Pinto looks like a boss out there. If he is healthy, he should do a great job in the 3C role.
Brannstrom looked good on the PP but struggles with playing defence. I don't see a future here in Ottawa.
Shawn Simpson keeps calling for JBD to play with Chabot to start the season. I don't see why.
Thomson and Guennette seem to be the top D prospects (after Sanderson) with the potential to play bottom pairing minutes.
- SensFan25

I get along with Simmer very well....and I don't understand why he thinks JBD is above all the prospects on D. I just don't see it. He doesn't box out and lacks physical strength with the 1v1 battles, he lost the majority of them. For me that is a problem but it's also because he has only played a full season of pro. That's why I thnk of 3 on the bubble, he should be in Belleville for a full year. I said this at the end of last season, I saw him 3 times in person, he still has to grow his game at the pro level. Thomson for me is ahead of Brannstrom and JBD. Guenette, same as JBD, he needs at least another year in the AHL. Chabot said last year on two occasions when Thomson was called up that he liked playing with him the most outside of Zub! Thomson was getting 22-23 min a night too when in Ottawa!

JBD is steady and dependable defensively. Chabot would always know his back is covered and just like with Zub that would free up his offensive game.

That would allow Zub to play alongside Sanderson which is a far better option than Hamonic.

I also like Thomson but he's more of an offensive D and not that great defensively so not really a good partner for Chabot but I would take either of those guys before seeing Zaitsev playing alongside Chabot again. Chabot has also said he likes playing with Thomson so there's that.
- Whatisavailable

Hamonic is playing up one spot more than he's capable of, I truly would hope Thomson gets a crack at the top 4 for the first 8-10 games, not 2-3 games.....to start the year. This coaching staff needs to see what it has once and for all, even though it should have been done last year otherwise we wouldn't be having this question, that's the most frustrating part of this! I don't see any scenario where JBD is ahead of Thomson. Thomson - faster skates, great shot, can handle the PP, solid defensively and uses his size more than JBD physically.

From Simmer earlier today on Twitter -

Career goals.

Tkachuk 90
Norris 52
Stützle 34
Batherson 40

Debrincat 160

So let's start him on the 2nd PP unit.

On the latest Wally and Methot show, Methot totally buried Brannstrom. Just flat out said he is not an NHL player. Methot loved JBD so far. Wally thought Guenette was getting up to JBD level and may pass him.

Got to put Debrincat on the 2nd line. If he scores too many goals they can't sign him for less than 9 million!

On the latest Wally and Methot show, Methot totally buried Brannstrom. Just flat out said he is not an NHL player. Methot loved JBD so far. Wally thought Guenette was getting up to JBD level and may pass him.

Got to put Debrincat on the 2nd line. If he scores too many goals they can't sign him for less than 9 million!
- PogBoi

As we move towards a $96m cap, Sens should want to keep their top 6 combined salaries in the $48m range. Next year the top 5 salaries (Stutzle, Tkachuk, Chabot, Norris and Giroux are signed for $39m. Lots of cap space, plenty of room for DeBrincat. So, we want him to score 50 plus.

Next year the Sens will begin thinking about how they are going to fit Pinto and Sanderson into the mix. Bridge deals are dead, they are no longer an option for elite young talent.

So, we want DeBrincat to score over 50 this year. The revised cap will see lots of foolhardy teams thinking they now have lots of new cap space. But, an asset is an asset is an asset. Acquiring and flipping DeBrincat could be a strong trading move by any trader in any equity market. A trade might not get us Huberdeau and Weeger. But the Sens would add some serious depth making them contenders for a very long time.

Or, even better, DeBrincat sign for $9m.

On the latest Wally and Methot show, Methot totally buried Brannstrom. Just flat out said he is not an NHL player. Methot loved JBD so far. Wally thought Guenette was getting up to JBD level and may pass him.

Got to put Debrincat on the 2nd line. If he scores too many goals they can't sign him for less than 9 million!
- PogBoi

I don't understand why Thomson gets no love it seems.....but many are saying Brannstrom is just so done here and would struggle to get on any NHL roster.....JBD has been solid but right now Thomson is ahead of him on a few levels.

As for Debrincat, I truly wonder how they will keep him in less than 2 years, so let's enjoy him while we can.

