Apparently Rangers are taking calls on Lafreniere. They are asking for 1st in return.

Skating seems to be his issue.

He is not a fit on the Sens 1st or 2nd line. He would be a 3rd liner. I don't think the Sens have any interest.
- spatso

I'm certain there's some team that would take a chance on hm, maybe one with a more secure playoff position if they hold fast on needing a first.

P

I'm certain there's some team that would take a chance on hm, maybe one with a more secure playoff position if they hold fast on needing a first.

P
- david22

not for a first they wont, maybe a 2nd

Apparently Rangers are taking calls on Lafreniere. They are asking for 1st in return.

Skating seems to be his issue.

He is not a fit on the Sens 1st or 2nd line. He would be a 3rd liner. I don't think the Sens have any interest.
- spatso

If the Sens are going to be picking in the middle of the draft or at least out of the top ten I would trade that for Lafreniere in a heartbeat. He won't be costing much salary wise and he's got a ton of skill. Don't know where you picked up the skating issue from but every scouting report I've seen speaks of elite skating. Things have just not worked out for him in NY. That's a bet I would make all day long.

As far as the kitten goes I have come around to liking him but not 9 million much. Nobody ever talks about how often he coughs up the puck in his own zone. Nobody ever talks about it when Sanderson coughs up the puck in the Dzone but Sanderson is a rookie playing on the second pairing with Hamonic so I give him a lot of space but DeBrincat is not a rookie. He would make a cute little mascot and everybody loves him. I would think about it if he was willing to resign at the 6.4 million number but no higher. I hope he keeps finding the net to increase his trade value.

If the Sens are going to be picking in the middle of the draft or at least out of the top ten I would trade that for Lafreniere in a heartbeat. He won't be costing much salary wise and he's got a ton of skill. Don't know where you picked up the skating issue from but every scouting report I've seen speaks of elite skating. Things have just not worked out for him in NY. That's a bet I would make all day long.

As far as the kitten goes I have come around to liking him but not 9 million much. Nobody ever talks about how often he coughs up the puck in his own zone. Nobody ever talks about it when Sanderson coughs up the puck in the Dzone but Sanderson is a rookie playing on the second pairing with Hamonic so I give him a lot of space but DeBrincat is not a rookie. He would make a cute little mascot and everybody loves him. I would think about it if he was willing to resign at the 6.4 million number but no higher. I hope he keeps finding the net to increase his trade value.
- Whatisavailable

don't be MTl who trades mid teens first for 3rd liners. Smart teams do not trade valuable assets for maybes.

If the Sens are going to be picking in the middle of the draft or at least out of the top ten I would trade that for Lafreniere in a heartbeat. He won't be costing much salary wise and he's got a ton of skill. Don't know where you picked up the skating issue from but every scouting report I've seen speaks of elite skating. Things have just not worked out for him in NY. That's a bet I would make all day long.

As far as the kitten goes I have come around to liking him but not 9 million much. Nobody ever talks about how often he coughs up the puck in his own zone. Nobody ever talks about it when Sanderson coughs up the puck in the Dzone but Sanderson is a rookie playing on the second pairing with Hamonic so I give him a lot of space but DeBrincat is not a rookie. He would make a cute little mascot and everybody loves him. I would think about it if he was willing to resign at the 6.4 million number but no higher. I hope he keeps finding the net to increase his trade value.
- Whatisavailable

You’re not gonna sign a 2 time 40goal scorer for 6.4m lol what world are you living in lmao
Yes he’s not putting up the goals but he’s coming around considering new team new system he’s doing great 👍
I’d sign him for 8m if he says no then ya offer 8.5 and still no ya gotta trade him it’s that simple 🤷‍♂️

If the Sens are going to be picking in the middle of the draft or at least out of the top ten I would trade that for Lafreniere in a heartbeat. He won't be costing much salary wise and he's got a ton of skill. Don't know where you picked up the skating issue from but every scouting report I've seen speaks of elite skating. Things have just not worked out for him in NY. That's a bet I would make all day long.

As far as the kitten goes I have come around to liking him but not 9 million much. Nobody ever talks about how often he coughs up the puck in his own zone. Nobody ever talks about it when Sanderson coughs up the puck in the Dzone but Sanderson is a rookie playing on the second pairing with Hamonic so I give him a lot of space but DeBrincat is not a rookie. He would make a cute little mascot and everybody loves him. I would think about it if he was willing to resign at the 6.4 million number but no higher. I hope he keeps finding the net to increase his trade value.
- Whatisavailable

Agree with trading the first for Lafreniere if we picking middle of pack 🤙

So who all goes and who stays at trade deadline🤔

Watson(1.5m)Gambrell(.95m) Debrincat(6.4m)Brassard(.75m) Motte(1.35m)

