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
- AlfieisKing

I am not sure your reading comprehension is great. There isn't much point discussing anything with someone who cannot read and comprehend what is being relayed.

Signing Stutzle is wonderful move and brilliant timing in the anticipation of cap increase. As a group, these kids are no longer merely contending for a playoff spot. No guarantees, but they have essentially locked into the group they believe can challenge for a Cup.

I am really excited. Will be even more excited when they lock in Zub and add Chychrun (or a reasonable facsimile).

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.
- SensFan25

Yeah that's exactly what I thought of too. i don't hate it. In fact I like it better than the Norris gamble, but it still surprises me.

Yeah that's exactly what I thought of too. i don't hate it. In fact I like it better than the Norris gamble, but it still surprises me.
- BINGO!

Multiple ways of looking at this. Do not discount the priority given to the idea that you have a potential ownership group looking at buying a franchise with all their young stars locked into long term reasonable deals.

Has anyone seen or heard of Kevin Francis? Does he only write when he has something critical to say about the Sens? All the good news coming out of the organization lately must be killing him. Makes his blog look pretty bad if you ask anyone with any shred of credibility. I mean, signing Brannstrom for cheap, locking in your future superstar long term, some alumni accepting internal positions and ticket sales going through the roof... what is there to talk (write) about, hey Kevin?!?!

Signing Stutzle is wonderful move and brilliant timing in the anticipation of cap increase. As a group, these kids are no longer merely contending for a playoff spot. No guarantees, but they have essentially locked into the group they believe can challenge for a Cup.

I am really excited. Will be even more excited when they lock in Zub and add Chychrun (or a reasonable facsimile).
- spatso

I don't mind this signing at all, especially when compared to the Norris deal. I mind the Sens don't believe in a show-me or bridge contract. Maybe that's the cost of doing business as Ottawa?

Good news. Great signing. This contract should age very well. I will be interested to see what happens with Zub and Formenton.

If the cap doesn't rise a year earlier than expected things could get really sticky. All they need is to get through two more years and then they should be set with all their best players locked up for years and a rising cap. I hope they're not forced to dump good players for peanuts next year to make room for the 9 million guy they can't unload.

When Seravalli first projected out the cap numbers for the next few years, that jump was just under $6MM, to a total of $91.4MM. Remember though, that was for the 2026-27 season, meaning if the escrow is paid off a year earlier, it will come in a little under that number.

For now, the league is still limited to $1MM increases. Next season will have a cap ceiling of $82.5MM, 2023-24 is expected to be $83.5MM, and 2024-25 will have an $84.5MM. But as the entire world has learned since early 2020–don’t take projections as gospel.

I think there are 9 teams currently over the cap so that may be a factor forcing some kind of accommodation.

All this makes the DeBrincat trade seem even more outstanding.

The Brady cap (bench mark) has become very real with the Norris and Stutzle signings.

Not unreasonable to use the $8.5m number for discussions with Debrincat. Especially true if Timmy outperforms him in scoring this coming year.

If they can sign DeBrincat at $8.5m long term it would put the Sens payroll on their top 6 contracts at $48m or exactly 50% of the projected cap ($96.0m). If not, the Sens will get a very good return on a DeBrincat trade should he choose not to resign. But I will be disappointed if he does not resign. Players want to play for a winner and they want to play for their teammates. These young Sens are growing up together and they are a team.

By way of comparison the Leafs top 6 contracts now eat up 65% of their cap. With the large increases due Matthews, Marner and Nylander they will likely not be able to gain any improvement in their overall cap management.

Make no mistake, Dorion has done better than merely hitting a home run. It is a grand slam!

But, they need to pay the price and add Chychrun to the roster.

All this makes the DeBrincat trade seem even more outstanding.

The Brady cap (bench mark) has become very real with the Norris and Stutzle signings.

Not unreasonable to use the $8.5m number for discussions with Debrincat. Especially true if Timmy outperforms him in scoring this coming year.

