Elliot Freidman in his 32 thoughts said the high bidder for the Senators might be Neko Sparks at as high as $925 mill. Speculation that serious bids came in lower to see where things go and bids can increase.

The whole thing is a process but interesting to hear of an LA-based bid might have set the tone for the sale number.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Big win boys!!!
- Vukota

Now here's hoping Ferguson goes Hamburglar on us. Incredible first showing, good on him. Now he just needs to beat Boston, New Jersey and Toronto once, Tampa, Carolina and Florida twice apiece to close it out. Yeesh.

If first round exits have no merit then what does not making the playoffs at all mean? It sounds like you've justified such a thing to make up for the sens lack of success.

Making the playoffs is worth something.
- Aaron_85

Your argument is that it’s better to lose 6 times in a row with no progress then to not make the playoffs at all? 😆😆😆

Elliot Freidman in his 32 thoughts said the high bidder for the Senators might be Neko Sparks at as high as $925 mill. Speculation that serious bids came in lower to see where things go and bids can increase.

The whole thing is a process but interesting to hear of an LA-based bid might have set the tone for the sale number.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I believe there is also concern that sparks bid is built on a large consortium of investors. Wich the nhl may not want. I would agree with that. I think its better to have a large percentage of 1 owner directing the ship.

I remember when Toronto signed Tavares. I thought it was a bad move. I really like Tavares but it was not what they needed. They needed D and G. To make matters worse Covid makes it impossible for them to even hold onto guys like Hyman.

Dubas just got totally screwed. Who could have predicted that?

I really really really want the Cup to come back to Canada. I won't lie. Toronto is way way down at the bottom of my list of Canadian based teams that I would want to be that team and it would pain me but I would cheer if they could do it. I just don't think they can.

They have an awesome top 6 and a bit on D but not nearly enough depth and extremely questionable goaltending.

I think Ottawa is much better positioned to do the trick with the team they have. They need a goalie, a guy like Mattias Ekholm on the right side and a couple of 5 million dollar guys for their top nine. They can not gamble the money necessary for those things on DeBrincat.

Hopefully new ownership will show Dorion and Smith the door and NHL competent replacements will be brought in. If those things happen - watch out TO!
- Whatisavailable

And yet the Leafs are 5th in the league in goals against per game - literally 1 100th of a percentage point away from being tied for 3rd.

Anyhoo, nice win last night for your team.

I'm guessing everyone who isn't a Penguins fan was cheering on your goalie.

Tkachuk> Mathews is a fair comparable . Both players are the stars of respective teams,and stir the pot for each team.
It would be like comparing Vasilevskiy(imo) and Tkachuk.

Who would have the better chance of leading their team to post season success? Was my point, and still stick to Tkachuk over Mathews.

Albeit in Sens land is unproven and in Leafs land is proven. Of leaders leading to post season success.

Now here's hoping Ferguson goes Hamburglar on us. Incredible first showing, good on him. Now he just needs to beat Boston, New Jersey and Toronto once, Tampa, Carolina and Florida twice apiece to close it out. Yeesh.
- Bartacus

Is that hard?

Why did Ferguson play? What happened with Sogaard and Mando? Obviously not complaining due to the result. Just wondering.

Why did Ferguson play? What happened with Sogaard and Mando? Obviously not complaining due to the result. Just wondering.
- PogBoi

Suspect it's that Sogard and Mandolese have been floundering lately and for a change (since it's all rookies involved) they're actually trying anything and everything to find something that sticks. Enter Ferguson - they don't exactly have many options to work with. Sogard had a .920 five games ago - now he's got a .886. Mandolese still has a .916, surprised they haven't given him more starts over Sogard given the circumstances, but he's back in Belleville getting reps.

Since Talbot should be back in a week or so before our only remaining back to back April 1/2, watch Ferguson get every start until he completely flubs a game. If he stands on his head, given he's waiver eligible, watch him back up Talbot for the remainder and Sogard get sent down to get reps in Belleville.

Aaaand Sogard starts, I eat my words. You think you'd ride the hot hand! Fingers crossed.

It seems the boys were feeding Ferguson electric jello shooters after the game.

Stupid penalties by Kastelec and Stutzle.

Let's add a little more stupid by changing lines with the puck in the neutral zone.

Lots of really good looks but zero finish.

Never had playoffs as a priority for this season. But watching tonight, I am thinking Sens would have fought the Bruins tough in a first round match. They would not win but they might steal a game or two.

OTT are a bunch of floaters in comparison to boston, no effort no hustle, they not even bothering to get their sticks in lanes, they standing still trying to poke at sticks rather than skate to the boston player...

Playing a good game so far. Sogaard looking good. Let's tie this up.

Close but no cigar.

41 shots on net and quite a few of them high quality. Good all round effort.

Don't know why they took Gauthier out because it looked to me like he was playing well with Pinto. They should play Giroux with Pinto and Gauthier to see what happens.

I prefer Batherson with Stutzle and Tkachuk. Greig should be in Belleville.

