I understand your point but I disagree that a 5th overall pick 2 years ago can't come in and play a stable and significant role in the back end. Jamie Drysdale did it, Quinn Hughes did it, Moritz Seider did it....heck even Luke Schenn did it.

I don't see why he should be an exception otherwise Dorion made another mistake. I'm not saying play him 22-24 min a night but he needs to play a role on the backend for sure
- AlfieisKing

I think much depends on his injury recovery.

I understand your point but I disagree that a 5th overall pick 2 years ago can't come in and play a stable and significant role in the back end. Jamie Drysdale did it, Quinn Hughes did it, Moritz Seider did it....heck even Luke Schenn did it.

I don't see why he should be an exception otherwise Dorion made another mistake. I'm not saying play him 22-24 min a night but he needs to play a role on the backend for sure
- AlfieisKing

First, I didn't say it couldn't be done. I said it was a big ask. D take more seasoning. Making an impact in a Top 4 roll that early is not "an exception". Time to develop is the norm.

Second, zero NHL games played with multiple hand injuries. Having two surgeries already is somewhat concerning.

First, I didn't say it couldn't be done. I said it was a big ask. D take more seasoning. Making an impact in a Top 4 roll that early is not "an exception". Time to develop is the norm.

Second, zero NHL games played with multiple hand injuries. Having two surgeries already is somewhat concerning.
- HoweHatrick

I agree. There is a huge difference between being able to work your way into the line up and winning a spot as a top 4 Dman versus coming to camp with the team counting on you to play top 4 minutes.

If this was the Sens of the past few years it might not be all that important. But, this year, everyone has elevated expectations and you don't want to put that kind of pressure on a rookie to deliver. If you are playing top 4 you will have to log minutes against the opposing teams top line. Kid might be able to do it. But that is very different than the team depending on him to take on that role as a rookie.

He's still lanky as hell, but he's probably going to end up in the 4 slot by the end of the year if his development trajectory is anything to go by.
- AdamFrench

agree

I agree. There is a huge difference between being able to work your way into the line up and winning a spot as a top 4 Dman versus coming to camp with the team counting on you to play top 4 minutes.

If this was the Sens of the past few years it might not be all that important. But, this year, everyone has elevated expectations and you don't want to put that kind of pressure on a rookie to deliver. If you are playing top 4 you will have to log minutes against the opposing teams top line. Kid might be able to do it. But that is very different than the team depending on him to take on that role as a rookie.
- spatso

Then it's a mistake for the Sens not to get a top 4 D-man. Bernard Docker, Thomson, Brannstrom -- they need to step up big time.

First, I didn't say it couldn't be done. I said it was a big ask. D take more seasoning. Making an impact in a Top 4 roll that early is not "an exception". Time to develop is the norm.

Second, zero NHL games played with multiple hand injuries. Having two surgeries already is somewhat concerning.
- HoweHatrick

It's a big ask to play in the NHL - but it's not big ask IMO for a 5th overall pick to come in and play as a 2nd pairing D-man at least for a portion of the games. Dorion talks about him being the best D-man outside the NHL, well then he needs to play a bigger role. Don't throw him in the fire but at least let him play with it.

Jamie Drysdale played 4th most mins for Ducks last season - I think Sanderson can handle 18-20 mins

Then it's a mistake for the Sens not to get a top 4 D-man. Bernard Docker, Thomson, Brannstrom -- they need to step up big time.



It's a big ask to play in the NHL - but it's not big ask IMO for a 5th overall pick to come in and play as a 2nd pairing D-man at least for a portion of the games. Dorion talks about him being the best D-man outside the NHL, well then he needs to play a bigger role. Don't throw him in the fire but at least let him play with it.

Jamie Drysdale played 4th most mins for Ducks last season - I think Sanderson can handle 18-20 mins
- AlfieisKing

Thankfully you are not the coach.

Thankfully you are not the coach.
- HoweHatrick

I think you are so wrong, Sanderson is the real deal! If healthy, Sens fans will be ecstatic. He was ranked ahead of Drysdale by most scouts and analysts for a reason, he is going to be a top D man in 2-3 years.

You never know until you see them on the ice. Brannstrom was a proudest day, take Dorion's predilection to hyperbole with a grain of salt, but it's not like there is huge internal competition for the 3-4 D man positions. Give Sanderson a real chance. Give Brannstrom a real chance. Wait and see, and cast aspersions once we have a sample size.

Thankfully you are not the coach.
- HoweHatrick

So what's your defensive lines coach? How are you deploying him since everything you say is so right.

And IF you are so confident then make the claim you absolutely sure he shouldn't/won't play 4 mins because I think it's bs to think that isn't a legit possibility. You think Jake Sanderson can't play behind Thomas Chabot on the left side for portions of this season? C'mon.

This isn't a Lassi Thomson or Jacob Bernard Docker - this is a guy that we selected FIFTH OVERALL in one of the deepest drafts in recent memory. He was selected as the TOP F*cking d-man in the entire draft.

