White does not fit. Next year Sens will have a $23m cap hit from Chabot, Tkachuk and Norris. Nick Paul is due this week. Zub, Connor Brown, Stutzle and Pinto next summer. Sanderson just two summers away from today. And, the Sens still don't have an NHL goalie.

It makes 0 sense at this point to retain White. The Sens need to become competitive before they hit the salary cap crunch just 24 months from now.
- spatso

They play him on a checking line, 3rd line minutes, it's a joke!

Players have complained to DJ, and to Dorion, if they complained to Melnyk, their next step is to demand they be traded.

With the way management and coaches treats the players it is only a mater of time before the players want out.

what freaking coach sends their best Def Dman to the penalty box to serve a delay of game penalty by their G.....a coach who should not be coaching at any level....

As for Sanderson...you all expect him to sign after the NCAA is over, do not be surprised or angry with him if he chooses to finish his last 2 years in NCAA then hit UFA, Blame Dorion, DJ and melnyk for having such a bad playing environment on the team
- Mithos

Great post. They said today that Sanderson playing this season in Ottawa is going to be delayed due to injury. Can you imagine if Sanderson said he was going to finish his last 2 year at North Dakota?! It would be the end of DJ and PD immediately!

Great post. They said today that Sanderson playing this season in Ottawa is going to be delayed due to injury. Can you imagine if Sanderson said he was going to finish his last 2 year at North Dakota?! It would be the end of DJ and PD immediately!
- Kevin Francis

TBH i was surprised Brady signed his ELC with OTT, and i was surprised any of them signed long term with OTT knowing full well how cheap and broke melnyk is and that he would never spend to build a team like COL, tampa or the bruins, you know perennial cup contenders.

If Dorion was to get fired.

Does anyone think he would land another gm position in the league ever again?
- spazzbot

Thank you, exactly, same with the coach.....enough said!

TBH i was surprised Brady signed his ELC with OTT, and i was surprised any of them signed long term with OTT knowing full well how cheap and broke melnyk is and that he would never spend to build a team like COL, tampa or the bruins, you know perennial cup contenders.
- Mithos

They are feeling it these young guys, more than people know. They don't like to let on. But its grinding them.

It's not a matter of liking White, so much as understanding that he's been given quite a hard time by Smith, on a team that's loaded to the brim with mediocre depth players. White could obviously be better, but with Batherson out he's clearly the 2nd best RW option right now. Case, in point, he puts up 5pts/6GP when he comes back from injury, where every one of those points comes from scoring plays involving Tkachuk, Stutzle, Norris, and Brown. In fact, White was in on 5/13 goals the team scored during that 6GP stretch, which was 2nd most on the team (Stutzle had 6pts). Yet he's frequently left playing at ES with brick-handed forecheck-specialists like Paul/Sanford.

Remember, this is a team that's now gone 1-8-1 in their last 10GP, and scored 3G or less in regulation in 8 of those games. Smith routinely appears to be more concerned with micro-managing his 3rd/4th lines, and over-using them in ways that costs the teams games, vs. putting together the most effective 1st/2nd lines he can, which are critical to actually winning games.
- khawk

Beyond agree, its awful watching who DJ pairs him with. With Batherson out of the lineup he is second on the depth chart at RW, but instead DJ puts Sanford on the top line over and over. Good lord!

Man here I thought this post was gonna be about the trade deadline coming up , but no just another hate the coach and GM fire them both broken record blog 🤦‍♂️
We all get it we all hate the GM n HC but I was looking forward and excited to some trade deadline inside News lol 😝 so chop chop get it going lmao 😉
- sens4life1971

Working on a piece talking about trades, rumours, etc...it will be up by the morning!

Can we have Luke Richardson Mark Methot and Chris Kelly
- sens4life1971

Not a bad set of 3 guys! Troy Mann would be terrific too.

Working on a piece talking about trades, rumours, etc...it will be up by the morning!
- Kevin Francis

Lol thanks lad I’m just bugging 😂😂

Elliot Friedman was on the Wally and Methot podcast and casually mentioned Brannstrom has asked to be traded earlier in the year (Which explains his ice time and healthy scratches). I haven't seen that reported anywhere but Friedman is usually correct. Friedman also said that Brannstrom's best bet for his future is to stay with Ottawa because of the injury to Chabot. Brannstrom is going to be the new 1D on the powerplay going forward.

