Trevor Shackles: Senators Set to Hire a POHO Above Dorion? Senators are looking to hire a President of Hockey Operations

It was highly speculated that Daniel Alfredsson would come in as President of Hockey Operations if a competing group was the successful buyer of the Sens. Remember Alfredsson's major slip up in an Ottawa Citizen report last year where he thought he was off the record and indicated that he was expecting become part of the incoming ownership group.

When Boucher was fired, my first thought was a new management group was coming in and they did not want the job of firing the coach as a first order of business. I did not believe the Sens ever had any intention of signing Stone, Duchene or Dzingle and the cleaning house of contracts and high salaries was left to the skeleton staff under Dorion.

Not sure I believe Melnyk when he claimed that he was told only one hour before that Boucher had been fired.

At some point in time, someone will write a book.

See that Leafs choked again last night. Not surprised by TSN headlines suggesting there was a "bright side to their loss." Perhaps they meant if you were looking from the Boston side of the light.

Anyway, I like the idea of the Sens putting some structure into their front office. I like the gathering of young players as well as the picks and prospects on the horizon.

I will certainly watch the playoffs this year. There will be teams and players to cheer for and against. My favourite playoff scenario is the Islanders making it through the first round as the Leafs serve up their traditional April pancake.

Right now there are 3 young Canadian tennis players that are the talk of the entire tennis world. Felix Auger-Alliasime from Montreal age 18, Denis Shapavalov from Toronto age 19 and the unbelievable Biancca Andreescu from Toronto who is just 18 and won the prestigious event at Indian Wells last week. All three are in the thick of the Miami Open this week. Milos Raonic age 28 is the highest ranked Canadian and he is also having a great season start as well.

They highlighted the Biancca win on HNIC. They likened her will to win with hockey and it was a really strong tribute to her fighting spirit. Loved it. These kids are great althletes and deserving of our appreciation. Oh, Biancca has already earned in the range of $1.7m so far this year.

Right now there are 3 young Canadian tennis players that are the talk of the entire tennis world. Felix Auger-Alliasime from Montreal age 18, Denis Shapavalov from Toronto age 19 and the unbelievable Biancca Andreescu from Toronto who is just 18 and won the prestigious event at Indian Wells last week. All three are in the thick of the Miami Open this week. Milos Raonic age 28 is the highest ranked Canadian and he is also having a great season start as well.

They highlighted the Biancca win on HNIC. They likened her will to win with hockey and it was a really strong tribute to her fighting spirit. Loved it. These kids are great althletes and deserving of our appreciation. Oh, Biancca has already earned in the range of $1.7m so far this year.
- spatso

I heard Bianca is a Canucks fan

No experienced top quality managers would take a job with a club that has such a high degree of owner interference. Hiring a former player with no experience is dumb. Just because someone was a good player doesn't make them a good coach or GM etc. It's good to have player knowledge and experience but one should also have experience as a scout/coach/GM/player agent etc before being a President of Hockey Operations.

No experienced top quality managers would take a job with a club that has such a high degree of owner interference. Hiring a former player with no experience is dumb. Just because someone was a good player doesn't make them a good coach or GM etc. It's good to have player knowledge and experience but one should also have experience as a scout/coach/GM/player agent etc before being a President of Hockey Operations.
- Greyman

i could see a quality guy coming here ONLY if his roles, and the degree to which the owner can "micromanage", were clearly defined in his contract.

i'm obviously not a lawyer or contract expert, but i'm sure that details like that could be agreed upon......whether the dumb (frank) owner would agree to that is another question

i could see a quality guy coming here ONLY if his roles, and the degree to which the owner can "micromanage", were clearly defined in his contract.

i'm obviously not a lawyer or contract expert, but i'm sure that details like that could be agreed upon......whether the dumb (frank) owner would agree to that is another question
- sensarmy_11

You wonder about Melnyk saying he did not know anything about the firing of Boucher until an hour before it happened. Is this a signal that he is backing off the micro management of the day to day events. Or is it merely saying something because it sounds right.

I think it probably has more to do with his actually giving up authority in regard to the executive direction of the Senators.

Hiring a POHO makes sense, but not if the individual is only there for show.

On a different note, have you guys seen that Chris Kelly (retired NHL player) is now an assistant coach in OTT? Noticed it for the first time last week but I'm not sure how long he's been there. I thought that was a good hiring move.

