I would like to think that this means Smith will be forced to play JBD or Thomson but then I wake up and remember that PD believes he's an astute, wheeling and dealing, NHL GM. It must have felt so good hearing all that "Summer of Pierre" adoration from the Alex DeBrincat fan club.

Back to reality. How to best squander yet more assets in a way that has the DeBrincat fan club singing your praises to the heavens. This team has virtually zero in terms of prospects and this GM continues to throw away picks without a second thought.

He has turned the Sens into a cap team while destroying the bottom six and not addressing the RD situation or the goal. Almost certainly he will now bring in another more expensive Hamonic, someone who was good 5 years ago but is now an overpaid marginal NHLer and PD believes the more he gives up the better it will make the acquisition seem to be.

The parade keeps on getting farther and farther away.

Why is ottawa trading that before the deadline? Seems like an off-season move. Are they buyers at deadline? Or taking some dead cap space for picks? Seems odd.
- bryant

Timing is likely to avoid paying Zaitsev's bonus of 2M. A second in this draft at our position though? Steep. I would guess Dorion is trying to lay down a plan where new owners have free license to spend to the cap, unburdened by his past mistakes. I'd still have sat on Zaitsev for one more year, or bought him out to keep that second.

Fact: This team CANNOT have a shot at the playoffs unless they had a legit top 4 D-man that can play quality mins. Also they need to get solid goaltending from goalies that combine for career games I can count on my 2 hands

Gordwilson 2.0, I hear you point on TEAM D and structure! I just think when players are not good enough - especially D-men, it throws the structure out the window (or off)........ex players tend to overcompensate or overplay pucks, etc......
- AlfieisKing

I think the team would have been good enough to be a playoff team with the current D-men under a better coach. To be truly competitive in the playoffs, they need an extra top 4D and a better coach.

So, I heard (sports radio) that San Jose is prepared to take back enough salary to get Karlsson's cap hit down to $8m for the 4 years remaining on his deal.

Apparently there are very few teams that are able to do any deal because of their cap situation next year, even if they could get the cap hit down to $8m. Edmonton wants to do a deal for Karlsson but the numbers next year would be brutal for them.

San Jose is not asking a huge return from any trade.

Chychrun will cost the equivalent of 3 1sts. Karlsson's cost might be shockingly low, as little as a 2nd round pick.
- spatso

I wouldn't mind Karlsson coming back at that price, both acquisition and salary, but he may not be what the Sens need, which is a BIG BODY RHD, IMO. (PS - Holden is the softest big man ever and doesn't count).

I also wouldn't mind the Sens taking on that salary, any big salary, as that would probably mean the end of the Debrincat possibly getting $9mill on a long term deal here, which I think would be a mistake for any winger not named Marner, Draisatal, etc.

I'm just happy the Sens seem to be finally spending money and making moves without being limited by ownership or a lack of cash flow. It is exciting they seem committed to improvement and battling for a playoff spot. It might be a pipe dream this year but at least the effort is there. Just don't know if this is the coach to make it happen.

What I want to happen with a big trade and the Sens is for PD to realize that the Sens are one of the few teams that can take on a big salary without a lot of gymnastics and to WEAPONIZE that fact. Don't make a move that isn't a win for us at this point. Taking on a Seth Jones, Parayko or Karlsson shouldn't cost all that much since we are the ones taking on the big contract and are one of the few teams willing to do that.

I would like Sean Durzi.... but Matt Roy seems like a possible player coming to Ottawa

I would like Sean Durzi.... but Matt Roy seems like a possible player coming to Ottawa
- AlfieisKing

Perfect player. Right age, size, skill, shoots right. A healthy talbot plus for Durzi and bad contract?

I like Durzi the way I like John Marino this past offseason. Not costly, not flashy, could be a perfect fit for the Sens, like DeMelo was.

I would like Sean Durzi.... but Matt Roy seems like a possible player coming to Ottawa
- AlfieisKing

It seems like the Sens clearly cap space means they are going for a bigger ticket item...

