Oiler's fans will soon agree with us that it was a fantastic move to shed Ceci. However, Zaitsev is not an NHL level defender and it is horrific to consider his $4.5 million contract still has 3 seasons remaining.

On the other hand, Connor Brown was a good pick-up. On a playoff team he would be a solid 3rd liner. He has been the right type of player to mix into a rebuilding roster. I suspect the rebuild would be smoother with fewer turn-style players if the character of a few recent free agent signings was more reflective of Brown's.

While absorbing Zaits' contract has not yet been problematic, it may soon become dire. It is likely a few of the younger players will need to get paid. It is also plausible a large sum will need to be spent to acquire a 1D. While Brown has been an admirable player, I doubt he will seem adequate compensation for taking on Zaitsev if Zaitsev's cap stifles the rebuild.
- Jackie Daytona

I guess you did not see much of the Sens last year. Zaitsev was very solid. Only Chabot and Zub had better seasons. If the Sens improve overall as a team this coming year, I think you will see a proportionate increase in the quality of Zaitsev's play. He could be a very attractive piece at the trade deadline. But, Sens should not be too anxious to trade him.

Hard to believe Sens got Brown and Zaitsev and the Leafs took back Ceci in the deal. It might be Dorion's most clever trade..

I guess you did not see much of the Sens last year. Zaitsev was very solid. Only Chabot and Zub had better seasons. If the Sens improve overall as a team this coming year, I think you will see a proportionate increase in the quality of Zaitsev's play. He could be a very attractive piece at the trade deadline. But, Sens should not be too anxious to trade him.

Hard to believe Sens got Brown and Zaitsev and the Leafs took back Ceci in the deal. It might be Dorion's most clever trade..
- spatso

That trade ranks right up there! I said much of what you said in my reply to the comment as well, if you scroll back, so we think alike!

I guess you did not see much of the Sens last year. Zaitsev was very solid. Only Chabot and Zub had better seasons. If the Sens improve overall as a team this coming year, I think you will see a proportionate increase in the quality of Zaitsev's play. He could be a very attractive piece at the trade deadline. But, Sens should not be too anxious to trade him.

Hard to believe Sens got Brown and Zaitsev and the Leafs took back Ceci in the deal. It might be Dorion's most clever trade..
- spatso

This was Dorion's best trade. Zaitsev gets so much flack but he has been solid in his tenure here. One of our best D man. It was insane that we were able to offload Ceci the pylon who still manages to get paid like a top 4 guy. Baffling.

I could see Zaitsev packaged in a bigger deal to bring on a veteran with a similar cap hit (like a veteran centreman). But right now he is pretty valuable- any return would be golden.

Sens sign a superstar RW here ............. look out, Scott Sabourin

Sens sign a superstar RW here ............. look out, Scott Sabourin
- AlfieisKing

A DJ toy and a perfect fit for his hard to play against philosophy.

A DJ toy and a perfect fit for his hard to play against philosophy.
- granpa

Sens sign a superstar RW here ............. look out, Scott Sabourin
- AlfieisKing

Oh, FFS... roster regression is really not what they need. Seriously, this tough to play against business is bordering on OCD. Playing Sabourin at 7min/GP or less means you effectively don't have a 4th line in those games... which is absolutely terrible for a team with otherwise good forward depth, where they're wanting to give significant 3rd/4th line ice time to players like Paul, White, Formenton, Tierney, and Watson.

If it's a two-way deal to help protect the kids in Belleville, then fine... but it will be pretty frustrating if it's a one-way deal, where they're creating needless roster congestion.

EDIT: It appears to be a two-way deal, so thank God for that... $200K/$700K in terms of AHL/NHL salary.
https://www.nhl.com/senat...-way-contract/c-325982040

Sens sign a superstar RW here ............. look out, Scott Sabourin
- AlfieisKing

Was he the guy that hit mccarthur in training camp? I cant remember who that was?

Was he the guy that hit mccarthur in training camp? I cant remember who that was?
- spazzbot

Patrick Sieloff was the culprit here. Good riddance!

To the point of this post, Dorion has made some terrific moves, the addition of Pierre McGuire can only help on the Sens biggest weakness, NHL trades

Oh, FFS... roster regression is really not what they need. Seriously, this tough to play against business is bordering on OCD. Playing Sabourin at 7min/GP or less means you effectively don't have a 4th line in those games... which is absolutely terrible for a team with otherwise good forward depth, where they're wanting to give significant 3rd/4th line ice time to players like Paul, White, Formenton, Tierney, and Watson.

If it's a two-way deal to help protect the kids in Belleville, then fine... but it will be pretty frustrating if it's a one-way deal, where they're creating needless roster congestion.

EDIT: It appears to be a two-way deal, so thank God for that... $200K/$700K in terms of AHL/NHL salary.
https://www.nhl.com/senat...-way-contract/c-325982040
- khawk

With Smith running things I'm sure Sabourin will find his way on the NHL roster.

- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Just curious about UFA eligibility. Can anyone tell me if Abramov would qualify as a Group 6 UFA if he return to NHL at age 25.

Group 6 UFA

A player becomes a Group 6 UFA if they are 25, completed 3 or more professional seasons, has a contract expiring, and has played less than 80 NHL Games. For goalies, this is 28 NHL games with more than 30 minutes of ice time.

A Professional Season is defined as any season where a player aged 18-19 plays in 11 or more Professional Games, and a player 20 or older plays 1 or more Professional Games. A Professional Game is a regular season or playoff game in the NHL, minor league (AHL/ECHL), or European professional while under an NHL contract.

Just curious about UFA eligibility. Can anyone tell me if Abramov would qualify as a Group 6 UFA if he return to NHL at age 25.

Group 6 UFA

A player becomes a Group 6 UFA if they are 25, completed 3 or more professional seasons, has a contract expiring, and has played less than 80 NHL Games. For goalies, this is 28 NHL games with more than 30 minutes of ice time.

A Professional Season is defined as any season where a player aged 18-19 plays in 11 or more Professional Games, and a player 20 or older plays 1 or more Professional Games. A Professional Game is a regular season or playoff game in the NHL, minor league (AHL/ECHL), or European professional while under an NHL contract.
- granpa

From reading the stipulations above, I would say he qualifies as a Group 6 UFA. But hey, I am sure there are others in here that have a better handle this one.

I see a tweet today that show the team give free jerseys to the community. One of the Jersey have a C on it. Weird

I see a tweet today that show the team give free jerseys to the community. One of the Jersey have a C on it. Weird
- Crosside

Oh really! Was it on the Sens twitter account? Interesting.

If Sens didn't have Zaitsev, they could've (and should've!) signed David Savard

The Overspending:

Murray - 6m
White - 4.75m
Zaitsev - 4.5m
Tierney - 4.2m
Del Zotto - 1.75m
Watson - 1.5m
J.Brown - 1.4m
------------
= $24.1M

The Overspending:

Murray - 6m
White - 4.75m
Zaitsev - 4.5m
Tierney - 4.2m
Del Zotto - 1.75m
Watson - 1.5m
J.Brown - 1.4m
------------
= $24.1M
- AlfieisKing

There is no doubt that Dorion has over spent on players, either giving extensions that weren't necessary, Tierney and White are prime examples. Zaitsev was fine in my books only because they got rid of Ceci and got Connor Brown.

New piece up!