deadline. Continuing to draft often and wisely is the key. Some picks must be hits, while other assets can be used to trade for needed pieces.

It is also important to properly develop young assets, while trading those with development issues before other teams notice. Calgary did this with Phaneuf as did Montreal with Subban. Ottawa has instead chosen to hold onto Chabot. Had the Sens acted on Chabot's apparent decline 15 months ago, it is possible he could have been packaged in a trade for one of the needed commodities. Unfortunately, his decline has now been recognized league-wide. Hopefully the Sens can find a way to protect him next year, allowing him to focus on developing positional play while excelling as a PP specialist. This will require a significant reduction in ATOI. Assets like this cannot go to waste.

The path of teams drafting and developing talent has a proven track record. It has been followed by most of the league's current elite teams and all but one post-lockout Cup winner. I suggest the Sens need at least another year of drafting and developing before they step into the trade market for a 1C, 1D or 1G.
- Jackie Daytona

I agree with your comments especially the developmental issues. What I will say next will offend a lot of fans but I think it's worth mentioning since we're talking development issues.To me one such player is Tkachuk. He's been a 45 - 50 point player for 3 years which is good but not elite but rumor is that he's looking for elite talent money and term and that could become a problem. I think Dorion should bridge him and quietly test the market unless of course he has a breakout year.

Seth Jones leaving Jackets
Grab Jones and Kadri and leave the team as is

While the Sens have made some astute picks the past few years including some great wingers and a few good defenders. The obvious dilemma is that none of the players appears to be a potential 1C, 1D or 1G. Acceptable players will eventually be needed to fill these roles. This is a requirement for playoff success.

The only way to get these players is through the draft or by overpaying in lopsided deals. Although it carries some inherent risks, continuing with the present course seems to be the best option. The Sens should continue to sign players with trade value in the off-season with an eye toward protecting current assets while acquiring more picks at the trade deadline. Continuing to draft often and wisely is the key. Some picks must be hits, while other assets can be used to trade for needed pieces.

It is also important to properly develop young assets, while trading those with development issues before other teams notice. Calgary did this with Phaneuf as did Montreal with Subban. Ottawa has instead chosen to hold onto Chabot. Had the Sens acted on Chabot's apparent decline 15 months ago, it is possible he could have been packaged in a trade for one of the needed commodities. Unfortunately, his decline has now been recognized league-wide. Hopefully the Sens can find a way to protect him next year, allowing him to focus on developing positional play while excelling as a PP specialist. This will require a significant reduction in ATOI. Assets like this cannot go to waste.

The path of teams drafting and developing talent has a proven track record. It has been followed by most of the league's current elite teams and all but one post-lockout Cup winner. I suggest the Sens need at least another year of drafting and developing before they step into the trade market for a 1C, 1D or 1G.
- Jackie Daytona

We already have that 1D in Chabot and most likely Sanderson.

We already have that 1D in Chabot and most likely Sanderson.
- forbetterorWORSE

But Jackie is a pro scout!?

Duchene obviously

I think the point made about taking Skinner with Eichel has some merit. Remember Michael, it's very important that you factor in that Kevyn Adams is a moron when you look at the Eichel deals presented. I'd say a 2022 first, Colin White, whichever one of L. Brown/Jarventie/Grieg/Thomson Buffalo wants, and Joey D'Accord for Eichel and Skinner (30% retained).

That said I also like the idea of Giroux - he grew up in Ottawa (which Ottawa has always seemed to love - see Boro, Pageau, Gudbranson - if only we traded for MacKenzie Weegar last season!). Giroux only has one year left on his contract, and is overpaid for his age. I'd give Logan Brown or Colin White (whichever Philadelphia wanted), Angus Crookshank, and a fourth for one year of him.

I think the point made about taking Skinner with Eichel has some merit. Remember Michael, it's very important that you factor in that Kevyn Adams is a moron when you look at the Eichel deals presented. I'd say a 2022 first, Colin White, whichever one of L. Brown/Jarventie/Grieg/Thomson Buffalo wants, and Joey D'Accord for Eichel and Skinner (30% retained).

That said I also like the idea of Giroux - he grew up in Ottawa (which Ottawa has always seemed to love - see Boro, Pageau, Gudbranson - if only we traded for MacKenzie Weegar last season!). Giroux only has one year left on his contract, and is overpaid for his age. I'd give Logan Brown or Colin White (whichever Philadelphia wanted), Angus Crookshank, and a fourth for one year of him.
- Bartacus

Angus Crookshank is going to be a star in OTT even if he never scores a goal or point, Angus freaking Crookshank!!!, you do not trade such an epic name man

Trade with Edmonton for Nuggent-Hopkins and Barrie. Oilers get L. Brown, Brannstrom, Tierney, Gustafson, rights to Abramov.
- granpa

Sens won’t need to give up anything - just conditional picks and maybe a prospect that won’t be a top 2 rounder.

RNH and Barrie are both ufa

I think the point made about taking Skinner with Eichel has some merit. Remember Michael, it's very important that you factor in that Kevyn Adams is a moron when you look at the Eichel deals presented. I'd say a 2022 first, Colin White, whichever one of L. Brown/Jarventie/Grieg/Thomson Buffalo wants, and Joey D'Accord for Eichel and Skinner (30% retained).

That said I also like the idea of Giroux - he grew up in Ottawa (which Ottawa has always seemed to love - see Boro, Pageau, Gudbranson - if only we traded for MacKenzie Weegar last season!). Giroux only has one year left on his contract, and is overpaid for his age. I'd give Logan Brown or Colin White (whichever Philadelphia wanted), Angus Crookshank, and a fourth for one year of him.
- Bartacus

Not only just grew up , he lived at 5min of the ctc in the summer

Despite Canada's relatively poor showing at the WC this year, Connor Brown just keeps showcasing how far his game has come. Now with 2G-7A-9Pts in 6GP, he's tied for the tournament lead in points, and also has one of the best +/- ratings. I've been mixed in my opinion of Brown in the past, but he really has become one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL.

It's also good to see Nick Paul getting some Team Canada recognition, as well as Jacob Bernard-Docker getting a chance as one of the young guns.