I really like one of Chabot, Chychrun and Sanderson on the ice at all times and hope they keep that going.

Maybe they have their G situation solved internally but it's way too early to say. I still think they'll need to find a reliable, proven G for a couple of years this summer and they need to add a couple of 5 million dollar guys to that top nine.

Playing a good game so far. Sogaard looking good. Let's tie this up.
- Whatisavailable

minus the score this is one of the sens worst games ive seen them play, Sogaard has saved them from this being a blow out

most pathetic 6 on 4 in NHL history....

OTT are a bunch of floaters in comparison to boston, no effort no hustle, they not even bothering to get their sticks in lanes, they standing still trying to poke at sticks rather than skate to the boston player...
- Mithos

Boston is a veteran team that knows how to finish. They probably did the best job of any team this year in shutting down Stutzle and Tkachuk. But Ottawa and Stutzle, in particular, had great chances and could have easily scored 5.

Sens got beat by a veteran team that put on a clinic in the 3rd period. No need to be embarrassed by it. Learn from the experience. Sens turn is coming.

OTT are a bunch of floaters in comparison to boston, no effort no hustle, they not even bothering to get their sticks in lanes, they standing still trying to poke at sticks rather than skate to the boston player...
- Mithos

I disagree.
There aren't many teams that have played the Bruins as well as the Sens this year and they've done it by playing the Bruins game back against them. They repeatedly gave the pucks to the Bruins just outside the neutral zone or at the Bruins blue line...hung back and waited to counter attack as the Bruins pressed forward. It was an absolute chess match last night. Very well played game. The Bruins counterattack game is SO good. They're like a team of Mark Stones. Their ability to steal the puck and quick strike back up the ice is bananas good. The Penguins game was rope-a-dope, but it was a dangerous way to play especially with Malkin flopping all over the place drawing penalties. What happened to the league sending diving emails? Must have retired that email account along with Subban.

I disagree.
There aren't many teams that have played the Bruins as well as the Sens this year and they've done it by playing the Bruins game back against them. They repeatedly gave the pucks to the Bruins just outside the neutral zone or at the Bruins blue line...hung back and waited to counter attack as the Bruins pressed forward. It was an absolute chess match last night. Very well played game. The Bruins counterattack game is SO good. They're like a team of Mark Stones. Their ability to steal the puck and quick strike back up the ice is bananas good. The Penguins game was rope-a-dope, but it was a dangerous way to play especially with Malkin flopping all over the place drawing penalties. What happened to the league sending diving emails? Must have retired that email account along with Subban.
- Octavarium

Good break down ! interesting

My Progression Grades for 2022-2023
*based on expectations/draft position of coursel

15. Kevin Mandolese (B+)
14. Tyler Boucher (C+)*
13. Tyler Kleven (B+)
12. Zack Ostapchuk (B)
11. Jacob Bernard-Docker (C)*
10. Mads Sogaard (A-)
9. Mark Kastelic (B+/A-)
8. Egor Sokolov (B)
7. Roby Jarventie (B)
6. Ridly Greig (A-)*
5. Shane Pinto (A)
4. Lassi Thomson (C)
3. Erik Brannstrom (D+)
2. Jake Sanderson (A)
1. Tim Stutzle (A+)

*injuries

The Sens have now equalled their point total from the last season. We all wanted to see some definitive growth this year, with a shot of the playoffs.

How many more points is realistic, and would be seen as legitimate progess?

Honestly, being above .500 is a plus haha. But I'm including loser points as loses too.

I'm wondering when the season ends if we find out debrincat has messed up hands or something. Getting tons of chances but never finishes! Don't know if it's just "gripping the stick" too right or what, but something is off with him this whole season. Snake-bitten for the majority of this season.

I'll play that game. My grades beside yours no brackets.

My Progression Grades for 2022-2023
*based on expectations/draft position of coursel

15. Kevin Mandolese (B+)agree
14. Tyler Boucher (C+)*-D (Brian Lee of our time--3rd round player)
13. Tyler Kleven (B+)--C (overhyped college project who won't sign)
12. Zack Ostapchuk (B)--C (unproven project)
11. Jacob Bernard-Docker (C)*--B (better than Thompson again coach to blame here)
10. Mads Sogaard (A-)--A
9. Mark Kastelic (B+/A-)-solid B (face off numbers are ridiculous)
8. Egor Sokolov (B)--C (overhyped)
7. Roby Jarventie (B)--(unknown commodity)
6. Ridly Greig (A-)*---B- (started hot now can't keep up)
5. Shane Pinto (A)---B- (invisible alot)
4. Lassi Thomson (C)--D--(coaches fault)
3. Erik Brannstrom (D+)--C (finally and we didn't draft him)
2. Jake Sanderson (A)--A
1. Tim Stutzle (A+)--A

The Sens have now equalled their point total from the last season. We all wanted to see some definitive growth this year, with a shot of the playoffs.

How many more points is realistic, and would be seen as legitimate progess?
- david22

Based off the gauntlet the Sens have to play, anything more than ten points in their last eleven games would be a decent showing.