Good plan .... you're hired.

Don't forget Sens still have $120,000 in cap space . A variant to your plan could be to just let Bailey go .... if he is no better then the rookies ... and bring up Greig to play on the 4rth line if Greig shows he is ready (or Crookshank, etc.). Unfortunately I think Bailey is a luxury the Sens can't afford. Why are we using a 33 year old to block our younger talent who could be quicker, and more physical.
- OttawaB

I'm never a fan of rushing the younger talent, and at this point they're already playing Sanderson/Pinto/Kastelic in their 2nd full NHL seasons, and Sokolov/JBD/Thomson as rookies. Beyond that, only Greig/Jarventie are even close to regular NHL assignment, and both are being groomed for more important roles than a 4th line depth forward. Now consider that Greig has just 39GP in the AHL, and Jarventie just turned 21 and has never played a single NHL game. For me, I'd rather see those two play 20min/night as the top-line in the AHL playing in all important game situations vs. 10min/night of energy shifts in the NHL with Kastelic/MacEwan.

It's also important to consider the injury toll of a full NHL season... last year saw them lose their #2C in the first 10 games of the season, lose their #1D and #2D for over a month each, and lose both of their 1A/1B goaltenders during a critical stretch of the season. Every team needs as much NHL-quality depth as it can muster, and if you can get that for the league-minimum salary without losing assets in the process it's a good deal. Bailey isn't the player he was a few years ago, but he's got over 1,000 games of NHL experience, has the ability to play up and down the lineup for short periods of time as needed, and contribute to both special teams. For a team that needs to win NHL games right out of the gate, I'm not even sure it's a conversation about which direction they're likely to go.

I'm never a fan of rushing the younger talent, and at this point they're already playing Sanderson/Pinto/Kastelic in their 2nd full NHL seasons, and Sokolov/JBD/Thomson as rookies. Beyond that, only Greig/Jarventie are even close to regular NHL assignment, and both are being groomed for more important roles than a 4th line depth forward. Now consider that Greig has just 39GP in the AHL, and Jarventie just turned 21 and has never played a single NHL game. For me, I'd rather see those two play 20min/night as the top-line in the AHL playing in all important game situations vs. 10min/night of energy shifts in the NHL with Kastelic/MacEwan.

It's also important to consider the injury toll of a full NHL season... last year saw them lose their #2C in the first 10 games of the season, lose their #1D and #2D for over a month each, and lose both of their 1A/1B goaltenders during a critical stretch of the season. Every team needs as much NHL-quality depth as it can muster, and if you can get that for the league-minimum salary without losing assets in the process it's a good deal. Bailey isn't the player he was a few years ago, but he's got over 1,000 games of NHL experience, has the ability to play up and down the lineup for short periods of time as needed, and contribute to both special teams. For a team that needs to win NHL games right out of the gate, I'm not even sure it's a conversation about which direction they're likely to go.
- khawk

We love our rookies and young players. But, successful regular season and playoff teams have character vets sprinkled through their line up. Bailey is a good fit. I think cap issues get resolved by moving Joseph along with a 1st equivalen (Boucher, JBD or Thompson). But, an injury to any first or second line player is enough to get the season started with Pinto in lineup.

Lassi was drafted 4 years ago in the first round.
To me this is a glaring example of a great draft pick, and a badly mismanaged asset. Every time I've pointed this out to people all i get back is "he didn't impress at the AHL level. He regressed. He showed nothing when given his chances."

his chances...
135 games in the AHL---72 points.
18 NHL games - 5 points.

Minus player in the A. Minus player in the N

During down years, through covid, terrible partners terrible teams and still was not given any shot with the big club. And JBD didn't fair much better. To call these two 2 men "slow cook" in the minors would be ridiculous. This is a product of coach saying to manager I need veterans in losing seasons not rookies.

Who, you're wondering was given ice over Lassi and JBD?
2020 the likes of:
Victor Mete
Gudbrandson
Zaitsev
Cobourn
Josh Brown (dear god)

2021/22
More Zaitsev
DelZotto
more Brown
Holden
Hamonic

JBD and Lassi got a cup of coffee that year but the coach gave them garbage minutes, garbage D zone draws with terrible partners (see the list above) and then sent them to the minors after disappointing results. I was there. I watched it live. JDB is a Chris Phillips. Lassi is a Chabot light. Trade them both at this point. Fans were prepared to see them have growing pains in 2020-2022. Now they have both had their confidence shot but this coach.
Rant over.

