All Canadian division is bullpoop. Not happening. Better to play all games in the USA at hub cities.
- MisterBrown

Agreed. I've never understood the fascination of an all-Canadian division if there won't be any fan (or barely any). Like the stupid "bidding war" to "host" the bubble playoffs.

Top 15 NHL 2012 Draft

01st Pick - Nail Yakupov - not in NHL
02nd Pick - Ryan Murray - just traded for 5th round pick
03rd Pick - Alex Galchenyuk - signed 1 year 1m (5th NHL team)
04th Pick - Griffin Reinhart - 37GP in 8 years since
05th Pick - Morgan Rielly - solid pick (hate to say)
06th Pick - Hamus Lindholm - solid pick again
07th Pick - Matt Dumba - solid pick (but can argue still has more)
08th Pick - Derrick Pouliot - (Reserve D-man)
09th Pick - Jacob Trouba - (good pick)
10th Pick - Slater Koekkoek - (not bad but not 10th ovr)
11th Pick - Filip Forsberg - (4th solid pick)
12th Pick - Mikhail Grigorenko - (not in NHL)
13th Pick - Radek Faksa - (useful player - not solid)
14th Pick - Zemgus Girgensons - (has not hit 20 pts in past 5 seasons)
15th Pick - Cody Ceci - (we all know this)

Only 4 players (Girgensons, Lindholm, Dumba, Faksa) are still playing with the same team.
- AlfieisKing

It's always fascinating to look back at past drafts. It's a real rabbit hole. People poo poo guys dropping in the draft, moving up in the draft on draft day, etc but at the end of the day, 3-5 years down the road, there will be guys who surprised and guys who flopped and will make the draft order look sort of foolish.

Agreed. I've never understood the fascination of an all-Canadian division if there won't be any fan (or barely any). Like the stupid "bidding war" to "host" the bubble playoffs.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I would assume the logic behind it is almost 100% driven by the complications involved in crossing the border right now. The Canadian government has already shown that they're unwilling to waive quarantine requirements for sports teams (why the jay ended up playing in Buffalo this year) meaning every time a Canadian team played in the US, they'd have to quarantine 2 weeks before they played again.

as long as COVID is still a thing, and crossing the border is problematic, an all Canadian division makes sense. once it's back to normal, go back to normal.

It's always fascinating to look back at past drafts. It's a real rabbit hole. People poo poo guys dropping in the draft, moving up in the draft on draft day, etc but at the end of the day, 3-5 years down the road, there will be guys who surprised and guys who flopped and will make the draft order look sort of foolish.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

it's the exact reason why I get annoyed with people crapping on Dorion's picks this year

The Sens should've kept more prospects in Ottawa last year. Right now it's a mess. There's too many players in Belleville that are NHL ready. Whether they're top 6 or bottom 6 is irrelevant they should be in the NHL somewhere and that will hurt Ottawa in the future when it come to signing draft choices especially 2 round+.

it's the exact reason why I get annoyed with people crapping on Dorion's picks this year
- sensarmy_11

On the flip side, you're very vocal to stick up for the Sanderson pick and assume there are issues with players like Rossi and Perfeti since they dropped.

It's why people debate picks. It's such a crapshoot when picking 18 year olds.

I would assume the logic behind it is almost 100% driven by the complications involved in crossing the border right now. The Canadian government has already shown that they're unwilling to waive quarantine requirements for sports teams (why the jay ended up playing in Buffalo this year) meaning every time a Canadian team played in the US, they'd have to quarantine 2 weeks before they played again.

as long as COVID is still a thing, and crossing the border is problematic, an all Canadian division makes sense. once it's back to normal, go back to normal.
- sensarmy_11

I wasn't arguing playing games as normal with boarder crisscrossing. Have the division bubbles or whatever in the USA or have the Atlantic Division bubble in Canada. No need to create a weird new division as a one off.

Although, I wouldn't be opposed to a new, permanent, Canadian division (after COVID) but it's likely a logistic nightmare for travel.

one positive I see about perry, is we would have 3 pests on 3 different lines, brady/watson/perry
especially if all Canadian division, would love to agitate and steam roll the leafs numerous times

he also has won cup before (damn 2007), localish guy (Peterborough) and was actually pretty damn good in playoffs this year.

I'm ok with an over paid 1 year deal, flip at deadline type of thing. id rather him be a 13th forward / press box then a young guy.

for this year I'm ok with a veteran heavy team, but at some point we have to let the young guys be a majority of our roster. guess that starts in 2 years?

with or without perry there is 3/4 spots left up front. I like that there is a mix of at least 8 guys fighting for them. cream rises to the top!
(logan/norris/bath/form/balcers/stutz/abramov/chlapik)

I'm super excited for belleville, looks like they will only lose 3/4 guys to ottawa. not to mention adding sokolov, alsing, lassie, zub and possibly stutzle. they should have a legit chance of a run at the calder

I wasn't arguing playing games as normal with boarder crisscrossing. Have the division bubbles or whatever in the USA or have the Atlantic Division bubble in Canada. No need to create a weird new division as a one off.

