Michael Stuart: Senators' Bubble Hopes Busted, Islanders Pick Drops

Michael Stuart: Senators' Bubble Hopes Busted, Islanders Pick Drops
- Michael_Stuart

Yay!

I was thinking this morning. The Pens just got knocked out and are clearly at a point where either a rebuild or retooling needs to happen. But they aren't going to be getting rid of Crosby or Malkin. But they have no prospect pool and unless they get #1. it's not looking to good.

I wonder if it would be worth exploring the option of trying to make a deal of Letang?

Would be a cap dump for the Pens and a Solid #2 D behind Chabot.

Imagine, a top 4 D of...

Chabot - Drysdale
Letang - Brännström

Or Pietrangelo would be a solid pick up to lead the young guys

I was thinking this morning. The Pens just got knocked out and are clearly at a point where either a rebuild or retooling needs to happen. But they aren't going to be getting rid of Crosby or Malkin. But they have no prospect pool and unless they get #1. it's not looking to good.

I wonder if it would be worth exploring the option of trying to make a deal of Letang?

Would be a cap dump for the Pens and a Solid #2 D behind Chabot.

Imagine, a top 4 D of...

Chabot - Drysdale
Letang - Brännström

Or Pietrangelo would be a solid pick up to lead the young guys
- Maverick1818

I obviously can't speak on the Pen's behalf, but I would guess after Malkin's very lackluster performance against the Habs that he would be the one to go before Letang ... he looked old and way passed his prime in the series.

But who would want (or even could) to take on his huge salary @ 34 years old?

Just my uninformed opinion.

Lottery teams are Minnesota, Winnipeg, NYR, Nashville, Florida, Edmonton, Pittsburgh and, either Toronto or Columbus.

4 teams have 10 picks between them.

Ottawa 3, 5 and 23

Anaheim 6 and 31

New Jersey 7, 19 and 21

NY Rangers 11 and 25

At least 10 teams need to make significant player moves in order to resign/retain their own players and resolve their cap issues. There are another 10 teams that can resolve their cap issues by making modest changes. But they are unable to do major trade deals or sign UFAs. There are only 10 teams that can absorb a large chunk of player salary.

Because of those factors the Sens' pick at 23 and Devils' pick at 19 (or 21) have exceptional trade value.

Would you give up #23 to do a deal with Tampa for Cerelli? He is an RFA and Tampa cannot sign him (or Sergachev) without making some serious moves.

What about Nylander or, perhaps, Marner? I say yes to Nylander, no to Marner.

Would you do a deal with St Louis to help them clear space to be able to resign Pietrangelo?

I was thinking this morning. The Pens just got knocked out and are clearly at a point where either a rebuild or retooling needs to happen. But they aren't going to be getting rid of Crosby or Malkin. But they have no prospect pool and unless they get #1. it's not looking to good.

I wonder if it would be worth exploring the option of trying to make a deal of Letang?

Would be a cap dump for the Pens and a Solid #2 D behind Chabot.

Imagine, a top 4 D of...

Chabot - Drysdale
Letang - Brännström

Or Pietrangelo would be a solid pick up to lead the young guys
- Maverick1818

I think Malkin still has good value. He only has 2 years left on his contract at $9.5M and scored well over a point a game in the regular season this year. He may have been hurt this playoffs? I would think a team in 'win now' mode would be interested in getting him - what about Colorado - he'd be a heck of a second line centre (he still won't be 'The Man' lol) behind MacKinnon and they'd be able to form two really good lines. They've got the cap space. Maybe if its for a retool for the Pens would take Byram and a first from the Avs?

Also Letang is a RHD, so he'd slot beside, not behind Chabot. I don't think that's a good idea though as he doesn't match the age group of the rest of the Sens and the rebuild there.

Lottery teams are Minnesota, Winnipeg, NYR, Nashville, Florida, Edmonton, Pittsburgh and, either Toronto or Columbus.

4 teams have 10 picks between them.

Ottawa 3, 5 and 23

Anaheim 6 and 31

New Jersey 7, 19 and 21

NY Rangers 11 and 25

At least 10 teams need to make significant player moves in order to resign/retain their own players and resolve their cap issues. There are another 10 teams that can resolve their cap issues by making modest changes. But they are unable to do major trade deals or sign UFAs. There are only 10 teams that can absorb a large chunk of player salary.

