Here's yet another example of what I was talking about... compare the Buffalo commentary to the Ottawa one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNF2iaqJY8o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZyAKcF6VG8

If you listened to Dan Rosen, you'd swear that Connor Clifton was some kind of established veteran D-man that Buffalo stole in the off-season. This is a player that's only played more than 44GP twice in his career, only scored more than 10pts once, and has never played more than 17min/GP. Then they're gushing over adding a 35yo Erik Johnson for the 3rd pairing? That's usually a last-resort move for a team at the deadline, not how you start a season off intentionally... plus they just traded Lyubushkin, who is every bit as significant a 3rd-pairing guy as either of those two. Which leaves them with the exact same top-4D that they had last year when they were one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL in multiple key categories.

Whatever... it really just feels like some teams can do no wrong in the eyes of some pundits.
- khawk

Good comments.

I agree with you over the failure of the commentators to grasp that the Sens are a freight train coming down the centre of the track. They look at the numbers from last year and they see Buffalo missing the playoffs by one point and Ottawa by five. And they think about which of those teams grabs the last playoff spot.

They don't think about both Buffalo and Ottawa making the playoffs comfortably as aging contenders start getting pushed down.

Can the Sens beat the Devils head to head? I think this is the year the Sens produce a winning record against the Leafs and Tampa.

So, if you do a block trade. All the talent on one team for all the talent on the Sens. Who would you want to make your trade? Edmonton, Colorado, New Jersey, Carolina, Anaheim, Chicago, Vegas, Florida.

Several yeses and a couple of maybes but I do like the Sens.

Meh. Let all the commentators and analysts continue to rate the Sens lower and missing the playoffs. In the end they are all guessing like everyone else. In the end it is about staying healthy, playing to your potential, and generating enough luck to carry the team over the top.

The next few weeks or so could be very interesting , and not from a player perspective. More front office potential as the new ownership eventually takes over. Names like Staios, Cyril Leeder, Alfredsson ..... all have been discussed as potential candidates for jobs with the Senators. Where would they fit in? Can they coexist with Dorion? Where does Dorion fit in? I could see Leeder as President of Business Operations. Alfredsson as Assistant GM Player Devlopment. Staios as GM or even President of Hockey Ops. I have a hard time picturing Leeder and Alfredsson coexisting with Dorion who appears to want to run the whole ship and has only answered to the owner in the past. So where would Staios fit in if Dorion is still GM?
Andlauer, it has been said, is very loyal to those that have been with him in the past .... thus the names of Leader and Staios to be front and centre for jobs in the new regime.

The more this drags on, the more I can actually envision Dorion being let go and the Sens moving on. That would still leave a hole in scouting though (to replace Dorion and Mann).

Ryan Bowness remains as Assistant GM.

DJ Smith remains as coach unless I hear rumblings of John Gruden quitting or getting permission to talk with Sens. He just started his recent job as coach of the AHL Toronto Marlies (could Gruden be being groomed for Head Coach of Toronto at some point). Gruden is another person that Andlauer has history with. I think Chris Kelly is another longer term target for a coaching position, but he is an assistant with Boston and under contract for a few more years so I doubt he makes a jump at this point. But another coach, long rumored to be a potential NHL candidate is a Swedish coach, Rikard Gronborg (coached in various teams in Europe and coaches Swedish National Team). Gronborg has been in several rumors over the years for a job in the NHL when he is ready to move over. At some point he will come over .... and has connections with Alfredsson.

But as time goes by, before the ownership changeover, I am becoming more convinced we may see front office changes ..... sweeping out Dorion and maybe DJ Smith (if the ownership finds their coaching candidate available) and just deciding to start fresh with everyone. Or we just do a Toronto, and fire the manager and keep the coach, for now.

But I am just getting the feeling that Dorion's days are numbered as a Sens GM. And no ..... I do not see Dorion being given the President of Hockey Ops job. That post probably goes to an Andlauer loyalist. Maybe even one of the minor owners ... Kevin York? Someone who can run a business and work with Leeder.

One of the TSN reporters indicated that DJ Smith had offers from both Giroux and Batherson to play LW if needed this year, in order to accommodate Tarasenko at RW in the top-6. That's really good news in terms of showing that multiple players on the team are willing to accommodate whatever is best for the group. The most 'natural' top-6 would probably look like this, in order to preserve the chemistry developed on last year's top line, and capitalize on the existing chemistry between Norris & Batherson...

