When your a year out before the draft I look at size and birthdate. He is a May birthday (okay) but he has small structure. Lots of little guys have been dominate scorers in minor and junior hockey only to hit a wall when they step up to the pro ranks. Hughes’ has had spectacular numbers. Let’s see how they look this coming year when he steps up and plays against bigger stronger teams.
- spatso

Your scouting abilities are well documented.

Puljarvi>Matthews

Sounds like Yzerman is fed up with Dorion, after a deal was close. Hopefully for the Sens, this is because of a better deal elsewhere, and not Dorion trying to overplay his hand.

HockeyDB has him at 5'10" and 157 lbs, but he's also 17. Are you trying to deflect envy by saying we shouldn't want him? I mean, that ship has sailed, but he looks to be a franchise player.
- sportsdataguy

It's a specialty of his that he's spent years refining.

I think i saw someone say in here the other day that Dorian was negotiating with Duchene? Is that something that will happen, or is he getting traded away for prospects?
- Aussiepenguin

If the Sens move Karlsson and they go into full rebuild mode (not an entirely bad idea), moving Duchenes and Stone before the deadline can actually work out well in your long term strategy. My assumtion is that each would bring a very good pick and a quality entry level prospect.

DOrion has been pretty clear. He is talking about a 3 year rebuild. so, year 4 you are trying for a playoff round. Assume an A quality prospect for karlsson, Stone and Duchenes. ALso assume added 2019 and 2020 picks.

If your going to blow it up. Go big!

Also yes, that is a horrible line up (beyond Stone, and some depth guys like Pageau being in the right spots)
- AlfieisKing

Seriously... I know some plugs from the Karlsson trade would spruce this up, but it looks abysmal.

If the team stays in Ottawa. I am not liking their chances at this point. Location, location, location. Or should I say relocation? Unfortunate circumstance
- Hardbalz

The only 'relocation' happening to this team is to LeBreton Flats. We stand a better chance of getting new ownership than the team moving to another city.

As for Anderson wanting a trade, I can't blame him but he has to be realistic in that his contract is a big hindrance. Personally, I don't think we'll be able to trade him, meaning he'll have to spend the rest of his career here. I also think he'll have a better year next year, even with this proposed new roster.

That being said, we're still screwed. I only see one possible scenario that would turn everything around.

I think you're neglecting what comes back from an EK65 trade to soften the blow. Since the speculation has gone on this long, I take that as a good thing, and maybe that Dorion isn't accepting lowballs.

From Tampa, i have to guess they'd be asking for Sergachev.

From Dallas, it's Heiskanen.

From Vegas, it's Glass.

Or maybe they'll come to their senses if the perceived returns are low, and increase their extension offer to Karlsson. If he'd even accept at this point.

There's still opportunity to save face here, it's why we're all walking on eggshells until it happens.

As the lineup stands now though, we have no 2nd line. Not sure if that gets resolved in this trade.
- sportsdataguy

I still think they need to move on. That means taking the best offer.

I can't see the return being better at the trade deadline compared to now when you get a full season of the guy AND a chance to re-sign him.

Are they still trying to attach Ryan? If so, the returns are going to suck. Not only is that cap hit horrible for his production but it narrows the field down to pretty much 1 team that can do it.

In any case, this sucks for Dorion.

Sounds like Yzerman is fed up with Dorion, after a deal was close. Hopefully for the Sens, this is because of a better deal elsewhere, and not Dorion trying to overplay his hand.
- Feeling Glucky?

The bigger hope is that Melnyk finally is getting the message. THe entire city has decided to support the Sens by not supporting Melnyk. Several story lines suggesting that Melnyk has taken control of deal and is backing away from doing anything at this time.

Sounds like Yzerman is fed up with Dorion, after a deal was close. Hopefully for the Sens, this is because of a better deal elsewhere, and not Dorion trying to overplay his hand.
- Feeling Glucky?

I dunno man. I hesitate to believe anything I read, especially stuff that says a GM is furious with nothing to substantiate that statement.

It could very well be just a stalemate in negotiations.

Besides, look how long Sakic held out with Duchene, and ended up getting the return he wanted when people were calling for him to be fired for incompetence.

