Spatso, you clearly didn't watch enough games.

he would repeatedly put Zaitsev out in situations where he would fail and get torched by other teams top lines. Key defensive draws where DJ Smith would voluntarily give up home ice advantage and throw his 3rd or 4th line out. AND If you're gonna throw your fourth line out - do you put your 5/6 pair out with your 4th line?...don't you think you'd want your top pair babysitting your fourth liners? DJ pulled this crap over and over.

He would put Brannstrom in positions to fail too. As if he's trying to prove a point that this little guy isn't a prospect at all.

But as the Lawyer guy pointed out. A lot of it is coaching. I have no doubt that Luke Richardson could fix Zaitsev. I've seen some ok stretches of hockey from him. He lacks confidence in his actions. We have a very weak coaching staff here. And this season - newly acquired, high skill players, are going to expose this coach and his staff as the JrB coaches they are. Because you'll see some looks on Giroux's face like......"wtf are you doing man??!"
- Octavarium

All a coach can do is reduce a players ice time or decide to scratch him from the game. Or, as you suggest fix him. On the basis of ice time, it is clear that the coaches are not playing Zaitsev like a top 4 Dman even though he draws the second best contract among Dmen. It also would appear that they do not think they can fix him.

They have reduced his ice time down to 5th among the defensive group?

I can only guess. But, I think he gets the reduced ice time (rather than being scratched) because they want to sustain some hope of being able trade him, even if they need to add sweeteners. I see nothing coming from Dorion or Smith that indicates to me that there is any intention or desire to have Zaitsev in the Ottawa line up next year.

Zub is very good at moving the puck up ice under control. Zaitsev is not.
Ottawa needs to add a top 4 HD to give itself the best shot at making the playoffs. Plus they need to change the coach.
- SensFan25

Zaitsev had 36 points in his first year in the NHL. He was moving the puck up the ice just fine. I think he's still a good 3rd pairing D-man OR if he has a really good partner with him on the 2nd pair, but he is certainly not a top 3 D-man on a cup contender

Agree with adding a T4D

I think the holdup with AZ might be the inclusion of Zaitsev in the deal.

PD seems to be in a chicken/egg situation...does he have to deal Zaitsev before he can acquire Top 4 replacement or does he want to have a deal in place for a player before moving Zaitsev? Which comes first?

Anaheim needs D and cap bump...just sayin.

More I think about it, the more I'm okay with Sens not making a deal in summer....so long as DJ gives Thomson or even Hamonic a chance as Chabots partner. A legitimate chance, with all the growing pains that will come with it. And Zaitsev stays in that last pairing, with lower minutes.

I know Zub's camp want either 4x5 or 5x5...as I wrote a few weeks ago. But at some point Dorion needs to make the jump on a key piece like this with the top 4 D. Not every prospect is going to pan out as they think either....you can hoard draft picks and prospects all you want....but they Giroux for nothing....Talbot on a nice trade.....DeBrincat, they gave up minimal draft capital. Personally, the window for this team starts now and who knows how long it will be for.....but these next 3-5 years you better make it count after 5 straight seasons of missing the playoffs! Dorion has shown he's willing to push all his chips in so far.....the most important piece is that Top 4 D!
- Kevin Francis

They've take major steps towards playoff contention, but the window for this team doesn't start until Sanderson is playing quality top-4 minutes. It's possible this could be happening as early as this year, but whether it's fair to him or not he's absolutely pivotal to their playoff fortunes. As for Chychrun, the price is sky high, plus he'll be a major UFA loss just as the team is trying to break through. So until there's reason to believe otherwise, their future on the blue line is pretty clearly built around Chabot, Sanderson, Zub, and Thomson.

Coach is saying something pretty clearly when he limits second highest paid Dman to 5th ranked minutes for time on ice? Both Brannstrom and Holden log more ice time than Zaitsev.

Zaitsev is #5 for time on ice but #2 in salary ($4.5m)
Hamonic is #6 for time on ice but #3 in salary ($3.0m)

$7.5m for the #5 and #6 Dman is too much, especially when you consider the quality of home grown replacements that are already available within the system.
- spatso

So, let me preface this without anyone thinking I am attacking you, but this post is so out of touch with what actually happened this year. Another poster asked you this, did you actually the Sens last season? Like I mean the majority of the games? The reason I ask this, is because anyone who watched this team all year, wouldn't have made a statement regarding TOI, you would know those numbers are soooo misleading and you cant sell that argument to me for a second!!!!