This season is a bust, but that scares the crap out of me. I'm off the Brannstrom train, I think he's a bust and not an NHL player. I'll be happy to be proven wrong, but when Chabot was out before and Brannstrom was getting minutes, his best attribute in those games is that he was ineffective. Didn't lose the game, but he won't help you win.

Friedman also said that Ottawa was around the $2.5M mark for Nick Paul and Paul is wanting $2.8-3M. Paul apparently also wants to stay in Ottawa. He likes the coach and likes the city. Paul needs to use his 6'5'' frame and play like a monster. The league is getting smaller and he needs to impose his strength on players. I'd be more willing to pay $3M for a player like that, but Paul plays too nice.

Elliot Friedman was on the Wally and Methot podcast and casually mentioned Brannstrom has asked to be traded earlier in the year (Which explains his ice time and healthy scratches). I haven't seen that reported anywhere but Friedman is usually correct. Friedman also said that Brannstrom's best bet for his future is to stay with Ottawa because of the injury to Chabot. Brannstrom is going to be the new 1D on the powerplay going forward.

This season is a bust, but that scares the crap out of me. I'm off the Brannstrom train, I think he's a bust and not an NHL player. I'll be happy to be proven wrong, but when Chabot was out before and Brannstrom was getting minutes, his best attribute in those games is that he was ineffective. Didn't lose the game, but he won't help you win.

Friedman also said that Ottawa was around the $2.5M mark for Nick Paul and Paul is wanting $2.8-3M. Paul apparently also wants to stay in Ottawa. He likes the coach and likes the city. Paul needs to use his 6'5'' frame and play like a monster. The league is getting smaller and he needs to impose his strength on players. I'd be more willing to pay $3M for a player like that, but Paul plays too nice.
- PogBoi

The Sens kept it quiet, that is why he changed agents as he felt his agent wasn't getting through to DJ and PD. But Friedman is 100% on the mark. I will be writing about the Nick Paul stuff in my Friday blog.

Elliot Friedman was on the Wally and Methot podcast and casually mentioned Brannstrom has asked to be traded earlier in the year (Which explains his ice time and healthy scratches). I haven't seen that reported anywhere but Friedman is usually correct. Friedman also said that Brannstrom's best bet for his future is to stay with Ottawa because of the injury to Chabot. Brannstrom is going to be the new 1D on the powerplay going forward.

This season is a bust, but that scares the crap out of me. I'm off the Brannstrom train, I think he's a bust and not an NHL player. I'll be happy to be proven wrong, but when Chabot was out before and Brannstrom was getting minutes, his best attribute in those games is that he was ineffective. Didn't lose the game, but he won't help you win.

Friedman also said that Ottawa was around the $2.5M mark for Nick Paul and Paul is wanting $2.8-3M. Paul apparently also wants to stay in Ottawa. He likes the coach and likes the city. Paul needs to use his 6'5'' frame and play like a monster. The league is getting smaller and he needs to impose his strength on players. I'd be more willing to pay $3M for a player like that, but Paul plays too nice.
- PogBoi

The Sens kept it quiet, that is why he changed agents as he felt his agent wasn't getting through to DJ and PD. But Friedman is 100% on the mark. I will be writing about the Nick Paul stuff in my Friday blog.

Lol thanks lad I’m just bugging 😂😂
- sens4life1971

All good, no worries!

Last night’s game was a breaking point for me. I have been frustrated at times watching this team but last night was another level. Right from the opening puck drop, the team was slow and lacked any extra effort. The only player that seemed to want to get anything going was Brady. Which is something you want to see in your captain.

DJ has lost the room clearly. The same mistakes are happening over and over. There is very little line or game plan adjustments during games. It’s boggles my mind at how bad the defense continues to be. DJ tried to blame it on the offence, but when you score 3+ goals during the majority of your losses of late, it’s clearly team defense. Just a total lack of accountability.

Watching Branstrom play last night made me annoyed with Dorion. The kid is close to a bust as you’re going to get. While some of this is the organizations’ fault, he has not exactly taken the opportunities given to him this year as was the case last night. Time to cut your losses, especially seeing as you want to give Sanderson a decent shot at success. Frustrating to see Montreal get Suzuki and Tatar for a lesser player in Pacioretty then what Dorion got for Mark Stone.

