Total denial gongshow in there.

The best is the ones saying they would rather have BT and Apple Strudle over Marner and Matthews because "one day soon" BT and Apple Strudle will lead the Sens to playoff glory and the Sens players make so much less than the Leafs stars.

Followed up with the assertion Matthews next contract will be 14M+ or he will be gone when his contract is up and that BT is a unicorn and/or a much better 'locker room leader' than Marner or Matthews.

So much insight into who does/says what in the locker room and ability to see into the future it's incredible! I mean the unicorn BT has led the Sens to so much success thus far right? The acquisition of Giroux wasn't because they needed a leader right?

They are chirping Leafs fans for the old "next year" but in the next breath saying "next year or the year after" about the Sens.

It's pretty entertaining to say the least. lol

Maybe Deadpool will be the leader & saviour they really need?
- Cush29

Here's the thing - I'm relatively objective about this. I really like Stutzle. He's a fantastic player and is definitely the 2nd best German player in the league. At 21 years of age he's putting up some fantastic numbers. Marner's were better at that age, and objectively just from watching them both, I'd rather have Marner. It's a bit of a tough comparison in that Marner is now 25 and has learned a lot more about defense and his penalty killing pressure is excellent. I can say that Marner's age 21 season as a penalty killer is pretty similar to Stutzle's. They are both smart, read plays well, and are explosive skaters with great first step acceleration which makes for an excellent penalty killer.

I mean Stutzle is by far the best player in the 2020 draft. Marner is objectively the 2nd best player from his draft in 2015, only behind some guy named Connor McDavid. Neither one is a bad option!

With regards to Tkachuk - obviously Matthews is the better player and better scorer. Both offensively and defensively you want Matthews over Tkachuk. As much as I hate Ottawa and all Tkachuk's, Brady is a great leader for that team. Need a hit? He'll deliver it. Need a fight? He'll deliver it. Need a timely goal or a goalmouth tussle? He's there. In a lot of ways, he's the modern Wendel Clark for them - like if Chris Neil could play hockey.

Since the name of the game is offense and defense, I'm taking Matthews 10 times out of 10, but Brady Tkachuk is the type of player who gets it done and you have to give him props for that.

It sounds crazy

BUT

Tkachuk and Stutzle leading the sens to a first round victory before Matthews and Marner would be extremely Leafy, my damaged psyche can't count it out
- TheMussel

If that happens it will be insufferable in here, especially with a certain someone. Good god we all need the Leafs to win a round this year for so many reasons.

It sounds crazy

BUT

Tkachuk and Stutzle leading the sens to a first round victory before Matthews and Marner would be extremely Leafy, my damaged psyche can't count it out
- TheMussel

If the leafs dont make it past the 1st round this, i have no doubt the above will occur.
#soleafy

If that happens it will be insufferable in here, especially with a certain someone. Good god we all need the Leafs to win a round this year for so many reasons.
- Cush29

This!
I believe they will.
Leafs in 6.

Here's the thing - I'm relatively objective about this. I really like Stutzle. He's a fantastic player and is definitely the 2nd best German player in the league. At 21 years of age he's putting up some fantastic numbers. Marner's were better at that age, and objectively just from watching them both, I'd rather have Marner. It's a bit of a tough comparison in that Marner is now 25 and has learned a lot more about defense and his penalty killing pressure is excellent. I can say that Marner's age 21 season as a penalty killer is pretty similar to Stutzle's. They are both smart, read plays well, and are explosive skaters with great first step acceleration which makes for an excellent penalty killer.

I mean Stutzle is by far the best player in the 2020 draft. Marner is objectively the 2nd best player from his draft in 2015, only behind some guy named Connor McDavid. Neither one is a bad option!

With regards to Tkachuk - obviously Matthews is the better player and better scorer. Both offensively and defensively you want Matthews over Tkachuk. As much as I hate Ottawa and all Tkachuk's, Brady is a great leader for that team. Need a hit? He'll deliver it. Need a fight? He'll deliver it. Need a timely goal or a goalmouth tussle? He's there. In a lot of ways, he's the modern Wendel Clark for them - like if Chris Neil could play hockey.

Since the name of the game is offense and defense, I'm taking Matthews 10 times out of 10, but Brady Tkachuk is the type of player who gets it done and you have to give him props for that.
- Monkeypunk

I think both Tkachuk and Stuzle are fantastic players, (and I hate all Tkachuk's as well) but I wouldn't take either of them over a Marner or Matthews. Sens have some nice pieces, it will be interesting to see if new ownership commits to spending $ to keep what they have and spending $ to go get what they need to become true contenders again or not.

I do prefer it when the battle of Ontario is more than a non-playoff team battling a playoff team for bragging rights and ability to troll other fanbases. Same for the Toronto / Montreal rivalry.

Today’s practice

Kerfoot-Matthews-Järnkrok
Bunting-Tavares-Marner
McMann-Lafferty-Nylander
ZAR-Kämpf-Acciari
Extra: Simmonds

Rielly-Gustafsson
Giordano-Holl
McCabe-Liljegren
Extra: Timmins, Schenn

Samsonov
Murray
Woll

Total denial gongshow in there.

The best is the ones saying they would rather have BT and Apple Strudle over Marner and Matthews because "one day soon" BT and Apple Strudle will lead the Sens to playoff glory and the Sens players make so much less than the Leafs stars.

Followed up with the assertion Matthews next contract will be 14M+ or he will be gone when his contract is up and that BT is a unicorn and/or a much better 'locker room leader' than Marner or Matthews.

