Trevor Shackles: Thursday Think Tank: The Waiting Game Thoughts on the trade deadline, Belleville's playoff push, and more.

Boro is such a polarizing player for me.

One the one hand he’s a great guy off the ice......heavily involved in charities and organizations (especially for kids). He’s always making time to sing autographs and take pics with fans. Seems like a genuinely good person.

On the other hand, he SUCKS at hockey and is a legit pylon on the ice.

You just know the Senators are going to 'Senators' this deadline.

I am just waiting for them to drag this out until one or more of their UFA's get injured and end up being untradeable.

Losing their stars will be disappointing. Watching any of them walk for nothing will be inexcusable.

Will this Belleville push impact the likelihood of any call ups once these guys are traded?

It would be nice to see some Brown get a call up as he's playing much better, but it may be better to leave him down, and making hte playoffs would be good experience for the team (and Melnyk would want the money).

I also wonder what will happen next year, how many guys get called up and who winds up on Belleville.

Norris may start the season there.

I believe the Senators know exactly what is going to be the final outcome. I think they have known for a good deal of time. If a deal was going to get done, it would be well known by now.

I agree they are playing with fire if they continue to play the guys they want to trade.

I believe the Senators know exactly what is going to be the final outcome. I think they have known for a good deal of time. If a deal was going to get done, it would be well known by now.

I agree they are playing with fire if they continue to play the guys they want to trade.
- spatso

It's weird, I know this topic comes up at the deadline (potential injuries), but this year it feels more pressing this year, like they really can't afford to let that happen this year.

I believe the Senators know exactly what is going to be the final outcome. I think they have known for a good deal of time. If a deal was going to get done, it would be well known by now.

I agree they are playing with fire if they continue to play the guys they want to trade.
- spatso

The Sens can't afford to call up the three minor league guys to play in Duchene, Stone and Dzingel's spots so they choose to play the three UFAs and risk injury... We're that dumb and poor...

The Sens can't afford to call up the three minor league guys to play in Duchene, Stone and Dzingel's spots so they choose to play the three UFAs and risk injury... We're that dumb and poor...
- riceroni

Irony is this overall "poverty" may be the best thing going for the Sens right now. Full crash and burn makes more sense than partial half fix. Stone or Duchene alone would not be much of a solution. I prefer you sign both or deal both.

This is not a great draft (2019). Next year is very strong (2020). That is year you want the picks.

There are reports here in winnipeg that Dorian is here now watching the Moose last night and Jets vrs Avs tonight.

Irony is this overall "poverty" may be the best thing going for the Sens right now. Full crash and burn makes more sense than partial half fix. Stone or Duchene alone would not be much of a solution. I prefer you sign both or deal both.

This is not a great draft (2019). Next year is very strong (2020). That is year you want the picks.
- spatso

Yeah man .... top 3 pick this year will suck for sure.

Yeah man .... top 3 pick this year will suck for sure.
- Matthews_Auston

there are just too many retards on this site who don't know how to read.

where did he say the draft would suck? he said it's a weak draft, especially at the top end........which is EXACTLY what all the experts are saying.

he also said it's better to have picks next year than this year..............again, ALL the experts are saying next year is supposed to be a much stronger draft.

here, try this website, I think it will help you: https://www.hookedonphonics.com/

Boro is such a polarizing player for me.

One the one hand he’s a great guy off the ice......heavily involved in charities and organizations (especially for kids). He’s always making time to sing autographs and take pics with fans. Seems like a genuinely good person.

On the other hand, he SUCKS at hockey and is a legit pylon on the ice.
- sensarmy_11

He's going to join the team in some capacity. You just know it.

Irony is this overall "poverty" may be the best thing going for the Sens right now. Full crash and burn makes more sense than partial half fix. Stone or Duchene alone would not be much of a solution. I prefer you sign both or deal both.

This is not a great draft (2019). Next year is very strong (2020). That is year you want the picks.
- spatso

This is true, trading all 3, although painful, is probably the best thing for the sens at this point, they will bring back a windfall and you can build from there. the only fear in that is when those players mature and want to get paid the ownership needs to be willing to do so, hopefully Melnyk is long gone by then.

This is true, trading all 3, although painful, is probably the best thing for the sens at this point, they will bring back a windfall and you can build from there. the only fear in that is when those players mature and want to get paid the ownership needs to be willing to do so, hopefully Melnyk is long gone by then.
- justmike

I disagree.

I think trading Duchene and Dzingel is what's best.......I think Stone brings so much more than his on-ice performance. he's a guy you want here to help mentor the young guys, be your captain. that, to me, is worth more than what you'd get in return for him.

the sad reality is that they will try hardest to keep Duchene, for the simple reason that they don't want to "lose face" and have given up more for him than they get in return.......which is a truly idiotic way to operate, but very typical of this management and ownership group.

as far as I'm concerned, what you gave up for Duchene is a sunk cost. I could care less about that draft pick, it's gone. that should have ZERO impact on whether or not they try to keep him. if they want to keep him, fine, but it should be 100% based on reasons other than "we gave up a lot to get him"

This is true, trading all 3, although painful, is probably the best thing for the sens at this point, they will bring back a windfall and you can build from there. the only fear in that is when those players mature and want to get paid the ownership needs to be willing to do so, hopefully Melnyk is long gone by then.
- justmike

If Melnyk dictates that all three are traded and then he tries to remain on over the long term he will be compelled to give the liver back to the donor.

