I'm glad that at least a couple people have noticed that the team has an absurd lack of quality on the blue line. How getting a top-4 d-man back in the Karlsson trade wasn't a breaking point is beyond me, but at this point the only d-man on the roster who has "proven" they can handle 20min/GP+ of NHL ice time is Ceci. Many will suggest that Chabot is ready for that kind of role, but that's a pretty big jump for him in terms of doing that without any kind of veteran support.

Out of necessity, they may be one of the first teams to formally adopt a formal 7 d-men system, so that the likes of Wideman, DeMelo, Borowiecki, Wolanin, and Harpur can support a defence-by-committee approach. That would also allow them to replenish injuries with the likes of Jaros, Bergman, Lajoie, and Englund without too much issue. Otherwise, I just don't see any kind of realistic structure to their top-4 defence pairings.
- khawk

So what will teh D pairings look like opening night.

I too wonder what will occur with Chabot. He has amazing potential right now, but as you mentioned a baptism by fire might not be whats best of him. It's possible he excels, but it may be too much for a young player (this is more likely).

Opening night, I think we see

Ceci Chabot
Wolanin Demelo
Wideman Boro

Harpur

Wideman may move up into the top four.

you made that up right?
nobody asked you to stop posting. unless you mean the voices you hear
- senstroll

I think it was strongly suggested that he stop embarrassing himself, and he took that to mean he shouldn't post there anymore.

I'm glad that at least a couple people have noticed that the team has an absurd lack of quality on the blue line. How getting a top-4 d-man back in the Karlsson trade wasn't a breaking point is beyond me, but at this point the only d-man on the roster who has "proven" they can handle 20min/GP+ of NHL ice time is Ceci. Many will suggest that Chabot is ready for that kind of role, but that's a pretty big jump for him in terms of doing that without any kind of veteran support.

Out of necessity, they may be one of the first teams to formally adopt a formal 7 d-men system, so that the likes of Wideman, DeMelo, Borowiecki, Wolanin, and Harpur can support a defence-by-committee approach. That would also allow them to replenish injuries with the likes of Jaros, Bergman, Lajoie, and Englund without too much issue. Otherwise, I just don't see any kind of realistic structure to their top-4 defence pairings.
- khawk

I think Demelo has the potential to be a decent top 4 guy. clearly not a top pair guy by any stretch, but by all accounts he won't be out of place on a 2nd pairing.

I think it was strongly suggested that he stop embarrassing himself, and he took that to mean he shouldn't post there anymore.
- Feeling Glucky?

I will have my blue thoughts well structured by October 27.

I think Demelo has the potential to be a decent top 4 guy. clearly not a top pair guy by any stretch, but by all accounts he won't be out of place on a 2nd pairing.
- sensarmy_11

I thought he looked okay. But hard to tell. Huge talent disparity from one shift to another. You can't really tell until you see a Dman having to face NHL talent on every shift.

I think Demelo has the potential to be a decent top 4 guy. clearly not a top pair guy by any stretch, but by all accounts he won't be out of place on a 2nd pairing.
- sensarmy_11

I heard it argued that San Jose's Defense was stacked even before Karlsson, so that could have pushed him down the rankings. But even good teams have bottom pairing, bottom 6 guys who are exactly what they appear/ where they belong.

He'l certainly get his shot in Ottawa. Time will tell.

I will have my blue thoughts well structured by October 27.
- spatso

I would love to hear your thoughts on the other ontario nhl team, and why you think they're in a better position.

You used to do a lot of grandstanding about that, and as funny as your Leafs material was, it didn't come close to your insights on what Dorion and Boucher were planning.

A full rebuild done the right way requires a complete crash and burn. When you have a great player like Karlsson the temptation is to add to the team and try to win now. As we have seen so many times. if Ottawa goes into the third period tied Karlsson could take over the game.

A year from now everyone will be excited about the rebuild and nobody will want to go back on the young fast team they are building.
- spatso

Do you mean, TWO years from now?

A year from now I can't imagine Sens fans being excited about the draft that just passed.

Do you mean, TWO years from now?

A year from now I can't imagine Sens fans being excited about the draft that just passed.
- prock

I remember the "Leafs should have picked Laine" argument he had after the 2016 draft. I actually cant wait for his report on the Leafs.

I will have my blue thoughts well structured by October 27.
- spatso

Why the 27th? We demand earlier. You have until the season opener or we are replacing you.

Signed

Management.

Did not see or hear either games.

Any thoughts on how Boucher did?

Why the 27th? We demand earlier. You have until the season opener or we are replacing you.

Signed

Management.
- Wissler

The 27th is the anniversary of my last post. I think I may have had a few random comments after that date but nothing regular.

I did do a bit of lurking and was delighted to see that some of your fellows routinely reposted my old commentary from previous years. There are some wonderful discussions around my comments from months and years earlier.

I have actually started reflecting on the outline that I will follow for my blue thoughts.

As usual, I will be honest and rigorous in my opinion.

Do you mean, TWO years from now?

A year from now I can't imagine Sens fans being excited about the draft that just passed.
- prock

No, I see the Sens having a strong draft next year. I believe both Stone and Duchene will be traded.

I guess that's the best way to look at it.

