I'm not sure what kind of deals can be struck at this point. Moving Kubalik is a pretty much guaranteed. But other then that it sounds like Tarasenko is happy here (family settled in , kids playing competitive hockey .... he seems to like Ottawa and that's a rarity in good free agents). I wouldn't be surprised if at some point they re-sign him (maybe 2-3 years at 4-5 million).

I also think Brannstrom will be traded. Hamonic won't get traded. We will have to buy out his final year. No one is taking the MacEwen contract (2 more years). He may just end up being a shuttled back and forth between Belleville and Ottawa over the term of his contract. But he is showing he can be a useful player if needed.

Kastelik is the interesting piece. Does he stay or does he go?

I'm not so sure we trade any of our top 4 d-men until our new head coach arrives at season's end. John Gruden may very well be the coach with the ability to fix this defence and bring out the best in Chychrun and Chabot and Zub.

But if we are inclined to make a trade ..... Chabot or Chychrun + Norris + Korpisalo to Nashville for Saros + Fabbro + ??? ......... that is still my choice. So why would Nashville trade Saros. The reason is simple ..... Askarov is ready to move up to the NHL. As the Preds grow more with their youth then Askarov can grow with them.

I like Tarasenko, he is +13. Only Ridley Grieg at +14 has a better +/-.

Some commentators have taken up criticizing Tarasenko for his defensive play. I don't get it.
- spatso

I mean, no offense, but you *just* offered to package Tara and Chychrun for PLD one page ago. LA would run through the streets laughing with that one.

Tarasenko has apparently indicated he wants to stay, which is definitely a big plus. If we could get him on a Giroux kind of deal, that's reasonably safe and smart business.

I mean, no offense, but you *just* offered to package Tara and Chychrun for PLD one page ago. LA would run through the streets laughing with that one.

Tarasenko has apparently indicated he wants to stay, which is definitely a big plus. If we could get him on a Giroux kind of deal, that's reasonably safe and smart business.
- Bartacus

I like Tarasenko and would like to keep him. But he is 32 years and a UFA at the end of the season. If they can resign him my story changes.

If they are unable to resign him before the trade deadline I expect he will be moved.

Ya.
Tarasenko is running out of time for that last "good deal".
3x5m and a modified NTC
OR
3x6m and none of that no-move crap.

Probably what he's asking for.

Opinions can change if given new information ..... or it is now Tuesday and not Monday. I worry about people who become stuck on their opinions and refuse to move off of them.

I’d like to keep Tarasenko in a perfect world. While I expected a little more offensive firepower from him, I haven’t hated his overall play and seems like a guy who genuinely wants to be here.

The issue is that this season has been a disaster with the current roster. I think folks might be a little too attached to this roster. I get it. There were high hopes. At the end of the day, this team needs new ingredients to get better and you will need cap room to accommodate those ingredients. Removing Kubalik and Tarasenko at the deadline for picks (or let them simply walk in the summer) will free up around 7.5 million. However, you have Sanderson coming in next year at 8 million and Pinto will need an actual contract.

I am still in the mindset that the club will move a significant contract or two from the roster come October 2024, but they will likely need to take money back in any deal made.

Unless Tarasenko takes less than his market value, I don’t see him fitting in past this season. He’s also well out of his prime.

The chore to add some different ingredients to this roster while hoping to be competitive in the 2024/2025 season is going to be a very tricky task.

Alex Ovechkin is 62 goals away from Gretzky. If he finishes 50 away, it will mean he scored 20 goals this year (he's not on that pace). He then needs to score back-to-back 25 goals to tie Gretzky. Will he do it? Is it a matter of him having to do it somewhere else because only SJ and CHI (2 worst teams) have scored less goals as a team

Alex Ovechkin is 62 goals away from Gretzky. If he finishes 50 away, it will mean he scored 20 goals this year (he's not on that pace). He then needs to score back-to-back 25 goals to tie Gretzky. Will he do it? Is it a matter of him having to do it somewhere else because only SJ and CHI (2 worst teams) have scored less goals as a team
- AlfieisKing

I hope Ovi doesn’t try to play like 5 more years at subpar quality just to try to break the record. It would defeat the purpose. Goal scorers’ production can drop off a cliff. Most cannot keep the pace up long term. Ovi has done an unbelievable job to date, and I hope he can figure it out to break the record in a meaningful way. Would be a great NHL moment that the league has not experienced since the Gretzky days. I do think he will try one more year and then call it a day just missing on the record.

