Michael Stuart: Mark Stone Returns, Leads Golden Knights Past Senators

Watched both the Sens/Vegas and Prospect games simultaneously. Lafreniere was a man among boys regardless what the final score sheet shows. He was dominant whenever he was on the ice.

Pierre Dorion did great interview during 2nd period intermission. Key points:

loves the coaching young Sens are getting in their development,
Thomas Chabot is the leader of this team (now and future),
Lafreniere will look good in a Sens uniform if they have the #1 pick,
There are three elite players at the top of the draft,
4-20 are highly talented players (almost all will play in NHL)
21-65 includes strong talent (best draft in many years)
Ottawa will have at least 6 picks out of the first 65.
Next year is a much weaker draft

There are three elite players at the top of the draft,

Who's the third,

Stutzle?

Who's the third,

Stutzle?
- david22

I would say Drysdale, but that's just my opinion. the top 3-7 seems to be completely different in every ranking and mock draft

A few observations now that January is well underway:
- Unlike many, I have not been impressed with Chabot very often this season. Aside from playing a lot of minutes, there has been nothing standout about his play. His offensive ability isn’t even getting him by in my opinion. The give away last night was not the first time it’s happened. He continually making glaring errors and not making up for them in anyway. He needs to be better. It’s time for some accountability.
- White needs to start taking some accountability as well. I can’t even tell he’s been on the ice this year other than the header non-goal. Are people starting to get nervous that we are locked in with this guy for 6 years?
- Duclair coming back down to earth is expected. I think he has probably done enough to be a part of the rebuild. I am sort of glad to see him slowing down because it likely will mean a more reasonable contract.
- I know the above 3 struggles also have to do with the fact that the team lacks skilled players but some accountability can be a good thing for players development.

Watched both the Sens/Vegas and Prospect games simultaneously. Lafreniere was a man among boys regardless what the final score sheet shows. He was dominant whenever he was on the ice.

Pierre Dorion did great interview during 2nd period intermission. Key points:

loves the coaching young Sens are getting in their development,
Thomas Chabot is the leader of this team (now and future),
Lafreniere will look good in a Sens uniform if they have the #1 pick,
There are three elite players at the top of the draft,
4-20 are highly talented players (almost all will play in NHL)
21-65 includes strong talent (best draft in many years)
Ottawa will have at least 6 picks out of the first 65.
Next year is a much weaker draft
- spatso

Another disappointing game for Byfield. I don’t want to touch him with a ten pole feet

A few observations now that January is well underway:
- Unlike many, I have not been impressed with Chabot very often this season. Aside from playing a lot of minutes, there has been nothing standout about his play. His offensive ability isn’t even getting him by in my opinion. The give away last night was not the first time it’s happened. He continually making glaring errors and not making up for them in anyway. He needs to be better. It’s time for some accountability.
- White needs to start taking some accountability as well. I can’t even tell he’s been on the ice this year other than the header non-goal. Are people starting to get nervous that we are locked in with this guy for 6 years?
- Duclair coming back down to earth is expected. I think he has probably done enough to be a part of the rebuild. I am sort of glad to see him slowing down because it likely will mean a more reasonable contract.
- I know the above 3 struggles also have to do with the fact that the team lacks skilled players but some accountability can be a good thing for players development.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I agree with White, he's been invisible most nights.......no real excuses there

as for Chabot, i'm much more likely to give him a pass. I think with him, it's much more of a young kid, still learning, trying to do too much largely due to a complete lack of talent around him..........and the unwillingness of the coach to pair him with the one partner who he constantly plays very well with.

I agree with White, he's been invisible most nights.......no real excuses there

as for Chabot, i'm much more likely to give him a pass. I think with him, it's much more of a young kid, still learning, trying to do too much largely due to a complete lack of talent around him..........and the unwillingness of the coach to pair him with the one partner who he constantly plays very well with.
- sensarmy_11

I have been giving Chabot a long leash due to the reasons you list, but I haven’t seen any improvement and feel like the carelessness is getting worse. I don’t think it would be a bad thing for Smith to hold him accountable here and there. Chabot has the tools to be a Norris calibre defenceman but right now, just looks like a run of the mill offensive minded guy. Granted, he is still young, blah, blah, but I just don’t want to see him settle if he is a guy we are building around on the blue line.

