Jared Crozier: Game Day: Panthers @ Senators - The Home Finale

They have to play Karlsson next less season - 25-26 minutes TOI, so he has some energy to practice with the team. I don't blame him for not going to optional practices, he's an excellent Captain, but he should be able to use some of his energy for the entire team and not just focusing all of it on his on ice minutes - EK hanging some some young kids in optional practice is worth a ton to this team.

And if Murray stays on as GM you can't really blame him, if he is recovering from cancer and thinks a change in lifestyle (ie not focusing on work) might effect his recovery you'd see how he or Melnyk would not want to change his routine.

They have to play Karlsson next less season - 25-26 minutes TOI, so he has some energy to practice with the team. I don't blame him for not going to optional practices, he's an excellent Captain, but he should be able to use some of his energy for the entire team and not just focusing all of it on his on ice minutes - EK hanging some some young kids in optional practice is worth a ton to this team.

And if Murray stays on as GM you can't really blame him, if he is recovering from cancer and thinks a change in lifestyle (ie not focusing on work) might effect his recovery you'd see how he or Melnyk would not want to change his routine.
- tuna99

Regardless if Karlsson winning the Norris or not, this season has been pretty impressive individually. To see his name up there with Kane, Benn, Crosby, and Thornton, etc as a d-man is pretty ridiculous.

Let's hope we can surround him with a legitimate roster in the next few seasons. In my opinion, we have until the end of the 2019 season to win with more or less the core we have right now. Come the summer of 2019, Karlsson will be up for contract and that will likely change the landscape of our team by either signing a huge deal (forcing other guys out) or walking (Karlsson walking would likely mean another rebuild). Clock is ticking.

Regardless if Karlsson winning the Norris or not, this season has been pretty impressive individually. To see his name up there with Kane, Benn, Crosby, and Thornton, etc as a d-man is pretty ridiculous.

Let's hope we can surround him with a legitimate roster in the next few seasons. In my opinion, we have until the end of the 2019 season to win with more or less the core we have right now. Come the summer of 2019, Karlsson will be up for contract and that will likely change the landscape of our team by either signing a huge deal (forcing other guys out) or walking (Karlsson walking would likely mean another rebuild). Clock is ticking.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

TSN's article yesterday on Canadian teams doesn't have Ottawa making another berth until 2019 lol.

TSN's article yesterday on Canadian teams doesn't have Ottawa making another berth until 2019 lol.
- KarlOrBust

They also predicted Hoffman to hit 39 points this year. Stone to hit 52. Karlsson to hit 67.

Tsn predictions aren't typically very friendly to the Sens.

Regardless if Karlsson winning the Norris or not, this season has been pretty impressive individually. To see his name up there with Kane, Benn, Crosby, and Thornton, etc as a d-man is pretty ridiculous.

Let's hope we can surround him with a legitimate roster in the next few seasons. In my opinion, we have until the end of the 2019 season to win with more or less the core we have right now. Come the summer of 2019, Karlsson will be up for contract and that will likely change the landscape of our team by either signing a huge deal (forcing other guys out) or walking (Karlsson walking would likely mean another rebuild). Clock is ticking.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Big decisions for Ottawa. Don't want to waste one of the best players in the leagues prime years right? They pretty much have to go for it like you were saying.

With a healthy Phaneuf, Methot, Borocop and Turris, this team will be better. The real problem is Bobby Ryan IMO. He's slow and off balance, and loses too many battles or makes poor passes. He has to improve dramatically or the coach has to find a way to make him more effective.

With a healthy Phaneuf, Methot, Borocop and Turris, this team will be better. The real problem is Bobby Ryan IMO. He's slow and off balance, and loses too many battles or makes poor passes. He has to improve dramatically or the coach has to find a way to make him more effective.
- AlfieFever

Has phaneuf been any good actually tho

TSN's article yesterday on Canadian teams doesn't have Ottawa making another berth until 2019 lol.
- KarlOrBust

I read that as well. TSN is getting significantly worse. They didn't take contracts, development, trades, free agent signings, etc into account for any team. All the Canadian teams will be the exact same for many years to come. Except Toronto, they will get better.