Once the dust clears, there is no way that Melnyk can continue on as the face of the Senators ownership. It is an entirely unacceptable proposition.

there are just too many retards on this site who don't know how to read.

where did he say the draft would suck? he said it's a weak draft, especially at the top end........which is EXACTLY what all the experts are saying.

he also said it's better to have picks next year than this year..............again, ALL the experts are saying next year is supposed to be a much stronger draft.

here, try this website, I think it will help you: https://www.hookedonphonics.com/
- sensarmy_11

That is pretty good. I went to the website you recommended thinking it would be a comparative discussion of the next two drafts. I am frequently guilty of not reading and keeping opinion in context. I often over react to a single word or thought rather than the larger meaning that might have been intended.

I think the Jets and Ottawa get something done and Nic Petan will be seen as a filler "throw in" piece of that deal. Don't sleep on or underestimate Petan, was never given a chance here and can step in on day one and help. just needs to play.

I think the Jets and Ottawa get something done and Nic Petan will be seen as a filler "throw in" piece of that deal. Don't sleep on or underestimate Petan, was never given a chance here and can step in on day one and help. just needs to play.
- Ross77

I have no issues with getting Petan, but like you said, it better be as a "throw in".....in other words, assuming it's for Stone, there better be atleast 2 pieces that are clearly better than petan

I have no issues with getting Petan, but like you said, it better be as a "throw in".....in other words, assuming it's for Stone, there better be atleast 2 pieces that are clearly better than petan
- sensarmy_11

I think everyone always throws around top, top prospects or excellent young players already in the NHL in these Deadline type deals for rentals and the reality is they very rarely get dealt. Last year we gave up a First rounder and a B prospect for Stastney. Yes, Duchene and Stone are better than Stastney but not astronomically. I just CAN NOT see the Jets giving up a first rounder plus one of Niku, Roslovic or Vesalainen so I think a more realistic offer would be;
First rounder, ( Appleton or Comrie ), ( David Gustafson or Logan Stanley ) and Nic Petan

first round picks are no longer just given away, they are always the main piece in any deadline deal. the last few years, I believe less than 5 first rounders were given out.

first round picks are no longer just given away, they are always the main piece in any deadline deal. the last few years, I believe less than 5 first rounders were given out.
- Ross77

True, but when you have two players to trade that are as good as Stone and Duchene, you better be at least getting one first rounder per player.

I think everyone always throws around top, top prospects or excellent young players already in the NHL in these Deadline type deals for rentals and the reality is they very rarely get dealt. Last year we gave up a First rounder and a B prospect for Stastney. Yes, Duchene and Stone are better than Stastney but not astronomically. I just CAN NOT see the Jets giving up a first rounder plus one of Niku, Roslovic or Vesalainen so I think a more realistic offer would be;
First rounder, ( Appleton or Comrie ), ( David Gustafson or Logan Stanley ) and Nic Petan
- Ross77

Stone is ABSOLUTELY "astronomically better" than Stastny. it's not close

Duchene probably isn't astronomically better, but he is definitely better.....certainly far more gifted offensively.

you should and will pay quite a bit more for either of those guys. I would expect that Stone costs 1 extra "high end asset" more than Duchene

This is just like with Karlsson. They had no intention to keep these three despite what they have been saying. Remember, the "on the 8th day God created Karlsson" comment from Dorion, as well as him saying they wanted him to be a Senator for life. All lies. It came out that they had planned to trade him the previous November. Same thing is happening here. Dorion plays the lovable hard-luck GM, with the aww shucks, we definitely want them to sign here schtick, the whole while knowing that they were going to do nothing of the sort. Terrible owner, incompetent GM and constant lying to the fan base.

This is just like with Karlsson. They had no intention to keep these three despite what they have been saying. Remember, the "on the 8th day God created Karlsson" comment from Dorion, as well as him saying they wanted him to be a Senator for life. All lies. It came out that they had planned to trade him the previous November. Same thing is happening here. Dorion plays the lovable hard-luck GM, with the aww shucks, we definitely want them to sign here schtick, the whole while knowing that they were going to do nothing of the sort. Terrible owner, incompetent GM and constant lying to the fan base.
- jaz258

while the whole post seems rather pessimistic.......I honestly can't disagree with it.

that makes me sad

while the whole post seems rather pessimistic.......I honestly can't disagree with it.

that makes me sad
- sensarmy_11

I know, it's pessimistic, but I have passed the off-ramp for optimistic banter quite a ways back. lol