Braden Schneider played 15:29 on a DEEP Rangers blueline. Jamie Drysdale played almost 20 mins last season. Don't tell me it's a bad coaching move when the guy has wheels to burn and now TWO full seasons after being drafted

You never know until you see them on the ice. Brannstrom was a proudest day, take Dorion's predilection to hyperbole with a grain of salt, but it's not like there is huge internal competition for the 3-4 D man positions. Give Sanderson a real chance. Give Brannstrom a real chance. Wait and see, and cast aspersions once we have a sample size.
- Bartacus

I think you are so wrong, Sanderson is the real deal! If healthy, Sens fans will be ecstatic. He was ranked ahead of Drysdale by most scouts and analysts for a reason, he is going to be a top D man in 2-3 years.
- Barrykerr1

exactly

the guy has played like 50 or so meaningful games in the past three years. He's been living on a tread mill. His hand, while '100% healed" is made of glass now.

I have him slotted behind Thompson and about the same as JBD. Somehow the coach will manage to screw this up.

the guy has played like 50 or so meaningful games in the past three years. He's been living on a tread mill. His hand, while '100% healed" is made of glass now.

I have him slotted behind Thompson and about the same as JBD. Somehow the coach will manage to screw this up.
- Octavarium

There's literally no way DJ has Thomson penciled in ahead of Sanderson on the depth chart right now, or even Brannstrom for that matter. It's possible they might shelter his minutes very early in the season, or play a kind of #1-#3a/#3b defence arrangement where everyone not named Chabot or Zub plays ~18min/GP... but the job will be Sanderson's to lose going into training camp. As for the hand, it seems to have been more like one injury followed by a bizarre accident. So we may not be in Bobby Ryan territory just yet.

Mendes is saying on Twitter that Stutzle has been signed to an 8 year x $8.35M deal!

Fantastic news if it's true.

Mendes is saying on Twitter that Stutzle has been signed to an 8 year x $8.35M deal!

Fantastic news if it's true.
- SensFan25

Confirmed...
https://www.tsn.ca/tim-st...ottawa-senators-1.1845706

It certainly gives them a clear team salary construct to operate within, given that all of Chabot, Tkachuk, Norris, and Stutzle have signed long-term in the $7.95M-$8.35M range. Guess we'll see what kind of pressure that exerts on the likes of DeBrincat and Sanderson to eventually follow suite (as the only other players on the team in that kind of quality-tier).

Mendes is saying on Twitter that Stutzle has been signed to an 8 year x $8.35M deal!

Fantastic news if it's true.
- SensFan25

Not sure "fantastic" is the word I would use.

Not sure "fantastic" is the word I would use.
- AdamFrench

How so? Do you think it's too much at this stage?

May be a little premature, but him being a good fit for that money is very realistic, in my opinion.

This is similar to the Norris deal. I'd say he has a better chance of being a good signing than Norris though.

They clearly thinkg he is due for a major breakout year. He'll be playing with some much better linemates this year too.

How so? Do you think it's too much at this stage?

May be a little premature, but him being a good fit for that money is very realistic, in my opinion.

This is similar to the Norris deal. I'd say he has a better chance of being a good signing than Norris though.
- david22

Love the term and hope the cap ages well (like Draisaitl), but 8.3 is a TON for a guy who hasn't hit 60 points yet and still hasn't found his position slotting in the NHL. I'm guessing we'll be seeing a lot of these long term banking on the cap increase deals to age them well moves.

Ok.

khawk. You don't think the coach has Thompson penciled higher? LOL....This coach was playing AHL defensmen over proven NHL talent. Trust me, if Brown was still here, he'd be slotted in with Zaitsev in the top 4. That's not an exageration --We LIVED IT!!!

Interesting about Stutzle. I wonder why the wait on Zub then?

Love the term and hope the cap ages well (like Draisaitl), but 8.3 is a TON for a guy who hasn't hit 60 points yet and still hasn't found his position slotting in the NHL. I'm guessing we'll be seeing a lot of these long term banking on the cap increase deals to age them well moves.
- AdamFrench

yeah this is a big bet, especially with Debrincat needing a new contract next year too.

Ok.

khawk. You don't think the coach has Thompson penciled higher? LOL....This coach was playing AHL defensmen over proven NHL talent. Trust me, if Brown was still here, he'd be slotted in with Zaitsev in the top 4. That's not an exageration --We LIVED IT!!!

Interesting about Stutzle. I wonder why the wait on Zub then?
- Octavarium

I'll admint I haven't watched much, if any of Thomson. Most analysts i've read though have him being more ready for teh 23 -24 season.

Which is opposed to many on this site who feel he should be ready for this year. Is he really ready and at a point to start next season with the big club?

You never know until you see them on the ice.
- Bartacus

Period. Slotting him in as a top 4 is not smart. Letting him earn the roll is.

I think you are so wrong, Sanderson is the real deal! If healthy, Sens fans will be ecstatic. He was ranked ahead of Drysdale by most scouts and analysts for a reason, he is going to be a top D man in 2-3 years.
- Barrykerr1

He hasn't played a single game yet.

yeah this is a big bet, especially with Debrincat needing a new contract next year too.
- BINGO!

Very similar production to Svechnikov in his first 2 years with an inferior supporting cast/linemates/defence.
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/pl...echnikov?player_id=314742
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/pl...e-386512?player_id=386512

It is a big bet but a bet with excellent odds of being a good deal for the team.