Big decisions for Ottawa. Don't want to waste one of the best players in the leagues prime years right? They pretty much have to go for it like you were saying.
- ClarksonDavid

I've been trying to push that thinking here for awhile now. It's not a thinking most people side with. Everyone wants to hold onto and develop prospects. The day Spezza was traded, we got set back a couple of years. We simply haven't had anyone come close to making up the production we lost and we are just as bad defensively, if not worse.

With essentially 3 years left before big decisions are made, now is the time to try and stack up. Make a giant trade for a legit centre. Sign Hoffman to a reasonable extension. Add another LW like Drouin or a free agent. And add competent 5/6 d-men. All of these minus getting a true #1 centre is not overly difficult to achieve. Eugene might have to shell out a few extra million, but he will make that up with a good playoff run.

Only prospect I'd have a hard time deal is Colin White. However, if he were used to bring in a legit centre icemen, you'd have to consider it.

Don't forget, we will still have Ryan, Macarthur, and Dion under contract come 2019 and it's likely by that time that those contracts will be uglier than a Lindsay Lohan drugged up mugshot as their production is likely to be on the decline.

Pretty much have to win in the next 3 years or we are going to be going through this horse manure again come the 2020.

SJS: Hoffman
Ott: Joe Thornton ($6.75 Cap Hit - 1 year) (5th in NHL scoring)

Zibby - Thornton - Stone
Mac - Turris - Ryan
Smith - Pageau - Lazar
Paul - White - Dzingel / Neil

SJS: Hoffman
Ott: Joe Thornton ($6.75 Cap Hit - 1 year) (5th in NHL scoring)

Zibby - Thornton - Stone
Mac - Turris - Ryan
Smith - Pageau - Lazar
Paul - White - Dzingel / Neil
- tuna99

If you have to move Hoffman, this isn't a terrible trade.

Personally, I'd sign Hoffman, get another LW or even RW that can play in the top 6 rotation and try to use other assets to get a centre. I wouldn't be opposed to moving a couple of 1st for a centre who can play on the 1st line for a few years if it gets us to being a contending squad.

Hoping for regulation losses today and Saturday. We could use the best pick possible.

The only thing worse than a disappointing season hockey is to follow it up with a bust for your first round pick. The higher the draft number, the better the chances of getting it right. According to TSN, there is a dropoff after prospects 1 to 12...

With a healthy Phaneuf, Methot, Borocop and Turris, this team will be better. The real problem is Bobby Ryan IMO. He's slow and off balance, and loses too many battles or makes poor passes. He has to improve dramatically or the coach has to find a way to make him more effective.
- AlfieFever

My only hope for Ryan is that we leave him unprotected in the expansion draft and one of the expansion teams scoop him up because they want a 'name' and to get to the cap floor.

If not, its going to be a long next six years because that contract is unteadeable.

I really don't understand the hate on for Ryan. He certainly looks like he's in line to become Ottawa's new whipping boy. He was by far our best forward the first 50+ games. Did he fizzle out the last 20 games yes but his point totals have risen each year he's been with the Sens. I get his contract is high but 55-60 point players are going to paid in the 6.5-7.5 per. Scoring continues to go down therefore their really isn't as many 80 pt guys out there.

The funny thing is I bet if he had 30g and 25a people wouldn't be complaining as much. I do think each season he's had has been kind of "meh" type of year. He's not having poor point totals but we expect more out of him. IMO he's a good piece to have with a young team.

SJS: Hoffman
Ott: Joe Thornton ($6.75 Cap Hit - 1 year) (5th in NHL scoring)

Zibby - Thornton - Stone
Mac - Turris - Ryan
Smith - Pageau - Lazar
Paul - White - Dzingel / Neil
- tuna99

Thornton has a full NMC and has stated repeatedly that he will not waive it.

I really don't understand the hate on for Ryan. He certainly looks like he's in line to become Ottawa's new whipping boy. He was by far our best forward the first 50+ games. Did he fizzle out the last 20 games yes but his point totals have risen each year he's been with the Sens. I get his contract is high but 55-60 point players are going to paid in the 6.5-7.5 per. Scoring continues to go down therefore their really isn't as many 80 pt guys out there.

