TK fell lower than most thought, seems a lot of teams were unsure about him. He also seems to be a player the Sens have in abundance. Good but not great centers.
- david22

I honestly don't get why everyone was so hard about Ottawa selecting Konecny. Sure, he's played for the 67's, and he will again next year, and probably the year after that. This isn't a guy who is close to the NHL, nor is it a guy who had a particularly solid season in his draft year. He didn't make it to the OHL under exceptional player status, so his OHL rookie season was played as a true rookie and not as an underage player, and while I agree that a 70pt campaign in the OHL is a solid season, he followed is up with a statistically unimpressive season in his draft year, which is why he slipped. In fact, he didn't even lead his OHL team in scoring in his draft year, that honour went to Dante Salituro, who was also draft eligible and somehow went unpicked in 2015.

Bottom line for me regarding Konecny, he got picked 24th by Philadelphia because of the season he had two years ago, and because he was the 1st overall pick in his OHL draft year. If he hadn't gone 1st overall to the OHL, and had his rookie season been played on a team where he wouldn't have been relied on as being the sole source of scoring, and subsequently probably plays a depth role on a good OHL team (this probably equates to a 40pt rookie season in the OHL), then he's a 3rd-4th rounder this year.

I'm not trying to s**t on the guy, but he slipped in the rankings for a reason, and that reason is because his status as a blue chip prospect was in question all year long. Same thing happened to Oliver Kylington.

Chabot, on the other hand, had an outstanding draft year in the QMJHL, and his selection at 18 makes total sense. The only player that I thought Ottawa might take a flyer on here was Svechnikov, but considering their aversion to selecting Russians, I wasn't stunned or anything. Picking Chabot over Konecny was a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned.

I also completely support them selecting Colin White at 21. I was terrified that they were going to pick that Eriksson-Ek lad, and thankfully he was gone so they weren't tempted to take him. To me, White looks like a very solid NHL prospect. Of the guys picked after him in the 1st round, the only player that I think may end up being an impact guy in the NHL is Merkley, and even then, he's at best a 2nd liner, and more likely fills a 3rd line spot with some solid PK time.

Colin White gets compared to Patrice Bergeron, which is completely unfair to Colin White. I think he's more likely going to be a healthy version of Mike Fisher, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you redrafted the 1998 draft when Fisher was picked 44th, he would more likely have gone between 15th and 20th, which is pretty much the range they got White in.

I would be more inclined to give Ottawa an A for their draft this year, especially because of the two guys they got in the 2nd round. I figured that Chlapik was a 1st rounder for sure, and he was a steal at 48 or wherever he went.

Sorry, that was long winded. Ottawa has very solid draft history, they make the most of their deep picks and they haven't picked a 1st round dud since Jim O'Brien, and he was nearly a 2nd rounder anyways. Really, you have to go back to Brian Lee to find a guy that the Senators completely misjudged that early in the draft, and that wasn't a pick that was made by the current scouting staff. All in all, I figure Ottawa will be in a dogfight with Detroit for that 3rd spot in the division, and realistically, whichever one of them doesn't get that slot probably gets one of the wildcards. I can't see both of the wildcards coming out of the Met. In fact, if Carey Price comes a little bit back down to earth, then you might be throwing Montreal into that Ottawa-Detroit battle.

Condra seems like a really good fit for the bolts. He's great on the PK, and a good possession player and can pass well. I was sad to see him go, but the silver lining is that it gives room for a young player to come up.

Fair warning, you will likely be shouting at the T.V at some point for his lack of offensive abilities. It really is baffling considering his other talents are much higher. Missed multiple open nets on the Sens.
- david22

He's replacing Brenden Morrow. We'll look at him like Gretzky.