Lassi was drafted 4 years ago in the first round.
To me this is a glaring example of a great draft pick, and a badly mismanaged asset. Every time I've pointed this out to people all i get back is "he didn't impress at the AHL level. He regressed. He showed nothing when given his chances."

his chances...
135 games in the AHL---72 points.
18 NHL games - 5 points.

Minus player in the A. Minus player in the N

During down years, through covid, terrible partners terrible teams and still was not given any shot with the big club. And JBD didn't fair much better. To call these two 2 men "slow cook" in the minors would be ridiculous. This is a product of coach saying to manager I need veterans in losing seasons not rookies.

Who, you're wondering was given ice over Lassi and JBD?
2020 the likes of:
Victor Mete
Gudbrandson
Zaitsev
Cobourn
Josh Brown (dear god)

2021/22
More Zaitsev
DelZotto
more Brown
Holden
Hamonic

JBD and Lassi got a cup of coffee that year but the coach gave them garbage minutes, garbage D zone draws with terrible partners (see the list above) and then sent them to the minors after disappointing results. I was there. I watched it live. JDB is a Chris Phillips. Lassi is a Chabot light. Trade them both at this point. Fans were prepared to see them have growing pains in 2020-2022. Now they have both had their confidence shot but this coach.
Rant over.
- Octavarium

,

I think Thompson and JBD are caught in a huge squeeze coming from Sanderson on the top and Kleven pushing up from the bottom. And, you have Braanstrom already growing his NHL game in a very positive way.

How would you rank the Ottawa D this morning in terms of asset value? Sanderson, Chychrun, Chabot, Zub, Kleven, Braanstrom, Hamonic, JBD, Thompson?

I like Hamonic for the experience and the veteran presence. I expect Kleven will start in Belleville and be the first call up. I would not be surprised to see one of either JBD or Thompson traded.

I would like to see Brannstrom traded at this point. I know he is developing, and I realize he is a decent piece to roll into the top 4 if there are injuries. But otherwise, he will not crack the top 4 in Ottawa. He is of small stature, and does not have a physical element to his game. I would rather keep JBD and Thomson on the team. Klevin will eventually come up and start in the bottom pairing defence. But to play him with Hamonic is not a good match ..... who carries the puck out? I see Klevin a better match with JBD/Thomson. He may even improve enough to eventually supplant Zub in the top top 4. Our issue is to keep Chabot and Chychrun healthy through a season where they only miss a few games a year to rest aches and pains. I suspect that is why Ottawa may be reticent to trade Brannstrom.

While I would agree that the team has prioritized AHL development for many of their best young D-men prospects vs. exposing them to a rebuilding environment, I'd also agree that the time has come to leverage the value of those assets. That means taking advantage of JBD/Thomson while they're inexpensive as #6D/7D options, and not risking them as waiver losses. Much as Brannstrom has improved, he now makes nearly twice as much as any other depth D-man, which means he's taking the place of two depth D-man that could provide other types of value.

As for the comments people have made about top-4D injuries, they now have all of Chabot, Chychrun, and Sanderson as capable offensive D-men, which means what they really need to account for in the event of injury are the defensive responsibilities. They're also far more vulnerable at RHD than at LHD, which makes Hamonic the more logical choice to compensate for a top-4D injury (esp. if Chychrun is the most likely top-4D to be injured). Plus, they have Kleven available to backfill Hamonic's role as a physical presence on the 3rd pairing. As such, I just don't see it being that much of an issue to replace Brannstrom with Bernard-Docker/Thomson.

Already some talk about Chabots playing minutes, and its still preseason!

I am a little surprised, since with Chychrun and Sanderson, I thought he'd be playing less than he was before.

Already some talk about Chabots playing minutes, and its still preseason!

I am a little surprised, since with Chychrun and Sanderson, I thought he'd be playing less than he was before.
- david22

The talk/concern is all just a bunch of nonsense... Sanderson played 27min in his first game as well. Wait until the top-4D are in the same game, and then you'll see the minutes come down. Personally, I think they just want to set a winning tone in the pre-season in order to get the kind of start the season they know they need to make a serious playoff run.

They appear very VERY good. Now they need to play that good.
Colorado, Carolina, New Jersey those are gold standard defenses.
- Octavarium

I agree but NJD still needs to develop. We would take Buffalo over them, no?

I agree but NJD still needs to develop. We would take Buffalo over them, no?
- AlfieisKing

Not sure that's quite true. Dahlin/Power is a really good pair, but Chabot/Sanderson is no slouch... and Chychrun/Zub is significantly better than the Sabres #3D/4D. From there, it also looks like the Senators prospects are at least the equal of anything in the Sabres' system.

