Where is every single person questioning whether I wanted to play this guy in the top 4 / 2nd pairing?

Dawson Mercer played 82 games. Lucas Raymond has played 82. I get their forwards, Braden Schneider played 43 games last year and 20 playoff games. Jamie Drysdale drafted right after Sanderson has 105 under his belt. There's no doubt that Sanderson can NOT play and play a lot if he's healthy and not showing significant issues
- AlfieisKing

I believe the guys who think Sanderson should not play top 4 minutes appear primarily concerned about not wanting to load too much pressure on his shoulders in his rookie season. After the first 10 games we will know if he can handle it.

I would still like for them to add a big physical presence in one of the pairings. Someone who can hack and whack and take care of business in front of our net. Need to make their forwards pay a physical price when they try crowding our goalie.

G: Forsberg, Talbot, Sogaard, Bibeau

F: Tkachuk Batherson Norris Giroux Stützle DeBrincat Joseph Pinto Motte Greig Brassard Kelly Watson Kastelic Sabourin Gambrell Hawryluk

D: Chabot Zub Sanderson Hamonic
Holden Brannstrom JBD Larsson Zaitsev

7 more moves needed to get roster down to 23....Sogaard, Bibeau, Sabourin, Greig, Hawryluk, Larsson and Zaitsev.

I so hated the Zibanejad trade that I could never warm up to Brassard. But, with this very young team he might be an outstanding depth addition.

Still want to see the addition of a top 4 man.

Love this team.

G: Forsberg, Talbot, Sogaard, Bibeau

F: Tkachuk Batherson Norris Giroux Stützle DeBrincat Joseph Pinto Motte Greig Brassard Kelly Watson Kastelic Sabourin Gambrell Hawryluk

D: Chabot Zub Sanderson Hamonic
Holden Brannstrom JBD Larsson Zaitsev

7 more moves needed to get roster down to 23....Sogaard, Bibeau, Sabourin, Greig, Hawryluk, Larsson and Zaitsev.

I so hated the Zibanejad trade that I could never warm up to Brassard. But, with this very young team he might be an outstanding depth addition.

Still want to see the addition of a top 4 man.

Love this team.
- spatso

The only difference I see is that Smith will opt to keep Zaitsev as opposed to JBD.

I believe the guys who think Sanderson should not play top 4 minutes appear primarily concerned about not wanting to load too much pressure on his shoulders in his rookie season. After the first 10 games we will know if he can handle it.

I would still like for them to add a big physical presence in one of the pairings. Someone who can hack and whack and take care of business in front of our net. Need to make their forwards pay a physical price when they try crowding our goalie.
- spatso

I understand.... but I also have a hard time believing guys like Sanderson can't handle being on the 2nd pair - especially when Chabot and Zub will be playing against top lines. With that said, I am concerned about his partner - I wish he had a guy like Zub on his line (or Zaitsev was his old self).
I agree 100% about the D-man. I don't get why the team KNEW they were in need a top 4D man for so long and yet didn't address that big need. Hopefully some people surprise on the right side soon

I believe the guys who think Sanderson should not play top 4 minutes appear primarily concerned about not wanting to load too much pressure on his shoulders in his rookie season. After the first 10 games we will know if he can handle it.

I would still like for them to add a big physical presence in one of the pairings. Someone who can hack and whack and take care of business in front of our net. Need to make their forwards pay a physical price when they try crowding our goalie.
- spatso

I understand.... but I also have a hard time believing guys like Sanderson can't handle being on the 2nd pair - especially when Chabot and Zub will be playing against top lines. With that said, I am concerned about his partner - I wish he had a guy like Zub on his line (or Zaitsev was his old self).
I agree 100% about the D-man. I don't get why the team KNEW they were in need a top 4D man for so long and yet didn't address that big need. Hopefully some people surprise on the right side soon

Sending Lassi Thomson to Belleville makes no sense, JBD isnt ready, he's too soft and not nearly physical enough.

Sending Lassi Thomson to Belleville makes no sense, JBD isnt ready, he's too soft and not nearly physical enough.
- Kevin Francis

Don't worry. Smith won't be playing JBD either. Or maybe Dorion is wanting to offer up JBD in a trade.