This team should be showing signs of turning a corner, but the results continue to be the same year in and year out. Blame it on injuries, but teams should be able to get through those patches. It’s always hilarious how Pinto’s injury is thrown around by DJ and Dorion as a contributing factor to rough times. Kid is just a prospect who looked average in the handful of games he did play. These guys just don’t want to address the fact that this is an AHL roster with a couple of NHL guys kicking around.

To close, I am getting really concerned with Timmy Stu. His play is not anywhere near the level it was at the start of the year. He seems tired and frustrated. He has stopped taking that extra stride on the attack and instead tries to coast or stretch the last stride. As a result, he is going down super easy, and the refs aren’t buying it. The Formenton-Stu-Ennis line has some potential, but Stu doesn’t look totally into it anymore. I don’t know if he is battling an injury the last few weeks or if he is just getting tired of the coach’s system and losing but it’s something to keep an eye on.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Your 2nd paragraph summed it up best. Like I posted earlier, this team was 3-7-1 before the Pinto injury or covid, DJ's decisions were affecting the team early on. Now his lineup decisions are more magnified when you don't have enough NHL caliber players. The bizarre thing with Brannstrom is that in 3 of the 5 games that Chabot was out, he led the defense in TOI on the blueline. Then when Chabot returned he was back to 12 min. TOI with JBrown. Again, the coach needs to put his players into a position to succeed. They need to cut their losses with Brannstrom, his value ain't going to get any higher now.

Remember last year, to end the season Mete was gold to DJ, getting more minutes than Brannstrom and dressing ahead of him! This coach is delusional. The examples are everywhere.

The Pinto thing is so bizarre, thinking that a kid who has played 17 games is going to make some kind of big difference. Stutzel is playing hurt, that I know, I cant or wont say what it is, but this kid cares so much and puts the team first.

Great post as always!

I like Nick Paul. I like the penalty kill and chemistry with Brown. Like....actual chemistry. They know each other so well on the ice. That's worth bumping it up to 2.8.

This team needs some fan support. Too bad we couldn't rally a sell out. These kids need to hear what 18.5 sounds like.

I also think some coach fantasy going on here. Pretty sure the bridges have been burned on Luke Richardson. I'd be shocked if he even picked up the phone were PD to call.

Your 2nd paragraph summed it up best. Like I posted earlier, this team was 3-7-1 before the Pinto injury or covid, DJ's decisions were affecting the team early on. Now his lineup decisions are more magnified when you don't have enough NHL caliber players. The bizarre thing with Brannstrom is that in 3 of the 5 games that Chabot was out, he led the defense in TOI on the blueline. Then when Chabot returned he was back to 12 min. TOI with JBrown. Again, the coach needs to put his players into a position to succeed. They need to cut their losses with Brannstrom, his value ain't going to get any higher now.

Remember last year, to end the season Mete was gold to DJ, getting more minutes than Brannstrom and dressing ahead of him! This coach is delusional. The examples are everywhere.

The Pinto thing is so bizarre, thinking that a kid who has played 17 games is going to make some kind of big difference. Stutzel is playing hurt, that I know, I cant or wont say what it is, but this kid cares so much and puts the team first.

Great post as always!
- Kevin Francis

As unfortunate as injuries are, it’s a relief to hear that Stu’s play due to injury and not regression. Maybe they will confirm at seasons end publicly.

Branstrom, even the games where he got a chance at serious ice time at times, he never took a step to show he belonged. While the organization and DJ haven’t made it easy on him, he himself hasn’t made it easy on him. When he got more ice time in the Jackets game, he missed passes, fanned on shots, and was always a step behind the opposition. Time to trade him, especially if a trade has been requested.

As unfortunate as injuries are, it’s a relief to hear that Stu’s play due to injury and not regression. Maybe they will confirm at seasons end publicly.

Branstrom, even the games where he got a chance at serious ice time at times, he never took a step to show he belonged. While the organization and DJ haven’t made it easy on him, he himself hasn’t made it easy on him. When he got more ice time in the Jackets game, he missed passes, fanned on shots, and was always a step behind the opposition. Time to trade him, especially if a trade has been requested.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I too hope that Stutzle's play is the result of injury and some of it might be but he has been holding on to the puck way too long, until he has a couple of opponents converge on him and then he falls down and loses the puck; or he runs out of room and tries an ill advised pass to someone who is covered or the pass is intercepted. I never see any of the explosive offensive capability he displayed earlier on.