Because of those factors the Sens' pick at 23 and Devils' pick at 19 (or 21) have exceptional trade value.

Would you give up #23 to do a deal with Tampa for Cerelli? He is an RFA and Tampa cannot sign him (or Sergachev) without making some serious moves.

What about Nylander or, perhaps, Marner? I say yes to Nylander, no to Marner.

Would you do a deal with St Louis to help them clear space to be able to resign Pietrangelo?
- spatso

I think Tampa will get rid of Kilorn, Palat and Johnson (likely 2 of 3) before they give up on Cirelli and Sergachev.

I'd like to see the Sens get Allen and Schwartz from St.L for maybe a second, then flip them at the next trade deadline for picks.

Senators could have six first rounders this draft. Nothing will change until they begin to pay to keep their top players

I think Tampa will get rid of Kilorn, Palat and Johnson (likely 2 of 3) before they give up on Cirelli and Sergachev.

I'd like to see the Sens get Allen and Schwartz from St.L for maybe a second, then flip them at the next trade deadline for picks.
- flyer4ever75

Yes, St. Louis will trade a 20+ goal scorer AND a solid NHL goaltender to the Ottawa Senators for a 2nd round pick.
Delusional Senator fans

Yes, St. Louis will trade a 20+ goal scorer AND a solid NHL goaltender to the Ottawa Senators for a 2nd round pick.
Delusional Senator fans
- BernardShakey

read, he's actually a flyers' fan, not that it matters
he's posting an opinion, so what

Senators could have six first rounders this draft. Nothing will change until they begin to pay to keep their top players
- BernardShakey

The Ottawa Senators are locking up a key piece of their rebuild with a long-term contract. The team announced Wednesday that it had signed centre Colin White to a six-year, $28.5 million contract.Aug 21, 2019

Senators sign star defenceman Thomas Chabot to 8-year, $64M contract extension. The Ottawa Senators have locked up one of their young stars. The team announced Thursday it has agreed to an eight-year, $64-million US contract extension with defenceman Thomas Chabot.Sep 19, 2019

While I agree with your statement, do read above

Senators could have six first rounders this draft. Nothing will change until they begin to pay to keep their top players

The Sens don't give retirement contracts. If a player is too greedy or wants out they move him.

Senators could have six first rounders this draft. Nothing will change until they begin to pay to keep their top players

The Sens don't give retirement contracts. If a player is too greedy or wants out they move him.
- granpa

at least for the next 3 years nobody will be offerering retirement deals.

at least for the next 3 years nobody will be offerering retirement deals.
- spatso

After cleaning house I don't think Dorion will get himself in cap hell. We will also always get good picks or prospects in return for stars that have passed their best before date. With the Sens' drafting ability the cupboard will never be bare.

Lottery teams are Minnesota, Winnipeg, NYR, Nashville, Florida, Edmonton, Pittsburgh and, either Toronto or Columbus.

4 teams have 10 picks between them.

Ottawa 3, 5 and 23

Anaheim 6 and 31

New Jersey 7, 19 and 21

NY Rangers 11 and 25

At least 10 teams need to make significant player moves in order to resign/retain their own players and resolve their cap issues. There are another 10 teams that can resolve their cap issues by making modest changes. But they are unable to do major trade deals or sign UFAs. There are only 10 teams that can absorb a large chunk of player salary.

Because of those factors the Sens' pick at 23 and Devils' pick at 19 (or 21) have exceptional trade value.

Would you give up #23 to do a deal with Tampa for Cerelli? He is an RFA and Tampa cannot sign him (or Sergachev) without making some serious moves.

What about Nylander or, perhaps, Marner? I say yes to Nylander, no to Marner.

Would you do a deal with St Louis to help them clear space to be able to resign Pietrangelo?
- spatso

Cirelli is already one of the best two way forwards in the league and has Couturier potential, Tampa is not going to give him up unless the package is huuuuge. They will indeed move Killorn, Johnson, Gourde and/or Palat first

After cleaning house I don't think Dorion will get himself in cap hell. We will also always get good picks or prospects in return for stars that have passed their best before date. With the Sens' drafting ability the cupboard will never be bare.
- granpa

That said, they need ALL stars. As good as Matthew Tkachuk is, where does he rank in forwards in the NHL?

