I get it that they are gunna be good eventually but good God this team sucks right now.
- TDBSenatoR

whats worst is they are worst than the yotes, who are trying to tank....

2020 Draft

ALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE: 20 GP 5G 1A=6P
Stutzle : 18GP 1G 7A=8P
Drysdale : 21 GP 2G 8A=10P
Lucas Raymond : 22GP 9G 12A-21P
Jake Sanderson : still in NCAA, so who knows
Byfield : Injured 1A in 6 games before injury

Redwings so far seem to be biggest winner of 2020 draft

ALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE heading to bust street, Stutzle getting stunted by playing with defensive minded 3rd liners with no support.

Dorion too afraid or melnyk too cheap to get actual top 6 guys and top 4 D because MAYBE one of the prospects may develop to be good and leaving out Brady, Norris, Drake, Chabot, Lassi and Stutzle out to dry and especially Gus....

That's what I keep saying. This team is going to be a perennial contender for at least a decade in a couple of years as long as they don't start trading away that future for a little short term improvement.

I listen to some of these talking heads and they make it sound like there need to be major moves right now or the world will end. They suggest adding a number one C, a number one RW, a number one D and a number one goaltender to start. Who pays these guys for this crap?

Anyway keep the faith and hope Melnyk doesn't look at improving ticket sales by trading away the future.
- Whatisavailable

I don't think anyone has ever suggested trading away a top prospect. I don't think it is quite as dramatic as you make it out to be.

Sens have close to zero prospects capable to fulfilling the #1 C role. It's an area you would want to address. Instead they are moving wingers to play centre. You look at this team and there is a serious lack of depth. You might want to address that as well. The team has claimed several waiver eligible players and play a decent amount of minutes right away.

How many seasons can you go until losing is unacceptable or at least battling for dead last is unacceptable?

You look at Dorion's work at as a whole, you have to wonder if he is the man for the job. You look at DJ Smith's coaching style and you have to wonder if he has just lost the players. Then you have Melnyk. A shake up somewhere is needed.

There were two moments in the game that made me wonder.

One the 5 minute power play the Sens were stationary as usually. There was a moment where two players (can't remember the two) who inadvertently swapped positions on the ice and looked like they knew the made a mistake, where it actually created an opportunity. To me that is coaching. I have never seen a power play so stationary and allergic to one timers and slap shots. The power play consists of midget level passing and weak wrist shots after the defence and goalie are allowed to set up. Good power plays involve movement of all 5 players.

The second moment was the empty net goal where Brown gave up on the play and Brady tried to get back and slashed the goal scorer. The captain was trying to lead by example. However, Brown's unwillingness to complete the play needs to be addressed, especially when your captain gave it his all to get back. Accountability of all players needs to happen. Not just the young guys.

I don't think anyone has ever suggested trading away a top prospect. I don't think it is quite as dramatic as you make it out to be.

Sens have close to zero prospects capable to fulfilling the #1 C role. It's an area you would want to address. Instead they are moving wingers to play centre. You look at this team and there is a serious lack of depth. You might want to address that as well. The team has claimed several waiver eligible players and play a decent amount of minutes right away.

How many seasons can you go until losing is unacceptable or at least battling for dead last is unacceptable?

You look at Dorion's work at as a whole, you have to wonder if he is the man for the job. You look at DJ Smith's coaching style and you have to wonder if he has just lost the players. Then you have Melnyk. A shake up somewhere is needed.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Cliche to say but because of Eugene Melnyk neither Dorian or DJ seem likely to be fired this season no matter how back it gets. Can't add yet another coach to the payroll and Melnyk loves Dorian's willingness to not cost him payroll most of the time. I don't sense Melnyk having a passion for this team to win anything. Could be wrong maybe due to poor health he'd like to see them win one before some tragic happens but I don't sense it.

Gotta admire how fast yzerman turned Detroit around, would admire Sakic more if Dorian didn't string together his rebuild for him. I admire the rebuild Arizona is about to have as they have shamelessly sold everything for restocking their team in the upcoming deep draft. Maybe that was Ottawas problem. Just like their last rebuild they never stacked up or won the lottery in a super strong draft class.

I will chime in tomorrow as I PVRed the game tonight, still at my work Christmas party. But man, my phone blew up about the Brady incident in which it sounds like Lemieux bit him twice??!! OMG!

Thoughts everyone??

I don't think anyone has ever suggested trading away a top prospect. I don't think it is quite as dramatic as you make it out to be.

Sens have close to zero prospects capable to fulfilling the #1 C role. It's an area you would want to address. Instead they are moving wingers to play centre. You look at this team and there is a serious lack of depth. You might want to address that as well. The team has claimed several waiver eligible players and play a decent amount of minutes right away.

How many seasons can you go until losing is unacceptable or at least battling for dead last is unacceptable?

You look at Dorion's work at as a whole, you have to wonder if he is the man for the job. You look at DJ Smith's coaching style and you have to wonder if he has just lost the players. Then you have Melnyk. A shake up somewhere is needed.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

No one is going to give you a legitimate 1C. Period! Point finale!