The funny thing is I bet if he had 30g and 25a people wouldn't be complaining as much. I do think each season he's had has been kind of "meh" type of year. He's not having poor point totals but we expect more out of him. IMO he's a good piece to have with a young team.
- SENS 613

My favorite part is that the people who rip on ryan are the same people who lick Hoffman's ass and want to sign him to a similar contract as ryan.........forgetting the fact that they poduce almost the exact same numbers and ryan has the better overall game.

An interesting note for Sens prospect Francis Perron:

http://www.montrealgazett...qmjhl/11834919/story.html

Named MVP of QMJHL this year.

An interesting note for Sens prospect Francis Perron:

http://www.montrealgazett...qmjhl/11834919/story.html

Named MVP of QMJHL this year.
- MaxTLimit

Looking like a good player. I'm very excited to see how he develops. It is the Q, and he certainly needs to bulk up, but nothing but positives considering his draft position.

And holy hell, I don't know if his team is good, or their opposition was that bad, but they destroyed that first round opponent.

And holy hell, I don't know if his team is good, or their opposition was that bad, but they destroyed that first round opponent.
- david22

At a stat line of 68GP 54W 9L 3OTL 2SOL 113Pts the Huskies are a pretty damned good team.

That being said Jean-Christophe Beaudin was 2nd on the team in points with 82. That's 26 points separating Perron from 2nd on the team in points. Hell of a year.

EDIT - And 13 points in his past 4 games doesn't hurt things either. Averaging over 3 points per game in the playoffs thus far.

An interesting note for Sens prospect Francis Perron:

http://www.montrealgazett...qmjhl/11834919/story.html

Named MVP of QMJHL this year.
- MaxTLimit

Another potential late round gem. We seem to have better luck in the 6th and 7th than the 1st. Lol

The other thing the Ryan haters might want to remember is that he played 15 games (or more) with a broken index finger on his right hand. Also, even though I like Ryan, you certainly can't rave about his 2-way game either. Hoffman has played much better of late (last month or so), back-checking, passing - maybe even some of the Hoff-haters noticed. I doubt it though. More than likely now that he's got 29A & 29A you think we ought to dump him more than ever, I know, get Boedker for him...

The other thing the Ryan haters might want to remember is that he played 15 games (or more) with a broken index finger on his right hand. Also, even though I like Ryan, you certainly can't rave about his 2-way game either. Hoffman has played much better of late (last month or so), back-checking, passing - maybe even some of the Hoff-haters noticed. I doubt it though. More than likely now that he's got 29A & 29A you think we ought to dump him more than ever, I know, get Boedker for him...
- legs37

What I can't figure out is why anyone hates either player

What I can't figure out is why anyone hates either player
- sensarmy_11

Not sure if there are many that hate Ryan or Hoffman. Frustrated would probably best describe many people's feelings towards one or both players.
Ryan received the $7.25M per year contract at the end of a 3-4 year period of continually increasing salary caps and player deals. The $7.25M per year only represents value in the context of significant annual increases in the cap. For the numbers that Ryan produces, he is overpaid by $1.25M to $2M per year. The #1 issue I have with Ryan was well stated by Brian Burke - Bobby Ryan can't spell intensity. It is hard to say whether Ryan's finger injuries have played a role in his poor final 30 games the past 2 seasons but it is a huge cause for concern. Ottawa is a better team with Bobby Ryan than without. That said, he is a candidate to be exposed in any expansion draft.

With Melnyk's penny pinching ways, it is tough for fans not to personalize and overreact to poor value contracts as they prevent the team from improving elsewhere.

As for Hoffman, I hope we can get him for $5.5M per year for 5 years or something close to that. He still has improvements that can be made on the defensive side but perhaps coaching / team style changes away from the riverboat gambler, high event hockey might see improvements in his defensive game and that of a few other players as well.

The 2 most consistent, skilled and important Ottawa forwards are Kyle Turris and Mark Stone. It is important that salary cap space is allotted to pay them more money than what Hoffman will receive.