Your argument holds even less water, when you included Hamonic in it. He played 19 games in Ottawa, if you were trying to defend DJ, you would've used Josh Brown but we all know how he shouldn't have suited up once for a game this past season, when the GM says they sent down Brannstrom and Thomson at the beginning of camp because they were waiver exempt says.....2 players shouldn't have been on defense with this team all year being Brown and Zaitsev.

Now, I keep notes/log from every game. Zaitsev played 62 games, healthy scratch once and in only 7 games did he not play a top role 4 role for at least the first 2 periods of 55 games! In fact, there were numerous times that I tweeted out during games about how on earth does Zaitsev have the most TOI through the 1st or 2nd period?! I kid you not, go check my Twitter feed. In fact, he was paired with Chabot more than Zub was last season. So to say his average TOI is 5th on the team....is soo misleading because what would happen is DJ would finally give Zaitsev far fewer minutes in the 3rd period, lowering his TOI. He trusted him far more than any coach or even player on the Sens roster would have all year.


In fact, if you actually watched the games, you would know that whenever he would get the puck, he couldn't wait to get rid of it, he didn't care how it happened or where it went.....he would get rid of it. Too many times, he would get the puck from Chabot and sling it right back to him, regardless where he was on the ice. Lets also not forget that it was Zaitsev that put Chabot in a vulnerable position leading to the hit by Tom Wilson that put him out for a long time with the injured shoulder.

Zaitsev had been out of the line up with the injured heel for 6 weeks, the team was playing better without him, but he inserts him right back into the top 4 role....when others were playing far better!

When you say Holden had more TOI, when Zaitsev was out he got an increased role and increased minutes, so it increased his TOI, but for the most part, he was in the third pairing most of the year. So don't tell us that Holden this or that when it came to the coach.....you are so wrong and it tells me you didn't watch much of this team this year.

Brannstrom was getting 10 - 11 min. TOI prior to Chabot getting injured twice, in both instances, he was getting anywhere 22-25 min after Chabot was out of the lineup. TOI during Chabot's absence, but when Chabot returned, he was right back to getting half that icetime. So again, don't tell me Brannstrom had more TOI average than Zaitsev or Hamonic, or whoever.....that stat couldn't be more misleading. The coach never wanted to play Brannstrom, they sent him down to start the year, he changed agents because of it too, plus Brannstrom only got in the lineup due to injuries....Zaitsev always got in the lineup over Brannstrom no matter how bad captain chaos was!

This coach right until the last game of the season showed a penchant for not dressing the most deserving players on defense but continuously played Zaitsev. Dont forget, this team told many behind closed doors that after DJ scratched MDZ after the NYR game late in the season, that the team quit on him, they were pissed that DJ yet again made a guy on defense a scapegoat for his coaching mistakes in MDZ, I wrote about it when it happened. DJ did this a lot, Brannstrom....happened to him....heck Holden was scratched for 2 games early in the year.....so to conclude....until Zaitsev is gone and not on this roster....nobody, absolutely nobody will trust this coach to make the right decisions with his line up when it comes to his blue line!!

They've take major steps towards playoff contention, but the window for this team doesn't start until Sanderson is playing quality top-4 minutes. It's possible this could be happening as early as this year, but whether it's fair to him or not he's absolutely pivotal to their playoff fortunes. As for Chychrun, the price is sky high, plus he'll be a major UFA loss just as the team is trying to break through. So until there's reason to believe otherwise, their future on the blue line is pretty clearly built around Chabot, Sanderson, Zub, and Thomson.
- khawk

Agreed, see comment that I just posted.

I think the holdup with AZ might be the inclusion of Zaitsev in the deal.

PD seems to be in a chicken/egg situation...does he have to deal Zaitsev before he can acquire Top 4 replacement or does he want to have a deal in place for a player before moving Zaitsev? Which comes first?

Anaheim needs D and cap bump...just sayin.

More I think about it, the more I'm okay with Sens not making a deal in summer....so long as DJ gives Thomson or even Hamonic a chance as Chabots partner. A legitimate chance, with all the growing pains that will come with it. And Zaitsev stays in that last pairing, with lower minutes.
- GrimmdaGoalie

I have been saying that in the comments for the last week and on Twitter, Anaheim needs D....and needs to get to the floor....they are a possible spot for Zaitsev.

