I wonder who on the scouting staff is whispering in Dorion's ear from the BCHL. JBD, Tychonik, now Hoyt, Beckner... It appears to be his favourite new pool, taking over from USNDP/USHL. There have been precious few impact players to come from there, so I'm not sure I understand the obsession.
- Bartacus

You forget local club legend Kyle Turris, NHL regular and quality 2nd line centre while here.

On Debrincat, honestly you can replace his 65-70 points with depth additions with more spread out salary. Ideally you try to leverage STL by offering up some D prospects or futures to maybe consider one of their prime-aged forwards like Schenn or Buchnevich and then add some decent winger depth in free agency, with a focus on 3rd line depth scoring and PK forwards. My off-the-wall offer would be something like:

To STL: Debrincat (w/ extension $8.5x8, he's not getting more than Timo Meier), Lassi Thompson, 2024 2nd

To OTT: Pavel Buchnevich (2y@$5.8)

Trade Mathieu Joseph for some mid-level draft picks

Sign in UFA: Fredrick Anderssen (2 yrs @ 5.0), Tomas Tatar (2 yrs @ 5.0), Tomas Nosek (3 [email protected])

Roster fills out pretty nicely other than the 6th d spot, especially if Formenton returns again. But even without him that is a playoff team:

Tkachuk (8.2)-Stutzle (8.35)-Giroux (6.5)
Buchnevich (5.8)-Norris (7.95)-Batherson (4.9)
Tatar (5.0)-Pinto (2.8)-Grieg (0.9)
Kelly(0.9)-Kastellic (0.8)-Nosek(2.1)
Ex: Ostapchuk, Formenton, Sokolov,

Chabot (8.0)-Chychrun (4.6)
Sanderson (0.9)-Zub (4.6)
Brannstrom(2.1)-JBD/Kleven(0.9)
Ex: JBD/Kleven, Larssen, UFA/Hamonic

Anderssen (5.0)
Forsberg (2.75)

TOTAL CAP: $83.1 M, enough for LTIR players.

I'd be excited by that roster. Tatar is so underrated was a huge part of NJ success last year and transforms teams into winners wherever he goes.

Garrioch said (roughly a few months ago?) that Formenton is never going to be a Senator again. I'm assuming he knows something about the investigation.

I wonder who on the scouting staff is whispering in Dorion's ear from the BCHL. JBD, Tychonik, now Hoyt, Beckner... It appears to be his favourite new pool, taking over from USNDP/USHL. There have been precious few impact players to come from there, so I'm not sure I understand the obsession.
- Bartacus

Well, JBD actually came from the AJHL (which had just produced Makar the year before), but when you have nothing but 4th-7th round picks you can forget about impact players. You're looking for depth pieces with good development potential who fell between the cracks.

Some of the interest in BCHL players may stem from their recent separation from Hockey Canada, and the extent to which they feed players into the NCAA.
https://bchl.ca/bchl-to-become-independent-league

In fact, the more relevant precedents to their selections today would be Angus Crookshank and Tyson Dyck - both of which were 4th-7th round selections from the BCHL that wound up going to the NCAA immediately after being drafted. If you reference Elite Prospects, they already show Hoyt Stanley as going to Cornell University in the fall, while Owen Beckner will be headed to Colorado College. Basically, what looks like a BCHL player is really just a Canadian-born NCAA selection.

An interesting exception to those cases is the goaltender they drafted from Kazakhstan - Vladimir Nikitin will be coming to North America to play in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs next season.

Well, JBD actually came from the AJHL (which had just produced Makar the year before), but he and Tychonick both wound up at the University of North Dakota after their draft year. Regardless, when you have nothing but 4th-7th round picks you can forget about impact players. You're looking for depth pieces with good development potential who fell between the cracks.

Some of the interest in BCHL players may stem from their recent separation from Hockey Canada, and the extent to which they feed players into the NCAA.
https://bchl.ca/bchl-to-become-independent-league. In fact, the more relevant precedents would actually be Angus Crookshank and Tyson Dyck - both of which were 4th-7th round selections from the BCHL that wound up going to the NCAA immediately after being drafted. If you reference Elite Prospects, they already show Hoyt Stanley as going to Cornell University in the fall, while Owen Beckner will be going to Colorado College. So what looks like a BCHL player is really just a Canadian-born NCAA pick.

An interesting exception to those cases is the goaltender they drafted from Kazakhstan - Vladimir Nikitin will be coming to North America to play in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs next season.
- khawk

Super interesting breakdown, thanks khawk. I suppose BCHL/AJHL it's the same as looking at VHL stats, selecting which bean is magic, but the obvious talent is pretty evident early. The leagues aren't devoid of talent, I was just curious why Dorion is fixated on the leagues. Now you've pointed out most of those players are going the NCAA route, shows an even bigger bias to players in that system. Not that it's a bad thing; but it's a thing with PD. US systems have come a long way from just ten, fifteen years ago. I recall Jim O'Brien was a Hobey Baker award winner.

