I hear ya, great point....but the problem is Calgary has never ever said to their fanbase they are rebuilding. They will milk whatever angle they have to, all season leading up to the deadline. Perception is everything...now they have the fan base on their side after the trade for Matthew. They would never turn around and trade Huberdeau this summer for youth and prospects....it's how ownership and management operate in Calgary.
- Kevin Francis

True but how would the fans react if he won't sign an extension and they plan to trade him at the deadline but he gets injured and is out for a few months. He could end up walking for nothing in that case. Huberdeau isn't injury prone but you never know and that could blow up in their faces massively if they can't get anything for him.

Personally, i would just move him now if he won't sign an extension and not risk getting screwed by an injury. Besides, if they get a package like i mentioned of Bratt, Holtz and a 1st, it's not like they are giving up on the season. They still get Bratt that was almost a PPG player this season at 23 years old plus Holtz who can likely jump to NHL this season given he played in the SHL with men already and was a PPG player in the AHL. This is more re-tooling than rebuilding although they do get a couple of 1st round picks to help out too.

True but how would the fans react if he won't sign an extension and they plan to trade him at the deadline but he gets injured and is out for a few months. He could end up walking for nothing in that case. Huberdeau isn't injury prone but you never know and that could blow up in their faces massively if they can't get anything for him.

Personally, i would just move him now if he won't sign an extension and not risk getting screwed by an injury. Besides, if they get a package like i mentioned of Bratt, Holtz and a 1st, it's not like they are giving up on the season. They still get Bratt that was almost a PPG player this season at 23 years old plus Holtz who can likely jump to NHL this season given he played in the SHL with men already and was a PPG player in the AHL. This is more re-tooling than rebuilding although they do get a couple of 1st round picks to help out too.
- dcz28

Yes, it's a chance teams take. Many teams will tell you if they can get a haul at the deadline for a guy like Huberdeau, they would rather wait to see how the first 2/3 of the season plays out with him. Plus a team like Calgary, is going to hope they can convince him to sign an extension.....they will try to show him what it's like in Calgary, etc....this is how some of these teams operate. If after 2/3 season they feel like said player won't resign....after trying everything......then they will trade him controlling the narrative. Then Calgary can say, we tried to convince him that we have a great culture here and city....and fanbase....but it didn't happen so we wanted to make sure we got something back for him knowing he wouldn't resign in the summer but we exhausted every avenue with him. This is how a lot of smaller market teams work, controlling the narrative.

But don't forget, teams don't think we many of us do when it comes to star players. Trust me, if you knew the stories over the years about players like Huberdeau being in his position and what is said behind closed doors, you would be stunned. Every team thinks they can convince a player to stay.....but we all know how it doesn't turn out that way many times.....heck look at Duchene and Stone in Ottawa 4 years ago....every small market team goes through it.

And don't forget many GM's over think things.....rather than keep it simple.

It rather see Dorion force the nincompoop smith to play Thompson with Chabot than see Dorion make a dumb trade for a RD. If your Star Dman says he likes playing with a certain player, you better dam play him with that player....

big fat no thanks on Tanev, too old, would not take him even if he was free in a trade.

With Weegar off the board now.....oh man could Ottawa snag Tanev?!

The Tkachuk's will see each other a little more this season now!
- Kevin Francis

The dumping of Connor Brown hurts more now. I could have seen Calgary being quite interested in adding Brown for somebody like Tanev now that they have Weeger. I don't think a 2nd round pick would be nearly as of much interest for a Flames team trying to stay competitive now.

Zaitsev to Chicago seems like a no-brainer move. You almost have to do it. Of course, Chicago knows that and may be asking for a ridiculous sweetener right now - especially after all the bad press they got for the DeBrincat return.

Regarding Chychrun - I wish I knew what Arizona was asking for in return from Ottawa. It just feels like the deal you need to make happen. A legit top 4 players, good character and family, Ottawa roots. I even notice he is one of the few non-Senator NHL players that Brady follows on Twitter. So I think the fit in the room would be great too. Unless the Arizona ask is ridiculously one-sided I think Dorion should try to make this happen.

