Stutzle centering the second line today at the practice. Can’t wait to see this tomorrow

Listening to Jacques Martin on TSN1200 last week, he hammered home the point of the 1-2-2 and how it had to be played. Rigth now the Sens don't play in 5 man units, at all! Heck even Guy Boucher got the team to buy into his system for a year and look at the results, 1 goal from the Cup Final.
- Kevin Francis

Jacques Martin and Perry Pern made a great coaching duo. Structure and systems. They also took the time to teach and grow the player's games.

Stutzle centering the second line today at the practice. Can’t wait to see this tomorrow
- Crosside

Now that's the most interesting development I've heard in a while. If they want maximum defensive protection for Stutzle, they could try something like Paul-Stutzle-Brown, where Paul takes the majority of NZ/DZ faceoffs. If they want to really jazz things up, they could maybe swap Batherson onto that line to give it more scoring punch. Having a 1A/1B structure built around Tkachuk-Norris, and Stutzle/Batherson would certainly give teams a new look.

Either way, I really hope they give Stutzle a serious look at C. I find it hard to believe that the defensive responsibilities of the position are beyond him, and he clearly has ability to burn that's being under-utilized. So it's time to see what the full scope of his potential really is, as he'd provide considerably more value to the team as a #1/2C, than as a #1/2LW.

Now that's the most interesting development I've heard in a while. If they want maximum defensive protection for Stutzle, they could try something like Paul-Stutzle-Brown, where Paul takes the majority of NZ/DZ faceoffs. If they want to really jazz things up, they could maybe swap Batherson onto that line to give it more scoring punch. Having a 1A/1B structure built around Tkachuk-Norris, and Stutzle/Batherson would certainly give teams a new look.

Either way, I really hope they give Stutzle a serious look at C. I find it hard to believe that the defensive responsibilities of the position are beyond him, and he clearly has ability to burn that's being under-utilized. So it's time to see what the full scope of his potential really is, as he'd provide considerably more value to the team as a #1/2C, than as a #1/2LW.
- khawk

This will indeed be interesting. Hopefully they give him 5 or so games to get used to the swap. Can this move shut people like me up about centre depth? We shall see.

This also may mean a little more ice time for Formenton on the left wing. Certainly time for a shake up. Good to see.

Stutzle centering the second line today at the practice. Can’t wait to see this tomorrow
- Crosside

When I was driving around today, they said it late afternoon on the radio. It definitely has the fanbase fired up! It's about time as they say!

Jacques Martin and Perry Pern made a great coaching duo. Structure and systems. They also took the time to teach and grow the player's games.
- granpa

Yes, so true! They were terrific, there was a 3rd coach too....Terry? He was the PK coach, he went on to coach in Buffalo or Philly. I am blanking.....cant remember.

Now that's the most interesting development I've heard in a while. If they want maximum defensive protection for Stutzle, they could try something like Paul-Stutzle-Brown, where Paul takes the majority of NZ/DZ faceoffs. If they want to really jazz things up, they could maybe swap Batherson onto that line to give it more scoring punch. Having a 1A/1B structure built around Tkachuk-Norris, and Stutzle/Batherson would certainly give teams a new look.

Either way, I really hope they give Stutzle a serious look at C. I find it hard to believe that the defensive responsibilities of the position are beyond him, and he clearly has ability to burn that's being under-utilized. So it's time to see what the full scope of his potential really is, as he'd provide considerably more value to the team as a #1/2C, than as a #1/2LW.
- khawk

They are putting Stutzle with Paul and Brown, so this will help him for sure! He can carry the puck up the ice with speed, which would put the opposing D on their heels a bit! BUt agreed, he needs a serious look, not one period or one game. But when Batherson can return next week, it would be nice to see them balance it out. Heck, take it one step further that way, put Brown or Paul on the 3rd line!

This will indeed be interesting. Hopefully they give him 5 or so games to get used to the swap. Can this move shut people like me up about centre depth? We shall see.

