He's in no way, shape, or form a first-line NHL player. And if he continues to play just 17min/GP (he's only played >15min/GP once in his career), and needs a 15% shooting % to reach 20G (he was a career 9% until last year), then I'm not sure it's really such a fair contract. Conversely, it's a near-perfect example of the kind of over-payment for mediocrity that Dorion needs to stay the hell away from.
- khawk

Contract negotiations can be entirely unhinged from reality. He was headed into an arbitration ruling. Once the arbitration is finished the team loses all control. It would have been the same if he had been traded to another team. Should the Yotes have just walked away?

This is a case where the player had almost all the leverage.

I am biased because I loved Crouse as a junior and thought he would be an outstanding NHL power forward. I would not hesitate to flip him one for one for Zaitsev as the back end on a trade for Chychrun.

Contract negotiations can be entirely unhinged from reality. He was headed into an arbitration ruling. Once the arbitration is finished the team loses all control. It would have been the same if he had been traded to another team. Should the Yotes have just walked away?

This is a case where the player had almost all the leverage.

I am biased because I loved Crouse as a junior and thought he would be an outstanding NHL power forward. I would not hesitate to flip him one for one for Zaitsev as the back end on a trade for Chychrun.
- spatso

None of this makes it an even remotely fair contract, or one that the Senators should aspire to take on.

Just watched the highlights from the Gretzky Hlinka Tournament. Man these kids are good! Nice to see another wave of great Canadian talent coming along.

Yup.
Like every wave of Canadian talent.
Just need to keep them away from the free beer and puck bunnies.

Interesting to see Greig and Ostapchuk playing on the same line at the WJC. They're both very effective two-way players, and Greig certainly plays bigger than his physical specs, but I'm not sure either player has more than 3rd line NHL upside. However, both could eventually be good supporting 2-way players, and Greig clearly has a serious penchant for laying people out.

Interesting to see Greig and Ostapchuk playing on the same line at the WJC. They're both very effective two-way players, and Greig certainly plays bigger than his physical specs, but I don't think either player has more than 3rd line NHL upside. However, both could be good supporting 2-way players, and Greig clearly has a penchant for laying people out.
- khawk

Third lines are really important if you want to make any kind of run in the playoffs. A third line of Pinto playing with Grieg and Ostapchuk a few years out from now could be part of a very responsible line up.

Interesting to see Greig and Ostapchuk playing on the same line at the WJC. They're both very effective two-way players, and Greig certainly plays bigger than his physical specs, but I don't think either player has more than 3rd line NHL upside. However, both could be good supporting 2-way players, and Greig clearly has a penchant for laying people out.
- khawk

2 way players for our bottom 6 is what this team needs, glad to see them getting a chance to develop chem together.

Third lines are really important if you want to make any kind of run in the playoffs. A third line of Pinto playing with Grieg and Ostapchuk a few years out from now could be part of a very responsible line up.
- spatso

Agreed. Plus, it's worth noting that Team Canada is using Greig for a lot of D-zone faceoffs, and he's clearly being given more of a two-way assignment.... but that's because he's not Bedard, MacTavish, or Johnson. It's not impossible he could eventually inherit Giroux's role on the 2nd line, if he can effectively transition his offensive game to the AHL/NHL. But it just seems that he's more effective when cast in a role where he can be as disruptive as possible.

Agreed. Plus, it's worth noting that Team Canada is using Greig for a lot of D-zone faceoffs, and he's clearly being given more of a two-way assignment.... but that's because he's not Bedard, MacTavish, or Johnson. It's not impossible he could eventually inherit Giroux's role on the 2nd line, if he can effectively transition his offensive game to the AHL/NHL. But it just seems that he's more effective when cast in a role where he can be as disruptive as possible.
- khawk

I almost always consider the term "hard to play against" a backhanded complitment, but teams may really hate playing the Sens with Tkachuk and Greig on the team.

Third lines are really important if you want to make any kind of run in the playoffs. A third line of Pinto playing with Grieg and Ostapchuk a few years out from now could be part of a very responsible line up.
- spatso

Grieg is the only reason I'm okay with Formenton being included in any deal for a top pairing RD.

Would you do Talbot for Theodore?

A lot better performance against Slovakia and you can see a little bit of chemistry developing here and there, not just Bedard and McTavish, especially once they shook up the lines a bit in the third period.

I hope Greig is OK. I'd like to see both him and Ostapchuk a bit more.

Would you do Talbot for Theodore?
- spatso

Not until the deadline, no. Salary management considerations and such. It's also bad form to trade a player you brought in without even letting him play at least a game with you, unless it is within the same day of being acquired. Players remember that crap when considering whether to sign, especially if it's with ex-teammates.

I'd do Formenton and a pick for Theodore, throw in whatever B prospect needed as well (Jarventie, Lodin, Crookshank, etc.), but they won't trade with us after the Dadonov contract last year.

Re: the comments above, Greig is being developed to be the 3rd piece of the Tkachuk-Norris line. How do you handle two players like that on one unit? It's bad enough when it's Tkachuk (either), Marchand, or Kreider on their own, but two of em in one group that includes 3 players all with 30 G season capabilities? Greig's stick skills and deking are also elite, once Greig gets more disciplined/older it will be hard to stop a line like that. Debrincat-Stutzle-Giroux on the next, speed and scoring for weeks straight. I like it.