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux
Batherson-Norris-Tarasenko

That's certainly a playoff-quality top-6... but still leaves question marks about the odd-man out to keep the team cap-compliant once Pinto is signed, and how effective the new goaltending tandem will be. One question on that front - do people think there's a possibility that the team is quietly of the belief that Forsberg may not return from this most recent injury, and could wind up on LTIR to start the season? It would certainly explain the willingness of the team to go 5yrs on the Korpisalo deal, and the saved AAV would cover-off the cost of Sogaard plus a short-term deal for Pinto.

Another possibility would be that they could risk losing both Kelly and Bernard-Docker to waivers, and run with a basic roster of 12F-6D-2G to start the season - which could give them about $2.4M to sign both Pinto & Sokolov to low-end 1yr deals. Or they could simply leave Sokolov in RFA limbo until some cap space was freed up via injury, keep Kelly on the roster as an inexpensive 4th line plug, and use the remaining $1.7M of AAV space on Pinto. Or, they could try to negotiate a number of significant performance bonuses in Pinto's contract to delay the rate at which his full AAV would count against the team's cap.

One of the TSN reporters indicated that DJ Smith had offers from both Giroux and Batherson to play LW if needed this year, in order to accommodate Tarasenko at RW in the top-6. That's really good news in terms of showing that multiple players on the team are willing to accommodate whatever is best for the group. The most 'natural' top-6 would probably look like this, in order to preserve the chemistry developed on last year's top line, and capitalize on the existing chemistry between Norris & Batherson...

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux
Batherson-Norris-Tarasenko

That's certainly a playoff-quality top-6... but still leaves question marks about the odd-man out to keep the team cap-compliant once Pinto is signed, and how effective the new goaltending tandem will be. One question on that front - do people think there's a possibility that the team is quietly of the belief that Forsberg may not return from this most recent injury, and could wind up on LTIR to start the season, and perhaps indefinitely? It would certainly explain the willingness of the team to go 5yrs on the Korpisalo deal, and the saved AAV would cover off the cost of Sogaard plus a short-term deal for Pinto.
- khawk

There are pics of Forsberg practicing in full goalie gear taking shots so I'm not so sure about the LTIR for him.

There are pics of Forsberg practicing in full goalie gear taking shots so I'm not so sure about the LTIR for him.
- OttawaB

Fair enough - I actually added a few other scenarios that might be more likely in terms of playing around with RFA contract structure, and moving around smaller contracts on waivers, which might carry the risk of losing players to waivers. It's certainly good to hear that Forsberg is back playing, and getting ready for the season... it's scary when you see ligament damage to both knees, but I realize MCL is very different from ACL.

Fair enough - I actually added a few other scenarios that might be more likely in terms of playing around with RFA contract structure, and moving around smaller contracts on waivers, which might carry the risk of losing players to waivers. It's certainly good to hear that Forsberg is back playing, and getting ready for the season... it's scary when you see ligament damage to both knees, but I realize MCL is very different from ACL.
- khawk

I could see Kelly down in Belleville. I'm not sure how many teams (if any) would be interested in claiming him off waivers. IMO he is borderline NHL at best. As for Bernard-Docker, unless he poops the bed in preseason, he is on the team. I doubt they risk losing him to waivers (he would be claimed). I also believe Lassi Thomson would also need to clear waivers. One of the 2 (JBD or Lassi) will probably be traded before camp breaks. I don't know if that is enough to bring in Pinto though. I have seen anywhere from $1.5 million to $2.9 million for a short to mid term deal. Unless someone goes on LTIR, or we trade for an LTIR contract (Bryan Little from Arizona? who no longer need the contract to reach cap floor), then it looks like a trade would have to be done.

Forsberg definitely won't be on IL he didn't even have surgery. They were sprained not torn and he just rested and rehabbed.

Parker Kelly----please someone claim him.
Huge mistake losing JBD or Lassi to waivers.

I'd be surprised if Andlauer came in and made all kinds of changes. I think it might go a year of "viewing" to see and then he might make a move. Pinto is restricted and cant even be offer sheeted. He gets what he gets.

Forsberg definitely won't be on IL he didn't even have surgery. They were sprained not torn and he just rested and rehabbed.

Parker Kelly----please someone claim him.
Huge mistake losing JBD or Lassi to waivers.