Chia has already accepted the position.
Presser to be set for a later date.

See that Leafs choked again last night. Not surprised by TSN headlines suggesting there was a "bright side to their loss." Perhaps they meant if you were looking from the Boston side of the light.

Anyway, I like the idea of the Sens putting some structure into their front office. I like the gathering of young players as well as the picks and prospects on the horizon.

I will certainly watch the playoffs this year. There will be teams and players to cheer for and against. My favourite playoff scenario is the Islanders making it through the first round as the Leafs serve up their traditional April pancake.
- spatso

"With The 1st selection of the 2019 NHL draft, Colorado selects Jack Hughes"

I was at the Belleville/Bridgeport game last night. Belleville is a much larger team but Bridgeport is sneaky and fast. The B-Sens controlled much of the play throughout the game, having good zone control and leading in shots. Belleville was able to kill a lengthy 5 on 3 after taking penalties that were 10 or so seconds apart. It is hard to fault Gustavsson for the goals allowed as there was considerable traffic in front of him for both (the second one being on the penalty kill). I made sure to keep an eye on some of their higher level prospects, here is what I noticed.

Brown: Very good hands and even better at using his large frame to shield the puck. Can be a little lazy at times but is very hard to miss when he turns the intensity up.

Paul: Looked like a really good complement to Brown, they seemed to be able to find each other with ease. Less offensive instinct than Brown but is not afraid to go into the corners or drive to the net. Should be in Ottawa.

Batherson: Strong in all three zones. Looked calm, no matter the situation. May not be a huge offensive player but looks to be reliable in any situation.

Chlapik: Looked great early but got boarded in front of the Bellevill bench in the first and seemed to disappear from there.

Abramov: Seemee to go anywhere and do anything on the ice. Strong on the forecheck and back check. Very quick. He was playing on the point for some power plays. Could be a very dangerous player if he is able to find his finishing touch. Very impressed by what I saw.

Gustavsson: Good positionally and is able to move across the crease with ease. Needs work on his rebound control though. He did stop and freeze a shot from a 2 on 0 after some moron defenseman skated aggressively for a change rather than for the puck (lots of players dumbfounded with that move).

Brannstrom was reassigned to Belleville yesterday afternoon, so there was no chance he would have made it back east from Edmonton in time for the game.

These are just some of the things I noticed about these players. Obviously, some of them may have played better or worse than they normally do, but it was fun to watch, despite the loss.

I was at the Belleville/Bridgeport game last night. Belleville is a much larger team but Bridgeport is sneaky and fast. The B-Sens controlled much of the play throughout the game, having good zone control and leading in shots. Belleville was able to kill a lengthy 5 on 3 after taking penalties that were 10 or so seconds apart. It is hard to fault Gustavsson for the goals allowed as there was considerable traffic in front of him for both (the second one being on the penalty kill). I made sure to keep an eye on some of their higher level prospects, here is what I noticed.

Brown: Very good hands and even better at using his large frame to shield the puck. Can be a little lazy at times but is very hard to miss when he turns the intensity up.

Paul: Looked like a really good complement to Brown, they seemed to be able to find each other with ease. Less offensive instinct than Brown but is not afraid to go into the corners or drive to the net. Should be in Ottawa.

Batherson: Strong in all three zones. Looked calm, no matter the situation. May not be a huge offensive player but looks to be reliable in any situation.

Chlapik: Looked great early but got boarded in front of the Bellevill bench in the first and seemed to disappear from there.

Abramov: Seemee to go anywhere and do anything on the ice. Strong on the forecheck and back check. Very quick. He was playing on the point for some power plays. Could be a very dangerous player if he is able to find his finishing touch. Very impressed by what I saw.

Gustavsson: Good positionally and is able to move across the crease with ease. Needs work on his rebound control though. He did stop and freeze a shot from a 2 on 0 after some moron defenseman skated aggressively for a change rather than for the puck (lots of players dumbfounded with that move).

Brannstrom was reassigned to Belleville yesterday afternoon, so there was no chance he would have made it back east from Edmonton in time for the game.

These are just some of the things I noticed about these players. Obviously, some of them may have played better or worse than they normally do, but it was fun to watch, despite the loss.
- Mpepe1084

Appreciate the assessment. Thanks.

