https://hockeybuzz.com/blog/Sean-Maloughney/What-Can-Edmonton-Take-From-Colorados-Cup-Win/261/117909

Key Points:
1. Hire a legitimate analytics department (making informed decisions)
2. Hire better pro-scouts (better trades, player signings)
3. Cap management (limit the bad contracts)
4. Speed and skill (vs. toughness)
5. Not just about the goalie

That is a very well-written piece... though there's always a certain tendency to try over-mimic the team structure of the Stanley Cup winner. But there's no denying the first 3 points have to do with team management, which is a massive deficiency with the Senators. It was also hard not to get frustrated when reading "there is a difference between being tough to play against and throwing hits", and the statement that Colorado is not wasting roster spots on 'toughness'.
- khawk

Agreed 100%. Poor scouting, drafting, signings and development has stranded the team outside the playoffs. with no real hope in the foreseeable future. Simply contrast the Sens with the Cup winners. Perhaps 4 Sens forwards could make the roster (Tkachuk, Norris, Brown and Frorementon), maybe 1 defenseman and no goaltenders.

Gene attempted to run the operation himself, hiring inadequate personnel to fill most positions. Buffalo, Philly and the Sens all exemplify why neither owners nor GMs should also be President. Hopefully, new ownership understands the situation and makes necessary changes, starting with hiring a President of Hockey Operations capable of hiring suitable staff. Until this is accomplished, the first 4 points noted above will continue to be ignored, picks will be squandered on players like Bowers, Thomson, Brown and White, development will be overlooked and potential stars like Chabot and Stutzle will remain average players, and the few good players will continue to be paid like great players. This is a recipe for continued failure.

Nobody have heard the Paul Maurice interview at TSN 1050 yesterday. He said the three team in the Atlantic with the biggest headwinds. The Lightning, Leafs and Ottawa Senators. He said this team manage to bring so good young players and this year could gonna be the year that turn the corner. Sad that Florida hired him, I think he would have like to coach this team
- Crosside

Yes I know. I think the rangers are also coming together really well.

Keep our fingers crossed. If Sens get a good start, they will fight for playoff spot.

Yes I know. I think the rangers are also coming together really well.

Keep our fingers crossed. If Sens get a good start, they will fight for playoff spot.
- spatso

Yes I agree, but I have the feeling Drury gonna mess his team. He don’t let french journalists interview Alexis in french. Said was not happy with Panarin playoff. He gonna put the zizanie in the locker room

Yes I agree, but I have the feeling Drury gonna mess his team. He don’t let french journalists interview Alexis in french. Said was not happy with Panarin playoff. He gonna put the zizanie in the locker room
- Crosside

Is that true? I can't imagine anything any more disrespectful. How do you deny a man speaking his own language?

Is that true? I can't imagine anything any more disrespectful. How do you deny a man speaking his own language?
- spatso

Absolutely true

Nobody have heard the Paul Maurice interview at TSN 1050 yesterday. He said the three team in the Atlantic with the biggest headwinds. The Lightning, Leafs and Ottawa Senators. He said this team manage to bring so good young players and this year could gonna be the year that turn the corner. Sad that Florida hired him, I think he would have like to coach this team
- Crosside

I saw it, Maurice would've been great. But instead we are stuck with a coach who makes less than a million. Maurice would have cost 4M per. He did say good things about Ottawa yesterday but man O-Dog and Hayes really went after management here in Ottawa talking about the Nick Paul stuff and last week they hammered Ottawa about the Connor Brown stuff.

Absolutely true
- Crosside

Wow, that is wild. Sad but sickening that this crap still happens in this day in age. I remember Kevin posting at the deadline how the Rangers were shopping Alex Lafreniere, now we know why with this report. I bet he has asked to be traded quietly.

Wow, that is wild. Sad but sickening that this crap still happens in this day in age. I remember Kevin posting at the deadline how the Rangers were shopping Alex Lafreniere, now we know why with this report. I bet he has asked to be traded quietly.
- LawyerSens4Life

Would be amazing here

Would be amazing here
- Crosside

If the Sens got him, they would have the 1st, 3rd and 5th picks from that draft lol. But like Kevin said back at the trade deadline, the Rangers were rumoured to be moving Alex to the Yotes for Jacob Chychryn.