The same with Formenton. Those two, Formenton and Stutzle, used to have such great chemistry and were a serious offensive threat. What's happened? Then briefly Ennis played with them and they looked dangerous again, but Smith wasn't having any of that. I can't help but think that this coach has preconceived ideas about what a player is and refuses to change that assessment no matter what's happening on the ice. You play according to that idea or he benches you.

Looking on to next season, what are the realistic ways this team manages to take the next step we were hoping would have occured this year.

Does adding Pinto and Sanderson, coupled with the development of the young players make enough of a difference, and is anyone in Belleville ready, like JBD?

If they get lucky and add a big name player from the draft, that could make a big difference, but much of that will depend if the player is NHL ready from the start.

They play him on a checking line, 3rd line minutes, it's a joke!
- Kevin Francis

Well that's just it... inexplicably, it's the scrubs that get premium ice time when their trade number comes due (i.e. Sanford, J. Brown). Higher-ability players get pushed out of the lineup, which decimates their value, and leads to poor asset value retention (i.e. Brannstrom, White). Once again... the focus is on the WRONG players.

DJ seems incapable of not playing 'his guys', even to the clear detriment of the team... and I'm not sure Dorion is capable of trading Brannstrom when his value has been so depleted. It would be a pretty major exclamation mark on the failure of the Mark Stone trade, and on his supposed golden eye for young talent... not that the entire 2021 draft wasn't already a pretty obvious black eye in that regard.

Looking on to next season, what are the realistic ways this team manages to take the next step we were hoping would have occured this year.

Does adding Pinto and Sanderson, coupled with the development of the young players make enough of a difference, and is anyone in Belleville ready, like JBD?

If they get lucky and add a big name player from the draft, that could make a big difference, but much of that will depend if the player is NHL ready from the start.
- david22

I would be happy with being in the mix for the playoffs untill the last week. And would be estatic if they squeaked in.

How to get there? Its really going to take a quantum turn from where their at now. Many troubles in many areas.

Pinto and sanderson will be a boost but not enough next year. As well as a big pick at this draft. Best case scenario with Sanderson and a big pick this year is at least 2 seasons (3??) away from being impactfull

They need a a legit top 2 dman via trade if possible.

I think the scoring can sustain them as is. But wouldnt hurt to be looking for that legit # C via trade.
Both those options are easier said then done. But imo the D man is where the focus needs to be.
I remember before Melynk making fun of the Leafs. Saying they forgot about defence .
Goaltending. Is what it is. Forsberg has proven to be capable enough. 90% of the teams are not comfortable with their goal situation. But what a position , that makes the difference.
Gm and coaching, well enoughs been said.
Ditto ownership...but thats the 1 position that is most secure. Like it or not.

I would be happy with being in the mix for the playoffs untill the last week. And would be estatic if they squeaked in.

How to get there? Its really going to take a quantum turn from where their at now. Many troubles in many areas.

Pinto and sanderson will be a boost but not enough next year. As well as a big pick at this draft. Best case scenario with Sanderson and a big pick this year is at least 2 seasons (3??) away from being impactfull

They need a a legit top 2 dman via trade if possible.

I think the scoring can sustain them as is. But wouldnt hurt to be looking for that legit # C via trade.
Both those options are easier said then done. But imo the D man is where the focus needs to be.
I remember before Melynk making fun of the Leafs. Saying they forgot about defence .
Goaltending. Is what it is. Forsberg has proven to be capable enough. 90% of the teams are not comfortable with their goal situation. But what a position , that makes the difference.
Gm and coaching, well enoughs been said.
Ditto ownership...but thats the 1 position that is most secure. Like it or not.
- spazzbot

I've felt for a while this team needs one more big name prospect player, which was included in some debates of whether winning culture, or high end prospects were needed more at this time.

Looking like that will happen one way or another.

If Nick Paul can land but a fraction of the Hagel deal, wrap him up in a bow immediately.

Per Garrioch - Nick Paul is being scratched for tonight's game. He gone.

If Nick Paul can land but a fraction of the Hagel deal, wrap him up in a bow immediately.
- Bartacus

My God, that's a crazy price tag. Even a 2nd round pick or one of those prospects for Paul would be very good value, let alone something approaching that boatload.

Not a big fan of trading Nick Paul. Team is going to need quality depth players if they are ever going to compete. Last time I felt this way was when the Sens chose not to resign Boro. Character matters. Kids need some support that is more than just more kids.