The larger issue with DeBrincat is that he's been specifically cast in a 2nd line role, which has resulted in (wait for it)... less production than the 1st line players. Coming out of training camp it was largely assumed there would be a 1A/1B situation with the line of DeBrincat-Stutzle-Giroux complementing the Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson line. Instead, DeBrincat has been playing the majority of the season with Pinto-Batherson, which is an undeniable drop-off from playing alongside Patrick Kane. It's also notable that when given a chance to play with the team's best players on the PP, he leads the team in PP production.

How much of an impact would having different even-strength linemates make? It's hard to say for sure, but let's consider the fact that at even-strength Stutzle-Giroux as a C-RW pair have scored a combined 99pts vs. a combined 56pts for Pinto-Batherson. This means DeBrincat gets roughly 60% of the production support from his C-RW linemates as he would get on the top line. So it's maybe not surprising that 60% of a 40G season equals 24G... which is exactly the number of goals that DeBrincat has so far this year. And we haven't even mentioned the fact that Pinto is a rookie centre, or that both he and Batherson missed substantial time to major injuries last season.

Regardless, DeBrincat is still among the top-30 scoring wingers in the NHL this year in points, and is the only winger on that list who is 3rd on his own team in winger scoring. That means even without the benefit of playing with top-line talent, he's still productive enough to be a top-line winger on half the teams in the NHL. So any kind of attempt to frame him as "just" a 2nd-line winger isn't going to fly in RFA negotiations. Personally, I think you'll either see him sign long-term just under the Stutzle/Tkachuk glass AAV ceiling ($7.9M-$8.2M), or you'll see him hold out as an RFA to go to a team where he's assured a more prominent role/$$$.
- khawk

This is a good post. The absence of Norris also downgraded the quality of the top-6. Debrincat’s consistency this season sometimes bothered me but as this post shows, he has not always been put in the best of situations either. Mix that with just good old puck luck, I am pretty sure signing him long term would be a good thing. Of course, for an appropriate price. Will be interesting how it turns out. When he is on his game, it’s hard to concede moving him is a smart idea.

Little too early to make a call on Klevan. However, with his signing, the window on Thompson and JBD is rapidly closing. Neither has been able to show they are legitimate NHL d-men to date. Klevan could easily pass both in the depth chart. He won’t be an Erik Karlsson, but a Marc Methot type would be awesome.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I don't have expectations for Kleven beyond a strong body that imposes some physical presence as a 5 or 6 (next year). I think Ottawa is deep on skill. But if they want to be a serious Cup contender they need a more size. A Marc Methot type player would be perfect.

Would like to see another big body in the top 6 to take some of the physical load that Brady carries.

From Garrioch:

"In their presentation to Reynolds, it’s believed the Remington Group sold him on the vision they have to turn the franchise into a winner. The idea involves getting on the map as a destination that people will want to visit, and building a state-of-the-art home for the Senators.

A source said the Remington Group has a vision of helping Ottawa elevate its place on the world stage, which will be music to the ears of the people who run this city. The indications are that this group has a lot of weight behind it and is determined to bring the Stanley Cup home."

Garrioch really does enjoy pumping Ryan Reynolds' tires. It's up to the girls, and if I'm them I'm taking the highest bid.

This is a good post. The absence of Norris also downgraded the quality of the top-6. Debrincat’s consistency this season sometimes bothered me but as this post shows, he has not always been put in the best of situations either. Mix that with just good old puck luck, I am pretty sure signing him long term would be a good thing. Of course, for an appropriate price. Will be interesting how it turns out. When he is on his game, it’s hard to concede moving him is a smart idea.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

People may crap all over DeBrincat, but as you said it's hard to see trading him away as making the team better. I'm also looking at this through the lens of the team no longer being able to assume growth in their young core assets. Tkachuk and Stutzle can't be expected to produce significantly more than they have this year, Giroux will almost certainly start to decline when on the wrong side of 35, Batherson has shown the limitations of his game, and Norris remains a major question mark... especially if he's no longer going to get #1C ice time, or have a regular winger like Tkachuk. It's also pretty clear that if any of Jarventie, Sokolov, or Pettersson have legitimate top-6 upside, it will be at least 2-3yrs away from impacting the NHL roster.