Hamonic(3m)Holden(1.3) Brannstrom(.9m)JBD(.9m)

Talbot(3.6m)

So who all goes and who stays at trade deadline🤔

Watson(1.5m)Gambrell(.95m) Debrincat(6.4m)Brassard(.75m) Motte(1.35m)

Hamonic(3m)Holden(1.3) Brannstrom(.9m)JBD(.9m)

Talbot(3.6m)
- sens4life1971

Nobody will be trading anything for DeBrincat and his 9 million qualifying offer so you can relax. Ottawa is stuck with him. Chicago found a sucker in Dorion but I don't know if Dorion can find a GM more incompetent than he is. The problem might be that in order to save face they might give him way too much money and have to go cheap in a lot of other areas and become a perennial challenger for a wild card spot with a first round exit those years they do make it.

They should add Joseph to the list but I doubt anybody is dumb enough to touch that contract.

They'd be crazy to trade JBD but I wouldn't miss any of the other guys aside from Watson. They might want to hold onto Talbot unless they get an offer they can't refuse.

Apparently Rangers are taking calls on Lafreniere. They are asking for 1st in return.

Skating seems to be his issue.

He is not a fit on the Sens 1st or 2nd line. He would be a 3rd liner. I don't think the Sens have any interest.
- spatso

Some people were surprised I was saying he was a bust (before he was even drafted). Great junior player, but I don't see him becoming a superstar EVER

Agree with trading the first for Lafreniere if we picking middle of pack 🤙
- sens4life1971

Heard an interesting discussion today on Lafreniere and his skating problems. He apparently lacks NHL breakaway speed. The Rangers hired a skating coach for him, but the coach was reassigned. So, nobody has worked with him on his skating game.

In 36 games he has 17 points (5 goals and 12 assists). He has been limited to 26 minutes of power play time this year.

This is going to be a wicked squeeze for the Rangers. Lafreniere is an RFA. Rangers need to resign him for $2m (or less) on a bridge deal. Teams can offer sheet him up to $4.2m and the compensation is only a 2nd round pick.

Hard to see how Rangers can go forward without moving him. Imagine Montreal will be first in line offering a high second round pick.

Been awhile since there has been a new Sens blog. Has Kevin left HockeyBuzz?

4 min PP cut short by a Dman who stopped skating and Det got the best chance, OTT needs to get their heads out of their ass...1 shot all period only

Detroit is going to win this game, OTT left for their new years party after the first period

OTT 2 shots in 26 min of game play... and let in 3 goals in less than 2 min wow

Sens seriously outworked. But hard to say too much as they played pretty strong over the last month. Both Detroit and Buffalo are good young teams. Sens will need to upgrade their effort tonight.

The only redeeming feature from yesterday is that I watched Montreal get lit up by Washington. It is obvious that Montreal is not a very good team. But, more important, they seem to have too many versions of the same player. It is essentially a roster that is made up of Mike Hoffman clones. They have lots of zip, but no jam.

Watching Montreal offers a good lesson for all Sens fans. Tiny does not win in the NHL. Someone, yesterday, during the WJC USA junior game, said if Montreal prospect Lane Hudson was a big man he could have gone first in the NHL draft. But, stop! He is Lilliputian undersized! Yesterday, Sens lost because they stopped skating. Montreal was crushed because they got bullied and dominated by a big heavy team. Sens can fix their error starting with understanding that playoff contending teams teams play harder and skate harder after Christmas.

Montreal on the other hand cannot will themselves to grow bigger. Sens have pretty good size. But, I believe they still need a bit more, especially on the back end.

Happy New Year to everyone! Question:

Scenario 1

Ottawa Senators have a massive second half and just miss the playoffs by a few points. Sens finish with 3 30-goal players (Tkachuk, Giroux, DeBrincat) and 3 more 20-goal players (Batherson, Stutzle, Pinto). Stutzle & DeBrincat finish with 80~ points. Sanderson, Zub, Chabot all look solid going into next year as bonafide top 3 D-men. Sens will receive the 15th pick in the draft.

Scenario 2

Ottawa Senators stay inconsistent but have a decent finish in the last handful of games. Giroux does not hit 30 goals as he has a minor injury. Sanderson, Zub, Chabot all look pretty solid going into next year but there is some room for improvement to become the trio we see on elite teams. The Sens get lucky, win the lottery, and will have the #2 pick in the draft.

Which Scenario do you prefer?

Happy New Year to everyone! Question:

Scenario 1

Ottawa Senators have a massive second half and just miss the playoffs by a few points. Sens finish with 3 30-goal players (Tkachuk, Giroux, DeBrincat) and 3 more 20-goal players (Batherson, Stutzle, Pinto). Stutzle & DeBrincat finish with 80~ points. Sanderson, Zub, Chabot all look solid going into next year as bonafide top 3 D-men. Sens will receive the 15th pick in the draft.