I'd be surprised if Andlauer came in and made all kinds of changes. I think it might go a year of "viewing" to see and then he might make a move. Pinto is restricted and cant even be offer sheeted. He gets what he gets.
- Octavarium

Right, but what option do they have in trying to retain both? Neither is waivers-exempt anymore, and JBD is already the #7D with a 1-way contract. Unless there's a trade or significant injury in training camp, there's a very good chance that one of them won't be around much longer. I'm sure the Flames didn't want to lose Juuso Valimaki last year either, but he wound up as a Coyotes waivers claim before the season ever started. And the fact that he immediately put up a 34pts season indicates that they made a very bad decision by not trading him, or making room for him on the roster.

It all depends on how NHL-ready another team believes JBD or Thomson might be... but Dorion would be wise to consider a trade before they lose one of those two young players for nothing. Even a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick would be better than no compensation at all, and maybe one of them could be used as a sweetener to find a solution to their cap space issue.

Right, but what option do they have in trying to retain both? Neither is waivers-exempt anymore, and JBD is already the #7D with a 1-way contract. Unless there's a trade or significant injury in training camp, there's a very good chance that one of them won't be around much longer. I'm sure the Flames didn't want to lose Juuso Valimaki last year either, but he wound up as a Coyotes waivers claim before the season ever started. And the fact that he immediately put up a 34pts season indicates that they made a very bad decision by not trading him, or making room for him on the roster.

It all depends on how NHL-ready another team believes JBD or Thomson might be... but Dorion would be wise to consider a trade before they lose one of those two young players for nothing. Even a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick would be better than no compensation at all, and maybe one of them could be used as a sweetener to find a solution to their cap space issue.
- khawk

I believe that JBD is penciled in as the 5th/6th d-man .... the 3rd pairing and that Hamonic is now, or will become the 7th d-man. There is also a good chance that Ottawa could send Hamonic to Belleville if needed. I doubt anyone claims the $1.1 million 2 year contract. The future in Ottawa is JBD and/or Thomson .... the future is NOT Hamonic. Hamonic is there for insurance and to spell off the kids as needed IMO. Sure, DJ Smith is the coach and may want to fall back on Hamonic. But I think that going forward, he will not be allowed to fall back to aging veterans for help or he will simply lose his job. Those days are done.

I believe that JBD is penciled in as the 5th/6th d-man .... the 3rd pairing and that Hamonic is now, or will become the 7th d-man. There is also a good chance that Ottawa could send Hamonic to Belleville if needed. I doubt anyone claims the $1.1 million 2 year contract. The future in Ottawa is JBD and/or Thomson .... the future is NOT Hamonic. Hamonic is there for insurance and to spell off the kids as needed IMO. Sure, DJ Smith is the coach and may want to fall back on Hamonic. But I think that going forward, he will not be allowed to fall back to aging veterans for help or he will simply lose his job. Those days are done.
- OttawaB

Hamonic have a nmc. He can t not be send to Belleville. I don’t think Sens sign him two years to not play. JBD for me. He s not ready for the big league

I believe that JBD is penciled in as the 5th/6th d-man .... the 3rd pairing and that Hamonic is now, or will become the 7th d-man. There is also a good chance that Ottawa could send Hamonic to Belleville if needed. I doubt anyone claims the $1.1 million 2 year contract. The future in Ottawa is JBD and/or Thomson .... the future is NOT Hamonic. Hamonic is there for insurance and to spell off the kids as needed IMO. Sure, DJ Smith is the coach and may want to fall back on Hamonic. But I think that going forward, he will not be allowed to fall back to aging veterans for help or he will simply lose his job. Those days are done.
- OttawaB

I really like JBD as a future 3rd pairing/PK guy, but there's no way that he's being pencilled in as a 5th/6th D-man ahead of either Brannstrom or Hamonic. And I don't think that statement is dependent on who is coaching the team. Hamonic played a lot of hard top-4D minutes for most of last year, and his 2yr UFA deal has a NMC for a reason. Brannstrom has played 100 more NHL games than JBD over the past 2 seasons, led the team in +/- last year, and just signed a $2M RFA extension. Don't get me wrong, having JBD as the #7D is fine with me... but there's absolutely no way I want to see the team starting the year with him and Brannstrom as the 3rd D-pairing.