Brady has a higher ceiling (many believe), but I'm not sold on it entirely.

The #3 & #5 picks are huge. I wish there was another top end center behind Byfield - Rossi may be the guy but hopefully he grows more

Yes, St. Louis will trade a 20+ goal scorer AND a solid NHL goaltender to the Ottawa Senators for a 2nd round pick.
Delusional Senator fans
- BernardShakey

He does not speak for all of us. I don't think a 2nd gets either player on his own, let alone BOTH of them.

That said, they need ALL stars. As good as Matthew Tkachuk is, where does he rank in forwards in the NHL?

Brady has a higher ceiling (many believe), but I'm not sold on it entirely.

The #3 & #5 picks are huge. I wish there was another top end center behind Byfield - Rossi may be the guy but hopefully he grows more
- AlfieisKing

We need depth and some will develop into elite players. By the way we do have some very good prospects in the system they're not all garbage. Most of the comments I read on this blog is that everybody we draft in 2020 will be better than what we already have. Don't bet the farm on it.

Its hard to judge the value of any player during this post season. Sens would be wise to stay on the track of being thrifty this upcoming season, unless there is an offer that can not be refused

Very huge turd!

Very huge turd!
- spatso

Bittersweet

Our own first round pick, San Jose's first round pick, and NYI's first round pick....

I'm curious to find out about the other THREE. Because apparently people in this thread think we have SIX first round picks in 2020. Bizarre.

Ranking the Order I would want to win Laf (best for Sens):

1. Winnipeg Jets
2. Minnesota Wild
3. Nashville Predators
4. Florida Panthers
Adding Laf but potentially loosing Hoffman and Dadonov won't make the panthers better (if at all). By the time he enters his prime, he, Barkov, Hubreadeau, and Bob will cause cap issues.
5. Edmonton Oilers
McDavid, Laf, Leon, Nuge - having all those players would make the Oilers the best offensive team in the league. The question would still be on D.
6. Pittsburgh Penguins
Same as Oilers except their core is much much older and they have cap issues already; big time.
7. New York Rangers
Too many young solid prospects. Getting Laf would make them be ahead of Sens in terms of prospects going forward.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs
With Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander and several skilled players, adding Laf would make Sens fans (and almost all hockey fans) envy/hate the leafs. It will also be ALL we hear, everyday, until he's drafted. Then they'll have a million interviews shown too many times.

Ranking the Order I would want to win Laf (best for Sens):

1. Winnipeg Jets
2. Minnesota Wild
3. Nashville Predators
4. Florida Panthers
Adding Laf but potentially loosing Hoffman and Dadonov won't make the panthers better (if at all). By the time he enters his prime, he, Barkov, Hubreadeau, and Bob will cause cap issues.
5. Edmonton Oilers
McDavid, Laf, Leon, Nuge - having all those players would make the Oilers the best offensive team in the league. The question would still be on D.
6. Pittsburgh Penguins
Same as Oilers except their core is much much older and they have cap issues already; big time.
7. New York Rangers
Too many young solid prospects. Getting Laf would make them be ahead of Sens in terms of prospects going forward.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs
With Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander and several skilled players, adding Laf would make Sens fans (and almost all hockey fans) envy/hate the leafs. It will also be ALL we hear, everyday, until he's drafted. Then they'll have a million interviews shown too many times.
- AlfieisKing

the leafs draft Lafreniere is just diminishing returns at this point. they already have the 2nd or 3rd best offense in the NHL, so it's not like Lafreniere is going to significantly boost their offense. their issues are on the back end and in goal, and Lafreniere isn't going to help there at all.

the leafs draft Lafreniere is just diminishing returns at this point. they already have the 2nd or 3rd best offense in the NHL, so it's not like Lafreniere is going to significantly boost their offense. their issues are on the back end and in goal, and Lafreniere isn't going to help there at all.
- sensarmy_11

The Leafs would experience a huge improvement with Lafreniere. He is the player they are missing. He has skill, more important, he has grit, plays physical and steps up his game under pressure.

If the Leafs win the lottery they might try to move both Marner and/or Nylander. These are really nice players in the regular season. But you don't need figure skaters in the playoffs. Moving Nylander and Marner would enable the Leafs to go after some serious help on defence.