Chabot injured ..again, maybe OTT should keep Chych and trade chabot, who is always injured...

Chych was playing good before they moved him to chbots RD.

Underwhelming package for Tarasenko at first? Yes.

Surprising when given all the factors in play when you had to try to move him? No.

People should be blaming the NHL/NHLPA for the ability to give out no-trade clauses like candy. It gives the player all the power. While its understandable players want to have some stability for personal/family reasons, the salaries they are being paid should be a bit of a small sacrifice to pay. However, this is a debate for another day.

It should not be discounted that Staios made a move to please the player’s best interest. Staios could have easily not pulled the trigger on the deal due to potential backlash to make things easier on him. That will not go unnoticed in NHL circles. This is similar to when Bryan Murray traded Fisher to the Predators. Players notice these types of things. It can help entice free agents and current players to stick around.

Dorion created a roster mess. It’s naïve that the clean up would not be a little messy as well. Hopefully fans can get some of the outcry out of their system. Lots more moves coming by October 2024.

Underwhelming package for Tarasenko at first? Yes.

Surprising when given all the factors in play when you had to try to move him? No.

People should be blaming the NHL/NHLPA for the ability to give out no-trade clauses like candy. It gives the player all the power. While its understandable players want to have some stability for personal/family reasons, the salaries they are being paid should be a bit of a small sacrifice to pay. However, this is a debate for another day.

It should not be discounted that Staios made a move to please the player’s best interest. Staios could have easily not pulled the trigger on the deal due to potential backlash to make things easier on him. That will not go unnoticed in NHL circles. This is similar to when Bryan Murray traded Fisher to the Predators. Players notice these types of things. It can help entice free agents and current players to stick around.

Dorion created a roster mess. It’s naïve that the clean up would not be a little messy as well. Hopefully fans can get some of the outcry out of their system. Lots more moves coming by October 2024.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Good point in Fisher. That was easier to accept though because the return was still good, he was a fan favorite people wanted to help, and thr team wasn't the tire fire it is today so it wasn't seen as piling on.

Funny how 2/3s of a season make things look so much in a different light when this same roster was viewed optimistically before.

Is it too soon to start looking at favored candidates of the 2024 draft?

Underwhelming package for Tarasenko at first? Yes.

Surprising when given all the factors in play when you had to try to move him? No.

People should be blaming the NHL/NHLPA for the ability to give out no-trade clauses like candy. It gives the player all the power. While its understandable players want to have some stability for personal/family reasons, the salaries they are being paid should be a bit of a small sacrifice to pay. However, this is a debate for another day.

It should not be discounted that Staios made a move to please the player’s best interest. Staios could have easily not pulled the trigger on the deal due to potential backlash to make things easier on him. That will not go unnoticed in NHL circles. This is similar to when Bryan Murray traded Fisher to the Predators. Players notice these types of things. It can help entice free agents and current players to stick around.

Dorion created a roster mess. It’s naïve that the clean up would not be a little messy as well. Hopefully fans can get some of the outcry out of their system. Lots more moves coming by October 2024.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I think you are looking at this the right way. Sometimes we forget that free cap space in summer is a valuable asset in its own right. If you look towards next October, the Sens should have around $16m in free cap space. And, if Norris is not ready the Sens' season the cap free range jumps up into $24m range. And, they could make several other moves (Korpisalo, Forsberg, Hamonic) to create even more space.

Sens have only one contract involving any pressure in terms of getting it right and that is Pinto

Tarasenko turn out to be a pure rental that worked out well. I would have been okay had he resigned. But, he goes to a team (Florida) that has 14 UFA/RFA's next summer. The Panthers will have players who will be walking and likely it will include Tarasenko. It is the same for most of the other playoff bound teams.

There will be very few teams that will have the cap space to enter into the free agent market in a big way or who will be in a position to do a trade where they add substantial money.

Free cap space is sometimes far more valuable than anything else you can get back in a trade return. Anybody thinking it is better to always get something rather than nothing only needs to look at the consequence of the Sens taking Kubalik as an add on from Detroit.

I think you are looking at this the right way. Sometimes we forget that free cap space in summer is a valuable asset in its own right. If you look towards next October, the Sens should have around $16m in free cap space. And, if Norris is not ready the Sens' season the cap free range jumps up into $24m range. And, they could make several other moves (Korpisalo, Forsberg, Hamonic) to create even more space.

Sens have only one contract involving any pressure in terms of getting it right and that is Pinto

Tarasenko turn out to be a pure rental that worked out well. I would have been okay had he resigned. But, he goes to a team (Florida) that has 14 UFA/RFA's next summer. The Panthers will have players who will be walking and likely it will include Tarasenko. It is the same for most of the other playoff bound teams.