Scenario 2

Ottawa Senators stay inconsistent but have a decent finish in the last handful of games. Giroux does not hit 30 goals as he has a minor injury. Sanderson, Zub, Chabot all look pretty solid going into next year but there is some room for improvement to become the trio we see on elite teams. The Sens get lucky, win the lottery, and will have the #2 pick in the draft.

Which Scenario do you prefer?
- AlfieisKing

I’ll pick 1

Happy New Year to everyone! Question:

Scenario 1

Ottawa Senators have a massive second half and just miss the playoffs by a few points. Sens finish with 3 30-goal players (Tkachuk, Giroux, DeBrincat) and 3 more 20-goal players (Batherson, Stutzle, Pinto). Stutzle & DeBrincat finish with 80~ points. Sanderson, Zub, Chabot all look solid going into next year as bonafide top 3 D-men. Sens will receive the 15th pick in the draft.

Scenario 2

Ottawa Senators stay inconsistent but have a decent finish in the last handful of games. Giroux does not hit 30 goals as he has a minor injury. Sanderson, Zub, Chabot all look pretty solid going into next year but there is some room for improvement to become the trio we see on elite teams. The Sens get lucky, win the lottery, and will have the #2 pick in the draft.

Which Scenario do you prefer?
- AlfieisKing

Great teaser of a question. Making the playoffs is not the great accomplishment folks want to make it. Improving as a team is the goal.

A young Leaf team significantly overachieved making the playoffs ahead of expectations. Leafs were deluded into believing they were legitimate contenders. They stopped rebuilding. But, as you know, they have not won a playoff round.

Learning how to overcome struggle and adversity is part of the success formula. Want the Sens to be competitive every night. I don't need for them to be deep into the playoff hunt.

Happy New Year to everyone! Question:

Scenario 1

Ottawa Senators have a massive second half and just miss the playoffs by a few points. Sens finish with 3 30-goal players (Tkachuk, Giroux, DeBrincat) and 3 more 20-goal players (Batherson, Stutzle, Pinto). Stutzle & DeBrincat finish with 80~ points. Sanderson, Zub, Chabot all look solid going into next year as bonafide top 3 D-men. Sens will receive the 15th pick in the draft.

Scenario 2

Ottawa Senators stay inconsistent but have a decent finish in the last handful of games. Giroux does not hit 30 goals as he has a minor injury. Sanderson, Zub, Chabot all look pretty solid going into next year but there is some room for improvement to become the trio we see on elite teams. The Sens get lucky, win the lottery, and will have the #2 pick in the draft.

Which Scenario do you prefer?
- AlfieisKing

I would prefer for the Sens to be a serious perennial Cup contender. The playoffs with an early first round exit doesn't do much for me. Just ask TO fans what they think about that kind of team.

I'll take scenario number 2 thank you very much and I would elaborate by adding that they not spend 9 million or thereabouts on a diminutive winger but instead get themselves a very good top 4 RD and a big solid third pairing D that is not just a pylon but can make the opposition pay the price. I'd also like a bottom six that can score now and again. Pinto and Kastelec are fine but they need help. The goalie position needs addressing and they'll need a top six winger to replace the kitten.

Guys like Greig, Boucher, Ostapchuk and Kleven look promising but you can never tell. Also don't know what they've got in JBD and Thomson and we may not find out while they chase that 15th overall pick.

Scenario 2 all day long.

I’ll pick 1
- sens4life1971

Fair enough . Care to elaborate?

Great teaser of a question. Making the playoffs is not the great accomplishment folks want to make it. Improving as a team is the goal.

A young Leaf team significantly overachieved making the playoffs ahead of expectations. Leafs were deluded into believing they were legitimate contenders. They stopped rebuilding. But, as you know, they have not won a playoff round.

Learning how to overcome struggle and adversity is part of the success formula. Want the Sens to be competitive every night. I don't need for them to be deep into the playoff hunt.
- spatso

Agree Improvement > Playoff goals

Agree about the leafs as well. Getting Matthews and Babcock coming in set the expectations through the roof when the team did not have the defense, goaltending, or "grit" in the top 5 (and maybe top 10) of cup contenders.

Struggle and adversity comes down to something we all have --- PERSISTANCE! We need someone that can keep going, keep going, keep going. When those games get to OT and double OT in the playoffs, it REALLY shows who those players/teams are.