Although, I wouldn't be opposed to a new, permanent, Canadian division (after COVID) but it's likely a logistic nightmare for travel.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Players would be stuck away from their families for months. It was hard enough for the limited playoffs. Not sure I see the players going for it .

I honestly think a Canadian div just makes the most sense logistically speaking, and am surprised that more people are so adamant against it.

Players would be stuck away from their families for months. It was hard enough for the limited playoffs. Not sure I see the players going for it .

I honestly think a Canadian div just makes the most sense logistically speaking, and am surprised that more people are so adamant against it.
- david22

As a one off setup for this year, I really like the idea. It would be great to see more Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver games against Ottawa.

Players would be stuck away from their families for months. It was hard enough for the limited playoffs. Not sure I see the players going for it .

I honestly think a Canadian div just makes the most sense logistically speaking, and am surprised that more people are so adamant against it.
- david22

I get it from that perspective. But are they just going to play all the Canadian teams for a total of 82 games (or however many games they settle on?). Seems a little silly.

The NHL and NBA were so successful with their bubbles (0 cases) that I find it hard to see if they want to stretch too far from that.

I liked the proposal where it was like round robin (in a way) bubbles and there reasonable breaks to visit family, etc then going to the next bubble.

There isn't going to be a great solution when the league has more border issues than other leagues.

On the flip side, you're very vocal to stick up for the Sanderson pick and assume there are issues with players like Rossi and Perfeti since they dropped.

It's why people debate picks. It's such a crapshoot when picking 18 year olds.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I never assumed something was wrong with them, I suggested that their “media rankings” were simply that, rankings by the media, and the people who suggested that they were sure fire top line centres and clearly the better choice over Sanderson have no clue what they’re talking about, other than the fact that they read some bloggers rankings. I also suggested that the fact that several teams passed on those 2 guys indicates that maybe they aren’t the slam dunk prospects some fans and bloggers made them out to be.

I also fully admitted that it’s a crap shoot, that Rossi could be the next Crosby and Sanderson the next cowen for all we know. I just hate the (frank)ing doomsday people who acted like Dorion should have been fired for taking Sanderson over Rossi

I dont understand. They could have picked up stamkos (maybe) but def could have traded for tyler johnson or killorn and been given a draft pick to do so. why not sign haula? or see what AZ was willing to offer up? or pick up JT Miller from vancouver? Tampa, vegas, AZ and the Canucks are over the cap. They need some salary cap relief. The Sens could do so......for a prospect or a pick and make the team better.

I dont understand. They could have picked up stamkos (maybe) but def could have traded for tyler johnson or killorn and been given a draft pick to do so. why not sign haula? or see what AZ was willing to offer up? or pick up JT Miller from vancouver? Tampa, vegas, AZ and the Canucks are over the cap. They need some salary cap relief. The Sens could do so......for a prospect or a pick and make the team better.
- i'mjustafan

...

It's probably in the mind of P. Dorion, but he is very patient, as the price for a quality prospect or higher pick will increase with time...Or he waits for the next off season and will try to go after a top quality UFA player.

Perry is one of the dirtiest and cheapest players in the game. I have never liked him. I really hope he doesn't come to Ottawa.
- PogBoi

Reminds me of the Sens signing Ruutu. Didn't like it then, didn't like it when he had the sweater on either.

Greig invited to team canada

Likely be a third line role I assume, but always fun to see prospects play in WJC

Just because Galchenyuk is signed does not necessarily mean he plays ahead of one of the younger guys if they are playing better. Smith had no problem sitting Boedker most of last year. Nothing wrong with competition for spots in training camp, Galchenyuk can be sent down if he doesn't make the grade, he is only signed for $1M.

Top 15 NHL 2012 Draft

01st Pick - Nail Yakupov - not in NHL
02nd Pick - Ryan Murray - just traded for 5th round pick
03rd Pick - Alex Galchenyuk - signed 1 year 1m (5th NHL team)
04th Pick - Griffin Reinhart - 37GP in 8 years since
05th Pick - Morgan Rielly - solid pick (hate to say)
06th Pick - Hamus Lindholm - solid pick again
07th Pick - Matt Dumba - solid pick (but can argue still has more)
08th Pick - Derrick Pouliot - (Reserve D-man)
09th Pick - Jacob Trouba - (good pick)
10th Pick - Slater Koekkoek - (not bad but not 10th ovr)
11th Pick - Filip Forsberg - (4th solid pick)
12th Pick - Mikhail Grigorenko - (not in NHL)
13th Pick - Radek Faksa - (useful player - not solid)
14th Pick - Zemgus Girgensons - (has not hit 20 pts in past 5 seasons)
15th Pick - Cody Ceci - (we all know this)

Only 4 players (Girgensons, Lindholm, Dumba, Faksa) are still playing with the same team.
- AlfieisKing

Fair assessment. Terrible draft year. Looking 3 years back or 3 years ahead it is a different story. Just a weak draft year. I don't see any of those 15 guys cracking the HOF based on their play to date. I doubt that anomaly appears again anytime soon. The kids just keep getting better every draft.

