If Laughton can be fit into our cap after Pinto is resigned, adding him would make a lot of sense.
- SensFan25

Not sure what the obsession is with Laughton but I wouldn’t give up any assets for him.

Konecny is a different story..but nobody was talking about him last season or the year the year prior when he was pretty underwhelming.

Best course of action is targeting the UFAs still available:

Bailey: who could play all 3 positions and fill in for Norris if he gets hurt

Toews: natural leader with cup pedigree who kills penalties/face offs and would be perfect mentor for the youngn’s. Also fill in for Norris if hurt.

Comtois: fits the age group, plays on the left, big body who could disrupt.


Reese: a dud offensively but a stud defensively that can slot on either wing on the 4th line.

That’s not including the obvious: Tarasenko, Tatar.

We should be targeting the players who’d cost us nothing but money now, and make adjustments come the deadline.

Bart I'm gonna assume you were kidding on Tarasenko at that money. He already turned down 5.5 and fired his agent at the mere suggestion that he accept it. He's probably looking for 3x6m or 3x5m and bonuses.

Folks are too quick to want to move Joseph. He is the Sens best defensive forward. I think if he gets a full season with Pinto we will be pleased. Already lots of firepower on this roster up front. Not sure some of the high flyers play a quality defensive game yet. Stutzle was not very good in the early season last year. Improved, a lot, over the second half of last season.

Ottawa Senators release Assistant GM Trent Mann. Thoughts?

I'm not sure what this thinks but it is a good time to release people after the initial rush of the Draft and Free Agency and maybe pave the way for some of Andlauer's people ...... maybe Staios ?

Ottawa Senators release Assistant GM Trent Mann. Thoughts?

I'm not sure what this thinks but it is a good time to release people after the initial rush of the Draft and Free Agency and maybe pave the way for some of Andlauer's people ...... maybe Staios ?
- OttawaB

Normally, with any business ownership change, leadership control changes. Irresponsible not to put your own guys in controlling positions. So, already, the president of business operations has resigned. Cyril Leader, advisor to Andlauer on the purchase is expected to fill that job.

I thought Dorion would be first to go. But maybe not. Appears that maybe we are moving towards Dorion reporting to a president of hockey ops who would be accountable to Andlauer and the new Board.

It would be nice way to do it. No matter what happens Smith stays unless the team repeats last November.

Bart I'm gonna assume you were kidding on Tarasenko at that money. He already turned down 5.5 and fired his agent at the mere suggestion that he accept it. He's probably looking for 3x6m or 3x5m and bonuses.
- Octavarium

I don't understand where all these other viable team options for him are coming from. Of all the teams linked to Tarasenko signing so far here are their respective cap spaces available:

ANA: $29.9M. Only team that can afford to pay $5-6M a year, but still have to sign Terry, Zegras, two defensemen, and a goalie. Not a lot of room after that, but enough.

BOS: $6.2M, with Swayman still an RFA and Bergeron/Kreijci still to sign if they choose to continue playing. Not happening for Vlad there.

CAR: $2.5M, with Svechnikov ($7.75M) still on LTIR

FLA: $1.14M, with Spencer Knight ($4.5M) off the books due to the player assistance program.

NSH: $7.93M, with Filip Forsberg ($8.5M) on LTIR. Can't afford any new major signings even with 3/4 of their forward core signed to <$1M.

NYI: $0.4M in cap space, can't even sign him to a league min contract if they could or wanted to.

STL: $2.36 M, also not enough to make a Tarasenko contract work.


So really it's only us or Anaheim with the ability to make a deal work, and the cap hit could be offset using a bonus laden incentive deal for Tarasenko where the cap hit applies in future years after the buy-out penalties for Bobby Ryan, Colin White and Michael Del Zotto come off the books next year.

So a $2-$2.5M base salary with up to $3.5M in bonus incentives applied to the cap next season for Tarasenko. Will still make locking in Sanderson a nightmare but the $ can still work if Kubalik and Parker Kelly are walked and Brannstrom or Joseph is traded (gives the Sens up to $5.4M to $5.9M to work with) even if it is a multi-year deal handed out to him. I like this lineup:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux
Tarasenko-Norris-Batherson
Kubalik-Pinto-Joseph/Greig
Smejkal-Kastellic-Greig/Joseph

Chabot-Zub
Sanderson-Chychrun
Brannstrom-Kleven/JBD/Hamonic

Korpisalo
Forsberg

I don't understand where all these other viable team options for him are coming from. Of all the teams linked to Tarasenko signing so far here are their respective cap spaces available:

ANA: $29.9M. Only team that can afford to pay $5-6M a year, but still have to sign Terry, Zegras, two defensemen, and a goalie. Not a lot of room after that, but enough.