Spatso, you clearly didn't watch enough games.

he would repeatedly put Zaitsev out in situations where he would fail and get torched by other teams top lines. Key defensive draws where DJ Smith would voluntarily give up home ice advantage and throw his 3rd or 4th line out. AND If you're gonna throw your fourth line out - do you put your 5/6 pair out with your 4th line?...don't you think you'd want your top pair babysitting your fourth liners? DJ pulled this crap over and over.

He would put Brannstrom in positions to fail too. As if he's trying to prove a point that this little guy isn't a prospect at all.

But as the Lawyer guy pointed out. A lot of it is coaching. I have no doubt that Luke Richardson could fix Zaitsev. I've seen some ok stretches of hockey from him. He lacks confidence in his actions. We have a very weak coaching staff here. And this season - newly acquired, high skill players, are going to expose this coach and his staff as the JrB coaches they are. Because you'll see some looks on Giroux's face like......"wtf are you doing man??!"
- Octavarium

He absolutely didn't, this one comment alone, shows me he barely watched this team....because anyone that watched this team knows his post couldn't be more wrong!

He absolutely didn't, this one comment alone, shows me he barely watched this team....because anyone that watched this team knows his post couldn't be more wrong!
- Kevin Francis

I am not sure why you want to argue with me. Zaitsev had his ice time cut by more than 20% (22:48 to 18:59) from the previous season.

The numbers are the numbers. Zaitsev did not deserve and he did not get prime time minutes. Certainly nothing like what you would want for your second highest paid Dman.

I know you are not trying to say that the numbers are unfair to Zaitsev? Nor, do I believe you are saying the cut in ice time misrepresents the quality of his game.

My singular point is that the Sens want to move Zaitsev out. They are even prepared to add a sweetener to make the move happen. All the numbers seem to indicate that is a correct pathway to follow.

Again, I can only wonder if the reason he continued to get ice time (although diminished) was for no other reason than to try and puff him up in order to make an off season trade more viable.

I am not sure why you want to argue with me. Zaitsev had his ice time cut by more than 20% (22:48 to 18:59) from the previous season.

The numbers are the numbers. Zaitsev did not deserve and he did not get prime time minutes. Certainly nothing like what you would want for your second highest paid Dman.

I know you are not trying to say that the numbers are unfair to Zaitsev? Nor, do I believe you are saying the cut in ice time misrepresents the quality of his game.

My singular point is that the Sens want to move Zaitsev out. They are even prepared to add a sweetener to make the move happen. All the numbers seem to indicate that is a correct pathway to follow.

Again, I can only wonder if the reason he continued to get ice time (although diminished) was for no other reason than to try and puff him up in order to make an off season trade more viable.
- spatso

As I said, I was prefacing what I was saying to you as you were trying to say DJ played him 5th in terms of TOI but that was clearly incorrect. So it's not arguing, I stated facts as to why your thinking of saying DJ gave him 5th D minutes couldn't have been more wrong. Not arguing, merely stating facts. My point was, you wouldn't have stated Zaitsev was getting 5th D minutes so the coach was doing well by taking away icetime....he never took away his role....and I'm not going to repeat myself, but he was relied as a top 4 for 55 out of 62 games that he played. Enough said.

If you want to go on the argument that they didn't want to diminish his value, then please tell me why that argument didn't apply that same thinking to Cobourn the year before? Sorry but your argument is flawed, this coach and GM arent playing guys for the mere fact of not minimizing their value. In fact, the more Zaitsev played the top 4 role the more he was exposed, so that point alone goes against your thinking. Any team watching him would tell you stay far away because he couldn't handle playing the other teams top 2 lines. Again, these are the facts, I am not arguing, merely laying out what went on and how every decision on the blueline was a double standard all season long.

If you watched the Sens this year, there were teams with their staff up in the press box, yelling down to the ice from press row to dump the puck into either Josh Brown's or Zaitsev's corner of the ice! Enough said.

They've take major steps towards playoff contention, but the window for this team doesn't start until Sanderson is playing quality top-4 minutes. It's possible this could be happening as early as this year, but whether it's fair to him or not he's absolutely pivotal to their playoff fortunes. As for Chychrun, the price is sky high, plus he'll be a major UFA loss just as the team is trying to break through. So until there's reason to believe otherwise, their future on the blue line is pretty clearly built around Chabot, Sanderson, Zub, and Thomson.
- khawk

I completely agree. Giving up major assets for some short term minor success is extremely short sighted. Sanderson, Thomson and JBD need to be played. I am not suggesting that all three be in the starting lineup but if they have a strong camp I wouldn't be averse to seeing 2 of them in the lineup.