Sounds like Yzerman is fed up with Melnyk, after a deal was close. Hopefully for the Sens, this is because of a better deal elsewhere, and not Dorion trying to overplay his hand.
- Feeling Glucky?

There, that looks more accurate.

I dunno man. I hesitate to believe anything I read, especially stuff that says a GM is furious with nothing to substantiate that statement.

It could very well be just a stalemate in negotiations.

Besides, look how long Sakic held out with Duchene, and ended up getting the return he wanted when people were calling for him to be fired for incompetence.
- Aetherial

I think your right. Yzerman is a smart guy and he understands if Dorion is hedging trying to get a better deal from him or another team. But, if a good deal is on the table and it is Melnyk rooting around and causing the delay...he would be highly irritated.

There, that looks more accurate.
- sportsdataguy

Yes. I believe your correction is valid.

I think your right. Yzerman is a smart guy and he understands if Dorion is hedging trying to get a better deal from him or another team. But, if a good deal is on the table and it is Melnyk rooting around and causing the delay...he would be highly irritated.
- spatso

Honestly, I think the problem with the Tampa deal is probably pretty simple

1) Ottawa wants something Tampa is reluctant to give up

or

2) Tampa just can't get the other pieces to fall into place so they can open up cap room.

Let's face it, the Rangers aren't going to eat Callahan's salary without something significant coming back and even then Tampa still has to move a piece or two to make it work. If I am New York, I am holding this deal up for ransom. Why would they help 2 teams from the east to make a good deal unless they are getting something great out of it also.

Maybe Tampa is trying to move Kucherov and they don't like the returns they are being offered? I think moving Kucherov to sign Karlsson is counter-productive but who knows what they are trying to do.

If the Sens move Karlsson and they go into full rebuild mode (not an entirely bad idea), moving Duchenes and Stone before the deadline can actually work out well in your long term strategy. My assumtion is that each would bring a very good pick and a quality entry level prospect.

DOrion has been pretty clear. He is talking about a 3 year rebuild. so, year 4 you are trying for a playoff round. Assume an A quality prospect for karlsson, Stone and Duchenes. ALso assume added 2019 and 2020 picks.

If your going to blow it up. Go big!
- spatso

Yes, we have some good pieces to gain some solid prospects and picks, IF we're going into a full rebuild. But the big question for me is, is Dorion really willing to commit to that, or is pride and arrogance getting in the way? Dorion just completed a huge trade for Duchene, is he going to admit his mistakes and turn around and trade him off so easily? And if we're truly in a rebuild, shouldn't he be trying to get our 1st rounder back?

Yes, we have some good pieces to gain some solid prospects and picks, IF we're going into a full rebuild. But the big question for me is, is Dorion really willing to commit to that, or is pride and arrogance getting in the way? Dorion just completed a huge trade for Duchene, is he going to admit his mistakes and turn around and trade him off so easily? And if we're truly in a rebuild, shouldn't he be trying to get our 1st rounder back?
- sportsdataguy

If he can't re-sign Duchene he needs to trade him. Same for Stone if he fails to sign before arbitration.

They can't risk having both walk for nothing.

Blow it up. I am not even kidding. I would be thinking trade for both of them.

I think it will be longer than 4 years before you see the playoffs again.

If he can't re-sign Duchene he needs to trade him. Same for Stone if he fails to sign before arbitration.

They can't risk having both walk for nothing.

Blow it up. I am not even kidding. I would be thinking trade for both of them.

I think it will be longer than 4 years before you see the playoffs again.
- Aetherial

I would obviously hope you're wrong, more like 3 years. Would depend on the goaltending situation improving as well.

Btw, nice avatar!

Forwards:

Here are what the lines could look like as of now:

Dzingel-Duchene-Stone

Boedker-Pageau-Ryan

Smith-Brown-Gaborik

Pyatt-White-Paajarvi

I don't see this being the line combinations at all. Stone played the least amount of minutes with Duchene than any other winger last season. Also I don't see Pageau playing so high in the lineup.

Here is what I think the lines will look like:
Boedker-Duchene-Ryan

White-Brown-Stone

Dzingel-Pageau-Gaborik

Smith-Pyatt-Paajarvi

Boedker was brought in because Duchene likes him, I would be surprised not to see them get ice time together. Plus their speed should compliment eachother. White and Brown obviously are friends with Stone on the line for guidance.