Garrioch said (roughly a few months ago?) that Formenton is never going to be a Senator again. I'm assuming he knows something about the investigation.
- PogBoi

I think most here have given up on Formenton. Let's just say he gets mentioned in a lot of trade deals. The real question on the WJC issue is Batherson, and if something happens there, Ottawa is in a tricky spot. Also wouldn't trade for Carter Hart just yet.

Zuuuuuuuuub

I like your post. Buchnevich has a 12 team no trade clause. He could put 5-7 Canadian teams + 5-7 other teams (teams he knows he may be traded to and doesn't like). I like Nosek but for that $ I'd have him on 3rd line.

I thought about Frederik Andersen and how he can be a GREAT fit with fellow Dane Mads Soogard

So who was the better addition for the Sens last summer: DeBrincat or Giroux?

I don't believe Dorion is nearly as keen as he makes out in wanting to resign DeBrincat. Does it make any sense for DeBrincat to become the team's highest paid player?

The Sens need will to sign Sanderson, Chychrun, Pinto and Brannstrom. They need to add depth and more jam on the 3rd and 4th line. They need a goaltender.

I think most here have given up on Formenton. Let's just say he gets mentioned in a lot of trade deals. The real question on the WJC issue is Batherson, and if something happens there, Ottawa is in a tricky spot. Also wouldn't trade for Carter Hart just yet.
- Bartacus

Mostly yes.
And somewhat no.
Pretty sure Batherson and Hart gave statements. Pretty sure those statements aren't legally binding in any way (perjure). Formenton has said nothing. I think Hart and Batherson's contracts save them from what has happened to Formenton. Batherson and Bystander both start with the letter B. Carter and Convicted start with the letter C and Formenton and Felony start with the letter F. Draw your own conclusions. The internet is a wonderful place full of conjecture. I wish the investigation would poop or get off the pot. Bordering on ridiculous now with the timeline.

Jake Virtanen proves even going through the process is pretty much useless. Guy can barely get a job in europe

Mostly yes.
And somewhat no.
Pretty sure Batherson and Hart gave statements. Pretty sure those statements aren't legally binding in any way (perjure). Formenton has said nothing. I think Hart and Batherson's contracts save them from what has happened to Formenton. Batherson and Bystander both start with the letter B. Carter and Convicted start with the letter C and Formenton and Felony start with the letter F. Draw your own conclusions. The internet is a wonderful place full of conjecture. I wish the investigation would poop or get off the pot. Bordering on ridiculous now with the timeline.

Jake Virtanen proves even going through the process is pretty much useless. Guy can barely get a job in europe
- Octavarium

Whatever happens, Formenton clearly has a chip on his shoulder because he's apparently become a goon over in Switzerland. Most PIMs per game (3.36) in the league by a very wide margin (next highest 2.42).

I keep hearing Sens interest in Jakob Markstrom. Crunch the numbers he's a barely above .500 goalie one season removed from a pretty good year. He makes a lot of money too. De Brincat and I'd want one of those first rounders back next year. But if he poops the bed he's an expensive anchor for 3 more seasons.

Sign Bertuzzi 7 years @5.75M

Im gonna say firm pass on Bertuzzi.

One 30 goal season.
Has never played a full season.
Career -39 player
Injury prone including back issues (big red flag)

Sign Bertuzzi 7 years @5.75M
- AlfieisKing

Sure, and Eklund mentioned Ottawa as a possible landing spot for Bertuzzi.

But he basically takes Debrincat's spot and money, so need to get rid of him first.

And the priority has to be goaltending.

I think the hold up on the trade front is PD wants players to play now, not draft picks.

Really want them to complete a deal with Nashville for Askarov and a 1st rd next year for Debrincat and be done.

Concerning Formenton...man, he is complete purgatory right now....can't trade him, can't play him. I think he is being punished for not giving a statement or cooperating. But the investigation is dragging, to everyone's detriment.

jets to buyout wheeler, wow surprising considering he has only 1 year left and is still effective

jets to buyout wheeler, wow surprising considering he has only 1 year left and is still effective
- Mithos

Clubhouse issue. Former captain. Negative influence with other players, especially the younger guys.

Sign Matt Duchene 3 years @6.5M

Duchene - Stutzle - Giroux
Tkachuk - Norris - Batherson

or move duchene down with norris batherson!

Im gonna say firm pass on Bertuzzi.

One 30 goal season.
Has never played a full season.
Career -39 player
Injury prone including back issues (big red flag)
- Octavarium

Fair comments !!!