If they can sign DeBrincat at $8.5m long term it would put the Sens payroll on their top 6 contracts at $48m or exactly 50% of the projected cap ($96.0m). If not, the Sens will get a very good return on a DeBrincat trade should he choose not to resign. But I will be disappointed if he does not resign. Players want to play for a winner and they want to play for their teammates. These young Sens are growing up together and they are a team.

By way of comparison the Leafs top 6 contracts now eat up 65% of their cap. With the large increases due Matthews, Marner and Nylander they will likely not be able to gain any improvement in their overall cap management.

Make no mistake, Dorion has done better than merely hitting a home run. It is a grand slam!

But, they need to pay the price and add Chychrun to the roster.
- spatso

Unless he can be had for a steal, I would like to see DeBrincat play a few games before a contract offer is made.

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!!!
- Octavarium

Apples and oranges... we're not talking about veterans who have played for DJ's teams in the past, and probably earned a measure of his respect for eating tough minutes. Sanderson is coming into the league as a one of the highest-potential young D-men in the entire NHL. He might play his way down the lineup in training camp, but you're fooling yourself if you think Thomson has any kind of edge on a roster spot just because he played in a few NHL games last year. And I'm saying that as someone who thinks Thomson is probably NHL-ready, with top-4 potential.

Love this post.

@MikeKellyNHL

Stutzle falls into the category of players I would bet on. At 20-years old, an elite puck mover & one of the best in the league already beating defenders 1v1.

Open-Ice Dekes
Last Season, Per Game

1. McDavid: 6.6
2. Kaprizov: 5.2
3. Barzal: 5.1
4. MacKinnon: 5.1
5. Stutzle: 5.0

Stutzle 8 years ----woohoooo!!!

guess that means Cat is gone they wont have the room for a 9M guy next year

I am not sure your reading comprehension is great. There isn't much point discussing anything with someone who cannot read and comprehend what is being relayed.
- HoweHatrick

..... your intelligence is far beyond everyone's comprehension, is that it?

Relax man, it's simple - you think he needs more time to mature or not play a top 4 role, and I disagree. I think he's ready to play top 4 minutes and the team will need that. Sometimes it's a balance between what's best for the player and what's best for the team. His development will not be affected if he's the real deal - and he is. This guy is a straight shooter and leader already

guess that means Cat is gone they wont have the room for a 9M guy next year
- Mithos

No! I don't think so. The math is actually pretty good. They should be able to add DeBrincat plus Zub at $5m and swap out Zaitsev for Chichrun.

Cap increases will allow them to handle Pinto and Sanderson. It is tight but there is a clear path to be able to pull it all together.

Saw Bruce Firestone quote earlier today saying that 50% of the value of an NHL franchise is represented in the quality of the players. If I was sitting on my share of the $.6b in spare cash needed to close the deal, I would be very excited about being able to jump into this ownership group.

No! I don't think so. The math is actually pretty good. They should be able to add DeBrincat plus Zub at $5m and swap out Zaitsev for Chichrun.

Cap increases will allow them to handle Pinto and Sanderson. It is tight but there is a clear path to be able to pull it all together.

Saw Bruce Firestone quote earlier today saying that 50% of the value of an NHL franchise is represented in the quality of the players. If I was sitting on my share of the $.6b in spare cash needed to close the deal, I would be very excited about being able to jump into this ownership group.
- spatso

I’m ok not adding a defense play
Chabot Zub
Sanderson Brannstrom
Holden Hamonic

Sign Zub now
Then ya get rid of Zeitsev Now even if it cost a 2nd ...then Hamonic Holden Watson Brannstrom Gambrell trade deadline then bring up JBD Thomson Heatherington Grieg Kastelic

I’m ok not adding a defense play
Chabot Zub
Sanderson Brannstrom
Holden Hamonic

Sign Zub now
Then ya get rid of Zeitsev Now even if it cost a 2nd ...then Hamonic Holden Watson Brannstrom Gambrell trade deadline then bring up JBD Thomson Heatherington Grieg Kastelic
- sens4life1971

If it ony costs a second to move Zaitsev, I'd say do it yesterday.