Hamonic have a nmc. He can t not be send to Belleville. I don’t think Sens sign him two years to not play. JBD for me. He s not ready for the big league
- Crosside

If Dorion and DJ lean towards Hamonic now over the other d-men, they deserve to be fired now. Enough of this bringing in vets to play and take up spots instead of trying to develop players. At $1.1 million, Hamonic is a pilon to be used as needed IMO. If the Sens have JBD/Thomson on the team, they can't be sitting on the bench and not developing. You just further diminish their potential.

Surprised to see no thoughts regarding the Matthews extension.

Right up front... if I were the Leafs' GM and could only keep one of the four, it would clearly have been Matthews. Even if it's an over-payment, he's the captain and the face of the franchise - so I believe they've prioritized the right player. I would also suggest that Reilly is the 2nd most important player on the team, which means their 2 longest-term contracts are 100% on-target as far as I'm concerned.

Now, is it too much money? Probably. The relative value of Matthews at $13.3M vs. Stutzle at $8.3M is going to be a frequently discussed talking point. But it just means the Leafs need to move away from having so many top-heavy contracts. This signing likely means the end of Nylander, and that's fine - they need to look for maybe a young C or future top-4D. It will be interesting to see what direction they take with that trade, though... all-in for the coming year, or moving towards a new future state.

If Dorion and DJ lean towards Hamonic now over the other d-men, they deserve to be fired now. Enough of this bringing in vets to play and take up spots instead of trying to develop players. At $1.1 million, Hamonic is a pilon to be used as needed IMO. If the Sens have JBD/Thomson on the team, they can't be sitting on the bench and not developing. You just further diminish their potential.
- OttawaB

Okay, but it's also clear that the first 20GP of the coming season could potentially decide DJ Smith's future with the team, not to mention the team's playoff fortunes. If you think he's going to risk that on playing JBD/Thomson ahead of Hamonic, I think you're going to be disappointed. And quite frankly, I wouldn't play either of them ahead of Hamonic if I were the coach. Hamonic is by far the most physical D-man on the team, and was a big reason as to why Sanderson had such a productive first season in the NHL. If he can support Brannstrom in the same way, they could have the best D-pairings we've seen in more than a decade.

Surprised to see no thoughts regarding the Matthews extension.

Right up front... if I were the Leafs' GM and could only keep one of the four, it would clearly have been Matthews. Even if it's an over-payment, he's the captain and the face of the franchise - so I believe they've prioritized the right player. I would also suggest that Reilly is the 2nd most important player on the team, which means their 2 longest-term contracts are 100% on-target as far as I'm concerned.

Now, is it too much money? Probably. The relative value of Matthews at $13.3M vs. Stutzle at $8.3M is going to be a frequently discussed talking point. But it just means the Leafs need to move away from having so many top-heavy contracts. This signing likely means the end of Nylander, and that's fine - they need to look for maybe a young C or future top-4D. It will be interesting to see what direction they take with that trade, though... all-in for the coming year, or moving towards a new future state.
- khawk

I think the money is fine. He's worth it. Tavarres really hand cuffs them going forward with this core and doing anything significant. The one thing I keep hearing people whine about it the length of the deal. I don't think it was Matthews that asked for it. I think it was the Leafs that wanted "only" four years.

Okay, but it's also clear that the first 20GP of the coming season could potentially decide DJ Smith's future with the team, not to mention the team's playoff fortunes. If you think he's going to risk that on playing JBD/Thomson ahead of Hamonic, I think you're going to be disappointed. And quite frankly, I wouldn't play either of them ahead of Hamonic if I were the coach. Hamonic is by far the most physical D-man on the team, and was a big reason as to why Sanderson had such a productive first season in the NHL. If he can support Brannstrom in the same way, they could have the best D-pairings we've seen in more than a decade.
- khawk

I like Hamonic. Coaches like Hamonic. Teammates like Hamonic. Hamonic with Brannstrom could potentially be a top 5/6 combination in the Division.

Fans can be finicky, especially when it comes to DMen. They get frstrstrated when your 5/6 are not as solid as your top pairing.

I like Hamonic. Coaches like Hamonic. Teammates like Hamonic. Hamonic with Brannstrom could potentially be a top 5/6 combination in the Division.