They have a salary cap pinch coming this year, but the only other major RFA they have to deal with are Pinto/Brannstrom... both of whom could be fairly easily signed to 1yr-2yr deals. The following year will free up $5M in dead cap space, and its speculated the salary cap will also increase. There wouldn't be enough cap space to bring back players like Talbot ($3.7M), Hamonic ($3.0M), Watson ($1.5M), or Holden ($1.3M), but they'd just have to rely on the likes of Sogaard, Kleven, Greig, and Bernard-Docker to be good enough replacements to allow them to keep their top-6F/top-4D at a playoff-level of quality. This is the whole point of having invested 1st/2nd round picks in those players, and it's time to start mobilizing them as affordable supporting assets.

People may crap all over DeBrincat, but as you said it's hard to see trading him away as making the team better. I'm also looking at this through the lens of the team no longer being able to assume growth in their young core assets. Tkachuk and Stutzle can't be expected to produce significantly more than they have this year, Giroux will almost certainly start to decline when on the wrong side of 35, Batherson has shown the limitations of his game, and Norris remains a major question mark... especially if he's no longer going to get #1C ice time, or have a regular winger like Tkachuk. It's also pretty clear that if any of Jarventie, Sokolov, or Pettersson have legitimate top-6 upside, it will be at least 2-3yrs away from impacting the NHL roster.

They have a salary cap pinch coming this year, but the only other major RFA they have to deal with are Pinto/Brannstrom... both of whom could be fairly easily signed to 1yr-2yr deals. The following year will free up $5M in dead cap space, and its speculated the salary cap will also increase. There wouldn't be enough cap space to bring back players like Talbot ($3.7M), Hamonic ($3.0M), Watson ($1.5M), or Holden ($1.3M), but they'd just have to rely on the likes of Sogaard, Kleven, Greig, and Bernard-Docker to be good enough replacements to allow them to keep their top-6F/top-4D at a playoff-level of quality. This is the whole point of having invested 1st/2nd round picks in those players, and it's time to start mobilizing them as affordable supporting assets.
- khawk

Will not have direct impact on next season cap calculation but watch for Sens to sign Sanderson to a long term deal this summer.

I will not complain if they sign DeBrincat long term. But it is not an easy choice. I would feel a lot more confident if we had seen Norris all season.

Goaltending?

Man I love this team! What a dominant first period without Chabot, Chychrun and Norris and maybe now Hamonic!

They obviously need a goalie.

My opinion of DeBrincat just went way up.

Man I love this team! What a dominant first period without Chabot, Chychrun and Norris and maybe now Hamonic!

They obviously need a goalie.
- Whatisavailable

they need a coach who has a defensive structure

holy crap what a fight by Cat.

holy crap what a fight by Cat.
- Mithos

I'm loving the spine the team is showing right now, not backing down at all.

I had to check to be sure but it's true. Ottawa outshooting Flyers 27 to 5 through 2 periods.

Injuries will force one or two more young guys into the lineup. Maybe JBD or Thomson and another forward besides Kelly. Silver linings!

Garrioch really does enjoy pumping Ryan Reynolds' tires. It's up to the girls, and if I'm them I'm taking the highest bid.
- Bartacus

It will be interesting. I am not sure Reynolds won't be involved if the Remington group does not win. NHL would love his marketing skills. As much as I dislike Bruce, I am with him on Reynolds. He would be a great addition.

High glove on Talbot.

They need a goalie. That one was a fluke but the other two should have been stopped.

Summer project: Get a goaltender.

shots are 44-11 for OTT and its 4-4, ya great trade for Talbot there dorion....

meanwhile Gus is 2.00 0.932 in 34 games

Summer project: Get a goaltender.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Missed the game. Was it Talbot, the defence, injuries, all of the above?

Missed the game. Was it Talbot, the defence, injuries, all of the above?
- david22

talbot, he let in 4 goals on 11 shots.