Can EK65 force the issue and demand he's traded for this year only and then test free agency next year? Like, do we know if that's not what has actually happened?

He's just saying I want out, let the team know they get me for one year only?

I know they've given permission to talk to other teams but what if he's not ready to commit to a team other than Ottawa for long term? It is conceivable that he'd like to play somewhere first before signing a long term deal.

Just wondering if the hold up is because of something like this and Ottawa is trying to maximize a return for only one year.

I don't see this being the line combinations at all. Stone played the least amount of minutes with Duchene than any other winger last season. Also I don't see Pageau playing so high in the lineup.

Here is what I think the lines will look like:
Boedker-Duchene-Ryan

White-Brown-Stone

Dzingel-Pageau-Gaborik

Smith-Pyatt-Paajarvi

Boedker was brought in because Duchene likes him, I would be surprised not to see them get ice time together. Plus their speed should compliment eachother. White and Brown obviously are friends with Stone on the line for guidance.
- JustinQL

I feel like if the titanic’s deck chairs were all at the bow, the distribution of weight may have kept it horizontal longer.

Honestly, I think the problem with the Tampa deal is probably pretty simple

1) Ottawa wants something Tampa is reluctant to give up

or

2) Tampa just can't get the other pieces to fall into place so they can open up cap room.

Let's face it, the Rangers aren't going to eat Callahan's salary without something significant coming back and even then Tampa still has to move a piece or two to make it work. If I am New York, I am holding this deal up for ransom. Why would they help 2 teams from the east to make a good deal unless they are getting something great out of it also.

Maybe Tampa is trying to move Kucherov and they don't like the returns they are being offered? I think moving Kucherov to sign Karlsson is counter-productive but who knows what they are trying to do.
- Aetherial

To me, this is the most likely scenario. Although Tampa May see this as a great opportunity to go for it, they still have to look at long term ramifications. As a Ranger fan, I don’t want Callahan unless it brings back a prospect like Foote. We lack right D prospects. Does Tampa really want to do that on top of whatever they have to give Ottowa? They currently have less than 4 mil of cap space. That’s not enough to fit Karlssons 6.5 next year...What do they do year after when extension kicks in and you need to sign Kucherov? On a separate note to the writer... as mentioned, you didn’t include players possibly coming back in trade to your lineup. Also, owner doesn’t save money buying out contracts. You still have to pay player. Team saves cap space, not actual $$$. Lastly, Brady Tchacuk won’t be in training camp. He’ll be in college

I feel like if the titanic’s deck chairs were all at the bow, the distribution of weight may have kept it horizontal longer.
- Feeling Glucky?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTqtrGBYpxQ

Jack Hughes is 5’8” and weighs 150 lbs.
- spatso

agreed, too small. tkachkuk is the big player the sens need.

So Tampa is out of the Karlsson sweeps. LOL They never had the cap space anyways. That leaves the poor sisters Vegas and Dallas. They just don't have enough to offer up.

I am more convinced now than I have been in the past that Karlsson will play out the year in Ottawa, and will likely re-sign.

So Tampa is out of the Karlsson sweeps. LOL They never had the cap space anyways. That leaves the poor sisters Vegas and Dallas. They just don't have enough to offer up.

I am more convinced now than I have been in the past that Karlsson will play out the year in Ottawa, and will likely re-sign.
- jaz258

So long as another player gets traded out I think they can fit him in.

So long as another player gets traded out I think they can fit him in.
- david22

Extending Nikita Kucherov does not take #TBLightning out of the Erik Karlsson trade talks. Quite the opposite; it gives them more certainty about their future.

Word is they continue to engage outside teams on a potential three-way deal with OTT.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 10, 2018

Rangers Devils and Avs have been mentioned as the speculated teams to absorb cap space.

Stay Tuned

Extending Nikita Kucherov does not take #TBLightning out of the Erik Karlsson trade talks. Quite the opposite; it gives them more certainty about their future.

Word is they continue to engage outside teams on a potential three-way deal with OTT.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 10, 2018

Rangers Devils and Avs have been mentioned as the speculated teams to absorb cap space.

Stay Tuned
- DDM-Coga

Really pathetic this team can't even eat salary at this point.