Michael Stuart: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: Murray, Senators Shut Out Canadiens
- Michael_Stuart

It's great to see all of Tkachuk, Batherson, Norris, and Stutzle really starting to establish themselves, and leading the team in points among forwards. Given the question marks coming into the season, having all 4 pretty much established as top-6 forward by the end of season is a relatively major accomplishment. They still need another couple of offensive pieces to really start to throw their weight around offensively (2021 draft, I'm looking at you), but the foundation is definitely there. I'd be happy to see them pull any of Beniers, Guenther, or Johnson. Otherwise, Clarke would be the D-man of choice for me, as a solid RHD.

Can't help but feel like it was something of a remarkable start for Pinto, even regardless of the assist. Think about the level of trust you have to earn with D.J. Smith in such a short span of time in order to get 9 faceoffs in your career debut... of which you win 6/9, including 2/3 in the defensive zone. Then you also tally up a hit and add 3 takeaways, despite having just 9:26 of ice time. For reference, Connor Brown is 2nd in the entire NHL in takeaways with 43 in 45GP (one ahead of Mark Stone), which is just under a rate of 1 takeaway/GP, with the benefit of over 18min/GP of ice time. If that's any indication whatsoever of what Pinto is capable of on a regular basis, he's definitely headed for a #2/3C role.

first link when you google "2021 nhl mock draft" shows a ranking that only has 1 of those 3 in the top 5

https://www.ontheforecheck.com/2021/4/16/22365
591/2021-nhl-entry-draft-april-ranking-prospects-picks


in fact, i went through the first 7 links, and not one of those rankings has all 3 of those guys in the top 5. all in the top 10, but none with them all top 5.

power was in far more top 5 rankings than guenther, as was Eklund

like i said, this draft is a complete crapshoot
- sensarmy_11

I'll concede its not as definitive as I thought after doing some more digging. Most of websites i've been reading (THN, SNET) and others sees Power and Beniers up high.

It's great to see all of Tkachuk, Batherson, Norris, and Stutzle really starting to establish themselves, and leading the team in points among forwards. Given the question marks coming into the season, having all 4 pretty much established as top-6 forward by the end of season is a relatively major accomplishment. They still need another couple of offensive pieces to really start to throw their weight around offensively (2021 draft, I'm looking at you), but the foundation is definitely there. I'd be happy to see them pull any of Beniers, Guenther, or Johnson. Otherwise, Clarke would be the D-man of choice for me, as a solid RHD.

Can't help but feel like it was something of a remarkable start for Pinto, even regardless of the assist. Think about the level of trust you have to earn with D.J. Smith in such a short span of time in order to get 9 faceoffs in your career debut... of which you win 6/9, including 2/3 in the defensive zone. Then you also tally up a hit and add 3 takeaways, despite having just 9:26 of ice time. For reference, Connor Brown is 2nd in the entire NHL in takeaways with 43 in 45GP (one ahead of Mark Stone), which is just under a rate of 1 takeaway/GP, with the benefit of over 18min/GP of ice time. If that's any indication whatsoever of what Pinto is capable of on a regular basis, he's definitely headed for a #2/3C role.
- khawk

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...riting-code-breaking-nhl/

Good article here talking about what you brought up

Ya Yikes to Murray and Price contract.
Leave them both exposed for Seattle and pray.

Batherson plays like a big power forward but with speed.
He's a handful.

Eichel is another Bobby Ryan. The guy who was picked second. No thanks.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/senators-rookies-norris-pinto-rewriting-code-breaking-nhl/
Good article here talking about what you brought up
- david22

That is a good read, and nice to see Norris getting his due. I was as skeptical as anyone about some of the team's prospects heading into the season, especially regarding the immediate upside of Batherson, Norris, and Stutzle. Well, they've proven a lot in short period of time, and they're doing an excellent job of earning the trust they're now getting from the coaching staff. And with the likes of Formenton, Pinto, and Bernard-Docker now in the fold, the team is starting to reach a critical mass of quality young players. When the next wave of prospects hits, including Sanderson, Greig, and the 1st round pick of the coming draft, things should really start to get interesting.

I'll concede its not as definitive as I thought after doing some more digging. Most of websites i've been reading (THN, SNET) and others sees Power and Beniers up high.
- david22

Power seems to be the consensus #1 guy according to Bobby Mac. Personally, I like Guenther so far, but lots could change between now and the draft. Just look at how Sanderson rose the rankings with no hockey being played.