Missed the game. Was it Talbot, the defence, injuries, all of the above?
- david22

Just a funny game. I thought it was one of best games the Sens had played all season with Chabot and Chycuran not playing and Hamonic and Brassard going down with injuries during the game..

Sanderson was outstanding.

Missed the game. Was it Talbot, the defence, injuries, all of the above?
- david22

Sens played well considering a depleted lineup. Talbot came to watch the game....

Not sure how the team can even consider giving Talbot a contract with the money he wants. Move on. Explore elsewhere.

I'll start by saying Leevi Meriläinen is the goaltender of the future. He needs some seasoning but might be a candidate for a strong 2024/2025 campaign to challenge for a full-time job.

In the meantime, you have Forsberg who will be coming off 2 knee injuries, Sogaard who had hot and cold moments, Mandolese who is a big project, and Fergusson who is another project.

The free agent list is underwhelming for goals, particularly for UFA's.

Some smart trading might be in the works to address the issue. With Boston locked in on Linus Ulmark, I wonder if Jeremy Swayman might be a target. RFA with decent numbers for a backup. No sense for Bruins to pay hefty coin for a backup for a Vezina candidate. Sens have 1st, 2nd, and 4th round picks for 2024 as assests.

Great fight by DeBrincat and he got the goal in OT by a great pass from Sandstrom but other than that he was invisible for the whole game.

Use the 9 million to get a couple of good players to beef up the top nine. Outside of that 9 million you still have enough money under the cap to lock up Sanderson and Pinto long term and find a reliable goalie.

This is a great coming team and will make a lot of noise this coming season. Don't blow it!

Kleven played a solid game. Nothing fancy but solid. Sanderson looked great. The whole team looked great. Watch out next year folks!

Great fight by DeBrincat and he got the goal in OT by a great pass from Sandstrom but other than that he was invisible for the whole game.

Use the 9 million to get a couple of good players to beef up the top nine. Outside of that 9 million you still have enough money under the cap to lock up Sanderson and Pinto long term and find a reliable goalie.

This is a great coming team and will make a lot of noise this coming season. Don't blow it!

Kleven played a solid game. Nothing fancy but solid. Sanderson looked great. The whole team looked great. Watch out next year folks!
- Whatisavailable

Yeah I agree. It's about developing players behind the big 5-6 players (Tkachuk, Stutzle, Sanderson, Chabot, Norris, Chychrun). I think these players are what they are and I'm confident in their abilities, injuries aside. But the players like Batherson, Pinto, Grieg, Kleven, Brannstrom, JBD, Boucher, Thomson and ESPECIALLY the goalies in Soogard and Mandolese ---- the development and growth of these players is massive in determining whether this team becomes a contender or just a good team

DeBrincat is also a huge wildcard. 9m is too much, like many have acknowledged. Dorion needs to make good on the situation

Apparently Talbot wants a $5million/yr contract? On what planet??
- GrimmdaGoalie

Good luck with that one after tonight. Not exactly the best performance to have right after exorbitant salary demands are leaked. At his current numbers and age, anything beyond 2.5*2 will be buyer's remorse. I wouldn't even offer that - get one of Vegas' castoff goalies (not named Quick) in the off, or Varlamov. Perhaps not the silver bullet we might want, but just try something... anything else - our goalies have simply not been good enough this year.

Apparently Talbot wants a $5million/yr contract? On what planet??
- GrimmdaGoalie

Forsberg-Sogaard will be fine, especially for the $$$ savings... or pick up next year's equivalent of Magnus Hellberg after training camp. Letting in 4G on 11 shots in a must-win game is just embarrassing.

If McDavid played another sport we might be talking about Jack Hughes as a possible MVP this season. Scores goals, great play maker and a solid presence all over the ice.

So, is Timmy as valuable to the Sens as Hughes is to the Devils? I think so.

Timmy was right off the charts phenomenal last night. A few of those long breakaway passes were works of art.

Loved the fight in the team. I thought DeBrincat showed us something we had not seen all season. When the guys were going into the penalty box to shake his hand, I thought, maybe there is more here than we think. The look of glee on Joseph's face as he pounded the boards in tribute to DeBrincat was entirely uplifting.