BOS: $6.2M, with Swayman still an RFA and Bergeron/Kreijci still to sign if they choose to continue playing. Not happening for Vlad there.

CAR: $2.5M, with Svechnikov ($7.75M) still on LTIR

FLA: $1.14M, with Spencer Knight ($4.5M) off the books due to the player assistance program.

NSH: $7.93M, with Filip Forsberg ($8.5M) on LTIR. Can't afford any new major signings even with 3/4 of their forward core signed to <$1M.

NYI: $0.4M in cap space, can't even sign him to a league min contract if they could or wanted to.

STL: $2.36 M, also not enough to make a Tarasenko contract work.


So really it's only us or Anaheim with the ability to make a deal work, and the cap hit could be offset using a bonus laden incentive deal for Tarasenko where the cap hit applies in future years after the buy-out penalties for Bobby Ryan, Colin White and Michael Del Zotto come off the books next year.

So a $2-$2.5M base salary with up to $3.5M in bonus incentives applied to the cap next season for Tarasenko. Will still make locking in Sanderson a nightmare but the $ can still work if Kubalik and Parker Kelly are walked and Brannstrom or Joseph is traded (gives the Sens up to $5.4M to $5.9M to work with) even if it is a multi-year deal handed out to him. I like this lineup:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux
Tarasenko-Norris-Batherson
Kubalik-Pinto-Joseph/Greig
Smejkal-Kastellic-Greig/Joseph

Chabot-Zub
Sanderson-Chychrun
Brannstrom-Kleven/JBD/Hamonic

Korpisalo
Forsberg
- Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuub

Very good, well done, really helpful.

Not a huge fan of signing Tarasenko. More interested in ensuring that there will be money for Sanderson (next summer) and Chychrun (summer after).

If Sens are interested in making a core change in order to go after another big ticket item...maybe they should hold their fire and look to make a huge add at the trade deadline.

If only had Ottawa drafted Travis Konecny rather than Colin White in 2015, we’d already have him.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I was saying that the same year !! I was thinking why they went with Colin White when he was there. I also saw Barzal falling and was hoping he would be that at 18 (then take Chabot at 21)

Bart I'm gonna assume you were kidding on Tarasenko at that money. He already turned down 5.5 and fired his agent at the mere suggestion that he accept it. He's probably looking for 3x6m or 3x5m and bonuses.
- Octavarium

I don't disagree in the slightest, but space is at a premium, and there isn't a ton of room. Friedman is reporting Tarasenko is looking at taking a one year deal to boost his credit. He's coming off 7.5*7. He's not getting that again.
Yes he's got value, but only two years ago people thought the Blues needed to add a sweetener to move that contract, so he's not a player without risk. If he wants to get back to the 7+ range, bite the bullet and take a chance with a solid team that a) needs you and b) can give you the minutes. This is where Ottawa might actually have an edge over say, Carolina. Build your stock for when the cap rises meaningfully and GMs get stupid again, and he could make more in the long run. In fairness to the player himself, he deserves at least 4, but a cap environment is a curious beast. Hold out too long and you can find your hand forced. If you can nab him cheap, cool.

Not sure I want to spend the cap space on a player like Tarasenko. Lacks defensive abilities which would already be an issue with one of his potential linemates .... Batherson. I feel we need a player that can mesh with Norris and Batherson and can play a 200ft game. That player also needs to help with faceoffs to ease Norris's faceoff load until we are sure his shoulder issues are over.

So, ya, I would look to try and get a guy like Konecny. It will be expensive, but that first round pick we got back will help. As will Sokolov/Tompson/Greig .... or some combo of prospects.

We can roll Kubalik down to the 3rd line with Pinto and Joseph ... maybe Jarventie. Use Crookshank for the 4rth line.

I still say we try to bring a 1 year contract of someone on LTIR to soak up the amount we are over the cap. It would only be for 1 year as those buyout contracts disappear and the cap goes up (which we use for Sanderson contract extension).