?
- Michael_Stuart

I was assuming you were grading teams on the account of the picks they could have had, rather than the actual outcome of the picks (I read your Boston season preview article); however, that also doesn't merit grading, since it pretty much doesn't mean a thing in terms of the team's short term success. Ottawa was not a top-5 team, their pick(s) are question marks even to the most adept scouts around the world, since they haven't really played a game of professional hockey. The whole addition of grading a teams draft (especially those teams who did not draft McDavid or Eichel) does not have any variance on their successes or failures the next coming season

I was assuming you were grading teams on the account of the picks they could have had, rather than the actual outcome of the picks (I read your Boston season preview article); however, that also doesn't merit grading, since it pretty much doesn't mean a thing in terms of the team's short term success. Ottawa was not a top-5 team, their pick(s) are question marks even to the most adept scouts around the world, since they haven't really played a game of professional hockey. The whole addition of grading a teams draft (especially those teams who did not draft McDavid or Eichel) does not have any variance on their successes or failures the next coming season
- TheCalSen

Ah, okay. I didn't mean to imply that the picks this year will impact Ottawa next year. That's getting at long-term success. Some of the moves I'm looking at are for next season and beyond. All three of Ottawa's (that I've covered) fit the bill. First sentence of the blog is poorly worded in that regard. It's really just judging summer moves and how they will impact the Atlantic moving forward.

Ah, okay. I didn't mean to imply that the picks this year will impact Ottawa next year. That's getting at long-term success. Some of the moves I'm looking at are for next season and beyond. All three of Ottawa's (that I've covered) fit the bill. First sentence of the blog is poorly worded in that regard. It's really just judging summer moves and how they will impact the Atlantic moving forward.
- Michael_Stuart

Good blog, fair assessment I would say!

Ottawa is a team that could make or miss the playoffs, and I don't think a lot of people would be terribly surprised either way.

Condra seems like a really good fit for the bolts. He's great on the PK, and a good possession player and can pass well. I was sad to see him go, but the silver lining is that it gives room for a young player to come up.

Fair warning, you will likely be shouting at the T.V at some point for his lack of offensive abilities. It really is baffling considering his other talents are much higher. Missed multiple open nets on the Sens.
- david22

very accurate statement about Condra. I still wish he was here and greening, smith, neil, michalek out.

TK fell lower than most thought, seems a lot of teams were unsure about him. He also seems to be a player the Sens have in abundance. Good but not great centers.
- david22

Um.... that actually is exactly what I say about Colin White. Mika Zibanejad and Curtis Lazar both play 200 foot hockey with a physical edge more so than a highly skill/big points game. That's why Koneckny over White may seem appealing alto the terror says ...

This isn't a guy who is close to the NHL, nor is it a guy who had a particularly solid season in his draft year. He didn't make it to the OHL under exceptional player status, so his OHL rookie season was played as a true rookie and not as an underage player, and while I agree that a 70pt campaign in the OHL is a solid season, he followed is up with a statistically unimpressive season in his draft year, which is why he slipped
- the_terror

You go on to talk about how White compares to a Mike Fisher more than a Bergeron. I'll be honest, Zibanejad to me reminds me of someone with a Fisher/Kesler mix but that was before. Right now I'm not sure. With White I like the 2 way game but what makes me question the pick is again - Curtis Lazar is here. The team will need scoring in the top 6. Stone and Turris are only ones close to a 1st line player. Then Ryan (a lot to prove this year) and MacArthur are proven top 6 wingers. The rest still have a lot to prove in order to be 1st line point producers (60pts+). Those are needed no matter what - unless you plan to have a team full of 2nd/3rd liners

Good blog, fair assessment I would say!

Ottawa is a team that could make or miss the playoffs, and I don't think a lot of people would be terribly surprised either way.
- Mr_Clean

Really? A team that should see improvements from Ryan, Hoffman (wild card), Stone, Puempel, Lazar, Zibanejad (wild card), Ceci, Wiercioch, Boroweici, and many others with something to prove - not to mention that absolutely crazy run to beat teams all over the place to make the playoffs?
It would surprise me GREATLY to see the Sens miss the playoffs especially since they just made the playoffs 3/4 seasons - IN A REBUILD (just my 2cents)

The team finally made the full transition over to becoming Erik Karlsson's team. We saw the full potential of a Karlsson's led team through the second half.

It will be Karlsson's team from day 1of the new season. I expect he will easily win his 3rd Norris. He will also be a finalist for the MVP.