I have been giving Chabot a long leash due to the reasons you list, but I haven’t seen any improvement and feel like the carelessness is getting worse. I don’t think it would be a bad thing for Smith to hold him accountable here and there. Chabot has the tools to be a Norris calibre defenceman but right now, just looks like a run of the mill offensive minded guy. Granted, he is still young, blah, blah, but I just don’t want to see him settle if he is a guy we are building around on the blue line.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Given the consistently high number of minutes he's been playing due to injuries on the blue line, it could be fatigue is finally catching up to him. He's not a robot despite his name implying he is.

When we overplayed Karlsson his defensive stats tended to decline as well. In order for elite athletes to perform at the elite levels expected, they need well managed ice time. If he were playing 21 to 23 minutes a night, his shifts would be more intense and he would likely be exerting more effort and controlling play more. It's harder to do when you play 1/2 to 2/3 of the total game night in and night out.

He has literally had no defensive help for a good spell until recently- this included AHL defensemen and healthy scratches (Golubeuf, Englund). It is not ideal when he is still maturing as well. Mistakes are going to happen with the lack of talent.

His skill is off the charts and his skating is effortless- give him a longer leash

Watched both the Sens/Vegas and Prospect games simultaneously. Lafreniere was a man among boys regardless what the final score sheet shows. He was dominant whenever he was on the ice.

Pierre Dorion did great interview during 2nd period intermission. Key points:

loves the coaching young Sens are getting in their development,
Thomas Chabot is the leader of this team (now and future),
Lafreniere will look good in a Sens uniform if they have the #1 pick,
There are three elite players at the top of the draft,
4-20 are highly talented players (almost all will play in NHL)
21-65 includes strong talent (best draft in many years)
Ottawa will have at least 6 picks out of the first 65.
Next year is a much weaker draft
- spatso

Rossi showed why he is better at everything other than being tall than Byfield.

another perfect night.
Stick with the plan.
White Chabbot.....just a carousel of linemates.
Relax. They'll play into their contracts.

bring on the high 1st round pics

Who's the third,
Stutzle?
- david22

A lot of people have moved Stutzle up into the top-5, but I'm not sure how he really stacks up against the likes of Raymond or Holtz, or whether he realistically projects as a winger or centre. Rossi seems to be the guy right now who just keeps silencing critics at every turn... if he was 1-2 inches taller, he would be directly challenging Lafreniere.

For my money, those 6 players are the upper-tier. The next level would probably include Drysdale, Lundell, Askarov, Perfetti, and Holloway. After that, there's a drop-off in the next 10 and then maybe the next 25, but still a lot of great-looking talent on the board. If Ottawa can land another 1st and 2nd in the coming draft, it could be quite an amazing haul.

Rossi showed why he is better at everything other than being tall than Byfield.
- AdamFrench

I agree. Dorion's comment was kind of cute. Essentially when you unpack all of it, he was saying Lafreniere is #1 and the only #1 if the Sens have the first pick.

His comment about there being 3 elite players was curios. He did not say "Byfield" or anybody else in terms of 2 or 3. Given the context, the omission seemed significant and my feeling was he does not have Byfield at #2 but he is not tipping his hand in terms of how they are leaning.

So here are my Rossi questions:

Everyone reports on him being only 5'9". Yet, recent reports indicate he now weighs 189 lbs. Is this guy small or is he a tank?

Kevin Bahl says for all his skill as a skater and his superior ice vision, he is most impressed by his strength and how hard it is to move him off the puck? Can Rossi dominate playing against big men?

I agree. Dorion's comment was kind of cute. Essentially when you unpack all of it, he was saying Lafreniere is #1 and the only #1 if the Sens have the first pick.

His comment about there being 3 elite players was curios. He did not say "Byfield" or anybody else in terms of 2 or 3. Given the context, the omission seemed significant and my feeling was he does not have Byfield at #2 but he is not tipping his hand in terms of how they are leaning.

So here are my Rossi questions:

Everyone reports on him being only 5'9". Yet, recent reports indicate he now weighs 189 lbs. Is this guy small or is he a tank?

Kevin Bahl says for all his skill as a skater and his superior ice vision, he is most impressed by his strength and how hard it is to move him off the puck? Can Rossi dominate playing against big men?
- spatso

Bendan Ghallager nuff said

I agree. Dorion's comment was kind of cute. Essentially when you unpack all of it, he was saying Lafreniere is #1 and the only #1 if the Sens have the first pick.

His comment about there being 3 elite players was curios. He did not say "Byfield" or anybody else in terms of 2 or 3. Given the context, the omission seemed significant and my feeling was he does not have Byfield at #2 but he is not tipping his hand in terms of how they are leaning.