If the Sens got him, they would have the 1st, 3rd and 5th picks from that draft lol. But like Kevin said back at the trade deadline, the Rangers were rumoured to be moving Alex to the Yotes for Jacob Chychryn.
- LawyerSens4Life

Yes Kevin have talk about it and heard this rumor too in french media

If the Sens got him, they would have the 1st, 3rd and 5th picks from that draft lol. But like Kevin said back at the trade deadline, the Rangers were rumoured to be moving Alex to the Yotes for Jacob Chychryn.
- LawyerSens4Life

Another one I heard , Alex for JT Miller. Not surprise considering Castonguay the AGM is his former agent

Another one I heard , Alex for JT Miller. Not surprise considering Castonguay the AGM is his former agent
- Crosside

Now that would be something else, the Rangers really feel like that is one missing piece that they want badly.

Yes Kevin have talk about it and heard this rumor too in french media
- Crosside

I know they said in his rookie year he had bad work habits, but that seemed to change this year with him, which was nice to see.

I’ve been looking around for a few team props for next year and found this ridiculous set of power rankings for the NHL. I thought this would get Sens fans fired up.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/...ing-every-other-team-land

If the Sens got him, they would have the 1st, 3rd and 5th picks from that draft lol. But like Kevin said back at the trade deadline, the Rangers were rumoured to be moving Alex to the Yotes for Jacob Chychryn.
- LawyerSens4Life

Chychrun is 220 lbs. Has a great contract and would give Rangers a very strong defence on top of a first class goalie.

I really like Lafreniere. He is an extremely creative player. Maybe a bit too unstructured for a disciplined team like the Rangers. Rangers believe they can win it all right now.

I thought Lafreniere had a great playoff run.

I saw it, Maurice would've been great. But instead we are stuck with a coach who makes less than a million. Maurice would have cost 4M per. He did say good things about Ottawa yesterday but man O-Dog and Hayes really went after management here in Ottawa talking about the Nick Paul stuff and last week they hammered Ottawa about the Connor Brown stuff.
- LawyerSens4Life

So, a knowledgable guy like Maurice says pay attention to Ottawa, they know what they are doing and they are doing it the right way.

Why is it so important for you to discount his statement by searching out a talking head that once said Nick Paul and Connor Brown decisions are big mistakes. Hated to see Nick Paul go, will hate when the Sens fail to offer Connor Brown an extension and likely move him at the deadline. But Paul and Brown likely have combined payroll aspirations in the $10m. range (12% of the cap). Hard, hard decision. But they are the wrong age and just don't offer enough to easily fit into the Sens compete window.

Who are you going to pay? Norris, Formenton, Stutzle, Joseph and Zub will all need new deals over this summer and next. Sanderson the following summer. Plus the Sens still want to add a top 6 forward and a top 4 Dman this summer.

$10m (12% of cap) is a huge chunk of money. You cannot commit that amount of long term cap to guys who are outside your compete window. The problem is not the dollar amount. With older guys the issue is always going to be their expectation of a longer term deal. Can't do it.

Another one I heard , Alex for JT Miller. Not surprise considering Castonguay the AGM is his former agent
- Crosside

If Lafreniere is going to be traded, the Montreal media will demand that Hughes become engaged and try to make sure that a Montreal option is put on the table. Montreal is deep in prospects and outstanding draft picks and could do something that would be very appealing in a three way with Arizona and the Rangers.

Should this happen, it would be very appealing to me as it would give the Sens a better shot in landing Dubois.

On the other hand, imagine Hughes putting together a double steal and landing both Lafreniere and Dubois. Francis would have to change his Canada apology visit this summer. Perhaps a service under the blue cross at the top of Mount Royal. The Pope could announce the first steps in the canonization of St. Hughes.

Seriously, it would be a great thing for hockey.

At least I can say we are a passionate bunch in here about our Sens.