Fans can be finicky, especially when it comes to DMen. They get frstrstrated when your 5/6 are not as solid as your top pairing.
- spatso

Do you think Brannstrom may be a trade chip along with Joseph to get comfortably under the cap. I'm not sure how long Brannstrom will be with the Sens. He is not a big points guy, is too short to be effective defensively/physically, and will not see any powerplay time this year (Chabot, Sanderson and Chychrun will get that time). Plus, I'm not sure sure he is a DJ Smith "go to guy". I see the bottom pairing defence for Ottawa as being very fluid through the year.

Maybe see the following configuration ....

13 forwards, 8 d-men, 2 goalies. That way the Sens could keep Tompson/JBD/Brannstrom/Hamonic for the 3rd pairing and just play a rotation with them. But that means some cap clearing to make room.

Trade Joseph .... sign Pinto at 2 years $2 million, sign Sokolov at $800,000 for 2 years.

Stutzle, Tkachuk, Tarasenko
Norris, Giroux, Batherson
Pinto, Sokolov/Greig, Kubalik
Kastelik, Kelly/Sokolov/Greig/MacEwen

Chabot/Zub
Sanderson/Chychrun
Brannstrom/Hamonic/JBD/Thomson

Korpisalo, Forsberg

Now, if we do end up making another trade, I would see it as being made for a bottom 6 forward like Laughton from Philly. Maybe could get done for Joseph, Thomson, 2nd round pick. While I may value Laughton as a solid 3rd liner, I think Philly is currently over-valuing his worth. But I would be content going into the season with the group listed above. Now we just need the coaching staff to get some more defensive structure into the game.

Do you think Brannstrom may be a trade chip along with Joseph to get comfortably under the cap. I'm not sure how long Brannstrom will be with the Sens. He is not a big points guy, is too short to be effective defensively/physically, and will not see any powerplay time this year (Chabot, Sanderson and Chychrun will get that time). Plus, I'm not sure sure he is a DJ Smith "go to guy". I see the bottom pairing defence for Ottawa as being very fluid through the year.

Maybe see the following configuration ....

13 forwards, 8 d-men, 2 goalies. That way the Sens could keep Tompson/JBD/Brannstrom/Hamonic for the 3rd pairing and just play a rotation with them. But that means some cap clearing to make room.

Trade Joseph .... sign Pinto at 2 years $2 million, sign Sokolov at $800,000 for 2 years.

Stutzle, Tkachuk, Tarasenko
Norris, Giroux, Batherson
Pinto, Sokolov/Greig, Kubalik
Kastelik, Kelly/Sokolov/Greig/MacEwen

Chabot/Zub
Sanderson/Chychrun
Brannstrom/Hamonic/JBD/Thomson

Korpisalo, Forsberg

Now, if we do end up making another trade, I would see it as being made for a bottom 6 forward like Laughton from Philly. Maybe could get done for Joseph, Thomson, 2nd round pick. While I may value Laughton as a solid 3rd liner, I think Philly is currently over-valuing his worth. But I would be content going into the season with the group listed above. Now we just need the coaching staff to get some more defensive structure into the game.
- OttawaB

Yes. I could see them moving Joseph and Brannstrom with a view to building a really strong 3rd line.

I could see them starting JBD/Thomson with Hamonic. But I could also see Kleven up by Christmas. I like a D that is able to clear the front of the net and Hamonic/Kleven could be a strong bottom pair.

Did Ottawa really re-sign Craig Anderson on a one-day deal for him to retire as a Sens? If so, good PR move...

Did Ottawa really re-sign Craig Anderson on a one-day deal for him to retire as a Sens? If so, good PR move...
- Panzer_IVA

I hope they did.
Make him a goalie coach just don't let him cook chicken.

Make him a goalie coach just don't let him cook chicken.
- Octavarium

I remember that incident. What can I say - guy wanted to cook his own food.

I remember that incident. What can I say - guy wanted to cook his own food.
- Panzer_IVA

You know how many times after that incident that I was cutting and cooking chicken and almost cut myself? Like 5. Every time I would mutter, "Not today Craig Anderson...."

You know how many times after that incident that I was cutting and cooking chicken and almost cut myself? Like 5. Every time I would mutter, "Not today Craig Anderson...."
- GrimmdaGoalie

Same.
And yet, as with most stuff in pro sports I'm sure we don't have the whole story. I've heard it from some he was a tad over refreshed at the time of the incident.

Same.
And yet, as with most stuff in pro sports I'm sure we don't have the whole story. I've heard it from some he was a tad over refreshed at the time of the incident.
- Octavarium

Is that rumour an e5 or just an e1 ?