Alex Ovechkin is 62 goals away from Gretzky. If he finishes 50 away, it will mean he scored 20 goals this year (he's not on that pace). He then needs to score back-to-back 25 goals to tie Gretzky. Will he do it? Is it a matter of him having to do it somewhere else because only SJ and CHI (2 worst teams) have scored less goals as a team
- AlfieisKing

Its unfortunate. If it hadn't been for lock outs he'd already be there,

Great to see Pinto back on the score sheet.

Completely different team lately. Nice to see. Some actual drive!

All Time Sens Points/Game Leaders

1. Dany Heatley - 1.14
2. Jason Spezza - 1.01
3. Alexei Yashin - 0.97
4. Claude Giroux - 0.95
5. Daniel Alfredsson - 0.94
6. Matt Duchene - 0.91
7. Tim Stützle - 0.87
8. Mark Stone - 0.85
9. Marián Hossa - 0.84
10. Erik Karlsson - 0.83

*Tim Stutzle is 1.107 PPG past 2 seasons - and he just turned 21!

I thought Sanderson had clearly established himself as the Sens #1 D.

Last night Sens played Chabot on the first power play unit.

I wonder, are the Sens showcasing Chabot?

So.
It was a good game. Korpisalo stood on his head at times baffling young Canadian's snipers.

But I feel once again like it's groundhog day. Oh look the Sens get hot before the All Star break, then lose all momentum after the break and suck again.

So. If Chabbot is going----it's gonna be 8 coming to us. So who makes 8 that you'd want here. The Pierre-Luke Dubois people will point out the obvious similar numbers. So far three organizations have tried to make this guy like playing hockey. Not sure we'll succeed.

So.
It was a good game. Korpisalo stood on his head at times baffling young Canadian's snipers.

But I feel once again like it's groundhog day. Oh look the Sens get hot before the All Star break, then lose all momentum after the break and suck again.

So. If Chabbot is going----it's gonna be 8 coming to us. So who makes 8 that you'd want here. The Pierre-Luke Dubois people will point out the obvious similar numbers. So far three organizations have tried to make this guy like playing hockey. Not sure we'll succeed.
- Octavarium

As you have probably noticed I am a fan of the idea of doing a swap for Pierre Luc. I think a big bodied centre that can play head to head against top tier centres is an essential piece for winning a cup.

On the other hand, I have coveted Pierre Luc for Ottawa going back to his Columbus days. He has not been a great success in LA and it has resulted in some bad smells around doing a deal with other teams.

There is one voice in my head that says grab him, another that says be careful. I am less confident today then I was this past summer when Winnipeg first put him on the market.

I am a hard no on Dubois. I did like him a few years ago but his stops in Winnipeg and LA have stunk considering the expectations. Additionally, the last thing this team needs is a centre. You currently have Stu, Norris, Greig, Pinto, and Giroux who all have the ability to play centre. Personally, I am starting to like the prospect of Stu, Pinto, and Greig as your top 3 centres. You have Stu with elite skill, Pinto with strong 2-way ability, and Greig as a 2-way pest. I am not sure how Norris fits in going forward let alone taking on Dubois.

In my opinion, Chychrun will have more trade value but I would rather have Chychrun over Chabot going forward. Unfortunately, Chabot’s price is at an all-time low. His play has regressed this year, missed time, and every team knows about the no-trade clause coming into effect by the summer. Moving Chabot likely means you are taking on a bad contract in return, so in that respect, a Dubois might make sense. In the perfect world, you can trade Chabot to Calgary for Weager. This team needs right shot d-men and he would fit the bill and his contract isn’t great but cheaper than Chabot. I am just not sure Chabot’s value is high enough to get a player of that caliber right now which is why I wondered about a Chabot/Anderson deal with Montreal.

Apparently the WJ case is coming to a head. I guess Formenton is done for this team.