We can all certainly agree to disagree at times. Some of us are more positive than others.
My patience is wearing thin though. I'm worried PD will do something drastic and stupid at the draft. I would not have a problem with Chycrun coming our way. Some of the other names....I just shake my head at the overpay it will take to get them here and KEEP them here.

Was interesting to see Jim Durrel as the chair of the Hydro One board on cbc news the other night. Pretty sure he asked to have his name taken off his season ticket seat as a founder, and cancelled his seats a couple years back. I'll take Cyril Leeder at his word...as I would any of those founding members. They are all pillars of the Ottawa business community.

At least I can say we are a passionate bunch in here about our Sens.

We can all certainly agree to disagree at times. Some of us are more positive than others.
My patience is wearing thin though. I'm worried PD will do something drastic and stupid at the draft. I would not have a problem with Chycrun coming our way. Some of the other names....I just shake my head at the overpay it will take to get them here and KEEP them here.

Was interesting to see Jim Durrel as the chair of the Hydro One board on cbc news the other night. Pretty sure he asked to have his name taken off his season ticket seat as a founder, and cancelled his seats a couple years back. I'll take Cyril Leeder at his word...as I would any of those founding members. They are all pillars of the Ottawa business community.
- Octavarium

Yes I think Leeder is a critical voice and something the entire community can rely on in terms of where the Senators stand at this moment with the larger Ottawa hockey community.

Important to listen to the actual interview. Leeder was very measured in his comment. He said on the 4 previous HHOF applications there was no support of any kind coming from the Ottawa Senators for the benefit of Danial Alfredsson. However, he went on to say that the Senators were fully engaged and supportive of this most recent effort.

I'm guessing that all the recent changes (LeBreton, HHOF, increased player budget, increased spending on hockey ops, acknowledgment that some decisions can only be made when equity investors are in place) are all fully connected. It may sound insignificant but old trade creditors of the Sens are reporting having their stale dated accounts paid in full. Somebody who has access to money is making a lot of things right.

I am watching for the announcement that the Sens Charitable Foundation will be restored. When we see this we will know that everything is moving back towards seeking a full healing in the rift that existed between the Sens and Ottawa business and wealth communities.

poop!

Francois Gagnon reporting that Rangers are all in in trying to acquire Dubois.

Agreed 100%. Poor scouting, drafting, signings and development has stranded the team outside the playoffs. with no real hope in the foreseeable future. Simply contrast the Sens with the Cup winners. Perhaps 4 Sens forwards could make the roster (Tkachuk, Norris, Brown and Frorementon), maybe 1 defenseman and no goaltenders.
- Jackie Daytona

When you make these opinionated, absolute statements, and the statements do not age well, do you ever consider thinking a post through before posting?

poop!

Francois Gagnon reporting that Rangers are all in in trying to acquire Dubois.
- spatso

There is talk that Dubois might be looking for a short term contract so he can walk to UFA and go to his favorite team, the Habs, in 2024. If that's the case, maybe Montreal finally has a leg up on other bidders as it is rare players want to be in that market. Then again, there was always talk about the Tkachuk boys and St. Louis, and that hasn't materialized. Food for thought, but if he asks for a short contract I'd say buyer beware.

I'm thrilled to see Alfredsson inducted into the HHOF. An incredible hockey player and an exceptional person as well.

There is talk that Dubois might be looking for a short term contract so he can walk to UFA and go to his favorite team, the Habs, in 2024. If that's the case, maybe Montreal finally has a leg up on other bidders as it is rare players want to be in that market. Then again, there was always talk about the Tkachuk boys and St. Louis, and that hasn't materialized. Food for thought, but if he asks for a short contract I'd say buyer beware.
- Bartacus

I think players need to face up to the fact most teams are cap poor. Be worse next year. Some guys will be shocked that demand will be less than for previous years

poop!

Francois Gagnon reporting that Rangers are all in in trying to acquire Dubois.
- spatso

I wonder if they offer Kakko, and what sort of value other teams see in him right now. I still think he's a player who could really break out in the next few years despite an underwealming first two years.

New York could afford it though.