Reminds me of the Sens signing Ruutu. Didn't like it then, didn't like it when he had the sweater on either.
- sensfan1984

I loved Ruutu, the opposing team had to be careful when he was on the ice. As a season ticket holder from day one I went to all of the Senators annual skills competitions. What stands out from those days was Shawn Donovan skating the wrong way in the fastest speed race and crashing and Ruutu skating around with a blond wig with flames shooting out of his skates! He was loved in the dressing room.

The question today is about signing Corey Perry, this is a tough decision for a lot of reasons. I think he would be a good signing as the Sens need a real veteran with a Stanley Cup ring to lead and teach the kids what it takes to win. Also the addition of another tough customer would intimidate the teams playing against them and protect our young players. Also as others have mentioned he would bring the team a good draft pick at the trade deadline. Sign him if you can!

Ruutu gets a pass from me because of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v71FqkDMV1c

Still makes me laugh.

Galchenyuk signing feels like a Duclair replacement move. I’m cool with it.

If the Sens sign Perry, you get the feeling they seem serious about competing this season.

Like previous comments...I feel like the kids have more to offer then Perry.

Buuuuuut if he does sign...

It’s gna be a pretty entertaining season :p

So where do Hoffman, Duclair and others who overvalued their situation finally end up?

Dorion's moves?

Are the Sens just setting up to do some long term contracting with their young player?. Players have no leverage! Too many teams need to work through their own cap issues. This year it is difficult, next year it is crazy.

Dorion appears be making these "off the wall decisions." None of seems to make a great deal of sense unless you believe their is a larger game plan being pulled together and these are just the warm up moves.

So where do Hoffman, Duclair and others who overvalued their situation finally end up?

Dorion's moves?

Are the Sens just setting up to do some long term contracting with their young player?. Players have no leverage! Too many teams need to work through their own cap issues. This year it is difficult, next year it is crazy.

Dorion appears be making these "off the wall decisions." None of seems to make a great deal of sense unless you believe their is a larger game plan being pulled together and these are just the warm up moves.
- spatso

which moves don't make sense?

- gudbrandson and brown are there to add size and a short term solution on D so that guys like JBD and Thomson don't have to be rushed. no risk of these guys pushing anyone out in the longterm

- murray move was obvious if they don't feel that nilsson is healthy and any of the young goalies are ready to be #1's

- watson was brought in to add toughness on teh 4th line and to kill penalites.....and given his low price, is a player you have no issues having in the press box for a few games here and there

- galchenyuk was added as a low risk move on a skilled forward who you could potentially flip at the deadline if he plays well.....basically buying a draft pick


i have no issues with any of these moves. sure, they could have weaponized their cap space and gotten a pick to bring in a guy like Johnson, but then you're stuck with TJ for the next 4-5 years, who's DEFINITELY taking a roster spot from one of the kids for a long time.

i think that dorion made a lot of really solid moves that help in the short term but in no way sacrifice anything in the long term

which moves don't make sense?

- gudbrandson and brown are there to add size and a short term solution on D so that guys like JBD and Thomson don't have to be rushed. no risk of these guys pushing anyone out in the longterm

- murray move was obvious if they don't feel that nilsson is healthy and any of the young goalies are ready to be #1's

- watson was brought in to add toughness on teh 4th line and to kill penalites.....and given his low price, is a player you have no issues having in the press box for a few games here and there

- galchenyuk was added as a low risk move on a skilled forward who you could potentially flip at the deadline if he plays well.....basically buying a draft pick


i have no issues with any of these moves. sure, they could have weaponized their cap space and gotten a pick to bring in a guy like Johnson, but then you're stuck with TJ for the next 4-5 years, who's DEFINITELY taking a roster spot from one of the kids for a long time.

i think that dorion made a lot of really solid moves that help in the short term but in no way sacrifice anything in the long term
- sensarmy_11

Agreed , can say better !!!

which moves don't make sense?

- gudbrandson and brown are there to add size and a short term solution on D so that guys like JBD and Thomson don't have to be rushed. no risk of these guys pushing anyone out in the longterm

- murray move was obvious if they don't feel that nilsson is healthy and any of the young goalies are ready to be #1's

- watson was brought in to add toughness on teh 4th line and to kill penalites.....and given his low price, is a player you have no issues having in the press box for a few games here and there

- galchenyuk was added as a low risk move on a skilled forward who you could potentially flip at the deadline if he plays well.....basically buying a draft pick


i have no issues with any of these moves. sure, they could have weaponized their cap space and gotten a pick to bring in a guy like Johnson, but then you're stuck with TJ for the next 4-5 years, who's DEFINITELY taking a roster spot from one of the kids for a long time.

i think that dorion made a lot of really solid moves that help in the short term but in no way sacrifice anything in the long term
- sensarmy_11

I agree with your point that he has a "lot" of really solid moves. My concern is he may have made too many moves that produce similar outcomes. I trust Dorion and I think he knows exactly what he is doing.

So, my assumption becomes we have not yet seen the full picture. He is working towards something not yet fully revealed. My guess is the focus is the next trade deadline where the vets get dealt and the kids get called up.