For all anyone knows we may already have a 1C in Stutzle. Even if he is only a good 2C that's fine. Having two good 2Cs is fine.

It's hard to tell this year because of the poopty D. Other than Chabot and Zub they've got nothing. Maybe Holden as a third pairing guy. When LT develops a bit and Sanderson and JBD arrive it will be a much different story. Even in goal things will improve dramatically.

You can't do anything with the present D and you can't bring anyone significant in because they'll cost you and just end up blocking what you've got coming next year.

Then there's the draft. You get Shane Wright and your C issues go away. If you don't there will still be high end talent available to you.

Spend this year finding out what you've actually got and don't sweat it. I would like to see Formenton higher up in the lineup with the likes of Stutzle and Batherson. Play Paul and Brown on the third line where they belong.

The problem is Smith! This team is better than their record and Smith is the reason

It depends on the draft but I'm guessing they're going to end up needing a RW by the trade deadline next year. Unless of course Smith is still working his magic.

I like DJ Smith.... but man this team is underachieving with him as head coach. Why tf did he not pull the goalie earlier to have a 6 on 4 when he saw how crappy they were in the first 2-3 mins of that dumpster fire

Cliche to say but because of Eugene Melnyk neither Dorian or DJ seem likely to be fired this season no matter how back it gets. Can't add yet another coach to the payroll and Melnyk loves Dorian's willingness to not cost him payroll most of the time. I don't sense Melnyk having a passion for this team to win anything. Could be wrong maybe due to poor health he'd like to see them win one before some tragic happens but I don't sense it.

Gotta admire how fast yzerman turned Detroit around, would admire Sakic more if Dorian didn't string together his rebuild for him. I admire the rebuild Arizona is about to have as they have shamelessly sold everything for restocking their team in the upcoming deep draft. Maybe that was Ottawas problem. Just like their last rebuild they never stacked up or won the lottery in a super strong draft class.
- TDBSenatoR

I m not impressed by the Coyotes. The team make a rebuild , do the playoff one year and remake the rebuild

No one is going to give you a legitimate 1C. Period! Point finale!

For all anyone knows we may already have a 1C in Stutzle. Even if he is only a good 2C that's fine. Having two good 2Cs is fine.

It's hard to tell this year because of the poopty D. Other than Chabot and Zub they've got nothing. Maybe Holden as a third pairing guy. When LT develops a bit and Sanderson and JBD arrive it will be a much different story. Even in goal things will improve dramatically.

You can't do anything with the present D and you can't bring anyone significant in because they'll cost you and just end up blocking what you've got coming next year.

Then there's the draft. You get Shane Wright and your C issues go away. If you don't there will still be high end talent available to you.

Spend this year finding out what you've actually got and don't sweat it. I would like to see Formenton higher up in the lineup with the likes of Stutzle and Batherson. Play Paul and Brown on the third line where they belong.

The problem is Smith! This team is better than their record and Smith is the reason

It depends on the draft but I'm guessing they're going to end up needing a RW by the trade deadline next year. Unless of course Smith is still working his magic.
- Whatisavailable

I think we are arguing the same point. There are holes int he lineup that will need to be addressed one way or another. Stu has played left wing his whole NHL career besides a couple of games, hence my view of the 1C hole. If he can play there great! But it leaves a hole on the wing in that scenario too.

At the rate this year is going, the draft is indeed a good opportunity to address some holes. Doesn't mean we can't comment of the crap roster currently.

The team has taken on the contracts of the likes of Del Zatto, Watson, Murray, Tierney, Zaitsev, and Brown. So the team does did have the ability to add to the roster without creating a log jam, they have just done it with terrible options thus far. Happened last year as well.

I will chime in tomorrow as I PVRed the game tonight, still at my work Christmas party. But man, my phone blew up about the Brady incident in which it sounds like Lemieux bit him twice??!! OMG!

Thoughts everyone??
- Kevin Francis

Was he ever furious about it even his comments after game lol he didn’t hold back
Should get 10 games just for biting during covid 😂

I think we are arguing the same point. There are holes int he lineup that will need to be addressed one way or another. Stu has played left wing his whole NHL career besides a couple of games, hence my view of the 1C hole. If he can play there great! But it leaves a hole on the wing in that scenario too.

At the rate this year is going, the draft is indeed a good opportunity to address some holes. Doesn't mean we can't comment of the crap roster currently.

The team has taken on the contracts of the likes of Del Zatto, Watson, Murray, Tierney, Zaitsev, and Brown. So the team does did have the ability to add to the roster without creating a log jam, they have just done it with terrible options thus far. Happened last year as well.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

As long as dorion and his scouts don't go off the board and choose players that are a far reach.

Fire Smith and Mann, exclude Dorion in the hiring of coaches, get McGuire to play the same role that B. Murray did and we're back on track.