The Sens very likely can make the playoffs. Not much reason to think they can't. Though to be honest, it's mostly because I think the East is very weak and unpredictable right now, with alot of teams in rebuild mode and being far from contenders, let alone serious playoff competitors. Though the Panthers and Sabres might not take much longer.

Fact is, when you're in a division of 8 teams and 5 of them either are or should be rebuilding, it makes your job easier, but doesn't make your team a legit threat.

Really? A team that should see improvements from Ryan, Hoffman (wild card), Stone, Puempel, Lazar, Zibanejad (wild card), Ceci, Wiercioch, Boroweici, and many others with something to prove - not to mention that absolutely crazy run to beat teams all over the place to make the playoffs?
It would surprise me GREATLY to see the Sens miss the playoffs especially since they just made the playoffs 3/4 seasons - IN A REBUILD (just my 2cents)
- AlfieisKing

Columbus and florida should be better. Boston is a team in flux right now so its uncertain really what will happen there.

I think the sens have a real good opportunity to make the playoffs, but it wouldn't surprise me greatly if they didn't.

I think the Sens will be one of the better teams in the East this year - we have a team that has it all, size, speed, youth, mobile D, 4 solid lines and we'll be getting better with each game.

If Ryan can get into shape and Cowen can finally play 82 solid games we are going to be a threat. I'd say Tampa is the best in the East but Ottawa can beat Tampa in the playoffs, we have enough, I don't think we are true Cup contenders until we get antoher difference maker in our top 6, but we could (not should) win the Conference.

I think the Sens will be one of the better teams in the East this year - we have a team that has it all, size, speed, youth, mobile D, 4 solid lines and we'll be getting better with each game.

If Ryan can get into shape and Cowen can finally play 82 solid games we are going to be a threat. I'd say Tampa is the best in the East but Ottawa can beat Tampa in the playoffs, we have enough, I don't think we are true Cup contenders until we get antoher difference maker in our top 6, but we could (not should) win the Conference.
- tuna99

- Deeps27

I've never understood why people go on other teams boards to read about the opposing teams just to act like mindless mouth breathers.

Seems like a waste of your time, but then again you are a Leafs fan so I guess you've wasted away entire hockey seasons, years of futility, so what's an extra few minutes reading about a team with exciting story lines and a bright future, I guess you have to get your hockey-hope somewhere and Ottawa is where you get it.

Really? A team that should see improvements from Ryan, Hoffman (wild card), Stone, Puempel, Lazar, Zibanejad (wild card), Ceci, Wiercioch, Boroweici, and many others with something to prove - not to mention that absolutely crazy run to beat teams all over the place to make the playoffs?
It would surprise me GREATLY to see the Sens miss the playoffs especially since they just made the playoffs 3/4 seasons - IN A REBUILD (just my 2cents)
- AlfieisKing

Look, the team could be better, and I'd say chances are they will be better. However, if you consider that we were lucky not to suffer many injuries last year, if you consider that there have been young teams who have taken a step back before taking two forward, if you consider that other teams (i.e., a healthier Columbus, Florida another year of development gone, etc.) will also improve, I don't think it's quite the lock you make it out to be (and even you seem to hedge your very optimistic projections slightly...).

I think the Sens will be one of the better teams in the East this year - we have a team that has it all, size, speed, youth, mobile D, 4 solid lines and we'll be getting better with each game.

If Ryan can get into shape and Cowen can finally play 82 solid games we are going to be a threat. I'd say Tampa is the best in the East but Ottawa can beat Tampa in the playoffs, we have enough, I don't think we are true Cup contenders until we get antoher difference maker in our top 6, but we could (not should) win the Conference.
- tuna99

Oh my.

Certainly not a lack of confidence from the fan base.

I think Sens fans forget sometimes that this team for lots of last season wasnt very good... and while I think they have a decent team idk why they're a 100% lock for playoffs. They're going to be fighting to make the dance this year and Anderson has to stay healthy.

I think Sens fans forget sometimes that this team for lots of last season wasnt very good... and while I think they have a decent team idk why they're a 100% lock for playoffs. They're going to be fighting to make the dance this year and Anderson has to stay healthy.
- ClarksonDavid

what team is a lock besides Tampa? Pitt barely made it, Washington and NYR struggled early, Montreal looks like they are looking for answers.