So here are my Rossi questions:

Everyone reports on him being only 5'9". Yet, recent reports indicate he now weighs 189 lbs. Is this guy small or is he a tank?

Kevin Bahl says for all his skill as a skater and his superior ice vision, he is most impressed by his strength and how hard it is to move him off the puck? Can Rossi dominate playing against big men?
- spatso

I mean I weighed the same as him (lean and same height) when i was his age, and i weigh 215 at about 15% BF, so it's entirely possible that he's a tick boy too.

If I'm looking at a deal that really works for both teams

To Ottawa

David Backes (1m retained)
2020 1st
2021 3rd* conditional

3rd becomes 2nd IF: Boston makes conf. finals in either 2020 or 2021 AND J.G. Pageau resigns with Boston.

To Boston

Jean Gabriel Pageau

*Sens have Backes next season (final year) 3m salary, 5m cap hit

Watched both the Sens/Vegas and Prospect games simultaneously. Lafreniere was a man among boys regardless what the final score sheet shows. He was dominant whenever he was on the ice.

Pierre Dorion did great interview during 2nd period intermission. Key points:

loves the coaching young Sens are getting in their development,
Thomas Chabot is the leader of this team (now and future),
Lafreniere will look good in a Sens uniform if they have the #1 pick,
There are three elite players at the top of the draft,
4-20 are highly talented players (almost all will play in NHL)
21-65 includes strong talent (best draft in many years)
Ottawa will have at least 6 picks out of the first 65.
Next year is a much weaker draft
- spatso

I disagree completely. While Lafreniere is the superstar of this class, there are a lot of prospects that could become franchise players (it’s that good).

Ive been following this class since the summer..haven’t seen one with this much promise in a long time. I actually have a hard time thinking a team is gonna screw up a pick (especially in the top 12).

And next years class, will be loaded with amazing d prospects. #1 is gna be Center named Raty by a mile

A lot of people have moved Stutzle up into the top-5, but I'm not sure how he really stacks up against the likes of Raymond or Holtz, or whether he realistically projects as a winger or centre. Rossi seems to be the guy right now who just keeps silencing critics at every turn... if he was 1-2 inches taller, he would be directly challenging Lafreniere.

For my money, those 6 players are the upper-tier. The next level would probably include Drysdale, Lundell, Askarov, Perfetti, and Holloway. After that, there's a drop-off in the next 10 and then maybe the next 25, but still a lot of great-looking talent on the board. If Ottawa can land another 1st and 2nd in the coming draft, it could be quite an amazing haul.
- khawk

I didn’t think I’d like a player more than Raymond, but it might be Stutzle. He kinda reminds me of Barzal when he plays. I would not be shocked if he’s selected 2nd overall.

I would take Raymond over Holtz because I’ve just seen more from him and he’s got electrifying potential. Not to mention he played at the juniors sick. Holtz had a better worlds this year and his size may play a factor in teams selecting him before Raymond (both are awesome but i’d take Raymond)

If I'm looking at a deal that really works for both teams

To Ottawa

David Backes (1m retained)
2020 1st
2021 3rd* conditional

3rd becomes 2nd IF: Boston makes conf. finals in either 2020 or 2021 AND J.G. Pageau resigns with Boston.

To Boston

Jean Gabriel Pageau

*Sens have Backes next season (final year) 3m salary, 5m cap hit
- AlfieisKing

I think the sens could do better. Pageau is the best center, maybe the best forward available (kreider, toffoli up there). If the playoff race continues to look like this, it’ll be a fun deadline

I disagree completely. While Lafreniere is the superstar of this class, there are a lot of prospects that could become franchise players (it’s that good).

Ive been following this class since the summer..haven’t seen one with this much promise in a long time. I actually have a hard time thinking a team is gonna screw up a pick (especially in the top 12).

And next years class, will be loaded with amazing d prospects. #1 is gna be Center named Raty by a mile
- Trilla

I don't think Dorion said anything different than what you are saying. He said there are 3 elites but only named one of them (Lafreniere). I thought he was being coy not hinting who he thought 2 and 3 were.....but, something led me to think that Byfield was outside his top three.

He was very clear when asked if Ottawa would make a surprise pick because they had so many picks. He said "no" there are just too many really good players in this draft. Everyone in the top 15 are probable NHL players.

Anyone know why pageau was scratch last night and held out of practice today according to TSN?

ducks just won

Anyone know why pageau was scratch last night and held out of practice today according to TSN?
- GrimmdaGoalie

hurt........apparently

will be ok