with Sandersons hands giving him problems ever more of a reason to get Chychrun over a pure RD, Chych can play both sides so if Sanderson isnt ready or needs a stint in Belleville Chych can slot right in on LD.

what does it say about a coach who needs the GM to get rid of his favorite toys that suck so he is forced to play better players....

what does it say about a coach who needs the GM to get rid of his favorite toys that suck so he is forced to play better players....
- Mithos

It's downright amateur! It's something I have talked about with many, both scouts....or NHL personnel and some media types too.

with Sandersons hands giving him problems ever more of a reason to get Chychrun over a pure RD, Chych can play both sides so if Sanderson isnt ready or needs a stint in Belleville Chych can slot right in on LD.
- Mithos

I think this is a pretty astute comment.

I think this is a pretty astute comment.
- spatso

i can understand not wanting to trade a un protected 2023 1st, if OTT had any other coach i would not hesitate because even a average coach can get into a wild card position with OTTs current lineup but smith is the worst coach in the NHL and even with 12 McDavids, 6 Makars and 2 Brodeur's he would still make that team a bottom 10

Marino is off the board now, traded to jersey

The Pittsburgh Penguins dealt defenseman John Marino to the New Jersey Devils for blue-liner Ty Smith and a 2023 third-round draft pick

i can understand not wanting to trade a un protected 2023 1st, if OTT had any other coach i would not hesitate because even a average coach can get into a wild card position with OTTs current lineup but smith is the worst coach in the NHL and even with 12 McDavids, 6 Makars and 2 Brodeur's he would still make that team a bottom 10
- Mithos

Well you know that I don't think coaches are all that important. Montreal is in great shape with a head coach who has never coached before.

Marino is off the board now, traded to jersey

The Pittsburgh Penguins dealt defenseman John Marino to the New Jersey Devils for blue-liner Ty Smith and a 2023 third-round draft pick
- RyeDog13

Ottawa would have no trouble topping that offer. I assume that Dorion is chasing a bigger fish.

Marino is off the board now, traded to jersey

The Pittsburgh Penguins dealt defenseman John Marino to the New Jersey Devils for blue-liner Ty Smith and a 2023 third-round draft pick
- RyeDog13

I hope Dorion have a better D in line because we can have beat this offer

I hope Dorion have a better D in line because we can have beat this offer
- Crosside

My guess this should open up the backlog and several more signings should happen quickly.

I hope Dorion have a better D in line because we can have beat this offer
- Crosside

Marino stinks, glad we dodged that bullet. I’m not a fan of settling on a defenseman and paying a premium because he plays on the right.

Marino stinks, glad we dodged that bullet. I’m not a fan of settling on a defenseman and paying a premium because he plays on the right.
- Trilla

agreed

Well you know that I don't think coaches are all that important. Montreal is in great shape with a head coach who has never coached before.
- spatso

when St-Louis came in, Caufield and Suzuki exploded production wise, a coach can definitely chance things, Sutter in CGY changed the Flames from missing the playoffs in the weakest division to a top team.

when St-Louis came in, Caufield and Suzuki exploded production wise, a coach can definitely chance things, Sutter in CGY changed the Flames from missing the playoffs in the weakest division to a top team.
- Mithos

Yes. I agree. Coaches fall in love with their systems and can grind a team down. Love coaches that allow players to play to their strength.

After a wild and unbelievable week, I have a question: Tim Stutzle's ELC is up at the end of the year - if the following contracts he was ready to sign, which one would you want him to sign:

A) 3 years @6m (bridge - 24.5 years old, 1 year from UFA)
B) 5 years @7m (UFA at 26.5 years old)
C) 7 years @7.5m (UFA at 28.5 years old)
D) 8 years @7.75m (UFA at 29.5 years old)
E) don't sign him at all - wait until end of the year

I'll give you my take after I hear some of the responses

After a wild and unbelievable week, I have a question: Tim Stutzle's ELC is up at the end of the year - if the following contracts he was ready to sign, which one would you want him to sign:

A) 3 years @6m (bridge - 24.5 years old, 1 year from UFA)
B) 5 years @7m (UFA at 26.5 years old)
C) 7 years @7.5m (UFA at 28.5 years old)
D) 8 years @7.75m (UFA at 29.5 years old)
E) don't sign him at all - wait until end of the year

I'll give you my take after I hear some of the responses
- AlfieisKing

8 years easy. He’s gonna be a star. If you have to move one of your other big contracts at some point. So be it.

After a wild and unbelievable week, I have a question: Tim Stutzle's ELC is up at the end of the year - if the following contracts he was ready to sign, which one would you want him to sign:

A) 3 years @6m (bridge - 24.5 years old, 1 year from UFA)
B) 5 years @7m (UFA at 26.5 years old)
C) 7 years @7.5m (UFA at 28.5 years old)
D) 8 years @7.75m (UFA at 29.5 years old)
E) don't sign him at all - wait until end of the year

I'll give you my take after I hear some of the responses
- AlfieisKing

I call the first choice the Matthew Tkachuk. Except the years won't be even AAV and the last year will be 9 million so that's what he gets qualified at.

