What is the bigger issue with this team right now, PD's incompetence or DJ Smith's?

I got to go with the coach. I think this might be a playoff team with a different coach at the start of the year - one that would prevent the poor start.

PD's problem is that when it he hits (Giroux, Batherson), he hits big, but then when he misses (Paul, Brannstrom), he misses bigs. Very little in between.

And as much as it hasn't panned out, I was on board with the Talbot and Debrincat trades. They made sense (solid vet goalie, former 40 goal scorer with term) and it was A direction at least, especially after 4 years of being handcuffed by Eugene.
- GrimmdaGoalie

coaching 100% caused OTT to miss the playoff, other teams have had just as bad injuries to their key players at start of season/during season (Boston, Vegas) and they still dominated, just because OTT did not have that perceived top 4 RHD they should have won much more, also this whole needing a top 4 RHD is smiths and dorion fault for playing old , geriatric and crap players like Hamonic, zeitsev and Holden instead of JBD and Thompson.

They looked like a contender last night. Especially with the man advantage - they absolutely crushed on the powerplay, even when they didn't score, possession and passing were dynamite. Debrincat still has meaningful value and is not a failed asset. There's no obligation to sign him to a long term contract. Once new ownership settles in they'll give a sense of what they want to do with him. Worst case, he signs his QO, and we flip him at half price next deadline unless we are in the thick of it and he's a big part of that picture. He needs to be better at his tag but considering our coaching I think he's got more to show.

I still don't think this team is going to compete in the east - every big move we've seen so far has been to pad already playoff bound teams in the East at the expense of the West. Dorion should play conservative and be careful not to mortgage the future of this team. Irrespective of who makes it to the finals, I'd be shocked if any Western team beat whoever comes out of the Eastern gauntlet. The conference finals will probably be more exciting than the Stanley Cup.

What is the bigger issue with this team right now, PD's incompetence or DJ Smith's?

I got to go with the coach. I think this might be a playoff team with a different coach at the start of the year - one that would prevent the poor start.

PD's problem is that when it he hits (Giroux, Batherson), he hits big, but then when he misses (Paul, Brannstrom), he misses bigs. Very little in between.

And as much as it hasn't panned out, I was on board with the Talbot and Debrincat trades. They made sense (solid vet goalie, former 40 goal scorer with term) and it was A direction at least, especially after 4 years of being handcuffed by Eugene.
- GrimmdaGoalie

In my opinion, Dorion has kept DJ around, so Dorion is the problem. You have a GM incapable of addressing poor coaching.

Just don't do anything at the deadline. If they win tonight and Thursday, let them run and try to chase down a playoff spot, we'll finally have those meaningful games we've all talked about. But don't buy anything because it isn't our year.

If they lose either game, do go full fire sale again; picking up a few mid round picks isn't going to be worth not letting this team mesh down the stretch. And god forbid you play some young guys more and cut back on Chabot's minutes to give him a break.

The only substantial move I'd entertain is Debrincat, but I'd rather that waited until the draft, as there will probably be better value.

For the love of god, lets get new ownership so this team can move on from Dorion/Smith.

Mattias Ekholm is a oiler

Good deadline to be a SELLER!

Mattias Ekholm is a oiler
- Mithos

Barrie has nearly twice the points Ekholm does this season. Gustafsson has almost twice the amount of points Sandin does this year. Both got traded with the addition of a first round pick.
Somehow Jeannot got a first. Point being there have been some insane deals made with first rounders for players with suspect stat lines this year. If Dorion wants to capitalize he'd best get involved sooner than later, or there will be nothing left to be had. These returns (in addition to the Hagel deal last year) also highlight just how hosed we got in the deal for Nick Paul.

Barrie has nearly twice the points Ekholm does this season. Gustafsson has almost twice the amount of points Sandin does this year. Both got traded with the addition of a first round pick.
Somehow Jeannot got a first. Point being there have been some insane deals made with first rounders for players with suspect stat lines this year. If Dorion wants to capitalize he'd best get involved sooner than later, or there will be nothing left to be had. These returns (in addition to the Hagel deal last year) also highlight just how hosed we got in the deal for Nick Paul.
- Bartacus

how does Barrie and Ekholm compare defensively

Watson channeling Stu there

Well, this is a fun game so far.

dammmm, sens putting on a clinic

Well, this is a fun game so far.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Is this what Dorion had in mind when he put together this Sens roster? I realize its a couple games against a not good opponent, but they are really pushing them around out there.

Tkahcuk just parked in front of the wings net.

Sens are definitely playing a more "playoff" style game. Detroit is getting pushed around again. This is crazy.

Broadcast said this was the first time the Sens have scored a penalty shot, SH, PP, 5-on-5 goal in one period, lol. Fun times. Hopefully Sens can shut down Kane and the Rangers!!! haha. Very interesting timessss.

These past two games have been awesome.
Begs the question where this team has been up to right now.

Love this team.

2 great games. Convincing wins. Wins are one thing, but convincing wins are something. Bring on the Rangers.

These past two games have been awesome.
Begs the question where this team has been up to right now.
- Bartacus

Easy to win with the refs on your team, but the wings were scared of your team. They did not look like themselves. After these two games, if I was our GM half the team would be traded and the other half can have a clause built into their contract to fight tkachuck or they agree to void their contract. God I hate him. He is blessed I suck too bad to be in the NHL. Two players I would go happy Gilmore on are him and marchand.

Easy to win with the refs on your team.
- Zmloste

Detroit 0/8 on the PP

Ottawa is now a +1 for Goals For/Goals Against!

2 great games. Convincing wins. Wins are one thing, but convincing wins are something. Bring on the Rangers.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

First game for Kane I heard is likely thursday?

Should be fun.

Easy to win with the refs on your team, but the wings were scared of your team. They did not look like themselves. After these two games, if I was our GM half the team would be traded and the other half can have a clause built into their contract to fight tkachuck or they agree to void their contract. God I hate him. He is blessed I suck too bad to be in the NHL. Two players I would go happy Gilmore on are him and marchand.
- Zmloste

Great post. Nice to have someone hating on our team. Perhaps progress is being made

Great post. Nice to have someone hating on our team. Perhaps progress is being made
- spatso

How long has it been?

how does Barrie and Ekholm compare defensively
- Mithos

Poorly, which I imagine explains the deal? Still, numbers are numbers. Barrie has 43 points, -3, 1 year left at 4.5M. He's 31. Ekholm has 18 points, net zero +/-, 3 years left at 6.25M. He's 32. Wrong side of thirty and too much term to pad that deal with a first round pick if you ask me.

But swedes age better. He's a true shut down guy and allows them to bury Ceci's dangerous minutes somewhere else.

Wouldn't shock me to see Barrie getting flipped again.

Great atmosphere last night for the Sens. They're not making the playoffs but seeing the fourth line get major power play time --- so watson could attempt the hattrick was awesome stuff. Team building crap. Oh boy Brady was hot after that interference hit he took. Still. A couple detroit players had some snot left in them. The rest of that team is really soft.

Easy to win with the refs on your team, but the wings were scared of your team. They did not look like themselves. After these two games, if I was our GM half the team would be traded and the other half can have a clause built into their contract to fight tkachuck or they agree to void their contract. God I hate him. He is blessed I suck too bad to be in the NHL. Two players I would go happy Gilmore on are him and marchand.
- Zmloste

Who wants it??