All this said, I didn't hear your answer

Fair enough . Care to elaborate?
- AlfieisKing

I just think the team needs to take that next step we don’t need Bernard and I don’t think we gonna get another Sanderson in this draft so rather see the team take that step
We need to keep Debrincat if he’s willing to take 8
I know someone on here will disagree cause he has pure hate for this kid for some reason lol And get 2 big body 5/6 shutdown D
And we need 2 RW to play bottom roll cause we all know we stuck with Kelly and Joseph

I just think the team needs to take that next step we don’t need Bernard and I don’t think we gonna get another Sanderson in this draft so rather see the team take that step
We need to keep Debrincat if he’s willing to take 8
I know someone on here will disagree cause he has pure hate for this kid for some reason lol And get 2 big body 5/6 shutdown D
And we need 2 RW to play bottom roll cause we all know we stuck with Kelly and Joseph
- sens4life1971

Pure hate is a little strong don't you think? I have said and will once again say more slooowwwllly for you. This team can not afford any 9 million dollar winger if they want to have the money to address the problems they need to fix in order to become a serious contender. They need to find another Batherson for the top 6.

You're not going to get a good top 4D for 3 million dollars or effective third and fourth line players for a million. What about those big, mobile D you keep talking about? Then there's the small matter of the net.

You need to sign Sanderson for term as soon as he is eligible and that will be 8 million+. For all those who say bridge him till the cap goes up you'll just end up paying him a lot more down the road. Use the money saved at that time to hold onto good players who've come along in the meantime.

Same with Pinto. What do you realistically pay a very good 3C (maybe better as time goes on) that can play up the lineup when needed?

To win the Cup you need a deep team not a top heavy unbalanced outfit like TO or Edmonton. The Oilers have two players in their lineup that are far far better than anybody on the Sens roster but haven't won anything because of previous extremely stupid GM decisions resulting in a very unbalanced team.

Dorion threatens to overtake Chiarelli as the worst GM of the millennium. Signing DeBrincat would seal the deal. That's not hate. That's wanting to see a few parades in the next ten years.

Pure hate is a little strong don't you think? I have said and will once again say more slooowwwllly for you. This team can not afford any 9 million dollar winger if they want to have the money to address the problems they need to fix in order to become a serious contender. They need to find another Batherson for the top 6.

You're not going to get a good top 4D for 3 million dollars or effective third and fourth line players for a million. What about those big, mobile D you keep talking about? Then there's the small matter of the net.

You need to sign Sanderson for term as soon as he is eligible and that will be 8 million+. For all those who say bridge him till the cap goes up you'll just end up paying him a lot more down the road. Use the money saved at that time to hold onto good players who've come along in the meantime.

Same with Pinto. What do you realistically pay a very good 3C (maybe better as time goes on) that can play up the lineup when needed?

To win the Cup you need a deep team not a top heavy unbalanced outfit like TO or Edmonton. The Oilers have two players in their lineup that are far far better than anybody on the Sens roster but haven't won anything because of previous extremely stupid GM decisions resulting in a very unbalanced team.

Dorion threatens to overtake Chiarelli as the worst GM of the millennium. Signing DeBrincat would seal the deal. That's not hate. That's wanting to see a few parades in the next ten years.
- Whatisavailable

Lmao 🤣 I get what you’re saying but I’ll be first to say this Sanderson will not get 8+ that is just ridiculous to think that 😂
Sanderson at most will get 6.5 and that’s pushing it Pinto WILL NOT get more then Batherson he will get 4-4.5 at most
I already said we needed another Batherson type player and contract if we trade Debrincat
Hey if you think ya can sign a 40goal player for 6.4 then why can’t we get Top 4 for 3 😂🙃
And McDavid and Draisaitl is better then any team not just the Sens lol
We are paying him 6.4 now I’d be ok adding another 1.6 and pay Debrincat 8 if he wants to stay 🤷‍♂️
And yes I know offer sheets are at 9 lol

Lmao 🤣 I get what you’re saying but I’ll be first to say this Sanderson will not get 8+ that is just ridiculous to think that 😂
Sanderson at most will get 6.5 and that’s pushing it Pinto WILL NOT get more then Batherson he will get 4-4.5 at most
I already said we needed another Batherson type player and contract if we trade Debrincat
Hey if you think ya can sign a 40goal player for 6.4 then why can’t we get Top 4 for 3 😂🙃
And McDavid and Draisaitl is better then any team not just the Sens lol
We are paying him 6.4 now I’d be ok adding another 1.6 and pay Debrincat 8 if he wants to stay 🤷‍♂️
And yes I know offer sheets are at 9 lol
- sens4life1971

I don't think the kitten would sign for 6.4 which is why I would try and trade him.

I find it interesting that some people are saying Sanderson will be a superstar Dman but then turning around and saying he's not worth more than 6.5. They better lock him in at 8 if they can or he's going to cost a lot more down the road.