So much insight into who does/says what in the locker room and ability to see into the future it's incredible! I mean the unicorn BT has led the Sens to so much success thus far right? The acquisition of Giroux wasn't because they needed a leader right?

They are chirping Leafs fans for the old "next year" but in the next breath saying "next year or the year after" about the Sens.

It's pretty entertaining to say the least. lol

Maybe Deadpool will be the leader & saviour they really need?
- Cush29

it's not nearly as bonkers as you guys are making it out to be.

Assuming that this theoretical trade would occur July 1st (we'll ignore Matthews' salary structure, because Ottawa would actually love paying him only $775,000 in actual cash, and also Matthews has a NMC on July 1st, so no way Ottawa!), you are trading a really good player with 5 years left on his contract for a superstar with 1 year left on his contract, and absolutely no hope in hell of resigning him.

Sorry Leafs fans, but the Sens fans are right - no way in hell Ottawa makes this deal.

But as per the bolded below, I have a hard time believing any Tkachuk is good in any locker room.

His dad was nicknamed GSP in St. Louis after holding out for more money.

Anyone want to guess what GSP stood for?

That Leaf team on paper was a shell of what it is today.

Galchenyuk did what he could, the one game he was pretty big for the win. He was a below average player that somehow worked not disastrously on the top line which I will take.

Given the unwillingness to add another LW I think Dubas and Keefe want to give Knies every chance to prove he can play in the lineup.

McMann is a warm body who I don't think would do terrible in playoffs.

Holmberg will be nice next year but not sure his positioning and IQ alone will get him by in the playoffs, this season anyways. He needs to develop more skills.

But another C doesnt hurt.
- Santo_44

That's sort of my take on him as well. I think because this year's team has more depth and more roles, the measure of team and individual success is going to be at a higher standard - but as I said I'm not writing anyone off, I'm just saying that it's not an easy transition and that we already have players earmarked for those positions.

If Minnesota goes on to play in the NCAA Division I Championship, he can - at most - get in 3 games of an audition before the playoffs. If they're eliminated in the Semi-Finals on April 6, he could maybe get in 4 games. In the first or second round - maybe 9 games.

If his audition is exceptional, I could see him displacing McMann as the top replacement option, but I don't see where he fits in to this lineup replacing any regular and proven player.

new blog everyone

it's not nearly as bonkers as you guys are making it out to be.

Assuming that this theoretical trade would occur July 1st (we'll ignore Matthews' salary structure, because Ottawa would actually love paying him only $775,000 in actual cash, and also Matthews has a NMC on July 1st, so no way Ottawa!), you are trading a really good player with 5 years left on his contract for a superstar with 1 year left on his contract, and absolutely no hope in hell of resigning him.

Sorry Leafs fans, but the Sens fans are right - no way in hell Ottawa makes this deal.

But as per the bolded below, I have a hard time believing any Tkachuk is good in any locker room.

His dad was nicknamed GSP in St. Louis after holding out for more money.

Anyone want to guess what GSP stood for?
- Atomic Wedgie

The claim was more based on they wouldn't take Matthews or Marner over BT or Stuzle based on the players and what they bring (the initial post was read that way anyhow) and there was essentially no conversation about salary or contracts. That is pure insanity, however if you layer in the contacts and where each sit (as you have) it is indeed a no win trade for Ottawa.

GSP = Goddammed Sack of Poop? Was I close? lol

Fun additional factor:

I didn't know this, but the Marlies are atop their division.

It gives the Leafs a chance to see how he does against pros.
- Atomic Wedgie

Leafs, Marlies, and Growlers all with over 40 W's.

Total denial gongshow in there.

The best is the ones saying they would rather have BT and Apple Strudle over Marner and Matthews because "one day soon" BT and Apple Strudle will lead the Sens to playoff glory and the Sens players make so much less than the Leafs stars.

Followed up with the assertion Matthews next contract will be 14M+ or he will be gone when his contract is up and that BT is a unicorn and/or a much better 'locker room leader' than Marner or Matthews.

So much insight into who does/says what in the locker room and ability to see into the future it's incredible! I mean the unicorn BT has led the Sens to so much success thus far right? The acquisition of Giroux wasn't because they needed a leader right?

They are chirping Leafs fans for the old "next year" but in the next breath saying "next year or the year after" about the Sens.

It's pretty entertaining to say the least. lol

Maybe Deadpool will be the leader & saviour they really need?
- Cush29

Yep, exactly

I get they are young, and are improving, but those players are not Matthews. BT will never ever win a hart trophy. They arent in the same stratosphere if players. Its nuts.

I looked at the Sens blog....just WOW

I totally understand loving your players and all, but people are actually even trying to defend BT over AM is absolutely absurd.

Hart winner, and top 3-5 player in the league vs top 30 player....its bonkers.

Having what I would consider a bad year for AM, and he is 1 point less then BT in 7 less games....
- Archaic

Generous

Today’s practice

Kerfoot-Matthews-Järnkrok
Bunting-Tavares-Marner
McMann-Lafferty-Nylander
ZAR-Kämpf-Acciari
Extra: Simmonds

Rielly-Gustafsson
Giordano-Holl
McCabe-Liljegren
Extra: Timmins, Schenn

Samsonov
Murray
Woll
- Dozzer

I like Gus, maybe not with Rielly but i do like Gus.
Great to see our 7th/8th dmen could sub in for the botttom two pairs if need be.
Great luxury imo