Trevor Shackles: Armchair GM Part 2: Defense Analyzing what moves I would do with the defense if I were the GM

Formenton has speed. He has the ability to play a full 200' game. Would be huge error if Sens were to move him.

I respectfully HATE the deal you proposed for Miller. Trading 2 very promising prospects and a 2nd rd pick for an “ok” top 4 guy who’s already 27 is absolutely not what this team needs to do.

Yeah, I wasn't too keen on that Miller proposition either.

Didn't realize we could potentially sign Chabot this summer, though. Very interesting. And yes, they should not be afraid to plunk down some coin. But man, anything more than 8x$7M just sounds pricey. Yes, I know he's good, but it just seems... ka-chink! I feel Melnyk's purse will tighten on this one too.

Formenton has speed. He has the ability to play a full 200' game. Would be huge error if Sens were to move him.
- spatso

I really like his potential, but I'm also a little wary about his offensive output considering the chances he gets. He should have lit the OHL up last season.

He had injuries so hopefully it was just a bump in the road.

He'll get a great shot out of camp this year, have to assume he'll get 9 games again. Can he play in the AHL?

Yep: the Formenton trade stuck out at me. I wouldn't trade this guy. He was one of those instrumental depth players on Canada's gold medal WJC roster. He might be one of Ottawa's glue guys in the future.

Remember that Vegas is cap crunched: they have to find the best deal possible - all teams should be coming in low for him. Maybe there's a bit of Jeff Petry value there... a little more. That's a 2nd and a 4th pick... upgrade it to a 3rd if they're in a bidding war.

Everyone thought it was pricey when Brian Murray signed Karlsson to a 6.5 mill extension. I'd say we did ok on that one... a couple Norris trophies, a couple we should have had...and a fun captain for a little while.

Chabbot doesn't get that extension because the owner is broke.

While the Harpur deal isn't unfair, the Flyers would have zero interest in that. They have higher upside, young/cheap options in Morin and Hagg that are currently slotted 6th and 7th on the depth chart. And they have plenty of those types in the system that are close.

Wonder how else these two teams would be compatible for a deal, though?

While the Harpur deal isn't unfair, the Flyers would have zero interest in that. They have higher upside, young/cheap options in Morin and Hagg that are currently slotted 6th and 7th on the depth chart. And they have plenty of those types in the system that are close.

Wonder how else these two teams would be compatible for a deal, though?
- cmr.266

I see Pageau or Smith fitting in nicely there....work out a deal involving picks or prospects. I'd say a young D man, but those guys are obviously not nearly worth a Ghost/provorov/sanheim

I have high hopes for Pageau this season. He plays a strong defensive game and gives you a really solid presence in all the zones. I think he is a great fit for the kids. He could also be very attractive to another team as a playoff pick-up at the deadline.

Do not think the Sens should rush to move Pageau in the short term. He is the one guy they can play defensively in a head to head situation against another team's #1 centre.

I'd be comfortable with an 8 x $7.5M deal for Chabot. He is a true #1 defenceman and a core player going forward. Getting him signed long term lays the foundation for a competitive team in 3-5 years. It also sends a positive signal to Tkachuk and others.

I also have a high confidence that Wolanin will be a top 4 defenceman going forward. A side of me would like to see him signed to a 5 year deal but it is probably best to get a full year of him in the NHL prior to making that kind of commitment.

The right side of the defence needs the most work. I am hoping that Ottawa is able to pick a high end right defenceman in the first 2 rounds of this year's draft.

I'd be comfortable with an 8 x $7.5M deal for Chabot. He is a true #1 defenceman and a core player going forward. Getting him signed long term lays the foundation for a competitive team in 3-5 years. It also sends a positive signal to Tkachuk and others.

I also have a high confidence that Wolanin will be a top 4 defenceman going forward. A side of me would like to see him signed to a 5 year deal but it is probably best to get a full year of him in the NHL prior to making that kind of commitment.

The right side of the defence needs the most work. I am hoping that Ottawa is able to pick a high end right defenceman in the first 2 rounds of this year's draft.
- SensFan25

Entirely agree on Chabot. He has been a team leader and a winner for most of his career. He can log huge minutes.

