Stepan out for the remainder of the season.

Batherson and Stutzle look really good together. I wonder, what would it cost to be able to stick Eichel between that duo?

Is there another burner that would be a good fit in between them?
- spatso

More than you can afford pal

Who would be the goalie you protect from Seattle:

(A) Matt Murray
(B) Filip Gustavsson
(C) Marcus Hogberg

RIGHT NOW* projecting for the summer
- AlfieisKing

Pretty sure there’s no need to protect the boat anchor murray

It is good to see the discussion of the importance of a true #1 centre on these comments. I am not sure the best strategy to get that, but it should be priority #1 for Dorion and co.

The more Stutzle plays at wing, the less chance I think he will be a true #1 centre. He hasn’t played centre in any league/tournament for a couple of years now. I’m also hesitant to want the club to move such a young player to different positions so early in his NHL career.

I think seeing the success with players on the wing like Batherson, Tkachuk, Stu, and to a lesser extent, Paul and Brown is a great step. Asserting a true #1 centre somehow would elevate this team.

Now, just to have Smith swap Stu and Batherson sides on the PP so they are eligible for one-timers….
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I would think that trading for a number one center is something Dorion will be very wary about doing considering his track record (Brassard, Duchene)

If Stutzle stays on wing and Brown doesn't progress (even to a 2nd line role), that's a lot of weight on Norris, Pinto and White's shoulders.

There's a couple good centre prospects at this years draft. Whether Ottawa is able to drafft them or they're good enough to be that guy though is anyone's guess.

Who would be the goalie you protect from Seattle:

(A) Matt Murray
(B) Filip Gustavsson
(C) Marcus Hogberg

RIGHT NOW* projecting for the summer
- AlfieisKing

100% i'd protect Daccord

It is an NMC you *must* protect in expansion - NTCs are fair game. Tough to say who to protect goaliewise - Murray has shown flashes lately that make me think he might stick around... but I think Seattle will take a forward given they will get Flower power or Lehner to helm things at the end of the day.

If Logan Brown picks up his game, I'd say he's the prime target for the Kraken, otherwise whoever doesn't get protected out of Tierney/Brown/Paul, and agree it's probably Tierney based off play this year. Interesting, using CF's expansion tool that Ottawa actually has an available protection spot for a D man, but will struggle meeting the exposure requirements - up front, Sens need to bring in a multiyear contract player, or let Logan Shaw play the required # of games, otherwise one of the aforementioned 3 forwards above HAS to be exposed (alongside Watson) because everyone else is a UFA. On the D side - only Chabot, Zaitsev and J. Brown are under contract beyond this season, and assuming Brown is the exposed D, the remaining spot is basically vacant (you could protect Wolanin as an RFA, but I wouldn't). So basically Ottawa would really benefit from scoping and landing a legit D man in a trade from a team with too many quality backenders to protect.

IMO I don't like the idea of Stutzle being pushed to centre - he's too small in that role. But also not convinced this team doesn't have a gem in the rough somewhere in the pipeline - looking at what happened to Zib post Ottawa, and the realistic timeline for this team to be a top tier competitor, I wouldn't sell the farm for an older player - Dorion hopefully has learned that lesson after jettisoning a second rounder for Stepan. Pinto may well mature into a rounded 1st line C, I think the key is stay the course, stop trying to add mediocre veterans, and give the ice to the young guys. If you want to add a veteran here or there they shouldn't be reclamation projects but rather have a consistent track record (like Dadonov). The chemistry developing between the youth on this team is honestly the first real positive Sens-ation I've had regarding this franchise in awhile.

IMO I don't like the idea of Stutzle being pushed to centre - he's too small in that role. But also not convinced this team doesn't have a gem in the rough somewhere in the pipeline - looking at what happened to Zib post Ottawa, and the realistic timeline for this team to be a top tier competitor, I wouldn't sell the farm for an older player - Dorion hopefully has learned that lesson after jettisoning a second rounder for Stepan. Pinto may well mature into a rounded 1st line C, I think the key is stay the course, stop trying to add mediocre veterans, and give the ice to the young guys. If you want to add a veteran here or there they shouldn't be reclamation projects but rather have a consistent track record (like Dadonov). The chemistry developing between the youth on this team is honestly the first real positive Sens-ation I've had regarding this franchise in awhile.
- Bartacus

he's pretty much the exact same size as Norris.....his size shouldn't be a detractor from putting him at center.

unless L. Brown can find his game at the NHL level, i don't think there is a potential legit #1 center in this org......unless they move Stu.

Pinto looks like a good player, but seems more like a Colin White type of guy, who's better in the dot. Obviously it's not impossible that he gets to the big club and tears it up, or turns into a Bergeron type guy.......but i certainly wouldn't plan on that happening.

with Tkachuk locked in as your top line LW, and with Greig and Formenton coming up as potential 2nd and 3rd line LWs.....there's no harm in seeing if Stu can play center.

best case - he turns into a legit top line C
worst case - it doesn't work out, you put him back at LW

It is good to see the discussion of the importance of a true #1 centre on these comments. I am not sure the best strategy to get that, but it should be priority #1 for Dorion and co.

The more Stutzle plays at wing, the less chance I think he will be a true #1 centre. He hasn’t played centre in any league/tournament for a couple of years now. I’m also hesitant to want the club to move such a young player to different positions so early in his NHL career.

I think seeing the success with players on the wing like Batherson, Tkachuk, Stu, and to a lesser extent, Paul and Brown is a great step. Asserting a true #1 centre somehow would elevate this team.