While adding a defenceman by the trade deadline seems a forgone conclusion, should that not occur, Sens have about 20 mill to spend in the summer with only Pinto and Debrincat as urgent situations. Spend smartly, there is room in the budget for a quality d-man and perhaps a goalie or depth forwards.

It should be noted that Dorion has spent a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th round picks to have Murray and Zaitsev not play for the Sens. That is pretty wild considering the importance of drafting in today's NHL. You obviously need to move picks and prospects to take the next step, but using those said picks to get out of poor pro scouting mistakes is not elite management.

While adding a defenceman by the trade deadline seems a forgone conclusion, should that not occur, Sens have about 20 mill to spend in the summer with only Pinto and Debrincat as urgent situations. Spend smartly, there is room in the budget for a quality d-man and perhaps a goalie or depth forwards.

It should be noted that Dorion has spent a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th round picks to have Murray and Zaitsev not play for the Sens. That is pretty wild considering the importance of drafting in today's NHL. You obviously need to move picks and prospects to take the next step, but using those said picks to get out of poor pro scouting mistakes is not elite management.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Cost in the league for doing this is tied to salaries. So, for example, Minnesota taking on 3 months of a 1/4 of ROR salary = a 4th round. That is 1.8 million for 1/4 of season. Extend that onward....Zaitsev is 6.5 million over the next season and 1/4. Definitely worth a 2nd and 4th given market value.

And I think the Sens got off cheap getting rid of Murray. Just look at him now in Toronto - hurt, headcase, frustrating, can lose 2 games for every game he steals. Everything he was in Ottawa. Go riddance to bad rubbish. The draft picks are the cost.

Now, they just have to be smart going forward....

Cost in the league for doing this is tied to salaries. So, for example, Minnesota taking on 3 months of a 1/4 of ROR salary = a 4th round. That is 1.8 million for 1/4 of season. Extend that onward....Zaitsev is 6.5 million over the next season and 1/4. Definitely worth a 2nd and 4th given market value.

And I think the Sens got off cheap getting rid of Murray. Just look at him now in Toronto - hurt, headcase, frustrating, can lose 2 games for every game he steals. Everything he was in Ottawa. Go riddance to bad rubbish. The draft picks are the cost.

Now, they just have to be smart going forward....
- GrimmdaGoalie

I don’t have an issue with the cost to get rid of the guys now, really. My issue is that it should have never of happened in the first place (a 2nd was also given up acquiring the rights for Murray). If you don’t have the terrible contracts on the team, there is no need to sacrifice picks to get rid of them. While the cost to get rid of the guys is decent management, the pro scouting to acquire them in the first place was not great management.

Don’t spill your beer, clean it up, and expect people to praise you for just the cleaning job and forget the fact you spilled the beer.

I don’t have an issue with the cost to get rid of the guys now, really. My issue is that it should have never of happened in the first place (a 2nd was also given up acquiring the rights for Murray). If you don’t have the terrible contracts on the team, there is no need to sacrifice picks to get rid of them. While the cost to get rid of the guys is decent management, the pro scouting to acquire them in the first place was not great management.

Don’t spill your beer, clean it up, and expect people to praise you for just the cleaning job and forget the fact you spilled the beer.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yep. Never should have signed Murray in the first place. Who exactly were we bidding against?

Someone will make the same type of mistake with Jarry this offseason. Better not be the Sens....

Yep. Never should have signed Murray in the first place. Who exactly were we bidding against?

Someone will make the same type of mistake with Jarry this offseason. Better not be the Sens....
- GrimmdaGoalie

The Leaf hater in me likes to think Dorion's acquisition of Murray was a long con game to eventually saddle him to Toronto and extend their cup drought a couple more years at the cost of a second and a third. Payment for Zaitsev! I mean, the reality is he's just throwing darts with a blindfold on when it comes to pro scouting, but we can dare to dream.

I just hope the Zaitsev dump doesn't signal we're going out there for a super long contract that another GM already has buyer's remorse for. Leave a clean slate for new owners.