2020 Draft

ALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE: 20 GP 5G 1A=6P
Stutzle : 18GP 1G 7A=8P
Drysdale : 21 GP 2G 8A=10P
Lucas Raymond : 22GP 9G 12A-21P
Jake Sanderson : still in NCAA, so who knows
Byfield : Injured 1A in 6 games before injury

Redwings so far seem to be biggest winner of 2020 draft - Mithos

Dawson Mercer 18GP 6G 7A 13 +9
Lucas Raymond 22GP 9G 12A 21 +2

It's a little soon to be saying that, Raymond is playing on the top line with proven NHL points providers like Larkin and Bertuzzi who are establish at Detroit and have played together over the years not to mention 5 of Raymonds goals are on the PP, Mercer is doing this whilst playing as a third line centre even though he was drafted as an RW, whilst playing with guys like Kuokkanen and TaTar and all of his points are 5 on 5.

Are there many people that actually want to trade Murray (2 x $6.25M after this season) for Kane (3 x $7M after this season)?

Are there many people that actually want to trade Murray (2 x $6.25M after this season) for Kane (3 x $7M after this season)?
- HoweHatrick

Top 6 players don't grow on trees - if Kane performs and doesn't make headlines for being an a$$hat (big ask, granted, but look at ADA this season), then Dorion might salvage his rep with this move. Can't see many takers for MM - AZ, BUF possible but very doubtful... we'll see if he clears waivers. What a Kane acquisition would mean is Timmy likely playing C for the rest of this season with the top 2 LWs eaten by Kane/Brady. It would also give us a chance to ice an objectively talented player with our young German phenom, which I think is worth the baggage because we are killing the kid's development. The main issue I see with this proposal is : why on earth would SJS want Matt Murray when both their existing 2M earning tandem goalies are playing better than MM to date? Makes sense for Ottawa - not so much for San Jose.

Top 6 players don't grow on trees - if Kane performs and doesn't make headlines for being an a$$hat (big ask, granted, but look at ADA this season), then Dorion might salvage his rep with this move. Can't see many takers for MM - AZ, BUF possible but very doubtful... we'll see if he clears waivers. What a Kane acquisition would mean is Timmy likely playing C for the rest of this season with the top 2 LWs eaten by Kane/Brady. It would also give us a chance to ice an objectively talented player with our young German phenom, which I think is worth the baggage because we are killing the kid's development. The main issue I see with this proposal is : why on earth would SJS want Matt Murray when both their existing 2M earning tandem goalies are playing better than MM to date? Makes sense for Ottawa - not so much for San Jose.
- Bartacus

Is Draisaitl in Ottawa because we have a German player who's OK in open spaces but he's no German phenom. He's a perimeter player that gets 18min. of quality ice(5on5, PP) per game and has no numbers to show for it.

I think we are arguing the same point. There are holes int he lineup that will need to be addressed one way or another. Stu has played left wing his whole NHL career besides a couple of games, hence my view of the 1C hole. If he can play there great! But it leaves a hole on the wing in that scenario too.

At the rate this year is going, the draft is indeed a good opportunity to address some holes. Doesn't mean we can't comment of the crap roster currently.

The team has taken on the contracts of the likes of Del Zatto, Watson, Murray, Tierney, Zaitsev, and Brown. So the team does did have the ability to add to the roster without creating a log jam, they have just done it with terrible options thus far. Happened last year as well.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I agree with you that we will need to add to fill holes in the lineup but I'm just not sure what we will actually need. I know Stutzle has played LW but given the situation I'm inclined to give him a good look at C and move Formenton to play on his left side and Batherson on the right. Crazy fast and skilled line. I'd love to see it and if it doesn't work at least I won't be wondering "What if".

Who do you play on the right side with Tkachuk and Norris? Is there a better option than Brown?

Then there's Pinto. What is he? I figure number three C.

See what I mean? Let's find out what we really need this year and then don't piss around acquiring marginal players but do it right and don't get hosed.

I really don't think D will be an issue after next year.

Top 6 players don't grow on trees - if Kane performs and doesn't make headlines for being an a$$hat...
- Bartacus

How many times does a player need to show the league who they are before people will believe them?

How many times does a player need to show the league who they are before people will believe them?
- HoweHatrick

He's a jerk off the ice

The problem is that people pay attention to "off the ice"

Matt Murray is a great guy, what did that get the Sens?

He's a jerk off the ice

The problem is that people pay attention to "off the ice"

Matt Murray is a great guy, what did that get the Sens?
- TheGame316

a top pick

great discussion everyone! I always try to respond to each comment but after my work Christmas party last night and work today, I haven't been able to. I apologize! I am working on a piece that I will post tomorrow in the morning.

a top pick
- AlfieisKing

With the Sens luck, they'll pick 4th after finishing last. For whatever reason, the Sens never move up in the draft lottery, its either they stay status quo or move down.

Bergervin fired. If PD isn't next it means he is directly following EM instructions when it comes to adding salary and cheaper players.

Bergervin fired. If PD isn't next it means he is directly following EM instructions when it comes to adding salary and cheaper players.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Oh wow! The Canucks and Sens front office personnel have to be feeling the heat too!