Simmer is a fence sitter. He likes to stoke fires on both sides. I read his tweet and then heard him say on the radio "keep the power play units as is, and let the #1 unit from last year be the number 1# unit until they falter"

Like. Pick a side dude.

To me, it seems like an excellent top 6. Even with questionable coaching these men should be able to keep us competitive. The two goalies are both solid. We should be ok there. It's how--and who--this coach deploys on defense that will determine how well this team does.

Simmer is a fence sitter. He likes to stoke fires on both sides. I read his tweet and then heard him say on the radio "keep the power play units as is, and let the #1 unit from last year be the number 1# unit until they falter"

Like. Pick a side dude.

To me, it seems like an excellent top 6. Even with questionable coaching these men should be able to keep us competitive. The two goalies are both solid. We should be ok there. It's how--and who--this coach deploys on defense that will determine how well this team does.
- Octavarium

I understand the frustration. But, some of the logic is a bit wobbly.

If everything connects and the Sens add another top 4 player and they start the season by going on an 8-1-1 run, it does not mean that Smith is a great coach.

There are some exceptional coaches that make a difference (Brind'amour, Trotz, Quennville). There are some you don't want to let near your young players (Tortarella). And, there are even a few who have no experience and absolutely no idea what they are doing (Martin St Louis). I think the St Louis choice is brilliant. He will learn with the players and he will succeed with them in time. But, he will have their back.

Very few coaches actually make any difference one way or the other. Sometimes a jockey gets an upset win. More often than not the upset has to do with the favourites underperforming.

From Simmer earlier today on Twitter -

Career goals.

Tkachuk 90
Norris 52
Stützle 34
Batherson 40

Debrincat 160

So let's start him on the 2nd PP unit.
- Kevin Francis

Not going to lie, I had a similar first thought.

Leafs signed Sandin to a bridge deal.

He and JBD were drafted quite close to one another. If people could do it over, would theys till take JBD over Sandin?

Sandin certainly is farther along in his development, but they are different players, and one is a LHD compared to a RHD.

Not going to lie, I had a similar first thought.
- david22

I’ve been capping things for the start of the season in 8 days, trying to get a handle on all teams, DJ Smith made us a lot of money last year. Please let him keep his job lol

Leafs signed Sandin to a bridge deal.

He and JBD were drafted quite close to one another. If people could do it over, would theys till take JBD over Sandin?

Sandin certainly is farther along in his development, but they are different players, and one is a LHD compared to a RHD.
- david22

In my eyes both players have yet to meet expectations. Next two years will tell a lot

Smith is going to bury this team, and by the time he's out, it'll be too late. Dorion needs to step in some more.

At this point, I'm over Chycryn. Plays the wrong side and injury history. Yes, he's on a good contract, but I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze.

Play Zub with Sanderson to give him a chance. Play thompson/jbd with Chabot, then give Chabot some PK time and all the PP time. That'll get his minutes more in line with what they should be. Trade Zaitsev with the second and get him off the board.

Not having Debrincat on PP1 is insane. I love Stutzle, but he'd be better suited on PP2 to start with this group. He'll find his way into PP1 time eventually.

I think the expectations are too high this year, which means the crash is that much further when DJ starts this team 2-7.

Smith is going to bury this team, and by the time he's out, it'll be too late. Dorion needs to step in some more.

At this point, I'm over Chycryn. Plays the wrong side and injury history. Yes, he's on a good contract, but I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze.

Play Zub with Sanderson to give him a chance. Play thompson/jbd with Chabot, then give Chabot some PK time and all the PP time. That'll get his minutes more in line with what they should be. Trade Zaitsev with the second and get him off the board.

Not having Debrincat on PP1 is insane. I love Stutzle, but he'd be better suited on PP2 to start with this group. He'll find his way into PP1 time eventually.

I think the expectations are too high this year, which means the crash is that much further when DJ starts this team 2-7.
- CooCooKaChoo

If he starts 2-7 he likely won't make game 10. If he is 5-4 he is safe. If he is 7-2 he is probably elected mayor in a write in vote this November.

From Simmer earlier today on Twitter -

Career goals.