There will be very few teams that will have the cap space to enter into the free agent market in a big way or who will be in a position to do a trade where they add substantial money.

Free cap space is sometimes far more valuable than anything else you can get back in a trade return. Anybody thinking it is better to always get something rather than nothing only needs to look at the consequence of the Sens taking Kubalik as an add on from Detroit.
- spatso

Good point. People too often assume that the trade deadline is for rentals but you will also see players traded that will work in the long term vision of a franchise. It’s possible the cap space alleviated by a Tarsenko deal will be used to bring in someone that will be part of the team going forth.

Friedman stated in his podcast that he wouldn’t be surprised if a team without playoff aspirations got Gunztel at the deadline and signed him long term. We’ve seen that kind of move with contenders but perhaps teams looking to retool will follow suit. Not saying Ottawa will land Gunztel but just an example. This way, you aren’t relying on free agency when a player might no longer be available.

Good point in Fisher. That was easier to accept though because the return was still good, he was a fan favorite people wanted to help, and thr team wasn't the tire fire it is today so it wasn't seen as piling on.

Funny how 2/3s of a season make things look so much in a different light when this same roster was viewed optimistically before.

Is it too soon to start looking at favored candidates of the 2024 draft?
- david22

It’s worth having the conversation now. Celebrini seems to be the consensus #1 guy and would be the prize.

After that, there seems to be a lot of 2nd tier guys. Since this team isn’t going on full rebuild, I think you just take the best player available as opposed to positional need. Many will leap at the right hand shot d-man in Levshnov but I am eyeing Cyden Lindstron if Ottawa is in the #5 range. 6’5 centre who is physical and can score. He has the potential to make the forward group more physically scary. Other than Tkachuk, there is not really a scary forward on the team or in the system. Maybe Boucher, but he’s a ways off.

CapF shows 21 NHL teams as having less than $1m of cap space heading into the final day of the trade deadline.

Next summer multiple teams will be struggling to try and sign many of there own roster players.

Sens need to make modest moves. What they need for next year is likely not available to them at this deadline.

...you're absolutely right Spatso.

And I still wouldn't have done that Tarasenko deal.

I just saw ottawa is winless in western road games. That's really something

I'm not really expecting anymore moves by Ottawa.

However, of note .....Ottawa called up Smejkal and now have 13 forwards. And they called up Guenette to make it 7 d-men.

Does this mean something in the works? Or is the braintrust just thinking on things. I guess we will have to wait to see if anyone is being held out of tonight's game. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmm.


Also of note, Sogaard was sent back to Belleville so it must mean we will see a steady stream of Beavis and Butthead in goal again.


..... oh , wait. Looks like Chabot and Highmore are injured and may miss tonights game. So I doubt that there is anything afoot.

This team can't play or execute in tight spaces. They have to cheat to score. They need a split second more to finish. They can't play fast hockey and I'm not talking about foot speed. I'm talking thinking the game, vision, pass accuracy, taking passes, shooting accuracy, etc. anything that forces them to execute faster.

This team can't play or execute in tight spaces. They have to cheat to score. They need a split second more to finish. They can't play fast hockey and I'm not talking about foot speed. I'm talking thinking the game, vision, pass accuracy, taking passes, shooting accuracy, etc. anything that forces them to execute faster.
- granpa

I'm not sure if it's a tight space issue per se, but I would suggest they definitely suffer from a lack of intensity and focus. There are long stretches where this team effectively controls the game in terms of possession, but translate very little of that into goal production. Or where they seem to be in the right defensive position, but fail to control the stick and it leads directly to a deflection goal. Or they botch a simple d-zone pass by putting it right in their teammate's skates instead of on the stick, which leads to turnover and them being trapped in the d-zone. All of these things are about a lack of precise execution... hit the tape, cover your man, make the shot count. They have to start playing for each other more than they do, and playing like the games matter with a more competitive edge.

This is why I think you'll see Staios add at least two significant veterans who play with tenacity and a physical edge, and I would suggest that Dumba/Laughton could be high on that list. Now some people question why they'd want Dumba, but he's a RHD with over 650GP, has worn an 'A', is 2nd on the Coyotes in hits, is still a strong skater, and when challenged dropped the gloves with Brady and held his own. As for Laughton, he doesn't have Tarasenko's scoring upside but he does have over 580GP, wears an 'A', can play anywhere in the lineup, is 3rd on the Flyers in hits, contributes on both special teams, and has a reputation for having a relentless work ethic. Even if it's not those two specifically, they're the kind of veteran players the coaching staff can trust on the ice, and mentor the young core who are still learning how to win at the NHL level.