I don't think that needed #1 centre is available in this draft, so it will be interesting to see how they address that moving forward.

Power seems to be the consensus #1 guy according to Bobby Mac. Personally, I like Guenther so far, but lots could change between now and the draft. Just look at how Sanderson rose the rankings with no hockey being played.

I don't think that needed #1 centre is available in this draft, so it will be interesting to see how they address that moving forward.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Stutzle is still clearly the best option, if there's legitimacy to the plan to transition him over to 'C'. Norris has been impressive, but I just don't see him being good enough to be #1C on a Cup-contender. Moving Stutzle over would also suit their prospect pool well, as LW is pretty jammed up with Tkachuk, Formenton, Greig, Abramov, Jarventie, etc. That said, the suggestion in the TSN mid-season rankings that Beniers was the only projected natural C in the top-15 was a sobering comment. If that's the case, the two best positional assets would have to be Guenther (RW) and Clarke (RHD).

Stutzle is still clearly the best option, if there's legitimacy to the plan to transition him over to 'C'. Norris has been impressive, but I just don't see him being good enough to be #1C on a Cup-contender. Moving Stutzle over would also suit their prospect pool well, as LW is pretty jammed up with Tkachuk, Formenton, Greig, Abramov, Jarventie, etc. That said, the suggestion in the TSN mid-season rankings that Beniers was the only projected natural C in the top-15 was a sobering comment. If that's the case, the two best positional assets would have to be Guenther (RW) and Clarke (RHD).
- khawk

I feel like if Dorion has the chance, he'll take Beniers ahead of any other forward. He seems like a typical Dorion player. Whether he he can be a number one center or not would remain to be seen. He put up good points in his freshman year, but people seem to mention his compete level and worth ethic as his biggest attributes.

I feel like if Dorion has the chance, he'll take Beniers ahead of any other forward. He seems like a typical Dorion player. Whether he he can be a number one center or not would remain to be seen. He put up good points in his freshman year, but people seem to mention his compete level and worth ethic as his biggest attributes.
- david22

I get your point, though Pierre nearly blew the front of his pants out when he was able to get Brannstrom in the Stone trade, and was very open about his interest in Stutzle right from the draft lottery results. So it's not like he doesn't recognize or appreciate higher-end skill when it's on the table, and the fact they have very few natural RW and/or pure scoring wingers in the prospect system is a problem. That said, it really hinges on just how serious they are about Stutzle becoming a 'C'. If that's for real, then I think Guenther > Beniers due to a higher offensive ceiling. If the Stutzle thing is quietly not for real, then Beniers likely becomes the primary target.

Man, Norris is looking real good from that spot on the Powerplay.

first link when you google "2021 nhl mock draft" shows a ranking that only has 1 of those 3 in the top 5

https://www.ontheforechec...l-ranking-prospects-picks


in fact, i went through the first 7 links, and not one of those rankings has all 3 of those guys in the top 5. all in the top 10, but none with them all top 5.

power was in far more top 5 rankings than guenther, as was Eklund

like i said, this draft is a complete crapshoot
- sensarmy_11

So long as Ottawa has a top4 pick. Id be happy with any of the four guys at the top of MacKenzies list.

So long as Ottawa has a top4 pick. Id be happy with any of the four guys at the top of MacKenzies list.
- GrimmdaGoalie

i'd be happy with anyone in the top 10, with the exception of Hughes. the last thing this team needs is another LH puck moving dman. i'd be ecstatic with literally anyone else in his BMac's top 10

You've eagerly jumped on Murray any chance when he struggles I wonder if you were aware of his changing his way of playing since last summer as Woodley said on TSN 1200. He started the change before sens traded for him made the sens aware what was happening and this year was a write off year

Wonder if it is worth getting this good this quick? So much future talent coming down the pipeline (S. Wright, Bedard, Michkov, etc.) that we could get if we stay terrible...



ha ha ha ha hawhhhh....yes...

Wonder if it is worth getting this good this quick? So much future talent coming down the pipeline (S. Wright, Bedard, Michkov, etc.) that we could get if we stay terrible...



ha ha ha ha hawhhhh....yes...
- ahjnkn

Nooooooo; we have sooo many strong prospects pushing for a spot in the next 3 to 4 years; so it's time to target playoffs as early as next year...Brady said it yesterday night after the Calgary game... the youngsters are hungry!