So.
It was a good game. Korpisalo stood on his head at times baffling young Canadian's snipers.

But I feel once again like it's groundhog day. Oh look the Sens get hot before the All Star break, then lose all momentum after the break and suck again.

So. If Chabbot is going----it's gonna be 8 coming to us. So who makes 8 that you'd want here. The Pierre-Luke Dubois people will point out the obvious similar numbers. So far three organizations have tried to make this guy like playing hockey. Not sure we'll succeed.
- Octavarium

THe silver lining with the repeat of strong play coming later i the season is that we are all finally wise to it, and we know better than to get our hopes up.

Apparently the WJ case is coming to a head. I guess Formenton is done for this team.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Five players have been told to surrender.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ld-juniors-investigation/

And formenton has taken a leave of absence from his team and is returning to Canada.

The moms visit was a complete success. Andlauer treated them like gold according to the athelitic.
You win the hearts of the moms, everything falls in place.

Trade rumours stink, was glad to hear chychrun say as much. " street" sources are the bottom of the barrell seeking attention online,never to be trusted.

Was Batherson at practice today?

Was Batherson at practice today?
- Octavarium

5 players already reported to have taken long term personal leave of absense from their teams.

They are Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, Ryan McLeod, and Cal Foote.

Now , remember that none of them have stated what the absence is for (maybe it is for substance /alcohol use .... but the timing ???).

I am a hard no on Dubois. I did like him a few years ago but his stops in Winnipeg and LA have stunk considering the expectations. Additionally, the last thing this team needs is a centre. You currently have Stu, Norris, Greig, Pinto, and Giroux who all have the ability to play centre. Personally, I am starting to like the prospect of Stu, Pinto, and Greig as your top 3 centres. You have Stu with elite skill, Pinto with strong 2-way ability, and Greig as a 2-way pest. I am not sure how Norris fits in going forward let alone taking on Dubois.

In my opinion, Chychrun will have more trade value but I would rather have Chychrun over Chabot going forward. Unfortunately, Chabot’s price is at an all-time low. His play has regressed this year, missed time, and every team knows about the no-trade clause coming into effect by the summer. Moving Chabot likely means you are taking on a bad contract in return, so in that respect, a Dubois might make sense. In the perfect world, you can trade Chabot to Calgary for Weager. This team needs right shot d-men and he would fit the bill and his contract isn’t great but cheaper than Chabot. I am just not sure Chabot’s value is high enough to get a player of that caliber right now which is why I wondered about a Chabot/Anderson deal with Montreal.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Quite frankly I think most on this forum undervalue Chabot. But my feeling is that he would be a sought after piece by most teams in the league. I think this is yet another case of Ottawa fans picking their whipping boy and then trying to drive him out of town (Spezza, Ceci, etc. etc.). I actually value Chabot way more then Chychrun. Chychrun just doesn't have that same hockey sense Chabot has. Proper coaching can easily fix what ails Chabot.

Was Batherson at practice today?
- Octavarium

Not sure, but I think we have the five names of players on leave's of absence.

Formenton, Hart, Foote, Mcleaod, and Dube. But to my knowledge, Dube's reason for a leave of abscence was said to be for mental health reasons, but that would be a pretty big coincidence, and the Flames would likely clarify considering everything.


Much of the speculation I've heard is that Batherson was the 8th player who showed up expecting Pizza, but left when he saw what was happening. But that is largely if not entirely conjecture.

Quite frankly I think most on this forum undervalue Chabot. But my feeling is that he would be a sought after piece by most teams in the league. I think this is yet another case of Ottawa fans picking their whipping boy and then trying to drive him out of town (Spezza, Ceci, etc. etc.). I actually value Chabot way more then Chychrun. Chychrun just doesn't have that same hockey sense Chabot has. Proper coaching can easily fix what ails Chabot.
- OttawaB

I like both Chabot and Chychrun.

But, in my opinion, Sanderson is now the Sens #1 D and he will continue to grow his game in that role.

It puts in place the possibility of Ottawa having 3 Dmen in the $8m range.

Can an NHL team succeed paying their top 4 Dmen $30m?