Don't worry. Smith won't be playing JBD either. Or maybe Dorion is wanting to offer up JBD in a trade.
- Whatisavailable

Time will tell! But man, don't get me started!

Don't worry. Smith won't be playing JBD either. Or maybe Dorion is wanting to offer up JBD in a trade.
- Whatisavailable

I had the same first reaction. JBD stays because he is an apple being polished as part of a trade package offer.

Before the summer started my #1 trade target was Seth Jones. Still want to see some size and jam added on the back end. Jones is probably no longer viable given the cap commitments the Sens have taken on. But, they still need a physical presence to take care of business in front of their own net.

"Kent Hughes, GM of the Montreal Canadiens called Slafkovsky's pre-season underwhelming"

Not much reported yet, but there is already a simmering discomfort within the Habs faithful. Interesting to see how the story evolves over the next few games as the Sens continue this extended exhibition series against the Canadiens.

Eric Engels offered up a preemptive excuse when he called the Sens development approach a "scorched earth" program. He tries to contrast how the Habs have decided to protect their rookie prospects and not make the same mistake that Ottawa has by rushing prospects too quickly into the fray. He actually throws out some of the names from the list that includes players like Chabot, Batherson, Tkachuk, Norris, Stutzle, Pinto and Sanderson and, at the same time, Engles suggests Ottawa should have been more patient with Colin White. And, he implies, maybe he (Colin White) best represents the failure of the Sens overall development program. Clearly, a most desperate reach in logic by Engels.

Methinks somebody in Montreal is hitting a panic button hard and the Slafkofsky draft and Dach trade are already beginning to unravel even before the season starts.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...nadiens-rebuild-strategy/

His take was ridiculous, I agree.
But I for one will be watching Colin White's career closely now that he's left.

His take was ridiculous, I agree.
But I for one will be watching Colin White's career closely now that he's left.
- Octavarium

Colin White is pretty simple for me. White is in Florida and Giroux is in Ottawa.

Frank Seravelli:

Sens are the team pushing hardest for Jakob Chychrun (this morning Fan 590).

"Kent Hughes, GM of the Montreal Canadiens called Slafkovsky's pre-season underwhelming"

Not much reported yet, but there is already a simmering discomfort within the Habs faithful. Interesting to see how the story evolves over the next few games as the Sens continue this extended exhibition series against the Canadiens.

Eric Engels offered up a preemptive excuse when he called the Sens development approach a "scorched earth" program. He tries to contrast how the Habs have decided to protect their rookie prospects and not make the same mistake that Ottawa has by rushing prospects too quickly into the fray. He actually throws out some of the names from the list that includes players like Chabot, Batherson, Tkachuk, Norris, Stutzle, Pinto and Sanderson and, at the same time, Engles suggests Ottawa should have been more patient with Colin White. And, he implies, maybe he (Colin White) best represents the failure of the Sens overall development program. Clearly, a most desperate reach in logic by Engels.

Methinks somebody in Montreal is hitting a panic button hard and the Slafkofsky draft and Dach trade are already beginning to unravel even before the season starts.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...nadiens-rebuild-strategy/
- spatso

That is hilarious considering it is MTL who (frank)ed up not one but TWO third OA centers by rushing them into the NHL

"Kent Hughes, GM of the Montreal Canadiens called Slafkovsky's pre-season underwhelming"

Not much reported yet, but there is already a simmering discomfort within the Habs faithful. Interesting to see how the story evolves over the next few games as the Sens continue this extended exhibition series against the Canadiens.

Eric Engels offered up a preemptive excuse when he called the Sens development approach a "scorched earth" program. He tries to contrast how the Habs have decided to protect their rookie prospects and not make the same mistake that Ottawa has by rushing prospects too quickly into the fray. He actually throws out some of the names from the list that includes players like Chabot, Batherson, Tkachuk, Norris, Stutzle, Pinto and Sanderson and, at the same time, Engles suggests Ottawa should have been more patient with Colin White. And, he implies, maybe he (Colin White) best represents the failure of the Sens overall development program. Clearly, a most desperate reach in logic by Engels.