Tkachuk 90
Norris 52
Stützle 34
Batherson 40

Debrincat 160

So let's start him on the 2nd PP unit.
- Kevin Francis

....Yeah....

Last 2 seasons Goals Per Game / Per 82 Games

0.258 - Stutzle - 21.12 goals
0.287 - Giroux - 23.52 goals
0.333 - Batherson - 27.33 goals
0.348 - Tkachuk - 28.55 goals
0.426 - Norris - 34.95 goals
0.545 - DeBrincat - 44.67 goals

Here's the difference between offence and defense. Take out the top forward (whoever you think that is) vs taking out the top D-man. *Speaking of which, Thomas Chabot missed 30% of the season last year*

Here's what the defense looks like:

Nick Holden - Artem Zub
Erik Brannstrom - Nikita Zaitsev/Lassi Thomson
Jake Sanderson - Travis Hamonic

Now we see the value of adding a top 4 D-man

Here's the difference between offence and defense. Take out the top forward (whoever you think that is) vs taking out the top D-man. *Speaking of which, Thomas Chabot missed 30% of the season last year*

Here's what the defense looks like:

Nick Holden - Artem Zub
Erik Brannstrom - Nikita Zaitsev/Lassi Thomson
Jake Sanderson - Travis Hamonic

Now we see the value of adding a top 4 D-man
- AlfieisKing

Pretty amazing that people actually think Dorion is a wonderful GM. This issue needed to be addressed at least for 2 or 3 years but you can see what Dorion and Smith actually did. Now you want to give Dorion a green light to destroy the future of the franchise by grossly overpaying for an injury prone Left Shot LD in order to illicit cheers from the Dorion's summer crowd. Sorry but I'm not buying it.

Pretty amazing that people actually think Dorion is a wonderful GM. This issue needed to be addressed at least for 2 or 3 years but you can see what Dorion and Smith actually did. Now you want to give Dorion a green light to destroy the future of the franchise by grossly overpaying for an injury prone Left Shot LD in order to illicit cheers from the Dorion's summer crowd. Sorry but I'm not buying it.
- Whatisavailable

90%+ of the stuff I post on this site are thoughts I'm thinking at the time / playing around with. Opinions change, heck even in the NHL year to year, SO much changes.

Even now if NHL GMs ranked top D-men in the game RIGHT NOW, I'm not sure if Jakob Chychrun makes it in the top 50. I think he can easily play his way into the top 20-30 category if he has a good recovery (and likely will thrive if he gets traded somewhere AND stays healthy). People talk about trading for him because he's available, he's done A LOT by the age of 24, including he was 10th in Norris voting for the 2020-2021 season between Kris Letang and Devon Toews (ahead of guys like Carlsson and Josi), and he's at one of the best cap hits in the league - at least for D-men. I wouldn't trade a top tier prospect for him but I would certainly think about trading a guy like Pinto for him. We don't wtf Pinto will be yet - some talk about him like he's for sure going to be a consistent 20-25g amazing 2/3 c for years but we really don't know that.

When it comes to the GM I think he's done enough to not get him fired for sure and he's brought some really solid prospects together, acquired 2 amazing top 6 talents, now its time for him to make sure he keeps DJ and the rest of the team focused on improving big time or there has to be changes made

Pretty amazing that people actually think Dorion is a wonderful GM. This issue needed to be addressed at least for 2 or 3 years but you can see what Dorion and Smith actually did. Now you want to give Dorion a green light to destroy the future of the franchise by grossly overpaying for an injury prone Left Shot LD in order to illicit cheers from the Dorion's summer crowd. Sorry but I'm not buying it.
- Whatisavailable

I am grateful for Dorion and have said so many times for more than 5 years. We have had a lunatic running the asylum. He personalized every contract negotiation and forced outcomes including trades that were mind boggling in their stupidity. If anything, the past few months has demonstrated that Dorion is, in fact, a shrewd operator.

Long ago, many Sens fans concluded that the front office was psychologically disordered.

I understand that redemption for Dorion is not possible for those Sens fans who think Dorion willingly initiated the bizarre moves of the past five years and beyond.

On the other hand, there is probably a much larger portion of the fan base who are grateful that Dorion was able to intervene in the process and stop it from getting a lot more stupid.