I was at the Belleville/Bridgeport game last night. Belleville is a much larger team but Bridgeport is sneaky and fast. The B-Sens controlled much of the play throughout the game, having good zone control and leading in shots. Belleville was able to kill a lengthy 5 on 3 after taking penalties that were 10 or so seconds apart. It is hard to fault Gustavsson for the goals allowed as there was considerable traffic in front of him for both (the second one being on the penalty kill). I made sure to keep an eye on some of their higher level prospects, here is what I noticed.

Brown: Very good hands and even better at using his large frame to shield the puck. Can be a little lazy at times but is very hard to miss when he turns the intensity up.

Paul: Looked like a really good complement to Brown, they seemed to be able to find each other with ease. Less offensive instinct than Brown but is not afraid to go into the corners or drive to the net. Should be in Ottawa.

Batherson: Strong in all three zones. Looked calm, no matter the situation. May not be a huge offensive player but looks to be reliable in any situation.

Chlapik: Looked great early but got boarded in front of the Bellevill bench in the first and seemed to disappear from there.

Abramov: Seemee to go anywhere and do anything on the ice. Strong on the forecheck and back check. Very quick. He was playing on the point for some power plays. Could be a very dangerous player if he is able to find his finishing touch. Very impressed by what I saw.

Gustavsson: Good positionally and is able to move across the crease with ease. Needs work on his rebound control though. He did stop and freeze a shot from a 2 on 0 after some moron defenseman skated aggressively for a change rather than for the puck (lots of players dumbfounded with that move).

Brannstrom was reassigned to Belleville yesterday afternoon, so there was no chance he would have made it back east from Edmonton in time for the game.

These are just some of the things I noticed about these players. Obviously, some of them may have played better or worse than they normally do, but it was fun to watch, despite the loss.
- Mpepe1084

So how many of these guys will we see next year? There's only so many roster spots, and guys like Smith will be taking up roster spots they don't deserve.

See that Leafs choked again last night. Not surprised by TSN headlines suggesting there was a "bright side to their loss." Perhaps they meant if you were looking from the Boston side of the light.

Anyway, I like the idea of the Sens putting some structure into their front office. I like the gathering of young players as well as the picks and prospects on the horizon.

I will certainly watch the playoffs this year. There will be teams and players to cheer for and against. My favourite playoff scenario is the Islanders making it through the first round as the Leafs serve up their traditional April pancake.
- spatso

How do you think the senators will do in the playoffs?

It's obviously a small sample size and by no means a measure of relative value, but it's rather interesting to look at the performance of all of the major pieces involved in the Sens' trade deadline moves (note: stats are from prior to the CBJ-VAN game).

OUT
Stone - 12GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Dzingel - 13GP, 1G, 6A, 7Pts
Duchene - 15GP, 3G, 3A, 6Pts

IN
Gibbons - 13GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Duclair - 14GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Lindberg - 13GP, 5G, 1A, 6Pts

Bizarrely, it works out to exactly 40GP for each group, with the new forwards actually outscoring the big-3 in terms of both goals and points.

The slow adjustment for Duchene is especially interesting, as he had a similarly slow start in Ottawa. Given the career year he was having prior to the trade, you have to wonder if Ottawa might actually be a more viable option for Duchene in the off-season than some people might think.

It's obviously a small sample size and by no means a measure of relative value, but it's rather interesting to look at the performance of all of the major pieces involved in the Sens' trade deadline moves (note: stats are from prior to the CBJ-VAN game).

OUT
Stone - 12GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Dzingel - 13GP, 1G, 6A, 7Pts
Duchene - 15GP, 3G, 3A, 6Pts

IN
Gibbons - 13GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Duclair - 14GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Lindberg - 13GP, 5G, 1A, 6Pts



Bizarrely, it works out to exactly 40GP for each group, with the new forwards actually outscoring the big-3 in terms of both goals and points.

The slow adjustment for Duchene is especially interesting, as he had a similarly slow start in Ottawa. Given the career year he was having prior to the trade, you have to wonder if Ottawa might actually be a more viable option for Duchene in the off-season than some people might think.
- khawk

Clever point. The team has probably not done much different in the standings either. My primary concern was what the impact would be on the young guys being left behind. In particular, would guys like Chabot and especially Tkachuk fall off?

Perhaps not.