Kevin - please let Eklund or whatever his name actually is, know that the ads are making this site almost unbearable. I rarely come here anymore because the ads popping up in front of 75% of the screen real estate is just so annoying.

Kevin - please let Eklund or whatever his name actually is, know that the ads are making this site almost unbearable. I rarely come here anymore because the ads popping up in front of 75% of the screen real estate is just so annoying.
- punchanello77

Install an ad blocker.

Tkachuk's deal in Florida is 8x$9.5M.

The dumping of Connor Brown hurts more now. I could have seen Calgary being quite interested in adding Brown for somebody like Tanev now that they have Weeger. I don't think a 2nd round pick would be nearly as of much interest for a Flames team trying to stay competitive now.
- punchanello77

Agreed. The Connor Brown move seemed rushed and the return is underwhelming. He would have had more value for inclusion in a package for a top 4 RHD.

Would A Zaitsev/JVR swap work. I can easily see Chuck making this type of move.

Would A Zaitsev/JVR swap work. I can easily see Chuck making this type of move.
- hello it's me 2050

Conner Murphy or Seth Jones both right handed d men and from what I have heard good in the locker room. Don't what a trade would look like maybe a 2nd 2023 and zaitsev contract for Murphy or 2nd and zatiev for future considerations

Would A Zaitsev/JVR swap work. I can easily see Chuck making this type of move.
- hello it's me 2050

Why would Ottawa want JVR when they just traded Connor brown away? I doubt they want to take on another forward contract snd his tag is more than browns was.

Few teams are willing to give a 30 year old player a long term max type deal. Cap and the escrow clawback has resulted in all teams shifting priority to signing their own top RFAs to long term deals. The pool of money for UFAs is not very full.

Next summer there will be even less teams looking to sign UFAs. The tepid response to Kadri is more typical of the future. Apparently Gaudreau was surprised that several teams they expected to hear from only showed token interest. Huberdeau needs to be careful and take a good offer now. $8m x 4.

Why would Ottawa want JVR when they just traded Connor brown away? I doubt they want to take on another forward contract snd his tag is more than browns was.
- PuckPix

Exactly. The forwards are set and slotted, assuming all RFAs sign. And picking up cheap forward depth via UFA singing is easy. The RD they need is not.

I'd honesty be okay with the D they have for the upcoming year....if Zaitsev went away and DJ would trust and use one of JBD or Thomson.

My Ranking

Left D

Thomas Chabot
Jake Sanderson
Erik Brannstrom
Nick Holden
Dillon Heatherington

Ranking: 15th*-25th in the NHL (depending on how Sanderson plays)

Right D

Artem Zub
Nikita Zaitsev
Travis Hamonic
Lassi Thomson
Jacob Bernard Docker

Ranking: 21st-30th in the NHL (depending on Thomson & JBD)

Conclusion: Sens NEED a T4 RD-man and need to get rid of Zaitsev

It rather see Dorion force the nincompoop smith to play Thompson with Chabot than see Dorion make a dumb trade for a RD. If your Star Dman says he likes playing with a certain player, you better dam play him with that player....

big fat no thanks on Tanev, too old, would not take him even if he was free in a trade.
- Mithos

Chabot has said that about Thomson when he's up with the big club. The only problem with Thomson is Mann said he's hard on himself after a mistake....with DJ, he just benches the young guys on defense after a mistake but runs out Zaitsev and Brown regardless of how many mistakes they made....the double standard applied all year!

Tanev is at the same point in his career as Methot when Ottawa acquired him....great character and RD, just what a young player needs as a partner as Methot did with Karlsson.