Having said the above, I'm still not convinced that Konecny is actually on the trading block. Plan B = Laughton ? Cheaper to acquire and probably doesn't cost a first round pick.

To PHI: Pinto, Joseph, Boucher, Brannstrom, 2024 1st, 2025 2nd
To OTT: Konecny, Laughton

Have 3 lines:

Tkachuk - Norris - Batherson
Stutzle - Giroux - Konecny
Laughton - Grieg - Kubalik

(can mix and match above)

Not sure what the obsession is with Laughton but I wouldn’t give up any assets for him.

Konecny is a different story..but nobody was talking about him last season or the year the year prior when he was pretty underwhelming.

Best course of action is targeting the UFAs still available:

Bailey: who could play all 3 positions and fill in for Norris if he gets hurt

Toews: natural leader with cup pedigree who kills penalties/face offs and would be perfect mentor for the youngn’s. Also fill in for Norris if hurt.

Comtois: fits the age group, plays on the left, big body who could disrupt.


Reese: a dud offensively but a stud defensively that can slot on either wing on the 4th line.

That’s not including the obvious: Tarasenko, Tatar.

We should be targeting the players who’d cost us nothing but money now, and make adjustments come the deadline.
- Trilla

Pretty sure you just made the case for why they need to trade.

The Senators need quality two-way forwards to help stabilize the middle-six, and need to keep the AAV in check. Toews isn't going to sign with them at a discount, especially if they don't really even need a centre. Bailey has been on a seriously downward scoring trend over the past few years, and is one of the most butter-soft players in the NHL. Comtois might be worth taking a chance on, but he just got dropped by one of the worst teams in the NHL so you'd be taking a major risk with an urgent positional need. And there's no way that Aston-Reese can play anything more than a 4th line role at this point, which is not where they need to focus their attention.

The "love" for Scott Laughton is that he checks off virtually all of the boxes... two-way ability, physical edge to his game, strong work ethic, veteran status (wears an 'A') but still on the south side of 30, can play both special teams but is better on PK, has proven C/W versatility, and can legitimately play in any game situation. There's absolutely nothing like that on the UFA market, plus he's signed at $3.0M x 3yrs, which is a pretty good fit in terms of managing the cap. He's basically what Greig or Ostapchuk could be in a few years, but won't be until then. And adding a player with a 3-year impact to legitimately bolster the middle-six is hardly the worst way to invest what is likely a mid-late-first round pick in an average draft year.

Pretty sure you just made the case for why they need to trade.

The Senators need quality two-way forwards to help stabilize the middle-six, and need to keep the AAV in check. Toews isn't going to sign with them at a discount, especially if they don't really even need a centre. Bailey has been on a seriously downward scoring trend over the past few years, and is one of the most butter-soft players in the NHL. Comtois might be worth taking a chance on, but he just got dropped by one of the worst teams in the NHL so you'd be taking quite a risk with a major positional need. And there's no way that Aston-Reese can play anything more than a 4th line role at this point, which is not where they need to focus their attention.

The "love" for Scott Laughton is that he checks off virtually all of the boxes... two-way ability, physical edge to his game, veteran status (wears an 'A') but still on the south side of 30, plays both special teams, has proven C/W versatility, can legitimately play in any game situation, and has a reputation for having a strong work ethic. There's absolutely nothing like that on the UFA market, plus he's signed at $3.0M x 3yrs, which is a pretty good fit in terms of managing the cap. He's basically what Greig or Ostapchuk could be in a few years, but won't be until then. And adding a player with a 3-year impact to legitimately bolster the middle-six is hardly the worst way to invest what is likely a mid-late-first round pick in an average draft year.
- khawk

Persuasive argument.

I love +/- as a comparative evaluation tool. Sometimes we get so deep in the weeds of all the numbers we lose sight of the basic evaluation.

Some of us might not have noticed that every team in the East that made the playoffs had a positive plus/minus. And, every team that missed had a negative plus/minus.

In the West, one team (Calgary) had a positive plus/minus and still missed the playoffs.

Carolina was a low scoring team but finished first in the Metro by keeping GA down.

I understand that what I am saying may seem overly simplistic. But I just want to stress that a strong 3rd line that plays solid defensive hockey would be a huge step towards making playoffs.

Sens have $4.2 mil in dead cap space coming off the books next year. Give Tarasenko at bonus laden deal and it all goes on the books next year.