That said, it's unacceptable. There's no way fans should expect to shallow that pill - it's more than insanity that in a year you claim to have a rebuild you let go of a 1st overall pick (future all star).

Why the F*** are we even having a hockey team if that's the way you operate it?

I would trade Duchene + Stone for that 1st + Soderberg.
Burn the mofo to the ground but don't be stupid and expect you can build a contender around Chabot, White, Brown, Tkachuk. Other than Brady and Thomas, no one really is a sure thing become a top line player.
- AlfieisKing

The only problem with that is that it looks even worse if they had given up the 4th this year and end up with an 8th or something like that this year. (Does anyone here think they would actually win a lottery which requires luck??) Either way they will have second guessing all the way until next April at least

The 27th is the anniversary of my last post. I think I may have had a few random comments after that date but nothing regular.

I did do a bit of lurking and was delighted to see that some of your fellows routinely reposted my old commentary from previous years. There are some wonderful discussions around my comments from months and years earlier.

I have actually started reflecting on the outline that I will follow for my blue thoughts.

As usual, I will be honest and rigorous in my opinion.
- spatso

Dude, all we did all summer was analyze the poop out of the team from prospects, to camp battles, backup goalies, 4th liners, ptos we should have brought in/or not, Tavares Nylander Matthews Marner, cap, Babcoc, Dubas, literally EVERYTHING. What more do you have to add?

Dude, all we did all summer was analyze the poop out of the team from prospects, to camp battles, backup goalies, 4th liners, ptos we should have brought in/or not, Tavares Nylander Matthews Marner, cap, Babcoc, Dubas, literally EVERYTHING. What more do you have to add?
- Wissler

Oh boy......are you in for a treat. Haha

The only problem with that is that it looks even worse if they had given up the 4th this year and end up with an 8th or something like that this year. (Does anyone here think they would actually win a lottery which requires luck??) Either way they will have second guessing all the way until next April at least
- wilkobecks

If they control the pick, no.

If they don't, probably.

Dude, all we did all summer was analyze the poop out of the team from prospects, to camp battles, backup goalies, 4th liners, ptos we should have brought in/or not, Tavares Nylander Matthews Marner, cap, Babcoc, Dubas, literally EVERYTHING. What more do you have to add?
- Wissler

October 27...on the forum.

Oh boy......are you in for a treat. Haha
- sensarmy_11

Leivo better then Tavares? Melnyk selling the Sens so he can buy the Leafs? The Scotiabank Arena being renamed to Big Gay Orgy centre? It better be good.

The only problem with that is that it looks even worse if they had given up the 4th this year and end up with an 8th or something like that this year. (Does anyone here think they would actually win a lottery which requires luck??) Either way they will have second guessing all the way until next April at least
- wilkobecks

C'mon man, if you're plan is to trade Erik Karlsson, Mike Hoffman, then do your sh*t at the draft.

This was Dorion playing the waiting game and LOSING ! plain and simple.

C'mon man, if you're plan is to trade Erik Karlsson, Mike Hoffman, then do your sh*t at the draft.

This was Dorion playing the waiting game and LOSING ! plain and simple.
- AlfieisKing

Exactly, he was screwed either way, because if this year's pick ended up being worse than 4th overall, everyone would pile on him for being a dumbass and not going with the logical odds and keeping the 4th

Actually seeing Karlsson put on the teal (which is gross to begin with), was the worst
- wilkobecks

Somewhere a sad and slightly overweight Centurion is shedding a tear.

No, I see the Sens having a strong draft next year. I believe both Stone and Duchene will be traded.
- spatso

Well you see them have a strong draft every year though. Remember Shane Prince was a budding star? Curtis Lazar captain material. Man, the list goes on and on.

So what will teh D pairings look like opening night.
- david22

I don't think there's really a good answer to that question. Something like Chabot-DeMelo 'probably' makes sense as a 2nd pairing, if only because I think they need to keep Chabot and Wideman on different lines. The ideal match for Ceci would probably be Wolanin, but I don't know how ready he would be for 20min/gp+. That leaves Wideman with Borowiecki/Harpur, where Wideman gets significant PP exposure.

They better have a game plan involving a lot of back-checking support from the forwards, because regardless of who plays with who that collection of d-men is going to be severely outmatched on most nights.

I don't think there's really a good answer to that question. Something like Chabot-DeMelo 'probably' makes sense as a 2nd pairing, if only because I think they need to keep Chabot and Wideman on different lines. The ideal match for Ceci would probably be Wolanin, but I don't know how ready he would be for 20min/gp+. That leaves Wideman with Borowiecki/Harpur, where Wideman gets significant PP exposure.

They better have a game plan involving a lot of back-checking support from the forwards, because regardless of who plays with who that collection of d-men is going to be severely outmatched on most nights.
- khawk

I don't know the answer. But, there were many times last year where I wondered if Boucher's defensive system did not put excessive pressure on the D once they got locked into a defensive posture in their own end. At times they looked liked they were playing a basketball type zone coverage. I would get very frustrated watching the opposing teams cycle while all the Ottawa players maintained their zone positions.

If they forecheck and play less of a defensive (trap) style does it help or hurt the defensive pairings...I don't know?