My Ranking

Left D

Thomas Chabot
Jake Sanderson
Erik Brannstrom
Nick Holden
Dillon Heatherington

Ranking: 15th*-25th in the NHL (depending on how Sanderson plays)

Right D

Artem Zub
Nikita Zaitsev
Travis Hamonic
Lassi Thomson
Jacob Bernard Docker

Ranking: 21st-30th in the NHL (depending on Thomson & JBD)

Conclusion: Sens NEED a T4 RD-man and need to get rid of Zaitsev
- AlfieisKing

Zaitsev is captain chaos.....no way he is better than Thomson now....

Conner Murphy or Seth Jones both right handed d men and from what I have heard good in the locker room. Don't what a trade would look like maybe a 2nd 2023 and zaitsev contract for Murphy or 2nd and zatiev for future considerations
- Scott1977

Not a chance with Seth Jones and 8 years left....but Murphy I am all ears!!

The dumping of Connor Brown hurts more now. I could have seen Calgary being quite interested in adding Brown for somebody like Tanev now that they have Weeger. I don't think a 2nd round pick would be nearly as of much interest for a Flames team trying to stay competitive now.
- punchanello77

Oh so agree, great point!

Agreed. The Connor Brown move seemed rushed and the return is underwhelming. He would have had more value for inclusion in a package for a top 4 RHD.
- SensFan25

It really did seem that way.....maybe they want Giroux to have his #28 asap lol

Few teams are willing to give a 30 year old player a long term max type deal. Cap and the escrow clawback has resulted in all teams shifting priority to signing their own top RFAs to long term deals. The pool of money for UFAs is not very full.

Next summer there will be even less teams looking to sign UFAs. The tepid response to Kadri is more typical of the future. Apparently Gaudreau was surprised that several teams they expected to hear from only showed token interest. Huberdeau needs to be careful and take a good offer now. $8m x 4.
- spatso

A player like Huberdeau would get a nice AAV for shorter term....unless they stretch out the term lowering the AAV. But very true....the $ arent there and next summer it will be much of the same.

Exactly. The forwards are set and slotted, assuming all RFAs sign. And picking up cheap forward depth via UFA singing is easy. The RD they need is not.

I'd honesty be okay with the D they have for the upcoming year....if Zaitsev went away and DJ would trust and use one of JBD or Thomson.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Zaitsev to Chicago seems like a no-brainer move. You almost have to do it. Of course, Chicago knows that and may be asking for a ridiculous sweetener right now - especially after all the bad press they got for the DeBrincat return.

Regarding Chychrun - I wish I knew what Arizona was asking for in return from Ottawa. It just feels like the deal you need to make happen. A legit top 4 players, good character and family, Ottawa roots. I even notice he is one of the few non-Senator NHL players that Brady follows on Twitter. So I think the fit in the room would be great too. Unless the Arizona ask is ridiculously one-sided I think Dorion should try to make this happen.
- punchanello77

As I have reported here since March and all summer....they want the equivalent of 4 first rounders....so JBD/Boucher/1st round pick and another 1st round or a player equal too....Sokolov possibly or Brannstrom if they want someone who was a former 1st rounder and can step in to play right away.

As for Chicago, yes they are one of the few teams that can take on Zaitsev, another to watch for I'm told is Anaheim.

Kevin - please let Eklund or whatever his name actually is, know that the ads are making this site almost unbearable. I rarely come here anymore because the ads popping up in front of 75% of the screen real estate is just so annoying.
- punchanello77

Like one of the posters said in the comment section, set up an ad blocker on your laptop....I appreciate you stopping in but the ads pay the bills for the site.

As I have reported here since March and all summer....they want the equivalent of 4 first rounders....so JBD/Boucher/1st round pick and another 1st round or a player equal too....Sokolov possibly or Brannstrom if they want someone who was a former 1st rounder and can step in to play right away.

As for Chicago, yes they are one of the few teams that can take on Zaitsev, another to watch for I'm told is Anaheim.
- Kevin Francis

if that's the ask for a top line D who is 23 and has 3 years left at a good cap hit can play both sides fine what is the hold up, is it Dorion thinks he cannot keep Zub and does not want to trade JBD or Thompson?