Love bonus deals....if he hits the bonuses (say 25 goals, 65 games played, etc) everyone wins. Money goes on the books for next year when the cap is up and the dead space gone.

But also...there are some veteran deals to be had out there, Bailey among them. Definitely need another 4th liner that we can sign at league min for depth.

And, finally, you can also do nothing...wait to see if we need an add at the deadline for a playoff push. Also...at some point u have to have space for one of the Belleville guys to rise, Grieg chief among them.

To San Jose Sharks

(3.25) F Shane Pinto
(2.95) F Mathieu Joseph
(2.75) G Anton Forsberg
(2.00) D Eric Brannstrom
(0.81) D Jacob Bernard-Docker
2024 1st (OTT) - if make playoffs
2024 4th + 2025 2nd (1st if Sens make conf. finals)
Total Cap Hit = 11.76M

To Ottawa Senators

Logan Couture, Erik Karlsson (50% salary retained)
Total Cap Hit = 13.75M

Brady Tkachuk - Josh Norris - Drake Batherson
Tim Stutzle - Logan Couture - Claude Giroux
Jiri Smejkal - Ridly Grieg - Dominik Kubalik
Parker Kelly - Mark Kastelic - Zach MacEwen

Thomas Chabot - Artem Zub
Jake Sanderson - Erik Karlsson
Jakob Chychrun - Travis Hamonic

Joonas Korpisalo
Brian Elliot

2 solid PP units. Stutzle, Couture, Norris, Greig can play PK

I love +/- as a comparative evaluation tool. Sometimes we get so deep in the weeds of all the numbers we lose sight of the basic evaluation.

Some of us might not have noticed that every team in the East that made the playoffs had a positive plus/minus. And, every team that missed had a negative plus/minus.

In the West, one team (Calgary) had a positive plus/minus and still missed the playoffs.

Carolina was a low scoring team but finished first in the Metro by keeping GA down.

I understand that what I am saying may seem overly simplistic. But I just want to stress that a strong 3rd line that plays solid defensive hockey would be a huge step towards making playoffs.
- spatso

The +/- stat gets a bad reputation because it's ineffective at comparing players across teams. Within the context of a single team, however, it can be a very useful way to assess where there are major issues in terms of even-strength deficiency. This is most certainly true of the Senators, where the +/- story reveals some pretty major issues in terms of how the lines performed last season. Case-in-point, here's a summary of +/- for the four lines last year... see you if you can pick out the rather notable anomaly.

-9 - Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux
-87 - DeBrincat-Pinto-Batherson
+2 - Motte-Gambrell-Joseph
-10 - Brassard-Kastelic-Watson

Even if you don't really like the +/- statistic, that's an objectively horrific number for the 2nd line. Factor in that they scored just 39 goals combined at even-strength, and it means they were effectively outscored 68-39 at even-strength last year. Now it's true that this was part of the natural consequence of over-loading the top line, but regardless you just don't expect a line to under-perform to that extent. It would be interesting to know if they would have returned to lines of Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson and DeBrincat-Stutzle-Giroux if they hadn't lost Norris to injury for the year.

To San Jose Sharks

(3.25) F Shane Pinto
(2.95) F Mathieu Joseph
(2.75) G Anton Forsberg
(2.00) D Eric Brannstrom
(0.81) D Jacob Bernard-Docker
2024 1st (OTT) - if make playoffs
2024 4th + 2025 2nd (1st if Sens make conf. finals)
Total Cap Hit = 11.76M

To Ottawa Senators

Logan Couture, Erik Karlsson (50% salary retained)
Total Cap Hit = 13.75M

Brady Tkachuk - Josh Norris - Drake Batherson
Tim Stutzle - Logan Couture - Claude Giroux
Jiri Smejkal - Ridly Grieg - Dominik Kubalik
Parker Kelly - Mark Kastelic - Zach MacEwen

Thomas Chabot - Artem Zub
Jake Sanderson - Erik Karlsson
Jakob Chychrun - Travis Hamonic

Joonas Korpisalo
Brian Elliot

2 solid PP units. Stutzle, Couture, Norris, Greig can play PK
- AlfieisKing

A big time "not a chance". There is not enough air in the dressing room to add Karlsson. It is way past the time to move on from his name. Chychrun on the 3rd pairing defence? That won't work either. The 4rth line would be too sub-par to run out there onto the ice. There is no trade with San Jose at this point.