Methinks somebody in Montreal is hitting a panic button hard and the Slafkofsky draft and Dach trade are already beginning to unravel even before the season starts.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...nadiens-rebuild-strategy/
- spatso

Dach signing was dumb, he not done anything to merit 3m+,slaf still not played a regular season game, needs time to adjust properly to NA ice, but if he ends up like wickenheiser, heads will roll fast

"Kent Hughes, GM of the Montreal Canadiens called Slafkovsky's pre-season underwhelming"

Not much reported yet, but there is already a simmering discomfort within the Habs faithful. Interesting to see how the story evolves over the next few games as the Sens continue this extended exhibition series against the Canadiens.

Eric Engels offered up a preemptive excuse when he called the Sens development approach a "scorched earth" program. He tries to contrast how the Habs have decided to protect their rookie prospects and not make the same mistake that Ottawa has by rushing prospects too quickly into the fray. He actually throws out some of the names from the list that includes players like Chabot, Batherson, Tkachuk, Norris, Stutzle, Pinto and Sanderson and, at the same time, Engles suggests Ottawa should have been more patient with Colin White. And, he implies, maybe he (Colin White) best represents the failure of the Sens overall development program. Clearly, a most desperate reach in logic by Engels.

Methinks somebody in Montreal is hitting a panic button hard and the Slafkofsky draft and Dach trade are already beginning to unravel even before the season starts.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...nadiens-rebuild-strategy/
- spatso

A lot of the young players on the Sens lack fundamentals and detail required to play the NHL game the right way. But it should be rectified when they bring in a real NHL coach.

That article is a joke and the fact that someone was paid to write it proves how unfair the world is.
What is his explanation for Logan Brown then?
Maybe it is just that Pierre Dorion has a weakness in finding adequate Top Tier centremen in the draft.
The only thing stopping this Senators team from being a contender is the Defense and the Coach.
Chabot spent an entire year learning from Erik freaking Karlsson.
Norris and Batherson baked for awhile to become what they are.
The only two top guys for the Sens that weren't sheltered were Tkachuk and Stutzle and Tkachuk just straight up doesn't need that type of thing and Stutzle now has Giroux for mentorship.
Colin White is just another Zach Smith. People thought they were good cuz they benefitted from Mark Stone doing what he does which is turnover pucks and make everyone around him better. Shame Ottawa couldn't keep Stone around (but his current contract isn't the most ideal thing).

Frank Seravelli:
Sens are the team pushing hardest for Jakob Chychrun (this morning Fan 590).
- spatso

Pretty sure I heard the same thing in July. And then in August... more of the same in September...

The day-to-day churn around the Chychrun trade is like watching reruns of a second-rate soap opera. It would be near-impossible for ARI to get Pinto at this point, given the pre-season he's had... so I guess we're back to the uber-vague "1st round pick, a high-end prospect, and one or two more pieces" speculation. Personally, I think you'll see a third team involved before the end of it, because I just don't see ARI being overly keen on the prospects the Senators are most open to moving, or wanting to be on the hook for any more of Zaitsev's contract than absolutely necessary to hit the salary cap floor.

That article is a joke and the fact that someone was paid to write it proves how unfair the world is.
- TDBSenatoR

Agreed... it's pretty funny that Matheson is regarded as some kind of genius addition for MTL before he's even played a single game, and without mention of them losing Ryan Poehling in the process (who at one point looked like a future star)... yet the OTT additions of 'veteran D-men' like Gudbranson, Zaitsev, Brown, and Hamonic have been routinely panned as Dorion congesting the development opportunities for the team's young D-men. Do they really expect Matheson to be a better defenceman than Guhle/Barron for more than maybe 1/4yrs of his remaining contract term? And if not, why will it be okay for Guhle/Barron to play top-4 minutes at age ~21, and not Chabot?