Why would any credible hockey guy OR girl touch this Hockey ops job. Somehow Brian Murray was able to keep Eugene out of the news - tv - Toronto radio and allow the hockey people to run things. Any new person will know that type of control will not be afforded now.

So...anyone with the name Murray WOULD be good..but won't sign.

I think we're looking at Garth Snow type stuff here.

Steve Yzerman might be leaving Tampa after this season isn't he?... God that would be a dream.

Clever point. The team has probably not done much different in the standings either. My primary concern was what the impact would be on the young guys being left behind. In particular, would guys like Chabot and especially Tkachuk fall off?

Perhaps not.
- spatso

Good post.

Anyone could see Dzingle’s drop off by a mile away. Like the guy as a 3rd liner, but he isn’t a regular top 6 forward on a team that isn’t Ottawa.

Stone and Duchene’s production is about what you’d expect. Always surprised when people assume stars calibre players will just take off as usual with 20 new teammates.

All 3 of these guys came into their situations with the expectations of taking their teams to the next level.

Gibbons, Duclair, and Lindberg have no expectations and are playing in more primary roles than they previously were.

If Duchene was open to coming back to Ottawa, you have to lock that up ASAP.

It's obviously a small sample size and by no means a measure of relative value, but it's rather interesting to look at the performance of all of the major pieces involved in the Sens' trade deadline moves (note: stats are from prior to the CBJ-VAN game).

OUT
Stone - 12GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Dzingel - 13GP, 1G, 6A, 7Pts
Duchene - 15GP, 3G, 3A, 6Pts

IN
Gibbons - 13GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Duclair - 14GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Lindberg - 13GP, 5G, 1A, 6Pts

Bizarrely, it works out to exactly 40GP for each group, with the new forwards actually outscoring the big-3 in terms of both goals and points.

The slow adjustment for Duchene is especially interesting, as he had a similarly slow start in Ottawa. Given the career year he was having prior to the trade, you have to wonder if Ottawa might actually be a more viable option for Duchene in the off-season than some people might think.
- khawk

It was actually speculated multiple times when Duchene was traded that he might resign in the off season.

I forget who it was but someone tweeted something along the lines of "Duchene resigns with Ottawa next year, you heard it here first" the day after the Duchene trade

It was actually speculated multiple times when Duchene was traded that he might resign in the off season.

I forget who it was but someone tweeted something along the lines of "Duchene resigns with Ottawa next year, you heard it here first" the day after the Duchene trade
- Maverick1818

It's very interesting. I feel there is a possibility- he was playing his best hockey here in years and the money seemed to be there. He would be in an excellent situation being the 'guy' and is familiar with the personnel

It's very interesting. I feel there is a possibility- he was playing his best hockey here in years and the money seemed to be there. He would be in an excellent situation being the 'guy' and is familiar with the personnel
- AlexBoucher

He's a good leader, now considered a vet. He is still very fast and will be scoring for years to come. I don't see a down side.

I just wish they had kept Hoffman. Him with Duchene would have been sick.

I've been saying for a few years now that if Hoffman had a good #1C (like Duchene) he could be a 40+ goal scorer.... Look at him now 35 goals and on pace to hit 40 by the end of the year.

He's a good leader, now considered a vet. He is still very fast and will be scoring for years to come. I don't see a down side.

I just wish they had kept Hoffman. Him with Duchene would have been sick.

I've been saying for a few years now that if Hoffman had a good #1C (like Duchene) he could be a 40+ goal scorer.... Look at him now 35 goals and on pace to hit 40 by the end of the year.
- Maverick1818

Yeah- that trade stings. Boedker has been barely serviceable. I am a fan of Duchene's wheels too and the fact that hes dynamic offensively. We have been missing that for years, especially on the PP.

Contrary to our money pinching owner, I feel they will go out and get a top 6 option on wing as well- we need to rebuild our first line!

Yeah- that trade stings. Boedker has been barely serviceable. I am a fan of Duchene's wheels too and the fact that hes dynamic offensively. We have been missing that for years, especially on the PP.

Contrary to our money pinching owner, I feel they will go out and get a top 6 option on wing as well- we need to rebuild our first line!
- AlexBoucher

We haven't really had a real #1C since Spezza in his prime.

It's what this team has always been and is again lacking.

We've got amazing young guys and prospects with no top end talent.