No! I don't think so. The math is actually pretty good. They should be able to add DeBrincat plus Zub at $5m and swap out Zaitsev for Chichrun.

Cap increases will allow them to handle Pinto and Sanderson. It is tight but there is a clear path to be able to pull it all together.

Saw Bruce Firestone quote earlier today saying that 50% of the value of an NHL franchise is represented in the quality of the players. If I was sitting on my share of the $.6b in spare cash needed to close the deal, I would be very excited about being able to jump into this ownership group.
- spatso

I still can't get over how different these signings feel as a Sens fan. After so many years of internal budgets, to see this is a great feeling, even if we are aware they are a bit of a risk. Really shows a knew committment, and faith in this team's core.

..... your intelligence is far beyond everyone's comprehension, is that it?

Relax man, it's simple - you think he needs more time to mature or not play a top 4 role, and I disagree. I think he's ready to play top 4 minutes and the team will need that. Sometimes it's a balance between what's best for the player and what's best for the team. His development will not be affected if he's the real deal - and he is. This guy is a straight shooter and leader already
- AlfieisKing

You see, this post tells me you have not comprehended what I have written.

You haven't seen him play a single NHL game, an AHL game, a professional exhibition game, nor participate in an NHL training camp and you are good to declare him Top 4 worthy. That's simply foolish.

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

Those are easy words - just a few syllables. I can't make that any more clear and you apparently cannot figure that out on your own.

This is time wasted. No more, thanks.

Some people may not like the Stutzle contract, but that number wasn’t going down after a year with Debrincat and Giroux.

At some point guys will have to sign for less than 8 years, but what a great problem to have. Can’t sign Debrincat? Trade him out. His value *should* still be good.

A lot of anger at people saying Sanderson might not be a top 4 right away. I hope he can step right in, but it usually takes more than 0 games for a D man to figure out the NHL. Even great ones.

It’s a lot of pressure and expectation for a guy that’s never played NHL and is coming off injury. But based on the Sens ‘adequate’ D, there likely won’t be much choice.

What's more foolish than declaring a prospect "Top 4 ready" before his first training camp?

Sometimes it's a balance between what's best for the player and what's best for the team.
- AlfieisKing

Suggesting that there are any instances where sacrificing even a portion of a blue chip prospect's development curve would be worth it for the Senator's upcoming 22-23 season.

If it ony costs a second to move Zaitsev, I'd say do it yesterday.
- david22

I fell like the inclusion of Zaitsev is the holdup in the deal with AZ

All this makes the DeBrincat trade seem even more outstanding.

The Brady cap (bench mark) has become very real with the Norris and Stutzle signings.

Not unreasonable to use the $8.5m number for discussions with Debrincat. Especially true if Timmy outperforms him in scoring this coming year.

If they can sign DeBrincat at $8.5m long term it would put the Sens payroll on their top 6 contracts at $48m or exactly 50% of the projected cap ($96.0m). If not, the Sens will get a very good return on a DeBrincat trade should he choose not to resign. But I will be disappointed if he does not resign. Players want to play for a winner and they want to play for their teammates. These young Sens are growing up together and they are a team.

By way of comparison the Leafs top 6 contracts now eat up 65% of their cap. With the large increases due Matthews, Marner and Nylander they will likely not be able to gain any improvement in their overall cap management.

Make no mistake, Dorion has done better than merely hitting a home run. It is a grand slam!

But, they need to pay the price and add Chychrun to the roster.
- spatso

If they came get him to sign at $8.5m they do that NOW. He has done more over more years than Timmy. The problem is if the Cat score 35 goals this year, he's going to get $9.5m at least in open market.

If they came get him to sign at $8.5m they do that NOW. He has done more over more years than Timmy. The problem is if the Cat score 35 goals this year, he's going to get $9.5m at least in open market.
- GrimmdaGoalie

For me, it is not so much a production question. I think it is more to do with how he fits in and if he wants to be here long term. Playing a few games, feeling the locker room and getting to know the boys might help that contract shake out more favorable for the Senators.