Not until the deadline, no. Salary management considerations and such. It's also bad form to trade a player you brought in without even letting him play at least a game with you, unless it is within the same day of being acquired. Players remember that crap when considering whether to sign, especially if it's with ex-teammates.

I'd do Formenton and a pick for Theodore, throw in whatever B prospect needed as well (Jarventie, Lodin, Crookshank, etc.), but they won't trade with us after the Dadonov contract last year.

Re: the comments above, Greig is being developed to be the 3rd piece of the Tkachuk-Norris line. How do you handle two players like that on one unit? It's bad enough when it's Tkachuk (either), Marchand, or Kreider on their own, but two of em in one group that includes 3 players all with 30 G season capabilities? Greig's stick skills and deking are also elite, once Greig gets more disciplined/older it will be hard to stop a line like that. Debrincat-Stutzle-Giroux on the next, speed and scoring for weeks straight. I like it.
- Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuub

As long as Batherson is permitted to play there is no way Greig will be on the first line of the Ottawa Senators. Anytime before the 2026-27 season. That top line is nothing without Batherson's zone entry and playmaking.

As long as Batherson is permitted to play there is no way Greig will be on the first line of the Ottawa Senators. Anytime before the 2026-27 season. That top line is nothing without Batherson's zone entry and playmaking.
- TDBSenatoR

Yeah man, I meant 2-3 years from now, not this coming year.

And imagine Batherson being used on the second line when that happens...with Stutzle and Debrincat...

Another good game against the Czechian team who are pretty good but still didn't present much of a challenge. Pressure came all game long from a very deep Canadian team. Greig played well and was visible throughout.

We'll see how they do against the Finns. Get to see Jarventie as well. I'm also looking forward to seeing Brad Lambert. Winnipeg may have picked the steal of the draft right there.

For the Sens to make the playoffs, they need to play top Division contenders (Florida, Tampa, Toronto and Boston) especially tough. Obviously, they cannot go slack against Detroit, Buffalo or Montreal.

There is a huge bonus in the revised playoff format! If the Sens do, in fact, make the playoffs, there is a 50% chance they would match up against the Leafs in the first round.

Summer hockey talk allows for vivid dreams.

I hope my dreams for a Sens playoff berth becomes the Leafs worst nightmare match up.

Sign Zub, trade Zaitsev, add another top 4 Dman, drop the puck!

Sign Zub, trade Zaitsev, add another top 4 Dman, drop the puck!
- spatso

Exactly!

Having the Toronto Maple Leafs be in the same building in a first round win for the Senators would be very satisfying. Would be another hurdle overcome by this organization in that even though this is entirely a different team functioning in a different era of hockey the Leafs organization stood in the way of numerous possible cups runs for the Senators.

For the Sens to make the playoffs, they need to play top Division contenders (Florida, Tampa, Toronto and Boston) especially tough. Obviously, they cannot go slack against Detroit, Buffalo or Montreal.

There is a huge bonus in the revised playoff format! If the Sens do, in fact, make the playoffs, there is a 50% chance they would match up against the Leafs in the first round.

Summer hockey talk allows for vivid dreams.

I hope my dreams for a Sens playoff berth becomes the Leafs worst nightmare match up.

Sign Zub, trade Zaitsev, add another top 4 Dman, drop the puck!
- spatso

I'm very curious to see how Detroit does next year. I don't think they made as many improvements as Ottawa, but they've got some good young players and will likely be much better.

Especially interested in Raymond, as he and Stuzle have both looked so good so far.

I'm very curious to see how Detroit does next year. I don't think they made as many improvements as Ottawa, but they've got some good young players and will likely be much better.

Especially interested in Raymond, as he and Stuzle have both looked so good so far.
- david22

Detroit, Buffalo and Ottawa should win more games this season. Good chance Montreal will improve on their last place performance of last year.

On the other side of the house New Jersey, Islanders and Columbus are stronger. Philadelphia is really bad.

So, look for Florida, Toronto, Tampa and Boston to win less games and fall back in terms of point totals.

Maybe we go back to 96 points being enough to make the playoffs.

It is a doable target for Sens.

Another solid game against Finland. Can't be taking all those penalties though. Ottawa would be insane to trade away Greig. What a game he plays!

I stand by my earlier statement that Grieg has limited potential NHL upside, and will most likely be a 3rd line player.... but he's certainly found ways to stand out from the 3rd line of a team that's loaded with higher-end talent. He's eating up tough minutes, setting a physical tone, taking hard face-offs, and leading the PK effort. He's also somehow managed to tie Bedard in goal scoring despite having just 8 shots on goal, and been the only member of Team Canada to be named player of the game twice. Pretty much exactly the kind of player you need on your 3rd line to win, so it's good to see those key supporting pieces emerging from the prospect system.

Reminds me of a Curtis Lazar.

Reminds me of a Curtis Lazar.
- Octavarium

I had a similar thought and fear. Rooted in a concern that the physical part of his game will not translate well against NHL competition.

But he does score goals and that is the hardest challenge for any young player trying to move up to an NHL roster.