This also may mean a little more ice time for Formenton on the left wing. Certainly time for a shake up. Good to see.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

They have to find an option from within because we all know Dorion ain't making a trade to upgrade the roster. But at least the coaching staff is recognizing how easy it was for the Avs to try shut down the top line, but you ain't going to get a hat trick every game from Sanford, lol.

I would love to see Formenton up on that line with Stutzle with Batherson. Then if you had Pinto back, have Paul-Pinto-Brown as the red line as they are moving Sanford up to the top line. Then that 4th line could have Gambrell centering Ennis and Kelly! Just a thought.

They have to find an option from within because we all know Dorion ain't making a trade to upgrade the roster. But at least the coaching staff is recognizing how easy it was for the Avs to try shut down the top line, but you ain't going to get a hat trick every game from Sanford, lol.

I would love to see Formenton up on that line with Stutzle with Batherson. Then if you had Pinto back, have Paul-Pinto-Brown as the red line as they are moving Sanford up to the top line. Then that 4th line could have Gambrell centering Ennis and Kelly! Just a thought.
- Kevin Francis

Formenton looked good Norris and Batherson. I'd like to see Tkachuk with Stutzle and Connor Brown.

They have to find an option from within because we all know Dorion ain't making a trade to upgrade the roster. But at least the coaching staff is recognizing how easy it was for the Avs to try shut down the top line, but you ain't going to get a hat trick every game from Sanford, lol.

I would love to see Formenton up on that line with Stutzle with Batherson. Then if you had Pinto back, have Paul-Pinto-Brown as the red line as they are moving Sanford up to the top line. Then that 4th line could have Gambrell centering Ennis and Kelly! Just a thought.
- Kevin Francis

This is the year to be experimenting with all these possibilities but I somehow don't think Smith will see it that way. He sees one thing and one thing only and in that world there's no room for trying anything. I really hope he proves me wrong but I don't think that will happen.

Formenton looked good Norris and Batherson. I'd like to see Tkachuk with Stutzle and Connor Brown.
- SensFan25

Actually he did, great point! Well a few options would be nice, this coaching staff has nothing to lose, trying combos to see what might work.

This is the year to be experimenting with all these possibilities but I somehow don't think Smith will see it that way. He sees one thing and one thing only and in that world there's no room for trying anything. I really hope he proves me wrong but I don't think that will happen.
- Whatisavailable

you said it! There are no expectations with the fan base, try line combos, or even pairings to see what the results might be. They need to find out this year what they have in every single player, not next year when they are supposed to take a step forward towards challenging for the playoffs.

Good comments all around. The Sens always look like they are playing one man down. Very rarely has this team had shifts that have overpowered other teams. It’s happened the odd time to give you a glimmer of hope, but not nearly consistent enough. The empty net goal last night was a prime example. Sens actually had a 6 on 5 but it looked like they were still shorthanded due to crap positioning and get scored on.

That’s a combination of two things, lack of skill and poor coaching. While you must empathize with DJ Smith a little with the lack of skill, there is little reason to get outshot 18-0 in one period of hockey and more or less look like a bad shinny team on the ice.

You didn’t have to look far than the game last night to see what good teams do to score goals. There is quality puck movement, skating as a unit, and players actively moving to create chances. That is how you generate quality chances. The Sens have been stationary and relying on puck luck for goals all year. To me, last night, the Sens didn’t deserve a better fate, but rather were lucky they were as close as they were to a much better team that had a pretty mediocre night for them.

Hopefully some of this was rust from a week off.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

When you talk about coaching, I keep thinking back to when Vegas was in Ottawa and how the entire Golden Knights management were yelling from the press box to dump the puck in JBrown's corner, over and over, which they did. Then they capitalized on it, what a surprise. I can only imagine what other coaching staff's think or gameplan when it comes to the Sens defense.