Also, if you're going to mention the historical track record of other teams, how about something about having virtually nothing to show for 7 straight 1st round picks from 2009-2015? Or the fact that this is the same team with a history of unwisely throwing away D-men like McDonagh, Sergachev, and Romanov for pennies on the dollar? What about the 100% unnecessary drama of drafting Logan Mailloux when he didn't even want to be draft-eligible? Or the entire Kotkaniemi drama... from the poor decision to draft him at #3, to the crazy way he was lost? Lest we forget the recent controversary around Wright vs. Slafkovsky, which resulted in audible boos in their own stadium.

Guess we'll see how it goes, but I don't see any more wisdom in their approach than other teams facing a major rebuild.

Agreed... it's pretty funny that Matheson is regarded as some kind of genius addition for MTL before he's even played a single game, and without mention of them losing Ryan Poehling in the process (who at one point looked like a future star)... yet the OTT additions of 'veteran D-men' like Gudbranson, Zaitsev, Brown, and Hamonic have been routinely panned as Dorion congesting the development opportunities for the team's young D-men. Do they really expect Matheson to be a better defenceman than Guhle/Barron for more than maybe 1/4yrs of his remaining contract term? And if not, why will it be okay for Guhle/Barron to play top-4 minutes at age ~21, and not Chabot?

Also, if you're going to mention the historical track record of other teams, how about something about having virtually nothing to show for 7 straight 1st round picks from 2009-2015? Or the fact that this is the same team with a history of unwisely throwing away D-men like McDonagh, Sergachev, and Romanov for pennies on the dollar? What about the 100% unnecessary drama of drafting Logan Mailloux when he didn't even want to be draft-eligible? Or the entire Kotkaniemi drama... from the poor decision to draft him at #3, to the crazy way he was lost? Lest we forget the recent controversary around Wright vs. Slafkovsky, which resulted in audible boos in their own stadium.

Guess we'll see how it goes, but I don't see any more wisdom in their approach than other teams facing a major rebuild.
- khawk

Smok'n hot response A+.

Talbot out 4 to 6 weeks. Sens claim Hellberg off Kraken.

Talbot out 4 to 6 weeks. Sens claim Hellberg off Kraken.
- GrimmdaGoalie

This is f**king terrible. The Sens have had HORRIBLE starts to the season the past few years - and now their going into it with who behind Chabot? and 2 goalies that have a COMBINED 107 games played in the NHL. Hell for sure

Talbot out 4 to 6 weeks. Sens claim Hellberg off Kraken.
- GrimmdaGoalie

They're relatively lucky this injury happened right at waivers time, which allows them to add some depth without being held over the barrel in trade. Hellberg is a decent back-up option, who's played very well in the KHL the past few years, and been in a lot of significant games for SWE recently at both the Olympics and World Championships. He's also a former product of Nashville's goaltender development system, which is as good as any in the NHL. Plus, he's 6'6/210, which fits in nicely with the team's apparent fetish for massive Scandinavian back-ups (Nilsson, Hogberg, Sogaard, Reidler).

On the flip side, I'm not sure whether any NHL team has ever started a season with two goaltenders that were acquired via waivers. That said, I'd rather go with Forsberg/Hellberg then having Murray around, so I guess it's still more positive to where they were at in 2021/22.

Talbot out 4 to 6 weeks. Sens claim Hellberg off Kraken.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Let's hope this is a one off and not a sign of things to come. Talbot didn't get many pre-season reps so hopefully that won't hurt him when he does come back.

They're relatively lucky this injury happened right at waivers time, which allows them to add some depth without being held over the barrel in trade. Hellberg is a decent back-up option, who's played very well in the KHL the past few years, and been in a lot of significant games for SWE recently at both the Olympics and World Championships. He's also a former product of Nashville's goaltender development system, which is as good as any in the NHL. Plus, he's 6'6/210, which fits in nicely with the team's apparent fetish for massive Scandinavian back-ups (Nilsson, Hogberg, Sogaard, Reidler).

On the flip side, I'm not sure whether any NHL team has ever started a season with two goaltenders that were acquired via waivers. That said, I'd rather go with Forsberg/Hellberg then having Murray around, so I guess it's still more positive to where they were at in 2021/22.
- khawk

Did you see the story where Murray is now practicing wearing blinders to restrict his peripheral vision and concentrate on his following the puck. If this were a made up story nobody would believe it.