First off, for the latest Sens updates, please follow me on Twitter at Follow @KevinFr65525204 Give me a twitter follow, I will give you a follow too!
**Please see below my blog the Sens Ticket Contest for a pair of 200 level seats vs. Vegas. Free to enter! Deadline this Friday at 830pm EST.**
Ottawa left today for a 3 game roadie that begins in Dallas on Friday night. Matt Murray can be activated from the IR on Saturday, which most likely means Filip Gustavsson will get the start in the goal on Friday. Austen Watson skated today with Zach Sanford and newcomer Dylan Grambell on the 4th line. So there will definitely be changes to the line-up after losing three straight at home.
The biggest change Sens fans are screaming for is on the blueline. Any change to the blue line is going to have come from within, either changing up the pairings or calling up someone from Belleville. Erik Brannstrom is the logical choice as the organization needs to give him a good 20 game run with the big club to see if he will ever stick in DJ's system. He played better than a few of the defensemen currently with the Sens during the pre-season but because he's waiver exempt, Brannstrom again was the casualty of Dorion acquiring too many defensemen that play the same side. After Dorion acquired Holden, there truly was no need to sign Michael Del Zotto as they had already picked up Mete to end last season on waivers.
With Brannstrom changing agents today and his slow start during his first 4 games in Belleville, one has to wonder how this entire situation will play out. He had a solid pre-season and ended last season playing much better with the big club. Troy Mann said he was dominating at the AHL level last year in the few games he played, so I am sure that Brannstrom personally feels he has nothing left to prove to earn a regular spot in the top 6 in Ottawa.
DJ Smith has to strongly consider breaking up the pairing of Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub to stabilize the defense. Nick Holden had played very well before the Washington game. With Holden and Brannstrom having played together a bit in Vegas and during the pre-season here, why not call him up for an extended stretch and pair him with Holden to see how the pair develops together. Then pair Mete/Zub and Chabot/Zaitsev. Each pair will have a puck-moving defensemen to clear the defensive zone, something they have struggled with. Then hope the coaching staff actually sticks with it for more than one period!
This scenario allows Lassi Thomson and JBD to develop for another full year in Belleville while Jake Sanderson makes the jump to Ottawa late in the season when his university season ends. Thoughts Sens fans?
Quick hit Sens rumours - Pierre Dorion has been working the phones about acquiring a legit top 6 forward but the trade market is very tough right now. As I've mentioned in this space, he has talked with the Jets on numerous occasions about Andrew Copp. But the one team that he has kept in close contact with is Anaheim. The Ducks are one of the teams actively looking at Jack Eichel and they would like to unload a contract or two. It's no secret the Ducks would love to shed themselves of Jacob Silverberg's contract but the Sens want to no part of it, as he 2 years left after this season with a 5.825 AAV. The only player Ottawa really wants to acquire off the Ducks roster is Rickard Rakell. Dorion has called about him on a few occasions, going back to last year's trade deadline and also this past summer. Rackell becomes a UFA at the end of the season, but he would fit in nicely on the right side. More to come.
Thanks for reading. Kevin ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**New Sens Ticket Contest Free To Enter - A pair of 200 Level tickets for Vegas vs. Ottawa on Thursday, Nov. 4th**
RULES - You must be able to go to the game when entering the contest! You will need to be a registered member here at hockeybuzz to enter. One entry per user account at hockeybuzz. You must post your picks in the comment section of my blog and my blog ONLY to be eligible for the contest. The tickets will be transferred electronically to the winner. You must be vaccinated to attend the game!
**Deadline to enter is Friday, October 29th, 2021 at 8:30PM EST.** **Any edited picks after 8:30pm will automatically disqualify you from the contest** **We take screenshots of all entries as of 8:30pm EST when the contest closes**
When entering the contest you must state your name and the city you live in. Predict the final scores for each of the Sens games on the upcoming road trip. When picking the score it includes OT and Shootout if it goes past regulation time. You will receive 3 points for each exact score that you pick correctly, which includes picking the correct winning team, not just picking the score correctly. Ottawa at Dallas - Friday Ottawa at Chicago - Monday Ottawa at Minnesota - Tuesday
**Answer the following questions for the 3 game road game trip.** Will the Sens score a shorthanded goal on the 3 game road trip? Yes or No? 1 point if you get it correct. How many combined powerplay goals will the Sens score on the 3 game road trip? If you pick the correct amount you will receive 2 points. Which Sens player will have the best plus/minus on the 3 game road trip? If you pick the correct player you will receive 2 points. Which Sens player will have the worst plus/minus on the 3 game road trip? If you pick the correct player you will receive 2 points.
The winner will be whoever accumulates the most total points from all the questions. *if we have a tie for total combined points, we will have to draw a name from the winners who tied*
Sample Entry - Kevin - Ottawa Dallas 4-1 Ottawa 3-2 Minnesota 5-1 No the Sens won't score a SH Goal. Ottawa will score 3 PP Goals. Nikita Zaitsev will have the worst plus/minus Artem Zub will have the best plus/minus
Spread the word about the contest, thanks for entering the contest, and Good Luck! Kevin