Formenton has speed. He has the ability to play a full 200' game. Would be huge error if Sens were to move him.
- spatso

Sure, he does. But it remains to be seen if he can be an impact player offensively because he never truly excelled in the OHL with his production. I see him more as a Carl Hagelin type, which is a useful player, but not one to necessarily build a team around.

I respectfully HATE the deal you proposed for Miller. Trading 2 very promising prospects and a 2nd rd pick for an “ok” top 4 guy who’s already 27 is absolutely not what this team needs to do.
- sensarmy_11

Miller is far more than an "ok" top-4 guy. Lajoie still has some potential, but Ottawa already has 3 LHD far ahead of him on the depth chart, plus I just don't think Formenton is going to be the impact player that some expect him to be. He'll almost certainly be an NHL player, but I see him more as a 2nd/3rd line tweener who can be versatile but isn't really on the same level as guys llke Tkachuk and Batherson

While the Harpur deal isn't unfair, the Flyers would have zero interest in that. They have higher upside, young/cheap options in Morin and Hagg that are currently slotted 6th and 7th on the depth chart. And they have plenty of those types in the system that are close.

Wonder how else these two teams would be compatible for a deal, though?
- cmr.266

Ya and that's fair. The fact that it's specifically Philly in the deal doesn't really matter honestly, it's more that Ottawa trades Harpur for a late round pick.

Miller is far more than an "ok" top-4 guy. Lajoie still has some potential, but Ottawa already has 3 LHD far ahead of him on the depth chart, plus I just don't think Formenton is going to be the impact player that some expect him to be. He'll almost certainly be an NHL player, but I see him more as a 2nd/3rd line tweener who can be versatile but isn't really on the same level as guys llke Tkachuk and Batherson
- Trevor Shackles

agree to disagree.

the guy had one great year, when literally every player on that VGK team had career seasons....but at the end of the day, he's going to be 27 when the year starts. he's as good as he'll ever be, with his "prime years" probably already in the past. if Ottawa was in a "win now" or even "win in the next 2 years" frame of mind, then maybe I can get behind this deal..........but that's too much to give up for a guy who doesn't really make the team THAT much better now, and will be on the decline when this team is good again.

I would much rather have the "potential" of formenton and lajoie, over Miller....given where this team is.

Formenton screams Mason Raymond when I have seen him play. Tremendous speed but doesn’t seem to have a natural ability to score. Not a useless player by any means, I’d love to have that on a 2nd/3rd line but not sure he’s a staple prospect for the Sens. Could very well be wrong. Keep him and see how he grows in the NHL.

With Chabot and Branstrom (hopefully) as a 1-2 punch on the left side, the right side needs to be addressed at some point. The 5/6 roles are filler. I don’t think a deal necessarily has to be made this year but nabbing some solid prospects for the right side is important. Remember, this team ain’t going to be competitive for awhile.

I’ve said it before, this season is kind of a write out. Outside of bringing in ugly contracts to get to the cap floor, not a lot of major deals will be had unless draft picks and prospects are involved.

Formenton screams Mason Raymond when I have seen him play. Tremendous speed but doesn’t seem to have a natural ability to score. Not a useless player by any means, I’d love to have that on a 2nd/3rd line but not sure he’s a staple prospect for the Sens. Could very well be wrong. Keep him and see how he grows in the NHL.

With Chabot and Branstrom (hopefully) as a 1-2 punch on the left side, the right side needs to be addressed at some point. The 5/6 roles are filler. I don’t think a deal necessarily has to be made this year but nabbing some solid prospects for the right side is important. Remember, this team ain’t going to be competitive for awhile.

I’ve said it before, this season is kind of a write out. Outside of bringing in ugly contracts to get to the cap floor, not a lot of major deals will be had unless draft picks and prospects are involved.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Good comment. Craig Button (TSN) summarized his thoughts on Formenton:

“Formenton has unbelievable speed and he’s understood throughout the development process how to use that speed to really impact the game outside of just skating. Is Formenton going to be an all-star winger? No. But can he be a player that pushes 50-to-55 points and makes plays because of his speed? Absolutely.