A big time "not a chance". There is not enough air in the dressing room to add Karlsson. It is way past the time to move on from his name. Chychrun on the 3rd pairing defence? That won't work either. The 4rth line would be too sub-par to run out there onto the ice. There is no trade with San Jose at this point.
- OttawaB

Hey give Alfie a break, it's just his daily 'here's a trade that gets rid of Mathieu Joseph' post. The rest is just window dressing lol

We've got lots of solid LD up front and in the pipeline. Too many, actually. If you *were* to trade for EK65, the main piece going the other way should be Chabot.

Chych-Zub
Sand-EK
EB-Hamonic/JBD

Kleven, Sebrango to take EB's spot when he inevitably gets traded. Now I'm not saying we should do that trade, but we are already working with top blue liners playing their off side - we can't also have top players playing on bottom lines.

Sundqvist 1 year 775k with the Blues. These are the kind of bargain deals Dorion should be looking for - he's basically the same player as Laughton fwiw.

So with 5million cap space you can pretty much forget about anyone else coming in
Specially when 2.5-3million of that going to Pinto
Question is now what is the opening lineup gonna look like , let’s take a stab saying PD stays Pat as of now

Tkachuk Stutzle Giroux
Kubalik Norris Batherson
Grieg Pinto Joseph
Smejkel Kastelic MacEwen

Chabot Chychrun
Sanderson Zub
Brannstrom Hammonic

Korpisalo
Forsberg

A big time "not a chance". There is not enough air in the dressing room to add Karlsson. It is way past the time to move on from his name. Chychrun on the 3rd pairing defence? That won't work either. The 4rth line would be too sub-par to run out there onto the ice. There is no trade with San Jose at this point.
- OttawaB

Now that's good feedback! I don't like when people rip apart trade proposals --- you made your points and then backed it up

I was trying to show what Ottawa could look like (ON PAPER) if they bring in another top 3F and top 2 D-man. The Sens would be a legit contender if they get the goaltending

Sundqvist 1 year 775k with the Blues. These are the kind of bargain deals Dorion should be looking for - he's basically the same player as Laughton fwiw.
- Bartacus

Yep. Definitely should have done that, especially since it costs them nothing.

But I think PD is done unless he can get Tarasenko on the cheap, and the opening roster is this come training camp....

Tkachuk Stutzle Giroux
Kubalik Norris Batherson
Grieg Pinto Joseph
Smejkel Kastelic MacEwen
Spare: Kelly
Bellville Call ups: Sokolov, Javerite, and ??

Chabot Chychrun
Sanderson Zub
Brannstrom Hammonic
Spare: JBD
Bellville Callup: Kleven

Korpisalo
Forsberg

Yep. Definitely should have done that, especially since it costs them nothing.

But I think PD is done unless he can get Tarasenko on the cheap, and the opening roster is this come training camp....

Tkachuk Stutzle Giroux
Kubalik Norris Batherson
Grieg Pinto Joseph
Smejkel Kastelic MacEwen
Spare: Kelly
Bellville Call ups: Sokolov, Javerite, and ??

Chabot Chychrun
Sanderson Zub
Brannstrom Hammonic
Spare: JBD
Bellville Callup: Kleven

Korpisalo
Forsberg
- GrimmdaGoalie

Looks about right. I'd put Crookshank into the ?? category. I think this team will be fine as it stands, the litmus is those first 15 games. If we slump out the gate again, heads should mercifully, finally roll.

Hey give Alfie a break, it's just his daily 'here's a trade that gets rid of Mathieu Joseph' post. The rest is just window dressing lol

We've got lots of solid LD up front and in the pipeline. Too many, actually. If you *were* to trade for EK65, the main piece going the other way should be Chabot.

Chych-Zub
Sand-EK
EB-Hamonic/JBD

Kleven, Sebrango to take EB's spot when he inevitably gets traded. Now I'm not saying we should do that trade, but we are already working with top blue liners playing their off side - we can't also have top players playing on bottom lines.
- Bartacus

lol. We need to make room. We can't have $ being wasted anymore.

Josh Norris is making as much as Logan Couture, 0.5M less than Draistl! This is comptetion! Bringing in young players is part of the solution, NEVER should be the entire solution - especially when the Sens have done that too much when Melynk was here. May he RIP but he was a cheap owner! Sens need to swing for the fences but not in trying to bring in Duchene only to loose the trade - now Debrincat!