That may be true. It may also be true that the prospect of playing out the prime of their careers on a team that's on track for a very difficult multi-year rebuild isn't all that appealing. It could also be that having a former teammate like DeBrincat playing for the Senators might influence their opinion... as might having a number of good young American-born players on the team, including Tkachuk, Norris, Pinto, and Sanderson. We'll see what happens, but there are certainly worse fates in the NHL than having a chance to play 20min/GP on the top-D pairing of a very young and talented team, alongside a player as skilled as Thomas Chabot.
- khawk

Good points. We'll see.

Senators are six points behind Detroit for the final wildcard spot with a game in hand. Florida, Washington and Pittsburgh are really struggling. Carolina is a tough team playing great hockey.

If Sens can get a point from the Canes and Montreal and sweep the Wings in their back to back ...we have a season and something to talk about.

And the caps just waived the white flag with the Orlov deal. Penguins defense looked dreadful last night against Edmonton.

wow...other than John Carlson the Caps don't have a single defenseman signed for the 23/24 season.

I just hope the Zaitsev dump doesn't signal we're going out there for a super long contract that another GM already has buyer's remorse for. Leave a clean slate for new owners.
- Bartacus

Good point but with that side right shot D-men that can log big minutes, move the puck, and put up points is rare. The Sens can take on a Colton Parayko IF health/his back is not an issue. That's something medical records and hockey execs can speak to

Have a feeling Sens will acquire a D-man very soon

Have a feeling Sens will acquire a D-man very soon
- AlfieisKing

Agreed.

Good point but with that side right shot D-men that can log big minutes, move the puck, and put up points is rare. The Sens can take on a Colton Parayko IF health/his back is not an issue. That's something medical records and hockey execs can speak to
- AlfieisKing

Big guy and big if, but that is the mold of D man we could use, provided he's healthy - I just hope they do their homework - look what new scenery did to Lindholm on the same Parayko contract.

In other news, Kapanen apparently on waivers at 2pm today - any use in picking him up? Under contract next year for 3.2M, likely waived to make space for another move. We have the space next year, he isn't a terrible player, and he's free. Any buyers here? I'd think about it at least.

To Ottawa: Jakob Chychrun, Nick Bjugstad
To Arizona: Mathieu Joseph, Lassi Thomson, Filip Nordberg, 2023 1st (Top 5 protected)

Would you do above?

Thomas Chabot - Artem Zub
Jake Sanderson - Jakob Chychrun
Erik Brannstrom/Nick Holden - Travis Hamonic

Big guy and big if, but that is the mold of D man we could use, provided he's healthy - I just hope they do their homework - look what new scenery did to Lindholm on the same Parayko contract.

In other news, Kapanen apparently on waivers at 2pm today - any use in picking him up? Under contract next year for 3.2M, likely waived to make space for another move. We have the space next year, he isn't a terrible player, and he's free. Any buyers here? I'd think about it at least.
- Bartacus

Good points

I would take him over many many players. Still don't get why Ottawa didn't pick Tyson Jost or Eeli Tolvanen off waivers this year!

To Ottawa: Jakob Chychrun, Nick Bjugstad
To Arizona: Mathieu Joseph, Lassi Thomson, Filip Nordberg, 2023 1st (Top 5 protected)

Would you do above?

Thomas Chabot - Artem Zub
Jake Sanderson - Jakob Chychrun
Erik Brannstrom/Nick Holden - Travis Hamonic
- AlfieisKing

Something close to that yeah, not sure we need to get rid of Joseph if we're willing to sacrifice some added draft capital. I'd try the following:

To Ottawa: Chychrun, Bjugstad
To Arizona: rights to Formenton, Watson, Thomson, Nordberg, 1st 2024, 2nd 2024 (WSH)

i find it amazing how OTT is incapable of winning puck battles, also Cat should be benched for rest of game

Sometimes it’s not about losing puck battles — and your players just aren’t as good. I think coaching and matchups has something rondo with it. Carolina HAS a coach.