Yes, so true! They were terrific, there was a 3rd coach too....Terry? He was the PK coach, he went on to coach in Buffalo or Philly. I am blanking.....cant remember.
- Kevin Francis

It believe it was Craig Ramsey.

Matt Murray

For

a fully vaccinated Evander Kane



straight up
Thoughts?

Matt Murray

For

a fully vaccinated Evander Kane



straight up
Thoughts?
- Octavarium

I think Dorion would be very opposed to bringing in a player thats been described as difficult to work with by his team mates.

Stutzle centering the second line today at the practice. Can’t wait to see this tomorrow
- Crosside

It's obvious Smith is in over his head and this is sheer desperation. It's Melnyck and McGuire time. Clean house at the NHL and AHL levels.

Stutzle now listed as #2C on the Daily Faceoff team line combinations page...
https://www.dailyfaceoff....nators/line-combinations/

I have to agree with the decision play him with Paul/Brown, and had even suggested that exact line combination in the off-season. Paul is already 2nd on the team in faceoffs, Brown is the best two-way forward on the team, and you have a good balance of physical size and speed. It's a rare case with this team of showing the legitimate value of having veterans on the roster - to specifically help the young kids apprentice into larger roles, where a bit of veteran support will compensate for their learning curve. Not just take away their ice time, and push them down into meaningless support roles, or out of the lineup entirely. Along the same lines, I really like the Holden-Thomson defence pairing... especially if it helps to extend Thomson's stay in the NHL.

Matt Murray will start in goal.

Parker Kelly in Logan Shaw.

Zaitsev hasnt played in over 2 weeks, travelled west on his own and had one practice. Not sure why he is so quick draw in!

It's obvious Smith is in over his head and this is sheer desperation. It's Melnyck and McGuire time. Clean house at the NHL and AHL levels.
- granpa

All you have to do is listen to pre and post game pressers. He has a mixed message so many times and contradicts himself too from week to another. He will get a free pass this year due to the roster that he was given and covid. But next year, they cant have a 3rd straight bad start to the year. He wont last!

All you have to do is listen to pre and post game pressers. He has a mixed message so many times and contradicts himself too from week to another. He will get a free pass this year due to the roster that he was given and covid. But next year, they cant have a 3rd straight bad start to the year. He wont last!
- Kevin Francis

They can't defend and it's not going to get fixed JUST by moving people around or signing veterans. The same applies to the lack of scoring where they're totally dependant on outstanding goaltending to win games. If the coaches haven't figured it out after 2 1/2 years they never will. Like Jacques Martin said in TSN interview about defense "Defense is a 5 man system".

Matt Murray will start in goal.

Parker Kelly in Logan Shaw.

Zaitsev hasnt played in over 2 weeks, travelled west on his own and had one practice. Not sure why he is so quick draw in!
- Kevin Francis

Zaitsev makes 4.5M this year..not a chance in hell melnyk is paying a player 4.5M for sitting in the press box if he is healthy

Read something I thought was interesting 🤔
At center tonight for the Sens: Josh Norris (traded n Drafted by SJ), Tim Stützle (Picked with SJ's 2020 1st rounder), Chris Tierney (traded Former Shark), Dylan Gambrell (Traded Former Shark)
It is kinda funny right??? 😂

if anyone wants to see Alfie in action.....on the golf course, he will be in an event in Ottawa Monday, June 6th, with Emmitt and Terry Bradshaw too.....info below!

https://www.eventbrite.ca...ssic-tickets-211907359617

Read something I thought was interesting 🤔
At center tonight for the Sens: Josh Norris (traded n Drafted by SJ), Tim Stützle (Picked with SJ's 2020 1st rounder), Chris Tierney (traded Former Shark), Dylan Gambrell (Traded Former Shark)
It is kinda funny right??? 😂
- sens4life1971

We talked about that last month how SJ has drafted centers that Ottawa hasn't drafted over the years. Its wild for sure!