This team can't play or execute in tight spaces. They have to cheat to score. They need a split second more to finish. They can't play fast hockey and I'm not talking about foot speed. I'm talking thinking the game, vision, pass accuracy, taking passes, shooting accuracy, etc. anything that forces them to execute faster.
- granpa

I think this is correct. Tarasenko and Giroux may be the two exceptions that have stood out as being able to adapt their play to the time and space that is offered..

Man, Timmy is snake bit lately. Doing everything BUT scoring...

Can see the frustration building....

Nashville has now flipped Trenin to COL for a 3rd-2025, but added Beauvillier from CHI for a 5th-2024, and added Zucker from ARI for a 6th-2024. They're not only holding down a Wild Card spot in the West (7th place, ahead of VGK), but they've now added quality veteran depth to their middle-6 forwards, and still have a 1st, three 2nds, two 3rds, and three 4ths for the 2024 draft, as well as two 1sts, a 2nd, and two 3rds in the 2025 draft. Not to mention an expected major trade return for Juuse Saros, which will also create room for Yaroslav Askarov to become their goaltender of the future.

Staios/Poulin should really study NSH/CAR as prime case studies of small market NHL teams that have mastered the art of asset management, and remaining competitive year-in and year-out.

The Ottawa Senators have claimed forward Boris Katchouk off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Why wouldn't the Sens get Dumba and sign him to a 2-3 year deal. This is a great time to add to this team. They should be getting rid of Brannstrom.

The Ottawa Senators have claimed forward Boris Katchouk off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks.
- Mithos

Not going to lie, had to hockeydb him. 2nd rounder of TBL - interesting!

The Ottawa Senators have claimed forward Boris Katchouk off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks.
- Mithos

Pretty good value move for the 4th line - former 2nd round pick in 2016, has a reputation as a very hard-working forward, has enough goal-scoring ability to contribute 10G+, has played the PK, and has a comparable hits/60min as Ridley Greig. He also put up 40Pts in his past 38GP in the AHL (going back to 2020/21), so he's got enough upside to potentially contribute beyond the 4th line down the road.

Tyler Toffoli has 26 goals this year, 44 points. He had 34 goals last year. He has won a stanley cup, been to TWO cup finals - how the heck is he only worth a 3rd this year and a 2nd next year?

Why wouldn't Ottawa get him (played for 67s) - Giroux will only be here for 1 more year after this. I doubt he will play much longer.

Pretty good value move for the 4th line - former 2nd round pick in 2016, has a reputation as a very hard-working forward, has enough goal-scoring ability to contribute 10G+, has played the PK, and has a comparable hits/60min as Ridley Greig. He also put up 40Pts in his past 38GP in the AHL (going back to 2020/21), so he's got enough upside to potentially contribute beyond the 4th line down the road.
- khawk

He's an RFA at the end of the year too, so he should be sticking around.

OTT did nothing on the trade front. guess all OTTs fans have left is to see what they do in the off season, will they keep chych and trade the glass chabot? will they pick 6th or 1st OA.

I am surprised that Branstrom could not be moved for a pick of any kind. I hope this does not mean he is in the long-term plans.

I am kind of glad the Chychrun decision will be left for the summer. This way you can also consider Chabot. The management team will be able to make a more educated decision in the summer.

An underwhelming deadline for an underwhelming team seems fair. We can now focus on the draft.

^^^ Yeah, if this is indication of what Staios does, he's not going to get anything done. He strikes me as an extremely patient GM which isn't a good thing with a team that is about to the miss the playoffs for a 7th straight year !!

It was a buyer's market. How tf did we not go get Hertl for 6.5M? What a f'ing discount for a top line center. Your telling me we couldn't do that for

Kubalik (2.5) Tarasenko (5) coming off the books this year.

^^^ Yeah, if this is indication of what Staios does, he's not going to get anything done. He strikes me as an extremely patient GM which isn't a good thing with a team that is about to the miss the playoffs for a 7th straight year !!

It was a buyer's market. How tf did we not go get Hertl for 6.5M? What a f'ing discount for a top line center. Your telling me we couldn't do that for

Kubalik (2.5) Tarasenko (5) coming off the books this year.
- AlfieisKing

Did you ever stop to think that Dumba, Hertl, etc. would never re-sign to stay in Ottawa unless we overpaid them. You must have loved what Dorion did over the years (because this is exactly what he did). Why would we trade away picks/players to get another player who is becoming a UFA. They are not re-signing to stay in Ottawa at this point. Plus these guys are probably all on the back nine of their careers.