90%+ of the stuff I post on this site are thoughts I'm thinking at the time / playing around with. Opinions change, heck even in the NHL year to year, SO much changes.

Even now if NHL GMs ranked top D-men in the game RIGHT NOW, I'm not sure if Jakob Chychrun makes it in the top 50. I think he can easily play his way into the top 20-30 category if he has a good recovery (and likely will thrive if he gets traded somewhere AND stays healthy). People talk about trading for him because he's available, he's done A LOT by the age of 24, including he was 10th in Norris voting for the 2020-2021 season between Kris Letang and Devon Toews (ahead of guys like Carlsson and Josi), and he's at one of the best cap hits in the league - at least for D-men. I wouldn't trade a top tier prospect for him but I would certainly think about trading a guy like Pinto for him. We don't wtf Pinto will be yet - some talk about him like he's for sure going to be a consistent 20-25g amazing 2/3 c for years but we really don't know that.

When it comes to the GM I think he's done enough to not get him fired for sure and he's brought some really solid prospects together, acquired 2 amazing top 6 talents, now its time for him to make sure he keeps DJ and the rest of the team focused on improving big time or there has to be changes made
- AlfieisKing

Good post.

I like Pinto a lot. I think he will get lots of top 6 minutes this year and will be the first one to move up on the depth charts when injuries occur.

Perhaps crazy. But, I think I like Pinto long term over Norris.

Norris might put up better career numbers. But, everything about Pinto makes me think this kid will be a difference maker in every game situation when it really matters.

Good post.

I like Pinto a lot. I think he will get lots of top 6 minutes this year and will be the first one to move up on the depth charts when injuries occur.

Perhaps crazy. But, I think I like Pinto long term over Norris.

Norris might put up better career numbers. But, everything about Pinto makes me think this kid will be a difference maker in every game situation when it really matters.
- spatso

Thanks Spatso

Wow, I never thought about Pinto playing in the top 6 but I'm listening to a podcast, talking a bit about him. It really sucks he got hurt last year because he looked like he was going to have one HECK of a season. The development of Josh Norris (along with the chemistry with Brady) certainly gives him the edge over a guy like Shane Pinto, but I really hope your right about Pinto because it will give the Sens TONS of options. They have Stutzle, Giroux can slide to center easily the next 3 years until Pinto reaches his full potential, and I think Ridly Grieg could play easily in the C slot (down the road).

It's a great problem to have but the difference between the Sens making the playoffs or competing for a spot but falling short could be the defense. They have vets that are past their best years and young players that have yet to make the type of progress you'd expect from former 1st round selections. It's still possible for things to work out if a JBD, Thomson, or Brannstrom take significant strides - heck I'm more bullish on Sanderson shocking people - but if that doesn't happen, it's too much to ask for Holden, Zaitsev, and Hamonic; at least I would be surprised if one of those vets plays amazing

Speaking of the Powerplay, lots of talk of DeBrincat (the 41 goal guy they gave up a top pick for) not being on PP1. It's a good discussion to have. Here's what I would start with ---- p.s. having JC from ARI would be HUGE

PP1:

--------------------- OP GOALIE ---------------------

. . . . . DeBrincat . . .Tkachuk . . . . Norris


. . . . . . Chabot <<< ? >>> Stutzle


PP2:

--------------------- OP GOALIE ---------------------

. . . . . Giroux . . . . Pinto . . . . Batherson


. . . . . Sanderson . . . . . . Brannstrom

Speaking of the Powerplay, lots of talk of DeBrincat (the 41 goal guy they gave up a top pick for) not being on PP1. It's a good discussion to have. Here's what I would start with ---- p.s. having JC from ARI would be HUGE

PP1:

--------------------- OP GOALIE ---------------------

. . . . . DeBrincat . . .Tkachuk . . . . Norris


. . . . . . Chabot <<< ? >>> Stutzle


PP2:

--------------------- OP GOALIE ---------------------

. . . . . Giroux . . . . Pinto . . . . Batherson


. . . . . Sanderson . . . . . . Brannstrom
- AlfieisKing

As an outsider, will Brannstrom make the team?

Report: Sens looking for top D-man; could be Mitch Marner

Report: Sens looking for top D-man; could be Mitch Marner
- AlfieisKing

he would be better than most sens current D....