Not sure that's quite true. Dahlin/Power is a really good pair, but Chabot/Sanderson is no slouch... and Chychrun/Zub is significantly better than the Sabres #3D/4D. From there, it also looks like the Senators prospects are at least the equal of anything in the Sabres' system.
- khawk

In terms of trade value I would take Buffalo's D-core the next 5-7 years. But it's very close and could change with the progression of Sanderson and return of Chabot to what he was 2018-2019 (the last time this team had Duchene and Stone - and before DJ smith came in). Here's the way I see the trade value:

Rasmus Dahlin >> Jake Sanderson
Owen Power > Thomas Chabot
Mattias Samuelsson << Jakob Chychrun
Henri Jokiharju < Artem Zub

The Senators lost 4-3 to Montreal on Wednesday night in their third pre-season game. Highlights of the game are available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qntooH-7Fog

It's pretty hard to take much away from this game, given the highly unusual roster they put on the ice. Case in point, Brannstrom played over 30min, Hamonic/JBD each played ~20min, the "top line" was Kubalik-Bailey-Joseph, and Smejkal/Greig/Kastelic were the only other forwards to play more than 14min. Meanwhile, the Canadiens had Suzuki, Caufield, Dach, Monahan, and Slafkovsky in the lineup, plus the likes of Savard, Guhle, and Allen on D/G.

However, there were a few things of note:
- Despite the low-quality roster, they outshot MTL by a 30-21 margin
- Korpisalo didn't look sharp on a couple of the goals, though his D was weak
- Joseph had 2G off the rush and was skating really well all game
- Smejkal was effective again, with a nice pass to set up Kubalik's PP goal

The Senators' next pre-season game will be on Friday vs WPG.

Two Flyer scouts there last night.

To Ottawa: Oliver Bonk and (cap relief)
To Philly: Joseph, Brannstrom and the proverbial second.

no, not an overpay in fact Flyer fans would probably say no. Sens get cap relief. Room for Pinto. And the Bonk's still live in Ottawa so that works into typical Ottawa narrative of keeping things close to home with fathers and sons.


Another question. Seeing as how the victim involved in the 2018 WJC scandal settled(again) in August...is that that then? Will Formenton every play again? Are the other 3-5 main perpetrators ever going to see supplementary discipline from the NHL or anyone?

Well now.
That's interesting.
Vavsilevsky out and on LTIR.
We'll give them Joseph back....and Ben Biship 2.0--Madds Sogard. And in exchange we want????

Well now.
That's interesting.
Vavsilevsky out and on LTIR.
We'll give them Joseph back....and Ben Biship 2.0--Madds Sogard. And in exchange we want????
- Octavarium

Pick Naul

Well now.
That's interesting.
Vavsilevsky out and on LTIR.
We'll give them Joseph back....and Ben Biship 2.0--Madds Sogard. And in exchange we want????
- Octavarium

Not Sogarrd. He is raw with huge potential, plus he is on an entry level deal. Could probably play back up this year.

Tampa can't fit Joseph under their cap. Paul would not work for Ottawa.

Maybe Forsburg.

Hard to figure a deal that could work for both teams.

Well now.
That's interesting.
Vavsilevsky out and on LTIR.
We'll give them Joseph back....and Ben Biship 2.0--Madds Sogard. And in exchange we want????
- Octavarium

Maybe just let one of the playoff favorites in the division get off to a terrible start, and hopefully cripple their season? A dismal start might even precipitate a Stamkos trade, if he decides he doesn't like the direction things are going.

As for the Pinto/cap situation, it's actually very simple if they just want to get things done in as few moves as possible. If they traded Brannstrom for draft picks and sent Kelly to the AHL, it would effectively give them ~$2.9M in cap space. With that you could sign Pinto at $2.0M for the year, then use the $0.9M to either keep Thomson with the team (if they want to maintain 7D) or sign Bailey to a league-minimum deal. In fact, they could sign Bailey either way, and just start him in the AHL after exposing him to waivers.

That would definitely keep the best top-9F, the best top-4D, and the best top-2G on the roster to start the season. Plus, they'd have game-ready players like Smejkal/Matinpalo in the AHL, along with key AHL prospects like Greig, Jarventie, Kleven, and Sogaard there for call-up duty as well.

I could see Ottawa making 2 trades.

San Jose could be a trade partner for Brannstrom. As someone (???) mentioned, San Jose is desparately in need of a d-man quarterback for the powerplay. They do not have any d-men that can fill this roll. They are currently working with a powerplay of 5 forwards. Not ideal. Brannstrom could be an answer. What do we get back in return ... not expecting much.
As for Philly. They are the landing spot for Joseph. We would probably toss in a 3rd round pick and JBD as the sweetener. JBD has had a lackluster camp to date. But let's see a few more games with JBD and with Thomson to make the final decision. What do we get back ... that famous player "Future Considerations".