I completely agree. Giving up major assets for some short term minor success is extremely short sighted. Sanderson, Thomson and JBD need to be played. I am not suggesting that all three be in the starting lineup but if they have a strong camp I wouldn't be averse to seeing 2 of them in the lineup.
- Whatisavailable

It's wild how Brannstrom is almost never mentioned when fans talk about the blueline. I would say if Dorion keeps Erik, that Brannstrom filled in well enough on two occasions when Chabot was injured. I wonder if Thomson gets a spot over Erik out of training camp.

As I said, I was prefacing what I was saying to you as you were trying to say DJ played him 5th in terms of TOI but that was clearly incorrect. So it's not arguing, I stated facts as to why your thinking of saying DJ gave him 5th D minutes couldn't have been more wrong. Not arguing, merely stating facts. My point was, you wouldn't have stated Zaitsev was getting 5th D minutes so the coach was doing well by taking away icetime....he never took away his role....and I'm not going to repeat myself, but he was relied as a top 4 for 55 out of 62 games that he played. Enough said.

If you want to go on the argument that they didn't want to diminish his value, then please tell me why that argument didn't apply that same thinking to Cobourn the year before? Sorry but your argument is flawed, this coach and GM arent playing guys for the mere fact of not minimizing their value. In fact, the more Zaitsev played the top 4 role the more he was exposed, so that point alone goes against your thinking. Any team watching him would tell you stay far away because he couldn't handle playing the other teams top 2 lines. Again, these are the facts, I am not arguing, merely laying out what went on and how every decision on the blueline was a double standard all season long.

If you watched the Sens this year, there were teams with their staff up in the press box, yelling down to the ice from press row to dump the puck into either Josh Brown's or Zaitsev's corner of the ice! Enough said.
- Kevin Francis

Two great comments by you regarding Zaitsev. What I find alarming is how not many media or even fans said much about what you stated regarding the Chabot hit by Wilson. Zaitsev always rings that puck around the boards or across the ice at all costs, back to his partner, with no care about where his defense partner is. He completely put Chabot in a horrible position, he wasn't set let alone ready behind the net because in that Caps game, Zaitsev should have been playing it off the boards or up to a winger, instead he does a back pass, back to Chabot and at the last second Chabot realizes it, then bang Wilson unloads on him.

Now getting back to Zaitsev, I know you said he was in a top 4 role most of the season but if you look at it even closer DJ Smith had him on the top pair with Chabot a ton and actually far too much. That was how much he played out him out of his element. A coaches job is to maximize a players potential but to also put him in a position to succeed with regards to his skill set. If that was case then DJ would never had Zaitsev playing anywhere but the third pairing because then he wasn't getting hammered by the opposition's top forwards. Smith failed miserably with how he played his defense pairings and for a guy that played the position he seemed so out of touch with his players on defense.

It's wild how Brannstrom is almost never mentioned when fans talk about the blueline. I would say if Dorion keeps Erik, that Brannstrom filled in well enough on two occasions when Chabot was injured. I wonder if Thomson gets a spot over Erik out of training camp.
- LawyerSens4Life

I'm not a Brannstrom fan and don't see any promise in him but he's OK to keep on a minimal contract in case of injuries. Even if Smith decided to play him on the right side like Brannstrom has always said he prefers I would still give Thomson a shot higher up. Chabot has said that he likes playing with Thomson so let Zub play with Sanderson.

It's not the end of the world if they're not quite ready yet. Most of the team is not ready yet; not ready yet to do some serious damage as a contender but that's coming. Just a little patience is all that's needed.

Squandering assets for short term success is a bad idea. The cap will not be rising significantly for at least three years. DeBrincat was a brilliant marketing move. Add the Giroux and Talbot acquisitions and everybody and their grandmothers were ready to start planning the parade if they just landed that top 4D.

This is nonsense. A top 4D would improve their chances at a wild card spot with an early first round exit but at what cost? DeBrincat will need to be moved next summer because there won't be the money to pay him what he'll want. Almost nobody will have the money to pay him what he'll want so somebody is going to get a really good deal.

Hopefully Talbot works out but I watched him a lot when he was with Edmonton. Reminds me of Murray.

I like the Giroux move. Good term and the cap may rise enough in that third year so that it doesn't bite the team in the rear.