Now, just to have Smith swap Stu and Batherson sides on the PP so they are eligible for one-timers….
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I still think if given the opportunity, Logan Brown can still be our future #1C.

I still think if given the opportunity, Logan Brown can still be our future #1C.
- Maverick1818

yup.....but if history is any indication, they'll bring him up, stick him between Haley and Watson for 2 games, and then send him back down becasue he didn't put up 4pts in those 2 games, only playing 9 minutes a game.

yup.....but if history is any indication, they'll bring him up, stick him between Haley and Watson for 2 games, and then send him back down becasue he didn't put up 4pts in those 2 games, only playing 9 minutes a game.
- sensarmy_11

He better perform well in his AHL audition to secure a callup. It got off to a very rocky start before his injury.

I want to see him do as well as the next guy but the ball is firmly in his court at this time in his career.

With stephan being out long term with 6.5 million cap hit. He will go on LTIR and is also a UFA next year. This is a good time for sens to make trades or take upon bad contracts for picks.

He better perform well in his AHL audition to secure a callup. It got off to a very rocky start before his injury.

I want to see him do as well as the next guy but the ball is firmly in his court at this time in his career.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I agree the ball is in his court, and he has to perform......but the team also has to put him in a position to succeed. In the past, they’ve stapled him to the 4th line, with plug linemates.....if they plan on doing that again, they might as well just trade him now. If he isn’t put on a line with other offensively gifted players, he’s never going to do well.

I agree the ball is in his court, and he has to perform......but the team also has to put him in a position to succeed. In the past, they’ve stapled him to the 4th line, with plug linemates.....if they plan on doing that again, they might as well just trade him now. If he isn’t put on a line with other offensively gifted players, he’s never going to do well.
- sensarmy_11

Eichel is going to be traded.

Three factors will determine where he goes.
1. Cap space, very few teams have the ability to absorb a $10m cap hit.
2. Three quality pieces in return (Sanderson or JBD, Norris or Pinto and #1 2021)
3. An owner who can afford to do the deal.

Only a few teams can match how well Ottawa is able to do #1 and #2. Unfortunately, I don't think the Sens will be able to meet the test of #3.

I agree the ball is in his court, and he has to perform......but the team also has to put him in a position to succeed. In the past, they’ve stapled him to the 4th line, with plug linemates.....if they plan on doing that again, they might as well just trade him now. If he isn’t put on a line with other offensively gifted players, he’s never going to do well.
- sensarmy_11

I agree to an extent. I will always have a hard time giving guys who are perceived as gifted players a benefit of the doubt just because they are playing with perceived plugs.

If he is actually going to be a top 6 centre, he should be able to make other players better. Any centre will look better centering Stu and Batherson than Paul and Watson. There is not a huge debate there. You could actually argue Batherson and Stu have elevated Anisimov’s play the last couple of games and we all know he is trash.

I’m not advocating having Logan Brown play with Watson and see what he can do, but I am advocating that he should be able to look good/produce no matter what line he is on, if he is going to be a legitimate top 6 centre. Take advantage of the opportunity that is presented, even if it is small.

While DJ Smith might hold young players back more than fans would like, ultimately, he does reward them for good play as we have seen with Stu and Batherson.

Eichel is going to be traded.

Three factors will determine where he goes.
1. Cap space, very few teams have the ability to absorb a $10m cap hit.
2. Three quality pieces in return (Sanderson or JBD, Norris or Pinto and #1 2021)
3. An owner who can afford to do the deal.

Only a few teams can match how well Ottawa is able to do #1 and #2. Unfortunately, I don't think the Sens will be able to meet the test of #3.
- spatso

Stay away from Eichel, he would be a cancer in our locker room and we don't want to break up the great spirit and dedication from our youth movement and our current vets!...And why would we spend a tagering $10M per, for this guy, knowing that we can address this N°1C either with Timmy or with our draft pick in 2021!

Eichel is going to be traded.

Three factors will determine where he goes.
1. Cap space, very few teams have the ability to absorb a $10m cap hit.
2. Three quality pieces in return (Sanderson or JBD, Norris or Pinto and #1 2021)
3. An owner who can afford to do the deal.

Only a few teams can match how well Ottawa is able to do #1 and #2. Unfortunately, I don't think the Sens will be able to meet the test of #3.
- spatso

NYR's will make the move for Jack.

NYR's will make the move for Jack.
- AdamFrench

Yes, I was shocked to hear someone suggest that they would move Lafreniere to acquire Eichel.

Yes, I was shocked to hear someone suggest that they would move Lafreniere to acquire Eichel.
- spatso

Kakko, DeAngelo (2mil retained) and Georgiev for Jorts Eichman

Kim Pegula slams "Yes"

Kakko, DeAngelo (2mil retained) and Georgiev for Jorts Eichman

Kim Pegula slams "Yes"
- AdamFrench

Not too bad a deal for Buffalo. New York media is really down on both Kakko and Lafreniere. So it is a case where management has a free hand to make the deal they can. Rangers have already marginalized DeAngelo so they would get little blow back on moving him. Georgiev is a good piece.

Does this mean the Rangers are setting up to allow Zibanejad to walk?

Gudbranson is a good guy but F's this team harder than a pornstar

I hope Stützle is okay. Took a knee-on-knee during Zub's goal.

Gudbranson is a good guy but F's this team harder than a pornstar
- AlfieisKing

Lol. This made me laugh, thanks AK.