If I'm the sens I take either of the last two choices.

But I think Timmy signs for a higher AAV than Norris.

I call the first choice the Matthew Tkachuk. Except the years won't be even AAV and the last year will be 9 million so that's what he gets qualified at.

If I'm the sens I take either of the last two choices.

But I think Timmy signs for a higher AAV than Norris.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Agree with everyone so far, Stutzle is the one player on this roster that has superstar potential....in a few years, he will dominate this league if he stays healthy.

Yes. I agree. Coaches fall in love with their systems and can grind a team down. Love coaches that allow players to play to their strength.
- spatso

Exactly! It's like in football, the OC that comes and sets up a system playing to his players strengths/skillset is usually most successful. The OC's that make players play their system usually don't succeed.

After a wild and unbelievable week, I have a question: Tim Stutzle's ELC is up at the end of the year - if the following contracts he was ready to sign, which one would you want him to sign:

A) 3 years @6m (bridge - 24.5 years old, 1 year from UFA)
B) 5 years @7m (UFA at 26.5 years old)
C) 7 years @7.5m (UFA at 28.5 years old)
D) 8 years @7.75m (UFA at 29.5 years old)
E) don't sign him at all - wait until end of the year

I'll give you my take after I hear some of the responses
- AlfieisKing

8 years @ $8.2m

It is no accident that teams are locking their elite young guys into long term deals after their entry level contract. And, for much the same reasons, it is why we will see some older UFA players having to take cuts to get with a team.

Players peak performance years are between ages 24-28. It makes sense to offer elite young players top money. Most players age 30+ should be offered discounted contracts. It is okay to let older players walk away for nothing.

If his production holds, the Batherson contract is looking amazing. Having him locked up until the end of the 26-27 season at $5M is and will continue to be outstanding value for the team. I hope they find a way to kick the man some alternate income doing commercials or the like.
- HoweHatrick

Depends if he’s a rapist or not.

8 years @ $8.2m

It is no accident that teams are locking their elite young guys into long term deals after their entry level contract. And, for much the same reasons, it is why we will see some older UFA players having to take cuts to get with a team.

Players peak performance years are between ages 24-28. It makes sense to offer elite young players top money. Most players age 30+ should be offered discounted contracts. It is okay to let older players walk away for nothing.
- spatso

8 x 8. As 8 is his magic number. He’ll be playing with two of Giroux, DeBrincat, Tkachuk, Norris, Batherson. So he shouldn’t have a hard time putting up enough numbers to justify an $8m price tag.

But we shall see.

8 x 8. As 8 is his magic number. He’ll be playing with two of Giroux, DeBrincat, Tkachuk, Norris, Batherson. So he shouldn’t have a hard time putting up enough numbers to justify an $8m price tag.

But we shall see.
- PavohnDatsvares

Cap is going to be a factor soon enough.

Sens will be hard on the cap next year but they can do it if we assume:

-Stutzle gets $8m
-DiBrincat gets $9m
-Zub gets $5m.
-Zaitsev has been swapped out for an equivalent salary (Chychrun at $4.6m).
-Pinto does not have monster season and ask for big money.

It will be cap challenging to get through the next 3 years. They should be able to avoid it but it is possible one of the big salaries may have to go, perhaps as early as next summer.

Love this comment. As you know, I always believe that if the Sens can beat Leafs and Canadiens in their head to head matches they will make the playoffs.

Matthews has Hart
@j_raya_
·
10h
Once again, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are each better than the entirety of the Ottawa top 6 and the only players nylander and Tavares are behind is debrincat (maybe)

So seriously, a really good question, which top 11 would you take (6 forwards, 4 D and a goalie.

Matthews Norris
Marner Tkachuck
Bunting Batherson
Tavares Stutzle
Nylander Dibrincat
Jankrok Giroux
Rielly Chabot
Muzzin Zub
Brodie Zaitsev
Giordano Hamonic
Murray Talbot

Would it make a difference if you could swap out Zaitsev for Chychrun?

Love this comment. As you know, I always believe that if the Sens can beat Leafs and Canadiens in their head to head matches they will make the playoffs.

Matthews has Hart
@j_raya_
·
10h
Once again, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are each better than the entirety of the Ottawa top 6 and the only players nylander and Tavares are behind is debrincat (maybe)

So seriously, a really good question, which top 11 would you take (6 forwards, 4 D and a goalie.

Matthews Norris
Marner Tkachuck
Bunting Batherson
Tavares Stutzle
Nylander Dibrincat
Jankrok Giroux
Rielly Chabot
Muzzin Zub
Brodie Zaitsev
Giordano Hamonic
Murray Talbot

Would it make a difference if you could swap out Zaitsev for Chychrun?
- spatso

rofl that tweet is dumb, Mathews and or Marner are injured leafs become a lotery team, OTT loses two of their top 6 this year they can still make it out of the bottom 10, no depth vs depth.

Id take the combo of Norris and bath or Brady and Bath over Marner or Mathews every day, Sens can weather injuries leafs cannot