It's those young guys that were drafted and developed that will take this team to the parades in a couple or three years so don't piss it all away for a wild card spot and an early first round exit. eg. Edmonton. If not for their impatience and Peter" Bold Moves" Chiarelli they would have won a couple of Cups by now and would be seriously threatening for more.

Does anyone have an account at hockeyviz.com ?

We could see what the numbers actually say about how Zaitsev was deployed in terms what opponents (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th line) he typically faced and who he played with.

https://hockeyviz.com/player/zaitsni91

Does anyone have an account at hockeyviz.com ?

We could see what the numbers actually say about how Zaitsev was deployed in terms what opponents (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th line) he typically faced and who he played with.

https://hockeyviz.com/player/zaitsni91
- HoweHatrick

I use a lot of sites for gambling angles and trends, this site forces you to subscribe with your Twitter because they want to take all your info, incript numerous aspects and charge you a ton. It's over $100 for the basic subscription and for fantasy players like myself it' over $200 tax in. I know of better sites that charge less, stay far away from this one. I know 2 people had issues with this site taking their info and using it for ad purposes. Beware.

It's wild how Brannstrom is almost never mentioned when fans talk about the blueline. I would say if Dorion keeps Erik, that Brannstrom filled in well enough on two occasions when Chabot was injured. I wonder if Thomson gets a spot over Erik out of training camp.
- LawyerSens4Life

Sometimes I wonder if it would make sense to try Brannstrom as a forward. He's small, generally gets knocked for defensive miscues, he might be a good candidate for a switch hitter.

Sometimes I wonder if it would make sense to try Brannstrom as a forward. He's small, generally gets knocked for defensive miscues, he might be a good candidate for a switch hitter.
- Bartacus

I think he would have even less of a chance trying to fit in on Ottawas forward group where it is even more stacked. If it is ever going to work out for Brannstrom as a legit top tier NHLer it is likely on a different team.

From CapFreindly Depth Charts

Based on current projected rosters, these are the youngest top 12 forward groups in the NHL.

1. Ottawa - 24.4
2. New Jersey - 25.4
3. Columbus - 25.6
4. Minnesota - 25.7
5. Vancouver - 25.7
6. Buffalo - 25.9
7. Detroit - 26.0
8. Florida - 26.0
9. Los Angeles - 26.0

Seeing more chatter with folks suggesting that Chychrun talks are continuing on the back burner.

Would be huge change in expectations if they could lock in Chychrun.

Seeing more chatter with folks suggesting that Chychrun talks are continuing on the back burner.

Would be huge change in expectations if they could lock in Chychrun.
- spatso

Dorion locks in Chych and dumps Zeitsev, he is guaranteed to win GM of the year at next year awards also would almost guarantee OTT a playoff spot if Smith is gone in the first 10-15 games of the season as he would still make this team lose to his horrendously bad coaching

DeBrincat will need to be moved next summer because there won't be the money to pay him what he'll want. Almost nobody will have the money to pay him what he'll want so somebody is going to get a really good deal.

- Whatisavailable

I’m confused by the above. I am not sure how Debrincat would be too pricey for the Sens but a steal for the rest of the NHL because of the cap crunch? Assuming the awful contracts are gone by the end of next year, there will be room for resigning of big names (Debrincat and Stu), assuming the team continues to give out cash like they have lately.

Dorion locks in Chych and dumps Zeitsev, he is guaranteed to win GM of the year at next year awards also would almost guarantee OTT a playoff spot if Smith is gone in the first 10-15 games of the season as he would still make this team lose to his horrendously bad coaching
- Mithos

I assume the stalling point is Ottawa being gun shy about giving up a 1st (2023) without lottery protection. Other picks/prospects should be easy enough to work out.
Arizona has huge cap space and can easily take back Zaitsev so that part of the deal would work.

Other factor would be another team prepared to offer a better package (watch LA Kings).

Seeing more chatter with folks suggesting that Chychrun talks are continuing on the back burner.

Would be huge change in expectations if they could lock in Chychrun.
- spatso

Chychrun should be the target for D in my opinion. Weager would have been nice, but things happen. The Florida/Calgary deal was a mess.

Chychrun fits the age, contract, and d-man style this team needs. He doesn’t shoot right, which isn’t ideal, but allegedly likes playing the right side. However, we have seen coaching in Ottawa not taylor to d-men preferred sides (ie Banstrom).

Hopefully the Yotes feel more pressed to move him closer to the season start.

Debrincat won't cost that much because he'll only have 25 goals this year. DJ is so bad it will be financially better for the Sens!