Sign Matt Duchene 3 years @6.5M

Duchene - Stutzle - Giroux
Tkachuk - Norris - Batherson

or move duchene down with norris batherson!
- AlfieisKing

Anything over 5 for duchene is a no no for me.

However, I think Sens should prioritize bringing him back. I agree that he’d mesh well with Stutzle. Just his finishing has been pretty bad.


I find it crazy Johansson was able to get dealt with 50% retention but nobody wanted duchene at that price either? Hmm.

Anything over 5 for duchene is a no no for me.

However, I think Sens should prioritize bringing him back. I agree that he’d mesh well with Stutzle. Just his finishing has been pretty bad.


I find it crazy Johansson was able to get dealt with 50% retention but nobody wanted duchene at that price either? Hmm.
- Trilla

We are about to trade away Alex DeBrincat. It's easy for people to say we don't need more offence but Giroux, Stutzle, and Tkachuk ALL had career years (well giroux in terms of goals). Is that going to happen again? What if one or more get hurt?

Duchene over the past 2 seasons is a 35/36 goal 78 point player --- and you don't want to pay him more than 5M as a UFA? C'mon man. This is a 3rd overall pick that HAS PLAYED WITH OTTAWA BEFORE. Played with Chabot, Tkachuk, Batherson and other guys like Brannstrom in the organization. He can easily hit 25 goals and 60 points --- and is a +10 over the past 2 seasons! He's defensively not a liability and would make for 2 strong PP units

The Debrincat stuff has been tiring. If he actually wants out of Ottawa, he should have been traded already and Dorion should have been all over Toffoli. None of that happened, so it seems more about money. I am not against the idea of bringing him back for a one-year deal through arbitration and having the club make a run for a big year. Let’s be honest, that might be safer than moving him and letting Dorion use the available money on an average goaltender and/or forward depth who may end up being overpaid. Don’t forget, with new ownership comes pressure to do big things to impress. While Dorion has hit some home runs in the past, but he’s also whiffed on a lot of moves.

One way or another, Dorion must figure out if Debrincat will be in the fold or not. Until we know, speculation about other moves is pretty moot unless the cap hits are small.

Folks are going premature on all this. First, everyone was getting rattled needing to get something done before the draft. Then they needed a big deacon draft day. Now the same thinking is pushing to make a big UFA signing on day 1. The best deals will come to the guys who stay patient and do their deals after the rush and overpayments are completed. There will be lots of talent and good options available for the Sens. I say "no" to Duchene. Wheeler would be more interesting.

Still hopeful that the Sens will find 3 solid depth players out of a deal for DeBrincat.

Folks are going premature on all this. First, everyone was getting rattled needing to get something done before the draft. Then they needed a big deacon draft day. Now the same thinking is pushing to make a big UFA signing on day 1. The best deals will come to the guys who stay patient and do their deals after the rush and overpayments are completed. There will be lots of talent and good options available for the Sens. I say "no" to Duchene. Wheeler would be more interesting.

Still hopeful that the Sens will find 3 solid depth players out of a deal for DeBrincat.
- spatso

Who do you mention in FA

And which 3 solid depth players - can you give an example?

We are about to trade away Alex DeBrincat. It's easy for people to say we don't need more offence but Giroux, Stutzle, and Tkachuk ALL had career years (well giroux in terms of goals). Is that going to happen again? What if one or more get hurt?

Duchene over the past 2 seasons is a 35/36 goal 78 point player --- and you don't want to pay him more than 5M as a UFA? C'mon man. This is a 3rd overall pick that HAS PLAYED WITH OTTAWA BEFORE. Played with Chabot, Tkachuk, Batherson and other guys like Brannstrom in the organization. He can easily hit 25 goals and 60 points --- and is a +10 over the past 2 seasons! He's defensively not a liability and would make for 2 strong PP units
- AlfieisKing

If you thinks he’s worth more then 5, why didn’t anyone want to take his cap in a trade? You don’t think Nashville told teams they could retain salary (like johansen) if it means getting him off their roster?

Again, I’d be for Duchene but anything over 5 for him wouldn’t make sense when they could allocate that money to more needing positions.

Who do you mention in FA

And which 3 solid depth players - can you give an example?
- AlfieisKing

Rangers need to move Barcley Goodrow. He is a solid 3rd line player at $3.6m. Motte is a UFA and really solid vet. He was a really nice player when he was with the Sens. If we are talking Rangers, I think Lafreniere RFA might be a really popular target.

Would the Rangers do a deal of Lafreniere and Goodrow for DeBrincat?

Rangers are already smallish up front with Panarin and Trochek sub-6 feet. And if they bring back Kane, he is also smaller. But Goodrow would be a nice addition IMO.

It is going to be hard for the Sens to plan out free agency as long as DeBrincat is still around because you have to keep 8-9 million in reserve in case you start the year with DeBrincat. Can't spend to the cap until you find out how he fits in.