Ottawa is solid, the reason for confidence is we have a ton of young guys who finished their first pro seasons or took huge steps last season (Weircoche, Stone, Hoffman, Zibby, Ceci, Boro, Hammond, Lazar, Pageau) and they will all be better this year, Ryan wasn't very good for 60 games, Cowen wasn't very good - reason to believe the young guys will get better and some of the older guys can have bounce back years - for others like 9MM, Smith, Andy - just need to hang on and be solid like they always are

what team is a lock besides Tampa? Pitt barely made it, Washington and NYR struggled early, Montreal looks like they are looking for answers.

Ottawa is solid, the reason for confidence is we have a ton of young guys who finished their first pro seasons or took huge steps last season (Weircoche, Stone, Hoffman, Zibby, Ceci, Boro, Hammond, Lazar, Pageau) and they will all be better this year, Ryan wasn't very good for 60 games, Cowen wasn't very good - reason to believe the young guys will get better and some of the older guys can have bounce back years - for others like 9MM, Smith, Andy - just need to hang on and be solid like they always are
- tuna99

Pitts and Washington both got better this off season.. Rangers will be good as usual blue jackets Florida Islanders all have a chance to make some noise.. Phillys has talent but they're a big question mark.. Ottawa isn't a lock like you think.

The Sens very likely can make the playoffs. Not much reason to think they can't. Though to be honest, it's mostly because I think the East is very weak and unpredictable right now, with alot of teams in rebuild mode and being far from contenders, let alone serious playoff competitors. Though the Panthers and Sabres might not take much longer.

Fact is, when you're in a division of 8 teams and 5 of them either are or should be rebuilding, it makes your job easier, but doesn't make your team a legit threat.
- systemtool

Brilliant analysis.

Look, the team could be better, and I'd say chances are they will be better. However, if you consider that we were lucky not to suffer many injuries last year, if you consider that there have been young teams who have taken a step back before taking two forward, if you consider that other teams (i.e., a healthier Columbus, Florida another year of development gone, etc.) will also improve, I don't think it's quite the lock you make it out to be (and even you seem to hedge your very optimistic projections slightly...).
- Mr_Clean

MY FRIEND.... name ANY team that looses their starting goalie.... then their back up (Lehner) WITH a top 6 scorer (MacArthur) in the same play!!

Not to mention Methot was hurt soooo long; leaving that D exposed, AND STILL, karlsson got the norris.... c'mon man!! healh isn't something the Sens can brag about

Pitts and Washington both got better this off season.. Rangers will be good as usual blue jackets Florida Islanders all have a chance to make some noise.. Phillys has talent but they're a big question mark.. Ottawa isn't a lock like you think.
- ClarksonDavid

Playoff Teams:

Locks: TB, NYR, MTL, WAS, NYI
Teams that should make it: PIT, OTT, CBJ
-------------- On the Border: BOS, BUF, FLA
Non-Playoff Team Locks: TOR, CAR, PHI, NJ

Playoff Teams:

Locks: TB, NYR, MTL, WAS, NYI
Teams that should make it: PIT, OTT, CBJ
-------------- On the Border: BOS, BUF, FLA
Non-Playoff Team Locks: TOR, CAR, PHI, NJ
- AlfieisKing

Pittsburgh is close to a lock, and the rest of the teams should be on the bubble. Anything could happen.

Pittsburgh is close to a lock, and the rest of the teams should be on the bubble. Anything could happen.
- forbetterorWORSE

Yeah, pitts D was decimated by injury last season. THey're a lock, especially with Kessell now.

IMO
"Locks: Pitts, NYR Tampa, Montreal.

Other teams will jockey for position bellow them, with Boston trending downward, and Columbus and Florida on the up, it's hard to say what will happen.

Yeah, pitts D was decimated by injury last season. THey're a lock, especially with Kessell now.

IMO
"Locks: Pitts, NYR Tampa, Montreal.

Other teams will jockey for position bellow them, with Boston trending downward, and Columbus and Florida on the up, it's hard to say what will happen.
- david22

Montreal is far from being a lock. It would only take 1 injury for them to become bottom-10 in the league.