Stutzle/Tarasenko/Giroux
Norris/Tkachuk/Batherson
Pinto/Kubalik/Smejkal
Kastelik/Sokolov/MacEwen


Toss in Bailey as the 13th forward. So far, Greig and company have not shown enough to stay around. They need more minutes in Belleville. Jarventie is interesting but not on the 4rth line. He and Greig could be call ups when injuries occur. The Sens also cannot run a line out with both MacEwen and Kelly together. Not enough talent there.

Sanderson/Zub
Chabot/Chychrun
Hamonic/Thomson or Mantinpalo

Uniting Norris with Batherson and Tkachuk makes sense IMO in order to jump start Norris's game after missing last year. It gives him an element of familiarity.
JBD is being surpassed and won't clear waivers to be sent down. I would also want to give Klevin more top time in Belleville for a few months. I think Thomson has more upside as a puck moving d-man and a better shot then JBD. But JBD is a better defensive d-man.

I would look to trade Joseph, Brannstrom, JBD, Kelly.

However, we still have a few more games in presaeson to test everyone out.

Looking over at CF, most teams with cap space have pretty flush blue line competition already under contract.

The one team that looks real weak on the left offensive D side and could use a Brannstrom is Chicago, let Korchinski bake another year. Could sell him on his playing history with Zaitsev lol. Seriously though - take a look, who else has the roster room for him? Chicago has reserved 12M in cap space and only have 40 signed contracts, so they are primed to make more moves. Dollars to donuts Davidson is gonna hawkishly float around the waiver wire, but I don't see why you couldn't sell Brannstrom for that roster right now.

this coach....I swear.
Keeps putting Tarasenko on the left.
Once again playing the "watch this, i know better" card.

To quote Brad Pitt from Money Ball......"you don't".

It's like everyone sitting at home watching the Blue Jays. How is it that WE ALL KNOW if you bring Romano in in the 8th, or in a tie, or even if they're losing-----he'll screw it up. And they lose. Guaranteed. (Schneider) You can ONLY bring him in in the 9th, when you're winning, and even then it's a poop show....a double a walk a strike out a razor thin double play--save.

Well now.
That's interesting.
Vavsilevsky out and on LTIR.
We'll give them Joseph back....and Ben Biship 2.0--Madds Sogard. And in exchange we want????
- Octavarium

Eyssimont and/or Jack Finlay, throw in a 3rd/4th on our side to make it work.

To TBL: Joseph (2.95), Sogaard, 3rd 2025, Det 4th in 2024
To OTT: Eyssimont (0.8), Jack Finlay (ELC, 2-way) https://www.capfriendly.com/players/jack-finley
Net cap savings: $2.15
New Cap Space: $2.27

Sign Pinto (2x2.70), demote Kelly and MacEwan (-1.54), promote Greig (+0.86) and one of Sokolov/Smejkal
Net cap increase: Between $2.02-2.12
New Cap Space: 0.16-$0.25,


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

Chabot-Chychrun
Sanderson-Zub
Brannstrom-JBD/Hamonic
Ex: JBD/Hamonic

Sens have appointed Steve Staios as President of Hockey Operations.

Sens have appointed Steve Staios as President of Hockey Operations.
- HoweHatrick

We shall see how this works out. Recall from the Pierre McGuire saga how much Dorion likes to share... Except this time around he's not the favoured child.

We shall see how this works out. Recall from the Pierre McGuire saga how much Dorion likes to share... Except this time around he's not the favoured child.
- Bartacus

Yep, he's definitely in the hot seat and hopefully Smith even more...

Dorion has no choice but to play nice with Staios. I think this is a great hiring. Now we put the brakes on Dorion's total control over Senator operations (from a personnel point of view). Pierre McGuire was never the answer for this team. A reactive hire by Melnyk that was doomed for failure. Staios is Andlauer's guy and Dorion is going to have to learn to share info and power or he is the first out the door. I also feel this is good as we will have Staios as the 2nd eyes and ears for this team to prevent those trades of the past that Dorion blunders into .... Staios has a background in player development as well. We just need one more assistant GM for the Dorion/Bowness team to be filled.
Alfredsson is next I assume. I wonder where he will go? I'm just happy that Alfredsson did not get the Pres of Hockey Ops (no experience).

As for other's mentioning Sogaard in a trade. Why would Ottawa trade away their potential future #1 goalie? I really doubt that happens. I think Mandolese is the only goalie in the system they may trade away.